"No... I didn't kill anyone, it wasn't me." But the Melusine's faint voice was quickly drowned out by the crowd as Carolole was edged step by step into the sea of fire.
Just as the Melusine was about to be swallowed by the flames, the fire froze in place.
"Is this the nation of justice—Fontaine?"
"Who's there?" shouted the ringleaders.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is whether your actions live up to Fontaine's reputation as the nation of justice."
"Is that you? You don't have any bodyguards protecting you now, so you'd better clear out if you know what's good for you," the few of them said, still completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
"It seems you don't realize the severity of the situation. The one who needs to worry isn't me, it's you."
"Get him!!!" Dozens of thugs emerged from all around and charged toward Dottore.
Two and a half minutes later, looking at the dozens of thugs sprawled on the ground, the men swallowed hard. The onlookers had vanished without a trace the moment the thugs appeared.
"Don't come any closer!" Dottore stuffed the men into a trash can, dusted off his hands, and said, "Trash belongs in the trash can."
Carolole said, "Thank you."
Without a word, Dottore picked up the Melusine by the scruff of her neck and walked toward the Palais Mermonia.
Carolole: Eh?
As they approached the destination, someone suddenly appeared and shouted, "Carolole!!!"
"Wriothesley!" Even though she was being carried by Dottore, she still waved at her friend.
"You bastard, what are you doing to Carolole?!"
"Wait, Wriothesley, it's not what you think!"
Scene change.
Wriothesley: "I see. I'm sorry for misunderstanding you, but you still shouldn't treat Carolole like that."
Dottore: Of course I know, otherwise you wouldn't be standing here talking to me right now, but planted in the ground instead.
Dottore pulled a restorative potion from his coat, drank it, and his swollen right cheek gradually returned to normal.
"You must know Neuvillette. Take me to him."
"I suppose I can, but it's work hours now, and the Chief Justice probably doesn't have time."
"Then I can wait. Whenever he has time, that's when I'll go see him."
They waited until evening before Neuvillette finally had time.
Stepping into the Palais Mermonia once again, they entered Neuvillette's office. To his surprise, Dottore found Furina there as well. "Greetings, esteemed guest from Snezhnaya. What brings you here to see me?"
"You must know about what happened today, right? How do you plan to resolve this, Chief Justice of Fontaine?"
Neuvillette: ......
Although he remained silent, Dottore could tell his current mood from the rolls of thunder and the patter of fine rain outside the window.
"How much longer are you going to wait, Hydro Dragon? Until your friend dies because of your hesitation? Or do you only act when you see a Melusine jump into a sea of fire?"
With every word Dottore spoke, the rain outside grew heavier by a fraction.
He handed a photograph from the camera to Neuvillette. "Take a look. This is a picture I took today. Would you care to guess what would have happened to this poor Melusine if not for me?"
Neuvillette remained silent, but the downpour raging outside reflected his turbulent emotions.
Dottore prepared to administer a stronger dose of reality to shatter his illusions. "Let me tell you: the Melusine would have been driven deep into the flames and burned alive. Is this really what you wanted to see, Chief Justice of Fontaine—Neuvillette?"
............
Meanwhile, Arlecchino was searching for a suitable location to build an orphanage when her journey was interrupted by a sudden torrential downpour. Just as she was looking for a place to shelter from the rain, a massive boulder fell from above, crashing directly toward her.
After shattering the boulder, she prepared to leave the area, only to be struck by a bolt of lightning.
Arlecchino: Have I committed some heinous sin against the heavenly principles? (Yes, you have, and a very grave one at that.)
............
"Mr. Neuvillette, if you have time in a few days at this same hour, I will come again. I hope you will have prepared your thoughts by then." Dottore then looked at Furina.
Startled by Dottore's intense gaze, Furina felt a jolt of panic, but seeing Neuvillette standing nearby, she quickly regained her composure and met his eyes with steady confidence.
"I would like to invite the Hydro Archon to take a short walk with a humble Snezhnayan. Would that be acceptable?"
Furina: ......
Though Furina maintained a blank expression, Dottore could read the profound reluctance deep within her eyes.
"I swear by the Geo Archon Morax that I will not commit any harmful acts during our walk."
Thinking it might not be enough, he added, "If anyone attempts to harm the Hydro Archon, I will personally intervene and punish them."
"Do you take me for a coward? Do you think I need your protection? I am the Hydro Archon—Focalors."
"Then you accept, Lady Hydro Archon?"
"O... Of course."
"Very well, the contract is struck. He who breaks the contract shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock."
Both of them felt a strange surge of energy ripple through the air, signaling that the contract had taken effect.
What do I do? What do I do? Why on earth did I agree to this? Am I going to blow my cover?
Neuvillette wanted to stop them, but the two of them had already signed the contract.
Neuvillette: ......
In the end, his thoughts could only coalesce into a single sentence: "Lady Furina, please stay safe." The tone sounded just like an overprotective father speaking to his daughter.
...
To prevent Lady Furina from being recognized, he deliberately chose a quiet, secluded path.
What is he doing? He brought me to such a quiet place—is he going to silence me?!
Dottore: ......
A moment later, however, Furina spotted a stray cat and rushed over to scoop it up into her arms. Dottore politely turned his back, sparing her the embarrassment.
"Ahem. This is the benevolence of the Hydro Archon; everything in Fontaine is under the protection of the Hydro Archon." Furina delivered the line without batting an eye and without a single blush.
Dottore let out a sigh.
Then, he sensed a familiar aura. Arlecchino? Why is she here? Shouldn't she be out finding a suitable location to build an orphanage?
Arlecchino: Seriously, what kind of luck is this? I'm just walking along, and I get crushed by a boulder, struck by lightning, bullied by a Hydro Phantasm, and nearly drowned!
At that moment, she collided head-on with the two of them, her eyes instantly lighting up. "Dottore, did you actually capture the Hydro Archon all by yourself? As expected of the Second Harbinger, wielding power comparable to a God."
Both Dottore and Furina fell into silence.
"Well, what are you standing around for? Let me help you take down the Hydro Archon."
Hearing this, Furina panicked instantly. After all, she had just heard him mentioned as having power comparable to a God, and she was merely an ordinary mortal playing the role of a deity—how could she possibly fight him?
Amidst Furina's shock, blades of a scythe materialized in Dottore's hands.
Furina: It's over!
Arlecchino: In the bag!
Then, to the utter shock of both women, the scythe swung around and pointed straight at Arlecchino.
Arlecchino: ????????????????????
Furina: ????????????????????