199 Chapter 198: Trial

[Note-I used chat gpt for this chapter .. conclusion at the end..]

With Samwell's order, the trial officially began.

Gavin, representing the Father, first presented the case, impartially stating the statements of both parties.

Samwell listened quietly, his face devoid of joy or anger. When he heard that Gongga ran to the church to pray for forgiveness from the Seven Gods, he glances at Priest Ivan.

At that moment, Priest Ivan lowered his head, his thoughts unclear.

"You both state your innocence," Samwell asked calmly, "Is there any evidence to support your claims?" Gongga shouts, "My lord, I swear by the name of the Seven Gods!"

"What I seek is evidence, not an oath," Samwell responded coldly.

"My lord, I have evidence!" Timett said hurriedly.

"Speak,"

"I object!" Priest Ivan finally spoke, "Since Timett has joined the jury as the representative of the 'maiden,' she can no longer testify for the victim."

"The objection is invalid," Samwell said.

"Priest Ivan, you are now a spectator and have no right to interfere with the trial. I advise you to remain silent, or else I will order someone to escort you out ."

After speaking, Samwell turned to Timett and said, "Timett, for the sake of trial fairness, I must remind you that as a jury member, you cannot serve as a witness. However, if you can provide physical evidence or other witnesses, they will be accepted."

Timett stood in the middle of the hall, facing the gaze of everyone, but she remained calm and composed. "I have physical evidence, my lord.

Gongga claims to have punished my sister and accidentally killed her. However, my sister was diligent in her work and never made any mistakes. If you doubt my words, you can check the work logs, or you can ask other female workers on the plantation."

"Fetch Tiffy's work records," Samwell asked Gavin.

Gavin quickly retrieved a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Samwell.

Samwell immediately realizes that this boy has known the truth of the case for a long time but was hesitant to pass judgment due to pressure from the church.

After examining the records, he discovered that Tiffy earned all her work points and even received bonus points, establishing her as an exemplary worker.

"Gongga, you claimed to have punished Tiffy, but what was your reason?" Samwell asked.

"I... I..." Gongga hesitated, unable to provide a reason, sweat pouring down his face.

He looked at Priest Ivan, pleading with his eyes, but the latter completely ignored him.

Samwell's patience was running out, he stood up abruptly, speaking loudly, "I believe Gongga is guilty of murder!"

"Second!"

"Second!"

"Second!"

...

The remaining six jury members quickly seconded the statement, and Timett, unable to contain her excitement, raised her fist in the air.

"The jury has voted unanimously!" Samwell declares in a cold tone.

"Gongga is found guilty of murder. In the name of the Lord of Eagle Island, I sentence you to death! Execute him now!"

"No!" Gongga hoarsely shouted, "My lord, my lord, I am here to help you manage the plantation! I'm loyal to you!"

"You have tarnished my reputation," Samwell said coldly.

"I didn't! I didn't! She was just a lowly savage! Why? I won't accept this! I demand a trial by combat!" Gongga pleaded.

Samwell frowned and looked at the desperate Gongga with a mocking expression.

In truth, with solid evidence, he could refuse a trial by combat. However, as the words came to his lips, Samwell smiled and said, "Very well. Gongga, as my retainer, you have made significant contributions to Eagle Island. I will give you another chance. Do you have any proxy knights?"

Eagle Island only has four knights: Samwell himself, Cheman, Lucas Dane, and Todd Flower.

Gongga obviously cannot request the lord, and Cheman is currently on an expedition in the Red Mountains. This leaves him with two choices.

Unfortunately for Gongga, both Lucas and Todd seem to have turned into statues of steel, completely ignoring his pleading eyes.

"It seems you'll have to fight on your own," Samwell sneered and ordered his servant, "Give him a sword."

Kathu unsheathed his long sword and handed it to Gongga.

Gongga had no choice but to accept it, silently praying that no one will stand up to fight for the deceased wild woman.

Regrettably, he underestimated the knights' sense of justice.

Before Samwell can speak further, both Lucas Dayne and Todd Flower stood up almost simultaneously and said, "My lord, please allow us to be acting knights for Tiffy and fight for her justice."

