Navia slamd her foot onto the Aquabus, abruptly slowing it down. She then leaped into the air, a bright golden light enveloping her form before coalescing around her claymore.
The blade expanded rapidly, growing wider and larger.
Finally, after gathering her montum, Navia swung her sword and cleaved the onrushing water dragon in two with a single strike.
"Bravo!"
"Miss Navia is truly remarkable!"
Yet Navia's expression grew even more serious. The opponent's attack had been devastating, and she noticed a corrosive sizzle where the liquid splashed, hinting at its corrosive nature.
This was a formidable opponent, but not invincible!
Navia's aura suddenly surged, as if an inexhaustible fla were erupting from her body. It spiraled around her claymore, engulfing the entire water dragon and vaporizing it completely.
"The most intense episode yet!"
The mbers of Spina di Rosula erupted in excitent at the sight. Weapons in hand, they leaped from the Aquabus one by one, eager to join Navia in attacking the enemy.
anwhile, the Marechaussee Phantom agents finally snapped out of their shock. Stunned by the sudden resurgence of Navia's Fire Elental Power, they quickly regained their composure and frantically maneuvered the Aquabus to a halt.
Marcel was utterly bewildered.
Wait, who is this man?!
Why is she acting like he's here to silence permanently?
I don't even recognize him!
Having gained a slight advantage, Navia gasped for breath, the previous attack having taken a considerable toll on her stamina. She had only recently mastered the Pyro Elent and struggled to control it effectively, let alone combine it with another Elental Power.
Still, Navia was certain her opponent was equally drained. Their earlier assault had far surpassed the capabilities of ordinary Vision users; she had only witnessed such power in her Teacher during their clash that night.
Well, specifically during that night's encounter.
But she was completely different now!
With that thought, Navia planted her foot firmly and launched herself toward the shadowy figure like a cannonball.
As she closed the distance, Navia finally saw her opponent's face: a man in his forties, weathered and worn, though faint traces of youthful handsoness lingered around his eyes and jawline.
He wore a long black robe that nearly concealed his entire body, and his clenched fist protruded from the sleeve. A black box was strapped to his wrist, emanating intense elental energy.
Wait, where's his Vision?!
Navia froze, montarily stunned by the absence of a Vision.
Seizing the opportunity, the opponent seed to manipulate the black box on his wrist, perhaps rotating it slightly. Then, he raised his arm and waved it in Navia's direction as if fanning the air.
Suddenly, a violent gust of wind slamd into Navia's left side, sending her flying off course like a kite with a severed string. She watched in horror as she plumted toward the sea.
Gritting her teeth, Navia knew all too well that if she failed to hold the line, the rest of her companions would likely et a grim fate.
But... no Vision? Two types of Elental Power? What exactly is he?
As these questions raced through her mind, Navia swiftly conjured a Pyro Impact on her other side. The powerful propulsion sent her hurtling back toward the battle, only to find the enemy already engaged with the mbers of Spina di Rosula.
"He's strong! Prioritize your own safety and stall until Miss Navia returns!" lus shouted, brandishing his one-handed sword as he fearlessly charged toward the enemy.
But after only two steps, a sharp sense of danger jolted through him. Without ti to think, lus instinctively threw himself sideways to avoid an unseen attack.
The instant lus moved aside, the puddle where he had been standing suddenly coalesced into countless ice spikes. They tore through his pant leg, and had he hesitated even a fraction of a second longer, he would have been impaled like a porcupine.
A third Elental Power?!
Navia's face contorted in disbelief, but she had no ti to dwell on it. Before the enemy could harm anyone else, she tightened her grip on her claymore and unleashed another devastating strike.
Sensing the commotion behind him, the enemy turned. A column of water erupted skyward, freezing into solid ice just before it struck Navia.
With a fierce roar, Navia pushed her body to its limits once more. The flas engulfing her converged on the claymore, now as broad as a door panel thanks to the Geo Elent's power. With all her might, she brought the blade crashing down on the icy pillar.
A thunderous roar echoed endlessly as the scene unfolded, leaving everyone breathless. Wreathed in crimson flas, Navia first cleaved the ice pillar in half with a single blow. Then, pouring every ounce of her strength into a forward thrust, she shattered the remaining ice into countless shards. Undeterred, she charged straight through the shower of crystalline fragnts toward her opponent.
