Corleone stepped into the center of power in The Seven Kingdoms, and all eyes instantly focused on him.
He was dressed magnificently, which complemented the splendor of the setting.
[Majesty Iv3] was not active, yet he still walked through this temple of power with composure.
Just then, Joffrey on the iron throne frowned, narrowing his eyes at Corleone for a few seconds before suddenly pointing at him: "Wait... you're that... who are you again?"
Seeing Joffrey like this, Corleone almost couldn't help but roll his eyes.
They had chatted so happily before, and he'd even promised to knight him and grant him lands and a title.
Turns out you didn't remember my name at all...
However, he showed none of this on his face, merely bowing slightly with a respectful but not subservient posture, answering in a clear, steady voice: "Vito Corleone, Your Majesty."
"I am honored that you remember me."
"Oh! Right! Corleone!"
Joffrey suddenly realized, but just as he was about to ask about the "fighting pits," Tywin interrupted him in time.
"Your Majesty and the Small Council are currently hearing the case of the murder of Captain Sven Rosby."
"Ser Adam Marbrand testifies that Ser Jaime acted because Sven Rosby was guilty of bribery, dereliction of duty, and violent resistance to legal authority. Lord Gales has doubts about this."
"As a civilian detained by Sven Rosby's abuse of power, state what you saw and heard truthfully, Vito Corleone."
His words were brief but carried unquestionable pressure. The implication was clear: he wanted Corleone to provide an answer that would protect the Lannister reputation.
As soon as he spoke, everyone's gaze locked onto Corleone once more.
So that's how it is...
Glancing at Gales Rosby not far ahead, Corleone finally understood Tywin's true purpose for bringing him here.
Although he wasn't present when Jaime cut down Sven, he had heard about it long ago.
Corleone was well-prepared for this.
"Your Majesty, My Lords."
He looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd: "Regarding the late Captain Sven Rosby, what I know comes only from what I personally witnessed and heard."
"If my description makes some feel uncomfortable, it is only because the facts themselves are enough to defile the ears of any honest man."
Corleone didn't rush to explain but instead framed the nature of what he was about to say.
This was both a show of loyalty to Tywin and a way to silence Gales, preventing the old man from being difficult.
Then, Corleone began his statement: "On that day, Captain Sven Rosby led a team into the Blood Cellar. On the surface, it was to investigate a case, but in reality, he used the investigation as a pretext for extortion."
"He not only slandered me and my friends as fugitives, but in broad daylight, he was also on friendly terms with scoundrels suspected of slave trading, murder, fraud, and other crimes. His conduct was so disgraceful that it completely betrayed the Gold Cloaks' oath to uphold the law and maintain order."
"This was no longer simple dereliction of duty, but total collusion!"
His words were clear and logical, but every 'fact' had been carefully embellished.
"Bullshit!!!"
At this, Gales immediately pointed at Corleone and shouted: "Rosby City has plenty of money, how could Sven possibly..."
"
"Please do not interrupt the witness, My Lord."
Seeing that the man was about to ramble again, Kevan, the master of laws, spoke up just in time to suppress him.
Although he was Tywin's younger brother and had served as his deputy in the Westerlands for decades, Kevan was a character who strictly adhered to justice and order.
Even if Sven had indeed broken the law, he could not overlook whether Jaime's act of directly killing him was a crime.
Thinking this, he fixed his gaze on Corleone and asked in a deep voice: "What we need to know is, were you present when Ser Jaime Lannister slew Sven Rosby?"
To their disappointment, Corleone shook his head: "I'm sorry, I was not present at the time, My Lord."
Hearing this, Kevan couldn't help but frown.
If this witness wasn't present, it meant that only Ser Adam Marbrand remained to testify, but his testimony could not convince Gales at all.
Just then, Corleone's voice rang out again.
"Your Majesty, My Lords."
"Whether Ser Jaime Lannister is guilty depends largely on whether the Kingsguard has the right to intervene directly, or even use force to interfere in the internal affairs of the City Watch."
"This... involves the legal traditions of the realm."
At these words, not only did Joffrey look more confused, but even several members of the Small Council couldn't help but look at him in surprise.
