Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Servant Slept Peacefully

"Mr. Lyney, please do not stand in front of Lady Arlecchino." Neuvillette emphasized once more, his tone growing steadily harsher, his voice carrying the scent of a threat. Hydro elemental power surged within him, and the majesty of a dragon naturally spilled outward.

So strong!

Lyney could not withstand the pressure at all; instinctively, he dropped to one knee, and the "servant" he had been hiding behind him gradually came into full view.

Seeing this, despair and sorrow began to fill his eyes, and his fists clenched before he even realized it.

Damn it. Damn it all.

I can't protect anything.

At the same time, behind Lyney, the still-not-fully-awake Arlecchino looked at this self-righteous prodigal son with a complicated expression. Her desire to smack him rose to its peak, but because she was mentally exhausted, she did not leap up, break through her limits, and fight Lyney to the death.

Her state of mind was utterly exploding right now.

What in the world are you doing?

I'm already so tired I'm about to pass out, so why are you blocking the head nurse? Are you afraid that if they carry me to the infirmary I might finally get a good sleep? And why did you make Neuvillette's pressure reach me too? Are you afraid my sleep quality is too good?

Ah! I just want to sleep, to sleep!

"Ugh..."

Arlecchino let out a deep sigh. Under the pressure of the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, sleeping now had become difficult indeed. Her spirit was at the end of its tether, and the feeling of being desperate for sleep yet unable to fall asleep was nothing short of catastrophic torture.

Her condition was naturally noticed by Neuvillette and the others. With a wave of the Iudex's hand, two mechanical soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged Lyney, who had been blocking Arlecchino, down from the platform.

At the same time, Neuvillette continued to insist, "Leave at once, and no one will be harmed."

"Damn it! I'll walk on my own!"

Lyney cursed under his breath. Arlecchino's final sigh had ignited the thoughts in his mind. By now, he had already concoct tens of thousands of words of story in his head, but to save space, the author will refrain from padding the count.

At present, he was fully capable of shaking off the control of these two mechanical soldiers. However, breaking free would mean resisting, and if his resistance could not save his father and bring him to safety, protecting him from being taken back by Neuvillette, then he would be suffering a huge loss.

If they were taken back, the future awaiting them would only be even worse.

Seeing Arlecchino's condition, Neuvillette's vigilance eased slightly, but he did not relax completely. Instead, he turned to Lyney again and said, "Mr. Lyney, I am also sorry and surprised by Arlecchino's sudden collapse. However, I still hope you will respect the laws of Fontaine and refrain from doing anything irrational. Otherwise, it will be troublesome for both sides."

But would that help?

At this point, Lyney was not only not calmed down, but even more enraged. He felt that was a threat!

That was hypocrisy!

"Hm."

Neuvillette let out a faint sigh as he watched Lyney being held down.

Though he was the lofty Iudex, that did not mean he was an utterly cold machine. He could feel Lyney's anger, could feel the desire to protect his father. That wish was pure, utterly untainted, the heart of a rather earnest child.

Precisely because of this, Neuvillette had explained things to Lyney a little.

Unfortunately, that explanation seemed to have had no effect, because in Lyney's judgment, Neuvillette looked far too much like the mastermind behind everything.

Although Neuvillette had always presented himself very well, from what Arlecchino had just said and the result of her sudden collapse, she must have been struck by some kind of special curse during this period. That curse was the core of the dark elemental power and the very culprit behind Arlecchino's swoon.

Head Nurse Sigewinne and Neuvillette stepped forward at the same time, standing on the left and right sides of Arlecchino, carefully and thoroughly examining her.

"Phew..."

Arlecchino closed her eyes completely and fainted with relief.

Not long after, Sigewinne stood up and smiled at Neuvillette behind her. "Mr. Neuvillette, Arlecchino has not suffered any injury. She has simply not been resting well lately, so she only briefly lost consciousness. She just needs a good period of rest."

"Hm."

Neuvillette nodded slightly. Although Arlecchino had clearly fainted, he did not know whether this was part of her hidden scheme, so his attention remained fixed on her, fearing she might suddenly erupt.

Not far away, Lyney, who had not yet gone too far, naturally heard the verdict as well. But he did not believe it at all. If he had been the one laying the trap, he would certainly have had the head nurse say the same thing.

