Back in the living room, everyone remained frozen as they watched Trex rushed upstairs and in pain.
Chris's expression turned a shade darker. When Jack noticed it, he knew they've lost quite a few points in the upcoming negotiation.
Eliza's countenance changed into one of anger from her early nonchalance and doting bearing to a worried mother.
Keeping a very neutral expression, she looked at the trio. "As you know, Marko suffered severely from that mission with your mercenaries. And as much as I want to run over the him right now, the fact that my hex did nothing to solve his current pain must be a trauma, isn't that right Mr. Chris?"
"Tha… that is quite a very possible occurrence Mrs. Rhemi." Chris answered. Negotiations haven't started yet, but even on the medical side, they're already losing. This made him feel a heartache.
"It's good that we understand my child in pain. Illana, hand over the evidence to the men right here." Eliza commanded.
Eliza's general-like attitude really began to scare the three. Not only are they losing legally, they already knew their strength isn't enough to defeat the woman in front of them. There was no killing intent, but whatever Eliza intends to do now, it was definitely much worse and deeply felt.
Seeing this scene, Illana felt excited as she handed over the dog tags to Chris and the medical papers to Matt.
"Everything is here, please inspect them properly. Here is the diagnosis of my young master, Marko. Each page had been signed by Dr. Sherman's arcanic signature." Illana explained.
"Please be partial on your inspection of the dog tags," Eliza coldly added.
Looking at the materials in Chris's hands, the three men sighed in their heads. This was why they worked hard to maintain a good atmosphere before the negotiations. After most of the clauses in the insurance, there was another clause that can change the amount of compensation. If done exceptionally well, the mercenaries coalition might be able to altogether waive the settlements. However, if accidents happen, such as triggering a trauma, the 200% may balloon all the way up to 1000% in the worst-case scenario.
The fact that imaging magic exists is the bane of every losing lawyer. Something that is constantly taking in images on every arcanist household. Something that the trio already knew and felt ever since their first step.
Before actually receiving the materials, Jack pulled out a rectangular box with a lens at one side and a white jade at the opposite. A mojo bordering arcane technology called a video camera.
Jack began to inject his mana to activate his mojo. "This is a video camera, it will serve as an evidence under the court of law. It shall bear witness upon the inspection phase of the investigation. If the parties involved have something to say, keep it brief as your words may be used against you in the court of law." After finishing the Rapros legal oath, an insignia appeared below the video cam—a hammer with a war flag, the royal emblem of the Kingdom of Rapros.
Feeling helpless, Chris and Matt looked over the papers as they scrutinized every detail. On the other side, Jack began to inspect the dog tags for the arcanic imprints of the deceased.
The laws of the kingdom of Rapros are stringent and most of the people still in power belong to the first generation. Meaning, while a long time had passed, these are the same people who built the kingdom from the ground up.
Each law within the kingdom is upheld strictly, and any legal conflicts can be fought in legal courts presided over the royalty.
This was the reason for abolishing nobility. It was stupid to spread power to various groups of people. Just like wolves, only the alpha male and alpha female can rule the entire pack.
Besides the ruffling of the plastic, the clanging of metallic dog tags, and breathing, the inspection went over and over until the three finally succumbed to the fact that everything had been perfectly legal.
Every paper had been personally signed by the arcanamancer, Dr. Sherman. Each dog tag had the wills of the mercenaries. Additionally, they even personally saw Trex's current condition and the trauma attacks he's currently facing.
While it is clearly a misunderstanding, as long as nobody knows nor nobody tells, the evidence could only show the kid having a traumatic response towards the dog tags.
After finding and comparing every single dog tag holding the last will of the mercenaries via magical imprint, Jack breathed deeply. There's really no saving this, he thought.
The fact that the sliver of soul was gone did not affect Jack's examination. Those souls were only an after effect of a strong will and do not always occur.
"We're done," spoke Jack. While they knew they already lost, they can still control how bad the loss is. "Thank you for waiting for us, Mrs. Rhemi. We'll be keeping the dog tags as a memento for their families."
Eliza nodded. This was a standard operation for insurance.
"Begin the court's judgement," she answered coolly.
Jack and Chris then turned to the lawyer Matt who was already feeling weak. It was mainly his job to find holes to further reduce the compensation they needed to give. As a lawyer, the kingdom had given him a spell with a key that can connect the current scene into the kingdom's court.
Since this was a matter of a contract, they need not be in a physical court. Just the overseeing of the kingdom about the law talks is enough.
Matt knew who Eliza was. She's one of the top prosecutors in the city. This is why they didn't bother having the Rhemi family asking for another lawyer. In their culture, it was an act of extreme disrespect.
Taking out an actual key, a spell circle appeared with the key as the center. Instead of the typical spell circle with a number of runes, the circle revolved around the key, as if the key itself was the rune.
Slowly, a red laser shot out from the key to every corner of the room.
"Let's begin," Eliza said.