Nobody attacked Vivi. Despite being surrounded by hunters, Vivi wasn't ambushed from behind. For the first time, the ether hunters seemed ready to hear Vivi's words as if she was an actual human. The amount of disapproving eyes in the crowd was almost none, excluding Andre and the Greenwitches, whose gloominess stood out without even looking in their direction.

It's my dress, Vivi thought. And the number in my core. Everyone sees me differently now. Literally.

The thought made her bite the inside of her mouth. If she'd shown up in her raincoat and without makeup, the situation would have been entirely different.

"Hunters, thank you for coming." Vivi added ether to her voice, amplifying it, but her tone was calm. There was no need to shout. "My name is Vivian Runeblessed. Otherwise known as the Cursed Runesmith. You have probably heard rumors about me. I have a bounty on my name. The hunters have an order to capture or kill me at sight.

"A lot of the rumors are true. My surname is fake. I was cursed at birth. I had no combat experience. Certainly, I was not someone who should have been chosen by a spirit." She paused, thinking of her words, then said, "Yet, you can see my core now! I am not cursed anymore. The reason why I was hunted in the first place, my curse and the debt of a hundred thousand ether, has been lifted!"

She turned around herself, meeting as many eyes in the crowd as she could. "And I wish to clear my name! I am not the murderer you think I am!"

She faced Veronica and continued. "Not only have I cleared my debts, I've helped another hunter escape from a deadly prison. In the process, I've grown strong enough to fight. The main reason for my bounty to be set doesn't apply anymore. Lucius does not need to be retrieved so that he can be offered to a more competent wielder."

The crowd quietly discussed. Veronica listened closely, though her smile felt awfully amused.

"A million ether and a rare skill are remarkable achievements," Veronica said. "Your survival is miraculous enough. The information you've gained from the fourth level is invaluable. By achievements alone, you are a respectable hunter. Strength is not what holds you back anymore. It is trust. Your records list thirteen violations of the hunters' codes in the last two months alone. Thirteen."

"Nobody has told me what your rules are," Vivi said. How am I expected to follow rules, when the first law I hear is that I need to die?

It felt unwise to say that. Instead, Vivi said, "I have never shown malice toward hunters. I have initiated duels in Paradise for my own growth, none of which have led to any real harm. I have defended myself when my life was threatened. If these instances have broken rules, I apologize."

"Disputing each crime will be a lengthy process," Veronica said. "And solving each little problem tied to you is outside the scope of this hearing."

"I might be a criminal, but I'm not evil," Vivi said. "I ask everyone to reconsider my fate. I will not accept a death sentence. The bounties on my name should be lifted."

The crowd discussed louder now. Hunting groups had gathered amongst themselves. If Vivi were to guess, the leaders of each hunting group would be the ones to vote and influence the judges' and Veronica's final decision on Vivi's fate.

After that… Vivi would probably be placed on some sort of parole. Hunting companies would try to recruit her. If Vivi followed the rules, in the end, all she would achieve would be a position as a pawn within the game of defending humanity.

"Your sincerity is clear," Veronica said. "Deeming you a full hunter is not possible from this hearing alone. Lifting your bounty, however, appears self-evident. Judges?"

The five judges stood in front of their hunting companies. A few of them were smiling, some observing Vivi with doubtful eyes. The first of them said, "No objections!"

The rest followed. Even Andre reluctantly agreed. Veronica nodded. "The bounty of Vivian Runeblessed worth fifteen thousand ether has been lifted!"

Vivi lowered her head. "Thank you, Magistrate."

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"With this, your cooperation is expected," Veronica said. "You are welcome on the streets of Surchester, but you are not a free hunter. Until your crimes have been disputed, your presence is accepted under parole." She paused and added, "Though it seems you have another purpose for this hearing as well."

"Yes, there is another issue I wish to resolve." Vivi turned her gaze to Andre. Now began the risky part. "This man has stolen my grandpa. I expect to receive him back."

Andre was already frowning. His brow twitched, though he remained seated without much of a reaction. "A bold claim," was all he said.

"You lied to me about his death," Vivi said, speaking purely to Andre. "You told me he died in prison. By then, he was already locked into a contract."

"A contract, which he signed," Andre said calmly.

"He was serving a sentence in prison!" Vivi said. "Of course he will sign any contract that gets him out!"

