After taking only a few steps, Neuvillette reached up to touch the bloody streak on his cheek.
-
Player World
"Holy crap, he's so cool! Is Neuvillette really this strong? Is this what being the Chief Justice is all about?"
Streamer Chen Xiyao was utterly blown away by Neuvillette's cool demeanor. She had assumed he was just a desk worker, but she never expected him to be so formidable in combat!
"Do you think the Hydro Archon might be hiding her true power too?"
[ "Hmm... Judging by her expression earlier, it doesn't seem likely. She looked genuinely terrified." ]
[ "Exactly! I've been saying this for ages! Is Furina really the Hydro Archon? Her over-the-top behavior and eccentric mannerisms make her seem like she's hiding a lot of secrets." ]
[ "I actually find her antics kind of endearing, especially when her inner turmoil is at its peak." ]
-
Inside the Opera House, Tartaglia was escorted away by the Maison Gardiennage, and Neuvillette returned to his seat.
The officers quickly cleaned up the traces of the recent battle from the stage.
"The third trial of today, and the final trial of the day, will now commence," Neuvillette solemnly announced.
Many audience members were already reaching their limit. The Opera House had been tense with drawn swords and taut nerves for much of the day, leaving the ordinary spectators shaken.
Sensing their unease, Neuvillette decided to temporarily halt the proceedings and allow those who wished to leave to do so first.
Yet after he announced this arrangement, not a single audience member moved to leave.
"State secrets, huh? I bet there's some incredible secrets hidden in there. Leaving now would be such a waste!"
"What a dramatic turn of events! Absolutely thrilling! I haven't seen a trial this captivating in ages!"
"Huh? Is anyone really going to leave? I'm waiting to see what happens to Lyney and Lynette!"
Hearing the audience's murmurs, Neuvillette was taken aback.
So that's what they're thinking...
Lyney and Lynette had already taken their places at the accused's dock. This time, however, standing as the accusers were none other than Furina and Fidelle.
"Lady Furina, please take a seat."
Fidelle brought a chair for Furina, who settled into it with a flourish.
"As the accusing party," Neuvillette announced, "Lady Furina will now present her case."
Furina stood, clearing her throat slightly. "During the trial for Cowell's death a few days ago, Lyney's defense was that after the magic trick began, he entered the underground tunnels. However, he didn't remain there; instead, he used the underground ventilation ducts to reach the chamber housing the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale Core. Is that correct?"
Neuvillette turned to Lyney and Lynette.
"Yes," Lyney confirmed.
"Since you admit it, the conclusion is obvious," Furina continued. "You must have planned everything in advance, intending to infiltrate the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale Core to uncover its secrets. That's why you staged the magic trick at the Opera House, isn't it?"
"Mr. Lyney," Neuvillette asked, "do you acknowledge Lady Furina's claims?"
Lyney hesitated for a few seconds, glancing at Arlecchino in the audience. After receiving her silent nod of approval, he replied:
"That's right..."
"Lyney," Paimon said, sounding nervous.
Lumine could only watch helplessly. Lyney and his group had indeed done this. There was nothing she could do.
Furina: "Ha ha ha ha! Since they've confessed, there's nothing more to say. Neuvillette, pronounce the sentence!"
"No, please wait, Chief Justice."
Lyney himself didn't care, but his sister was with him. He couldn't let her suffer alongside him.
Neuvillette turned his gaze toward them.
Lyney: "We had a reason for infiltrating the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale Core without authorization."
"While we've always been curious about how the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale judges crimes, that wasn't our sole motivation. Everything we've done has been for one purpose: Fontaine's Prophecy!"
Prophecy?!
Lyney's words sent shockwaves through the Opera House.
Neuvillette: "Prophecy? Mr. Lyney, please elaborate."
Lyney: "As everyone in Fontaine must have noticed, the sea level is rising, just as the Prophecy foretold. Now we also know that Fontainians can dissolve into the Primordial Sea—and only Fontainians can be dissolved. Everything the Prophecy predicted is slowly coming to pass..."
"We've noticed that Fontaine pays remarkably little attention to the Prophecy. The upper echelons haven't provided any clear responses, leaving us deeply concerned..."
"My intrusion into the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale Core was solely to find a way to counter the Prophecy, not to deliberately steal state secrets."
"I understand your explanation," Neuvillette replied, "but it can only serve as a mitigating factor in your sentencing, not as a reason for acquittal. Do you have anything further to add?"
"I..."
They had already said everything they needed to say. They knew they were at fault and expected to be punished.
In the audience, Arlecchino suddenly stood up.
"Chief Justice, may I ask Lady Furina a question?"
"Madam Arlecchino, if you are speaking on behalf of Lyney, you may proceed. If you are speaking in a personal capacity, please address her privately."
Arlecchino slowly approached the defendant's podium, clarifying her position.
"Father..."
Lyney and Lynette faced Arlecchino and bowed slightly.
Arlecchino gently placed her hands on their shoulders, stepped between them, and stood before them.
"Lady Furina..."
At Arlecchino's call, Furina's body trembled almost imperceptibly. But reminding herself she couldn't lose face in such a setting, she mustered her courage and glared back:
"Wh-what do you want?"
Arlecchino: "The Prophecy of Fontaine has persisted for nearly five centuries, Lady Furina. Yet throughout these five hundred years of your divine reign, you have remained utterly silent about this Prophecy hanging over Fontaine's head. I wish to know: are you simply powerless to stop it... or have you been waiting for its arrival all along?"
The audience erupted in murmurs. Furina's eyelashes flickered momentarily before she pressed a hand to her chest and burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! What a scathing accusation! Must salvation be announced to the world? Does silence equate to betrayal?"
Furina's voice rose sharply: "Look at these five hundred years of clear skies and tides! Has there been even a hint of anomaly? Simply trust in your Hydro Archon! Everything has long been set upon its destined path. The Prophecy will end, and then you will understand."
Arlecchino's gaze remained fixed on Furina, who returned the stare with forced bravery.
A faint smile played on Arlecchino's lips as she turned to Neuvillette:
"I have nothing further to add for now. Mr. Neuvillette may now deliver his judgment."
Lyney: "??"
"Father..."
Arlecchino glanced at Lyney, who nodded thoughtfully.