After the Fall of the Demon Race, Reincarnated as a Demon Girl - Chapter 34

Lost in her own world of delicious food, Luo Jiani, who was busy feasting nearby, remained completely unaware of the conversation between Renith and Antina.

“Su Mo defying the heavens? …Whatever, eating is more important right now,” she mumbled indistinctly, her cheeks stuffed so full of pastries that she looked like a chipmunk. It was impossible to make out what she was saying.

Perhaps it was just as well that she wasn’t paying attention—this aligned perfectly with Antina’s intentions.

Antina had no desire to drag Luo Jiani and Vistal into the path of rebellion. They were students, absorbing knowledge and wisdom, and they deserved a brighter future.

Even though Vistal was currently caught in the struggle of “awakening,” he needed time to figure out what was real and what was illusory. Only then would he form his own stance and seek out like-minded companions.

Breakfast stretched on for so long that it unintentionally turned into brunch. Before leaving, Antina packed a meal for Vistal, hoping he would find his way through soon.

As they made their way back along the same path, Luo Jiani once again tried to wander off. But this time, Antina didn’t indulge her—she simply dragged Luo Jiani all the way back to the law firm.

On the street, a man in a white robe frowned as he passed by the group.

Outside the law firm stood an elegantly poised woman. She wore a black veil and a magnificent brocade gown that shimmered with flowing light.

Resting lightly on her left shoulder was an exquisite leather fashion bag, its surface glowing softly under the sunlight, complementing her overall grace.

The woman stood silently, her figure as picturesque as a painting. Yet her face was alarmingly pale, like the first snow of winter, and her lips were devoid of color, tinged with a faint bluish-gray. Her fingers trembled slightly, her nails digging deeply into the leather of her bag, betraying the anxiety and unease within.

She had raised her hand several times to ring the doorbell, but each time, only endless silence answered.

The interior was so quiet it felt as if even the air had frozen.

“Here too… is there no hope?”

Just as the woman was about to turn and leave, Antina—ever the sharp businesswoman who sensed a significant opportunity—called out to stop her.

“Hello, miss. I’m the owner of this firm. My apologies, I was out for a meal. How can I assist you?”

Upon hearing this, a spark of hope ignited in the woman’s eyes, as if she were a drowning person clutching at her last lifeline.

She rushed desperately toward Antina, her hands tightly gripping the sleeves of Antina’s suit jacket, as though it were her only anchor in that moment.

“Please, I’m begging you, you have to help me!”

The woman was visibly distraught, her breathing rapid, her hands trembling faintly.

Seeing this, Antina quickly handed the newly made door key to Renith.

Understanding immediately, Renith took the key and deftly unlocked the door, while Antina stayed behind to comfort the agitated woman.

“Please, don’t panic. Try to relax… Let’s go inside and talk things through slowly.”

With Antina’s reassurance, the woman seemed to calm down slightly. Leaning on Antina for support, she slowly made her way inside.

Luo Jiani approached Renith and waited until Antina and the woman had entered before muttering under her breath.

“Not easy… This is our first client this month…”

It made Luo Jiani wonder if choosing to study law instead of listening to her father and pursuing finance had been a mistake.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head vehemently.

No! Her choice had to be right. Going back to that household would be worse than death!

She silently bolstered her own resolve, firmly believing that her decision was not wrong and that a turning point would come in the future.

With that thought, Luo Jiani took a deep breath, followed Renith inside, and closed the door behind them.

Antina poured a glass of water for their guest.

After all, Luo Jiani had always been the young lady who never lifted a finger. Asking her to handle trivial tasks like serving tea and water was simply too much.

As for Renith, being a guest herself, Antina naturally felt it inappropriate to ask for her help.

Vistal was absent-minded today. He hadn’t even responded to the doorbell, despite the client ringing it for so long. So, the responsibility of hosting fell entirely on Antina’s shoulders.

After asking Luo Jiani to check on Vistal, Antina sat down on the sofa facing the client. Leaning forward slightly, she put on a professional smile and spoke softly:

“Hello, madam. My name is Antina. Please, take your time and tell me about the troubles you’re facing. I’ll do everything in my power to help you resolve them.”

Seeing that the door was firmly closed, the woman removed the black veil from her head and lifted her gaze slightly. Helplessness overflowed from her eyes as she took a deep breath and began to speak slowly:

“Lawyer Antina, I… I was once a vocal artist. In today’s terms, you could say I was a singer.”

As she said this, a flicker of pride shone in her eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by gloom.

