The trio never imagined that Furina would pinpoint Lumine's most fatal weakness.
Lumine... she's mute!
Lumine: Feels personally offended.
"Hmph, hmph! Nothing to say now, are you!"
Furina crossed her arms, speaking with immense smugness.
"No evil can escape my sight!"
As soon as Furina finished, the crowd began to chime in.
"As expected of Lady Furina!"
"Lady Furina has been brilliant since she was a child!"
"Lady Furina, please sign this for me! I'm your loyal fan!"
-
"Traveler, why is Fontaine's [Judgment] like this?"
"It doesn't feel serious at all!"
Paimon glanced at the overly excited audience and couldn't help but complain, the previously tense atmosphere shattered by the scene.
"I have heard something about that."
Enjou pondered for a moment before explaining.
"Fontaine apparently needs to collect people's emotions to produce Indemnitium, which serves as the energy supply for Fontaine's daily use."
"Doesn't that make us just tools?"
Paimon asked, surprised.
"Haven't you always been tools?"
Enjou said faintly, only to be met with furious glares from Lumine and Paimon. Realizing his mistake, Enjou quickly shut his mouth.
"Well? If you still refuse to speak, I'll take that as your silent admission!"
Furina spoke again.
"In that case, this [Judgment] will proceed to the final verdict."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon started to panic.
"Traveler, I remember you've spoken before!"
"Say something! Just say something!"
"If you don't speak up, we're really going to be the scapegoats!"
Lumine's face was flushed red as she stared at Paimon in front of her.
When Paimon was by her side, her ability to speak would be sealed by some mysterious force, like a speaker with headphones plugged in.
Besides that, the seal could only be broken when her older brother appeared, but where was she supposed to find him now? Ruling that out, the only other option was to throw Paimon away.
However, she was currently tied up tightly, so she could only try to use her eyes to signal Paimon to move further away so she could clear her name.
But when Paimon saw Lumine's terrifying glare, she quickly looked away. Realizing Lumine still couldn't speak, she had to find another way to defend her.
"This is too hasty!"
"Even though the Traveler is mute, that doesn't mean a mute person is No. 2!"
Paimon wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but after she said that, a powerful killing intent emanated from beside her.
"Besides, we just happened to stumble upon the Abyss Order's plan to blow up that shipping route! They weren't there to save us at all!"
"Don't forget, we were also within the blast radius!"
"The pressure is immense!?"
Furina raised her hand and pointed with imposing authority!
"Although you were also within the blast radius, the explosion's intensity where you were was significantly weaker than in other areas!"
"Furthermore, you were on a reinforced escort Aquabus, which absorbed a great deal of the blast's impact for you. According to Captain Chevreuse's testimony, when she saw you, you were completely unharmed. This is enough to prove that the Abyss Order used the terrorist attack as a pretext to rescue you!"
"And your escape route was through the sea, No. 2's usual escape tactic. Unfortunately for you, our people were prepared, dashing your hopes of being rescued!"
At this moment, the scales of justice tilted further to the right, putting Lumine and her companions in an extremely unfavorable position.
After hearing Furina's reasoning, the audience members nodded in sudden realization.
"Lady Furina is right!"
"That slippery old fox No. 2 actually tried to use this to clear his name, but our brilliant Lady Furina saw through it instantly!"
"Lady Furina, you're so charismatic! Please sign my autograph!"
-
Paimon staggered back, utterly defeated, then shot Enjou a resentful glare.
"Enjou, why did you have to go and get someone to rescue us?!"
"Now look what you've done! Even with mouths, we can't talk our way out of this!"
Enjou looked equally innocent.
"I didn't know!"
"I thought the Prince had already given up on me!"
"Honestly, when I saw the Prince leading people to rescue me, I was actually quite moved!"
"I really am an indispensable member of the Prince's team!"
Lumine and Paimon hesitated for a long time, but in the end, they couldn't bring themselves to tell Enjou the truth.
Then, Lumine gave Paimon a meaningful look, and Paimon immediately understood.
"That's right! Can't we just tell them our story to prove our innocence?!"
With this thought, Paimon's confidence surged back!
"Listen up! The Traveler absolutely cannot be No. 2!"
Paimon's declaration stunned the courtroom once again. Even Focalors couldn't help but sit up straighter, knowing the other side was about to present their most crucial evidence.
As for before... well, it was just too predictable. She had been dozing off.
