The conditions were so specific that in less than five minutes, the Gardes had completed their screening.
"Marcel, male, over forty years old, profession: businessman, currently the chairman of the Confrerie of Cabriere, originally from Snezhnaya… Among everyone present in the Opera Épiclèse, he is the one who best fits the criteria—and the only one who satisfies them all."
The screening results were handed to Neuvillette, who had returned to the seat of the Chief Justice to read them aloud.
Lyney's team was temporarily released to observe the proceedings.
Marcel was escorted to the defendant's stand.
Furina and Victor Wang stood at the prosecution's side.
"Just because of these reasons, you suspect me? Forgive me, but I find this utterly absurd," Marcel said calmly.
"We had no other choice. Based on the criterion of being from a foreign nation alone, there were only fifty-two people in the entire Opera Épiclèse who qualified. Excluding those whose ages did not match reduced the number to six. That was without considering gender or wealth. In the end, you were the only one remaining."
"You misunderstand me, Lady Furina. What I mean is—what exactly are you doing? Do you have a witness who saw me commit the crime? Or physical evidence proving I am the culprit? You have neither… Even as an Archon, in this nation that prides itself on justice, in this Opera Épiclèse famed for its trials, you have no right to arrest someone based purely on speculation."
"Then let me ask you—what is this device?"
Furina raised a small mechanical gadget in her hand.
The audience erupted in murmurs.
Marcel's pupils contracted slightly, yet his expression remained composed.
"This was found seven meters away from you, beneath the seat in the row ahead," Furina continued. "According to the person sitting beside you, you secretly kicked it there."
"You suspect it is the device that detonated the vial on Officer Vaughn's person? You may suspect it all you like. But that device clearly has no such function. Feel free to test it."
"Ugh, how infuriating!" Paimon stomped her foot anxiously from the audience. "How can he be so shameless? He clearly knows he already damaged that device… We can't restore its function in such a short time…"
Lumine explained quietly to Lyney and Lynette, "That device is the only piece of evidence we found. Neither Vaughn nor Cowell had ever seen Vacher, and there's nothing else unusual on Marcel."
Lyney recalled what had happened inside the core chamber of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. That hidden plan had been exposed so thoroughly it still felt unbelievable. Comparing that to Furina's current situation, he shook his head slightly.
"If we lack evidence, this will be difficult… The trial feels rushed. Lady Furina should have conducted more investigation first…"
"They seem to have a reason to rush the trial… or perhaps they're absolutely certain of victory."
Lumine glanced at Victor Wang.
After months apart, she felt she could see through him less and less.
"Absolutely certain of victory?" Lyney asked curiously.
He wanted to probe further, but Paimon suddenly turned and snapped at him, "We haven't even settled the matter of you hiding your Fatui identity yet!"
"I truly am sorry about that… I know you're upset, but I still want to explain my reasoning."
Seeing Paimon and Lumine waiting for him to continue, Lyney went on.
"I know you've had many conflicts with the Fatui during your journey. I imagine even hearing that name might make you uncomfortable."
"But the Fatui is a vast organization. The Harbingers each have vastly different personalities and objectives. Our foremost goal is to save the people of Fontaine."
"You know about the prophecy. Lady Furina's transformation was too sudden. Even before her initial decisions, we doubted whether she could handle the prophecy. And afterward, we still doubted whether she could stop Fontaine's people from dissolving."
"For that reason, we may have to oppose an Archon. And Lumine—there is no doubt you are someone we would wish to win over. I believe that when it comes to saving Fontaine's people, our feelings are aligned."
"Even so, I did not wish to 'lie' to you. That is why I chose to conceal the truth instead… Thinking back, many of our 'family' at the House of the Hearth, and our 'Father,' Lord Arlecchino—about those matters, I never deceived you, did I?"
Lynette added softly, "We're sorry… Please forgive us."
"Even so, what about Patricia? Did you truly know nothing about her involvement?"
"Patricia was likely sent by Lord Tartaglia. That supports what I said earlier. Since she belongs to a different Harbinger, her operation truly did not inform us… even though we were facing being framed."
"Why is Childe involved again?"
"Didn't you run into him at the Beaumont Workshop yesterday? You even spoke privately with Lord Tartaglia behind Lynette and me."
"Sigh… Fine…" Paimon sighed. "Even if you're different from the other Fatui, my impression of the Fatui is still the same…"
Lyney gave a bitter smile. "As long as it hasn't gotten worse, that's already something."
On the trial stage, the debate between prosecution and defense continued.
When Marcel spoke again, everyone set aside their side discussion and looked up.
"Lady Furina, have you noticed a massive flaw in your logic?"
"It is true that I am from Snezhnaya. In my youth, I left my homeland and worked tirelessly to build a business in Poisson. Later, with Mr. Callas's support, I gradually found success."
"But before I ever arrived in Fontaine, the 'Serial Disappearances of Young Women' had already begun. The sequence of events is crystal clear."
"Navia… I see Navia in the audience. I was close to Mr. Callas. That was well known within the Spina di Rosula. Navia can testify on my behalf."
"You may also investigate the registration date of our commerce guild, compare it to the earliest disappearance case, examine my immigration records, or even return to my hometown in Snezhnaya to ask my relatives exactly when I left."
Furina responded, "In our deductions, Vacher concealed his identity. Fabricating a past would hardly be beyond him."
"And your evidence? One must speak with evidence—especially you, an Archon of a nation. Be careful not to overstate your claims. If I am ultimately acquitted, I will not hesitate to spread word of this farce."
"You—"
Furina pressed her lips tightly together.
Limited by the lack of evidence, she truly had no way to continue the trial at this moment.
"You've already solved this case admirably. What you lack is time to gather the necessary evidence. Leave that part to me."
A steady, reliable voice rang out.
Furina's brows relaxed.
The audience turned toward the source of the voice.
The previously unremarkable guard standing beside Furina stepped forward, now standing shoulder to shoulder with her.
He called out toward the audience, "Charlotte, please present the evidence you've gathered—so that Vacher may finally abandon any hope. And Miss Navia, the case of Mr. Callas that you asked me to investigate can be settled at the same time."
===BREAK===
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