"The Empire has a code ofws. Moreover, casew is not recognized in principle."
"What does that have to do with this matter?"
"Basically, the empire has adopted the principle of writtenw."
Writtenw refers to thew in thew book, and unwrittenw is the implicit national rule that everyone follows.
"But we can''t break long-standing practices with such an absurd ruling!"
It was happening again—the tactic of suddenly starting a fight. Abel thought to himself, *Why would someone of his age act like that?*
Looking at Count Quin with pity, Abel said, "That kind of groundless logic can be easily destroyed."
"You just said it was a long-standing custom, right?"
"Yes."
"Is that a norm that the majority of the people know well and follow clearly?"
"… … ."
Count Roderick Quin did not answer immediately.
Of course, that wasn''t possible.
How many people actually know about the special privileges of the full-time government?
Except for the nobility and middle-ss freemen, most people probably wouldn''t even know such a thing existed.
If we start acknowledging even such half-bakedws as unwrittenws, there will really be no end to it. Even the barbaric customs of a remote vige could bew.
Besides, Abel had a more definitive way to end the controversy.
"Let me ask you one thing, Mr. Quin."
"Please speak."
"Who would want to receive preferential treatment as a full-time official…? No, are you saying you want to receive preferential treatment as a full-time official? I have never admitted to such a thing."
Abel was the supreme judge of the empire.
Who on earth could possibly exert influence to change the oue of a trial? Even the emperor hadn''t done anything like that yet.
Count Roderick Quin''s face turned pale as he realized who he had been talking back to. Abel, ring at the other person with a dreary look in his eyes, said, "If you don''t like my decision, appeal."
"… … ."
Count Roderick Quin bowed his head in silence.
The empire was a country that had chosen the three-chamber system. Of course, the format was a bit different from morden world, but there were two more chances if someone wanted to appeal.
The problem was that now, the only person above Abel was the Emperor. And who would want to go through the second and third trials with that scary man? He was the type to send his enemies to their graves whileughing.
Count Quin left the courtroom with his shoulders slumped.
Abel was about to leave but stopped walking. The noise from the audience was growing louder.
"As expected of Your Highness, Duke of Carriers. You judge everything based solely on facts."
"That''s right! Regardless of whether we''re on good terms or bad."
"I thought the result would be different this time since the manuscript was from the Sierra aristocracy… … ."
"Are you the kind of person who would judge with personal feelings? Didn''t he even deny the special privileges of Jeon Gwan?"
"By the way, this is a big problem. The bacsh will be considerable."
The audience showered Abel with bothpliments and concerned looks. It was truly a groundbreaking result.
''Oh, there''s going to be a lot of gossip.''
The legal profession was probably going to be in an uproar for a while.
This rulingpletely denied the special privileges of judges and prosecutors. There were probably quite a few people who would resent him, thinking that a huge benefit had been taken away in an instant.
But Abel had never regretted or thought about changing his mind regarding this decision. It wasn''t because he thought he wouldn''t receive any special privileges anyway.
''I must break the cycle of irrationality.''
Besides, it was something no one else could do. Who on earth would stand up and take the me? Even for someone who had achieved a rtively high position, it would not be an easy decision.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
As soon as Abel returned to his office and sat down, there was a knock on the door. A knock with an understated style. It was most likely Judge Colund Emir.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, Your Honor."
As expected, Judge Emir entered with a slightly gloomy expression. Abel could already predict what Colund was going to say. It was about the ruling.
"You can criticize me as much as you want. I am willing to listen to the bitter words of Judge Emir."
"No. I have nothing to say."
"Oh! Really?"
It was a wee sound to hear, but the next words shattered Abel''s moment of happiness.
"Instead, all kinds of protests are pouring in. Take a look at this."
Colund opened the door to the office wide. Then arge cart, hidden behind, appeared.
It was literally a pile of papers. Considering that not much time had passed since the trial ended, why were so many people already protesting?
Abel held his pounding head and gestured weakly. "Bring it and see."
"Yes."
The sound of the cart''s wheels sounded like the pulley of a guillotine.
*Is this how a king of the Joseon Dynasty would feel when reading petitions?* Abel thought.
As soon as he picked up the first letter, a long sigh escaped his lips.
"Wow! A big shot from the start."
The name written on the envelope was Marquis Alden O''Donnell. He was a senior figure who had been in the legal profession for a long time and had even served as the highest judge.
"I heard he''s almost 100 years old, and he''s still writing letters himself..."
''I guess he really don''t like it,'' Abel mused.
Indeed, Marquis Alden O''Donnell may have also received special privileges and felt that his reputation had been tarnished by the ruling.
As expected, the letter was filled with all sorts of usations from the beginning.
"I read it, but it''s useless."
Abel pushed it aside without even looking at it and immediately pulled out another sheet.
As expected, this letter was also critical. He checked each letter one by one, just in case there was something different. But contrary to his expectations, the content all felt simr.
Abel threw the letters aside.