She'd been swamped with work lately, even working overtime just to make time for the Judgment. She hadn't slept well and couldn't help but envy Furina's boundless energy.
Times have changed. Furina was much stronger than her now. Furina could still hold on, but she was starting to struggle.
"Because over the past few years, the Traveler has been traveling in other nations and has experienced many epic adventures!"
"First in Mondstadt, the Traveler..."
"Then Liyue..."
"Next, Inazuma..."
"Finally, Sumeru... Never mind, not Sumeru."
Paimon thought for a moment and, for the sake of her own life, decided not to mention Lumine's dark history in Sumeru.
"Anyway, with so many grand events, it's impossible they were all fabricated, right? Besides, anyone could verify these things with a little investigation!"
That's right, this was the source of Paimon's confidence!
After all, Lumine wasn't some unknown nobody. She had a decent reputation across Teyvat, though for some reason, it seemed Fontaine had never heard of her.
Paimon assumed that after hearing her speech, even if others didn't immediately believe her, they would at least send someone to investigate, which would eventually prove Lumine's innocence.
Even Lumine and Enjou thought the same. They breathed a small sigh of relief and looked at Paimon with approval.
However, they didn't notice that the atmosphere at the scene was slightly strange.
After a good while, the Justice at the front finally snapped out of it, cleared his throat, and spoke while giving Lumine's group an odd look.
"Ahem, discussing novel content is forbidden in the courtroom."
When the Justice's words fell, the courtroom erupted into chaos.
"Were they just talking about the plots of the three latest novels?!"
"That's right! I remember them all! The first one is The Outlander Who Caught the Wind, the second is Farewell, Archaic Lord, and the third is Omnipresence Over Mortals... Good grief, I'm speechless! I've never seen anyone dare to use novel plots as evidence to prove their innocence! Does she think we don't read novels?!"
"If you were going to pick some obscure, poorly selling novels, that would be one thing. But you had to choose such bestsellers! Are you trying to play us for fools?!"
"This can't be another one of No. 2's solo operations, can it? It's just too brainless!"
"Ah, don't be so harsh. At least they knew enough to change a few details!"
"Some brains, but not much!"
-
Hearing the audience's discussion, Lumine's group was utterly dumbfounded.
Someone had adapted their past deeds into novels and published them?!
Which damn scoundrel was responsible for this?!
Turning one adventure into a book is one thing, but why did you have to keep milking Lumine for all she's worth?!
The trio's composure shattered.
"No, that's not it! You have to believe us!"
"These are real adventures the Traveler experienced! Everything I said is true!"
Paimon stumbled back, her face pale. Even she had to admit her explanation was just as feeble.
Furina stared speechlessly at Lumine and the others. She'd expected them to present some crucial evidence, but this was all they had?!
She had initially braced herself to listen carefully, searching for loopholes in their words to counterattack. But as she listened, something felt off. Why did it sound so similar to the bedtime story she'd read last night?!
Focalors lay back down, feeling a bit helpless. She really shouldn't have expected too much from No. 2, a combat specialist. Better to rest and conserve her energy; something unexpected might happen later.
"You might as well confess now. There's no need to prolong this farce."
After dropping that line, Furina turned to the Justice.
"Mr. Justice, shouldn't we proceed to the next stage?"
The Justice nodded and announced in a loud voice,
"If the accused has no further evidence to prove..."
"We do! We do! We have more evidence!"
Seeing the Justice about to deliver the verdict, Paimon blurted out in a panic,
"The Traveler can use not only Anemo, Electro, and Dendro Elemental Power, but also Geo Elemental Power!"
The only time Paimon saw No. 2, he had only used the Laws of Time—and it wasn't even his own power. So she assumed No. 2 only mastered Anemo, Electro, and Dendro Elemental Power. Thus, she mentioned the Geo Elemental Power that Lumine hadn't used at the time, trying to prove she wasn't No. 2. But the result...
"Exactly! That makes it even more likely she's No. 2!"
Everyone in the courtroom stared at Paimon strangely, wondering why she would present evidence that worked against them.
At that moment, the scales in front of them tilted completely to the right.
Lumine was stunned. There was a traitor among them!
Paimon froze, then immediately turned to Lumine, stammering an explanation.
"No, no, Traveler, let me explain... I mean, let me try to argue my way out of this..."
Just then, the Justice spoke again.
"Since the accused can produce no new evidence, I will now announce the verdict."
With that, the Justice activated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.
