“Neuvillette: I understand. The accusation is established. With an accusation, there must be a trial. So, are you willing to help Mr. Lynney, defend him, and become his agent?”
Lumine glanced at Qixuan, who gave an OK gesture.
“Lumine: I am willing.”
“Neuvillette: Good. The trial will be held at the Opera Epiclese in one day. Both parties are free to investigate the incident and seek the truth.”
“Lyney and his magic troupe, as the parties involved, must all remain inside the Opera Epiclese. The remaining audience members may leave in an orderly fashion after confirmation from the Gardes.”
“Furina: One day is truly not long at all. What kind of waves can you possibly stir up, hehe.”
After the recess ended, the audience gradually dispersed. Furina and Neuvillette also left, leaving only Lyney and his group, and Paimon and her group, inside the Opera Epiclese.
“Lyney: You just… ”
“Lumine: It’s fine.”
“Lyney: … … … Even I don’t know why such a thing happened.”
“Do you think I am the murderer?”
“Qixuan: If you were the murderer, why didn’t you run away at the first opportunity? With your magic skills, it would be very easy to leave. Your sister wouldn’t be implicated, after all, you are the leader of the magic troupe.”
“Lyney: Haha… Miss Qixuan’s words do make sense.”
“Lumine: I also don’t think Lyney is the murderer.”
“Lyney: Thank you very much for trusting me. This incident is full of mysteries, and the only clues left are those. I truly don’t know how the murderer did it.”
“Paimon: That’s what makes it worth investigating, just like it says in the books: ‘Impossible things, things that can’t happen, then they must be possible.’”
Then Paimon even put on a pair of glasses and a small mustache.
“Qixuan: Great, it’s Detective Paimon! We’re doomed.”
“Lumine: Where did you pull those glasses from?”
“Paimon: I thought they looked cool when I was shopping and reading books! So I bought them. The Mora was deducted from my food allowance, I didn’t spend any travel expenses.”
“Lynette: Quite cute.”
“Paimon: You understand, hehe.”
“Lyney: We can’t move now, so we’ll have to trouble you.”
“Lynette: Please.”
“Lumine: I’m used to it already.”
“Qixuan: Don’t worry.”
Afterward, everyone went to the stage to question the Gardes members who were still investigating.
“Lumine: Hello, may I ask if your investigation has made any progress?”
“Esmond: It’s you all. But I’ll be frank, you’d best not get involved in this mess.”
“Paimon: What do you mean?”
“Esmond: The deceased is Cowell, one of Lyney’s assistants. Although he hadn’t joined for long, he was diligent and hardworking, and everyone had a good impression of him. You also saw the water tank suddenly fall and hit Cowell inside the box.”
Qixuan, meanwhile, was observing the water.
“Qixuan: (Hmm… Primordial Seawater).”
“Lumine: Why was Cowell in the box?”
“Esmond: That’s the confusing part. We’re already investigating, but unfortunately, we haven’t found any trace of that Damselette.”
Then the Gardes members left, leaving only Lumine and her group to investigate on their own. Lumine looked at Qixuan, who had finished her inspection and stood up, and asked, “Any findings?”
“Paimon: Yeah, Qixuan-jie, that Gardes member was just speaking ill of Lyney, hmph.”
“Qixuan: Alright, alright. What we can confirm now is that he wasn’t crushed to death, and as for how the lower half of the body we saw disappeared, it’s because of this.”
Qixuan picked up a small bottle of freshly collected Primordial Seawater.
“Paimon: What is this?”
“Lumine: Water? No, I can feel a pure energy within it.”
“Qixuan: Uh-huh, this kind of water has a special function.”
“Paimon: Special function?”
Qixuan didn’t say much, but put the water away, then said, “Let’s see if there are any other clues.”
“Lumine: Okay.”
Everyone then went to investigate the structure of the box at the scene, as well as the identity of the missing Damselette, and then thought about leaving the Opera Epiclese to search outside.
