"Extra! Extra! Chief Justice Neuvillette abandons his wife and child! Is this a distortion of human nature or a moral decay? Buy The Little Hater Times for the full story!"
"Extra! Extra! Chief Justice Neuvillette's public image has finally crumbled! Yesterday afternoon, Neuvillette was seen beating and cursing his child on the street. His wife shielded the child with her body, silently enduring the blows and insults. Their daughter, hoping to stop her father's brutality, tried to appeal to his conscience with her tears, but it was all in vain. To find out what happens next, keep following The Little Hater Times!"
-
"Hey, newsboy up ahead! Please come over and cooperate with the Maison Gardiennage for questioning!"
"Still trying to run? Get him!"
"Drop it! Who told you to draw your weapon?!"
"He just sold a few newspapers! Who told you to empty your magazine?!"
"Hahaha! Anyone who slanders Monsieur Neuvillette deserves to die! Monsieur Neuvillette is flawless!"
"Sorry, Captain, I'm dropping the act. That's right, I'm a member of the Cult of the Dragon!"
"I won't make things difficult for you. Just arrest me!"
"If you really didn't want to make things difficult, you could have waited until we brought him back and dealt with him slowly!"
"Dying like this is too easy! These people should suffer the cruelest punishments designed by the Cult of the Dragon for Monsieur Neuvillette's haters before they die!"
"So you're one too..."
Other Maison Gardiennage officers: "???"
Chaos! Utter chaos!
Initially, Furina and Focalors thought this mission wouldn't be too difficult—just help Neuvillette restore his reputation and arrest some powerless troublemakers spreading rumors.
However, once the Cult of the Dragon got involved, everything changed.
As for why there were still Cult of the Dragon members undiscovered by Fontaine, it was said they were inspired by the selfless and charismatic act of the original members, who all turned themselves in under one of Neuvillette's orders, and so they joined the Cult afterward.
When Furina and Focalors heard this explanation, they were utterly speechless.
Good grief, who knew this incident could actually serve as a recruitment ad?!
And you Maison Gardiennage officers, isn't your faith a bit too weak?
No, wait, it seems their faith is actually too strong.
Damn it, when recruiting in the future, should we choose people with strong faith or no faith at all?
Then again, who without faith would even join the Maison Gardiennage these days? The mortality rate is so high!
Now, Furina and Focalors were truly at a loss. With even the enforcers being a problem, how could they possibly continue their work?
Even if they went to Neuvillette and asked him to make a public statement, it wouldn't be very effective. The Cult of the Dragon had learned from their last experience, and this time, most of its members were completely unreachable.
And those who heard Neuvillette's order claimed it violated the Cult of the Dragon's principles; if he insisted they stop, they would have no choice but to commit suicide!
Seriously, aren't you guys taking this a bit too far?
Although Furina and Focalors also had some extreme fans, they had far fewer than Neuvillette.
"Neuvillette, what should we do now?"
Furina looked at Neuvillette with pleading eyes. Although the clarification notice had been jointly published by several major newspapers, it had little effect.
After all, everyone just wanted some drama. Who would bother reading something like that?
In contrast, the content of The Little Hater Times was far more sensational and explosive.
Neuvillette pondered for a moment and was about to speak when Focalors suddenly hurried over from a distance.
"Bad news! The Little Hater Times newspaper office has been blown sky-high by the Cult of the Dragon!"
Sigh, that newspaper really brought this on themselves. Of all people to spread rumors about, they chose Neuvillette. Now they're completely finished!
Although The Little Hater Times's crime didn't warrant this, since they were the ones who caused all this trouble, Furina couldn't feel a shred of sympathy for them even after what happened.
"That's not the worst part. When The Little Hater Times office was blown up, a batch of newspapers being printed flew into the sky with it. Now they're falling like snow over most of Fontaine!"
Hearing this, Neuvillette's hand trembled slightly. At that moment, it felt as if he had already died once in a social sense.