“Back then, I could sing freely on stage, and my audience and fanbase kept growing. I thought my future would continue on that smooth path forever.”

“But fate struck me hard at the peak of my success. A nobleman took an interest in me. He harassed me incessantly, even making unreasonable demands. How could I agree? I have my own dignity and principles. So, I refused him without hesitation.”

The woman’s voice trembled slightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her dress.

“To my surprise, the nobleman flew into a rage and began spreading rumors everywhere. He bribed certain newspapers and street vagrants, claiming I had a promiscuous private life, questionable morals, and that I would stop at nothing to climb the social ladder. These rumors spread like a virus. Overnight, I went from a beloved star to an object of public scorn.”

“Performance invitations were canceled one after another, my record label terminated my contract—my career was completely destroyed!”

The woman’s voice grew strained, her eyes reddening as tears welled up. But she fought hard to keep them from falling.

Looking at the woman’s face and listening to her tearful account, Antina seemed to recall something. She pulled a newspaper from half a month ago off the bookshelf beside the sofa. Tucked away in a corner was a brief article:

Shocking! The Hidden Truth About This Popular Singer!

The article didn’t take up much space, squeezed into a corner of the page like a discarded ragdoll.

But newspaper layouts are limited, every inch precious. Even though this malicious, defamatory piece occupied only a small area, it was enough to catch some readers’ attention.

Moreover, according to the woman, the nobleman hadn’t just published “scandalous news” in the papers—he’d also had vagrants spread the word covertly.

The vagrants passed the story from mouth to mouth, each adding their own exaggerations along the way, twisting the already absurd rumors into something even more grotesque and sensational.

Antina easily deduced the woman’s name: Angelica.

“I have no options left… no way out… I’m just an ordinary person who happened to sing well. I don’t have the power to oppose a noble… Without my value, I’m nothing but discarded.”

“I’ve asked many people and tried many methods. Someone told me I should find a lawyer. It seems to be a branch derived from the Imperial Senate, with the authority to interpret certain imperial laws. Perhaps they could help me seek justice.”

Leaning against the wall, Renith recalled an absurd incident from over a century ago.

Someone in the Senate felt that direct voting was too simplistic and often resulted in ties. So, they campaigned to pass a resolution stating that the proposer of a motion and its opponents must engage in debate. The side with the more compelling arguments would sway the vote and decision.

Then, the year the Senate representatives were rotated, the proposer lost the debate and was expelled from the Senate. Yet, this method remained in practice.

Upon reflection, the legal profession seemed to share similarities with the above. Perhaps the Senate believed that a similar approach could stabilize a turbulent society and maintain harmonious social functioning.

After all, siding with whoever has reason on their side would suppress insignificant dissent without the Senate having to lift a finger—they could simply mediate.

Thus, the Senate delegated certain powers and spent a century refining the standards and examinations for lawyers.

Even so, the legal profession never really took off. Antina, for example, sometimes went a whole month without a single case.

There were many reasons. Interpreting laws easily risked infringing on imperial interests and sometimes encroached on noble privileges. Moreover, the cost of litigation was exorbitant, far beyond what most ordinary people could afford.

But still…

Renith glanced at Antina.

This woman had come to the right place. After all, Antina was precisely the kind of person looking for ways to challenge the nobility and the empire.

“I visited many newly established law firms. The moment those lawyers heard a noble was involved, they all backed down. Not a single one was willing to help me. They all said the noble’s influence was too great, that he couldn’t be offended, and advised me to let it go. But what did I do wrong? I only refused an unreasonable request. Why should I be punished like this?”

Angelica grew increasingly agitated, her voice rising.

“And that nobleman? He remains high above, enjoying his wealth and status, turning a blind eye to my suffering as if none of this had anything to do with him.”

“I can’t accept this. I refuse to let my life be ruined like this, to let that villain get away unscathed.”

Finally unable to hold back, tears streamed down her face.

Antina listened quietly, her eyes filled with sympathy and anger. She gently pulled out a tissue and handed it to the weeping Angelica.

“Ms. Angelica, I understand your pain and grievance. Here, no matter the opponent’s status, if they have broken the law and harmed others, they will face due punishment. You have my word—I will do everything in my power to help you seek justice. Even if they are nobility!”

Angelica took the tissue, gratitude shining in her eyes as she choked out,

“Lawyer Antina, thank you… You are my last hope. As long as I can stand on stage again, as long as my name can be cleared, I’m willing to do anything.”

“You don’t need to do anything. You provide the payment, and I… will restore your fairness!”

So declared Antina.