Chapter 121 - 120:

"The one tied to the chair... is that really Kafka?" "My goodness! They actually captured Kama before?" "When did this happen?! Mom was put on trial?" "This must be a fake video! Kafka is clearly safe at Luofu!" "It's the company's live stream, so it should be genuine footage. However, this scene doesn't seem to be from the company's headquarters; it looks like another planet." In the public square, everyone turned their attention to the large screens. At that moment, Exalting Sanctum felt akin to a massive Trial Court, with all present as witnesses to this judgment, akin to spectators at a grand trial. Meanwhile, the authoritative voice continued in the background, "Your crimes are unforgivable. "However, the Yepeila Brotherhood respects every individual's right to ascend to heaven. "By confessing your guilt and accepting punishment, the Annihilation Gang will grant you redemption." Behind red curtains in the background, figures with animal heads and human bodies emerged. Dressed in exquisite suits, they interrogated Kafka with cold, superior demeanors. Players began realizing the gravity of the situation. "Yepeila Star? That's not within the company's territory." "It must be footage recovered by the company." "What right do these scumbags from the Annihilation Gang have to judge my mom?" Any other trial setting might have been acceptable. However, the highest-ranking judge was none other than someone from the Annihilation Gang! As widely known, most members of the Annihilation Gang were ruthless murderers with a penchant for destruction and plunder. Yet, they lacked the systematic adherence to the unique ability embodying the will of 'Destruction'. Therefore, Despite claiming themselves as loyal servants of Destruction, Nanook never acknowledged them, not even sparing them a glance. Kafka falling into their hands? It seemed utterly unbelievable to many players! Clearly, The company intentionally showcased this aspect to both highlight Kafka's crimes and demoralize the Stellaron Hunters. At that moment, Below the live stream video, prepared comments appeared in the scrolling chat: "Look! Even Yepeila Brotherhood could capture Kafka. It wasn't that the company couldn't apprehend her; it's because Kafka has always been on the run, too afraid to openly defy the company." However, The players gathered in the public square did not easily follow this narrative. From the first questioning remark onwards, The atmosphere ignited like a lit fuse, exploding with fervent backlash against the company's broadcast: "My mom can't possibly be wrong!" "Outrageous! What crime has my mom committed?" "Old Deng, dare you reveal your health bar!" "What authority do you have? Who is my mother to you? How dare you judge her?" "How could the mother who raised me possibly be guilty of any crime?!" "Just try laying a hand on my mom, you punk!" At that moment, Kafka, seated, opened her eyes. In the dim lighting, her purple pupils seemed to reflect specks of starlight. "Hmm... I'm listening." Her tone carried a hint of resignation and melancholy, as if genuinely accepting her fate at trial. Seeing the defendant's cooperative attitude, the Judge with the deer head continued, "Then, regarding you and the other members of the Stellaron Hunters..." "Do you admit responsibility for the following crimes—" "You infiltrated the Atuin Universal Auction, manipulated attendees, vandalized priceless treasures under the Devout Observer's patronage, causing damages totaling over 860 billion Credits." "And stole the auction item [Stellaron]." Kafka responded, "I admit to it, but the Devout Observer is not truly devout." Below, among the spectators: "Isn't that just 86 billion... Wait, hold on, Boss? You mean 86 trillion Credits?" "I have plenty of Credits; I'll pay. Let my mother go!" "A mere 86 trillion Credits? Asta will cover it!" "That's my mom for you!" At that moment, the Arbiter began announcing the second charge, "Infiltrating the electronic sanctuary Inuphis, stealing the Sigma Scepter and disabling the firewall protecting the seal against demonic data, allowing a massive influx of data demons into reality. "This prematurely accelerated the world into the Trial phase, facilitating their theft of the primal code [Stellaron]. "Do you plead guilty?" Kafka replied, "I admit to it, but the data demons deserved freedom." The audience in the public square became even more uproarious. "You're right! But Kafka did nothing wrong!!" "My mom must have had her reasons for doing this!" "My mother is kind-hearted and beautiful, knowing well that data demons deserve freedom—let her go!" Within the company's management ranks, chaos reigned like a bubbling cauldron! "Boss, something seems off here!" "These are live updates from various regions. The players don't seem to buy our narrative at all!" "They're all defending Kafka and cursing us!" The high-ranking executive from the Marketing Development Department, who proposed the counter-propaganda strategy, was drenched in sweat. He removed his glasses and wiped the perspiration from his face. Initially, he anticipated that releasing this footage would incite player resistance and skepticism towards the Stellaron Hunters' actions. But unexpectedly! Instead of achieving that, it stirred up a protective instinct among the players, akin to pouring fuel on fire! "Play it! Keep showing it!" "Release the entire Trial content!" "I refuse to believe these people have truly been brainwashed by the game!" "You invaded the ring world of Gorcanda, spreading the paradox virus across all colonies, leading to forty-six million inorganic lives being transformed into uncontrollable machines. "Additionally, you took the [Steel Core] from Gorcanda's gravitational equilibrium point, causing silence throughout the entire world." "Do you plead guilty?" Kafka smiled. "Oh? Wasn't this the work of the Yepeila Brotherhood?" "But indeed, we did take that particular item—the Stellaron," he acknowledged. The ram-headed Arbiter continued, "Furthermore, there are cases such as the Trovis Star System disappearances, the Lor-51 Stellaron incident, the cyber attacks targeting Screw Star, the invasion of Pierpoint, and so on—" "A total of 46 criminal offenses!" "Do you admit responsibility for these malicious acts committed by the Stellaron Hunters?" The twilight at Yepeila Palace was blood-red. Kafka's silhouette stretched long under the fading light. Suddenly, the footage began to stutter, as if the subsequent content had been damaged. Faintly, Kafka's voice could still be heard responding: "...I admit to it, but..." After playing this segment, the live stream switched back to the host's perspective. "This is a clip from the trial of Stellaron Hunter Kafka at Yepeila Palace, detailing the crimes committed by Kafka and his accomplices." "However, due to the subsequent rebellion on Yepeila, the rest of the video remains unknown, allowing Kafka to escape the full extent of the trial." "Once again, I urge our viewers to remember—" In Exalting Sanctum Square, As Guinaifen live-streamed this scene, she shared her thoughts: "I estimate that in most cases, victims sought to exploit Stellaron Hunters for personal gain but tried playing double-cross games, ultimately facing their own downfall..." Apparently, many other players held similar views. One person commented, "These pompous fools always twist events to favor themselves!" "I wouldn't believe them even if they swore on my grave!" "But when it comes to Kafka, I take every punctuation mark seriously!" "If she says it's the work of the Yepela Brotherhood, there's no way she'd lie!" "These damn scoundrels trying to pin all blame on Mother? Over my dead body!" "Exactly! Count me among those who won't stand for it!" "Interstellar Peace Live Stream, watch out—I'll sue you for defamation if you dare!" "Old Deng, got guts to say another word against my mom?" Suddenly, during this heated exchange, the stream host appeared to be affected by something unforeseen. Their expression instantly turned terrified. Immediately after, a massive explosion roared through the broadcast! Dense smoke engulfed the live-stream frame. All the players cursing at the host and Interstellar Peace Live Stream were taken aback! What just happened? Is karma striking so swiftly? This is a live stream, remember?! Will today's incident definitely trend across the galaxy now? A few seconds later, a woman's voice echoed through: "Company people truly are dreadful." "They even dare to cut half of the footage; afraid to show the rest?" Upon hearing this voice, everyone was taken aback. Then, chaos erupted at the scene! Because! The owner of this voice was none other than Kafka herself!!!