Reincarnated: Vive La France
Chapter 230: If France endures thanks to one man’s quiet diplomacy, then his breach is pardonable. If not, table that to history.

Chapter 230: If France endures thanks to one man’s quiet diplomacy, then his breach is pardonable. If not, table that to history.

Next day at the same time the usher’s staff rang through the Palais de Justice..

The grand chamber once again filled quickly.

Judges Barbier, Claudel, and Levasseur entered.

Barbier’s voice came solemn and deliberate.

"In the matter of Citizen Albert Sarraut, former Minister of the Interior, this Tribunal has reviewed all submitted testimonies, evidence of unauthorized force deployment, forged police authorizations, and the suppression of lawful labor gatherings in direct violation of the Republic’s statutes."

He paused. Sarraut stood, motionless, flanked by guards.

"This court finds Citizen Sarraut guilty on all counts. His actions led to unlawful deaths, state repression against civilians, and a gross misuse of national police forces for political ends. He is sentenced to life imprisonment in a high-security facility without parole. He is permanently stripped of civil and political rights."

Sarraut did not blink.

His jaw tighten but he said nothing, only nodded once to his lawyer as guards moved him away.

The gallery remained eerily silent.

Barbier tapped the gavel once more.

"We now proceed to Case Five."

"Citizen Pierre-Étienne Flandin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, stands before this Tribunal, charged with collusion and unauthorized diplomatic contacts with foreign agencies against the sovereign interest of the French Republic."

Let records show the accused is present."

A clerk nodded.

Flandin stood, adjusting his cuffs, cool and composed.

Auriol rose from the prosecution table.

"Your Honors, this case concerns clandestine diplomacy of a disturbing nature statesmanship without consent, treaties unsigned, influence traded in shadows. We intend to show that Mr. Flandin engaged foreign agencies without mandate, misled parliament, and endangered national interest for narrow political ends."

He signaled Lieutenant Colonel Claude to take the stand.

Claude walked with stiff formality, saluted, and swore the oath.

Barbier nodded. "Proceed, Colonel."

Claude took out a thin leather folder. "In June 1936, under Ambassadorial instructions, I received dispatched material showing that Flandin traveled to Berne under the guise of financial reassessment. In reality, he met with a German economic envoy. Afterward, ambassadorials included a memorandum drafted by Mr. Flandin proposing reciprocal trade adjustments that would bypass Allied oversight."

He flicked through documents. "I have copies, with Mr. Flandin’s signature beneath a clause promising ’mutual stabilization’ of French and German bread and iron markets signed July 22, 1936."

Auriol held the exhibit aloft. "Document A."

A murmur rippled through the courtroom.

He added, "Gentlemen, this memorandum was concealed not only from parliament, but from the Council of Ministers. That is diplomatic treachery."

Flandin leaned forward, gaze steady.

His counsel, Maître Giraud, rose at once.

"Colonel Claude, is it not possible such an agreement safeguarded French economic interests? Parliament routinely delegates authority. Why is this one document treasonous?"

Claude hesitated. "Because the content was never reported. Because it was drafted for foreign distribution secretly. And the channels bypassed official diplomatic protocols, including no archives, no copies held by the Presidency or foreign office."

Barbier tapped the bench for attention.

"Understood. The court hears your testimony. Proceed."

Next, Auriol summoned Jean Molinier, a low-ranking aide from Flandin’s ministry, visibly uneasy.

He looked around, voice shaking. "In late 1936, I was tasked on orders to deliver sealed envelopes to the Italian embassy in Paris. Contained within were intelligence reports on Soviet consolidation, policy briefs, and budget notes."

He paused, swiping a bead of sweat. "These were labeled ’eyes only’, unsigned by Parliament. Meant to inform liaison but beyond any treaty channel."

Auriol pressed: "And that action did it serve France, or did it merely inform Italy of our internal state?"

Molinier swallowed hard. "Sir, the line was thin. Some offices there said it showcased France’s trustworthiness. Others said it gave Italy undue leverage when negotiating border pacts."

Flandin’s counsel objected. "This conforms with international courtesy. Embassy-to-embassy transfers are standard."

Barbier nodded. "The court records the objection but notes the context secret material, unratified, partisan. Proceed."

Auriol then called Lieutenant Rexxit from the intelligence bureau.

When he spoke, the courtroom fell silent.

"In January 1937, intercepted letters from Mr. Flandin’s private office to Berlin’s military attaché. This is documented times, numbers, call duration. These logs show regular, unsanctioned contact with foreign military intelligence."

He brought forward phone logs. "These were made without cabinet oversight. Archivally unauthorized."

Barbier looked to the defense. "Your objection?"

Giraud retorted

"Diplomacy often necessitates discretion. We risk exposing a strategic necessity under pressure."

Auriol countered: "Discretion, yes. But not to the point of clandestine military communication. That is espionage by front door."

Flandin, for the first time, spoke. He stood tall. "I will not deny communications that served national interest. I sought alliances by any means necessary to prevent war. If hindsight deems them unconstitutional, I will take the blame. But I acted in service of peace."

Barbier marked the testimony. "Statement recorded. Prosecution, do you wish to call further witnesses?"

Auriol shook his head. "No, Your Honor. We conclude our case."

Barbier nodded. "Defense counsel may now present their case."

Giraud stood, glancing at Flandin. "Mr. Flandin did what France’s broken politics would not. He opened channels where official ones choked. If he erred, it was by believing the Republic deserved peace more than procedure. Diplomacy is not crime it is service."

He continued: "No evidence suggests military secrets were handed over, nor that national defense was compromised. These were economic overtures, intelligence sharing done quietly."

Judge Claudel interrupted.

"The question is not whether Mr. Flandin loved France the court does not doubt it. The question is whether he abused his authority and exceeded legal bounds."

Giraud nodded. "Then let me summarize he will not argue innocence only justification."

He paused and looked at Flandin. "Paris trembled in all corners. The Lion of Spain was back in France, defeated not by his own capabilities but resources and beacuracry. Germany lurching, states fractured. I ask this Tribunal is a breach of form more harmful than the collapse of order? If France endures thanks to one man’s quiet diplomacy, then his breach is pardonable. If not, table that to history."

Barbier glanced at Levasseur and Claudel both stern.

"The defense rests."

He rattled the gavel. "The court will now adjourn for deliberation. Sentence to follow tomorrow morning."

Auriol nodded.

Flandin remained upright, his counsel folding papers.

On the way out his eyes met with Moreau.

Both of them nodded to each other.

Because they knew how hard they have worked for this country albiet in different capacities and methods.