Chương 331: Chapter : 331

The chamber went totally quiet. Naomi let out a frustrated sigh. She dropped her arms to her sides.

"A secret trial? Are you kidding me? We did all this hard work! We solved a massive murder case! We stopped a radiation bomb! And nobody in the city is even going to know about it?" Laxmi groaned loudly. She kicked the marble floor.

"This is completely unfair! We deserve the recognition! We should get extra points on the public leaderboard for this!"

"The Upper Council will award the 13th Unit the promised fifteen points in secret," the Head Judge assured them quickly.

"Your score will increase. But the public broadcast will simply state you completed an undocumented task. The details remain completely buried." Princess Iris placed a calming hand on Naomi's shoulder. She looked at her disappointed vanguard.

"It is alright, Naomi," Princess Iris said softly. Her violet eyes were full of genuine wisdom.

"We did not solve this case to get famous on television. We solved this case to stop a monster. Dr. Raven is going to face justice. The radiation weapon is destroyed. The city is safe. That is the only thing that truly matters." Zinia smiled a tough, proud smile.

"The Princess is right. We know what we did. We do not need a crowd cheering for us to know we won." Ira stared blankly at the wall.

"Statistically speaking, secret victories maintain a much higher level of national stability. The Emperor made a logical decision." Ken Eliot stood at the back of the group. He listened to the entire conversation. He slouched his shoulders and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He let out a loud, highly dramatic yawn that stretched his jaw completely open.

"I think this is the absolute best news I have heard all week," Ken announced cheerfully. He gave his team a massive, goofy grin. Naomi looked at him. She shook her head.

"Why are you happy about a secret trial, Ken? We literally get zero public credit."

"Because being on television is incredibly annoying!" Ken complained lazily. He pointed a finger at the ceiling.

"Do you remember the last time we were on a public broadcast? The news anchors analyzed my running speed! They zoomed in on my untucked shirt! They made fun of my stats! It was a total nightmare for my privacy!" Laxmi burst out laughing. She remembered the embarrassing television broadcast perfectly.

"They did call you a confused squirrel, farm boy."

"Exactly!" Ken agreed happily. He popped another piece of his fruit tart into his mouth.

"A secret trial means no cameras. No cameras means nobody is watching me. I can just sit in the back of the courtroom and take a comfortable nap while the lawyers yell at each other. This is a massive victory for my slacker lifestyle." Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Sayma chuckled politely. She tucked the magical recording crystal into her folder.

"You always find a way to avoid working, Ken. But you will still have to attend the trial. You were present during the investigation."

"As long as I get a comfortable chair, I will attend anything," Ken replied smoothly. Prince Zeus watched the chaotic, noisy interaction of the 13th Unit. He scoffed loudly. He turned around. He marched out of the chamber without saying another word. He had absolutely zero interest in celebrating with a group of messy, loud girls and a lazy servant. The Head Judge gathered his papers.

"The hearing is concluded. The secret trial will commence soon. Be ready." The 13th Unit bowed respectfully. They turned around and walked out of the massive metal doors. They stepped back into the bright, pristine marble corridor of the Upper Council building. The tension was completely gone. The intense stress of the murder investigation was finally lifted from their shoulders. They had found the killer. They had secured the evidence. They had earned fifteen points.

"I am officially starving," Laxmi declared. She stretched her arms over her head.

"We need to go get a massive lunch right now. I want a huge steak."

"I totally support that plan," Ken cheered. He dragged his shoes on the marble floor. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff.

"But I call dibs on the biggest piece of cake for dessert. I did a lot of very difficult standing around today. My legs are exhausted." Naomi walked right beside him. She playfully bumped his shoulder with her arm. She offered a warm, genuine smile.

"You can have the biggest piece of cake, Ken. You actually stayed quiet during the hearing. I am very proud of you."

"I am a master of quiet observation," Ken bragged lazily. The team walked down the long hallway together. They felt incredibly proud of their success. They did not care that the public would never know their heroic story. They knew they had saved the city from a terrible fate. Ken smiled his goofy smile. He looked forward to eating a large lunch and taking a very long afternoon nap. The secret trial was approaching, but for today, the lazy slacker was perfectly content to just relax with his chaotic, messy family.

The dangerous mastermind was finally caught, and the city was safe.

Next day. The subterranean courtroom was completely secure. It sat deep under the capital city. The walls were made of solid white marble. The floor was smooth and shiny. Tall stone pillars held up the ceiling. Bright magical lights floated in the air. The room looked very strict and formal. Three austere judges sat behind a massive wooden desk at the front. They wore long gray robes. They looked very serious. They held wooden gavels in their hands. On the left side of the room sat Dr. Raven.

He wore a crisp, tailored black suit. He looked incredibly angry. He sat next to five very expensive lawyers. The lawyers wore shiny silk suits. They looked confident. They had piles of documents on their table. On the right side of the room sat the 13th Unit. Princess Iris sat in a comfortable chair. Her violet eyes were completely focused. She wore her neat dark blue uniform. Sayma sat next to her. The Vice-Captain had her notebook open. She pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose.

Naomi sat next to Ken. Naomi crossed her arms. Her green eyes scanned the room. She did not look strict today. She just smiled a little bit. She bumped her shoulder playfully against Ken's arm. She treated him exactly like a naughty friend.

"Wake up, slacker," Naomi whispered softly.

"The trial is starting. Do not fall asleep right now." Ken Eliot slumped low in his chair. He let out a loud, long yawn. He stretched his arms above his head. His navy blue suit was completely wrinkled. His shirt was untucked on both sides. His tie hung crookedly around his neck. He looked like he just rolled out of bed.

"I am awake," Ken mumbled. He rubbed his sleepy eyes.

"But these chairs are terrible. They have absolutely zero lumbar support. My back is complaining. I need a fluffy cushion. Do you think the judges have extra cushions?"