At that mont, Tartaglia stopped caring about the consequences.
He was utterly frustrated. He had arrived in Fontaine in high spirits, only to find himself unable to withdraw his funds and then being "invited" to the Maison Gardiennage Headquarters for a chat.
Initially, he assud it was just a formality and that he would be released quickly. But now they were convinced he was the true murderer, refusing to believe his explanations no matter how he tried. Tartaglia was completely numb.
Forget it. At this point, even if it has negative consequences, there's no turning back. If I just ekly let them drag to court, I'll lose even more face. How could I ever hold my head high before the other Harbingers again?
Tartaglia maintained his suppressed aura as he slowly rose from his seat.
As long as they don't try to stop , I won't resort to force.
But as soon as he stood up, a wave of dizziness washed over him. The room spun wildly, and he collapsed weakly back into his chair.
"Monsieur Tartaglia, I forgot to ntion sothing earlier," one of the guards said.
"Lately, Fontaine has been plagued by suspects who rely on their martial prowess to violently resist arrest. So, as a precaution, we generally add a little sothing to the tea we serve you—sothing to keep you... calr."
Seeing Tartaglia's current state, the two guards regained their composure, even a hint of disdain creeping into their expressions.
"Oh, and since we noticed you carrying a Delusion, we tripled the usual dosage."
"Call it a preemptive asure!"
"You...!"
Watching the two Fontainians banter back and forth, Tartaglia felt a suffocating pressure in his chest. He, a Harbinger of the Fatui, had been outsmarted by ordinary people without even a Vision!
Is this the kind of environnt Fontaine breeds?
Tartaglia raised a finger, pointing at them as the Delusion on his body erupted with an eerie, malevolent light.
Seeing this, the two Fontainians standing before him imdiately retreated.
"Hurry! His Delusion is glowing—he's definitely going to resist!"
"Quick, call the Gardeks!"
Tartaglia was about to use the Delusion's power to forcibly break free from his shackles and escape when heavy, rapid footsteps approached from the distance.
He looked up to see two towering Gardeks flanking him, their thick shields pressing firmly against his body, immobilizing him completely.
"Hurry, it's not enough!"
"The suspect is exceptionally volatile and dangerous. Activate the highest-level crisis response protocol!"
As the command echoed through the Maison Gardiennage Headquarters, a piercing alarm blared. Several more Gardeks materialized, charging toward Tartaglia.
Seeing so many Gardeks charging at him, Tartaglia's scalp tingled. Normally, he wouldn't fear these toys, but he had been drugged, and his physical strength was rapidly dwindling.
Two Gardeks would have been enough to give him a hard ti. Now, being sward by this many? Fontaine was being a little too hospitable, wouldn't you say?
"Wait a second! If you're so tough, let at least transform first... spit spit spit!"
Tartaglia opened his mouth to protest, but the Gardeks charging toward him sprayed a massive amount of transparent liquid, drenching him completely.
He quickly realized it was a type of superglue. The liquid solidified instantly, freezing his facial expression in place.
But the assault didn't end there. Other Gardeks produced heavy chains and wrapped them around him dozens of tis, binding him into a cocoon before finally stopping.
To make matters worse, whatever they did severed his connection to both his Delusion and his Vision.
"Mmmph! Mmmph!"
Tartaglia tried to speak, but his mouth was full of the strange liquid, rendering him unable to utter a word.
Footsteps gradually approached, and Tartaglia soon saw two figures with smug grins on their faces.
"What's up with the Fatui Harbinger now?"
"He got captured by us ordinary folks!"
"Co to Fontaine, and even dragons have to curl up!"
Tartaglia wanted to rage, but his face was completely frozen, unable to express any emotion.
"Ahem, let's not be too harsh."
"Monsieur Tartaglia is quite formidable. We had to activate our highest-level counterasures just to subdue him."
"The situation was critical earlier. Please forgive any offense, Monsieur Tartaglia. We hope you won't hold it against us."
