Chapter 20

"Sir, please help me!! I really can't handle it anymore."

The elf before me had a face full of peach blossoms, eyes filled with allure, and lustrous green hair. Her small mouth was a bright red, and by appearance alone, she could be considered a beauty capable of bringing down a nation.

But at this moment, she was crying with tears streaming down her face, her eyes full of earnestness and pleading as she threw herself into my arms. However, I quickly pulled away the robe that had been tugged, took a step back, and maintained a distance.

"What's wrong? Don't forget, you're an enforcer and a man!"

Indeed, the elf crying pitifully before me was none other than Corros Einthan, the shrewd and decisive first-level defense attorney of the Supreme Court.

Elves are generally androgynous, and Corros is even more so, often referred to as the first beauty of the judicial system. People often wonder if he mistakenly filled in the wrong gender on his work badge, and there have even been instances where he was dragged into the women's restroom. He himself finds this very troubling and tries to act more masculine in his daily life.

Others wear silver masks to signify the abandonment of personal identity and the pursuit of impartial justice. From what I know, Corros wears a mask even after work, and he has a certain obsession with collecting and making masks.

It is said that he has a full cabinet of judicial masks, each intricately carved with the unique craftsmanship of the elves, using materials like mithril threads and precious gems. The elves' craftsmanship is so exquisite that they can even depict the landscape of Sulfur Mountain City on the masks. However, to avoid affecting his work, the carvings are so small that they cannot be seen without a magnifying glass, making all the effort in vain.

Even so, he treats them as precious treasures, polishing them several times a day, and never taking them off even when bathing or sleeping... Everyone knows why, but no one is foolish enough to point it out.

In the past, these masks indeed gave this elf, with a feminine appearance, courage and dignity. His innate attention to detail made him deeply knowledgeable about the law, and his faith and love for the law earned my respect. In my eyes, regardless of his appearance, he is an extremely outstanding defense attorney. This is the first time I've seen him discard his mask and cry for help.

"Calm down, Corros, take a deep breath. What happened? Was the Sulfur Mountain City prison broken into, and did the criminals escape?"

Corros shook his head vigorously, tears splattering onto my sleeve.

People nearby were already pointing and whispering. To avoid being suspected of having a problem with my sexual orientation and to prevent becoming the top news among the腐女 (yaoi fans) in the other world, I took another step back, increasing the distance between us.

"Was the city attacked by a dragon? Have you informed the city lord?"

Still, he shook his head, indicating it wasn't that.

"Was it a monster attack..." I continued to ask several possible scenarios, but he only shook his head. Finally, when Corros caught his breath, he spoke.

"It's Bifeng, the half-dragon Bifeng Ero, that pervert! He went too far!"

At this moment, the beauty wiped away her tears, remembering she was still in court, and forced a smile. The beauty after the rain was truly enchanting... Hearing gasps and screams behind me, I silently took another step back, maintaining a three-meter distance.

Then, from his account, I pieced together the entire story.

The half-dragon hunter with peculiar tastes, after the two laws, "Prohibition of Intimate Relationships Between Humanoid and Non-Humanoid Beings" and "Conditions for Raising Pets," were swiftly passed, had his "pet" and "lover" taken away, which was a severe blow. However, he quickly rose again...

He stopped being a beast hunter and became a veterinarian, specializing in pet gynecology...

This wasn't unusual; beast hunters are already quite knowledgeable about animals, and treating pets is a natural extension of their skills. He had only been in the profession for a week, but his enthusiastic and patient care techniques were already highly praised. He even invented a technique called "loving caress" to calm pets, until...

"I took my little White to see the doctor, and I encountered that pervert. That pervert isn't a doctor; he's just using perverted techniques to play with everyone's pets. He was smirking at me while playing with my little White... Sniff, sniff, little White is so innocent, and he was even happily licking his fingers... I, I want to kill him, to avenge the insulted little White!!"

If I remember correctly, little White is the pet dog he raised...

Corros was crying pitifully. As a wild elf born from a druid, he deeply detested such unnatural behavior. As an enforcer, Corros had once defended him, and Bifeng's actions were a blatant disregard for the law. Despite his current appearance of a crying girl, I knew his intent to kill Bifeng was genuine.

Given my understanding of his stubborn nature, he would definitely turn himself in after committing a crime, possibly to resign from his position as an enforcer and die with that pervert.

