Reincarnated: Vive La France
Chapter 231: This Republic, reborn of crisis, will remain as long as power bows to law.

Chapter 231: This Republic, reborn of crisis, will remain as long as power bows to law.

By 9 AM the chamber was filled foreign correspondents, diplomats in quiet conversation and domestic journalists.

Everyone ready for the last day of high profile tribunal.

Moreau had arrived here officially for the first time not to mention with so many foreign press present as well as diplomat.

Judges Barbier, Claudel, and Levasseur walked in together and quietly took their seats.

The court bailiff stepped forward and banged the floor once which.

Same repetative process as the past few days.

Barbier cleared his throat and began in measured tones. "Today, we deliver our judgment in the matter of Citizen Pierre-Étienne Flandin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, charged with unauthorized diplomatic contacts and collusion with foreign entities in violation of France’s sovereign interests."

Flandin remained in the defendant’s box, composed and alert.

His lawyer, Giraud, stood calmly beside him.

Barbier raised his hand. "Before the Court issues its verdict, we will hear brief statements from both prosecution and defense."

Vincent Auriol, prosecutor-general, leaned forward. "Your Honors, we presented evidence of clandestine diplomacy, covert economic agreements, and unsanctioned communications with foreign attachés. However, these actions occurred in a period of national emergency, when traditional channels were gridlocked by political indecision. We presented evidence but the testimony and documents do not conclusively show intent to betray. We asked the Tribunal to evaluate not only legality but intent. The Court must weigh national security against procedural lapses."

He paused.

"Prosecution asks that if the Court finds Flandin’s conduct outside the law, it also recognize the need for emergent diplomacy in that moment."

On cue, Maître Giraud stepped forward. "Honored Judges, the prosecution has documented irregular channels but there is no proof of malicious intent. Citizen Flandin led with necessity, not cupidity. He sought alliances quietly, yes but never against France, only for her. It is within the mission of diplomacy to seek peace on any available channel. We concede there were errors but no crime. We request acquittal."

Barbier returned to the bench. "The Court will deliberate and return with its verdict within one hour. Court is adjourned."

The journalists leaned forward.

Moreau stood from his seat and descended to the front row near the podium where the verdict would soon arrive.

During the gap, conversations drifted, diplomats whispered interpretations, reporters typed summaries.

Barbier, Claudel, and Levasseur re-entered after fifty-eight minutes.

Barbier placed both hands flat on the bench. "The Court has found that Citizen Pierre‑Étienne Flandin did, in fact, bypass authorized diplomatic procedures and held unsanctioned contact with foreign policymakers, specifically German and Italian envoys in 1936–1937. These actions contravened the legal protocols under the Emergency Judicial Order and Foreign Affairs statutes.

"But this Tribunal, in weighing intent and consequence, finds no evidence that Mr. Flandin sought to damage the Republic or act for personal gain. Instead, the Court recognizes that his actions arose from an urgent desire to forestall conflict and secure France’s interests during a time of severe political paralysis."

He paused, allowing clarity to settle. "The Court finds him not guilty on all counts and imposes no penalty or disqualification. This Tribunal affirms that emergent diplomacy, even when irregular, may be pardoned so long as it is rooted in service, not sabotage."

A hush filled the chamber.

Flandin shifted once and nodded subtly at Giraud, who returned his gaze equally calm.

Moreau pressed forward from his seat, Beauchamp and Delon rose to flank him.

Barbier stepped aside as usher waved Moreau to the podium.

He spoke first quietly, locking eyes with every foreign diplomat he could see. "Citizens of France, esteemed guests, members of the international press. I stand before you today not as a soldier enforcing will, but as a servant safeguarding liberty."

He paused, letting his opening words resonate. "This Tribunal has examined high treason, corruption, suppression, and collusion. Each case Pétain, Blum, Daladier, Sarraut, and Flandin has been judged with impartiality under law."

Moreau offered a short gesture toward the judges. "That this court found Flandin not guilty, despite the pressure of events, shows such impartiality exists."

He drew a breath and lifted his voice. "Our Republic is reborn not in blood, but in balance. Today marks a turning point."

Across the chamber, diplomats shifted.

Reporters scribbled.

Everyone focused from Paris to Berlin to London.

Moreau continued.

"France does not claim perfection. She claims resolve to judge her own, not for factional retribution, but in upholding national integrity. We will stand accountable not to fall."

He spoke next of the army, navy, air force the full spectrum now pledged to the new Republic.

"I command them only to serve the people, protect the soil, advance the law and not to arrest a voice or silence an idea."

He raised his hand. "In cities and fields, from Calais to Perpignan, freedom must ring. We have seen chaos now we bring clarity. We have seen failure now we will engineer success. We will rebuild. First, our defenses, Second, our social contracts,Third, our standing military, economic, and moral among the free nations of the world."

He looked at Flandin. "Citizen Flandin. You have been cleared today this does not mean your methods failed. They only remind us that democracy requires debate, conflict, creativity not darkness. Let us embrace that light."

He turned then to the judges. "Thanks to your integrity, this Tribunal shall not be a footnote in history. It will be the example."

Moreau’s voice softened.

"But it does not conclude here. We will hold ministries accountable. We will rebuild trust. We will restore military readiness. But above all else, we will preserve liberty within discipline."

He nodded toward the gallery. "This Republic, reborn of crisis, will remain as long as power bows to law."

He stepped back from the podium.

The chamber erupted quiet applause, poised but heartfelt.

Diplomats stood in silent respect.

The moment became a greatness of generations to come.

They will remeber that finally France moved ahead from the bloodshed and chaos.

If freedom is something that is bought at the expense of other than it depends of how high or low your morals are to judge it.