"And now, members of the Cult of the Dragon are even attacking ordinary people. Many who were overheard speaking ill of Neuvillette have been beaten and hospitalized, with quite a few suffering serious injuries."
After hearing this, Neuvillette took a deep breath.
The thought that a single unscrupulous reporter and a shameless newspaper had caused such a massive incident filled Neuvillette with immense rage.
The penalties must be increased!
But that was a matter for later. The immediate priority was to quell this public opinion storm, or his reputation would truly be beyond saving.
To quell the rumors quickly, a few pale clarification announcements would be completely useless. Neuvillette could only present a picture of a harmonious family to others, fundamentally proving that the news was entirely baseless.
The only problem with this method was that it would deepen the misunderstanding.
But considering that so many people's safety was at stake, Neuvillette could no longer hesitate.
Moreover, he had faintly sensed that there might truly be some connection between him and Otillia. During their recent interactions, he had occasionally detected a trace of his own aura on her.
After returning, he had questioned the members of the Cult of the Dragon. It seemed they had collected various items imbued with his aura.
The poison prepared for Apep had been concocted using these items mixed with Primordial Sea Water and brewed for forty-nine days. It was just that something went wrong at some stage, and Otillia was born.
If not for this reason, he wouldn't dote on Otillia so much.
Thinking of this, Neuvillette immediately set off to find Apep and Otillia.
-
"What? Rene and Jacob are coming back?"
When Sandrone heard the Head's words, she spoke with some surprise; even Alain, who was inside Pulonia, couldn't help but focus his attention on their conversation.
"That's right, Miss Ann."
"Although I heard it's only for a month, I believe with those two's talents, such opportunities will become more frequent."
"As those of us who have successfully been promoted to official researchers during this period, we must leave a good impression on Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob."
"Perhaps if those two are in a good mood, they might even pull us into starting a new project together within this month."
"Even though Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob were considered the worst among the previous generation of researchers, they are still beings we can hardly hope to reach. Following them, we'll surely learn a great deal!"
Seeing the intense admiration on the faces of the Head and the other official researchers, the corner of Sandrone's mouth twitched slightly.
Rene and Jacob were rated the worst, yet Sandrone couldn't laugh at all, because she was at best on the same level as Rene.
No, who said she was on the same level as Rene?!
She remembered now: her original purpose for joining the Fontaine Research Institute was to display her world-shaping talents before Rene, and then thoroughly humiliate him.
This is the chance!
Thinking of this, Sandrone immediately asked the Head.
"Rene is the Director of the Fontaine Research Institute, right?"
"If my talents surpass his, does that mean I can become the new Director of the Fontaine Research Institute?"
Hearing Sandrone's words, everyone present was momentarily stunned.
She hasn't even been drinking, so why is she talking so wildly?!
After regaining his composure, the Head quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Miss Ann's constant confidence is a spirit we should all learn from."
"However, even though Miss Ann's performance has been outstanding, there's still a significant gap compared to the previous generation of researchers."
"We know that Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob participated in the mobile phone development project. The core program was written by Monsieur Rene in a single afternoon, yet even now, we can only view those programs as a 'black box'—something we don't understand but can use directly."
"But academic competitions within the Fontaine Research Institute should be permitted, even encouraged, right?"
Sandrone spoke up.
"Does that rule not apply just because Rene is the Director of the Fontaine Research Institute?"
"That's not it. I'm just worried Miss Ann might suffer a severe blow."
"Don't worry, my heart is like iron, indestructible!"
Sandrone declared with great bravado, but as soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings fell unnaturally silent.
"Ahem..."
After a long pause, the Head finally spoke again.
"I didn't realize Miss Ann also enjoys children's books."
"Huh?!"
Realizing her secret was out, Sandrone immediately blushed.
She had clearly hidden the book inside Pulonia's stomach; no one else in the world should have known this secret!
