Early morning, Upper City, Steam Security Bureau, outside the main gate
"Impossible, Kong. Those people only have fire in their eyes now. No matter who goes, no one can stop them anymore."
"But apart from you, no one can make them listen to even a single word."
Hearing Chen Kong's words, Old Jack, whom he and Isabelle had just bailed out, fell silent at once.
Seeing that Old Jack was still hesitating, Chen Kong took a firm half-step forward.
"Old Jack, some things may be difficult, but we can't shrink back just because they're difficult."
"Didn't you stand firmly on the side of 'justice' yesterday, even knowing how hard it would be? Why were you backing down now?"
"Justice?"
Old Jack abruptly raised his head and pointed toward the advertising screen nearby, where yesterday's "judgment result" was playing on a loop.
"Look at that, Kong. That's the price of justice."
On the screen, Vivian stood alone upon the Judgment Platform. Her pale, frail face was heartbreaking to behold.
Former Church Silver Knight, Vivian Howard, would undergo Furnace Punishment on October 3rd, Year 101 of the Star Source Era.
"Kong, Vivian has already told us with her life that in this Steam Capital, so-called 'justice' and 'hope' are extravagances beyond price."
"Rats like us from the Lower City are overstepping even by looking at those two things, let alone hoping they'll descend upon us."
At that, Old Jack gave a self-mocking laugh and patted Chen Kong on the shoulder.
"Kong, thank you for bailing me out with your friend."
"But as I am now, perhaps I can't help you with anything."
"After all, if I don't leave the Steam Capital as soon as possible, then once the Church frees up its hands, the next time you want to find me, you