The speaker clasped his hands in a traditional gesture of apology. Tartaglia could only roll his eyes in silent defiance.
"We didn't expect you to withstand three tis the normal dose without issue, but we trust Monsieur Tartaglia will understand and cooperate with our investigation."
"After all, Monsieur Tartaglia wouldn't want the other Fatui Harbingers to know you were captured by ordinary people, would you?"
Tartaglia's pupils constricted slightly at this remark, his composure montarily shaken.
"It seems Monsieur Tartaglia understands the situation perfectly. Then, I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to remain in this room for a while."
With that, the two turned to leave.
Tartaglia remained in the room, motionless, contemplating the turn his life had taken.
"Oh, right, Monsieur Tartaglia, I almost forgot to say one thing."
Suddenly, one of the two stopped, turning back to address Tartaglia.
"Welco to Fontaine, Monsieur Tartaglia!"
-
"What kind of job is this?"
"Weren't you just supposed to delay things to make it harder for Lord Childe to get funding?"
"How did you get him arrested?!"
Inside the Northland Bank, the manager was stunned upon hearing the news of Tartaglia's arrest.
"I don't know either!" the Debt Collector protested, looking aggrieved. "I didn't kill anyone! Who am I supposed to collect debts from if they're dead?"
"I only did as you instructed: I warned him to lay low beforehand," he explained. "How was I supposed to know he'd be murdered the mont he stepped out of his house?!"
"You really didn't kill him?"
"Really?!"
The Northland Bank manager rubbed his temples, headache throbbing.
"If you didn't do it, then that's good."
"Listen carefully: the arrest of Lord Childe has absolutely nothing to do with the Northland Bank... I'll go consult Lord Pantalone."
Just then, the Debt Collector spoke up, his expression peculiar.
"Actually, I t with that person not long after Lord Childe did. No matter how I look at it, it seems Lord Childe really did kill him..."
This kind of situation wasn't uncommon within the Fatui. For debtors who consistently refused to pay, they would initially teach them a lesson. But once their patience ran out, they would squeeze out every last bit of value from the debtor before erasing them from the Teyvat Continent.
So it was entirely possible that Tartaglia, enraged by the debtor's refusal to pay, had killed him in a fit of anger.
The brief interval between their etings with the victim left the Debt Collector no choice but to suspect this.
"Even if Lord Childe really did kill him, that's none of your concern."
"One more word, and you'll be taking the fall!"
The Northland Bank executive glared at the Debt Collector with displeasure.
"Yes, yes, I'll leave imdiately!"
The Debt Collector vanished in an instant.
After dismissing the Debt Collector, the Northland Bank executive imdiately contacted Pantalone, the "Rich Man."
"Arrested?"
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"
Pantalone hung up after repeating "excellent" three tis, leaving the dumbfounded executive standing motionless in place for a long mont.
"Today is truly a joyous occasion!"
"Summon Pulcinella at once! I want to celebrate with him!"
"Bring out my finest vintage wine!"
Normally, Pantalone was a man who kept his emotions hidden, but Tartaglia's actions had cost the Northland Bank far too much, severely disrupting his plans. Naturally, he couldn't hide his disdain.
Upon hearing the news of Tartaglia's arrest, Pantalone inwardly rejoiced, declaring, Finally, justice!
Suddenly, an idea struck him. He contacted the Northland Bank executive in Fontaine again.
"Well done. Keep up the good work!"
With that curt remark, Pantalone hung up, leaving the Northland Bank executive reeling in confusion in the wind.
-
Lyney and Lynette were stunned to hear about Tartaglia's arrest.
When they first learned that the Harbinger was coming to Fontaine, they had considered extending him the courtesy of hosts and entertaining him properly. Instead, they received news of his imprisonnt before he even arrived.
While Lyney dispatched investigators to gather information on Tartaglia, he also began preparing for his magic performance in two days.