Alain: ...
Yet now, a single sentence had exposed her!
Seeing Sandrone's embarrassment, the others quickly offered comfort, their tones so sincere that Sandrone was almost moved.
Just as Sandrone was about to say something, she suddenly realized: Good grief, how did you all understand instantly? Turns out everyone loves reading them, huh?!
"In any case, if Miss Ann truly has this intention, please prepare in advance."
"Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob seem to have been delayed by some matters and will return in two days."
"I believe that even if Miss Ann cannot defeat Monsieur Rene and Monsieur Jacob, she will still gain a great deal from this academic competition."
Hmph, how dare they underestimate me! I will win!
Mere Rene is just an old fossil from a bygone era. The ship of the new era has no place for him!
This time, she'll use her specialty, Clockwork Technology, to crush him completely!
Thinking this, Sandrone glanced at Pulonia behind her. She had absorbed a great deal of advanced knowledge recently and extensively modified it. Its current combat power was far beyond what a few Gardemeks could even dream of challenging!
She was sure it would make Rene's jaw drop!
Hahaha, all her time spent at the Fontaine Research Institute wouldn't be in vain!
At this moment, Alain also found it hard to contain himself. He possessed far more knowledge than Sandrone; after all, Sandrone was merely a program he had designed. Although she had learning capabilities, her talent couldn't match his.
In fact, if he hadn't been tutoring Sandrone every so often lately, it would have taken her several more months to fully grasp a single research project.
He and Rene had never truly settled their rivalry before. This time, they would finally determine who was superior!
Sandrone left triumphantly. Seeing her brimming with confidence, no one had the heart to crush her spirit.
Meanwhile, at the Fortress of Meropide, Rene and Jacob found Dottore, imprisoned in its deepest recesses.
They had come to take Dottore to the Fontaine Research Institute to face the punishment he deserved.
Conveniently, the Fontaine Research Institute had already become independent, so Neuvillette would have no objections to Dottore facing private justice there.
This was how the nobles had been dealt with in the past, and the current Neuvillette was no longer so rigid.
Of course, taking Dottore away would not be easy. With his endless tricks, a moment of carelessness could allow him to escape. Thus, Rene and Jacob had brought numerous tools, preparing to craft a set of shackles tailored to restrain his abilities.
"Mr. Dottore, I've heard of your deeds."
"Your talent is no less than mine, but unfortunately, you have strayed onto the wrong path."
"Is that so?"
"I thought Monsieur Rene, who chose to eliminate all Fontainians, would understand my perspective."
Hearing Dottore's words, Rene shook his head.
"You're mistaken. I have never been the same kind of person as you. I would never use the suffering of others as a subject for my research."
"And I acted to save this world. You're just trying to satisfy your own curiosity."
"To achieve this goal, you would do anything, Dottore."
"I could also be acting to save the world... After all, it's just a matter of words, isn't it, Monsieur Rene?"
Hearing this sarcastic remark, Jacob almost lost his temper, but Rene raised a hand to stop him just as he was about to speak.
"He's right. Wrong is wrong. Any excuse is feeble and powerless."
Rene took a deep breath and spoke slowly. Hearing this, Jacob immediately grew anxious.
"Rene, you're not wrong! You did it for the world, and your actions were completely selfless!"
"Didn't you say that no one in this world could judge your actions?"
"That was indeed my former belief, but it was too arrogant."
"But after meeting Monsieur Alva, I realized my own narrow-mindedness. I've been so conceited all along without even knowing it."
"This desperate method to save the world was just the incompetent idea of a mediocre person like me."
"Yet I used this excuse to deeply harm the people of this world."
Hearing the name Alva, Jacob said no more.
Besides Rene, this name belonged to the person he respected most.
At this moment, Rene turned to Dottore and spoke again, word by word.
"Dottore, I've been paying the price for my past actions. Now, it's your turn."