The hearing chamber held one curved table before a witness rail divided by blue floor marks.
Every mark stood far enough apart to keep testimony from becoming a group argument while the branch prepared to retire Hajin's provisional number ninety-six.
Hajin placed the silver badge inside the central evidence recess before taking the nearest chair.
Hans, Cassie, Juna, and Loccy remained behind separate marks with sealed records unopened at their feet.
Allen sat beside Vice Guildmaster Corin at the branch end, while Yenna's field party occupied the opposite side with three senior Rankers.
Two royal recorders checked the door seals and kept their pens above identical decision sheets.
The hearing chair touched Hajin's badge against the ranking relay, and the engraved ninety-six faded from the silver face.
"Provisional placement ninety-six is retired, and today's question is the highest number this branch can defend in writing," the chair announced.
