Inside the villa, Arthur took a sip of water to ease his throat before continuing.
"Although the Melusines were born from disaster, their nature has always been kind. With Watatsumi's help, and through their sincere efforts day after day, some ordinary citizens of Fontaine gradually began to accept them."
He paused for a breath.
"But of course… things didn't end so peacefully."
"The old powers whose interests were threatened by the reforms did not give up. One day, they launched a meticulously crafted scheme."
"They planted false evidence… and lured the innocent, naïve Melusine, Carole, into leaving fingerprints at the crime scene."
"Anyone familiar with criminal investigations knows exactly what that means."
"It was a move that cornered Neuvillette—forcing him to either admit he was wrong… or give up authority."
"Since those old powers could not defeat Neuvillette directly, this was the best weapon they had left."
"Their means were despicable, but… undeniably effective."
"Because of this, the originally improving relationship between humans and Melusines took a sudden plunge."
"Agitated by the old nobles, many citizens who didn't know the truth erupted in anger. Conflict even broke out with the Gardes."
"Carole was terrified — she had never experienced such hostility."
"In the end… she chose to sacrifice herself to calm the situation."
As Arthur's words fell, the room dimmed with solemnity.
A bright and gentle life, extinguished unjustly.
The viewers could not help but think of another tragedy — a young boy who merely ate noodles and lost his life for it.
Some wounds never truly heal.
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia
"Carole…"
Hearing her name spoken aloud, Neuvillette's past surged back like a tidal wave.
She was so gentle.
So hopeful.
So desperate to prove her existence had meaning.
Yet she was driven to such an ending…
And he failed to protect her.
The sky above Fontaine darkened.
Raindrops began to fall.
Furina noticed, and though she often teased him, this time she remained silent.
Her eyes dimmed as well.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Hu Tao: WHAT??? That adorable Melusine dies like THAT?!??
Lumine: Damn those old nobles! If you've got guts, go challenge Neuvillette!!!
Paimon: Yeah!! Bullying the weak is disgusting! Poor Melusine…
Tartaglia: Hah. Typical cowardice. Useless trash.
Wriothesley: If it were today… I'd give those nobles a very special "reception."
Jean: Reminds me a bit of Lady Vennessa's story…
Diluc: If Vennessa saw some things the Knights do today… she would be disappointed.
Barbara: I'll teach them justice with my Holy AK47 of the Heavens!!!
Ayaka: Neuvillette must have been furious…
Nilou: Would this lead to a bloody purge?
Alice: If anyone even dared touch my Klee— bah! I'd blow Fontaine sky-high!
Klee: Don't worry mommy! Klee is safe inside solitary confinement!!
Jean: ...
Kaeya: ...
The righteous fury across Teyvat was unanimous.
Back in the villa, Arthur continued:
"Watatsumi was heartbroken, yes — but above all, he was furious."
"He had treated Carole like his own younger sister."
"And now she was gone."
"So he did the only thing he could."
"He sealed the information."
"He took the list of culprits."
"And he did it himself."
"He avenged Carole."
"He removed the old power structures that had orchestrated the crime."
"He believed that blood should be repaid with blood."
"And he willingly shouldered all the consequences."
Extraordinary Chat Group
Kaeya: That's what I'm TALKING about! Watatsumi — a real man!
Diluc: I respect men like him. If he were alive today, we'd be friends.
Lumine: He avenged the innocent and purged corruption — give that man a Vision!
Venti: Ehe~ that argument checks out!
Zhongli: For someone unrelated by blood… to take vengeance alone — admirable and rare.
Xingqiu: A hero born straight from a novel!
Yae Miko: Better than those "ten years late" revenge plots~
Ei: Strike back when wronged — that fits my way.
Alice: And fast~ not like some crybaby protagonists.
Navia: Criticizing a brave hero… is the truest form of cowardice. He was magnificent!
Seymour: I've heard his story. I don't know if I could have done the same… but I respect him.
Everyone agreed — justice delivered without hesitation.
But soon… logic caught up.
If this was vigilantism…
And the judge was his superior…
Then the outcome was inevitable.
And suddenly…
Everyone understood why the light curtain called it a "legendary trial."
Back to Arthur:
"As I said… Watatsumi chose to bear all responsibility."
"So a trial began — a trial that determined the path of Fontaine's justice."
He paused — then smiled faintly.
"I could describe it to you… but no words would do it justice."
"So I'll show you."
A video began playing.
Video Scene — Opera Epiclese
A black-and-white recording. The atmosphere heavy.
Spectators whispered:
"The defendant is Watatsumi — the captain of the Special Patrol Unit."
"He avenged his sister's friend."
"We must defend him — Neuvillette won't want to lose his best subordinate!"
"If we sway public opinion, Neuvillette will be forced to pardon him…"
When the trial started, they stood and pleaded:
"Watatsumi's revenge is also a form of justice!"
"If we were in his place — could we remain calm?"
"He is innocent!"
"Innocent!"
Watatsumi looked up at Neuvillette.
"Lord Neuvillette…"
"Silence."
Neuvillette sighed, then spoke:
"I agree that Watatsumi's revenge springs from a primal justice."
"I understand your choice."
"But…"
"I regret what comes next."
He looked to the people:
"Personal justice does not equal legal justice."
"For vengeance, Watatsumi misused authority. He acted outside law and order."
"That contradicts the very foundation of justice."
"So…"
"I find you… guilty."
Across Fontaine and beyond, jaws dropped.
Even now, viewers stared at the screen in disbelief.
On-screen, the trial continued.
Watatsumi suddenly roared:
"Neuvillette!"
"I followed every order you gave me!"
"Everyone here believes I am innocent!"
"So why won't you spare me?!"
"This is your justice?!"
"ANSWER ME— NEUVILLETTE!!!"
But Neuvillette simply turned to the Oratrice.
The mechanical verdict rang:
"According to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale —
Watatsumi: Guilty."
The screen faded to black.
Silence fell across all of Teyvat.
No one spoke.
Because this wasn't a story about law.
This was a story about the burden of justice.
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia
Neuvillette stared at the screen, expression complicated.
Furina suddenly broke the silence:
"That Watatsumi… something's off."
Neuvillette blinked. "Off?"
"I saw his expression." Furina crossed her arms. "It wasn't pure rage… It was performance."
"Performance?"
"Ahem! As Fontaine's top theatrical star, I know acting better than anyone."
She puffed her chest… then quickly coughed and continued:
"The way he exaggerated… the timing… the words…"
"He wasn't venting anger."
"He was acting—for your sake and for justice."
"He placed himself on the sacrifice altar — so your judgment could remain pure and unshaken."
"You had… a remarkable subordinate, Neuvillette."
Neuvillette froze—then slowly exhaled.
So that was it.
"Watatsumi… I see now."
Liyue — Jade Chamber
Keqing, Ganyu, and Ningguang were all deep in thought.
"What would I do in Neuvillette's place?" Keqing whispered.
A loyal subordinate.
A righteous man.
Loved by the people.
But also… a man who committed a felony.
"One way, or the other… someone must bleed."
She turned to Ningguang.
"What would you decide?"
Ningguang paused for just a heartbeat.
Then she smiled — calm, unwavering.
Her answer would determine her nature.
And perhaps… the fate of a nation.
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