In the year RE-500, a remarkable discovery was made – The Keltar potion.
Humans were injected with this unique formula that could change and mutate their genes, giving them stronger bodies and longer lifespans.
Humans could now live to 380~400 years old.
The results were spectacular. At the age of 50, people still looked like they were in their late teen years of 17 or 18.
This was a big advancement.
It was discovered that a person born could grow up till the age of 16 before looking ultimately the same for the following decades, aging slowly until they died.
This was why 16 was the adult age in the New Age.
…
[Location]
Blue Sails Planet, Year RE-4000.
Oven Country, Supreme Honey City.
.
The city of Honeycomb was a beautiful region, with every plant having an exterior texture resembling a honeycomb.
The city was known to have the purest grade of honey and nectarine in the entirety of Blue Sails. But today, many were not gathered to admire the stunning city sites.
The sun was up, and a massive crowd had flocked around the Grand Resolute Court Of Order.
Camera crews, regular folks, and many others stared at the live-streamed court proceedings inside.
It's been 3500 years since the world's leading administration, the 'Absolutes,' took the stage in humanity's greatest pivotal points. And now, once every 6 months, the Absolute Court gives its absolute judgment to all major cases deemed too terrible for ordinary courts to handle.
These cases all make headlines due to their grotesque and hideous natures.
In just a day, over 500 people will have their fates decided by the Absolute Court!
Blue pill or red?... Guilty or Not Guilty?
In every Capital of every country or nation, there was an Absolute Court.
It was the highest form of Judgment the world had ever known, with the Absolutes having their separate Enforcement Powers built on one of the largest islands in the world — The Absolute Fortitude of Justice.
All nation leaders worked alongside the Absolutes. That was the order of the world. And today, all major cases in Oven Country would be dealt with by the Absolute judges of justice!
If proclaimed Guilty, it was assumed all evidence had been looked at, with every nuke and cranny checked.
It was called the 'Absolute Court' because there was no need to argue with the results.
To get to the level where one's case reached the Absolute court meant that the crime in question was too unspeakable and mentally disturbing.
Many looked at the massive live broadcasts, raising their fists to those proclaimed Guilty.
"Die scums!"
'You all don't deserve to live!"
"Get out! Get out of here!"
"Leave! Leave! Leave!"
"Leave our precious Oven Country!!!"
(*π*)
.
In the live broadcast, one by one, the accused all line up with chained hands.
"Itachi Guru... Charges: Manslaughtering 123 victims, assaulting 111 women, 59 robbery cases... Guilty!"
Bam!
The mallet fell hard.
Guilty.
It wasn't a debate. There wasn't even a lawyer in sight for the accused.
This was the Absolute court. They were never wrong.
"Next!"
The Chief judge didn't even raise his head at the lineup of accused persons, reading each sentence and passing the accused's file to the side. And seated beside him were 9 other Judges in immaculate white attires, who all sat in absolute silence.
Their faces were expressionless.
They stared at every accused person with cold eyes that could chill a fish to a popsicle. And apart from the judges, the 2000 guards in the room weren't easy either.
Bain took a step forward, realizing there were 3 more court cases away from his.
Ah-
The person behind him caught him just in time after missing his step.
"Thank you…" Bain politely thanked the youngster behind him, who looked no older than 16.
16 or 50? It was indeed very hard to say, making it hard for Bain to figure out what way to address the 'youth.'
"Thank you, sir… brother?"
The youngster behind him chuckled. "18."
18?
Bain inwardly registered the youngster's age, thinking that he too just turned 16 three months back.
The strange youth had a strange glint in his eyes when staring at Bain. "Soon, it will be your turn. But before that, why don't we play a little game to pass the time?"
Game?
An uneasy feeling tumbled in Bain's belly when staring at the youth behind him.
The youth had an air of mystery behind his smile, with an attractive but lazy aura that made anyone around him want to pay attention to whatever he said or did.
The corners of the youngster's mouth raised higher, and his eyes squinted in unison. "Take a look at the man about to be judged."
Him?
.
