Duke Hernais Rothgard, standing behind the ministers, nodded vigorously in agreement, clearly pleased with how the accusations were being presented.
"In the law court," Richardus continued, "Jolthar Kaezhlar showed complete contempt for judicial proceedings. He refused to answer questions honestly, walked out of the trial in defiance of the court's authority, and has since that time engaged in a pattern of increasingly violent resistance to any attempt to hold him accountable for his actions."
The Emperor leaned back in his throne, his fingers steepled before him, listening with the patience of someone who had heard many such accusations over decades of rule. His expression gave nothing away—no indication of whether he believed the charges, doubted them, or had already made up his mind about the outcome.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor's gaze shifted to General Remin, who stood beside Jolthar with military bearing.
