National Medical University, Difficult and Complex Diseases Research Center.
Travel-worn, Dio dragged his luggage into the building.
"Hey, student! You can't just walk in here."
Before Dio could put down his luggage, a long-haired young woman in a white lab coat, with heavy dark circles under her eyes, called out to stop him.
Dio turned at her voice and was about to explain, but the moment she saw his face, she froze.
"Diego! What are you doing back here? And how did you get so... so..."
The young woman in the lab coat stumbled over her words before finally squeezing one out:
"Mature."
Dio recognized her too. She had been a junior in his old lab, so he smiled and said:
"Oh, Ellie! A few things have happened lately, so I came to ask Professor Cheadle for advice."
Ellie was stunned that someone's whole bearing could change so much in such a short time.
In her memory, Diego had been a kind senior who always wore a gentle smile and often helped the younger students with their experiments.
But now, his former gentleness, even his slightly people-pleasing air, had vanished without a trace. Instead, even his walk radiated confidence and a certain resolve.
Dio's words brought Ellie back to her senses, and she hurried to say:
"You just missed her. Professor Cheadle got a call from the Supreme Court and left right afterward. I think she went to attend the Secret Court."
Dio frowned. That complicated things.
Within the Minbo Republic's court system, there was one institution that stood completely apart from the mainstream courts: the Secret Court.
The Secret Court was not a "secret" court. On the contrary, everyone knew it existed.
Its name came from the people it tried-people whose identities could not be made public.
Spies captured in secret, high-ranking officials with enormous influence, even Supreme Court judges: either their identities were sensitive, or a public trial would cause massive upheaval in society.
There was no limit on how many people could attend a Secret Court hearing, but it had to follow the "Four-Three-One" principle-
Four meant that four key participants had to be present: a judge, a clerk, a legal scholar, and the accused. Three meant the trial had to include at least three stages: presenting claims, overseeing the examination of evidence, and announcing the verdict. One meant that not a single word from the hearing could get out-the principle of absolute secrecy.
Everyone knew the Secret Court held secrets, but no one dared investigate them, because everyone who knew those secrets was in the Secret Court, either as staff or as a defendant.
Cheadle had probably been invited to participate in a hearing as a legal scholar, but that made her very difficult to find.
The Secret Court's hearing locations were never fixed, never disclosed, and never reused. Given the court's special nature, remote places were often chosen.
If Cheadle happened to have traveled somewhere far away this time, he might have to wait three or four days!
After offering a few casual excuses, Dio said goodbye to his junior.
Walking along a cobblestone path, Dio thought for a moment and took out his phone.
Although he did not hold out much hope, he decided to try contacting Cheadle anyway so he could find out exactly when she would return.
"Ring, ring... Hello? Dio, have you arrived?"
To Dio's surprise, Cheadle answered the call.
"Ah, yes, it's me. Professor Cheadle, are you..."
"There's no time to explain. Come to the airport first, as fast as you can! Beep, beep, beep..."
Before Dio could finish the pleasantries, Cheadle cut him off, told him to hurry to the airport, and hung up.
Now Dio was truly baffled. The airport again? He had just come from there!
He hurriedly flagged down a taxi by the roadside. Before the driver could ask where he was going, Dio pulled out two high-denomination Jenny notes.
"The airport, as fast as possible!"
The driver's eyes lit up. He snatched the bills without another word, threw the car into gear, and launched straight off!
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