Shin sighed helplessly and pressed a hand to her forehead. She had been focused entirely on Zane's future development, never expecting the old gentleman to be concerned with matters of romance.
Why did it feel like their roles had been reversed?
Honestly...
"I see..."
The old man nodded as if he understood, but after a moment's thought, he only shook his head with a smile. Shin's words seemed to do little to change his mind.
Noticing his expression, Shin kept her brows furrowed. To avoid any further misunderstanding, she added,
"Don't think I've ever considered it, nor would Zane. From the very beginning, I made it clear to him.
"My eyes see only profit and objectives.
"So between us, it's nothing more than a straightforward partnership."
Her voice was calm, though her thoughts rippled faintly. Some things were best left unspoken; once brought up, they inevitably stirred reflection.
"Haha, alright, alright, I understand..."
The old man chuckled twice and turned to leave. But though he said he understood, clearly his heart held different thoughts.
Shin was most likely telling the truth. There was nothing between the two of them.
Yet the old man understood one simple truth.
He trusted Shin's judgment. Which meant Zane had to be far more exceptional than what he currently revealed. Otherwise, she wouldn't treat him differently from others the way she did.
The old man himself had noticed Zane's extraordinary nature.
Having weathered decades, his eyes were still sharp.
And when one was young...
...one should not encounter someone too dazzling.
...
Before the mansion gates, after the elder departed, Shin remained standing, her gaze still fixed on the direction where Zane had gone.
But her eyes flickered faintly—she was clearly thinking of someone else.
As dawn broke, strands of light spanning countless miles spilled across the earth, falling upon Shin as well.
Her pure white wings shimmered with radiance, like the sacred wings of an angel. She had always cherished them dearly.
Her brows twitched slightly. Blinking, she drew a soft breath, then turned back toward the mansion.
Pale pink hair streamed behind her.
Like smooth, flowing silk.
Like the glimmering current of time.
At the ends, they swayed gently, catching the first glow of dawn.
...
Two days later.
New Eridu bustled with life. Today was not only a holiday—freeing both workers and students—but also the day the trial began.
The trial that had captured everyone's attention.
The Highest Court of New Eridu was not located in the central district, but rather on the outskirts.
This district was the first to be bathed in sunlight every morning as the sun rose.
It had stood here since New Eridu's founding. Of course, it had not been long—its predecessor lay within Hollow Zero.
And precisely because it lacked the weight of long years, the Law Court held less solemnity and gravitas, but instead shone with vitality and brilliance.
...
On the road outside the Law Court...
"We just need to make sure these people stay safe, right?"
Ellen stood at the roadside, watching absentmindedly as the convoy approached in the distance. She spoke softly.
"Yes, that's right. That's the job our client assigned us."
Lycaon stood beside her, nodding. At his words, Ellen tilted her head curiously.
"Wait, doesn't Victoria Housekeeping have rules about this sort of thing? Why take this commission?"
Lycaon froze for a moment before realizing Ellen had misunderstood. The commission had come on such short notice that he hadn't explained the details. The others must have followed him out of trust alone.
"The client isn't on their side. He's on the opposing side. We're protecting them to ensure they make it to trial.
"To see them nailed to the pillar of shame."
These were the key criminals. No matter the trial's outcome, punishment was inevitable.
Whether or not the municipal government was found guilty, these black sheep would be condemned.
"Oh, I see. Well, that's simple enough. What danger could there be in broad daylight?"
Though Ellen knew her work required focus, she was clearly distracted on this job.
And to be fair, she had a point.
"There's not even a suspicious person around—"
Before she could finish, a yellow object came flying directly at one of the men being escorted out of the convoy.
Ellen's expression hardened. She moved to intercept, but before she could act, Lycaon pulled her back.
With a sharp crack, the object burst. A pungent smell spread quickly through the air. Ellen grimaced, stepping back several paces.
So that's what this was about...
Making sure these people didn't get stoned to death by the crowd, huh...
But this smell was... way too much.
Now she understood why Lycaon hadn't brought Corin and Rina along...
She shot him a look. But before she could say anything, Lycaon raised a finger to his nose and spoke first.
"Sick. Can't smell it."
Ellen: ...
...
"Zane, over here."
Shin raised her hand, signaling. Watching Zane stride toward her, her eyes lit up.
"As I thought, my suggestion was perfect. This outfit suits you far too well..."
The dark standard uniform of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe, paired with Zane's looks...
Of course, the most important thing was his aura.
That faint, elusive air of detachment.
An ordinary person, no matter how striking, could never carry it this way. Only someone who had stood at the top could radiate such presence.
"Shall we head straight to the Law Court?"
Zane paid no mind to Shin's remark. To him, clothes made no difference.
"Yes. There are still some formalities to complete there. Our timing is just right... Elder."
Before Shin could finish, an elderly figure stepped out from the side. Her eyes widened slightly, her expression shaken.
Zane's reaction was no better.
He remained outwardly calm.
The Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe's general uniform, in itself, was nothing unusual.
But the medals gleaming across that uniform, like radiant armor...
Wearing them in public was as good as wearing absolute defense.
No one wanted to stand against an old gentleman covered in medals—someone who had once sat at the very peak of power.
"Let's go."
At the sight of his attire, the last trace of worry in Shin's heart disappeared. She gestured with her hand, and the three of them departed together.
...
"Quite the crowd."
Zane glanced around, speaking softly.
"Indeed. Today's matter is momentous. Even the size of the jury is unimaginable—let alone the gallery."
Shin nodded and explained.