Hantmann West Dome, Magnitogorsk Steelworks Foundry.
Nareth lay resting on his bed. Through his recent "performances," the potion within him had mostly digested.
He could feel that only one final step remained before complete assimilation.
Just then, the short-range vox-unit emitted a piercing chime.
Nareth sprang up and activated the receiver. Rorsleif's respectful voice came through:
"Boss, a noble from House Fender in the upper hive is here to see you. Says he's bringing your reward."
"Take him to the conference room. I'll be there shortly."
Rising, Nareth adjusted his slightly snug armor before heading to the newly constructed meeting chamber.
When the golden-haired noble entered and saw the youth before him, he exclaimed in amazement:
"I can hardly believe your subordinates were once gang members."
"Such is the power of order," Nareth replied. "I gave them hope and changed their lives."
"Your reward."
Howard handed over a metallic case. The moment Nareth took it, he sensed the spiritual energy and Warp radiation leaking from within. Opening the container, he nodded approvingly.
"This Psionic Crystal is quite large. You went to considerable effort."
Howard ignored the informal address, continuing:
"I came not only to deliver your reward, but also with a request."
"I need you to serve as my advocate defense lawyer before the Adjudicatum. Name your price, several domes, even upper-hive factories, it's yours."
"First, let me review the case files."
Nareth didn't immediately agree. Howard grew more pleased with his choice, seeing the boy's restraint. Retrieving a dataslate from his artificer armor's lining, he passed it over.
Nareth's fingers flicked across the screen as he absorbed the details. Within minutes, he'd grasped the situation.
The summary formed in his mind: Four days prior, Count Sari of House Fender had died suddenly.
Bretron, the second heir, produced a will granting him one-third of the family assets, despite violating House Fender's succession laws.
"One question: Why me?"
"The will doesn't conform to Finderl family rules. But Bretron secured support from a member of the royal bloodline, Estupiñan of the Bolesław family, who sits on the Adjudicatum."
"No barrister dares oppose him. A fifth adjudicator's title means little, but crossing someone from the Bolesław family? That's different."
Howard spoke frankly. He still had time to find other counsel; at worst, he could send an ordinary family lawyer.
But if Nareth faltered during the trial, it would be too late.
"Agreed," Nareth said casually. "But I want to select one artifact from House Fender's vault."
He sensed that representing Howard in the Adjudicatum would provide the perfect stage for his final digestion.
Moreover, he suspected the Fender treasury might contain potion ingredients.
"You—!"
Though intimidated by Nareth's prowess, Yasin began to protest out of loyalty, until Howard raised a hand.
"Granted. Choose one item from our collection."
However precious the treasures, none equaled one-third of the family's legacy.
After obtaining temporary upper-hive clearance, Nareth ordered his men to continue factory operations and search for Lung Spiders before departing alone.
Three Days Later – Adjudicatum Tizca Hive City Upperhive
Nobles in lavish attire and Tech-Priests in crimson robes entered through opposite alloy passageways.
Influenced by Martian ideology, red had always been the most prestigious and revered color in Vostroya. All major venues featured red as the main theme, and the Adjudicatum was no exception.
The juror wore robes in various colors and family emblems, but each bore a red sash across their formalwear as they sat on red metallic seats. Behind them sat their secretaries.
On either side of the long red metal table on the rostrum sat the chief adjucator of the day, Estupiñian Bolesław, and Tech-Priest Kivior-39.
Wearing a red robe embroidered with gold sun patterns, Estupiñian glanced toward Kivior-39. When Kivior-39's visor flashed green, he raised his gavel and struck once.
"Order!"
The chatter among nobles fell silent. Estupiñian's gaze shifted to the plaintiff's side, locking briefly with Bretron before announcing:
"The plaintiff's advocate may commence opening statements."
A lawyer wearing gold-rimmed glasses stood, bowing to the assembly.
"Honored adjudicators, it is my privilege to represent my client, Bretron Fender."
His fingers danced across a dataslate. Twin-faced cogitator screens above the podium displayed the contested will as he spoke mournfully:
"Count Sari was a revered noble who dedicated his life to House Fender."
"His union with my client's mother, Madam Hualin, was one of true affection, producing their beloved son."
"Now, as we mourn his passing, my client seeks only to inherit this final gift of paternal love, deserving of your compassion and support."
"..."
Nareth observed the plaintiff's lawyer. Between dramatic gestures and heartfelt delivery, he'd already swayed most noble juror. Combined with Estupiñian's bias, victory seemed assured.
"Finally, I would like to conclude with Chapter 2, Article 15 of Omnissiah's Guiding Codex, Inheritance Statutes, Subsection 11:"
"'Illegitimate scions may, under extraordinary circumstances, claim inheritance rights.'"
"In conclusion, my client qualifies as a special case and should inherit as per the will."
Estupiñian smiled at Tizca's top litigator, 163 cases, 163 victories.
The gold-ranked advocate had performed flawlessly. The outcome was inevitable.
With feigned magnanimity, he turned to the defense's adolescent counsel:
"Given your representative's... inexperience, the court permits substitution."
"Your Honor, I retain full confidence in Nareth's counsel," Howard stated firmly.
Having heard Golovin's opening, he knew his family's lawyers stood no chance. Better to trust the boy who kept delivering miracles.
"Then let the... defense proceed," Estupinian drawled.
Amused stares followed Nareth as he stood calmly.
"First, I must correct the plaintiff's omission. Magos Kivior's annotations specify all qualifying exceptions such as 'primary heirs lacking cognitive function...'"
"Lord Howard enjoys robust health and acute judgment. No 'extraordinary circumstances' exist."
The top lawyer's face changed. Never had he encountered an opponent who could instantly recall supplemental statutes mid-trial.
Even with cerebral enhancements, no barrister memorized Omnissiah's Guiding Codex 200 million words; only Tech-Priests had such capability.
As he struggled to respond, Nareth projected images onto the cogitators. The lawyer's pupils dilated at what he saw.
"Honored jurors, plaintiff Bretron's mother, Hualin, was a dancer at the Nightshade Club. After one... encounter with Count Sari, she ascended to upper-hive luxury."
"Yet motherhood didn't reform her. Two nights ago, she visited a wealthy merchant, Julio's residence, during the Nightshift."
"As for Bretron? A drunkard who owes hive gangs over twelve million Martian credits."
Gasps filled the chamber. Even for the upper nobility, this was a staggering sum.
Nareth systematically presented three days' worth of evidence before turning to Kivior-39.
"Consider this: Should this unworthy bastard acquire assets he cannot rightfully possess?"
"After repaying debts, he'd squander the remainder—a grotesque inefficiency degrading Tizca's productivity."
Kivior-39 abruptly stood, his vox-grille crackling with mechanical outrage:
"The defense's evidence is irrefutable! The Omnissiah tolerates no such waste!"
Estupinian felt his gavel grow heavy. After a few seconds of silence, he gave up the massive bribe he had expected.
His glare at Nareth burned with hatred as the gavel fell:
"This court rules unanimously for the Defendant. Plaintiff Bretron's claim is denied."
As the Tech-Priests chanted the binary hymn of the Omnissiah, Bretron and his lawyer looked pale with defeat. The nobles witnessed a new star rising, and all remembered Nareth's name.
Simultaneously, chaotic black filaments swirled in Nareth's eyes, gradually coalescing into the sigil of the "Black Emperor" pathway.
He felt something within dissolve, merging completely with his spirit.
'The potion is fully digested. I am now a true "Lawyer.'
His gaze shifted to Howard, who maintained aristocratic composure despite his exhilaration.
'And I'm about to gain potion materials as well.'