Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
===BREAK===
"Forty-one, forty, thirty-nine…"
After exchanging their intentions, Focalors fell silent, and Victor Wang didn't speak either. He simply stayed by the ventilation shaft, estimating the time Lyney would arrive.
Just two seconds later, Lyney had silently reached the exit of the ventilation shaft. Peering through the gap, he confirmed that the room housing the core of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale was empty. He was about to remove the cover of the shaft when a voice suddenly seemed to whisper in his ear—
"'Master Magician Lyney, my dear citizen, could this perhaps be part of the magic as well?' These are words Lady Furina asked me to convey to you."
"!"
That wasn't all. Another pair of eyes appeared through the ventilation gap, leaning down to meet his gaze: "What a coincidence, Mr. Lyney. I didn't expect to meet you in a place like this."
"Mr… Victor?!"
"Mr. Lyney."
"Ah! Lady Furina is truly clever. Even though this is the first public performance, she already noticed that this trick would make use of the underground passage and the ventilation shaft!"
"Oh? I thought you might dismiss it, claiming that a stagehand at the Opera Épiclèse during rehearsal let it slip."
"Hmm… that's also possible. But since we signed a contract, leaking the secret early would cost a huge penalty, especially if it affects Lady Furina's viewing experience. I might even be sent to the Fortress of Meropide… So, if someone did leak it, I'd better investigate thoroughly when I return."
"So now you're going to come out through this ventilation shaft? Want me to help?"
"Hehe… please don't mock me. Since my method has already been seen through, I have no face to come out here. Looks like I'll have to retreat."
"That won't do. The audience is still waiting for your performance."
"…Don't worry. Even if I don't use this path, I have other ways to complete the show."
"I see. Then hurry. There doesn't seem to be much time left."
Lyney said no more and silently retreated back into the ventilation shaft.
Another act was only just beginning. Victor Wang had no time to linger and dashed back to the VIP section of the Opera Épiclèse at lightning speed.
"Five, four, three—"
The audience's countdown continued loudly. At the final moment, a beam of strong light hit the magic box in the audience aisle, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
The box opened from the inside, and through a thick cloud of smoke, Lyney emerged.
Ding ding!
The performance reached its climax. Almost all the audience members stood, giving heartfelt, thunderous applause.
However, the stage box was still covered. Lyney raised his arms in greeting to all sides, then waved to direct everyone's attention toward the stage.
The spotlight followed, and all eyes shifted. Colorful ribbons and confetti fell over the stage, while brilliant fireworks rose higher at the edges.
Then, before everyone's eyes and amid mounting anticipation, the previously selected lucky audience member—the seemingly delicate young girl—hurled herself out of the box with remarkable speed, dragging an unconscious adult man behind her.
Before anyone could react, the situation escalated again. The water tank used earlier for the water escape trick had been suspended above the stage, and now, without warning, it plummeted downward.
And yet, just as the water tank was about to crash onto the magic box, a massive surge of Hydro energy shot out from the VIP section, stabilizing the falling tank and placing it safely on the stage.
Is this part of the magic too… so, so dangerous…
"But didn't you say no elemental power would be used?"
"That can't be right. Lyney and Lynette's Visions aren't Hydro."
"I could swear that water just came from the VIP section… Could it have been Lady Furina? It must have been Lady Furina!"
"I saw it too. It definitely came from the VIP section."
"This… this doesn't happen for decades! I can report on this in the third edition!"
"If Lady Furina intervened, does that mean this was purely a performance accident?"
"Mr. Lyney, can you explain? That nearly hit someone. This is far too unsafe!"
"And that girl dragging someone and running that fast… she doesn't seem ordinary. Could she be an accomplice?"
Those who thought it was an accident, those who believed it still fell within the magic trick, those who thought Lyney broke his promise, and those craning their necks to sneak a look at Furina…
With so many people, mixed opinions, and now an accident, the discussion was inevitable.
Lyney, unable to uncover the secret of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale and failing his first performance at the Opera Épiclèse, turned pale. Despite his many doubts, he could only mutter in shock, "How could this happen…"
"This performance is now canceled!" Neuvillette commanded loudly.
"This performance is now canceled!" Furina shouted simultaneously.
Neuvillette glanced in surprise at Furina, only to see her continue: "Please remain in your seats and do not move about! Medical personnel, check the health of all involved! The security team will protect the site and control all performers! The Special Security and Surveillance Patrol will seal all entrances and exits of the Opera Épiclèse, preventing any passage!"
"Special Security and Surveillance Patrol…?"
The Special Security and Surveillance Patrol is the elite unit of the Maison Gardiennage, usually deployed only when the security team cannot handle a situation. They typically appear only in major or violent incidents… yet somehow, they had been dispatched to the Opera Épiclèse.
Neuvillette's gaze shifted, and indeed, in the dark corner at the back of the audience, he spotted Captain Chevreuse of the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol leaning against the wall. With a simple gesture, several people in the last row quietly rose and exited the hall.
It seemed the Archon of Fontaine had been prepared, or perhaps… Neuvillette glanced at Victor Wang standing beside Furina, ultimately deciding to observe quietly.
Soon, the results of the medical and security investigations were released.
At Furina's indication, the medical spokesperson addressed the audience publicly:
"The selected lucky audience member was splashed with an unknown liquid, though she reported no abnormal sensations. We found no other injuries."
"The unconscious man appears to have been struck by an external force but is simply fainted, with no other injuries. We are attempting to revive him."
The security team added:
"The lucky audience member claims her name is 'Patricia,' but according to the ticket records, the seat should belong to Miss 'Hershey.'"
"Patricia stated that she is a big fan of Lyney's magic but didn't get a ticket, so she obtained this one from Hershey through legitimate means."
"As for the unconscious man, Lyney confirmed he is a member of their magic team, named 'Cowell.'"
"Patricia voluntarily claimed responsibility for Cowell fainting, though she stated she has matters to explain in her defense."
"Regarding the falling water tank, all involved reported they were unaware of the cause…"
"Based on the current evidence, the 'falling tank' and 'Cowell fainting' appear largely unrelated, seeming to be two separate performance accidents coinciding."
Furina asked the security spokesperson, "What's your name?"
"Me? Lady Furina… I am Vaughn."
"Vaughn," Furina smiled, "you're too naive. In my opinion, this is clearly a premeditated murder."
"Lady Furina is right. Had Patricia not dodged, she could have been crushed by the water tank!"
"Even if it's an attempted murder, the culprit must not be let go!"
"Am I the only one who thinks this was really just a performance accident?"
"Maybe Lyney is the culprit!"
"That method is too clumsy. If something had happened, he'd be the obvious suspect. I don't think so."
"Alright, please all remain calm," Furina said. "Since someone dared to commit a crime in the presence of the Archon… I will personally investigate this case."
"Traveler from another land, with golden hair, whether by your reputation outside or your arrival in Fontaine, you seem to be the least likely suspect here. Can you help me carefully investigate any hidden clues in the 'Water Tank Escape' and 'Transposition' magic tricks?"
Suddenly addressed, Lumine hesitated briefly, then agreed.
"Neuvillette, you will assist with the investigation as well."
Neuvillette nodded slightly, departing alongside Lumine and Paimon.
"Now, let's hear what Patricia has to say."
===BREAK===
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