In truth, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale's ability to render correct judgments was based on a combination of the emotional biases of everyone present, the testimony and evidence provided by both sides, and the subjective judgment of Focalors, who was hidden within it.
Therefore, the reason Tartaglia was found guilty back then was because Focalors sensed the special connection between him and the Giant Whale. She believed sending him to the Fortress of Meropide would benefit her upcoming plan, so she delivered a guilty verdict.
So, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale couldn't achieve absolute correctness. Naturally, the final verdict it produced was: Guilty!
"Take them away. Send No. 2 and that little white spirit to the Fortress of Meropide. I'll discuss their final disposition after I contact Neuvillette."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon's anxious hearts finally settled.
Thank goodness, they weren't sentenced to death directly. Once they saw Neuvillette, their innocence would surely be cleared.
But just then, Enjou suddenly felt an extremely bad premonition.
Why were there dispositions only for Lumine and Paimon, but not for him?
"As for that Abyss Monster, drag him out to the execution platform."
Enjou: ??!!
"Wait, you haven't even given me a chance to explain!"
"I can argue my way out of this too... ah, no, I mean I can defend myself!"
"I'm just a civilian staff member! I wouldn't even dare kill a chicken!"
"What, you're a civilian staff member?!"
Hearing Furina's surprised words, Enjou thought things might have taken a turn for the better and immediately nodded vigorously.
"That's right, I'm a good monster!"
"Hmph, civilian staff are even worse! It's you who manage the Abyss Order so efficiently, inflicting countless wounds upon the continent of Teyvat!"
"Though you haven't killed anyone with your own hands, aren't there tens of millions of deaths linked to you?!"
"I've decided! First, I'll have you subjected to death by a thousand cuts for three days, then sent to the execution platform, and finally, I'll scatter your ashes!"
Furina spoke viciously, thinking of all the past victims.
Hearing Furina's words, Enjou's face instantly turned deathly pale!
"Drag him away!"
"Save me, Princess! You have to save me!"
Lumine and Paimon watched helplessly as Enjou was dragged away by two Maison Gardiennage officers and two Gardemeks. His desperate gaze sent a chill down their spines.
"Traveler, what do we do now? They've taken Enjou away!"
Paimon said anxiously to Lumine. Although they often bickered, they had grown quite close, and she couldn't bear to see him come to harm.
"Traveler, quick, use your invincible Dull Blade to think of something!"
Just as Paimon finished speaking, she suddenly remembered that Lumine was completely bound by ropes and looked utterly helpless. It seemed she would have to be the one to fight for Enjou's last chance.
"Enjou is a good person, we can vouch for him!"
"You're all accomplices, what good would your testimony do?"
"Take them away as well."
"Wait, wait a minute! Enjou has crucial intelligence!"
Paimon had no choice but to stall for time. As long as they could meet Monsieur Neuvillette, all their problems would be solved. The immediate priority was to keep Enjou alive.
It seemed she had to take the blame, whether she wanted to or not!
"It's truly vital intelligence, about the details of a cooperation plan!"
"So, you admit it?"
Paimon glanced at Lumine beside her. After a moment's hesitation, Lumine finally conceded.
"Yes, we admit it! Now release Enjou!"
Paimon spoke again.
"As for what you want to know, we'll tell Monsieur Neuvillette ourselves when we see him!"
"Princess!"
Enjou's eyes filled with tears. Seeing Lumine willing to bear this false accusation to save him, he was moved to tears.
He would forever remember this kindness and would go through fire and water for her in the future, without hesitation!
"Hmph, I knew you were conspiring with the Abyss Order against Fontaine!"
Furina's face now wore an "I knew it" expression.
"However, I'm not that interested in the plan that Abyss Monster knows. The Abyss Order... Soon, our people will send other Abyss Monsters to reunite with him!"
"Drag him away!"
"Huh?!"
Enjou was stunned. How was he still going to die?!
"Princess, save me!"
Enjou's piercing screams echoed through the scene again, a sound truly refreshing to those who heard it!
"That's right! Well done, Lady Furina!"
"Abyss Monsters should be executed immediately! Otherwise, the soldiers who died during the Abyss Order's siege will never rest in peace!"
"What a satisfying outcome!"
Soon, the screams faded into the distance. Lumine and Paimon were also escorted away from the Opera Epiclese in a different direction.
"Traveler, what do we do now?!"
"If this continues, Enjou is really going to die!"
Paimon cried out anxiously.
Lumine was also frantic. After all, Enjou had only come to Fontaine because he was following her.
