Chapter 144: The Trial One Month Later

A thick, pitch-black torrent surged into existence the moment Kong appeared—engulfing Pel in an instant. Even as Pel’s mechanized steam engine roared at full capacity, screaming in protest, it was powerless against the suffocating tide of ink. Within seconds, a dark, luminous ink coffin sealed around him, locking him in place so completely that not even a finger could twitch.

"Captain!"

The Bronze Knights bellowed in fury, raising their weapons. Steam revolvers snapped into aim, all trained squarely on Tian Dao.

But Tian Dao merely glanced at them—calm, composed—and spoke in a voice as gentle as a whisper:

"Officers, are you truly certain you want to draw weapons on a Fifth Squad Captain… right here, within the Association’s own territory?"

His words were light, but the warning beneath them struck like a sledgehammer. Every Bronze Knight froze. Their rage dissipated. After a tense pause, they lowered their weapons, choosing restraint over reckless escalation.

Seeing this, Tian Dao casually smoothed the creases on his moon-white captain’s robe. The air, once thick with tension, now felt almost serene. He smiled.

"Good. Everyone’s calmed down. Then we can… talk."

With a flick of his fingers, he snapped his fingers.

The ink coffin shattered like glass—dissolving into a thousand drifting specks of shadow, vanishing into the air.

Pel staggered backward, nearly losing his balance. His face was pale, his armor still marked by the lingering stains of ink corrosion. The silent testament to the agony he’d just endured.

One man. One gesture.

He’d extinguished a powder keg before it could detonate.

The sheer dominance of a captain’s authority was laid bare in Tian Dao’s presence.

But the Dimensional Audience didn’t know this:

The real power wasn’t in the title.

It was in Tian Dao himself.

Though Tian Dao had mistaken Ink for some flamboyant villain in a pair of glasses—someone who loved dramatic monologues—this was no long-term, century-spanning conspiracy.

His plans in Steam Capital didn’t require centuries of waiting.

He could afford to be patient… but not too patient.

A little display of strength now? That was precisely what he needed to position himself for his ultimate goal: Above the Heavens.

---

[Steam Branch, Fifth Squad Captain’s Office]

"Come now, Captain Pel," Tian Dao said, sliding a steaming cup of Ginseng Tea across the desk. "Try this."

Pel didn’t hesitate. He lifted the white porcelain cup and drained it in one long swallow.

Thanks to his cybernetic enhancements, the scalding liquid burned through his throat like fire—yet not a single muscle in his face twitched.

"Fine tea," he said, setting the cup down. The praise was polished, polite, but hollow.

Tian Dao chuckled.

"Who says cybernetics lack humanity? It’s just that most haven’t met someone worth the effort."

He refilled the cup, then cut straight to the point:

"Captain, you’ve come here with such urgency. You must have solid proof, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so confident you could take her from me."

Pel didn’t waste words. He placed a Data Terminal on the desk.

Tian Dao picked it up, feigning curiosity.

Inside the terminal was a surveillance recording.

On screen: Vivian, wielding her signature Silver-White Second-Hand Dagger, leading a gang of Gray Rats into the heart of the Church’s sanctum. She cut down guards with brutal precision, then vanished with Dannika and The Mechanical Bible · Gear.

"!!!"

Yu Chen shot upright in his seat, eyes wide with disbelief.

Across Station 13, the Dimensional Audience erupted in shock.

"Wait… is it really true? Vivian stole the Church’s Sacred Artifact?"

"Old Jack was a good guy—now he’s a traitor. And now we’re told Vivian’s on film breaking into the Holy Zone? Is this Stellar Prodigy a war epic… or a detective thriller?"

"I can’t tell anymore!"

"A single video doesn’t prove anything. In this world, anything’s possible."

Just as the audience’s minds spun in confusion, Yu Chen suddenly pointed at the screen.

"Captain, pause it."

Tian Dao nodded. The footage froze.

Now, every detail was laid bare.

The figure on screen wore the Silver-White II-class combat armor—unique to the Church. Her face was entirely hidden behind a full-face helmet. The only identifiers were the Second-Hand Dagger in her hand… and her short, brown hair.

"Captain," Yu Chen asked, "did this ‘Vivian’ ever show her face in the recording?"

Pel shook his head.

"No. But you know the uniqueness of the Stellar Source. There’s only one Second-Hand Dagger in existence—crafted from Black Iron Clock. And only one person in the world wears that armor and wields that weapon."

He paused, voice low.

"Even if it’s just one of those two clues, it’s enough for us to conclude she’s the thief."

Yu Chen leaned forward.

"But what about motive? Why would she steal it?"

The question cut straight to the heart.

Pel hesitated.

"That… will have to wait for interrogation."

Yu Chen opened his mouth, but no argument formed.

Pel had presented undeniable evidence. To refuse now would make the Association look unreasonable.

He turned to Tian Dao, eyes asking the unspoken: What now?

Tian Dao, as if reading his mind, spoke before he could:

"The suspect was captured by our Fifth Squad. So naturally, she belongs to us to handle."

He paused, then added:

"Still, we understand how important she is to the Church."

A slow smile.

"How about this? Let the final verdict be decided by the Twelve Brass Council—exactly one month from now. What do you say?"

Pel considered it. After a moment, he nodded.

"As you wish, Captain Ink. But if this goes public… the Church’s reputation will be ruined."

Tian Dao smiled.

"Would you rather I sacrifice our squad’s reputation just to protect the Church’s pride?"

"I’ve got my own goals. I want to earn more Contributions, maybe even apply for a transfer to the Central Council."

Pel knew it was just an excuse.

But he wasn’t foolish enough to call him out.

"Then I’ll trust you to keep her secure until then. No mistakes."

"Relax," Tian Dao said, calm and assured. "No one disrupts my domain while I’m in charge."

Pel drained his Ginseng Tea.

"Thank you for the hospitality. We’ll be on our way."

"Safe travels."

Once the Bronze Knights had left, Tian Dao raised a hand to silence Yu Chen, who had been about to speak. His voice was quiet, but unyielding.

"I’ll give you one month. If you can’t prove Vivian’s innocence by then… I’ll have no choice but to hand her over to the Twelve Brass Council."

He paused, eyes sharp behind his glasses.

"And once that happens… I doubt there’s any way to change her fate."

Yu Chen looked at him—deeply, silently—then said, sincerely:

"Thank you."

Tian Dao waved it off.

"As Captain of the Fifth Squad, I carry this team on my shoulders. You’re one of us. As long as you’re not breaking the rules, I won’t stop you. But…"

He paused again. His gaze darkened.

"…this Gear Church? They’ve been preparing for this. I don’t like the odds for your investigation."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end