Lyney's application to use the Opera Epiclese had long been approved, but due to a recent surge in cases, the matter had been repeatedly delayed. Fortunately, Chief Justice Neuvillette, rembering the Fatui's past assistance, refused to postpone the matter further. Otherwise, Arlecchino might have returned to Fontaine before Lyney even took the stage, let alone investigated the Oratrice canique d'Analyse Cardinale.
The Judgnt for Tartaglia's case comnced that very afternoon. With cri rates soaring, the originally cumberso Judgnt procedures had been streamlined considerably. Tartaglia was likely the first foreigner to benefit from such expedited service.
Neuvillette presided over today's Judgnt because Tartaglia's status was far too extraordinary for any other Justice to handle.
By now, all the restraints binding Tartaglia had been removed. After the Maison Gardiennage officers took souvenir photos, the only way to keep his secret from being exposed was for him to begrudgingly accept Fontaine's Judgnt.
Moreover, Neuvillette was present. Even if Tartaglia were to make any sudden moves, Neuvillette could easily suppress him—a fact the Maison Gardiennage officers trusted implicitly.
"Court is now in session," Neuvillette announced, striking the ground with his cane, the sharp sound signaling the start of the Judgnt and silencing the chamber.
"The Maison Gardiennage will now present the prosecution's case regarding this homicide case."
"Very well, Chief Justice."
As the two Maison Gardiennage officers stepped forward, Tartaglia imdiately swept them with a sharp, disapproving gaze, his displeasure evident on his face.
Just as they were about to begin their statent, Tartaglia interrupted, cutting them off mid-sentence.
"Hey, hey, I'm not really interested in your Fontaine Judgnt."
"How about we settle this another way?"
"I heard in Fontaine, after being accused, you can clear your na through a duel."
"Just send soone to fight directly."
Tartaglia's words imdiately ignited the crowd's excitent.
After so many Judgnt proceedings, they were getting a bit bored. This was the perfect opportunity to switch things up and enjoy so martial arts action!
However, to everyone's surprise, Neuvillette refused Tartaglia's request.
"I regret to inform you, Monsieur Tartaglia, that this provision has been deed unreasonable and was recently repealed in Fontaine."
"You can find this andnt on page 83, line 36 of the tenth revision of the Fontaine Law."
Hearing Neuvillette's words, the audience imdiately erupted into murmurs.
"Holy crap, already the tenth revision? I thought it was still at the fourth edition last ti?"
"Don't even get started. I know a guy who was studying to beco a Justice, but switched to becoming an Attorney instead. When he was morizing the Fontaine Law, he completely broke down and threatened to hang himself. If his family hadn't been there at the ti, he probably wouldn't be alive today."
Hearing the man's words, the surrounding crowd gasped. None of them had ever considered becoming Attorneys, so they were completely ignorant of legal matters.
"I know an even funnier story! Recently, during a Judgnt, the defendant would have barely faced a few days in prison under the old Fontaine Law. But just an hour before his trial, the new Fontaine Law was enacted!"
"He initially thought he was in the clear. But when the final verdict ca, he was utterly dumbfounded! Ha ha! You should have seen his expression—it was priceless!"
The man even mimicked the defendant's stunned expression, drawing laughter from the crowd.
"After that, he threw a fit in court, refusing to accept the verdict. The Justice imdiately added a charge of disrupting court proceedings, and the Maison Gardiennage dragged him away."
"Hearing you tell it, it almost sounds like a good thing?"
"The Fontaine Law is constantly improving, which is bound to benefit us ordinary Fontainians more and more."
"But the cri rate is still stubbornly high."
"Quit running your mouth!"
-
"Cancelled?"
Upon hearing this news, Tartaglia felt a twinge of disappointnt. He had been looking forward to seeing if any formidable opponents would erge among the Champion Duelists.
"Very well. Once this Judgnt concludes, my innocence will be proven, right?"
