Chapter 228: Let this Tribunal be the last - of retribution, and the first of civilization.

Words : 1262 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 228: Let this Tribunal be the last Chapter of retribution, and the first of civilization.Next day in the Palais de Justice journalists, diplomats, and observers all waited for what would follow. The atmosphere was different. They had watched a general fall with dignity. They had seen a statesman reckon with policy and error. But now came a man many believed to be the first real criminal among the Republic’s former elite. Judges Barbier, Claudel, and Levasseur entered. Barbier’s voice cut through the silence. "We reconvene again but first, we deliver the final judgment in the case of Citizen Léon Blum." Léon Blum stood quietly, his face pale. His counsel, stood beside him. Barbier continued, "This Tribunal finds that Citizen Blum committed no criminal treason or personal enrichment. However, it is acknowledged by this court that his governance obstructed military innovation, facilitated partisan appointments, and neglected pressing defense readiness." He paused. "Therefore, under Article 17, Citizen Blum is acquitted of criminal wrongdoing but is prohibited from seeking, holding, or influencing any public or military office for a period of ten years. He is further required to report monthly to the Ministry of the Interior concerning his communications and public engagements." There was no outburst, only quiet nods and the scratch of pens. Blum bowed his head briefly, offered no statement, and exited the chamber without resistance. His eyes met Moreau’s briefly. A quiet acknowledgment passed between the two a recognition of what had been, and what could no longer be. Barbier allowed the room to breathe. "We now proceed with the third formal indictment Édouard Daladier, former Minister of National Defense." Daladier entered flanked by guards. His counsel, Armand Proulx, carried two thick files. Vincent Auriol wasted no time. "The accused stands charged with dereliction of duty, obstruction of mobilization orders, and unauthorized arms transactions involving foreign entities. These are not errors of judgment. These are infractions with tangible, potentially treasonous consequences." He nodded to the bailiff. "Call the first witness. Lieutenant Colonel Jérôme Dallet, Operations Division." Dallet took the stand, precise in posture and voice. "In February 1937, I was tasked with transmitting orders from General Command to the eastern garrisons concerning mobilization readiness. I encountered delays." "Delays?" Barbier pressed. "Yes, sir. Orders were returned three times for ’strategic recalibration’ under direct instruction from the Minister’s cabinet." "Whose signature?" Auriol asked. "Minister Daladier’s." Auriol placed the orders into evidence. "Exhibit C withheld deployment instructions with final signature of the accused." Daladier’s lawyer objected, "Context matters. Revisions are not crimes." "Revisions that cost us three weeks of unarmed silence," Auriol countered. Next, Colonel Emile Bertrand was called. He testified: "I personally warned Minister Daladier of deteriorating troop morale due to supply shortages. He dismissed the warning, stating that ’politics must first be tamed before steel is given.’" Bertrand’s words rang through the chamber. The murmurs were growing. Barbier’s gavel came down. "Maintain order." Bertrand continued. "Further, we uncovered communications between the Defense Ministry and a foreign industrial agency Armatech, operating through Belgian intermediaries who received contracts for artillery shells at inflated costs." Auriol pulled telegrams from his dossier. "These telegrams show a sequence: requests approved by Daladier’s deputy, then greenlit by the Minister himself. Final payments were routed through a Luxembourg account." "Exhibit F," Barbier said, "to be sealed and reviewed in full by the court’s financial magistrate." Daladier’s face tensed. His lawyer rose. "Circumstantial, not criminal!" Auriol shot back. "This court has reviewed bank transfers, supplier contracts, and conflicting declarations. These are not coincidences. They are signatures, transfers, dates, and policy effects." The final blow came when Auriol summoned Captain Victor Nault of the Gendarmerie. Nault spoke with the confidence of one who had seen too much. "In March 1936, I was assigned to investigate the defense supply bottleneck. We traced multiple forged invoices approved under the Minister’s seal. When we confronted a clerk, he admitted to falsifying supplier credentials under threat of dismissal." Barbier leaned forward. "And did these forgeries benefit anyone?" "Yes. Armatech’s representatives and their French intermediary were later found transferring commission funds into private holdings." Auriol turned to Daladier. "You presided over a Ministry that obscured orders, diverted contracts, and approved suppliers under political pressure. Do you deny authorizing these transactions?" Daladier stood. "I deny nothing unlawful. I acted in the national interest. Every action I took was to stabilize a broken chain of command. If middlemen profited, it was beyond my knowledge." Barbier said coldly, "Ignorance does not clear you of accountability." Judge Claudel asked, "What justification exists for ignoring strategic troop reports for months?" Daladier snapped, "Because the government was on the verge of collapse! Every day was fire and riot. I chose balance. I regret nothing!" Gasps followed. Moreau sat in the gallery stone-faced, his arms crossed. Auriol closed his files and turned to the judges. "Your Honors, this man acted not from fear, not from humility but from arrogance. He played with the integrity of France for political control. The evidence is vast, the implications dire." Daladier finally exploded. "All of you, drunk on righteousness! I did what I had to do! I kept this government from tearing itself apart, and now I’m put here like a thief!" Barbier gave no reaction. His voice remained cool. "Citizen Daladier, you will restrain your speech. This is a court, not a pulpit." Auriol closed his case. "This man governed not with prudence, but with corruption. He compromised defense for private interest and factional politics. His guilt is not in doubt." Barbier consulted with Judges Claudel and Levasseur. He gave no recess. "This Tribunal will proceed directly to deliberation. The judgment will be rendered today." Sёarch* The NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gasps swept through the room. Journalists dropped pens, already fumbling for headlines. The guards escorted Daladier from the dock. As the judges moved to leave the bench and retire for deliberation, a military courier arrived, breathless, bearing an envelope marked by the seal of the head of state. Barbier opened it, scanning quickly. His eyes narrowed and he shared the note silently with Claudel and Levasseur. The letter bore Moreau’s signature. Its content was brief. "Let justice be done, but let justice become the future of the Republic, not its final executioner. Daladier is guilty the evidence suffices. But the sentence must be of the new France, not the old. We will not execute. Let the sentence be prison. Let this Tribunal be the last Chapter of retribution, and the first of civilization." Barbier returned to the bench an hour later. "The Tribunal has reached its verdict. Citizen Édouard Daladier is found guilty on all primary counts: obstruction of mobilization, dereliction of military duty, and engagement in unauthorized arms trade in violation of Article 14 and Article 18 of the Emergency Judicial Order." A brief silence. "His actions undermined national defense and betrayed the charge of public duty. However, this Tribunal, in accordance with the principles of civil justice and restoration of lawful order, sentences him to fifteen years of imprisonment in a secure state facility. He is barred from holding or influencing public office for life." There were gasps, some whispers of disbelief, but no outrage. The chamber stood stunned not by blood, but by discipline. Daladier, brought back for the announcement, listened without expression. His fall was final, but it had not ended in rope or rifle. Barbier concluded, "France turns a page today not toward revenge, but toward rebirth." Moreau, watching from the high gallery, simply nodded.

Chapter 228: Let this Tribunal be the last - of retribution, and the first of civilization.

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