After all, from the Hydro Archon and the Iudex to the Oratrice, and then to the head nurse and the mechanical soldiers, they were all on her side. The results of both judgment and treatment had been within her grasp from the very beginning. That was precisely why his father had looked so stern earlier.

Because she had already seen through everything!

And I had been unable to understand it all along.

I even started to doubt her.

Damn it!!

Dragged farther and farther away, Lyney stared fixedly at the towering Neuvillette and the Arlecchino lying on the ground, as if he wanted to burn this scene into his memory. In his mind, the outline of a plan to storm the infirmary and rescue Arlecchino was gradually taking shape, then being refined step by step.

Father, I will definitely come to save you!

"Have you ever mistreated her?" Neuvillette turned his gaze to Clorinde at his rear left and asked.

"No, Lord Iudex. You know me. I would never do anything beyond the line." Clorinde answered simply and directly.

"Hm, I understand."

Neuvillette nodded slightly. He knew Clorinde was not that sort of person; it was only that Arlecchino's collapse was too bizarre, so he had to ask more carefully.

"Lord Neuvillette, there is no need to worry. Lady Arlecchino's body shows no abnormal condition. Her spirit is simply in poor shape and she needs more rest. My guess is that during the time she was confined in the Fortress of Meropide, Lady Arlecchino's state of mind was poor, so she did not get proper sleep and rest, which is why she became like this," Head Nurse Sigewinne explained with a smile.

"Really, just a lack of rest?"

"Yes, just a lack of rest. There are absolutely no signs of mistreatment on her body. Lady Arlecchino only lacks rest; she does not need medication or treatment," Sigewinne continued.

"She doesn't even need medicine?"

"No, she doesn't."

"Is that so..."

Neuvillette stroked his chin with one hand, looking doubtfully at the quietly sleeping Arlecchino. The corners of her lips were slightly lifted, and her expression was serene, as though she were having some sweet dream.

If they had someone carry her away, the physical contact and jolting might affect her rest. Better to find something else...

After a brief moment of thought, the considerate Neuvillette looked at Clorinde and said, "Send someone to remove one of the standard benches from the courtroom, then place Arlecchino on it. Carry it to the infirmary as carefully as possible."

"A bench? One of the usual ones?"

"Yes. After all, she is a Fatui Harbinger. Until she has been convicted, we must treat her properly." Neuvillette nodded slightly.

Although Arlecchino had attempted to assassinate the Hydro Archon, and Neuvillette had also used a rather unfriendly-sounding legal procedure to judge her, that was all based on the premise that everything was lawful. Neuvillette was an impartial judge; he would not do anything that violated the law, nor would he casually dispose of Arlecchino and call it done.

He was just that clear and upright a man. Even if he disliked Arlecchino, he would still arrange things for her properly.

And Arlecchino happened to understand him, to know exactly what kind of person Neuvillette was, which was why she could sleep so peacefully. He was the kind of man even opponents on the other side could trust. Perhaps that was the unique personal charm of Neuvillette, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, and also the charm unique to the Iudex.

"Huh? That bench..."

Furina frowned slightly as she watched the bench being moved beside Arlecchino. She touched her chin in confusion, feeling that the style of the bench looked familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before, and many times at that.

"Isn't that the most common bench in Fontaine?" Lumine kindly reminded her.

"Oh, right. No wonder it feels so familiar."

Furina instantly understood. Benches like that were everywhere on the streets of Fontaine, so it was only natural that she found it familiar. Feeling unfamiliar would have been stranger.

Thus, she and Lumine watched with their own eyes as Arlecchino was moved onto the bench. The instant the bench and Arlecchino came together, both of them felt an inexplicable sense of relief and ease, a sensation like a compulsion had just been satisfied.

They were not actually obsessive-compulsive, of course; it was only something similar. In fact, even they could not quite tell why they felt that way, as though, somewhere in their subconscious, Arlecchino and the bench were simply a perfect match.

The moment Arlecchino was placed on the bench, she, who had been sleeping peacefully, suddenly twitched uncomfortably. Her expression also began to turn unpleasant.

Seeing this, the kind and gentle Head Nurse Sigewinne could not help frowning. She looked at the staff handling the transport and carefully instructed them, "Arlecchino is not in a good state. She needs proper rest. Please be a little more careful while moving her."

"All right."

"Understood, Head Nurse."

"Hm."

Sigewinne nodded slightly and continued, "Arlecchino is innocent for now, so we people of Fontaine ought to take good care of her. Please be careful, and then careful again. Even if the transport takes longer and moves more slowly, try to consider her comfort as much as possible."

