Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 620 - 235. Wartime Special Management Act

Chapter 620: 235. Wartime Special Management Act

"The former public prosecution agency, Trevela City’s temporary prosecutor’s office."

The temporary court was set up in the hall of the Magic Technology Museum. Hastily, they adorned it with the emblem and banners of the Crystal Tower. The mages summoned spells to oversee the judicial area, and with a few rows of folding chairs and desks, a simple courtroom was formed.

Li Aozi bowed his head, feeling bored. Behind him, two Golem Judiciary officers pressed firmly on his shoulders, as if fearing he might escape from this Higgs Field-encased court.

The judge adjusted his monocle and continued reading:

"Attached civil lawsuit, plaintiff, Baizhu Star Department of Education,"

"Former defendant, Leoz, biologically male, self-identified as male, Tanas Clan, 22 years old, registered from Trevela City, undergraduate education. A former third-year student at Baizhu Interstellar University, Magic Application Academy. Ascender of the ’Sovereign’ pathway, Zeta Rank (6). Four days prior, criminal detention was imposed, sentenced to 270 years imprisonment, reduced to 270 years due to good behavior and significant meritorious service, serving in Baizhu Star."

"Defense attorney, Rosian, law professor at Baizhu Interstellar University Faculty of Humanities."

"Trevela City’s summary court has decided on the charges brought forth by the Trevela City temporary prosecutor’s office against defendant Leoz for illegal entry, forgery of documents, carrying forbidden pathway knowledge into the country, possession of Implant Gear Vanguard, and refugee trafficking. Decision (12166), Special Criminal Judgment No. 1, concluded:"

"1. Defendant Leoz is guilty of illegal entry, sentenced to twenty years imprisonment, and fined six hundred sixty thousand Dina."

"2. Defendant Leoz is guilty of impersonation and forgery, participating in the Magic Aptitude Test with a false identity and obtaining student status, sentenced to 100 years imprisonment. Student status retained until the end of the prison term."

"3. Defendant Leoz..."

As the judge listed each charge, Li Aozi, standing in the dock, maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor.

Thanks to his previous honest confession, both Dean Nastisha and the battlefield-cleaning mage had been lenient towards him.

His defense was even handled by a law professor from Baizhu Interstellar University itself.

In the evidence collection stage, Li Aozi not only presented the captured Arcane Energy of the ’Canyue,’ but also a significant amount of remains from Citizens of the Mechanical World to vindicate himself. As for the Implant Gear Vanguard, he openly displayed it, allowing the mage to compare it with the Implants from ’Canyue.’

In terms of witnesses, Li Aozi had an overwhelming advantage.

Besides Dean Nastisha, who was already on his side, players, Sofia Malin, the Fairy of the Lake, and three captured councilors of the Mechanical World all testified to Li Aozi’s resistance against ’Canyue’ and the ’Mechanical World Society.’

Unexpectedly, a student he had saved from ’Canyue’ also appeared in court to testify in his favor.

Unsurprisingly, he was acquitted of criminal charges, and the Crystal Tower, recognizing his remarkable contributions, no longer pursued him for his previous actions.

However, due to procedural constraints, Li Aozi was not released immediately. He still needed some time to settle the civil compensation. Once his assets in Newbie Village were liquidated, he could be released from the detention center – a process that would take at most two weeks, equivalent to paying a ransom to avert disaster. His past criminal records would no longer be brought up. Shortly thereafter, an official document was issued, requesting Newbie Village to pay the overdue taxes for the recent months.

Henceforth, his domain would no longer be an illegal refugee settlement but a legitimate administrative village. Upon his release, he would even receive a lordship appointment.

The Crystal Tower civilization had no concept of nobility. The term ’lord’ was similar to a farm owner or landlord.

For Li Aozi, this was undoubtedly the best outcome.

He had already maxed out his Legendary Degree on Baizhu Star. Now that Newbie Village was officially legalized, he could continuously attract players from various places.

It seemed he had lost some Dina, but Li Aozi’s account was mostly in Ammonium Gold, resulting in minimal losses with significant future benefits.

Moving forward, he could boldly engage in black market activities and lure players from the nearest Ajincour server.

Long ago, fraudulent groups would harvest organs. Now, the Li Clan would trick players. Though not happening at the same time, the methods were similar.

"When you do the right thing on a large scale, the whole world stands by your side."

In the detention room, Li Aozi could not help but sigh.

"You truly are at ease."

A female voice with a mocking tone followed. Li Aozi immediately sat upright, looking towards the inspection window, respectfully lowering his head and said:

"Dean Nastisha, thank you for testifying on my behalf."

"Don’t give me that, kid. I told you to stay put, yet you suddenly ran out, almost disrupting my plans."

Outside the inspection window, Dean Nastisha raised a hand, and magic immediately formed a chair. She leisurely leaned back, resting her face on her hand. Though her words were stern, her expression seemed quite pleased.

"Ah, not listening to the teacher’s advice results in immediate suffering – see, now I’m detained." Li Aozi chuckled. "Thankfully, Dean Nastisha’s arrangements were meticulous. My rash behavior really needs to change in the future."

They were only one rank apart. Setting aside age and the teacher-student difference, their conversation was conducted with an equal tone.

"Dean, what happened to those three councilors in the end?"

"They were taken by higher scholars from the Supreme Council. They’re likely to become experimental subjects. Due to the planet’s antibodies, the ’Mechanical World Society’ won’t approach Baizhu Star for hundreds of years. Hence, these councilors have become markers for Mashigang. According to Starry Abyss tradition, we will find ways to use these three Mechanical World Councilors to draw Mashigang into a black hole, which can trap them for a long time."

Li Aozi was not surprised by this outcome.

After all, the ’Mechanical World Society’ was still nearby. If outsiders captured their councilors, they might think of continually attacking or sealing them away.

The Crystal Tower was a pragmatic civilization. Drawing the ’Society’ into a black hole was a good choice.

"Speaking of which, your detention might actually be a good thing."

Nastisha reminded:

"Since you are an Ascender of the ’Sovereign’ pathway and have achieved the great feat of repelling the ’Mechanical World Society,’ we should give you the Tanas Hero Medal. However, the situation now is unique, so detention might be a form of protection for you."

"I understand," Li Aozi nodded. "It’s about the war, isn’t it?"

"It’s complicated. Firstly, Minister Balkmon is still engaging in combat with Night Butterfly Man’s Mechanical Legion, with a high possibility of capturing their Kappa Rank (10)."

Li Aozi was about to say that capturing such a high-level decisive battle weapon was a good thing, but then he suddenly realized something:

"—Wait, how many days has it been?"

Li Aozi counted on his fingers:

"From my repelling the ’Mechanical World Society’ to now, it’s been six full days – six days. Hasn’t Night Butterfly Man and the Supreme Council dispatched reinforcements?"

Upon hearing this, Nastisha looked at him and smiled without speaking.

Li Aozi sensed something and frowned, asking:

"Setting aside others, hasn’t the Crystal Tower’s support arrived?"

In the next moment, Nastisha calmly said:

"Without troops, what reinforcements can there be?"