Chapter 166: The Light of Righteousness

At sunset, the trial began on time.

Cheng Yun, as the elected prosecutor, brought charges against the former Lord of the Desert, Cole.

"Now, there is evidence that you once instructed your subordinates to intentionally assault and harm citizens, which, in the past year alone, resulted in a total of thousands of people killed, missing, injured, or intimidated.

"You and the aristocratic class secretly colluded with the Raiders, maintaining the slave trade in the Desert, a trade that leads to at least three hundred people being enslaved each year. After Apollo arrived, it only intensified!

"Unlike before, those slaves sold to Apollo, once they boarded their spacecraft, had no chance of ever regaining their freedom. No one knows where they went or if they are still alive.

"Finally, we also have recordings proving that you colluded with the Stormwind Gang, instructing them to attack Red Iron Town and then cutting off resources there, attempting to artificially create a famine.

"For all these crimes, there are witnesses willing to testify, and they are all present today."

Philip was also one of the witnesses. He stood at the very front of the square, head held high, feeling relieved and proud to fulfill his civic duty.

"I did all of this for the prosperity of the city."

Cole sat in the defendant's chair, his voice full of vigor.

"All these actions were within the framework of the law, they were legal, they were necessary compromises made for survival in a post-apocalyptic environment."

"Bullshit!"

The crowd roared in anger.

"Perhaps my subordinates misunderstood my intentions," Cole actually shrugged, making a gesture of apology, "If their actions caused you trouble, then I am willing to apologize on their behalf."

His demeanor instantly ignited the entire public trial.

This was an open provocation!

"Caused trouble? Caused trouble!? You tortured us for so long, killed so many people, and you call this causing trouble!?

"I'm going to kill him! I must tear this scoundrel apart with my own hands!"

"Don't stop me!"

The crowd was furious, many wanted to rush onto the stage, but fortunately, Cheng Yun's oil workers desperately held them back.

"Absurd! We have witnesses who can confirm that you personally gave the order to kill citizens!"

Cheng Yun spoke righteously.

Cole sighed.

"Cheng Yun, you're not very smart—there are often fights in bars, and people often shout about killing each other. If that could be used as courtroom evidence, wouldn't those people also be convicted of murder?"

"Hey!"

Ye Xing, who was listening, ruffled his hair.

"This guy's got some tricks!"

"Normal. He's the City Lord, so he must have received a good education, and he's not stupid himself."

Prairie said coldly.

"Moreover, even if I did issue similar pursuit orders, it was under the premise of judging that the other party had endangered the city's safety and committed a capital crime. Even if I judged incorrectly, as a ruler, I am not guilty! Because the intelligence was not collected by me alone. If one misjudgment costs a life, who else can lead this city?!"

The citizens listening gritted their teeth in hatred, but had to admit that these words were not entirely without reason.

What to do?

At this moment, Cheng Yun finally realized that he had made a not-so-small mistake.

Still too naive—

The laws of Oasis City had been "improved" by the Cole family for three centuries. How could they not have anticipated the questions from the citizen class? How could they not protect themselves unfairly?

How to prove that the judgment violated the rules? This was logically problematic.

Sigh, impulsive, emotional!

Of course, the Executive Officer could have directly executed Cole on the spot, but if he did that, what would be the meaning of the "trial"?

Wouldn't that just make himself look bad?

Holding this public trial was originally meant to allow citizens to resist tyranny in a righteous way, to let them know that they were not spiritually inferior to the rulers, and to put a perfect end to this revolution.

It sounded good at the time.

But now, was it going to backfire—

Cheng Yun was still pondering, when the Executive Officer already walked up.

"So, if I understand correctly, not being subject to legal trial is your privilege as City Lord, right?" Lu Yuan asked Cole.

"Yes, Executive Officer."

Cole looked up, his expression extremely arrogant.

"But this is not an ordinary privilege, but a privilege explicitly stipulated by law, it is our own internal affair of Oasis City.

As an outsider, you can choose to respect it, or you can choose to barbarically trample on it."

"I choose to respect."

"Oh, very good, applause for you."

"Then may I ask, since it is explicitly stipulated by law, where does your legislative power come from?"

"Hmph—" Cole's demeanor grew increasingly relaxed.

"Executive Officer, you seem to lack the most basic understanding of our system. City laws are discussed and decided by me and the aristocratic elders at the Elder Council. Our power is inherited from our families, from the duties and status of the first family head."

"Where did the duties and status of the first family head come from?"

Cole paused for a second.

"From the unanimous decision of the citizens three centuries ago. People back then, unlike now, still knew how to be grateful. My ancestors were rulers chosen by the citizens, legitimate and lawful."

"I'm afraid it wasn't that legitimate, was it?" Lu Yuan's tone was calm.

Clap!

Wearing his power armor, he snapped his fingers with an unusually loud sound.

Upon receiving this command, a small player projected the pre-prepared image onto the large screen behind Lu Yuan.

"What's that? A diary?"

The citizens looked at the pages displayed on the screen, very curious.

Cole didn't pay attention at first, but after reading a few lines, he trembled all over.

This is!

"This is a diary from three centuries ago, from the original ruler of Oasis City, to be precise, the mayor."

