Looking at Vikinov Okinye, who was now kneeling submissively in fear, Manuel couldn't help but mutter to himself with a touch of helplessness, "How could the Rus' people possibly outwit the Romans? Not to mention, I came here personally to handle these incidents after making thorough preparations. Don't underestimate my intelligence network!"
Although he grumbled like this in his heart, Caesar still maintained a calm expression on the surface, showing no room for negotiation. This left the Novgorod Rus' man filled with panic and helplessness. He had never expected that risking everything he had left would lead to such a result, and he felt that his life, and even his family's, was now entirely in the hands of this Roman monarch.
As for Barbaro, he sat quietly by the wall, knowing his place and refraining from any overstepping behavior.
After a moment, a hint of softening appeared on Manuel's face, "Enough. If it weren't for this matter, I probably wouldn't have noticed the plight of the Altzamtao, nor the series of problems left behind by the Komnenos Dynasty. Therefore, Vikinov Okinye, I will overlook your actions."
Just as the Rus' man was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Caesar's next words made him tense up again, "But one thing is one thing. Although I understand everything you did to save your family, you did violate the laws and statutes common in Bosporus.
"However, there's no need to rush. By tomorrow or the day after, the relevant judgment will be issued. In the name of the Holy Father's will, I will ensure that the outcome is just and reasonable. This is the responsibility I must bear as Caesar."
Hearing Caesar's remarks, Barbaro felt his heart leap into his throat, wishing time would immediately fast-forward to tomorrow to see if this Caesar from north of the Black Sea would rectify the malpractices remaining from the Komnenos era, as he claimed. But Vikinov Okinye was not so optimistic; at this moment, he felt he had inadvertently angered this Roman Caesar, and would surely face an unpredictable outcome.
Just as the Rus' man was breaking out in a cold sweat and even contemplating suicide, Caesar's guard handed him a slip of paper. Vikinov Okinye gently placed it under the faint candlelight, and only after reading it with wide, dark green pupils did he somewhat calm down. Although the content of the note was simple, it was enough to convince him: "I promise God that your family will be safe."
Thus, Manuel's visit to the parties involved ended as he had expected. After returning to the palace, he continued to contact relevant officials for the final judgment, hoping to resolve the malpractices of the previous dynasty once and for all. Of course, his rare leisure time with his family was postponed again.
By noon the next day, the public trial of the relevant individuals in this case, Barbaro Talostos and Boris Vikinov Okinye, began in the public court in Trabzon.
However, unlike typical trials, the two defendants were not required to wear prison uniforms like other commoner defendants, but were allowed to wear their own clothes. Moreover, the case was not presided over by a city judge of Trabzon, but by Bosporus's MegasCancellarius. Furthermore, in the spectator stands, everyone present was surprised to find that Caesar of the Autocratic State had put on a simple ceremonial dress and personally came to observe the trial.
Needless to say, this was clearly granted by Caesar. Caesar's personal presence was also noted by the observers, leading the more astute among them to immediately discuss what changes today's outcome would bring to the Autocratic State.
However, at the very beginning, when everyone expected some revolutionary change, nothing special happened. After several hours of tedious trial, MegasCancellarius, seated in the court, read out his judgment as Grand Chancellor of the Autocratic State, based on the Code, relevant Roman law, and Komnenos precedents:
"...In view of the above, Barbaro Talostos, for committing sacrilege, subversion... and treason, is sentenced to death by hanging as a slave for multiple offenses; and Boris Semyonovich Vikinov Okinye, as an accomplice, suspected of incitement, is sentenced to continue as a slave and exiled to Little Chersonese."
"Wait, Amiroutzes." Just as the verdict was about to be delivered, a loud voice interrupted the Grand Chancellor's ruling. Everyone looked towards the source of the sound, surprised to find it was their Caesar.
"Your Majesty, please state your objection." Facing Caesar's sudden speech, Amiroutzes, as if he had foreseen it, bowed and rose, gracefully yielding the judge's seat to his monarch. Manuel did not overly demur, but after a brief address to the high officials and nobles in the court, he sat in the seat vacated by his subordinate.
At this moment, everyone present knew that the trial's outcome was about to be reversed.
After an hour of retrial, Manuel, having personally heard the statements of all parties, finally made the final judgment concerning the case of the Altzamtao:
"In summary, the reason why the two defendants committed such outrageous acts was indeed due to objective circumstances... Considering the above factors, I, as Bosporus Caesar, forgive and pardon the undeserved guilt of you and others.
"Furthermore, I also announce here: effective immediately, I also pardon the old sins that have been borne by groups, led by the Altzamtao, who have suffered due to the old policies of the former dynasty since this century. 'Altzamtao,' as a derogatory term, should become history."
After hearing Caesar's general amnesty for them, Barbaro immediately relaxed and slumped in his seat, but Vikinov Okinye remained extremely tense, as Caesar had not yet stated the specific judgment for the two of them.
"But one thing is one thing," fortunately, Caesar quickly and without delay gave the judgment for the two of them, "Although I have pardoned the guilt brought about by your identities, and have forgiven the defendants due to their difficult circumstances. However, you two disrupted public order, interfered with normal trade, and offended authority; for this, you cannot be absolved."
Otherwise, if others followed suit, wouldn't Manuel's authority as Caesar be completely lost?
Hearing this, the Rus' man couldn't help but swallow nervously. But Barbaro was not too perturbed; in his eyes, once he was assured of Caesar's protection for him and his family, there was nothing left to fear, and the further pardon of the Altzamtao group was an unexpected bonus.
Caesar, seated on the dais, was unaware of their specific thoughts at this moment, but made a definitive decision, delivering the correct judgment: "Barbaro Talostos is sentenced to serve five years as a slave in the Philaka Legion for the crime of provoking trouble; Boris Semyonovich Vikinov Okinye, as an accomplice in this case, is sentenced to serve as an unpaid tax collector in the Trabzon urban area.
"Do not worry about your families; they are now free. Nor will I withhold the wages you are due during your service, so that you do not suffer the injustices you encountered previously.
"Remember, I am the judge, 'et populos in veritate sua' (and the peoples in his truth) ①!"