Read Novel Full Chapter 900: Jason Malvain Enters the Courtroom
Chapter 900: Jason Malvain Enters the Courtroom
When Jason Malvain’s name was announced, everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.
A handsome man with glasses and a stern expression walked into the courtroom.
Beside him walked a beautiful woman. Her long, dark brown hair fell down her back, with both sides neatly braided, giving her a soft, feminine look.
She wasn’t very tall, but she had a well-proportioned figure beneath her black formal suit.
Her name was Sherly, and she was Jason Malvain’s defense attorney for this trial.
Jason’s arrival immediately darkened the expressions of the southern nobles.
To most of them, Jason wasn’t just another noble—he was their leader.
Yet now, he stood before the court as the defendant. The sight left them feeling both angry and humiliated.
They glanced at the nobles from the eastern and northern regions, only to be met with mocking looks.
Jason and Sherly walked toward Ragan and the two senior judges.
Jason gave a slight bow. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty and Your Honors."
Ragan looked Jason up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.
The Jason standing before him was nothing like the man he remembered.
He had once carried himself with calm dignity and exuded an unmistakable aura of authority.
But now, he looked haggard, with faint dark circles beneath his eyes, barely concealed by makeup.
However, Ragan had no intention of bringing that up. He gave a slight nod before turning to Louis beside him.
"Judge Louis, state the crimes committed by Jason Malvain."
Louis nodded. Jason’s trial was different from Cedric’s.
The person who exposed the Malvain family’s crimes had never revealed themselves.
As a result, this trial was held only to sentence Jason and calm the public’s outrage.
Louis stood up, a document in hand, and began reading aloud.
"Jason Malvain, Duke of House Malvain, has been found guilty of multiple crimes, including nepotism, oppressing noble families that refused to align with him, and raising the prices of commodities regulated by the imperial court."
Everyone looked at Jason with grim expressions.
While the first two crimes might still be tolerated to some extent, the last one was truly despicable.
Each of the empire’s four major regions was known for a different industry.
The Southern Region was the empire’s agricultural center, producing rice, wheat, seasonal fruits, and countless other crops.
The Eastern Region was famous for its seafood, supplying fish and a wide variety of marine products.
It was also the empire’s largest source of rare pearls, which sold for staggering prices.
Meanwhile, the Western and Northern regions were rich in mineral resources, making mining their primary industry.
The Northern Region was also renowned for its skilled blacksmiths, whose weapons were considered the finest in the empire.
To maintain stable prices throughout the empire, the imperial court strictly regulated these key commodities.
No one was allowed to raise prices without the approval of the court.
Anyone who violated this rule would face severe punishment.
Ragan looked calmly at Jason and asked, "Does the defense have anything to say?"
Sherly stepped forward. She bowed her head slightly before replying, "We do, Your Majesty."
Ragan glanced at her and gave a slight nod.
Sherly straightened and began speaking.
"First of all, I’d like to offer an explanation. The first charge, nepotism, is not what Your Majesty, Your Honors, and everyone present believe it to be. We simply followed the proper procedures."
She looked around the courtroom and continued, "The Southern Region is flourishing in its industries. Naturally, those with the abilities should be placed in positions of importance. The nobles we placed in office were chosen because they had the qualifications to fill those positions. As for commoners, many still lack the experience or skills necessary to fill those positions. I hope that everyone understands the situation and does not misunderstand our intentions."
Many of those present thought that her explanation was reasonable.
High-ranking positions did indeed require capable individuals.
Otherwise, the industries under their management could suffer, ultimately harming the Southern Region.
"May I ask a question?"
Duke Austin suddenly spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Sherly narrowed her eyes as she watched Duke Austin.
"So he’s finally making his move..." she thought.
Earlier, Jason had warned her to be careful.
Duke Austin and Duke Malvain had been rivals for years, and everyone knew how bitter the feud between their families was.
That was why Jason had warned her that Duke Austin would likely interfere in the trial.
And just as he had predicted, he did.
Ragan turned to Duke Austin, wondering what the duke was up to.
Even so, Ragan didn’t stop him and simply gave a slight nod, signaling for him to continue.
Duke Austin smiled faintly before rising to his feet. After clearing his throat, he said, "Attorney Sherly, you just stated that the high-ranking positions in the Southern Region’s industries are deliberately given to nobles because they have the necessary qualifications. Is that correct?"
Sherly didn’t understand why he was repeating her own words, but she kept her composure and gave a slight nod.
"That’s right, Duke Austin. Is there a problem?"
"Of course." Duke Austin let out a soft chuckle. "What you just said made it sound as though you were looking down on commoners."
Sherly’s eyes widened in surprise. Before she could respond, Duke Austin continued.
"As everyone knows, commoners are indeed born with far fewer advantages than we nobles. They don’t have the same wealth or influence we do. But remember one thing..."
He raised his index finger.
"Everyone has the right to study at the Imperial Academy. Tell me, how many outstanding graduates does the Imperial Academy produce every year?"
Everyone was taken aback. Only then did they remember the existence of the Imperial Academy.
In the past, before Ragan ascended the throne, only nobles were allowed to study at the Imperial Academy.
Commoners had no opportunity to receive a proper education, leaving them with very little chance of improving their standard of living.
Ragan understood the issue. A nation with an uneducated and impoverished population would only grow weaker over time, eventually leading to its downfall.
To prevent that, he issued a decree allowing commoners to study at the Imperial Academy.
Decades had passed since Ragan enacted that decree.
As a result, countless commoners had successfully graduated from the Imperial Academy.
"Alvaron Austin, are you saying that Jason Malvain’s defense has no merit?" Ragan asked, feigning ignorance as if he simply wanted to confirm what Alvaron meant.
Alvaron chuckled inwardly before nodding respectfully.
"That’s correct, Your Majesty. In my opinion, that argument doesn’t make any sense. You may not know this, but many industries in the Eastern Region have commoners serving in high-ranking positions, and there hasn’t been a single issue. They’ve carried out their duties exceptionally well."
"So..." His gaze shifted to Sherly, whose face had turned pale, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "I can’t help but wonder if Duke Malvain had another reason for filling those key positions with nobles. Was it to secure Prince Aldric’s support in the battle for the throne?"