Lionel stepped into the shadows beneath the archway of the Palace of Justice, and the external clamor rapidly receded like a tide, enveloping him in a heavy silence.
The tall stone walls swallowed the sounds, leaving only the echo of his boot heels striking the flagstones, reverberating in the empty foyer.
A court usher in a black robe came forward, motioning for him to follow.
Lionel nodded and began to follow him.
They passed through a dark arcade, where figures carved into the columns silently watched the visitor.
Finally, they stopped before the large door of the Second Division of the Correctional Court.
The doors were tightly shut, yet noisy human voices seeped through the cracks.
The court usher pushed open the door, and in an instant, a warm current swept over them, and the buzzing whispers abruptly amplified.
The courtroom was already packed.
The public gallery was densely filled with people, not only newspaper reporters but also curious citizens, all craning their necks, waiting for something.
All eyes were uniformly focused on Lionel, with curiosity, anticipation, hostility, support... a myriad of emotions intertwined, engulfing the entire space.
Because it was generally believed that the trial of Lionel Sorel would be lengthy, the Second Division had canceled the hearing of all other cases for the day.
Guided by the court usher, Lionel walked directly to the defendant's dock.
It was a solitary position, located in the center of the courtroom, slightly below the judge's bench.
His gaze calmly swept across the scene:
The elevated judge's bench behind was still empty;
At the prosecution bench, Prosecutor Alexandre Dupont was already seated, a thick dossier spread open before him, his expression stern.
Beside the defendant's dock stood Jules Fayol, the lawyer hired for him by Delaruac, known for his shrewdness and eloquence.
Soon, a side door to the courtroom opened, and three judges, dressed in red and black robes, filed in.
Leading them was the Presiding Judge of the Second Division, Louis-Auguste Bernard.
He had a lean face, authoritative eyes, and meticulously combed gray hair.
He took his seat first in the high-backed chair in the center, with the other two associate judges sitting on either side.
"All rise!" the court usher called out loudly.
Everyone stood in solemn silence, and only resumed their seats after the judges were seated, the murmurs gradually subsiding.
Presiding Judge Louis-Auguste Bernard picked up his gavel, gave it a light tap, and the crisp sound echoed in the courtroom, formally announcing the start of the trial.
Presiding Judge Bernard's voice was authoritative and solemn:
"The court is now in session to hear the case 'The Republic v. Lionel Sorel'."
He routinely read out the case name and the charges—
"Weakening the discipline of the French army, inciting insubordination among soldiers, and insulting the nation in publicly published articles and statements."
The Clerk of the Court then rose to call the roll and confirm the defendant's identity:
"Lionel Sorel, from Montiel, Laragne, Hautes-Alpes department."
Lionel nodded:
"Present."
Next, it was Prosecutor Alexandre Dupont's turn to present the reasons for the prosecution.
He stood up, adjusted his robe, and began to read the indictment.
His voice was resonant, his words severe, as he quoted excerpts from articles Lionel had published in publications such as Le Figaro, and his remarks made in public.
Prosecutor Dupont emphasized that these statements "severely damaged the morale and honor of the army," "created suspicion and antagonism in the rear," "objectively encouraged potential defiance of military orders," and "tarnished the image of the Republican government internationally and domestically, constituting an insult to national dignity."
His statement lasted approximately fifteen minutes; the courtroom was silent, save for the rustling of reporters' pens across paper.
Once the indictment was read, Presiding Judge Bernard's gaze turned to the defendant's dock:
"Defendant Lionel Sorel, you have heard the prosecutor's indictment clearly.
Now, you may defend yourself against the charges. Of course, your lawyer may also speak on your behalf."
Almost as soon as the Presiding Judge's words fell, Lionel turned to Lawyer Jules Fayol, who was about to rise beside him, and stopped him with a gesture.
The lawyer looked surprised, but under Lionel's resolute gaze, he hesitated and sat back down.
Standing behind the defendant's dock, Lionel calmly repeated what he had said earlier on the steps of the Palace of Justice:
"I plead guilty!"
Although everyone in the courtroom already knew this, hearing him say it in person still had a powerful impact.
A wave of uncontrollable gasps immediately rose from the public gallery.
Reporters excitedly took notes, almost unable to restrain themselves from rushing forward.
Presiding Judge Bernard had to forcefully bang his gavel:
"Silence! Silence!"
After the courtroom regained silence, Presiding Judge Bernard leaned forward, his tone serious:
"Defendant Lionel Sorel, please answer this court clearly—
When you just claimed 'guilty,' does it mean you admit to all the charges brought against you in the indictment read by Prosecutor Alexandre Dupont?
Do you confirm this is your final considered stance?"
Lionel nodded without hesitation:
"Yes, Presiding Judge, I confirm. I admit that I made those statements—
I admit that I oppose the military operations currently underway in Tunisia and Tonkin, I admit that I believe these actions are unjust plunder, and I admit that I believe this tarnishes France's reputation.
