Reincarnated: Vive La France
Chapter 224: "The National Tribunal is now in session!"

Chapter 224: "The National Tribunal is now in session!"

The Palais de Justice a symbol of the Republic’s law and equilibrium.

The grand chamber, long dormant, was full again but not for routine hearings.

This was the day the Tribunal began.

It was 8:00 in the morning.

Military guards, in blue-grey uniforms stood flanking the entrance.

Foreign journalists gathered on one side, whispering in German, English, Italian, and Russian.

At the center of the room stood a raised dais newly constructed, draped with the tricolor flag of France without a fleur-de-lis, without a crown.

Above it hung a banner, unadorned, with one word inscribed in gold.

"Justice."

The court bailiff banged his staff against the tiled floor. "The National Tribunal is now in session!"

The chamber became silent.

Presiding over the tribunal was Henri Barbier, a well-respected jurist in his late sixties, known for his dogged adherence to law and integrity.

With silver hair combed neatly, he wore a plain black robe devoid of any political insignia.

To his right sat Judge Claudel and Judge Mireille Levasseur, both former constitutional experts, now called to serve under this new framework of emergency justice.

Henri Barbier leaned forward, adjusting his spectacles.

"This tribunal," he began.

"Is not formed to serve vengeance. It is not created to crown the victors of a coup with retribution. It exists solely to examine those who held the trust of the French people and either betrayed it or failed it."

He paused, letting that settle in.

"Today, we begin with the reading of the formal indictments. These are not mere accusations. Each has been investigated preliminarily by the Commission of National Reconciliation, headed by Justice Vincent Auriol. The individuals named will be tried under the code of military and civil justice."

He nodded to the clerk. "Proceed."

The clerk stood, unrolled a parchment, and began.

"Case One.

Léon Blum. Former Prime Minister. Charged with deliberate mismanagement of national emergency procedures, unlawful concessions to foreign interests, and failure to prevent the destabilization of the republic under Article 9 of the National Emergency Protocols."

Across the chamber, Blum sat behind a polished wooden barrier.

He looked thinner than before, paler.

Still wearing the black suit he’d once worn as a leader, he met Barbier’s gaze directly.

He didn’t flinch.

The second name followed.

"Case Two.

Édouard Daladier. Former Minister of National Defense. Charged with dereliction of military duty, obstruction of troop mobilization orders in early 1937, and unauthorized arms trade agreements with foreign powers."

Daladier sat with arms folded.

He snorted quietly at the last accusation, whispering something in disdain to his lawyer.

"Case Three.

General Philippe Pétain. General and advisor to the Ministry of War. Charged with systemic mismanagement of military readiness, dissemination of defeatist doctrine to high-ranking officers, and refusal to mobilize garrison troops during critical alerts."

This name caused a stir in the chamber.

Foreign reporters scribbled madly.

Pétain, once hailed a hero of Verdun, now looked worn and crumpled.

He stared down at his hands and said nothing.

Beside him, General Maurice Gamelin observed silently.

He was not on trial he had pledged his allegiance to Moreau but his presence was noted.

Many wondered whether this, too, was part of a grander orchestration.

The list continued.

"Case Four.

Albert Sarraut. Charged with the suppression of labor movements through unlawful violence and use of state police for political intimidation."

"Case Five.

Pierre-Étienne Flandin. Foreign Affairs. Charged with collusion and unauthorized diplomatic contacts with foreign agencies against the sovereign interest of France."

Barbier spoke again. "Each accused will receive legal counsel. Each will be granted opportunity to speak, to cross-examine, and to summon witnesses. This is not a show trial. We are not Fascists. We are not Bolsheviks. We are France."

From the back of the chamber, a hand rose.

It was an American journalist from the Chicago Tribune.

Barbier gestured. "Yes?"

"Is there a list of those currently under investigation but not yet indicted?"

Auriol stood, stepping from the shadowed benches behind the judges.

"We have ten under indictment," he confirmed. "A further fifteen are under formal review, including minor ministers, treasury officials, and military attachés. No one is exempt."

"Even President Lebrun?" someone shouted.

Barbier raised a brow. "President Lebrun supported the transfer of power before hostilities escalated. We have verified his non-involvement through documents and testimony. He is not under investigation."

At 9:15, the first statement was taken.

Blum requested to speak.

He stood slowly, nodding to Barbier. "With the court’s permission."

Barbier nodded. "Proceed."

Blum walked to the center of the chamber. "I am not here to plead. I will not beg. I was Prime Minister, and I did what I believed was right for this nation."

He turned to the gallery. "I knew Moreau. I even aided him. Some say that makes me a hypocrite. I say it makes me a realist."

Gasps from the press.

"But I also failed. I failed to see that my own ministers were corrupt. I failed to predict the collapse of our systems. And when the people lost faith, I had no answer. That failure, I accept."

Barbier watched him carefully. "Mr. Blum, do you deny the charges?"

"I deny that I acted out of selfishness. I accept that I acted wrongly. If this Tribunal is just, then let it judge me not by outcome alone, but by intent."

Barbier nodded. "Your statement is recorded."

A break was called at 10:00. Outside, the crowds gathered.

Posters depicting a scale of justice holding the sword of the republic were being stapled on every kiosk from Paris to Bordeaux.

No one knew how long the Tribunal would last but everyone knew it had begun.

Back inside, the second round of statements began.

Pétain’s lawyer requested a delay for medical reasons.

Daladier requested full access to diplomatic communiqués as evidence.

Auriol approved both. "No shortcut to justice. No rush. We’ll do this the right way."

From the upper balcony, Beauchamp looked down.

He whispered to Delon beside him. "What do you think?"

Delon didn’t blinked.

"Sometime it just feels unreal seeing these people sitting as a prisoner."

Beauchamp laughed.

"That is the beauty of revolution sometimes it can even bring down god."