"I would choose… to report it to Rex Lapis."
Ningguang's lips curved into a confident little smile.
Keqing: "…"
Ganyu: "…"
Good grief.
They asked how she would solve it — and she kicked the ball straight to the Archon?
She really does know how to handle things.
The two girls gave her synchronized, adorable eye-rolls.
Ningguang merely lifted both hands in a helpless gesture.
"I can't help it.
I am not Neuvillette — I am human."
"It would be extremely difficult to make a final ruling myself."
"In that kind of dilemma, either I recuse myself… or I report directly to Rex Lapis."
"Only the Geo Archon could give a truly fair answer."
And she meant it.
If a close person were involved — she honestly didn't know if she could stay impartial.
Keqing and Ganyu exchanged glances, then nodded.
True.
Not everyone can carry the burden Neuvillette carries.
Justice may look simple… but it is unbearably heavy.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Kaeya: Guilty, huh? Didn't expect that judgment.
Arataki Itto: Right?! He fought for his friend! That's REAL loyalty! And everyone supported him too!
Kuki Shinobu: Boss… those "supporters" only wanted to use the situation to cozy up to Neuvillette.
Wriothesley: I respect Watatsumi. But if Neuvillette pardoned him… he wouldn't be Neuvillette.
Sigewinne: You could see how much it hurt him… but…
Chevreuse: Because justice demands it — he had to rule guilty.
Nahida: So this is the difference between personal justice… and legal justice.
Alhaitham: Being Chief Justice is anything but easy. Perhaps that's why he avoids forming bonds — to prevent this exact situation.
Hu Tao: Hmph! If I handled the case, and Yanfei took the stand — guaranteed acquittal!
Charlotte: Yanfei the legal consultant? Fontaine's heard of her! She's very skilled!
Lumine: Small vision! She wouldn't just get him acquitted — if she performs too well, she might send THE CHIEF JUSTICE to prison instead!
Alice: Exactly! Perform normally: acquittal. Perform exceptionally: Neuvillette behind bars!
Ayaka: She's that powerful?
Navia: If only I'd hired Legal Advisor Yanfei earlier…
Yanfei: ...…
Yanfei stared at the screen.
Traveler and Lady Alice were blowing it WAY out of proportion!
Even if she was confident in her legal talent… sending the Chief Justice to prison!?
She was a lawyer…
Not an outlaw with a Vision…
Barbara: So the three of them: one died, one was imprisoned, and one had to judge his own subordinate… kinda tragic.
Nilou: Watatsumi's roar at the end… his heart must have been torn.
Heizou: No… maybe it was intentional.
Tighnari: Intentional? You mean—
Paimon: Huh?! On purpose? There's more to this?!
Wriothesley: Just keep watching. You'll see.
Back to the Villa
Arthur saw the barrage and raised a brow.
"So someone figured it out already?"
Makes sense.
Watatsumi's shift in behavior was too noticeable.
Teyvat was full of sharp minds.
He cleared his throat.
"Yes — it was deliberate."
"Watatsumi understood the complexity of the situation."
"He knew the people of Fontaine doubted Neuvillette."
"So he acted with a plan."
"As Neuvillette's former subordinate, he knew the Chief Justice would not hesitate to uphold the law."
"So the more he appeared to resent Neuvillette…
the more the public would witness Neuvillette's unwavering fairness."
"And in turn — trust both Neuvillette and the Melusines."
"The next 400 years prove this."
"Even after being sent to the Fortress of Meropide… he didn't lose himself."
"He founded a mutual aid group."
"They were small… but they helped those they could."
"And their motto included one core message—"
'Do not hate a just judgment.'
"That alone tells us everything."
"He never regretted what he did."
Arthur sighed with admiration.
"A strategist who placed his own life on the board…
One who defied fate — if only half a step."
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia
"A mutual aid society…
'Do not hate a just judgment'…"
Neuvillette's voice trembled.
He felt shock.
Relief.
Gratitude.
Guilt.
A storm of emotion.
Furina patted his arm lightly.
"Even Watatsumi accepted it and moved forward.
You can't fall behind him, Monsieur Dragon~"
Her voice — gentle, almost divine.
It took Neuvillette off guard.
He quickly turned his attention back to the light curtain.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Paimon: So there was more all along!!
Xiangling: No wonder things changed afterward!
Chevreuse: Not a "lie" — a "performance."
Kaeya: A man who avenges the innocent and sides with justice — RESPECT.
Ayato: First he avenged the dead. Then he cleared obstacles for his superior. Then he reinforced trust in the law. And finally—built a support group in prison. A true hero.
Yaemiko: Funny how the focus of Neuvillette's chapter ended up being… Watatsumi~
Keqing: They are inseparable — Neuvillette, Watatsumi, and the Melusines.
Yanfei: Three different forms of justice…
Nahida: Truly the Nation of Justice.
Lumine: Now I REALLY can't wait to see the God of Justice's justice!
Venti: Ehe~ same here!
Zhongli: I believe she will not disappoint.
Furina: My… My justice…?
Her expression wavered… but soon turned resolute.
Her justice —
Is saving the people of Fontaine from the prophecy of disaster.
That was the purpose she bore for 500 years.
Back in the villa, Arthur continued:
"With the major details clear,
this concludes Neuvillette's official review."
"There was originally one more point—"
"But since it relates to the Hydro Archon—"
"I'll save it for when she is reviewed."
"Now… we move to the next subject—"
Navia, President of the Spina di Rosula!
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia
"H-Hydro Archon…?"
"Meaning the light curtain is REALLY going to review me soon?!"
Furina froze solid.
Any remaining hope she held
shattered into tiny pieces.
Her secret.
Her identity.
Her plan.
All would be exposed.
She began pacing anxiously.
Neuvillette watched her calmly.
His suspicions were already taking shape.
"Furina."
"If something is weighing on you,
tell me."
"We can face it together."
"The secret you've been hiding…
It concerns the prophecy, doesn't it?"
"Perhaps even…
that trial shown during the Traveler's review."
"You— You—"
"I don't know what you're talking about!!!"
Her voice cracked.
She swallowed hard.
Did he… realize she wasn't the real god?
But Neuvillette wasn't thinking that far yet.
Even he wouldn't make such a bold guess.
Seeing her panic, he sighed.
"Furina… since the light curtain appeared,
the future has changed."
"The trial you feared —
It will not happen."
"The Traveler, Clorinde, even I—
none of us want it."
"We will save Fontaine together."
"So there is no longer any need to hide."
Furina fell silent.
She understood.
But she couldn't.
Saying it meant zero chance of survival.
Not saying it…
still left a sliver of hope.
Neuvillette saw her struggle and didn't press further.
Instead, he glanced toward Celestia in the sky.
"Teyvat's gods should not fear their people…"
"Unless…"
His gaze sharpened.
Unless the fear…
comes from the Heavenly Principles.
But what connection could that have
with the prophecy of catastrophe?
He couldn't yet see it.
He shook his head.
"For now… wait for the reward."
"If the light curtain grants the means to save Fontaine—
that would be ideal."
"And if not…"
He didn't finish.
Both turned silently back to the light curtain.
Furina clutched her chest.
What am I supposed to do now…?
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito