This villain is too popular.

Chapter 144 The Trial One Month Later
A thick, inky torrent appeared out of nowhere and instantly enveloped Per's entire body.

Even though Per's mech's steam engine was running at full power, emitting a piercing wail, it still couldn't withstand the corrosive influence of the surrounding black ink.

Within seconds, a dark coffin gleaming with a dim light locked Per in place, rendering him unable to move even a finger.

"team leader!"

Seeing their captain suddenly trapped, the Brass Knights roared and raised their weapons, their steam-powered pistols aimed at the Heavenly Dao.

Regarding the actions of these bronze knights, Tiandao merely glanced at them and then said in a gentle tone, "Gentlemen, are you sure you want to take action against a squad leader on the association's territory?"

The words of Heaven were spoken softly, but the warning contained within struck the hearts of every brass knight like a heavy hammer, instantly restoring their composure.

Looking at Captain Per, who was trapped in the black coffin and whose escape was not even helped by the church's latest mechs.

After a moment's thought, the brass knights silently put down their steam-powered pistols, choosing not to act rashly.

Seeing this, Tiandao raised his hand to straighten the wrinkles on his moon-white captain's robe, and changed his tense tone from before, and said with a smile: "Alright, it seems that everyone has calmed down, then we can have a good talk."

Having said that, Heaven snapped its fingers with a smile.

In an instant, the pitch-black coffin transformed into countless ink dots and vanished into the air.

Suddenly released, Per staggered back two steps. His slightly pale expression and the traces of ink erosion remaining on the surface of the mecha silently told of the pain he had just endured being imprisoned by the Heavenly Dao in the ink coffin.

One person extinguished the powder keg that was about to explode.

The captain-level power was fully displayed in Tiandao at this moment.

What the audience in the anime/manga world doesn't know is...

The one who was truly powerful was never the branch captain, but rather the person Tiandao himself.

Although Tiandao (the author) viewed Shuimo as a certain bespectacled villain who liked to talk 'flirt'.

Unlike the villainous bespectacled man, who needed to conceal his intentions for over a hundred years, this was a different story.

The Heavenly Dao's plans in the Steam City don't need to take that long.

Therefore, while he needs to be patient, he doesn't need to be overly patient.

Demonstrating his abilities appropriately will also benefit his future plans to rise to prominence.

[Inside the Captain's Office of the Fifth Division, Steam Branch]

"Come, Sir Per, have a taste of this ginseng tea."

Tiandao pushed a steaming cup of ginseng tea over.

Gazing at the faint white mist spreading inside the white porcelain cup, Per didn't hesitate and tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp.

Thanks to his steel body modified by the AI, Per didn't even flinch when the scalding tea slid down his throat.

"Good tea."

Per put down his empty glass, his words carrying a very obvious politeness.

Heaven smiled and shook its head at this.

Who says that machines are just emotionless lumps of iron?
That's just because they haven't met anyone worth their time and effort to figure out.

After refilling Per's teacup, Tendou spoke directly: "The Knight Commander has made such a big fuss this time, surely he has solid evidence, right?"
"Otherwise, you wouldn't be so sure you could take the person away from me."

Per didn't beat around the bush and directly placed a data terminal in front of the Heavenly Dao.

"Take a look at this first, Captain Shuimo."

Tiandao picked up the data terminal and pretended to look at it with curiosity.

What was being recorded on the data terminal was a surveillance video.

In the scene, Vivian, carrying her signature silver-white second-hand rapier, leads a group of Grey Rat Gang members into the heart of the church.

After slaughtering a large number of church guards, they took Danica and "The Mechanical Bible: Gear" from the Gray Rat Gang.

"!!!"

Yu Chen sat up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Meanwhile, the anime fans at all 13 stations were also shocked.

'No way, Vivian really stole the Gear Church's sacred relic?'

"Old Jack, whom I initially thought was a good guy, is now considered a bad guy, and now you're telling me the church has CCTV evidence of Vivian's crimes? Is this *Stellaris* an action anime or a detective anime?!"

"I can't tell, I really can't tell!" "It's just a surveillance video, it shouldn't mean anything, right? After all, in a superpowered world like Stellaris, anything can happen."

Just as the dimensional audience was confused by the evidence presented by Per,

Yu Chen, who was standing nearby, seemed to notice something and pointed at Vivian in the screen, saying, "Captain, please pause this."

Tiandao nodded, and in the instant the image froze, details from the surveillance video appeared before everyone.

In the picture, 'Vivian' is wearing the Silver Glow II combat mech, and her face is completely covered by the mech's full-face helmet.

Therefore, the only way to identify her is by the 'second hand rapier' of the Clock Knight in her hand.

And that short brown hair.

"Per, did Vivian, who appears in this video, actually show up?"

Per shook his head and said, "No, but I think you all know about the uniqueness of Star Source."

"I don't think anyone in this world, besides Vivian, can wear the combat mechs that belong exclusively to our church while wielding the second hand rapier of the Star Origin Black Iron Clock."

"These two points alone are enough for us to confirm Vivian's identity as a thief."

But what about the motive?

Yu Chen's question went straight to the heart of the matter.

Indeed, what were Vivian's motives?

What was her motive for stealing church relics?
Per paused for a moment: "We'll have to interrogate them ourselves to find out."

Now that things have come to this point, even if Yu Chen still wants to say something.

But he had no suitable reason.

After all, Perco had already presented the evidence to them. If they continued to refuse to release the person, it would only make the association seem unreasonable.

Therefore, he turned to look at the Heavenly Dao, his gaze questioning.

As if anticipating Yu Chen's thoughts, Heaven spoke them aloud.

“The person was captured by our Fifth Division, so he should be handed over to our Fifth Division for processing.”

"However, considering the importance of this wanted criminal to your Gear Church..."

"How about this, the final verdict regarding Vivian as a suspect will be decided by the Twelve Bronze Council a month from now. What do you think?"

After hearing Tiandao's words, Per pondered for a moment and finally agreed.

"Let's do as you say, Captain Shuimo, but in doing so, the church will probably lose all face."

In response, Tendo laughed and said, "We can't let the merits of my Fifth Division go to waste just for the sake of the Church's reputation, can we?"

"I'm thinking of accumulating more contributions so I can apply for a transfer to the headquarters."

Although Per knew that the will of Heaven was just a pretext.

But he wisely refrained from pointing it out.

"I hope Captain Shuimo can keep a close eye on Vivian during this time and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Don't worry, with me here, no one can cause trouble on my turf."

Per picked up the ginseng tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Shuimo. We'll take our leave now."

"Walk slowly."

After seeing Per off, Tiandao raised his hand to stop Yuchen, who was about to speak but hesitated, his tone calm but unquestionable.

"I'll give you a maximum of one month. If you can't find evidence to prove Vivian's innocence after one month..."

"Then I can only follow the association's rules and send it to the Twelve Brass Council."

"But once things have come to this point, I guess her fate can no longer be changed."

Yu Chen gave Tian Dao a complicated look, then said from the bottom of his heart, "Thank you."

Tendou waved his hand and said, "As the captain of the Fifth Division, the entire team should be on my shoulders. You are a member of the team, and as long as you don't break the rules, I have no reason to stop you. However..."

Tiandao paused, a hint of meaning flashing in his eyes behind his glasses: "It seems the Gear Church was well-prepared for this. I'm not very optimistic about your investigation results."

(End of this chapter)