"Star Commander!"

The members of the Garbage Star delegation crowded around Gu Deming.

Their eyes were all red with disbelief.

One of them, realizing something was wrong, immediately roared in anger at the Chief Justice on the bench:

"Star Commander Gu poured his heart and soul into Garbage Star! There’s no way he could have done something like this."

"A conspiracy! This must be a conspiracy."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted, and his hateful eyes fixed on Louisa, who stood off to the side, lofty and untouched by the squalor.

He violently raised his hand and pointed at her, his eyes filled with fury.

"It was you! You..."

"Mmph... Mmph..."

Before he could finish, the other members of the Garbage Star delegation, quickly reacting, clamped a hand over his mouth.

A delegation sent to the Central Star for an event like this was hardly composed of simpletons.

A moment’s thought was enough to see that the whole affair was riddled with suspicion.

But with the Star Commander of Garbage Star dead on the floor, having shouldered all the blame, they knew the verdict was already set. It was not something they could overturn or question.

If they caused any more trouble, it was questionable whether any of them would make it back to Garbage Star alive.

At this thought, the members of the Garbage Star delegation hurriedly dragged away the young man whose words were about to bring disaster upon them.

One of them, a middle-aged man who was clearly the leader, stepped forward.

As if venting his anger, he brutally kicked Gu Deming’s body, which was lying on the floor.

"And to think we trusted him! Believed he could lead the people of Garbage Star to a better life."

"I never thought he was so blinded by greed. His death is too good for him."

"He even nearly tarnished your reputation, Your Highness. A man like that deserves death by a thousand cuts."

The middle-aged man knelt before Louisa, his voice obsequious and fawning. "Thank you, Princess Louisa, for bringing us the medicine."

"Long live Princess Louisa!"

Seeing this, the other members of the Garbage Star delegation behind him all knelt down, one by one.

They shouted, "Long live!"

But the tense atmosphere, far from easing, grew even colder and more stifling.

Everyone in the courtroom gallery watched this scene intently, not making a single sound.

It was as if they were silently watching a farce unfold.

After a long moment, Louisa was the first to speak, a hint of pity on her face:

"Although Star Commander Gu deserved to die, death settles all debts."

"Forget about death by a thousand cuts. Find a place to bury him."

"Yes, yes, of course. Thank you for your generosity."

The middle-aged man nodded and agreed hastily.

Only the surreptitious glance at Gu Deming, his eyes secretly red, revealed the grief the middle-aged man was desperately suppressing.

This was Star Commander Gu, a man beloved by everyone on Garbage Star.

Since arriving on Garbage Star, he had vigorously improved public safety, built factories, and steadily bettered the lives of its people.

Anyone might have done such a thing, but never Gu Deming.

But if he didn’t act this way, not only would the members of the Garbage Star delegation be in danger, but even Star Commander Gu’s body might not remain intact.

The members of the Garbage Star delegation went to prepare the body for removal. They looked at Gu Deming, lying on the floor—the same man who, just a few days ago, had promised them he would get justice and the truth.

Their eyes were all red, their bodies trembling as they fought to hide their sorrow.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath, suppressed the grief in his heart, and twisted his face into an expression of anger.

"All right, what are you all dawdling for?"

"He’s the scum of Garbage Star! He caused so many of our people to die. Just finding a bag to carry him back in is more kindness than he deserves!"

’I can’t delay any longer.’

With that, the middle-aged man was the first to act. Quick as a flash, he hoisted Gu Deming onto his shoulder.

He led the others away in a rush.

The Chief Justice on the bench watched this scene in silence.

A nearly imperceptible sigh escaped his lips.

The gavel struck down hard.

"The Garbage Star incident was entirely the work of Garbage Star’s Star Lord, Gu Deming. He first deceived Princess Louisa, then secretly swapped Garbage Star’s medicine. His crimes are unforgivable. The sentence is immediate execution."

"However, as Gu Deming has confessed and is now deceased, this matter is hereby concluded. It is not to be mentioned again!"

He then raised the gavel and struck it three times on the bench.

The "THUD! THUD! THUD!" echoed in everyone’s ears.

But for once, the crowd watching the scene felt no sense of cathartic satisfaction.

Instead, a rare confusion appeared on their faces.

On the Star Network, people began to discuss it in hushed tones.

[I don’t know why, but I have a feeling Gu Deming didn’t do it.]

[I just looked it up. Since Gu Deming arrived on Garbage Star three years ago, he’s put enormous effort into managing local security, building schools, paving roads, and organizing work for the people.]

[Garbage Star is completely different now. Whenever anyone there mentions him, they do so with respect and admiration. Some people even brought him food voluntarily.]

[Would a man like that really do something like this?]

Quite a few people shared these doubts.

No one was a fool.

Everyone could see a man who worked diligently and honestly.

Gu Deming had given his all for the people of Garbage Star, and the people of Garbage Star had etched his deeds into their hearts.

But soon, the tone of the comments began to shift.

[Are the people above me idiots?]

[Gu Deming confessed to this with his own mouth, and the Chief Justice passed the final verdict.]

[Are you trying to question the impartial Chief Justice?]

[Everyone, stop with the wild speculation. Be careful or you’ll bring trouble to your doorstep.]

[Remember, Princess Louisa is innocent. She was deceived by the Star Lord of Garbage Star.]

Sometimes, being too clever isn’t a good thing.

Because the more clearly you see, the more powerless you feel.

Sure enough, as comments like these appeared, the people who had first voiced their doubts were quickly "enlightened" and rushed to delete their previous comments on the Star Network.

Everyone did their utmost to create an appearance of peace and tranquility.

But beneath the calm, a monstrous wave was surging.

One day.

One day, it will erupt for all to see.

And destroy all those who deserve to be punished.

And so, the matter of Garbage Star was settled, just like that.

A pure, clear soul had been stained with filth, and injustice screamed in madness.

The truly filthy one stood spotless on the judgment stand.

Across the crowd, Yu Lan and Louisa’s eyes met.

In that moment, Yu Lan’s eyes changed.

Those eyes, usually so gentle and soft, were filled with rage for the first time.

Louisa’s lips moved, mouthing silent words:

[What now? I won again.]

[Are you angry?]

[Being angry is useless.]

’The bond she and Belina had cultivated over so many years was not something Yu Lan and those dead peasants from Garbage Star could ever hope to shake.’

Because the trial was now over, the audience in the courtroom began to gather their things and slowly leave.

Queen Belina immediately rose from her seat and ran straight to Louisa.

Her voice was filled with concern.

"Louisa, are you all right?"

"Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Mother. I’m fine."

Louisa threw herself into Belina’s arms like a fledgling bird, but her eyes, full of provocation, were locked on Yu Lan.