"Got it!"

"Understood!"

Watching the kind Sigewinne, a nearly imperceptible warm smile also slowly appeared on Neuvillette's face. It was because of their kindness that he liked the Melusines so much, and hoped to win them the rights they deserved.

How wonderful...

Clunk.

Arlecchino's body twitched. Her high heels touched the bench and made a crisp sound. Her complexion was terrible, as if she were trapped in a nightmare with no end. She suddenly frowned and murmured in an almost inaudible voice, "Ly... don't run... I... need to... hit... huh..."

"What is she saying?"

"No idea. Can't make it out."

The two staff members responsible for transporting Arlecchino exchanged puzzled glances, completely unable to understand her sleep-talk. They had no idea what she was saying and turned their eyes toward Neuvillette.

"Lady Arlecchino is a Fatui Harbinger. What she says in her sleep may be classified Snezhnayan intelligence. Do not concern yourselves with it. Just get her to the infirmary," Neuvillette said.

"Understood."

And so, under everyone's gaze, the Arlecchino on the bench was carefully carried to the infirmary. The expression on her face was not exactly tranquil, as though she were going through some kind of suffering.

'She's having a nightmare.'

That was Sigewinne's explanation, and it fit most people's understanding very well. It also described Arlecchino's condition accurately enough.

Along the way, the kind Miss Sigewinne would occasionally stroke Arlecchino's forehead gently and whisper softly, "Miss Arlecchino, you're safe now. You can sleep well on the bench. Sleep well. Lady Furina will protect you."

Bench, Hydro Archon, Lumine! Ahh--

After hearing that phrase, Arlecchino's body shuddered instinctively. Soon after, she let out a string of meaningless sounds, and finally quieted down after a brief spasm, looking as if she had fallen asleep in relief. In truth, she had simply passed on in relief.

Yes, a habitual death in dreams. Even though her dream did not feature "what faces death," it did feature Lumine... though that was only something she imagined.

"Miss Sigewinne, you are amazing! Truly bringing the dead back to life!"

"As expected of the head nurse. Incredible!"

The two staff members accompanying Sigewinne could not help but praise her. From their perspective, Arlecchino had previously been sleeping very uneasily, twitching from time to time and muttering meaningless things about hitting, pounding, and Lyney.

But now it was all right. Under Head Nurse Sigewinne's careful comfort, Arlecchino had slept peacefully. She would no longer twitch or talk in her sleep, and the quality of her rest had improved yet again.

However...

Seen from Lyney's distant position, that scene was anything but serene. He knew better than anyone that his father was now enduring profound torment, and the sleep-talking and twitching in her dream were the best evidence.

She is calling my name, and yet I cannot do anything for her. How tragic!

"Don't worry. Lady Arlecchino was only too tired and fell asleep for a while. There's no need to be concerned," Furina said as she came to his side, smiling to comfort him.

From earlier, she had already sensed that this young man's mood seemed poor. Perhaps he was deeply worried about his father, which was why he was acting this way. As the Hydro Archon, it was only proper that she soothe one of her people a little.

"Heh. Is that so?"

Lyney answered coldly.

"Don't worry. She will definitely get better."

Although his attitude was not good, the kind and gentle Furina continued to comfort him, her smile filled with confidence and certainty. Only in this way could ordinary people be made to believe her words more readily.

This was experience from her years of acting.

However...

From Lyney's perspective, Furina's comfort at this moment felt even more like a threat. The way she spoke so firmly about Arlecchino getting better seemed to be implying: if you behave properly, then Arlecchino is safe. If not, then I won't concern myself with it, now will I?

"I understand."

"Good."

Furina patted Lyney on the back and, still smiling, skipped her way out of the Opera House. As she stepped into the dazzling sunlight outside, she instinctively raised a hand and smiled at the world beyond. That kind of composure and confidence, rising from the bottom of her heart, made her feel indescribably happy, as if some shackle had been cast off.

The sunlight is so warm...

And behind her, inside the Opera House, in the shadows, Lyney silently stared at her receding figure. He lowered his head slightly and gently pulled the brim of his hat down, hiding the expression on his face very, very deeply.

He did not dare reveal hostility lightly, because he knew how terrifying a deity Furina was. That was intelligence his father had paid for with her own experience.

End of chapter.