Mary did not expect that what awaited her the next day would be unimaginable busyness.

Before dawn, officials from the Upper City knocked on her door; they came to report.

This took Mary by surprise because Ave had mentioned over the phone that the public trial would push her to oppose the upper echelons of Oasis City, the armed forces controlling the entire city, waiting for her possible uprising.

People in extreme despair will make desperate decisions, even if they know their private soldiers are no match for a Saint.

Therefore, Ave proposed another scheme — to divide the officials and private soldiers.

The public trial's other significance lay here; she publicly forgave the servants working in Hawke's house, thus sending a signal to those uncertain in the Upper City that as long as they weren't deeply involved in the officials' "business," there was still a chance to turn back.

This was also why things were so calm last night.

When the door was knocked open, group after group of officials surrounded her residence so tightly that water couldn't pass; most of them were informants, a group of ambitious young people, with some trying to muddy the waters amid the crowd smartly, yet under the Holy Word Art, their crimes were exposed.

These clowns were publicly escorted to prison, awaiting trial.

Unexpectedly for Mary, all the reports had been systematically organized, with the names of the city hall officials ordered from high to low, it's unlike a spontaneous uprising, but rather a work that started long ago.

"Some of them are reported by Lower City civilians, and some are what we've seen with our own eyes."

The speaker was a young man with a monocle, looking refined, "It's a pity we can't save those people."

Mary chuckled wryly.

Once again, Ave was right. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

A man who had never been to Oasis City yet seemed to know this city intimately.

Ave mentioned that after the trial ends, a good portion of Oasis City's town hall would become her assistance.

Even during the empire's darkest period under Julius's rule, not everyone was assimilated by the power; some joined the Violet Commune's cause, challenging unreasonable rules, and after the Commune failed, they hibernated, waiting for the opportunity in different identities and ways.

Ave believed Oasis City is the same.

Compared to Julius, what are a few Oasis City officials?

Moreover, this city possesses unique historical conditions — during Julius's reign, several cities from the Far West sent many young people to the empire for training, Life Divine Teachings and Truth Society were the major destinations, during the rise of the Violet Commune movement, many were affected by the movement.

"Leon."

Mary couldn't help but commend this young man, appearing under thirty, tall, wearing a well-tailored dark city official suit, "You've done well."

When using the Holy Word Art to check Leon's possible crimes, she saw his early experiences.

Another excellent graduate of the Truth Society, even mingled with the former director of the Investigation Bureau during his student days, took over some daily operations and event arrangements for the Commune, when Leon returned to Oasis City, Julius's persecution of the Violet Commune had not yet begun, he returned to his hometown with thoughts of emulating the Commune to change the Far West.

In the past few years, Leon had made some attempts, but the officials and Church Court's control of the city was deep-rooted, so he could only hibernate with other like-minded peers, silently collecting and organizing evidence of crimes.

Perhaps one day it could be useful.

Leon always upheld a belief, if even a cancer like Julius can be removed, how many days can the corrupt officials of Oasis City parade?

He found a balance in dealing with the "higher-ups," very aware that Oasis City's officials and nobles needed them.

After all, those big shots' daily life is wandering around the office in the daytime, then going to the Eternal Theater to watch a whole day's drama, and at night gathering for a grand banquet together, their day passed just like that, that's why they needed lots of manpower to work for them.

Therefore, as long as you didn't openly show the intent to defy superiors, those officials who stayed in theaters all day really had no idea what they did daily.

"The Security Office is ready, just waiting for your orders."

Even before Mary, Leon maintained an unyielding attitude.

"I know."

Shortly after Leon left, someone else knocked on Mary's door.

"Please come in."

Mary was slightly startled seeing the visitor, an old gentleman in a shabby suit, leaning on a cane, looking as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Mr. Grave."

This civilian representative performed bravely on the execution platform yesterday.

"Lady Mary, I wish to discuss with you the events in Lower City, regarding stone lung cough, and those saved by the Goddess but mutated people."

Grave hadn't closed his eyes all night, running around knocking on almost every family's door.

The trial of Hawke was a good start, Mary's arrival exceeded their expectations, yet as a witness to the changes in Lower City over several days, he couldn't remain silent at this time because in Grave's view, mutation was not a blessing but more like a new infectious disease.