A commoner, speaking of 'legal traditions'?
However, Corleone remained calm and composed, ignoring the surprised looks and continuing as if he were a maester debating at the Citadel: "According to the 'the white book,' in the year 233 AC, Ser Duncan 'the Tall' of the Kingsguard encountered a royal tax collector abusing his power and extorting money from commoners through torture."
"After Ser Duncan's orders to stop were ignored, he directly used force to subdue him and handed him over for trial. King Aegon V Targaryen later ruled that Ser Duncan's actions were a necessary act to maintain the justice of the iron throne and did not exceed his authority."
He cited a real and morally shining precedent—Ser Duncan 'the Tall'.
He was a famous commoner hero in Westeros; this case could both increase persuasiveness and occupy the moral high ground.
Hearing this, there was a moment of silence in the hall, then Kevan was the first to speak: "But that was merely subduing him, and... we are not sure if Aegon V's ruling was supported by legal statutes."
"There is, My Lord, there is!"
Corleone grinned and spoke with confidence.
"This precedent did indeed cause much debate among maesters at the time, but later, a consensus was reached. It is generally believed that the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is a member of the Small Council, and Kingsguard members swear to protect members of the royal family from harm."
"And in emergency situations, the Kingsguard has the right to take necessary measures to terminate acts that damage the reputation of the iron throne. Their actions can be seen as a direct extension of the King's will, rather than mere personal interference."
Corleone spoke eloquently, smoothly articulating a set of legal principles that sounded very reasonable and well-structured.
"Specifically regarding the case of Captain Sven Rosby."
He returned to the original topic: "He was suspected of bribery, abuse of force, and illegal detention, and he openly defied the inquiry of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. The nature of his behavior already falls within the scope of damaging the reputation of the iron throne."
"Ser Jaime's slaying of him after repeated warnings were ignored can also be seen as a direct extension of the King's will in this emergency state."
After finishing in one breath, Corleone said no more and stood quietly in place.
The atmosphere in the hall grew even quieter, and everyone looked at him with looks of disbelief.
A commoner, standing before the iron throne and the Small Council, could cite precedents so fluently, discussing the realm's legal traditions, and even clearly stating the specific year, the King's name, and the legal logic!
It was too outrageous!
Facing these looks, Corleone remained calm and composed.
Since arriving in King's Landing, he knew that with his background, he was destined to face difficulties in this game of thrones, so he constantly enriched himself whenever he had the chance.
With Jaime's help, he had borrowed a large number of books, from the dry general history of the kingdom and family lineages to more obscure legal commentaries, and had even flipped through the Book of the White Brothers, which recorded the lives and deeds of the Kingsguard, several times.
These days, Corleone absorbed the knowledge of this world like a sponge, not to become a maester, but to know how to use the rules.
On the iron throne, Joffrey listened with a look of utter confusion, but somehow felt it seemed to make sense.
But when he heard the phrase "direct extension of the King's will," he couldn't help but straighten his back, clearly very happy.
Though no one knew what he was so happy about.
A flash of surprise crossed Kevan's eyes, and he couldn't help but look at Corleone anew.
The smile on Varys's face became somewhat playful, as if he had seen an unexpectedly interesting variable.
Even Tywin glanced at Corleone in surprise, gaining a new appreciation for the knowledge and eloquence he displayed.
Only the grand maester was still squinting and dozing off; it seemed he had chatted with the young girls until very late yesterday and was tired.
"Liar!!!"
It took Lord Gales a long time to react, pointing at Corleone and ranting again, but he just repeated the same few lines: "He's lying!"
"This is all just made up! There is no such law!"
Hearing this, Kevan also recovered from his shock and glanced at Gales.
Although he believed about seventy or eighty percent of Corleone's words, according to procedure, he cleared his throat and said loudly: "grand maester Pycelle!"
"Uh, ah?"
Pycelle, who was dozing with his eyes closed, opened them, looking a bit dazed, but immediately and slowly stroked his long snow-white beard, speaking in that old and authoritative tone.
"Regarding what this Excellency Corleone has stated, the deeds of Ser Duncan 'the Tall' are indeed recorded in the 'the white book'."
