The Medallion novel Chapter 177

The next day, Marin gathered the whole army and brought Rocky on trial in front of all the soldiers at the battlefield of the northeast military camp.

As a result, the whole battlefield never looked so crowded as it was today. People filled the whole battlefield so quickly as if this was what they were waiting for their whole lives. The moment Rocky was taken to the battlefield, people around him immediately pointed at him and talked about him one after another. Everyone was saying something that it was almost hard to make out what it was about or who said what.

"This guy is a complete lunatic, a rapist, a cold-blooded killer, and a real disgrace to our entire northeast military camp."

"Yes, you are right. Although he used to be a little weakling, he also had his own skills and reputation. But now, I didn't expect him to be a black-hearted guy who relied on his strength and did so many evil things."

"I'm afraid that after he had killed so many people, his only fate will be a quick death. His first-class merit just meant nothing to him. In the end, he still brings himself his own destruction."

For a moment, the whole battlefield was very noisy and bustling, the voices criticizing Rocky could be heard one after another. Everyone had something to say. In the eyes of almost all the army, Rocky was already notorious and a disgrace to the entire military camp.

Meanwhile, Rocky wasn't the only one getting all the hate. The sixth squad's spirit manipulators were also suffering from the contemptuous looks from the soldiers all around them because Rocky was their captain.

"I didn't expect that our captain was a pervert and a crazy killer. We should have never trusted him so much before!" one of the sixth squad's spirit manipulators complained in a low voice, his eyes full of disdain. They tried so hard to disassociate themselves from him in order to avoid criticism.

"Hey, what are you talking about? Our captain is definitely not that kind of person. Don't forget that he had saved our lives!" Thor retorted back and stared angrily at him as soon as he heard the harsh words about his captain. He believed Rocky so much and he hated to hear anyone say anything to slander him.

"Even though he had saved us before, so what? His actions have brought huge disgrace to our squad. Now, we don't even dare to hold up our heads high among other members of squads. In the past, we only had to suffer some petty sneers. Yet now, whenever we go, we will be disdained. Because of such a captain, we're not much better than a piece of smelly garbage!" another spirit manipulator of the sixth squad grumbled. He wasn't so close to Rocky and only felt that he was badly influenced by Rocky's behaviors.

"You are so ungrateful! Have you forgotten what he had done for us? I trust our captain! He is innocent and he won't do such things to ruin his reputation. You all just wait and see! The truth will be brought to light sooner or later," cried Joss in a huff. Both he and Thor were willing to trust their captain no matter what happened. They also did not believe he was capable of doing such unspeakable crimes.

When the crowd was in hot discussions, Marin and the other two Deputy Commanders looked on as they sat on the martial arts platform at the end of the battlefield. Soon enough, Rocky was taken there.

Looking up at Marin, Rocky saw Marin's face was so indifferent. Her eyes were cold towards him. It wasn't the reaction he was expecting at all. He immediately felt a little strange and thought, 'Why is she staring at me coldly? What has she found out?' All of a sudden, he felt a very sinister glance casting upon him from sideway. He turned around and saw Evan who was standing not so far away from him. He was looking at Rocky with a satisfied and wicked smile on his face. He was obviously glad at Rocky's predicament.

"Deputy Commander Chen, please announce the results of your investigation yesterday," Marin said and signaled him to begin.

Deputy Commander Chen nodded. He immediately got up, stood in front of the martial arts platform, looked around the army, then looked at Rocky. He took a deep breath and began to announce loudly and slowly, "After yesterday's careful investigation, there is solid evidence to prove that the one responsible for the innocent villager' deaths and the rape of the young girl is… none other than Rocky."

He had hardly finished his words when the crowd burst into an uproar. They all condemned him as the black sheep of the army. Insults and angry shouts were thrown around.

Rocky was shocked and his eyes nearly popped out the moment he heard what Deputy Commander Chen said. He knew he was not telling the truth because he saw what happened. Deputy Commander Chen was no doubt lying in front of the public, but he just couldn't figure out why he lied. With a sharp and ferocious look on his face, Rocky snarled, "Deputy Commander Chen, did you really have an investigation?"

"Rocky, do you still want to argue and defend for yourself? Several villagers have accused you of having killed an old man and raped a young girl," said Deputy Commander Chen firmly and insistently.

"Then, the villagers and the young girl who you claimed that I raped should be brought up here…" Rocky said coldly. Luckily, he was not overwhelmed by his shock and anger. Now he knew Deputy Commander Chen must have been on the same team with Evan and Matthew. They all wanted to set him up and kill him. He had to fight back and protect himself alone. Right now, the witnesses were his way out of this. If he could convince them to take back their wrongful accusations, he might get out of this easily. But then again, when was anything ever easy for him?

"Rocky, do you think I'm trying to frame you? Alright then, I'll make you admit your crimes sincerely. Bring the witnesses up here!" Deputy Commander Chen continued as he threw a cold glance at Rocky. He was confident that the villagers would indict him.

Soon, several villagers from the village at the east of the military camp were brought up. They all looked frightened and timid. From an onlooker's point of view, it would seem they were terrified because of Rocky. But in reality, they were scared to die if they did not frame Rocky for the crimes. As soon as they were taken to Rocky's side, they immediately bowed their heads and knelt to Marin.

"Do you all recognize the man near you?" Deputy Commander Chen asked the villagers sternly.

The villagers glanced at Rocky and nodded one after another.

"What did this man do in your village yesterday?" Deputy Commander Chen continued.

"He killed… killed people. And... he also raped a girl in our village..."

"That's right... We all saw what he did with our own eyes."

"He… he often came to our village to rob us of our cattle and sheep..."

The villagers faltered one after another. They stammered as if they were unsure of what they were saying.

"You…" Rocky was stunned and lost for the right words when he heard the villagers made slanderous charges against him. He could only stare at them ferociously, as if he wanted to kill them with his eyes.

The villagers were immediately intimidated and their face grew pale. They had to lower their heads to avoid any eye contact with Rocky. They were in such a tight spot because they were forced to make such accusations against Rocky. If they didn't, they would be killed. So for the sake of their lives, they must be firm in framing him.