Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill

Chapter 853: The Powerful Backup

”Hah. That was also the gods’ fault.” Vritra said, then continued with a shrug, ”I only wanted to enter the game so they would stop trying to kill me and my family, but they caused an accident and all of this happened.”

Petonil was utterly speechless. What sort of excuse was that even?

It was like a pitiful thief saying, I only went to steal because I was poor, but the owner came back at the wrong time. So it was his fault that I killed him, not mine.

”That makes no sense. Even if there was a reason like that behind it, it doesn’t change the fact that you caused heavy losses for the higher beings and the gods, so you will have to take responsibility for it.” Petonil argued.

”Fine. If trying to protect my family from those criminals is a crime, then I am a criminal. If the law only supports the powerful and suppresses the weak, then I deserve punishment. Go ahead and give me the harshest punishment.” Vritra said, turning his gaze away, his voice filled with pain.

”Ha.” Petonil clicked his tongue at the acting, but he wasn’t someone who would fall for it.

”So you have just admitted to your crimes. Therefore, ma’am, I request that you give him the harshest punishment. Even if the motives behind his actions were good, a crime is still a crime, and he should be punished so-”

”So that next time, the weak won’t dare raise their voices against the powerful even when they are harassed to death?” Vritra completed the sentence in a mocking tone.

”Enough. I have heard everything, and I know who is at fault. I will declare my judgment in five minutes.” Evelyn announced before going over everything that had been said throughout the hearing.

Heh. I wasn’t able to get you punished for your association with Divine. That’s unfortunate, but you’ll still receive a heavy punishment for your crimes. Petonil thought.

He didn’t believe that Evelyn, as a higher being, would completely throw away her dignity and sense of justice.

And make such a one-sided decision. This time was different from the last.

If she did that, then Petonil would simply take the matter to someone even higher.

Complete silence filled the once-chaotic courtroom for several minutes.

Vritra and Petonil both took their seats, waiting patiently.

Petophil, who had nearly been beaten up by the crowd, had moved to the very back and was praying for his father’s success.

Meanwhile, his father was reassuring the gods that, unlike before, both sides would receive punishment this time.

Soon, Evelyn looked up, and most people tensed, eager to hear the verdict.

”Based on the facts, evidence, and statements presented, I hereby declare my judgment...” She paused briefly before announcing,

”For failing to properly manage games of such a high level and for wrongfully abusing their authority, the ten gods shall each be punished with ninety-nine days in the lowest level of Hell Prison and a deduction of one-quarter of their total mana, which shall be transferred to Vritra’s group as compensation, along with an evolution to Level 7.

Furthermore, the gods are prohibited from directly or indirectly interfering with their lives, and as additional compensation, they shall surrender the fourth-ranked Mythic Halo, The Sun.”

As those words echoed throughout the courtroom, everyone was stunned.

The gods and Petonil even more so.

Complete silence remained until Petonil suddenly sprang to his feet, unable to accept such terms.

This was complete nonsense.

It was completely one-sided and made absolutely no sense.

Gritting his teeth, he waited, wondering whether Vritra’s group would receive an equally severe punishment, or whether he would have to use his connections.

”As for the crimes committed by Vritra and his family, considering the severity of their actions, they shall not only leave Planet Zoratian, but each of them shall also spend six months in Hell Prison.”

Once again, everyone was shocked.

This time, it was Vritra’s turn.

He looked at Evelyn quizzically, wondering what this was about.

Had she been forced to hand down such a heavy punishment?

The gods had such ugly expressions over merely ninety-nine days in Hell Prison, yet they were being sentenced to over one hundred and eighty days?

Wasn’t she supposed to be on his side?

What was happening?

Still, Vritra said nothing.

There had to be a reason.

He had begun to trust her.

”Does either side have any objections to my judgment?” Evelyn asked calmly.

”No, I don’t.” Vritra replied with a nod.

”Y-Yes, we do, ma’am.” Petonil spoke quickly.

Although he was greatly surprised and satisfied by Vritra’s punishment.

Six months in Hell Prison?

Could they even survive that long?

It was essentially a death sentence for the entire family.

He had never imagined Evelyn would actually go this far.

He had been convinced she would either give them no punishment at all or merely a light sentence.

Yet now, it was unbelievably severe.

”You may speak.” Evelyn said.