The man's face remained utterly impassive, as if he were a cold, unfeeling machine. From the mont they first saw him, no one had ever witnessed a flicker of emotion on his face, nor had he uttered a single word.
Just as Navia's claymore was about to strike, the man raised his hand again. This ti, Navia clearly saw the object he held: a black disc inscribed with the characters for "Anemo," "Pyro," "Hydro," "Dendro," and "Cryo." A pointer rested firmly on the "Pyro" segnt.
Navia seed to understand instantly. As predicted, an overwhelming surge of Pyro energy erupted from the man's body, followed by a burst of black flas that completely neutralized her attack.
Staggering back several steps, Navia found her clothes covered in the viscous black flas.
The sensation was profoundly unsettling, like being coated in so repulsive, gel-like substance.
Though such a description might seem ill-suited for flas, it perfectly captured Navia's visceral reaction.
The black flas relentlessly devoured her garnts. Realizing this, Navia imdiately channeled her own Pyro energy to counter them, but inexplicably found them resistant to her efforts.
After a fierce struggle, Navia finally managed to extinguish the black flas that had engulfed her. Her expression hardened as she fixed her gaze on the man standing not far away.
"Just what are you...?"
The man showed no sign of answering. Instead, he raised his arm towards Marcel, the pointer on the disc at his wrist shifting to the "Dendro" symbol.
A spear woven from vines rapidly materialized in his hand and shot towards Marcel with blinding speed.
Mid-flight, the vine spear suddenly exploded into several smaller spears, each moving even faster than before. These secondary projectiles continued towards Marcel's position, only to detonate again monts later...
Too late!
Navia lunged to intercept, but she was too far away, and her Pyro Elent couldn't react quickly enough.
She couldn't let this attack land. Marcel deserved to die, but not here!
With a thunderous stomp, Navia summoned a massive stone pillar from the waterway. The pillar slamd into the Aquabus, flipping it sideways so its reinforced hull could absorb the full force of the oncoming barrage.
A deafening tallic roar erupted, piercing everyone's eardrums.
Despite the noise, the Spina di Rosula mbers continued their harassing attacks, providing cover for Navia as she prepared another assault.
Bullets and elental bombs were blocked by a fiery barrier surrounding the man. Navia sensed his aura had weakened considerably since their initial confrontation. Though her own energy was dwindling, her nurous allies gave her the advantage.
With renewed determination, Navia charged forward, her claymore raised high, the Geo and Pyro Visions at her hip glowing brightly in unison.
Realizing even his probing attacks were being thwarted, the man cast one last, lingering glance at Navia before diving without hesitation into the sea.
Navia stopped at the water's edge, choosing not to pursue.
Part of her hesitation stemd from uncertainty about securing a decisive victory. The other concern was whether other enemies might still target Marcel.
Their imdiate priority was to reach the Opera Epiclese as quickly as possible.
"Is the Aquabus still operational?"
"I regret to inform you, Miss Navia, that it appears we'll have to proceed on foot from here."
The Marechaussee Phantom mber wiped the sweat from his brow, still feeling the imnse pressure Navia had exuded during the recent ordeal. (The Marechaussee Phantom was primarily composed of lusines, though so humans were also mbers.)
He didn't suggest waiting for the next Aquabus. Knowing soone was likely to ambush them—and having already experienced one attack—staying put would be the height of foolishness.
Navia nodded. Her earlier actions had been unavoidable. To prevent Marcel from dying prematurely and protect the Marechaussee Phantom mbers on the Aquabus from injury, she hadn't been able to consider other options.
After a mont's thought, Navia swung her sword and hacked off a section of an Aquabus seat. She then instructed Silver to bind Marcel securely to the chair, making it easier to transport him.
The journey ahead was long, but with frequent rotations, their physically fit group could manage carrying the relatively light burden of Marcel.
Even in this new location, Marcel remained passive. Even if he had objections, they wouldn't matter now. Navia had beco utterly incomprehensible to him.
Rational, decisive, and overwhelmingly powerful... Was this truly the sa girl he'd known years ago, the one who used to cling to her father's protection and throw childish tantrums?
