The day after returning to the country.
I finally enjoyed a peaceful day after a long ti.
No gate-clearing practice, just resting under the guise of studying at the academy.
---
**"So we’re just attending lectures today?"**
**"Yes. Do you think they'd send soone who just cleared an S-rank gate back out again?"**
**"True, that makes sense."**
**"Besides, wasn't that practice ant to prepare you for exactly this? There's no need for you to wander outside anymore."**
---
There was a reason for spending the day just studying.
The gate practice had essentially lost its purpose.
---
**"Also, isn’t midterms coming up next week? Even you’ll need so ti to study, even if it's just cramming."**
Ti had flown by, and it was now the end of week seven since enrollnt.
A major event, the midterm exams, was looming ahead…
---
**"Can’t I just go to the gate instead? Honestly, I’m confident I can ace the midterms…."**
**"There are countless people begging to set up an interview with you. And you want to go wandering outside?"**
**"Ah."**
If I went outside, the dia would seize and never let go.
So, I couldn't participate in official events like gate-clearing.
---
*Winter, you’re going to be on your own. Sorry about that.*
I felt a bit guilty toward Winter.
Didn’t she help a lot just yesterday?
She practically saved from almost getting “tad” by Haru.
Thanks to her, Dad was moved.
Today, they’re clearing a gate together and even planned to grab a delicious al on the way back.
I wanted to get her a nice gift or sothing, but…
The “no going out” order ruined it all.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry.
---
*Instead, when you get back, I’ll order a feast of delivery food. My bank balance can handle it.*
I decided to adjust my plans a little.
For Winter, who was probably busy gate-clearing, I’d treat her to a bunch of delicious food…
---
The door suddenly burst open.
**"Cadet Seo Yujin. Follow ."**
**"Senior Ha Yeon? What’s going on?"**
**"Winter has been taken to court. The verdict will probably be issued imdiately."**
**"…What?"**
Nothing ever seems to go as expected. Really.
---
I hurried to the Seoul District Court with the Chairman and Haru.
And took the liberty of thoroughly cursing the courthouse along the way.
**"Why are they putting soone on trial who was just clearing a gate?"**
**"Mishandling of laws related to Awakened individuals is nothing new, but to handle things so hastily… They must really want Winter badly."**
**"This is a ss, seriously."**
The reason we were upset was that this trial was extrely unusual.
I could understand their eagerness to reach a verdict quickly.
She was a rare criminal among the Awakened.
And not just any criminal—she was an A-rank.
The sentence would be lengthy, too.
It was only natural for the governnt to want to make use of her as soon as possible.
But there are limits to this.
No notification of the trial date, just hauling her away?
It was an unreasonable and unfair treatnt.
So much so that it ignited a dangerous glint in my eye.
---
**"…Should we flip things over? Maybe rally the Josin Cult and the Villain Rights group right outside the court?"**
I suggested in a low voice.
We’d use the old folks from the Josin Cult.
If anyone could pull it off, it’d be those elders and the Villain Rights group.
How did the original Granny, the Chairman, respond to my strategic nuke-drop plan?
---
**"No."**
**"Why not? The Awakened Association could at least…."**
**"The trial may be rushed, but the verdict has largely been agreed upon. Causing a stir would only worsen the outco."**
Though the process was sudden, the verdict itself was almost decided.
Negotiations had apparently already been settled behind the scenes.
**"Fifteen years. Winter will be sentenced to fifteen years."**
**"Eek. Can’t we reduce it any more?"**
**"This is the best we could do. The terror attack itself was bad enough, but aiming to kill made it even worse."**
It was a long sentence, but for the Chairman, it was the best she could manage.
Even if there hadn’t been any casualties, terrorism is still terrorism.
And this was a terror attack aid at the Villain Detector, the Chairman herself.
If the Chairman had really been killed?
Korea would no longer be known as a villain-free country.
Winter was a criminal who almost shook the foundations of Korea.
Of course, the Chairman had put together a lavish defense team for her.
Using argunts of her difficult upbringing, ntal instability due to psychological disorders, public sympathy, and so on.
There were plenty of factors that could reduce her sentence…
**"Being the first A-rank criminal, the Ministry of Defense beca very interested. Fifteen years was the best we could get."**
**"Ah."**
*Is it you again, Ministry of Defense?*
Apparently, the Ministry of Defense was so intent on Winter’s sentence that fifteen years was the limit.
I imdiately understood.
I rembered the Ministry of Defense from my previous life, who pushed the number one S-rank into the military.
Even trying to subtly extend their stay near the end…
If I consider all that?
Fifteen years. This rushed trial.
It made sense.
---
*One and a half years was annoying enough, but fifteen years? Ugh, exactly ten tis worse.*
I shook my head.
Mandatory labor for Awakened individuals was easier than regular military service, but still…
Fifteen years, no matter how easy, was a lot.
Even teasing her about it felt difficult.
I shivered at the thought.
The Chairman noticed my reaction and chuckled.
**"The Ministry of Defense will probably take her right away, so give her a proper farewell. She’s family, isn’t she?"**
**"Yes. Haru, you understand, right? Let’s give your sister a big hug and send her off."**
**"Mm…"**
But Haru seed down.
