Chapter 122: Fragile Prosperity
After the gathering, Hobert returned to his law office and focused all his energy on preparing for tomorrow's case.
After work, he took a carriage back to his home in Empress Borough and enjoyed a pleasant dinner with his family.
During the post-dinner conversation, Christian asked Hobert, "I heard you're fighting for better compensation for a worker injured on the job?"
Hobert nodded, "Yes."
"Do you need me to step in and help with the negotiations?"
"I want to try to solve it myself," Hobert smiled. "If I can't handle it or if we need more influence, I'll ask you to step in."
Christian smiled and nodded.
Donna, curious, asked, "Isn't it normal for someone to get compensated for a work injury? Why does it sound like it's difficult to get compensation?"
"You can get compensated, but the amount is too small," Hobert smiled. "I won't go into the details, but some things aren't better to know too early."
Christian nodded in agreement.
Hobert then mentioned that he had to travel to Tingen City next week for business. Christian said, "Tingen City, huh? My former deputy from the Southern Continent is now in Tingen City. You can stay at his place when you're there."
Hobert was momentarily surprised but then replied, "I'd rather stay at a hotel and not bother him."
"The hotel's conditions are terrible," Christian smiled. "Besides, you can deliver a personal letter for me."
Hobert had no choice but to agree. "Alright."
Back in his room, Hobert slept soundly. The next morning, he took a hired carriage and went to pick up Bob from the almshouse.
To his surprise, Daly was also there.
As the carriage resumed its journey, Hobert joked, "Ms. Daly, you don't seem too busy today."
Daly smiled, "Occasionally, I also need to check on the status of my informants."
They exchanged knowing smiles, though Bob looked a bit nervous.
After a few seconds, Daly added, "Recently, the church has also started paying attention to the issue of work injury compensation. Mr. Bob's case is quite representative, so the captain asked me to attend as an observer."
Hobert nodded and began discussing the case with Bob, reviewing the materials, and making final preparations.
Around 8:10, the three arrived at the courthouse.
Unexpectedly, quite a few people had already arrived in the gallery. Bob's coworkers sat in the front row.
On the left side of the corner were Xio, Audrey, and others. Daly was slightly surprised to see Audrey, knowing she was the devout daughter of Count Hall, a faithful believer in the Evernight Goddess. But she hadn't expected Audrey to attend.
Then, seeing who was sitting in the right-side corner, Daly was even more surprised and sat down next to him. "Ikanser? Why are you here?"
With his chiseled features and messy brown hair, Ikanser smiled. "This case has stirred quite a bit of discussion among the followers of the God of Steam and Machinery. The Archbishop sent me to observe."
This was none other than Ikanser Bernard, the captain of the Heart of Machinery in Backlund, who oversaw the mystical mirror, Arrodes.
Only then did Daly realize that this case had garnered far more attention than she initially thought.
Hobert, after escorting Bob to sit with his coworkers, waved to Audrey and her group. Then, he knocked on a girl's head beside him. "Donna, why are you here?"
Donna grinned mischievously. "Tyron and I skipped class to cheer you on."
Hobert smiled helplessly. "Don't make it a habit."
Donna nodded repeatedly, then continued, "Hobert, how do you know that angelic-looking lady?"
She was referring to Audrey.
Hobert replied, "She's one of my clients."
"You're lying! She doesn't look twenty yet. How could she be your client?"
"Believe it or not," Hobert said, glancing at his pocket watch before calling Bob to the plaintiff's bench.
The defendant, Arnold, and the judge took their places, and at 8:30, the trial officially began.
As the plaintiff's lawyer, Hobert first outlined the case: Arnold's negligence had caused Bob's disability, so they were accusing Arnold of intentional harm.
From the gallery, Ikanser quietly asked Daly, "You seem familiar with the plaintiff's lawyer?"
"He's one of our unofficial personnel," Daly didn't hide the fact.
"His defense strategy is creative," Ikansel said. "Perhaps this case really can be won."
"Let's hope so."
Then it was the defendant's lawyer's turn to speak. "Your Honor, the plaintiff's claim is clearly unfounded."
This lawyer wasn't the one from the last hearing in the Magistrate's Court. He appeared to be in his thirties, mature and steady, and was likely a well-known but not top-tier lawyer in Backlund.
He pointed to the gallery. "There are no 'safety first' signs posted in this courtroom. If someone in the gallery were to accidentally fall and injure themselves, would that be the fault of the court and the judge?"
Hobert responded, "The defendant's example is quite different from Bob's situation. Bob was under Arnold's employment and was injured while working for him.
"Are the people in the gallery employed by the judge?"
Bob's coworkers immediately started cheering and clapping. Right from the start, the two lawyers engaged in an intense debate.
After two or three rounds of back-and-forth, the defendant's lawyer realized that his eloquence was not gaining him any ground. He switched tactics: "Your Honor, everyone knows that the real issue here is not Mr. Arnold's alleged intentional harm but the compensation for Bob.
"I hope the court will adhere to legal precedents and not be swayed by the plaintiff lawyer's arguments. I believe the outcome of this case will impact future compensation cases between employers and workers.
"Everyone, the current compensation practices have maintained Backlund's stability and peace. To ensure this stability and peace continue, we shouldn't set a precedent that disrupts it."
Hobert silently acknowledged the opposing lawyer's skill. This lawyer was far superior to the one in the Magistrate's Court. He was quicker on his feet and knew how to tie his argument to something Hobert would find hard to refute.
Would Hobert, an ordinary lawyer, argue against the stability and peace of Backlund?
Fortunately, Hobert had prepared well. "Your Honor, everyone, of course, we want to see a more prosperous and stable Backlund! But times are changing, and society is evolving. The old laws and regulations won't always apply."
He passionately continued, "Of course, we want to see a more prosperous Backlund, but the prosperity of the 'Territory of Hope' shouldn't be built on the blood and tears of workers, on the exploitation and oppression of the working class!
"Without adaptation, prosperity is nothing but an illusion!"
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