I was speechless. If such an incident caused a capable subordinate to die in disgrace, it would be difficult to handle.

So, I said listlessly to those behind me.

"Stop laughing and go bring that pervert here. I've never encountered an opponent who so blatantly disregards my laws."

"Yes, sir."

"Alright, sir, I'll go immediately."

Sure enough, a dozen voices answered simultaneously, revealing that these rascals were hiding in the corner, watching the show.

Corros finally remembered that this was a public place and quickly stood up. However, his eyes, full of hope and trust, were truly difficult to respond to.

---

My office is not large, and I faced the pervert across the desk, unsure of what to say.

Should I enact a new law to prohibit him from being a veterinarian? No, laws should target crimes, not individuals; otherwise, I would become a laughingstock.

Moreover, frequently changing laws is a major taboo, as it implies that the original laws were flawed, which would severely undermine the dignity of the law and the judicial system.

Should I directly eliminate him? While it's easy to do, the principle of proportionality between crime and punishment is a fundamental tenet of the judiciary. This pervert, though despicable, does not deserve the death penalty.

From a judicial standpoint, convicting someone without evidence and directly eliminating them would be a foolish act that negates the value of the entire judicial system.

Should I imprison him? I'm sorry, but he hasn't committed a crime. He was just performing his duties as a pet gynecologist, carefully caressing the adorable pets. Some "touching" is inevitable... I can guess he would defend himself this way, and we have no evidence...

I slumped in my chair, feeling powerless for the first time.

"Can't kill him, can't imprison him, can only watch him continue to molest cute pets? Even the Holy Church's combined forces aren't as difficult to deal with as this pervert."

Bifeng Ero's eyes darted, seemingly making a decision.

"Sir, can I go now? I have work to do, and many pets are waiting to be treated."

He smiled innocently, but it was a challenge to me. "Is the Supreme Court so powerful? Yet they can't do anything to me."

"Normal methods won't work, but I'm also skilled in unconventional tactics. Slander, rumors, ambush, framing... Killing you would be too easy." Just as I was about to take unconventional action and deal with the pervert, a voice sounded in my ear.

"Master, according to your plan, we need someone to go to prison, and he seems suitable..."

I smiled and carefully examined the person before me.

"Looking at him, he seems like someone who should be in prison. He's a perfect fit, yes, very good."

I raised two fingers.

"Let's make a judicial deal. Two conditions. If you meet them, I'll give you a pet ownership license. You won't be a veterinarian anymore, but as long as you don't cause a public disturbance, you can do whatever you want at home, and I'll pretend I didn't see it."

Yes, Bifeng's hobbies are morally reprehensible, but as long as they don't cause public scandal and social unrest, they haven't crossed my red line and can be tolerated. However... seeing his disgusting, smug smile, I felt a strong urge to kill him with a death finger!

Closing my eyes to avoid the half-dragon's smug grin, it took me a while to calm down and suppress my murderous intent.

"The first condition: apologize to Corros. Yes, the elf defense attorney you made cry. Others have defended you, and you repay them with ingratitude. How does that look?"

"Yes, yes, sir, I'll apologize to Ms. Corros immediately!!"

"It's Mr.!" As expected, I saw the half-dragon's face full of surprise, and I continued.

"The second condition: commit a crime. I'll send you to the Sulfur Mountain City prison, and I want you to do something for me inside."

"What?!"

"Escape!!..."

After Bifeng left, I finished the accumulated work, which took about four to five hours, until the moon set in the west.

Standing by the window, I looked at the peaceful and prosperous scene outside and sighed.

"Sulfur Mountain City has been too peaceful. So peaceful that some people have forgotten their duties."

"Isn't that your achievement? Are you praising yourself again?"

As usual, her sharp tongue, but I had no mood to argue with her.

"No, we should thank Adam and Margaret. They protected this city from the chaotic underground world, but it seems some have forgotten the favors they received. It's time to remind them."

Eliza nodded.

"Traitors will not be forgiven. According to the rules of the underground city, we can directly eliminate them, which is the opinion of most of our high-level spies..."

"Here in Sulfur Mountain City, everyone is equal, with no authority. At least on the surface. The hard-won peace, or rather, the surface peace, should be cherished. We need to 'accidentally' obtain evidence of the traitors' crimes and make some people 'accidentally' die."