"Vivi, don't get angry," Lucius said. "We just need to buy time."

She bit her lip. From the tone, Lucius already implied that the hunters wouldn't agree with Vivi. They would gladly take her runeswords and the ether she'd gathered, and as a reward, they'd tie her to a contract as well. But the moment she wanted to establish something for herself outside the hunting companies that could control her…

"We have not broken laws," Andre said.

"Your laws, with all due respect, are awful," Vivi said. "Imprisoning a family due to bad luck is somehow allowed. I did not ask for my spirit to choose me. Yet, the spirit's decision has led to a bounty on my name. It's not right. The ether hunters' job is to defend humanity, not to form monopolies to profit from anything you can get your hands on."

"These laws were written by Ythar himself," Andre said.

"And you are abusing them," Vivi said. "My grandpa is the only family I have. I am the only family he has. He deserves more than to rot in your service for the rest of his life. I expect to have him back."

Andre merely shrugged, turning to Veronica. "Arbiter, what may be your opinion on this matter?"

Veronica Lifeweaver wasn't smiling anymore. Doubt grew amongst the crowd. Vivi's argument for this case wasn't nearly as sound. She already knew that before coming here. Retrieving Grandpa with diplomatic methods was probably going to be impossible.

How long do we need to stall? Vivi asked.

"Two more minutes," Lucius said. "They are almost done."

"It is a far-fetched claim," Veronica said. "The Greenwitches' contract might not be the most respected, but it is not illegal. An exception for this case would be difficult. Impossible."

"There is nothing I can do to have my family back?" Vivi asked.

"Your family is being treated with care and respect," Andre said.

With the same respect you showed Einord, Vivi thought.

"The situation is unfortunate," Veronica said. "As Andre has noted, Thomas Warren's Son has signed the contract through his own decision. Breaking him free is not a decision I, as the arbiter, have the authority to approve."

Vivi bit her lip, eyes lowering to her feet. She breathed in, formed a serious expression, and said, "I can't accept this."

Veronica lifted her brows.

"I will remind everyone that I am not an enemy," Vivi said. "I share the same goal as everyone. I want to defend humanity from surges. I want to ensure that nobody else loses their home because of storms.

The mood in the audience was souring with each word she said. Some were confused, some were starting to frown.

Nonetheless, Vivi continued. "Runeswords are required to defeat monsters. And if the Greenwitches claim every sword for themselves, for profit, more cities will fall."

She frowned at Andre. "You can't have Thomas for yourself. I won't allow you to. Whatever Ythar's law claims, whichever part of it you'll try to form into your favor, it doesn't matter to me. I will rescue him."

"I believe this debate has grown mildly inappropriate," Andre said.

Veronica Lifeweaver crossed her arms in agreement. "Vivian. Your achievements on the fourth level are respected. Threatening another ether hunter, however, is unacceptable."

"But stealing my family is not?"

"The state of your grandfather is concluded," Veronica said. "Do you have anything else to add?"

"Yes," Vivi said. "I have another announcement to make."

Plan B it is, she thought. She turned and faced the crowd.

"Starting today," Vivi said, "I will be founding my own hunting company!"

Silence.

Veronica Lifeweaver blinked. Then her cheeks lifted, the amused grin coming back.

"The Runeblessed surname will not be fake anymore," Vivi said. "To any hunters who wish to wield my family's runeswords, contact me! I am looking for honest allies. Allies and hunters, who wield spirits not to oppress others, but to fight monsters!"

Volume of chatter in the plaza rose. Every hunting company was talking now. The judges were too shocked to react. Peeking into her sixth sense, Vivi felt the eyes of the guardsmen approaching. Veronica's aura moved. Subtly, the woman was preparing for a fight.

"Ludicrous!" The first shout came from the crowd. "Arrest this betrayer!"

Are we ready now? Vivi asked.

"Should be about so," Lucius said. "Coshi is nearby."

Vivi nodded. She summoned her backup runesword, pushed ether through its veins, making the red hardsteel glow in a bright red, and lifted it high. "I am not an enemy of humanity. I am not an enemy of the hunters. But I am the enemy of those who threaten my family. Goodbye."

Spirit blades sparked to life around Vivi. Veronica's dress glowed a dark black, hair fluttering, her eyes filling with ether. The halo of blue daggers formed around her.

Vivi activated Warp Of Nature, the rare skill in her core.

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