If Navia had displayed such brilliance back then, he would never have dared to target her, thus drawing Callas's attention—the very beginning of his downfall.
Marcel sighed inwardly before asking Navia, "What's our plan?"
"What was up with that guy earlier?"
Hearing Marcel's question, Navia frowned slightly.
"Marcel, are you still playing dumb with ?"
"Or are you so loyal to the faction you serve that you'd rather die than betray their secrets, even if they've abandoned you and sent soone to eliminate you?"
Marcel was stunned by Navia's words.
What? When did I pledge allegiance to so mysterious faction? How am I just hearing about this?!
"Miss Navia, I don't understand what you're saying..."
"There's no such thing as a mysterious faction, and I'm not working for anyone..."
Hearing Marcel's words, Navia gave him a long, searching look before saying, "I see."
You see my ass!
Judging by Navia's expression, Marcel was certain she didn't believe a word he said.
Marcel felt like throwing up. Not only had he been frad for killing a Maison Gardiennage officer, but now they were trying to pin him as a loyal lapdog of so shadowy organization?
"I'm telling you, there's no such thing as a mysterious faction!"
"You can condemn , but don't fabricate baseless accusations!" Marcel snapped, his voice tinged with desperation.
Navia scoffed, her tone dismissive. "Is that so? But weren't you quite skilled at this routine before?"
"You know perfectly well whether that's true or not."
"They've already sent people to erase your traces. If you still cling to the hope that they'll rescue you, then take your secrets to the grave."
With that, Navia turned and strode away, tugging the rope in her hand. The other end was tied to Marcel's chair, which lurched forward with her movent, dragging him along like a leashed dog.
Humiliated, utterly humiliated.
"You might as well just kill !"
The group rely chuckled mockingly at his outburst, ignoring him as they continued their journey, chatting idly among themselves.
At that mont, Marcel once again cursed his misfortune for not being a Fontainian. Had he been one, he would have had countless opportunities—both before and now—to end his life with the Primordial Sea Water.
Who was that man just now? Could he be an enemy Marcel had made over the years?
But if he'd provoked such a powerful foe, the grass on his grave would already be three feet high by now!
No matter how puzzled Marcel remained, he was eventually dragged all the way to the Opera Epiclese. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he was hauled inside the Opera House.
No further attacks by strangers occurred along the way, leading many to speculate that his assailant had retreated after eting resistance.
When the audience at the Opera Epiclese saw Marcel's arrival, their faces didn't betray anger or hatred, but rather pure amusent.
Although Marcel's actions had been utterly heinous, with dozens of victims, they were targeted cris. For the vast majority of spectators, he was rely a spectator at today's "Judgnt."
They didn't care how heinous Marcel's cris were; they were only interested in whether he had a tragic backstory or if so dramatic twist would unfold.
Navia was acutely aware of this. Unlike the trial of Marquis Relf, who had hard countless citizens, this case offered no such catharsis.
It was precisely this realization that made Fontaine feel increasingly foreign to her.
Recalling Lofan's words—"They're all guilty"—Navia felt a suffocating weight pressing down on her heart.
Yet Lofan was right—this nation wasn't beyond redemption.
At least the one presiding over the court was tirelessly striving for Fontaine's betternt, even if he clung too rigidly to the rules.
Perhaps it was precisely his unwavering adherence to his inner principles that had earned him the position of Chief Justice.
In truth, Navia harbored no resentnt toward Neuvillette or Clorinde.
But the re sight of them inevitably brought back mories of her father's death, stirring unrest within her.
Now, however, it was all coming to an end.
Navia stepped up to the prosecutor's stand, her gaze sweeping across the audience below, who were already buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming Judgnt. She couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
Today, Furina overca her inner fears and attended the Judgnt.
Because the subject of this Judgnt was closely related to the Prophecy, she couldn't afford to miss it.
Of course, Furina would never admit that Clorinde's presence alongside her today—and the sense of security she provided—was the real reason she'd co.
She was an Archon, after all! How could she possibly need protection from a re mortal?!
The mont Furina appeared, she imdiately pointed at Marcel and demanded loudly:
"Marcel, were you involved in the recent incidents in Fontaine?"
"And what about the case at the Poisson Garrison? Was that your doing too?"
Hearing Furina's rapid-fire accusations, Marcel felt like vomiting.