Despair appeared on Gongga's face.

But even more, despair awaits him.

Samwell shook his head and said, "Tiffy already has an acting knight, Cleopatra."

The two knights wonder who this unknown knight is when they witness the white dragon resting on Samwell's shoulder take flight.

"Gongga, your opponent is this dragon," Samwell said lightly. "Go on, if you manage to slay the dragon today, I will believe that the gods truly favour you."

Gongga faced near-certain death.

Facing Lucas and Todd, he might have had a chance to fight to the death, but against a dragon...

Gongga watched as the dragon soar through the air, appearing like a white phantom, and he was at a loss for what to do.

"Let us pray first," Samwell said.

Priest Ivan intends to intervene but hesitates when he saw Samwell turning to the red-robed woman beside him.

"Lady Melisandre, didn't you mention that the dragon is composed of flames and belongs to R'hllor, the Lord of Light?"

"So, You shall lead the prayer."

"Of course!" Melisandre replied, seizing the excellent opportunity to spread the faith of the Lord of Light.

She gracefully walked to the centre of the hall, the ruby at her throat shone a blood-red light.

"Lord of Light, watch over me,".

Priest Ivan contemplated intervening but controlled himself. He realised that the Church of the Seven Gods may encounter a formidable challenger in the realm of faith on Eagle Island.

"King of Light, protect us!" everyone in the hall responded.

"King of Light, guide us through the darkness! Great R'hllor, reveal to us whether this man is honest or false! If he is guilty, grant him death! If he is sincere, grant him strength! For the night is dark and full of terrors! Bestow upon us your wisdom!"

The Prayer concluded, and the duel officially began.

The white dragon swooped down suddenly, leaving a bloody gash on Gongga's face with its sharp claws.

Gongga roared furiously, swinging his sword desperately to ward off the approaching dragon.

Yet, his efforts prove futile.

A single sword cannot defend his entire body.

Soon, Cleopatra inflicted dozens of wounds upon Gongga's body, causing blood to flow and form a stream on the ground.

The dragon, seemingly unbothered, toyed with its prey, relishing the process.

Gongga's screams grow more desperate as he struggled to keep up with the dragon's speed, swinging his sword aimlessly.

Whether by the favour of the gods or the dragon's momentary lapse, Gongga's sword connected, striking the dragon's milky white scales and sparking.

However, the scale remained intact, unaffected by the blow.

This strike only further provoked Cleopatra.

The dragon stopped mid-air, spreads its wings, and let out a thunderous roar.

Surging flames engulfed Gongga's face, melting his eyes and cascading down his features like molten jelly.

Orange, red, and black flames consume his hair and beard, turning him into a crowned figure of fire towering above his head.

The scent of burning flesh overwhelmed the air, drowning out any other aroma, while his agonizing howls drown out all other sounds.

The shrill screams reverberate throughout the hall, gradually diminishing until they faded away completely.

The dragon's blaze continues to burn, reducing Gongga to ashes, leaving behind only a mound of pale remnants.

A pungent scent of burnt flesh permeates the hall, filling everyone with a sense of dread.

The only one displaying extreme excitement was the red priest, Melisandre, as if witnessing the power of the Lord of Light manifest in the world.

Samwell spoke with a solemn voice, "The gods have delivered their verdict. Gongga, guilty."

"Gongga, guilty," echoed the other six jury members in unison.

The case reached its conclusion.

Although Priest Ivan had anticipated this outcome, he remains shocked by the horror of the white dragon.

Indeed, this is but a young dragon, yet its displayed strength surpasses anything a human could contend with.

As time passes, the dragon will grow larger, its power becoming increasingly formidable.

Legend has it that in its prime, Balerion the "Black Death" could devour an entire bison in a single gulp, its wings could shroud a bustling town, and the flames it breathed could incinerate hundreds of people.

In those days, the dragon reigned as the god of death on the battlefield, nearly invincible.

Brother Ivan gazed at the white dragon returning to rest on Samwell's shoulder, realizing he must reconsider his missionary strategy on Eagle Island.

[END]

[ Conclusion-It's boring .. I can't feel emotions ..it's like reading a statement..😅..what do you guys think?🧐]