Therefore, the charges are valid, and I plead guilty."
At this, not only the public gallery but also the judge's bench and the prosecutor's bench stirred.
Presiding Judge Bernard quickly exchanged glances with the two associate judges beside him, seeing surprise and unease in each other's eyes.
Prosecutor Alexandre Dupont's expression also turned somewhat grim; he had prepared for a fierce confrontation, but unexpectedly, the opponent had directly given up resistance.
If, under such overwhelming public opinion, Lionel were to be sentenced to imprisonment or exile as previously planned, it would be nothing short of a political disaster.
This would not only confirm Lionel's statement outside the doors that "the judge's robe conceals a politician's will," sparking a strong public backlash.
It would also push them, these judicial officials, into the spotlight, making them sacrifices in factional struggles.
At that time, what they faced might not be as simple as resigning from public office, but possibly even accountability.
Neither francs nor promises of positions were reliable in the face of surging public opinion.
An awkward silence fell over the courtroom.
After a long while, Presiding Judge Bernard cleared his throat, seemingly at a loss for how to proceed with this trial that had deviated from its predetermined course.
He had only just received instructions to try and reduce Lionel's sentence, or even acquit him, and hadn't yet had time to consider how to execute it.
In just a few minutes, the court's documents could not be changed; he had just been reciting them stoically the whole time.
However, Lionel's direct plea of guilty immediately sealed off all room for maneuver.
Cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and he hesitated, unsure how to speak.
To everyone's surprise, Prosecutor Alexandre Dupont stood up:
"Presiding Judge, given the defendant's plea of guilty in court, perhaps...
Perhaps we need to more accurately understand the defendant's true intentions."
Presiding Judge Bernard, as if granted a pardon, immediately nodded, signaling Alexandre Dupont to continue.
Lionel was also very surprised and looked at the prosecutor opposite him.
Alexandre Dupont also turned to Lionel, his tone softening:
"Mr. Sorel, you claim you oppose colonial actions; is this primarily out of a... A humanitarian compassion?
Is it merely because you read casualty reports in newspapers and felt pain and regret over the casualties of French soldiers and colonial peoples?
And therefore, in emotional agitation, made excessive statements, rather than fundamentally opposing the Republic's colonial policy itself?
Your original intention, perhaps, was not to question national decisions, but to call for a more cautious use of force and to reduce unnecessary bloodshed?"
A commotion erupted from the public gallery.
Alexandre Dupont's questions were practically laying out a path to acquittal for Lionel—
As long as Lionel said "yes," his statements could be interpreted as "excessive concerns stemming from patriotic sentiment," rather than political opposition.
Then the judges could, in turn, acquit Lionel, or merely issue a verbal warning and a fine, and this case, which had caused a sensation throughout Europe, could thus be hastily concluded.
Many in the public gallery began to laugh; the scene was truly absurd, with the prosecution going to great lengths to find excuses for the defendant.
Presiding Judge Bernard immediately tapped his gavel in warning, but did not rebuke Prosecutor Dupont; instead, he cast a hopeful glance at Lionel.
Lionel, however, shook his head, his tone firm:
"No, Mr. Prosecutor. What I oppose is not merely the casualties, but the colonial expansion policy itself.
I believe that conquering another nation by force and plundering its resources, no matter how civilized it is packaged, is inherently unjust.
This is not a temporary emotion, but my fundamental stance."
Alexandre Dupont was not giving up and tried again:
"Then, regarding your views on indigenous colonial cultures, as mentioned in your articles?
Are you concerned that colonial actions might destroy unique local cultures?
Are you advocating for the protection of cultural diversity, worried that these ancient civilizations might disappear in the future?
This is a cultural consideration, not a political attack, correct?"
He offered another step, one that better suited Lionel's identity as a writer than the previous one.
Lionel once again shattered his attempt:
"Of course not! I do believe that colonialism destroys local cultures, but this is only part of the evil of colonialism. But I have always believed that colonial rule itself is a system of oppression built on violence and inequality. It's not about cultural protection; it's about whether it is just or not!"
Alexandre Dupont was almost at a loss for words, but managed to propose another possibility:
"Or, are you perhaps dissatisfied with individual excessive actions during military operations?
In fact, what you oppose is the 'methods' in war, rather than the 'purpose' of colonialism?
So, you agree with France's glorious mission to spread civilization, but simply do not approve of certain means used in the execution process?"
Lionel retorted mercilessly:
"What I oppose is colonialism itself; whether 'purpose' or 'means,' they are inherently a single entity.
To elevate one's own civilization above others and use that as an excuse for conquest is inherently wrong.
There is no just colonial purpose, and there are no civilized means of conquest."
After answering this question, Lionel turned impatiently to Presiding Judge Bernard, showing no trace of fear:
"Your Honor, I have clearly pleaded guilty, why has no verdict been rendered yet?"
(End of chapter)