Look, I'll confess to my cris—I know my previous sins are enough to get killed several tis over.
But please don't pile false charges on ! I'm not taking the bla for anyone else!
"Lady Furina," Marcel protested, "if you wish to accuse of new cris, please provide evidence. Otherwise, isn't this slander?"
"I've heard Lady Furina knows every law in Fontaine by heart. Could you tell what the punishnt is for false accusation?"
Marcel's words imdiately made Furina's imposing aura falter. He then turned to Neuvillette.
"Chief Justice, could we expedite the court proceedings?"
"At this point, I have no excuses left. I will confess to everything I've done."
"Of course, I will never confess to anything I haven't done."
"Moreover, I'm thoroughly disgusted by the audience here. They have no comprehension of my suffering, only eagerly anticipating the next farce."
"Everyone, please maintain order in the court."
Neuvillette tapped his cane twice on the ground, his voice ringing with authority as he restored order.
"Monsieur Marcel, regarding your question, I must give you a negative answer."
"I regret to inform you that every Judgnt has its predetermined duration. For now, please abide by the rules of this Judgnt."
"And now, Lady Furina."
"A-ah? ?"
Hearing Neuvillette call her na, Furina's face visibly showed surprise before she feigned composure, crossing her arms and asking, "Hmph, Neuvillette, if you have sothing to say to the God of Justice, speak your mind directly."
"Lady Furina, please refrain from making baseless accusations. Such conduct is unbecoming of the God of Justice."
"But Neuvillette, you know perfectly well about what happened before with the Prophecy..."
Furina grew agitated, but rembering the nurous spectators present, she decided to abandon the argunt.
"Fine, I won't say another word!"
Sulkily, Furina retreated to her seat, glaring daggers at Neuvillette.
Neuvillette is truly insufferable! Not even a shred of courtesy!
Given the chance, I'll secretly devour his snacks. Ehe!
Ignoring Furina's conspicuously scheming gaze, Neuvillette straightened his posture and tapped his cane against the floor, producing a crisp, resonant clack.
"Court is now in session."
Under Chief Justice Neuvillette's supervision, and with all the evidence irrefutable, the despondent Marcel offered no concealnt. He confessed to all his cris, including his secret underwater laboratory and his true na.
However, when Neuvillette questioned him about the deaths of the Poisson Garrison officers, Marcel imdiately denied any involvent. No way I'm taking the bla for sothing I didn't do!
Although Marcel contested so of the charges, these objections had little impact on the final verdict.
In the end, under the joint judgnt of the Oratrice canique d'Analyse Cardinale and Neuvillette, Marcel would be held accountable for all his actions.
Marcel hadn't always been driven to such extres. It was only after repeatedly seeking help from Maison Gardiennage officers and being t with ridicule and indifference that Marcel—or rather, Vacher—suffered a complete corruption of his heart.
Even after learning of Vacher's tragic past, the public felt no sympathy for him. Instead, they were rely shocked by his desperate and furious condemnation of the Judgnt's injustice. The case had lived up to their expectations, proving as sensational as they had hoped.
For weeks to co, they would have ample material for gossip with friends and family.
Callas's na had been cleared, and everyone now knew the true culprit was the third person at the scene. Yet beyond a brief astonishnt at this plot twist, it rely added another juicy detail to their conversations.
The truth itself mattered little to them, unless it directly affected their own interests.
Navia showed no anger at this indifference. She simply turned calmly to lus and Silver, saying quietly, "It's over."
"Yes, it's over."
"Miss Navia, Monsieur Callas would surely be proud of your conduct today."
Navia nodded slightly, then added, "My father's na has been cleared, but the investigation into this case will not end here."
"I will unmask every one of Vacher's accomplices!"
Navia's expression darkened as she recalled the man she'd encountered on the road. Even now, she couldn't understand how soone without a Vision could wield so many Elental Powers.
Suddenly, a gasp of horror erupted from the doorway.
lus explained that Vacher had pleaded with Neuvillette for one final taste of Primordial Sea Water, hoping to reminisce about his deceased lover.
However, as Vacher, who had consud the water, passed by the pool in front of the Opera Epiclese, he let out a bloodcurdling scream before collapsing to the ground, motionless, as if his soul had been drained away...
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