"When I participated in the compilation of the 'Compendium of Important Kingdom Precedents' years ago, I saw the original text myself. Ser Duncan was a paragon of chivalry, and his actions shone with the light of justice and sincere loyalty to the crown."
He spoke eloquently and answered fluently; there wasn't a hint of him just waking up. He had clearly heard the previous conversation perfectly.
As a loyal dog of the Lannisters... uh, an admirer of the hand of the king, Pycelle was the first to confirm the authenticity of the case and immediately gave it a moral halo.
Then he spoke again: "After 234 AC, there have been instances where the Kingsguard cited the spirit of this precedent, having an 'obligation of emergency correction beyond general jurisdiction' when faced with extreme and urgent illegal acts."
"Although this principle has not formed a single codified statute, it is indeed a recognized custom within the realm's common law system."
"It embodies the wisdom of our ancestors, that the King's law is flexible and serves to maintain the dignity and reputation of the iron throne."
"As the ancient proverb my mentors often cited during my studies at the Citadel goes: 'He who sows poisonous weeds shall ultimately harvest bitter fruit.'"
"And Ser Jaime merely happened to be the one... who had to pluck that bitter fruit."
Truly a veteran of the Small Council.
Pycelle's rhetoric not only confirmed Corleone's claim but also elevated it to the level of 'realm common law system custom'.
It perfectly catered to the current Hand's need to maintain his family's reputation and also appealed to Joffrey's sensitive sense of authority.
A few casual sentences displayed his knowledge, showed his loyalty, and blocked any possibility of Lord Gales refuting it from a legal perspective.
After all, even Kevan, the master of laws, might not be clear on those obscure legal statutes, let alone anyone else.
In other words, the right of final interpretation of the legal statutes rested with Pycelle.
Truly a master among masters.
I still have a lot to learn...
Seeing the old fellow finish and then squint his eyes and retreat to the side, Corleone couldn't help but feel some admiration.
It's not hard to pretend for a day; pretending for a lifetime is the real skill.
Sure enough, as soon as Pycelle finished, Tywin didn't wait for Joffrey to offer any more "brilliant insights" and announced directly: "The facts are already very clear!"
"Sven Rosby was guilty of bribery and dereliction of duty, and his open defiance of the Kingsguard has caused serious damage to the reputation of the iron throne."
"Ser Jaime Lannister, as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, exercised emergency powers of disposal. Although his actions are controversial, the fundamental goal was to maintain the authority of the iron throne and the dignity of the law."
"I have spoken. Who agrees, and who objects?"
With that, Tywin scanned the room, and almost no one dared to meet the old lion's gaze.
However, there are always exceptions.
"I object!"
Lord Gales did not choose to accept this judgment; he was clearly blinded by resentment and indignation, protesting: "By the Seven... *cough cough*... what kind of justice is this!"
"Even the Maiden's tears cannot wash away this injustice... *cough cough*... if the hand of the king were still Lord Jon Arryn..."
""
"He would never make such a biased and unfair judgment based on only one side of the story..."
"
"The Warrior would not approve of such a cowardly compromise; the Father's judgment will surely come!!!"
He kept citing the teachings of the Seven and the name of "Jon Arryn," his voice sounding like he was weeping blood.
Fortunately, his mind wasn't completely gone; he didn't mention Eddard Stark, who had already been sentenced for treason and had his head chopped off.
However, as soon as he said this, the air in the entire iron throne hall seemed to drop to the freezing point instantly.
Joffrey didn't understand the significance, only finding the old man wordy and annoying.
grand maester Pycelle buried his head even lower and even began to snore softly.
The smile on Varys's face remained unchanged but appeared somewhat subtle.
And Kevan Lannister seemed to have anticipated something, his brow furrowed into a knot.
Corleone stood to the side, quietly watching it all, watching Lord Gales immersed in his self-righteous 'grief' and 'piety,' rambling on with Jon Arryn's name on his lips.
His eyes were calm and waveless, but there was a sense of indifference in his gaze toward Gales, as if looking at a dead man.
He coldly commented in his heart.
Fool.
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