”I and the gods have no objections to the punishment you have given them. It is quite appropriate considering their crimes.” Petonil began calmly.

Only a minute ago he had nearly exploded in anger.

But now he looked at Vritra with a gloating expression, his eyes saying,

You’re dead!

”But the punishment imposed upon the gods... isn’t that excessive? Giving away twenty-five percent of their strength? And even the fourth-ranked Mythic Halo?

Even if the gods were at fault and attempted to harm them, they are perfectly fine now.

A lighter compensation should be more than enough. Besides, these people won’t even get the chance to use any of it.” Petonil spoke confidently and calmly.

”Oh, wait. I forgot to add something.” Evelyn suddenly said.

Hoo... Even higher beings make mistakes? Anyway, now the gods will finally be satisfied. This is exactly why I am one of the best lawyers in the universe. Petonil thought, looking back with a smile.

Certain that Evelyn was about to reduce the compensation.

”Petonil, you too are sentenced to ninety-nine days in Hell Prison, and after your release, you shall receive one hundred and eleven lashes at the Altar.”

”Oh, thank you fo-”

Petonil stopped halfway through his sentence as his eyes widened in horror.

Why was the lawyer receiving such a heavy punishment too?

”This is bullshit! Why am I receiving such a severe punishment?! And you need to change the gods’ punishment too!!”

Now Petonil completely lost control.

He wanted to restrain himself.

After all, a higher being was sitting before him.

But every ounce of his pent-up rage exploded out at once.

”You think you can do whatever you want? I have powerful connections! If I file even a single complaint against you, the entire Vespera Family will be in trouble!

You’ve been taking his side from the very beginning, making a mockery of the law!

This is the World Court, not your family estate where you can do whatever you please! You’d better change the judgment, or the consequences won’t be pleasant!”

The moment those words left his mouth, Petonil already began regretting them.

But now that he had said them...

There was no taking them back.

He might only be a god, but that didn’t mean she could simply bully him.

”Is that so?” Evelyn, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm.

She leaned forward, resting her chin upon her hand before saying,

”Then go ahead and call your backup. Otherwise, I’ll chop both your hands off in ten minutes.”

”!!!”

Petonil’s heart pounded with fear.

He had truly made a mistake.

His anger had mainly been directed at Vritra.

Yet he had accidentally vented it all at Evelyn instead.

Ugh... How did this happen? How did I lose my composure?

Seeing her calm expression, Petonil knew she was completely serious.

”I-I will.”

He spoke with trembling hands as he hurriedly pulled out several different communication artifacts.

He attempted to contact numerous higher beings and other influential figures whose legal cases he had handled in the past.

He truly, truly regretted what he had just said.

Vritra merely shook his head before walking back to his seat, curious to see how everything would unfold.

Taking out several communication devices, Petonil contacted one influential figure after another.

Begging them to come and help him.

At first, he mentioned Evelyn’s name while speaking to a powerful higher being.

The call was instantly disconnected.

Then he was blocked forever.

Stunned and frightened, he stopped mentioning Evelyn’s name altogether, merely urging them to come quickly and help resolve his problem.

After five minutes, having contacted more than ten people, six of them finally agreed to come.

Petonil stood there with his back straight.

Outwardly confident.

Inwardly consumed by fear.

The next five minutes became the longest five minutes of his entire life as every eye in the silent courtroom remained fixed upon him.

Soon afterward, several portals opened.

Exactly six people stepped through.

Five were higher beings, while one was an Asura, who arrived first.

Evelyn merely glanced at them without the slightest change in her expression.

”Hoho! What sort of trouble has our capable lawyer gotten himself into that he had to call me here?” the Asura laughed loudly, his voice filled with arrogance.

His upper body was bare, as Asuras loved showing off their muscles.

”H-Help me! Miss Vespera, she is-” Petonil finally regained some courage and hurriedly spoke.

”What?! You have a dispute with Miss Vespera?” the Asura asked.

The others had yet to fully emerge from their portals.

They knew nothing about what had happened.

”Y-Yes! She has wrongfully punished me! Her judgment is completely unfair! Please, for old times’ sake and because I once helped you, assist me with-”

Before he could finish speaking, the Asura landed beside him.

Looking at him with pitiful eyes, he gently patted Petonil’s shoulder and kindly muttered,

”You were a good man. As for that favor... I’ll take good care of your wife after you’re gone.”

Petonil: ”...”

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