I had laid that bare for all to see.
Judge Nikolaus was thoroughly flustered.
The proceedings had strayed completely from the question of witchcraft.
"Baron of Rosenheim! Do you dare publicly denounce the sacred law of the Church as wrong?!"
"Whatever do you mean? When did I say it was wrong?"
"You preached to this audience just now that the law is wrong!"
"You misunderstand, judge. I told these people it is a frightening law. I never once said it was a wrong one."
Every word matters. I hadn't criticized the Church; I had merely explained, in plain terms, how terrifying this law could be. Nikolaus seemed at a loss for words and could press me no further.
At just the right moment, the chief monk took my side.
"Speaking in my capacity as chief monk, there is no problem whatsoever with his lordship's remarks."
"Judge, his lordship merely explained things in terms the witnesses of this sacred trial could easily understand."
