Publicly assaulting an Imperial Judge, even in the era after the Great Rebellion, remained an unforgivable felony.
It was the most direct challenge to and show of contempt for the Empire's authority.
Even though everyone present knew other factions were behind the Judge's move to arrest Raphael, an old saying from Reinhardt's distant homeland held true: act first, report later—a privilege granted by imperial decree.
No one could defy the authority of an Imperial Judge.
Even the silently observant Sedon and Lady Catherine were already considering what negotiating tactics they would need to get Raphael out of the Judgment Court.
And what price they would have to pay.
But Reinhardt's sudden assault—violently crushing the Judge's face and producing the sickening CRACK of breaking bone—stunned everyone present in an instant.
