noveldrama
Chapter 124
Chapter 124
The day after returning to the country.
I finally enjoyed a peaceful day after a long time.
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 someone who just cleared an S-rank gate back out again?"**
**"True, that makes sense."**
**"Besides, wasn't that practice meant 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 some time to study, even if it's just cramming."**
Time had flown by, and it was now the end of week seven since enrollment.
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 me to set up an interview with you. And you want to go wandering outside?"**
**"Ah."**
If I went outside, the media would seize me 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 me a lot just yesterday?
She practically saved me from almost getting “tamed” by Haru.
Thanks to her, Dad was moved.
Today, they’re clearing a gate together and even planned to grab a delicious meal on the way back.
I wanted to get her a nice gift or something, 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 me."**
**"Senior Ha Yeon? What’s going on?"**
**"Winter has been taken to court. The verdict will probably be issued immediately."**
**"…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 someone 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 mess, seriously."**
The reason we were upset was that this trial was extremely 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 government 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 treatment.
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 outcome."**
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 me 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 aimed 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 arguments of her difficult upbringing, mental 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 became 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 immediately understood.
I remembered 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 times 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 seemed down.
She was clearly not happy about her sister’s enlistment…
**"Are you upset about your sister going into the military?"**
**"Yes. Thinking about being alone makes me sad."**
**"She’ll be serving nearby, remember? She’ll come home in the evenings."**
**"But she said she might not be able to come for a few months."**
**"Huh? Ah, it’ll be okay. Actually…."**
**"Yujin’s right, so don’t worry too much."**
She beamed at our words.
Brightly, without a hint of concern.
---
Outside Seoul Central District Court.
Numerous reporters were lined up, waiting.
Half of them had come to cover Winter’s trial, a historic rushed trial.
---
**"Will Seo Yujin show up?"**
**"He and Winter were partners. He’s bound to come, out of loyalty if nothing else."**
**"Where’s the document 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 emerged before the crowd.
---
**"…It’s Seo Yujin!!!"**
**"Seol Ha Yeon is here too!!"**
**"And… someone I don’t recognize. But get pictures of her anyway!!"**
The three were Yujin, Ha Yeon, and Haru.
A dazzling flurry of camera 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 meantime."**
**"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 moment 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 came to her senses.
---
**"What is this?"**
**"Winter, are you alright?"**
**"Am I alright? I come out of the gate-clearing, and suddenly police swarm me, drag me to court, and tell me 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 memories 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 time, 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 remembering 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 some mere 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 me 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!"**
Meanwhile, Ha Yeon had a nagging feeling something was amiss, wondering, *Did I leave the AC on at home?* But she had no idea what was truly coming.