"Where did you get that knife?" Number Seven asked, staring at Valente in bewilderment and suspicion.
"I picked it up at the shop next to the courthouse. They sell plenty of switchblades in this style."
Valente straightened the collar Number Seven had grabbed earlier and answered as though nothing had happened.
Had anyone paid attention to where Valente was looking, they would have noticed that his gaze had remained fixed on a spot behind the round table. Standing there was a handsome young man with blond hair and golden eyes, holding up a white writing board with a simple line of Terran written on it.
Xia Xiu had already written the knife's origins on the board for Valente, and no one else could see him.
Outside assistance in the truest sense.
"Number Eight, this is all speculation on your part. You can't prove the knife wasn't Paul Colin's, either."
After his initial shock, Number Seven quickly found another crucial point: Valente could not prove that the switchblade did not belong to Paul Colin.
"Presiding judge, I believe we can vote on whether Paul Colin is guilty right now. I don't believe this matter deserves any more of our time. All the evidence proves he was the murderer." Number Seven extended a hand toward the presiding judge, expressing his desire to call a vote.
"Very well. Let us begin the first round of voting," the presiding judge agreed with a nod.
Soon, everyone present received a blank ballot bearing the Felony Court's stamp, printed with the following words:
[On my honor and conscience, my opinion is: _____]
Next, the judges and jurors only needed to write "yes" or "no" on their ballots. Leaving it blank counted as an abstention.
Any answer unfavorable to the defendant required at least eight