As they reached the hall, a Demoiselle with an aristocratic demeanor called out to Lumine and her group.
“Paimon: Huh? Us?”
“Navia: Yes! It’s you. Come on, I’ve been observing you for a long time. You also want to cut through the thorns and pursue the truth, right? And you don’t seem to be locals.”
“Paimon: Uh… right, who are you?”
“Navia: Have you… heard of the Spina di Rosula? An all-encompassing, all-providing civilian organization that mediates disputes, offers protection, and solves problems—the Spina di Rosula!”
“And I am the famous current president of the Spina di Rosula, Navia!”
Qixuan and Lumine both showed skeptical expressions.
“Navia: Hey! Don’t look like that.”
“Silver: Attendant, Silver, hello.”
“Melus: I am Melus. Nice to meet you. I usually handle all matters concerning the Demoiselle’s daily life and so on. Don’t mind her, the Demoiselle just wanted to shock you when she announced her name.”
“Paimon: Got it. So should we act very surprised now?”
“Navia: Uncle Mel!”
“Melus: Haha.”
“Navia: Never mind, never mind. Let’s talk about something serious. Because of some past events involving my father, I’ve always been following the Damselette Disappearance Cases. From the current situation, I don’t think Lyney is the mastermind.”
“Lumine: We already knew that, and now we have some clues. We’re going out to investigate.”
“Navia: Okay (disappointed), then can you tell me your clues?”
“Lumine: This…”
“Qixuan: It’s nothing to hide, it’s fine.”
Lumine explained everything in detail. Afterward, Navia even observed the bottle of Primordial Seawater up close, but unfortunately, couldn’t make anything of it.
“Navia: Alright, from now on, we’re allies, good partners.”
“Paimon: Eh?! What’s all this about? How did we become your allies?”
“Navia: An extra force is never a bad thing, right? Don’t underestimate the power of the Spina di Rosula.”
“Paimon: Okay…”
“Qixuan: Miss Navia is right, an extra force is always a good thing.”
“Lumine: So now?”
“Qixuan: Let’s keep looking.”
After another series of searches, everyone finally found enough evidence, just waiting for tomorrow’s trial showdown. Navia even treated everyone to a sweet dessert feast. Qixuan said she was almost turning into a sugar person, it was so sickeningly sweet.
And since all relevant personnel were not allowed to leave the Opera Epiclese before the trial began, they could only stay in the Opera Epiclese tonight. Fortunately, there was a place to stay backstage that could barely accommodate them for one night.
Night… … …
A figure quietly left the Opera Epiclese, unnoticed by anyone, while the Cardinal Judgement on the stage emitted a faint blue light and pursued it.
Fontaine at night is very beautiful, with the moon in the sky reflected on Fontaine’s calm sea surface.
By a lake, a white-haired Damselette stood there, her back looking especially gentle in the night.
A blue light flashed, and behind the Damselette by the lake, another beautiful Damselette appeared.
“You’ve come.”
“Yes, I’ve come.”
“You shouldn’t have come.”
When Qixuan said this, Focalors was a bit bewildered. What? Are you calling me out to play a joke on me?
“Qixuan: Cough, cough, it’s a habit. Let’s talk business.”
“Focalors: I know you’re very strong, so… you should know everything.”
“Qixuan: Hmm? How did you sense that?”
“Focalors: Intuition.”
“Qixuan: … … … …”
“Qixuan: Alright, alright, let me tell you my method. First step: capture that whale in the sea. Second step: voluntarily confess to Neuvillette, then return what belongs to him. And he will release the sins of the people of Fontaine. You don’t need to worry about the rest.”
“Focalors: Will that… really work?”
Qixuan said nothing, just looked at Focalors, her eyes filled with confidence. Finally, Focalors chose to believe Qixuan, and after tomorrow’s trial was completed, she would proactively find Neuvillette.
… … … … … … …