Damned Healer-Chapter 116: Conspiracy (2)

Freon and everyone in the courtroom narrowed their eyes—that was a serious accusation. The empires on Earth did compete with each other, but it was only over resources and artifacts. After all, all life on Earth depended on them.

High Humans needed everything they could get just to survive, to ensure Earth’s prosperity and that of their families. There was fierce competition, sure—but it was still "fair".

And the empires relied on their strongest High Humans to support the weaker ones. That’s why there had to be strict rules to stop them from switching sides or causing problems. In the end, no empire was trying to wipe out the others or conquer land.

Earth was actually a peaceful place—on the surface. If you were a normal human but had a High Human or an Empire member in the family, you could live an extremely peaceful life.

The reason for that peace was simple: the powerful knew about other planets in the universe—some with no humans at all.

Those other races weren’t inferior to humans in any way. The illusion that humanity was at the top of the food chain was long gone. If humans were cruel to themselves and other races... just imagine what those living on other planets were like?

So, keeping order on Earth was a matter of survival. The empires all made sure not to take things too far. Small betrayals and info leaks were still considered acceptable.

Knowing that places as strong or stronger existed so close had united humanity. They stopped thinking they were the center of the world and realized they had to build a safe home to live in.

Earth was everyone’s home—and only they could make sure it stayed safe and prosperous. That’s why anything beyond healthy competition was heavily cracked down on by the empires.

The neighboring planets, on the other hand... always had to be ready for trouble.

Of course, Earth’s humans were close friends with about a dozen other planets. It wasn’t like everyone else was an enemy and Earth was pure. There were twisted people everywhere—including on Earth.

But betraying Earth? That was so absurd, no one would rest until they completely destroyed whoever dared.

"That’s an extremely serious accusation, boy. If you say something you can’t prove, the accused will come for your head—and no one will be able to save you."

The Supreme Judge’s voice came out way heavier than usual. He had completely changed now—he didn’t look amused or curious anymore. That’s how serious this was.

Darian nodded. "I completely understand. I don’t have the proof with me, but you can find it..."

He said this while locking eyes with the Judge, and then stopped talking.

No one there was stupid—they all got the message: people present might be involved. Speaking too openly could give those people time to act.

"Very well. If you’re going forward with this, be ready." the Judge said, and then everyone heard the sound of his fist clenching tightly.

At that moment, a faint golden mist spread out in every direction. The Judge’s eyes glowed like bright white beacons. On his forehead, everyone gasped as they felt his rings activate.

Eight rings.

He was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful people on Earth—and in the whole universe. That was his blessing, something everyone knew about. That’s why he had become the Supreme Judge.

His blessing was called: Null Field. He could create a space where artifacts stopped working, and even the laws of the universe couldn’t interfere inside. Everyone inside would have to rely only on their own internal power. A lot of blessings that changed reality also stopped working.

Of course, only those he allowed were free from those restrictions.

This blessing wasn’t super useful in most fights, but it gave a judge the ability to punish someone without giving them any shot at escape.

The whole building was now covered by the blessing—a subtle golden domain, but one no one could escape from.

"With this, no one here can run or send messages to the outside world," the Judge’s voice boomed like divine thunder. His powerful, imposing aura made everyone feel like a hammer was pressing down on their chests.

He nodded. From his spatial ring, a small gray artifact appeared. He made it float gently toward Darian.

"This artifact is used to transmit classified information."

Darian understood. This was safer—without speaking openly in front of everyone. Whoever was involved wouldn’t know what he said, or even if he really knew anything.

He grabbed it. Then, a red aura appeared in his hand. It was like sending a mental message to someone—Darian’s message was being recorded into the artifact.

Everyone in the courtroom focused on him, silent and tense. Everyone was nervous. A traitor at that level... was one of them?

Slowly, they all began to suspect each other.

It only took a few minutes. Then Darian exhaled and looked at the Judge. The artifact floated back to him slowly, with everyone’s eyes glued to it.

"Mom..." Leander’s voice, filled with pain, broke the silence.

Rhea closed her eyes and blacked out. She was still standing, only because of the chains that kept her up. But the injuries to her body and soul were already serious—even before Darian arrived.

Darian broke into a cold sweat. She wouldn’t survive more than a few minutes if he didn’t heal her. But he couldn’t do anything until everything was settled. He didn’t know much about this betrayal—only that everyone already seemed to consider her guilty.

’This has to be one of Freon’s schemes. I need to get him to say something suspicious and expose him fast...’ Darian thought anxiously. Everything he’d done so far was just to corner Freon, while fishing for something—anything—from someone that might turn the tide.

While the Judge read the contents of the artifact, Darian turned his focus to Leander... maybe he knows something that could help?

"!"

Suddenly, Darian realized something terrifying.

’He... he’s already accepted that he’s going to die, and that there’s no way they’re getting out of this alive.’

Leander wasn’t angry at any injustice—meaning... he knew the accusations against his mother and brother. And probably... they were true.

’Rhea really did betray the Empire,’ Darian was sure now, stunned, ’But her karma is completely pure... that means she’s doing it for the right reason. And to drag her children into this...’

Darian remembered what he felt when Leander talked about his father. He, Rhea, and Damon didn’t like talking about it. But the pain they felt was so raw and intense, it had left Darian on edge.

There was clearly something big hidden in the shadows. For them to do something this serious, everything pointed back to that death being connected.

’...what can I do?’ Darian’s mind was racing. Rhea had helped him so much—she was one of a kind.

’She’s undeniably good... and still... she betrayed the Empire? Why? What could justify that? Shit...’

Two minutes passed in silence.

Then, everyone felt the golden pressure in the air multiply. Breathing became nearly impossible—like the entire world was pressing down on their shoulders.

*Crack*

The Judge crushed a crystal in his fist.

At that exact moment, in every major building across the Empire, the highest-level alarm was triggered.

Military officers widened their eyes. The most important figures rushed to a hidden underground facility.

When they arrived, a message popped up on a green screen. Letters formed one by one, and everyone read it in shock.

"What? That can’t be real!" shouted a man with white hair.

A short-haired redheaded woman muttered, "It has to be fake, but... we can’t ignore it. If it’s true, this is serious."

"Quick—alert every city with a military base. We all need to act at once and together. Secure all the evidence," ordered a muscular man.

Thanks to artifacts, advanced tech, and the Empire’s strict organization, in less than five minutes, every military force on the continent was ready to move.

Inside the courthouse, everyone remained silent, still trapped inside the Supreme Judge’s blessing. These were important people—they knew the answer was coming soon.

Fifteen minutes later.

The Supreme Judge moved, and everyone turned toward him, tense and expectant.

He pulled out a long-distance communication artifact and listened to the mental message, his expression completely neutral—emotionless.

When it ended, his eyes shifted.

The Judge locked eyes with Darian.

And then, a cold, murderous light appeared in his gaze.