The judge said, "Please now state the facts of the case."
Alfred stood up. However, just as he was about to present the case, Chief Bishop Woforen, seated in the VIP Observer's Seat, slowly raised his hand.
His position was truly special. Especially with his personal appearance here today, his every move represented the collective will of the entire York City District and could not be ignored.
Presiding Judge Gaspol looked toward the VIP Observer's Seat and asked, "Your Eminence, do you have an objection?"
Woforen nodded, stood up, and said:
"Strictly speaking, since I am sitting in the Observer's Seat, I should not say much. But I have noticed something strange: the trial has already begun, yet Arbiter Vicolai-oh, haha, before a conviction and sentence, please allow me to continue addressing him by his office, Your Honor-I notice that Arbiter Vicolai does not even have a defender beside him."
Gaspol replied, "Under the trial traditions of the Whip of Order, suspects have no right to a defender when standing trial."
Woforen smiled and said, "Every tradition needs to keep pace with the times. Some traditions may still be preserved in the Dinge District, but they have been lost for a very long time in the York City District. Everyone needs a process of gradually becoming familiar with and accepting them, so I believe there should be some corresponding changes.
"For example, assigning Arbiter Vicolai a defender. I do not think that request is excessive."
A church was an organization established by a group of fanatical believers to worship and follow a god. Within such an organization, disregarding people's rights was entirely normal.
The present Whip of Order was far inferior to the Whip of Order at its height. The difference was apparent from those surviving "traditions" alone;
For instance,