The entire Tribunal fell silent at those words.
They had seen people refuse to accept their sentences before, but this was the first time they had seen someone complain that his sentence was too light.
"What did you say?" Theus could hardly believe it, wondering if he had misheard.
"Sentence me. I want to go to Castel. It doesn't matter if it's for a long time!" Alvarez said with a determined expression.
The judges of the Tribunal exchanged glances, then all looked toward the chief judge's seat, where Chloe's diary lay.
Why? Explain your reasons.
"I asked around. You can't go to Castel without a legitimate reason, much less stay there for long. I want to go to Castel—I have to go, no matter what. Hunter told me that if I'm sentenced, I can go to Castel!"
"Ahem!" Theus truly could not bear to listen any longer. He cleared his throat and raised his hand.
The court officer beside him hurriedly struck the gavel. "Count Theus may speak."
"Mr. Alvarez, Castel is not strictly sealed off from visitors. As long as you complete the approval process, pay the hospitalization fees, and reserve a bed, you can go. The reason people are not allowed to visit at will is simply because Castel Syndrome is rather troublesome. If one person goes mad, it may take several people to restrain them, and Castel is not exactly well-staffed."
The implication was that if he wanted to go, he only needed to apply.
In truth, that was not the only reason Castel did not permit casual visitors. Too many secrets lay on that island. Whether it was Moth Chasing Flame, the Stellar Furnace, or its fuel, none of them were convenient to make public.
The Candlelight Society could turn a blind eye to Moth