"Yes, as long as chaos is created, our infiltrators will start gathering evidence. Once the evidence is solid, it will be the turn of the trial and enforcement halls."

"Are the trackers and magical tracking marks ready? I don't want any criminals to escape."

"Yes, they are ready. The magical tracking marks have been placed in the prison's drinking water and will last for three months, enough to catch them all. Our 3,600 observers will all be mobilized, and as long as the number of escapees is less than a thousand, no innocent citizens will be harmed."

"Alright, let the dogs out to bite. Sulfur Mountain City is too peaceful, and I can't just cut out the rot with a knife."

Releasing prisoners to lure out the snakes is a risky move. When I proposed it to the Four Heavenly Kings, it took a lot of effort to get their support.

"Yes, the observers will force the special escapees to go to the right places. Even if they don't, our insiders will guide them there. However, I'm worried if Bifeng can really succeed in escaping."

"Don't underestimate him. Look at this."

Looking at the document, even the usually unperturbed Eliza was surprised.

"How is that possible? A Gold Tier Beast Hunter! A Master Beast Hunter?"

"Yes, that's the natural advantage of the Long-lived. Given enough time, they will become stronger. And Beast Hunters are indeed natural animal trainers, with their love for beasts... Never mind, it's too disgusting. Look at this report..."

"The target X entered the prison for less than an hour, and all the inmates requested to change rooms. Some shouted, 'Don't put me with that pervert, or I'll kill myself,' and some inmates even smashed their heads against the walls to die... That's too much!!"

"Moreover, the prison cell emitted 'squeaking' sounds. He must have summoned rats to help... I hope it's just to escape, I don't want to think about it further."

Mysteriously, the suppressed murderous intent flared up again.

"Is this really necessary? There's no such thing as a completely sealed wall. Releasing prisoners, if the news leaks, it will affect your reputation..."

"Even if the news doesn't leak, just the fact that the judicial system has a prison break will inevitably lead to a demotion and investigation. Even if Adam doesn't punish me, I will request punishment."

After a while, Eliza continued.

"Are you trying to tarnish your reputation? Is it worth it?"

"If my subordinates' reputation and authority surpass that of the highest leader, it's hard to be a leader. Since I'm grooming Annie to take over, I need to play the part. Besides..."

"Besides?"

"Besides, the tide of a new era is coming, and no one can stop it. In the changing times, what does my reputation matter? And..."

"And you're still thinking if Annie will be moved by your sacrifice and offer herself to you."

I was surprised, but she continued.

"Hmph, offer herself? Haha, based on her personality, she'll only be angry, annoyed, and ignore you. Hmph! Best if she ignores you forever!"

Looking at the half-demon girl, whose cold expression was completely different, her face flushed, I said something out of the blue.

"Are you jealous? Jealous that I'm better to Annie than to you?"

Instantly, the office air froze... Seeing the redness spreading from her ears to her face and her eyes full of shame and anger, I started praying for my collection.

"Finished, I said the wrong thing, she will definitely take revenge!!"

Strangely, she remained eerily silent, and after a while, she managed to say.

"If I were jealous, you would..."

Eliza's voice grew smaller, and I couldn't hear the rest.

"What?"

As I racked my brain to think of a joke to ease the tension, suddenly, the office door opened, and Corros rushed in, while the blushing Eliza instantly disappeared into the shadows.

"Sir, it's bad, the Sulfur Mountain City prison has a breakout!!"

"What's the panic? It's part of the plan."

"But... it's not part of our plan. The pervert hasn't even dug through the wall, and another part of the prison was directly broken into! Someone attacked the prison! This is a real breakout!! The prisoners are all out!! The situation is out of control."

"Crack!" The sound of the wooden armrest of my chair breaking, and the suffocating magic suction followed.

In the next second, the world twisted, and the colorful world turned black and white. Eliza was forced out of the shadows, and Corros was thrown out of the room by the raging magic.

"These bastards are tired of living, daring to cause trouble on my turf!! That blind bastard, I'll kill your whole family!!"

Well, this outburst at the office door, in the end, became the black history of the always polite and dignified Great Judge of the Insomniacs...

---

PS. Since someone mentioned typos, I'll slowly correct them from the beginning...

PS2. After multiple revisions, I realized that the word "pet" was being censored... I'll use pinyin for now.

Previous page AD starts

Previous page AD ends