Even though the Guardians had no part in the decisions of the Eight Gentle Judges, they attended the trial all the same. As impartial as they had all tried to be, there was far too much at stake for them to stay away. Phantom was immobile and expressionless, though he kept a piercing, mistrusting eye on Weil at all times. Fefnir struggled to sit still, his teeth gritted and dark words being muttered under his breath as the evidence was presented. Even Leviathan could not muster the spark to look as carefree and defiant as she usually did; she held onto Harpuia's hand, looking dispirited and ill at ease.

Zero stood straight-backed and unflinching in the defendant's bench, but somehow, he had never looked smaller, standing alone before Master X and the judges. It was Inarabitta who spoke now, prepared to issue the verdict.

"The court has carefully examined the evidence and reached its conclusions. No reploid is above the reach of the law; it is the will of Neo Arcadia that any reploid, regardless of station, who threatens or deceives humankind must pay."

Harpuia's hand tightened around Leviathan's.

"While it is true that you have fought in the name of humanity in the past, you have done so under false pretences."

Fefnir gripped the edge of his seat.

"We can neither overlook this nor forgive it. In the past, we have been permissive of your resistance to Master X's decisions, but in light of the evidence, we can no longer afford to be lenient. The law cannot allow for illegal copies of individuals to exist. For this, and for your treasonous actions, the court declares you Maverick."

Leviathan's breath hitched, and she buried her face against Harpuia's shoulder. He held onto her like a lifeline, numb and bleak in the face of the inevitable. Fefnir's seat splintered under his vicelike grip, emotions burning too strongly to hold his strength back. No matter how much they had tried to prepare themselves for the verdict, the word still struck like a thunderbolt.

From his position at the head of the court, Copy X rose, expression carefully kept impassive. "However... Neo Arcadia has not forgotten its gratitude toward you. Your intentions may have been dishonest, but in light of your service to humanity, you will be granted one gesture of mercy. Your retirement is non-negotiable: you must be punished. But you may choose the method of your retirement. A painless and dignified end is the least that Neo Arcadia can grant to you."

If Zero saw any morbid insult in being asked to choose how he would die, he gave no sign of it. He only tilted his head in the barest hint of a nod.

"Take the prisoner away, please. You have until tomorrow to decide how we will retire you." With the same, routine dignity that ended each and every Maverick trial, X turned away, the eight judges all rising in turn. "Court is adjourned."