Kovei's voice echoed through the Public Security Bureau, instantly shattering the silence and throwing the hall into chaos.
Everyone scattered in a flash, only to regroup just as quickly. Weapons came up in unison as they formed a tight ring around Kovei—until a petite, twin-tailed girl in the crowd raised her hand, bringing them all to a halt.
"Wait."
Light footsteps followed. Qingyi approached Kovei with a cup of hot tea, gently blowing away the rising steam.
Through the drifting white haze, a file stamped with Kovei's information slid into Qingyi's hand. Her voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"Kovei. A top attorney at a law firm under the TOPS, and the defense lawyer for the suspect, Perlman. During the airship's flight to the Judgment Court, you made an unauthorized emergency landing at Ballet Tower, then privately piloted the airship away. Together with Perlman, you fled to an unknown location."
She stopped there, tossed the document aside, and turned her back casually. It was only then that the segmented baton in her hands became visible—three short sections linked together.
Electric sparks crackled along the segmented baton, as sharp and cold as the gaze she fixed on Kovei.
"Last night, Perlman voluntarily turned himself in and claimed innocence, but his account was riddled with gaps and contradictions. I don't know how you got in here, but since the defense lawyer has arrived, why don't you stay at the Public Security Bureau for a while and explain what's been happening lately?"
Kovei raised an arm defensively as Qingyi pressed forward step by step, forcing him back. The instant his heel brushed the threshold, he pivoted slightly, facing the doorway.
"I'll just leave through the front door. The little kitty at the entrance can't stop me… Wait. Hold on. Please don't come any closer."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Rather than having me explain every detail one by one, I have a better proposal. And look—New Eridu's citizens are still making a scene outside. Finding a faster way to resolve this is pretty urgent, don't you think?"
Zhu Yuan exchanged a glance with Qingyi and gave a subtle nod. Qingyi's eyes flickered before she stepped back behind Zhu Yuan.
Zhu Yuan walked forward, gripping her gun in a reverse hold, her pace steady.
"Let's hear it," she said.
Kovei's lips curled.
"Hand Perlman over to the Judgment Court right now. Hold the trial early."
"No!"
The shout erupted the instant his words fell.
Everyone froze, then turned toward the source.
Bringer stood there alone, face flushed deep red, veins standing out along his neck.
His massive frame matched his fury perfectly. With a single step, he surged forward like a charging hill, shoving aside colleagues in his path. One huge hand shot out and seized Kovei by the collar.
Qingyi and Zhu Yuan moved to intervene, but Bringer was already roaring.
"Procedural justice cannot be violated! The prosecution needs more time to gather evidence—"
"And where is the prosecutor?" Kovei cut in.
He raised his hand. White gloves crackled with electricity as he slapped Bringer's grip away.
Bringer staggered back, glaring viciously.
Kovei calmly adjusted his collar and tie, his eyes lowered in open disdain.
"Don't tell me the prosecutor is only collecting evidence from TOPS, while completely ignoring the defendant, Mr. Perlman."
"That's nonsense!" Bringer snapped.
His face grew even redder as he panted, thoughts churning before he finally forced out, "Maybe it's just a manpower shortage. Once they finish gathering materials from TOPS, they can—"
"They can fabricate a perfect 'certificate of non-involvement,' right?" Kovei interrupted smoothly, as if guiding him along.
"Bullshit!" Bringer nearly walked straight into the trap. Flustered and furious, he hurried to recover.
"In any case, procedure must be followed! Even if it costs me my promotion! I'd rather give up the position of Public Security Chief than let the process be compromised!"
"If rules are broken just because of public pressure, then what meaning do those rules even have?"
The words rang out righteously. Bringer looked almost bathed in holy light, brimming with resolve like a martyr for justice.
Kovei swept his gaze across the hall. Aside from Zhu Yuan, who seemed hesitant to speak, and Qingyi, who looked utterly unconcerned, everyone else wore conflicted expressions.
If Bringer was right, he had slammed shut everyone's path to promotion. If he was wrong, he stood on moral high ground, pointing fingers and letting his words swell into a suffocating tide.
Anyone who spoke up risked being drowned instantly.
After a long silence, Bringer nodded in satisfaction.
"Since we've reached a conclusion," he said casually, "someone—escort Mr. Kovei inside. Serve him hot tea."
As an officer stepped forward, Kovei resisted slightly, pressing down on the man's hand.
"I'll go," he said calmly. "Just not now."
Bringer, who had been about to leave, stopped short and spun around.
Kovei was already calling toward the entrance.
"Come in."
Frowns spread across the room. Moments later, two men strode into the bureau. One hoisted a camera on his shoulder; the other thrust a microphone straight toward Bringer, nearly shoving it into his mouth.
The reporter spoke loudly and unapologetically.
"Deputy Director Bringer, everything you just said was heard across New Eridu. But it's clear the citizens don't believe you. Please respond directly!"
"W–What?!" Bringer froze, panic flooding his face. He had no idea why a TV crew was suddenly here.
Qingyi blew lightly on her tea, glanced at Kovei, and asked softly, "How did they get in?"
Kovei spread his hands, looking utterly innocent.
"I told you—the little kitty at the door can't stop me. Bringing a few people along isn't that strange, right?"
He lifted his phone, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"But there's something far more urgent. That conversation just now has already spread across all of New Eridu. Take a guess—how many citizens actually believed it?"
"I'd say it won't be long before the bureau is completely surrounded. At this rate, the threshold's probably going to get trampled flat."
Boom.
The words struck like a thunderclap, leaving everyone shaken.
Bringer clenched his teeth, forcing the words out.
"What exactly are you trying to do?!"
"In front of the masses," Kovei said evenly, "publicly try Perlman and make him confess everything. Right now."
Another thunderclap followed.
But this one didn't come from Kovei—it came from the reporter of New Eridu Television.
Or rather, from the city's upper echelon standing behind the station.
Bringer's eyes trembled as his entire body shook. He stared at Kovei in disbelief.
Ever since Kovei had vanished together with Perlman, the truth of his mixed-blood vampire identity was no secret to TOPS.
Bringer couldn't understand it.
Kovei had always represented the vampire clan publicly. Had those who once stood with TOPS now chosen to switch sides—to the city's ruling elite instead?