Polly shook his head. The spring wind blew across the mountains and the light fragrance of the vine flowers was scattered with the wind.

“You faced everything I couldn’t face in the past and you persisted for the longest time.” He looked up and held Lu Feng’s hand. “Human interests above all else. Thank you for keeping the base and the artificial magnetic poles to the end. This is the ultimate reason for humanity’s victory.”

“Thank you.”

“I heard they have started to compile the chronicles of the base. 100 years from now, how will people judge the Trial Court?” Polly stared at the white sky to the east where dawn was rising, his eyes containing a type of distant peace. “Some people will criticize it and some people will praise it. The only thing I can be sure of is that everyone will remember it.”

“He continued, “I’ll remember you more, child.”

Lu Feng’s eyes rested on a snow-white petal. The sun shone on it like a translucent golden crystal.

“There is no need.” His eyes were narrowed and his voice flat, as if everything Polly said had nothing to do with him.

The light also illuminated the dark silver buttons and trim on his black uniform. He stood tall and straight, his outfit neat and his facial features perfect. His eyes were different from ordinary people, the cold and light look leaving an indelible impression on passersby. The new vines twined around the corridor in the morning light and he stood in the surging spring, but he was incompatible with all of it.

In the courtyard and in the corridor, many people quietly turned their heads to glance at him. The last generation of judges, he had too many unresolved hatred and mysteries. There were various opinions in the Northern Base. Some people said that he died in an assassination and some people said that he killed himself with a bomb. Only the researchers knew that the Judge would stay here forever—but no one knew the reason.

“Look at me, child.”

Lu Feng looked at him. Although the other person’s grey-blue eyes were cloudy, they were still bright. They were too clear and filled with kindness, wisdom and sorrow, as if they could see through all the appearances of the world.

“Sometimes, I think that you are free and sometimes you aren’t.” Polly stated. “Three years have passed and everything is going well. Can you still not face the past?”

“That’s not it.” The answer was unexpected. Lu Feng stared directly at him, tone calm and without hesitation. “I have no sin.”

“No judge would say that.”

“Human interests above all else.” Lu Feng leaned slightly to the side, his silhouette backlit by the endless morning light. “I have never wavered in my faith.”

“Yet you live in pain.”

“I have suffered for the trial.” Lu Feng declared. “Now, losing him is my only pain.”