Bain's attention fell on the arrogant 25-year-old-looking man at the front of the line. And simultaneously, the Judge raised his head for the first time, briefly looking at the man in question.
Since the many judgments were read out, the judge had kept his head down, passing through every file and proclaiming the final verdicts swiftly. But this was the first time he raised his head, showing that this accused man should be either someone powerful and wealthy or someone too damnable.
"Chico Polliard, age 87. Charged with slaughtering 19 entire households and selling 67 women and children in trafficking."
Bain observed the arrogant man whose crimes were being read.
He stretched his neck, trying to see if the man in question would show signs of pity, remorse, or even disbelief. But when the man tilted his face sideways, Bain caught a glimpse of his smug look.
Bain watched in silence. From the man's deposition, he was likely guilty. In that case, the Absolutes would never let him go!
The mysterious youngster behind Bain chuckled, seeing his naive but firm expression.
The Absolutes?...
The youngster's grin broadened even more. "Guess… Why don't we guess what verdict the judge will proclaim?"
Of course, Guilty!
Bain was about to whisper his thoughts but was silenced by the judge's thundering words.
"NOT GUILTY!"
Bam!
The mallet slammed on the table, and the judge lightly coughed. And thought nothing of it, Bain could see the judge was hiding his emotions.
"Next!"
Bain stepped forward in a daze.
Weren't the Absolutes the true symbol of justice? Weren't they the protectors who swore to bring all true criminals to justice?
The youth behind Bain licked his lips with a hint of enjoyment, watching Bain's many expressions.
When the veil comes undone, the world's true nature shines.
This world called Blue Sails was a rotten one.
…
One by one, those before Bain were judged. And soon, it was his turn."Next!"The front guard fiercely nudged him forward, letting him stand on a massive white square below his feet. Looking around, Bain thought this should be the perfect position for all cameras to capture him."Former Military Recruit, Bain Ratnier, age 16…" The judge momentarily paused, arousing the curiosity of many watching.The judge cleared his throat, reading the charges with a stoic expression."Bain Ratnier, recruited to the army 5 and a half months ago. Charged with not only maliciously killing your Supervisor during your first outdoor training but also killing the other 449 in your camp!"He didn't do it.Bain was overwhelmed, thinking of that fateful day.In Oven Country, after 3 months of service, new military recruits would join light-weighted or laissez-faire missions that required little to no effort. It was practically 99% risk-free and was only there first to teach them how to force out in various c
The Absolutes… They were the most powerful organization in the world that emerged for no other reason than to fight and put order into the world.They symbolize justice and the ones many have blind faith in. But today, the darkness hovering within them has become more apparent to a few.However, the unsighted remained blinded.*********"Cheers to the Absolute Court!""Cheers!""Hooray! Hooray!... The Absolute Court has done it again!!!"(^0^)Oven country was bubbling while watching the Absolute court dish out the many verdicts.People cheered and celebrated, thanking the Court for bringing justice into the world.Some victims' families took interviews, putting in their good words and showing gratitude for it all.Yes…Oven country was going wild with glee. And in a very simple holding, a young man watched the very protected Tv. — Protected was the word.The Tv was placed in a unique see-through casing as tough as several pounds of steel and embedded into the wall. Several tiny holes
In the vast white space, many prisoners secretly observed their surroundings and one another from the corners of their eyes.With narrowed eyes, they gazed at all angles. They couldn't find any hidden devices but knew they were being watched.Soon, their eyes fell on the guards and those in lab coats, trying to pick out as much information as they could.Smart people already knew the battle had begun.This was also a battlefield. Everyone was a potential enemy to themselves. And unbeknownst to Bain, many had been sizing him up from the moment he was strapped in."Line Up!"The order was given. And in full nudity, some prisoners strolled with slight grins, others moved provocatively, and some acted like perfect nobles, with auras affirming their superior beliefs.Just within this single moment, their actions already gave off a little about their personalities. Although for some others, it was hard for the guards to determine what personas they had.Some were too tricky to read.Cold.B
