Because of their special status, the group entered the Law Court through a private passage. After scanning his surroundings, Zane followed Shin as they made their way inside.
The hearing hadn't yet begun. Outside, staff were still struggling to deal with the swarm of ravenous reporters, which gave them a bit of breathing room.
More accurately, this preparation time was for the old gentleman.
"Miss Shin! What an unexpected surprise to see you here. Truly delightful."
As Shin started to step aside, a voice suddenly called out, drawing her attention.
She stopped and turned to see a refined-looking politician in a suit, polished and well-mannered in appearance.
"So, it's the Minister of Construction for Elden District. What business do you have here?"
Shin's tone was calm and faintly cold, a sharp contrast to the smiling official before her.
After all, the Minister of Construction was part of the current municipal administration—the very same people sitting on the defendant's bench today.
This was nothing more than a weasel wishing a chicken a Happy New Year.
"Haha, I just didn't expect to run into Miss Shin here."
He showed no sign of offense at her coldness.
But in that short moment, many nearby turned their eyes toward them. After all, both sides were of unusual standing.
The Minister of Construction finished his pleasantries, but Shin didn't respond. As a participant in the trial, he obviously knew why she was here.
Which meant his words carried an obvious implication.
But Shin wasn't in the mood to waste time on his little games—she needed to check on the handover between the old gentleman and the Joint Association's co-chair.
Seeing her prepare to leave, the minister's smile stiffened, and his tone sharpened.
"Noble, upright Miss Shin—how grand you are. I thought someone as righteous and morally principled as you would refuse to attend such a filthy trial."
His words were dressed as compliments, but anyone could hear the biting sarcasm beneath.
Shin was at the very center of the storm now. Encounters like this were unavoidable.
At his words, she was forced to stop. To ignore him would only make her seem, in the eyes of others, as if she were unable to rise above a clown's provocation.
"And you dare call me 'Miss'?"
Her tone was ice-cold. In uniform, her commanding presence surged forth, making those around her instinctively draw back.
The Minister of Construction subconsciously stepped half a pace back. He had no military authority, and he understood Shin's words for what they were: a reminder of their difference in rank.
"How arrogant."
He sneered, avoiding her name or title to sidestep the awkwardness of addressing her station. Still, the sting of defeat clung to him.
Finding her difficult to deal with, his eyes suddenly shifted to Zane at her side. Smirking, he spoke again.
"Young and brash... one has to wonder if she's even fit for her position."
Zane, who had been watching idly like everyone else, blinked in surprise when suddenly dragged into it.
Really? What's this got to do with me?
Was this what they called being an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire?
The minister glanced back at Shin, then chuckled dryly.
"You two..."
SMACK!
A sharp crack rang out, silencing him mid-sentence. Staggering back, clutching his cheek, the Minister of Construction stared in shock.
Zane spoke evenly.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"Fools don't realize their own stupidity."
"You—! You dare to raise a hand here? This is blatant contempt of court! This is—"
"Contempt? And what of it?"
"If you manage to walk free after today, then this court is indeed worthy of contempt."
Zane chuckled lightly, utterly unconcerned.
The moment this man stepped forward now of all times, his motives had been obvious.
In Zane's mind, dealing with types like him was simple—one good Hollow strike, and they'd learn to behave.
He peeled off his gloves and tossed them into a nearby trash bin, the act carrying clear contempt. Then he turned away.
"Let's go. You're wasting your time humoring idiots."
He waved a hand dismissively, every inch the leader taking charge.
Shin's smile froze for a moment before she hurried after him. Truth be told, she sometimes thought Zane's tongue could be as venomous as her own...
The Minister of Construction's face burned crimson. He looked up at their retreating figures—just in time to meet Shin's gaze as she turned back briefly.
Her lips moved.
He didn't know lip-reading.
But even without it, he understood those two words.
Fury surged within him, but he knew better than to lose control here. Turning on his heel, he left.
Dignity, however, was already gone.
The matter had flared up quickly and ended just as fast.
This minor confrontation—the first spark between both sides before the trial—dissolved the frozen air in the room, letting it flow again.
Most were only here to watch. Once the result was clear, they lost interest.
...
Moments later, Zane and Shin arrived at the old gentleman's side, where they were introduced to the co-chair of the Joint Association.
The man appeared ordinary, a middle-aged figure, but Zane could see the weariness etched across his face. Clearly, the past few days had been far from easy.
"General..."
After grasping the old gentleman's hand, the co-chair seemed about to speak. But the old man simply patted his hand, and the words were left unsaid.
It was enough—he trusted the man before him.
Noticing Zane's confusion, Shin leaned closer and explained softly,
"The co-chairman once served under the old master. He used to be part of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe, but retired later due to certain circumstances."
Hearing this, Zane nodded slightly. That explained the effortless familiarity between them.
So the old master hadn't been the kind of commander who ruled with nothing but severity...
With the handover complete, the old gentleman moved calmly toward the courtroom. He glanced briefly at the documents Shin had prepared, then handed them back.
Shin raised an eyebrow.
Huh? Yesterday he'd said they'd have to improvise according to the documents. Those people aren't easy to deal with.
Had he changed his mind?
But with the hearing about to start, there was no time to ask. Filled with unanswered questions, Shin followed him into the courtroom.
The vast chamber was already crowded. Beyond the jury, the soldiers keeping order, and the steadily filling public gallery, three judges presided, and a section had even been reserved for journalists.
Taking her seat, Shin furrowed her brows, still preoccupied with the old gentleman's intentions.
Zane, on the other hand, seemed relaxed. After sitting down, he casually held out a candy to her.
"Hm?"
Startled, Shin blinked at the candy, stunned for a moment before instinctively accepting it.
"Don't dwell on it. Just go with the flow. Trust the old gentleman."