I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 145
However, the issue was with Judge Salias, who was assigned as the presiding judge and currently stood before Melias.
Judge Salias was known for his firm insistence on his own opinions, regardless of what the left or right presiding judges said.
“Judge Salias.”
“Oh, Young Marquis. Do you know me?”
“Of course.”
This was why Melias had organized this meetingāto eliminate any potential variables for the upcoming trial.
As long as he could handle Judge Salias properly, the trial would proceed without any issues.
“I once sat in the audience during a trial you presided over.”
“Oh? When was that?”
“Around this time last year. I requested to observe for a project. I remembered it because you delivered a very fair verdict.”
Seeing that the atmosphere between the two was pleasant, Marquis Wignum quietly gestured for everyone to take their seats comfortably.
The guests settled down, enjoying the conversation between the two men.
“What was the verdict?”
“It was a case involving a commoner who repeatedly stole bread.”
“Oh, that case!”
“You ruled for leniency on the condition of community service and provided him with a job that would allow him to receive government assistance.”
“I remember that.”
Melias spoke while looking at Judge Salias.
“At that moment, I realized why the citizens of the capital view you as a potential Chief Justice.”
“Coughā¦ Chief Justice? Thatās quite far off.”
“I donāt think so, Judge Salias.”
“You flatter me, Young Marquis.”
Marquis Wignum was also aligned with Melias. He wished for no harm to come to Illein, who would be his daughter-in-law.
“In our Wignum household, weāve primarily had connections with the central government, so we donāt know many people in the Ministry of Justice.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, thatās why I requested to meet only the most distinguished individuals.”
“Coughā¦ thatās quite the flattery.”
“With your words, I feel like I donāt know how to respond.”
“Haha.”
The judges were quite interested in Marquis Wignum. The reason was very simple.
Typically, most judges aiming for the position of Chief Justice need not only skill but also support from powerful families.
Even receiving that support is almost impossible without the backing of a neutral high-ranking noble with a strong stance.
In that regard, the Wignum family was truly an ideal fit.
They were a powerful central noble family whom even the Emperor wished to align with, yet they maintained their neutrality firmly and possessed immense wealthālacking nothing.
Among the families comparable to them, the Candelaria Duchy was one of the few that publicly proclaimed neutrality but was gradually lending support to the Empress.
At this point, with no clear successor to the throne determined, it was not the approach the judges wanted to take sides prematurely.
Thus, the most powerful family and the only viable alternative was the Wignum family.
“By the way, if you are so interested in the Ministry of Justice, do you perhaps have thoughts of becoming a judge yourself?”
This naturally piqued Judge Salias’s interest in Melias as well. However, his interest wasn’t solely for that reason; Salias was also an alumnus of the Bellaine Academy, which made Melias’s uniform particularly appealing to him.
“Yes, I initially considered entering the central government. However, after witnessing your verdict, Judge Salias, I have come to desire a position in the Ministry of Justice.”
Melias was aware of Salias’s favorable impression and thus responded positively.
Of course, he wasn’t seriously considering moving to the Ministry of Justice, but politics were fundamentally about sharing friendly sentiments through appropriate flattery.
“Oh!”
Salias beamed at Melias’s response and looked upon Meliasās academy uniform with satisfaction.
“I was once a member of the Bellaine Academy as well.”
In that subtle moment, Salias revealed his alumni status.
“May I ask what element you specialize in?”
Melias responded eagerly to this question.
“I am of the earth element.”
“Hahaha. Our Melias is also of the earth element.”
“Oh, I too belong to the earth element.”
“I am as well.”
All four judges were of the earth element. In reality, this was a deliberate choice to focus on the earth element alone.
“I am also, judges.”
Marquis Wignum smiled broadly as he spoke.
“Judges generally tend to be of the earth element. Compared to other offensive element magic, they exhibit a more rational demeanor.”
“I agree. The majority of the Ministry of Justice members are of the earth element.”
“It seems that personality traits might follow the elements.”
“Indeed, earth element magic users are typically broad-minded, understanding, and competent, making them quite abundant in the Ministry of Justice.”
“That’s right. The central government is mainly for those with fire attributes.”
Strangely enough, factions easily formed among those whose elemental attributes matched.