She was clearly not happy about her sister’s enlistnt…
**"Are you upset about your sister going into the military?"**
**"Yes. Thinking about being alone makes sad."**
**"She’ll be serving nearby, rember? She’ll co ho in the evenings."**
**"But she said she might not be able to co for a few months."**
**"Huh? Ah, it’ll be okay. Actually…."**
**"Yujin’s right, so don’t worry too much."**
She bead at our words.
Brightly, without a hint of concern.
---
Outside Seoul Central District Court.
Nurous reporters were lined up, waiting.
Half of them had co to cover Winter’s trial, a historic rushed trial.
---
**"Will Seo Yujin show up?"**
**"He and Winter were partners. He’s bound to co, out of loyalty if nothing else."**
**"Where’s the docunt with questions prepared for his S-rank gate interview…?"**
The other half awaited the appearance of Seo Yujin, the next potential S-rank, causing the area to be bustling with activity.
Three people erged before the crowd.
---
**"…It’s Seo Yujin!!!"**
**"Seol Ha Yeon is here too!!"**
**"And… soone I don’t recognize. But get pictures of her anyway!!"**
The three were Yujin, Ha Yeon, and Haru.
A dazzling flurry of cara flashes greeted them.
The sensible youth glanced sideways.
**"Chairman, please go in with Haru first. I’ll follow shortly after sorting things out."**
**"Dad, what about you?"**
**"I’ll be there soon. Go give your sister a big hug in the anti."**
**"Okay. Grandma, let’s go."**
Haru and the Chairman headed straight into the court while Yujin faced the reporters.
*If I’d known it would turn out like this, I would’ve just gone gate-clearing with them.*
---
**"Hello, reporters. Seo Yujin speaking…."**
**"Mr. Seo Yujin! What are your thoughts on Winter’s trial?"**
**"Could you tell us the source of the mana fuel rod used in your S-rank gate-clear?!"**
Yujin took the heat from the reporters, allowing Ha Yeon and Haru to slip into the courthouse without issue.
Before long, they stood before Winter.
She was being escorted by military police, looking utterly drained.
---
**"Ms. Winter, we’ll be escorting you from here on…."**
**"What do you think you’re doing?"**
**"Ms. Seol Ha Yeon?"**
**"Not giving her family even a mont to say goodbye? Where in the world does such heartlessness exist?"**
Ha Yeon’s sharp gaze pierced through them.
Even Winter’s lawyer, who had been nervously glancing around, nodded approvingly.
Winter was promptly given a brief reprieve.
---
**"How long do we have?"**
**"You don’t ask for much. One hour, and she’ll comply without issue."**
**"Understood. I’ll report this to my superior as such."**
**"Thank you. Haru, let’s take your sister."**
Haru and Ha Yeon quickly guided Winter into a waiting room reserved just for
them.
Winter, dazed, slowly ca to her senses.
---
**"What is this?"**
**"Winter, are you alright?"**
**"Am I alright? I co out of the gate-clearing, and suddenly police swarm , drag to court, and tell I’m on trial? Even if I’m a villain, isn’t this a bit much?"**
Winter vented her grievances rapidly, highlighting how absurd the rushed trial had been.
---
**"And fifteen years? So I’ll be rotting away for the next fifteen years…."**
She trembled.
The military was a place that only held terrible mories for her.
The thought of spending the next fifteen years there filled her with dread.
Ha Yeon clicked her tongue.
---
*I could see her fear from a mile away, but now that I’m here, I’m at a loss on how to comfort her.*
---
**"Sis, it’s alright! You’re strong enough to rule there too!"**
**"…Haru, my little rice cake?"**
Just in ti, Haru threw her arms around her sister, beaming with bright eyes.
**"You’re super strong and smart. You’ll be the top there too!"**
**"…"**
*Is she rembering the days spent with the villain gang?*
In Haru’s mind, the military wasn’t a bad place.
After all, Dad described it as a place that feeds, shelters, and trains.
It reminded her of the days spent with her sister and the villains, always bustling and close-knit.
Winter’s trembling eased slightly.
---
*Yes… I am Winter, the ultimate villain. I kept the villain gang under my heel. What are so re soldiers?*
She grinned.
---
**"Of course. I’m the strongest, after all."**
**"That’s my sister. So cool!"**
**"Heh. I am, aren’t I?"**
Seeing Haru’s admiration, Winter’s fears faded further.
Ha Yeon watched the scene with satisfaction.
---
*There really is nothing like family. Yujin would be grinning ear to ear if he saw this.*
---
**"By the way, my little rice cake, where’s Dad?"**
**"Dad’s greeting the reporters right now. He’ll be here soon."**
**"Alright. Before I go, let give you a little gift."**
**"A gift?"**
**"Since I won’t be able to ‘chu-rup’ with you for a while…"**
[———Just once, I’ll show you the ‘real’ deal. Watch and learn.]
**"…!!! Yes! My sister is the best!"**
anwhile, Ha Yeon had a nagging feeling sothing was amiss, wondering, *Did I leave the AC on at ho?* But she had no idea what was truly coming.
Reviews
All reviews (0)