Annan's relief did not last long. He suddenly cried out, "Oh no, my Commercial Street!"
Olin turned to him calmly. "Has your Commercial Street been evading taxes?"
"Absolutely not."
"Did your money come from illegal dealings?"
"Not at all."
"Have your people colluded with the forces of Chaos?"
Annan sounded less certain now. "Does working with the Ratfolk count?"
"Yes."
"Then I'm doomed!"
"Then you have nothing to worry about," Olin said, contradicting him.
"Are you being sarcastic? As in, there's no point worrying because I'm doomed? The Judgment Hall only has to seize on my cooperation with the Ratfolk to crush me. They could even hang me along with them."
Annan was too close to the matter to see clearly. He had somehow forgotten the mud clinging to him all along. Suddenly, Montreal Mountain seemed fraught with danger, with spiteful figures lurking in every alley's shadow.
Just as Annan was about to hurl out the Crystal and flee back to Free City, Olin spoke. "What do you think the Judgment Hall is? They're cold and ruthless, and they put Order above all else. They aren't agents of Chaos who abuse their power."
"You make the Judgment Hall sound like an institution of justice..." Annan's body remained tense. He did not dare relax in the slightest.
"Isn't it?" Olin asked.
"You mean the righteous Judgment Hall wants to hang loyal soldiers who suffered devastating losses?"
Olin was silent for a few seconds before answering. "I don't know exactly what happened to Blackwatch. I only know the Judgment Hall wouldn't act without reason."
Annan's heart sank. Even Olin, who was closer to him and knew more, could not take his side. The people of the Empire would surely be more inclined to side with the Judgment Hall.
Blackwatch had lost so