"Then proceed. As the Chief Justice, you surely won't make the sa mistake as those small-tirs, failing to see the obvious truth: 'I didn't kill him.'"
Tartaglia mocked the two Maison Gardiennage officers who had frad him, venting so of his pent-up frustration.
The officers ignored his taunts, imdiately launching into their account of the day's events for the assembled audience.
Just as Neuvillette was about to respond to the testimony, a commotion suddenly erupted from the distance.
Monts later, several Fatui soldiers appeared on the scene. Tartaglia imdiately recognized them as the new recruits he had just taken under his wing.
"Lord Childe, we've completed the investigation!"
"What are you doing here? Get out now!"
Seeing the Fatui soldiers barge in, the Maison Gardiennage officers sprang into action, coordinating with the Gardeks to block their advance.
The Fatui soldiers weren't fools. They knew better than to cause trouble on soone else's territory. All they could do was use their brute strength and massive fras to push their way through the crowd, desperately shouting at Tartaglia.
"In Fontaine, everyone agrees that Chief Justice Neuvillette is the strongest!"
"Hurry, get them out of here! Judgnt is about to begin. Don't let them disturb Monsieur Neuvillette!"
Hearing this command, the Maison Gardiennage officers and Gardeks beca more forceful, pinning the Fatui soldiers down and dragging them away.
"My apologies, Monsieur Neuvillette. This is our failure."
"Please continue."
After Neuvillette nodded, the officer turned away, his face dark with anger, and left.
anwhile, the Fatui soldiers who had been expelled from the Opera Epiclese stood outside, their faces pale as death. They turned to glare at the blue-clad, rotund figure responsible for their predicant.
"Damn you! What about the last part? Why didn't you say the last part?!"
"You only said the first two lines! You've dood Lord Childe!"
When the Fatui soldiers finally learned of a powerful figure in Fontaine, they imdiately prepared to report to Tartaglia.
But before they could, news of Tartaglia's arrest reached their ears, leaving them completely stunned.
After their initial shock, a life-threatening problem lood before them.
In Snezhnaya, everyone knew Tartaglia relished challenging formidable opponents.
The question now was: with Fontaine's undisputed strongest warrior standing right before him, would he dare issue a challenge?
The answer was painfully obvious.
But if he did, Tartaglia's life would almost certainly be forfeit!
Every Fatui soldier present had witnessed the recorded footage of Neuvillette's overwhelming power, and the re mory sent chills down their spines.
Determined to protect the Harbinger they served, they plotted a desperate plan to storm the courtroom.
They succeeded—but not completely. One crucial line had been left unsaid.
The missing line was:
"But, Monsieur Childe, you absolutely must not challenge Monsieur Neuvillette! People will die!"
Tartaglia might have been unaware that Neuvillette was Fontaine's strongest. Now, however, all hope was lost.
The entire crisis stemd from that fat idiot only delivering the first two sentences.
"You boasted about your loud voice! That's why we risked everything to break you out! You're taking full responsibility for this ss!"
Yet, facing the soldiers' murderous glares, the blue-skinned fatty rely smirked mockingly.
"Hmph, enough with the charade. I'm laying all my cards on the table."
"Let tell you all the truth: my true allegiance lies with Lady Knave."
"Childe? That little pipsqueak doesn't even deserve to be ntioned in the sa breath as our Lady Knave."
"You think you can steal Lady Knave's glory? Go back ho and raise pigs where you belong!"
"Bastard!"
Enraged, the Fatui soldiers tore him to shreds. The Blue Fatui didn't resist at all, as if he'd expected their violent reaction.
By the ti the other Fatui soldiers regained their senses, the man was already dead.
The Fatui soldiers were stunned. They never expected soone so arrogant to die so carelessly.
The Maison Gardiennage officers guarding the Opera Epiclese were equally dumbfounded. It's rare to see a criminal dare to commit murder right in front of the authorities...
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