Chapter Fifty-Two: The Grand Trial Approaches

Compared to the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere surrounding Furina, the situation on the Servant's side was far more tense. The Hearth House and several hidden Fatui strongholds were tightly encircled, with only a handful of Fatui agents and children from the Hearth House barely managing to escape.

The Hearth House was a considerable force, and the Fatui's secret bases were even more confidential—under normal circumstances, the people of Fontaine should not have known their locations. Perhaps Fontaine's intelligence network was far stronger than the Fatui had anticipated, simply biding its time and never baring its fangs until now.

Ranks of mechanical soldiers escorted large numbers of Fatui operatives away, while the Servant and the other children of the Hearth House were marched to the city center by Neuvillette. Many Fontainians gathered to witness the spectacle.

"Oh? So many have been captured—Fontaine's underground intelligence network is truly impressive," remarked the Servant, watching as the Fatui were herded away. Her expression remained composed and serene, as if she had suffered no pain or hardship whatsoever. Yet, in truth, every step she took required immense effort to suppress her body's instinctive tremors, and even speaking calmly was a struggle for her.

But she was the Servant, and even under such extreme conditions, she maintained an unruffled demeanor, acting as though she were entirely unharmed.

"Fontaine is a nation of justice. There is no place for evil criminals to flee or hide. You will all face judgment," Neuvillette replied.

His face betrayed no emotion, conducting himself with the same professional detachment as always, but his tone was heavier than usual, and the vertical pupils—unique to dragons—were thinner, more intimidating.

In the next moment, Neuvillette suddenly turned, his gaze sharp as a blade, landing squarely on Lyney. He glared at Lyney's restless hands and barked, "What are you doing!"

"N-nothing, just straightening my clothes," Lyney replied quickly, placing his hands in front of him with an awkward smile.

Neuvillette stared at him intently. He knew Lyney was a magician, capable of all manner of miraculous tricks, and it was not impossible for him to use magic to swap himself with a decoy and escape.

"A High Judge of Fontaine, resorting to oppressing an innocent child?" The Servant stepped forward, shielding Lyney behind her, partially blocking Neuvillette's view.

Neuvillette said nothing, instead turning to Clorinde at his side and speaking in a low voice, "Watch him closely. Do not give him a chance to escape."

"Understood," Clorinde answered crisply.

They all knew Lyney might attempt to flee, but without irrefutable evidence of an attack on the Hydro Archon, making the first move would be improper—not impossible, but the formalities had to be observed. If they truly resorted to force, it would be tantamount to openly breaking ties, and facing the Fourth Harbinger, Neuvillette, without the full powers of the ancient dragon, could not guarantee their side would emerge unscathed. So he held back.

He did not know the Servant's condition.

All along, the Servant had been enduring pain through sheer willpower, precisely to make Neuvillette wary. Only if she appeared formidable would he hesitate to use force, and thus, Lyney and the others might have a chance to escape.

The Servant glanced around, confirming that the crowd had grown large enough. She spoke in the tone of a wronged victim, "Assassinating the Hydro Archon... Surely that's a groundless accusation? The Hydro Archon is one of the Seven, possessing immense power, while I am merely a Fatui Harbinger—how could I possibly have the strength to assassinate her?"

Her words rippled through the crowd, prompting murmurs of doubt. Someone quietly echoed, "That's right, Lady Furina is one of the Seven—how could she possibly be assassinated?"

"Lady Furina isn't hurt at all; maybe the culprit simply slipped away."

"But they're not injured either. To attempt to assassinate the Hydro Archon and escape unscathed—does that make any sense?"

"Impossible?"

Clorinde smiled lightly and said, "Lady Furina is a goddess who loves drama. For the sake of reversal and spectacle, she is capable of anything, so it's not surprising the perpetrators weren't injured."

"That's true! It's Lady Furina—if it's for drama and a twist, it's perfectly normal that the attackers came to no harm."

"Exactly, Lady Furina wasn't harmed after the attempt, and didn't even make it public right away. She waited until now to speak—surely there's a reason for that."

"Lady Furina is a god. How could us ordinary mortals hope to understand a god's intentions? If she acted this way, she must have her reasons."

"Yes, yes."

...

"Tch, so it's no use after all?" The Servant saw the tide of public opinion reverse in an instant, feeling a hint of disappointment. If possible, she had hoped to use public sentiment to pressure Furina and Neuvillette.

But alas, the Hydro Archon's image was so free and whimsical in people's minds that anything she did could be rationalized. For centuries, she had always claimed mortals could not understand her and pursued dramatic spectacle—this had been her path for five hundred years.

Though Furina was not truly the Hydro Archon, she knew perfectly well how to play the part, how to avoid exposing herself. Ordinary schemes meant little to her.

"Father..." Lyney looked at the Servant with concern. He knew, given her usual intelligence, her tactics and methods would be far more sophisticated.

Perhaps... her condition really was dire.

He understood the Servant was in poor shape, forced to constantly endure pain and avoid detection. In such circumstances—under mental strain and physical agony—it was indeed difficult for her to perform at her usual level.

"Truly worthy of the title 'Hydro Archon.' Since Fontaine's god loves drama so much, surely she will send me to perform on Fontaine's grandest stage? Such a theatrical goddess would never judge me quietly and in secret," the Servant continued.

"Yes, the Hydro Archon must have prepared a play. We need only watch."

"You will be judged at the Opera House—even a Fatui Harbinger is not exempt. This is Fontaine, the nation of justice, the domain of the Hydro Archon."

"The judgment of a Harbinger must be splendid and grand!"

...

The Servant's lips curled into a subtle smile. The earlier manipulation of public opinion had only been a prelude; she never expected it to accomplish much. Leading the Hydro Archon to judge her on the grand stage was her true aim.

She understood well that the Hydro Archon possessed no divine heart, almost no power, and was barely different from an ordinary person. She was one of the few who knew this secret.

Such a Hydro Archon...

Would she truly dare to judge the Servant in public?