Furthermore, it was because of her arrest that the Fontainians had turned their anger on Enjou.
If something happened to Enjou now, her conscience would never be clear!
At this thought, Lumine struggled with all her might, but it was useless.
She had tried countless times over the past few days, always with the same result.
Lumine's heart burned with anxiety, unsure how she could possibly save Enjou.
Just then, Lumine suddenly spotted the Statue of The Seven in the distance. It was like a sudden epiphany, and an undeniable light burst forth from her eyes.
Paimon clearly noticed Lumine's strange behavior. She followed Lumine's gaze and almost cried out, luckily managing to cover her mouth just in time.
The two exchanged a glance, both understanding the other's thoughts. They then secretly peeked at the guards escorting them and noticed, for some reason, that the guards' attention wasn't on them.
Their eyes lit up, but they quickly suppressed their excitement and calmly continued walking forward.
If their current power couldn't break the shackles, they needed to introduce a new power!
Whether this method would succeed or not, it was the last hope to save Enjou!
Closer, just a little closer!
As they drew nearer to the Statue of The Seven, Lumine and Paimon's hearts pounded with growing excitement.
Almost there, just a little further!
Less than twenty meters left!
But just then, the procession turned a corner!
Lumine and Paimon were stunned, watching as the people in front led the way in a different direction.
Paimon's heart sank with bitterness. It was over. Enjou was doomed.
But Lumine gritted her teeth. Seeing that no one had noticed them yet, she crouched slightly, then powerfully kicked off with her legs toward the Statue of The Seven, instantly covering a large distance.
Although most of Lumine's power was sealed, her physical abilities still far surpassed those of an ordinary person. This single leap covered over ten meters, bringing her just short of the Statue of The Seven!
With her hands and feet bound, Lumine lost her balance after the powerful jump and fell to the ground. She had no time to get back up. Gritting her teeth again, she began to wriggle forward!
A battle hymn seemed to thunder in her ears as Lumine's wriggling grew faster and faster.
Closer, just a little more!
"No. 2 is escaping!"
Just then, the guards on the other side noticed the commotion and immediately dispatched Gardemeks to recapture Lumine.
Seeing this, Paimon no longer worried about being discovered. She dropped her hands from her mouth and shouted at Lumine.
"Go, Traveler!"
Her experience in that strange place helped Lumine once again. Each wriggle taught her something new, allowing her to move faster and farther with the next!
Though, if she had a choice, Lumine would never want to fill her head with such useless experience. But right now, it was helping her immensely.
Finally, Lumine succeeded. She successfully wriggled to the base of the Statue of The Seven and, without daring to delay, immediately resonated with it.
The next second, a crystalline watery light burst forth from Lumine's body!
Raging currents transformed into sharp blades, slicing through the ropes binding her, then fiercely struck the sealing shackles on her hands and feet.
With a crisp crack, the sealing shackles on Lumine's hands and feet shattered. A powerful aura erupted completely from her body.
Seeing this, Paimon was so moved she was on the verge of tears.
She was back! The invincible Traveler was finally back!
"Damn it, No. 2's power has returned!"
The guards, also realizing the situation had turned dire, instantly paled and issued attack orders to the Gardemeks.
Watching the Gardemeks charge toward her, drawing their weapons, Lumine's expression remained utterly calm.
This time, Lumine would not underestimate her enemies. She immediately unleashed her true strength. Within her body, five Elemental Powers converged and fused, erupting with even greater force. A transcendent aura surged outward, pressing down on the guards with an unbearable weight.
Lumine clapped her hands, and instantly, a mass of emerald green vines burst from the ground. A bright yellow light coated the vines, reinforcing their durability.
A grating sound of metal scraping filled the air as the Gardemeks on site suffered varying degrees of damage. Though they swung their swords to block, they could only knock the vines away, unable to sever them.
Despite what seemed like a crushing victory, Lumine couldn't help but furrow her brow. The Gardemeks' combat strength was even higher than she had estimated.
Compared to these Gardemeks, even the Ruin Drakes she had encountered in that place were no match. Aside from having more health and the ability to fly, the Ruin Drakes had no performance advantages.
Ridiculous!
After silently complaining to herself again, Lumine stopped holding back. The Power of Void erupted from her, unleashing a terrifying fluctuation that made everyone's heart pound.
Finally, a gray-white blade of light soared into the sky, and all the Gardemeks on site were reduced to nothingness.