Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 283 The Judge's Decision (Fifth Update)
Just as the team members were discussing the strange symbol, Valerie's voice came through the comms: "This symbol is key. But there's no point in us guessing here."

Her voice was calm, yet it silenced everyone: "People from the Ministry of Justice might recognize this mark, but those who understand this kind of thing best are definitely the judges."

She paused, letting the judgment settle in everyone's minds, before continuing, "Go ask him directly. Although it's risky, it's the fastest way to find out the truth."

If this symbol truly represents some kind of threat we don't understand, acting blindly will only make the situation worse.

Mann fell silent. He stared at the strange symbol on his tactical visor, quickly weighing the pros and cons.

Asking the judge directly is undoubtedly risky, but Valerie is right—it's the most effective option when information is unclear.

He took a deep breath and made a decision.

Mann walked alone toward Inquisitor Keras, who was surrounded by stormtroopers.

The surrounding soldiers immediately became alert, and several pairs of eyes and gun barrels were simultaneously locked on him.

Mann ignored this and stopped at a suitable distance from the judge.

“Your Honor,” he said calmly, getting straight to the point, “my men have just returned from scouting inside the factory. In addition to the workers’ situation, they also discovered this in a hidden corner.”

He raised his hand to operate the tactical data panel, sending the image of the symbol with eight arrows encircling the circle to the judge's data terminal.

“We would like your help to identify the meaning of this symbol,” Mann said, maintaining a perfectly formal tone. “Understanding its meaning will help us to more accurately assess internal threats and take appropriate action.”

Judge Keras initially wore his usual cold and scrutinizing expression, but when his gaze fell on the symbols on the data panel, that cold mask shattered instantly.

His pupils contracted sharply, his facial muscles tensed, and an almost tangible killing intent and disgust erupted from him.

"Enough!" the judge growled, his voice distorted with extreme rage. He abruptly looked up, ignoring Mann, and directly ordered the stormtrooper captain behind him, "Action! Immediately! Eliminate all contamination as a top priority! Seal off the entire area; do not allow anyone to leave!"

This sudden and violent reaction made Mann's heart tighten.

Although he anticipated that the judge would take it seriously, he did not expect such a violent, almost reflexive, destructive command.

“Your Honor!” Mann stepped forward, not to stop us, but his voice rose slightly, filled with clear confusion and questioning. “What does this symbol represent? We need to know what we are facing!”

Inquisitor Keras's pupils contracted sharply. He pulled Mann to a corner away from the crowd and hissed at him in a low voice, "Where did you see this?" His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Mann. "Forget about this symbol, and never inquire about it again! Within the Empire, simply knowing of its existence is enough to convict someone."

He looked around to make sure no one else could hear their conversation before continuing in an almost whispered voice, "Its appearance means that blasphemy and depravity have infiltrated this place."

This is not an ordinary labor dispute; it's a deeper corruption, where everyone in the factory is potentially contaminated.

The judge's tone left no room for argument: "Now do you understand why it must be eliminated immediately? Every second of delay could allow depravity and corruption to spread further."

His words were like a biting winter wind, chilling not only Mann but also causing Earl Gresham, who had been watching the commotion from a distance, to turn deathly pale. To Mann and the others' surprise, the judge's icy gaze immediately shifted to Earl Gresham.

“And you, Earl Gresham,” the judge’s voice left no room for argument. “Such serious heretical contamination has occurred in your factory; you are highly suspected of negligence in management.”

In the name of the court, I hereby temporarily suspend all your powers and place you in custody! You will be interrogated again after this matter is resolved!

Several stormtroopers immediately stepped forward, unceremoniously removed the Count's sword from his waist, and put him in restrictive magnetic handcuffs.

Faced with all this, Earl Gresham did not offer any resistance or explanation. He simply stared intently at the image of the symbol on the judge's data panel, his face a mixture of immense shock, a sense of being defiled, and... a deep-seated resentment.

He clenched his teeth, as if acquiescing to the judge's statement, a stark and eerie contrast to his previous efforts to defend the factory and its workers.

The Earl's attitude of giving up the struggle and even doubting himself confused and alarmed Mann and his team more than the judge's fierce reaction.

Things seem to have gone far beyond the scope of "workers' protests" and are sliding in a dark and dangerous direction that they cannot understand at all.

While Mann was still processing the judge's horrifying whispers, Judge Kailas had already regained his cold and authoritative demeanor. He turned to the Department of Justice commander, who was still waiting to be ordered and whose face showed confusion and unease.

“People from the Ministry of Justice,” the judge’s voice was no longer lowered, reverting to its usual commanding tone, but with a resolute air of ending the discussion, “your mission here is over. This matter is beyond your authority and ability to handle.”

The court is now in full control. Your men, immediately withdraw from the outer perimeter of the blockade and are not to interfere with any subsequent actions.

The commander of the Ministry of Justice was stunned. He instinctively took half a step forward, trying to persuade the judge: "Your Honor, we can certainly assist you..."

“This is an order, not a discussion.” Keras interrupted him directly, his eyes leaving no room for compromise. “What’s happening here is beyond your comprehension. Evacuate immediately, and don’t make me repeat myself!”

The commander's words were stuck in his throat. He looked at the judge's unquestionable expression, then glanced at the ashen-faced Earl Gresham who was already in custody. In the end, he could only forcefully suppress all his questions and dissatisfaction.

He let out a heavy breath and raised his hand to give his men a simple retreat signal.

Although the bailiffs were equally suspicious, their strict discipline made them quickly begin to regroup and retreat in shifts, leaving the factory gate and surrounding area, which they had previously controlled, to the stormtroopers and planetary defense forces of the Inquisition.

Before leaving, Sheriff Atkins gave Mann a complicated look, a mixture of helplessness, warning, and a hint of resignation.

In the blink of an eye, only the armed forces of the court and Mann's squad, who had been unwittingly thrust into the spotlight, remained on the scene.

The Ministry of Justice's sudden departure deprived Mann and his team of a potential buffer, forcing them to face a tough and goal-oriented courtroom alone.

The pressure now rested entirely on Mann's shoulders.

(End of this chapter)