Mid-session recess.
The first half ended with a fatal disadvantage for the Raiders.
As they left the courtroom, the entrance was already blocked by a crowd of protesters.
[Raiders get out of Banlifa!] A huge banner stood between Wu Xiaomi and Lulutina.
The crowd blocked all possible exits.
“How did the news spread so fast?”
“The trial is transparent and open to broadcast.” The Enforcer stood before Wu Xiaomi and Lulutina. “It’s dangerous outside now. I don’t recommend you leave the courtroom for the break. It’s better to stay at the Defendant’s Stand.”
“Hm…”
Wu Xiaomi frowned deeply, lost in thought. Lulutina looked equally dispirited.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have been so straightforward,” the little girl sat down on the floor. “If we explained things more roundabout, we’d have plenty of ways to clear our names.”
For example, the resonator was taken by the butler from the Witch Doctor Couple. If we said that and called them to testify, it might reduce the sentence.
As for the murder, we could argue it was a rescue mission for Wu Xiaomi…
“That only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Raiders will have to face this sooner or later. What if the next mission is even more dangerous?” Wu Xiaomi shook her head. “A group of complete strangers with entirely different cultures and customs suddenly breaking into your home — anyone would feel uneasy.”
“Besides, most of these strangers have terrible reputations, willing to do anything to survive…” Lulutina sighed deeply, lying back. “Everyone knows what the other Raiders have done. No matter how different we are, how do we prove ourselves… This battle, we have no defense.”
“No matter how hard it is to distinguish right from wrong, we must. We have to win, and win spectacularly.”
Wu Xiaomi looked toward the Judge.
By her instinct honed in spirit hunting, the Judge had shown no subtle gestures throughout, no inappropriate or unusual expressions, nor eye contact with anyone present.
This trial — perhaps the official power of Feisi City truly is trustworthy, standing on the side of justice.
If that’s the case, then there’s still hope for them.
“Strictly speaking, this is our first interaction with the official forces of Banlifa civilization. In our language, this is called ‘First Contact,’” Wu Xiaomi said.
“Oh, I’ve heard of that — a common term in sci-fi movies.” Lulutina, who had watched countless films, was familiar with the term.
“This battle isn’t just about the two of us anymore, but the communication between two civilizations. Standing here, we are a window, showcasing our culture and values.”
These missions should have been entrusted to learned Professor-Scholars, not just the two of us. But circumstances left us no choice but to do our best.
“But what can just the two of us do to try?”
“Be friendly, honest, even if malicious people twist our words to mislead others, we must base communication on kindness and sincerity. Most Raider actions are transparent, lies will be exposed sooner or later, which only causes the Banlifa local civilization to distrust us more… So, friendly and honest.”
“Haven’t you heard the saying?” Lulutina teased. “True feelings never last, only schemes win hearts. I once followed an author who never took breaks from serializing, but eventually starved to death. That’s the world — you have to understand schemes, roundabout ways, even PUA.”
“That’s different.”
“No, it’s the same. You don’t have to be honest, you just have to make them believe you’re honest. That’s how human interaction always is.”
“Human interactions can work that way because only you have to maintain the lie, and you can keep it up indefinitely. But communication between civilizations can’t be like that. In group interactions, no lie lasts long. The cost of being found out is huge.”
Wu Xiaomi gently rubbed Lulutina’s little head.
Though Lulutina spoke like a cunning old fox, she didn’t believe Lulutina was truly that kind of person.
Someone like that would treat ruthless tactics as a secret manual, hiding their nature instead of proudly showing it off.
“Hmph, naive.” Lulutina pouted. “How can someone as innocent as you be Xiaozhi’s brother?”
“One thing is one thing.”
“Hmph…”
Still just a kid, after all.
Wu Xiaomi smiled softly.
[Team Channel – Ah Lei: What the heck did you do? The whole city is marching now, and even the few citizens we used to know won’t talk to us!]
“Well, that’s the price of honesty,” Lulutina said with a sneer. “It didn’t have to be like this. If only…”
“If only you take the blame? Don’t even think about it.” Wu Xiaomi spoke in the Team Channel. As Raiders, we expected suspicion. Building trust is a long and difficult process, but I believe in Mangu District.
[Team Channel – Bai Xiaozhi: Brother, since when did you get so smooth with words? Kang Jie’s soul possession?]
“Hah,” Wu Xiaomi said, making her final original appearance a bit more charismatic.
She wagged a nonexistent tail and continued, “How’s your investigation? The danger comes from the ocean… what’s going on?”
[Team Channel – Ah Lei: It’s not a tsunami or hurricane or any natural disaster. We checked with the Meteorological Monitoring Tower.]
“Then what is it?”
[Ah Lei: Maybe an oceanic version of Mirror Night… or even worse. We just got news: fifteen fishing boats disappeared after setting out to sea, and seven cargo ships failed to arrive at port on time. Their whereabouts are unknown.]
“No news at all? Not even a single communication signal?”
[Ah Lei: Yeah… it’s really strange. Normally, no matter the danger, the crew should at least send a distress signal.]
Communication here is more convenient than phone calls and doesn’t require a base station at sea.
There’s no reason not to have received even one distress call.
Unless…
The danger struck so fast no one had time to react, overwhelmed by an irresistible force in an instant!
This speculation sent chills down their spines.
“Have the Feisi City official forces taken action?”
[Ah Lei: Only a few search-and-rescue boats were dispatched. The lighthouse is broken, and ship disappearances happen often because of that… It’s not too unusual.]
“Keep a close eye on it — maybe this will be our turning point.”
The mission requires survival for seven days; one and a half days have already passed.
But everyone knew danger might erupt in a moment, and the apparent safety ahead was just a narcotic.
One by one, the Judge, lawyers, and jury returned to the courtroom, taking their seats.
The brief rest was over.
Next was the second half of the trial — the final chance for a comeback.
“Court is in session.”
The gavel struck lightly.
“Defendants, Wu Xiaomi and Lulutina, if there is no new evidence or points of dispute, this court will formally issue a verdict. Do you have anything to say?”
The cold words carried overwhelming pressure.
But Wu Xiaomi smiled and stood tall.
“Your Honor, from now on, may I temporarily address you using my true identity?”
True identity?
Wu Xiaomi placed a hand on her abdomen and bowed lightly in a diplomatic gesture.
“I am an ordinary human from Earth, a 0.73-level civilization located in the Laniakea Supercluster — Milky Way Galaxy — Orion Arm — Gould Belt — Solar System, wandering here.
We mean no offense. Please allow me to explain the actions of the Raiders.”