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Chapter 182: Mayor's Defense
🕑 Added 2025-08-15 16:49:01 +0000 UTC
As Gladion accused the mayor of his crimes, the Mayor's expression didn't shift at the accusations, the anger on his face only deepened as Gladion repeated his accusations. "What nonsense are you speaking?"
Goldmane snapped, his voice cold, his eyes glinting with defiance. "Don't lecture me about laws, young man. Under Section 72 of the League Constitution, you can't arrest a governing entity like a mayor without proof."
'It looks like while his guards were fighting, he was speaking with his lawyer and is now quoting laws,' Gladion thought amused.
'He's trying to turn this into a debate, but I've got him cornered. According to what I have seen in criminal shows and movies, This guy's going to play the innocent card hard,' Gladion thought as he sensed the Mayor's guilt beneath his angry facade. 'Let's see how long he can keep it up.'
Nyx, at his feet, licked her claws, her red eyes locked on the Mayor. [Master, is this what we call a top-notch actor? A masterful performance? Give me an hour—my claws are itching to tear his skin and eat his flesh. You'll have your answers.]
The Mayor shivered as he took two steps back, sensing her intent despite not understanding her words.
Gladion's eyebrow twitched "Now, now, Nyx," he said telepathically, "what did I say about watching fewer torture movies with Sabrina? Shush, we've got serious work."
Nyx flicked her tail, [Spoilsport] she muttered.
Gladion pulled out a stack of documents—evidence from Koga and Agatha of Goldmane's smuggling and terrorist ties.
'Damn, Koga's ninjas must have raided his office or something because this is some damning evidence.'
But before he could present them, the Mayor cut him off, his voice booming so that everyone could hear him.
"Those documents can be forged! Don't take your childish anger about League corruption out on me, child. I've worked for Vermilion's betterment for decades!"
Goldmane turned to the crowd, his arms spread, his face radiating sincerity. "Tell me, citizens of Vermilion City, have I ever wronged you? Haven't I worked tirelessly for this city? Didn't my family spend generations of wealth to improve your lives—sewers, schools for your children?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, their auras shifting with agreement.
'He's good,' Gladion thought, ,'He's got them eating out of his hand.'
A woman shouted, "He's a good man!" Another added, "He built the community center!" Reporters scribbled, their auras buzzing with excitement.
"Is that so?" Gladion said, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm. "If you're so loyal to Kanto and its people, you won't mind having your house searched for my satisfaction, right?"
The Mayor hesitated for a split second, but he recovered quickly, his voice steady. "If that's what it takes to prove my loyalty, go ahead."
Officer Jenny arrived with a police squad. Gladion nodded to her.
"Officer Jenny, would you mind?" Jenny gave a curt nod as she led her team into the Mayor's house.
Gladion glanced at the documents in his hand, 'What a pity? I didn't get to use these yet. Even a child would be able to tell that this evidence was pretty damning. But where is the fun in that? Let's have more evidence against him. Oh well, these documents will shine in court. Let's see him tell a judge they're forged.'
He tucked them into his jacket, 'This guy's guilty, and I'm gonna prove it right in front of his people who had believed in him and his family for generations.'
Jenny returned, her face troubled.
She spoke with anger. "We found immense cash—probably hundreds of millions of Pokédollars," she said, her voice tight.
She had worked with the mayor for some years now and to see that the man was this corrupt, made her very angry.
The crowd gasped, their faces shifting with doubt. The Mayor's expression didn't change, his voice calm. "That cash is my ancestors' savings. We didn't have banks back then, and I prefer keeping it at home."
Jenny's brow furrowed, her aura skeptical. "But this much cash—" The Mayor cut her off, his tone sharp. "Officer, what I do with my family's money is my decision, and it's not a crime. If you have proof it's illegal, proceed. Otherwise, leave my home."
Gladion chose to speak up, his voice dripping with sarcastic glee. "Now, now, Mayor, don't get so heated. It's a pity you and your ancestors didn't use that cash for Vermilion's 'betterment,' huh? Guess you were too busy stashing it under your mattress!"
'He's losing some of his supporters. But not everyone. I would need to show more evidence and make the case so strong that no one associated would him would be able to get him out of jail,' Gladion thought.
"Alright," Gladion continued, his tone challenging, "let's go to the crime scene—the Port. Search that. If I'm wrong, I'll publicly apologize."