~Brrrmmm~~~The aircraft flew across the waters at a steady pace. And throughout the flight, no one was permitted to stand. Suppose you feel like taking a piss, too bad. Do it in your pants!The aircraft danced chaotically until Bain, and the others felt its abrupt descent.Wow!Those flying the aircraft didn't even tell them to brace themselves.The aircraft descended at an incredible speed, giving the illusion they were about to crash. And while in this illusionary state, a bright light quickly engulfed the scene.It was now that many realized the walls they were leaning on were see-through. And now with the outer surface of the ship moving upward like a shuttered window, many could see the outside world via the transparent walls they were leaning against."Look! That's the famous 'Cotton Cloud' Waters surrounding the Mainland!" Someone exclaimed.Bain knew a thing or 2 about these Cotton Cloud waters.In this world called Blue Sails, the waters were vastly different depending on wh
In the overly massive Control room, more than 900 men and women sat or stood by, watching the chaotic scenes via the monitors.The room was vast, with spring ceilings of open space 3 stories high.The Space was Hexagonal, with its front 3 out of 6 sides having nothing transparent wall screens to see the outside world while flying.The back wall had several elevators and doors leading into the space, while the last 2 side walls were floor-to-ceiling monitors showing hundreds of images.The Captain smoked his pipe, looking at the many images projected on the wall monitors. "There... Enlarge.""Yes, Captain,'' replied one of the men, enlarging the image as instructed.Seeing it, the Captain smacked his belly in delight. "Look at how these scallywags run about. Fear, greed for survival, thrilled, expectation, excitement... It's all on their faces!"The Captain seemed to be paying attention to a few. These should be the ones with the highest kill counts this time. Soon, Bain's image was en
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!All remaining prisoners were shot dead.The Captain tugged on the tip of his hat, masking the discerning trace of malice in his eyes. And very subtly, he headed into his office space overseeing the Control.Click.He locked the door and reached for the phone on his desk.[Is it done?] A rich but cold voice sounded out from the other end."Affirmative, sir... The kid is off the ship. Now, he's Mainland property."[And what about the rat?]The Captain thought of one of the prisoners he shot during the mass shooting.During the final shooting round, they killed the last few remaining prisoners aboard. But that wasn't when he killed the rat.During the first shooting round, he and his crew targeted non-lethal body parts, causing many of the prisoners to leave the ship hastily. But amidst the chaos, he killed the rat before the bastard could make it out of the aircraft. Even the crew members didn't know of his actions.To keep the matter confidential, he had to limi
Bain shivered, quickly leaving the scene and heading for the nearby hills and bushy terrain. And in a blink of an eye, he had already moved a great distance, rustling past several bushes, trees, and open fields with tall stalks of wheat a few feet taller than he.~Bang!His heart skipped. Not good!"Come out, boy… We know you're in there." Said a deep and playful voice belonging to the burly lead figure amidst his gang of ruffians.They stopped leisurely, snickering and jesting at Bain's unfortunate situation.Hehehehe~"Boss, I reckon he has wet himself.""Pff!~ What sort of criminal would wet himself from a gunshot?" A man they called fatty, couldn't help mocking."Heh… A newbie like him won't be able to survive a day out in these parts," another added.He had seen a close-up on Bain back in town, feeling the boy should be one of those scaredy-cat criminals.One could find all sorts of criminals on the Mainland.There were those bold and hot-tempered, those who always used others as
The popular tunes from the night crickets and the low rustling leaves were the only sounds that resounded in Bain's ear.One boy with a sharp stone in his grasp, stared at the many circling him. 'I'm almost at my wit's end.'Bain quickly caught himself from falling, looking at the person the rest referred to as Boss.The gang of miscreants wore boots, baggy pants, and different styled tops. Some wore tank tops, others wore light jackets, some stuck to tee-shirts, and others went shirtless.He stared at them in scrutiny, realizing that no one was pointing a weapon at him. This was an important hint!'It's either they deem me so worthless that they don't bother raising their pistols at me… Or they need to capture me intact.'Come to think of it, why did they chase after him so much when he never offended them? In any case, he felt his thinking was smart.'I'm valuable.'Bain concluded, finding leverage over the situation. And the one they called boss, slowly lit a cigarette amidst the t