There was still no announcement because the 28-hour mark was still a few hours away. That was to say, unless the token was taken immediately, anything could still happen.
Hence, everyone was still on guard despite having relieved smiles on their faces.
The elders oversaw everything, with the guards remaining vigilant for any more unexpected moves. They especially tortured the stronger ones, making sure they didn't have the energy to cause any chaos.
Garan and the soldiers outside had already brought in their own prisoners, all of whom were going directly to the system prison. They were also there to make sure there was no accident. They had basically won. They were at the last step. How could they let anything happen?
They had begun to determine which among the enemies beyond the level cap to keep alive. They made them swear an oath to tell the truth about their crimes, and they were judged in the Justice Hall.
The sessions were led by Mathilda and the others. They had considered having a jury as well, in order to encourage the public participation in the judicial process as well as to expand transparency and diversify perspectives, but there were also many disadvantages so they withheld that for now.
However, they would definitely finalize the criteria for that in the future, when more grey-area conflicts involving their own people could occur. In those cases, varying perspectives would be needed in order to make the citizens feel they had a voice in these conflicts.
Anyway, thanks to the Oaths, they could escape the dangers of perjury, and therefore misjudgement by misunderstandings would generally be avoided.
On the other hand, when they felt that a person was a total psychopath who lived to kill people and enjoyed it, then he'd be sent down to the torture chambers. More than to satisfy their bloodlust, it was more to possibly get information from them.
As for the sinful men they spared—the people who showed some remorse—then they were given a choice. First, they must spill everything that they could about Guia and this world, or die like the others.
If they agreed, then they'd sign another oath to never —directly or indirectly—hurt Alterra, its population, or any of its associate territories in their lifetimes.
They would thereby be assigned as Prisoners of War, with their sentence varying according to their sins… though a lot of these sentences might as well last a lifetime.
Outside the Justice Hall, there had not been a few struggles. However, Alterra was strong and, with the lessening of enemies who could fight, it had become easier for them to deal with enemies, even if they were higher level.
"SHUT UP!" Angelo yelled, punching a prisoner 2 levels higher than he was. He pointed at the man's tendon. "If you don't want to destroy your legs and get dragged to prison, behave."
"Am I right, Boss Sammy?" He asked, looking at his fellow wind archer, and also one of his mentors. The dark-skinned man grimaced just shooing him away. "Don't dilly-dally, there's still hundreds outside."
Other people helping with the roundup were Mauru and his fellowmen, who contributed a lot as they always did.
It had to be said: the frequent wars from their previous lives really helped them carve good lives in Alterra.
They were especially happy with their contribution points. With this, they'd eventually be able to afford some magic tools.
To their knowledge, Magic Tools were something only available in high-level towns for an exorbitant amount of money. But in Alterra, in exchange for contribution points, it could be accessible to them!
Mauin was eyeing a nice weapon, while the others eyed a variety of defensive weapons. They had also seen how the protection charm worked, and a lot of them aimed for that as well.
Anyway, the contribution points were such happy things, and they practically dragged the prisoners to where they were supposed to be.
In one of the corners watching the prisoners getting hauled were Winona and Ansel, with the latter approaching the woman with a bit of awkwardness.
"Thanks," he said, "For saving me."
Winona frowned and looked away, ignoring him. It was notable that her long curly hair had shortened noticeably… by a lot.
Ansel awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with a little blush on his face.
What happened between them was not much of a long story.
The fight continued well after Althea left to check on the battle outside. It was just that Ansel was annoyed, particularly at Winona. Even when his sister wasn't there to protect and worry about, there was still this woman!
It was annoying because he couldn't leave her be and do his own thing!
"Go back to your lab already! We can handle this!" he yelled to her back then.
Winona looked at him, offended, "Don't worry about me! I can manage!"
Ansel gritted his teeth, how could he do that?!
Worse was that she very early got stabbed by a sword and he felt his heart almost die right there!
Annoyed, he yelled at her. "You're no help here, you burden!"
In his distraction, he failed to see a spear incoming. He was pulled in, and the spear was pushed away. The next thing he knew, a certain blonde kicked the spear-weilder down.
This enemy was then promptly beheaded by Fufi.
Other than the Guian's, there was no blood from their side. However, there was a casualty: Winona's… hair.
Her hair was cut at an awkward angle. It was very ugly and ragged, and it made Ansel's heart drop.
Everyone knew how much Winona loved her hair…
And so was the current scene.
"Go away," Winona said, glaring at him, definitely not wanting to see his face at the moment.
She ignored him the whole time, wearing a scowl that should've been irritating.
'But what to do…,' Ansel thought, feeling complicated.
He felt that it was adorable.