Lu Yuan explained to the citizens.

"According to this diary, City Lord Cole, you lied.

Your and the city's aristocratic ancestors gained their current status and power through an armed coup. I think besides the diary, somewhere in your palace, there are also dusty documents that can confirm this."

"This—what of it?!"

Cole hadn't expected this long-erased history to be dug up, and by this Executive Officer, of all people.

How did he manage it?

He suddenly felt a little flustered, trying hard to maintain his outward composure.

Lu Yuan: "Your ancestors' actions back then did not receive the support of the city council at the time. You are not the city's rightful heir as you claim; you are a usurper."

Cole waved his hand.

"Saying all this is meaningless! The regime of the first generation of city pioneers failed. Haven't you heard that the winner takes all? We are the victors, and naturally we can enjoy the fruits of victory, we can—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

Can what? Go on?

Not so good at talking now?

"Now Cangyuan is the victor!"

The first citizens to react screamed desperately.

"According to your logic, the winner takes all! The Executive Officer has the right to legislate anew! To sentence you to death!"

Cole looked up at Lu Yuan in shock.

You dare to trick me?!

Lu Yuan smiled without speaking.

"No—no! My ancestors' actions back then were righteous, supported by the majority of citizens! The mayor at that time was unpopular, it was what everyone wanted!"

At this moment, Cheng Yun rushed forward, grabbed Cole's collar, and forced him to face the crowd in the square.

"Citizen support, huh?! What everyone wanted, huh?! Then look closely now, listen to the public opinion here! Guess if they plan to forgive you and let you go!"

Cole's lips trembled, unable to speak.

He saw seventy thousand angry eyes.

"According to the first mayor's diary, your family's crimes can be further confirmed."

Lu Yuan continued.

"Oasis City was founded by survivors of the apocalypse. They originally possessed advanced technology, and this Desert also had ample air, minerals, and even a large amount of fresh water.

"Oasis City originally had a very good development prospect, and the first mayor even planned to share the reservoir with all citizens."

"But your ancestors ruined all of this. They destroyed the technological and industrial foundations, and they deceived and misled the people. It can be said that all the suffering Oasis City experienced in the following three hundred years was to pay for the foolishness of that time."

So that's how it was!

The true history, it turned out, was like this!

Upon hearing this, many citizens had a strange illusion.

It was as if they suddenly felt like they could breathe after being suffocated.

As if a heavy burden on their shoulders had suddenly been lifted.

As if the light of righteousness gently shone upon their faces.

This, is this justice—

Justice that was 300 years late—

Lu Yuan turned to face the citizens, his eyes on Cole.

"Former City Lord Cole, from a legal perspective, you are a usurper. The first mayor did not transfer legislative power to your ancestors.

From a factual perspective, you are the defeated party, your regime was seized by me. According to your own words, the winner takes all, and the laws you enacted do not apply to this trial.

From the perspective of public opinion, we can now listen to the citizens' true opinions of you.

Finally, if you insist, from the perspective of bloodline inheritance, you need to be responsible for the wrongs committed by your family. You are not a benefactor to Oasis City, but a criminal.

Now, do you have anything else you need to say in your self-defense? I will give you three minutes."

The citizens' eyes widened as they watched the City Lord being rendered speechless and looking foolish, the situation completely reversed in a short time.

Cangyuan's Executive Officer is truly a divine being!

"Look! He—he has nothing to say!"

"The City Lord has given up his defense, he's admitted guilt!"

Ye Xing couldn't help but clap and cheer.

"Holy crap!! Prairie, did you see that? As expected of the Executive Officer, this trap! This rhetoric! This logic! Awesome!"

Cole opened his mouth, but couldn't squeeze out a single sound, let alone defend himself.

A violent ringing echoed in his head, preventing him from clearly hearing what Cheng Yun was saying. He only saw him loudly announcing something to the citizens.

He knew it was his judgment.

Led by the butler AI, two humanoid robots escorted Minister Omar, whose eyes were unfocused and legs had completely given out, out of the palace.

Then, more robots rolled out specially made wooden torture instruments.

In this Desert, wood was a valuable material, and it was considered worthy of the prisoner's "noble" status.

With a name and a title.

The butler began to introduce the execution method to the citizens.

Only a very small number of people found this too cruel, and many even thought it was not enough.

Far from enough compared to the pain caused by the criminal.

Lu Yuan had invited the families whose loved ones had been sold into slavery to perform the execution in advance. Not a single person refused, and all were present today.

Their eyes were bloodshot, their fists clenched, waiting only for the moment they could personally exact revenge.

The first dozen or so strikes would be carried out by the robot execution squad. Their movements were precise, ensuring that the wooden stakes would not damage vital organs, preventing the condemned from bleeding out too quickly.

Subsequently, over a hundred indigenous executioners took turns. "Execute!"

Lu Yuan ordered loudly.

A few hours later, two wooden stakes piercing the criminals were erected on either side of the Oasis City gate.

At the same time, inside the city walls, special medicines were sold in large quantities, all paid for by the industrialist Cheng Yun. There was laughter and joy, and brilliant fireworks once again bloomed, celebrating the complete victory.

The bright moon hung high.

The cancer that plagued this Desert was finally removed.