West Sail Port District Court.
Scales symbolizing justice were carved into the marble walls, and rings of seats were arranged beneath the towering dome.
Five judges sat at the bench, all around fifty or sixty years old. Their wrinkled faces were filled with solemnity, making them look deeply respected.
The spacious gallery was likewise packed to capacity.
A small portion consisted of Southern Legion officers, while most were local Velander citizens of West Sail Port or Velander merchants who happened to be passing through.
People were tremendously enthusiastic about this trial. Some had even rushed over from Night Harbor or other colonies, not for the business opportunities supposedly brought by the "three hundred thousand troops soon to arrive," but simply to see the court proceedings in person.
The reason people were so interested was not merely the defendant's identity, but also the charges brought against him, which involved three betrayals—betrayal of the Velanders, betrayal of the Legion, and betrayal of the Marshal.
So many enormous accusations pinned on one man were exceedingly rare even in the Legion's history.
Especially since this fellow was an "Honorary Velander" promoted through military achievements.
The people in the gallery were even more curious!
It was said that the court had made quite a bit of money just from selling gallery tickets!
As she watched the man being escorted into the courtroom, Penny, seated in the gallery, unconsciously clenched her fists, sweat seeping into her palms.
Meanwhile, in a corner on the other side of the gallery, a man wearing an officer's cap sat among the observers.
He looked young, with a prominent bridge to his nose and stern, resolute eyes. He watched the pangolin being led to the defendant's stand with great interest, like an eagle surveying its prey.
This man was Gurion, commander-in-chief