They Protected Their Lady in Life — and Her Freedom in Death
Villa — Livestream
Arthur resumed:
"In truth, the mastermind behind everything…"
"…is the president of the Cabriere Trade Guild — Marcel."
"Real name — Vacher."
"He is both the controller of Fontaine's Lusus drug trade…"
"And the true culprit behind the Serial Young Girls Disappearance Case!"
"He has destroyed countless families…"
"And buried the lives of innocent girls."
"Unforgivable."
"And the reason behind his crimes…
is connected to his lover."
"We'll get to that shortly."
Palais Mermonia
"Target confirmed — I'll have the Gardes de Fontaine arrest him."
Neuvillette stood firmly.
The Light Curtain had earned his absolute trust.
Even so — arrests must follow evidence and procedure.
That is the law.
Furina asked coldly:
"And have you already decided the final sentence?"
Neuvillette looked toward her.
She shut her eyes briefly — then declared:
"Death penalty."
"So many lives stolen.
His fate should match his crime."
Fontaine does have a death penalty…
It had simply never once been put into use.
The only "future" case… was the execution of the Hydro Archon herself.
How ironic.
Now, after all she had seen today—
Furina felt something must change.
She loved Fontaine.
She bore its suffering for 500 years.
But this Fontaine —
did not deserve blind mercy.
Especially not for someone who wasn't even a Fontainian.
Neuvillette nodded gravely.
"You are right, Lady Furina."
Though he couldn't help missing that flippant, carefree Furina…
This version of her… hurt to look at.
White Night Town
"Uncle… Marcel?"
Navia froze.
She had never once suspected him.
He had watched her grow up.
His family owed her father gratitude.
Why would he…?!
Her mind went blank.
Mélus placed a hand to his chest:
"Miss… If the plan was so perfect yet still leaked…"
"It must have been someone close."
"Marcel was at the banquet that night, yes?"
Silver nodded:
"And without his help, Lusus would never spread so fast."
Navia inhaled sharply — then exhaled slowly.
Right.
The Light Curtain revealed the truth.
She trusted it.
Her eyes sharpened—
"Mélus. Silver."
"We go to the Court. We arrest him now."
"For Father's justice."
"Yes, Miss!"
"Yes, Miss!"
Extraordinary Chat Group
Lumine: Let's gooo! Culprit found! Navia's finally close to justice!
Paimon: Ahem… and SOMEONE earlier accused Mélus? (picking nose)
Saino: ...
Saino: The atmosphere was too serious. I was lightening the mood.
Saino: …Was it not funny?
Tighnari: (facepalm)
Kaveh: Not funny — I shivered and it's warm today.
Childe: Even the Tsaritsa's Cryo doesn't chill as hard as your jokes.
Tsaritsa: ...
Topic derailed — and was quickly re-railed.
Ayaka: With a target known, the pursuit begins?
Navia: Yes! We're en route — but still far.
Navia: Neuvillette, Clorinde — please stop him if needed!
Clorinde: Already ordered. I'll handle it.
Navia: Thank you!
Yoimiya: Curious… death penalty?
Yanfei: Fontaine does have it, but it's never been used.
Wriothesley: Precisely — even Wriothlin only ended up in Meropide.
Barbara: I don't know much law… but letting murderers live seems wrong…
Neuvillette: That was the past. Things are different now.
Furina: Evidence collected → trial → proof absolute → death sentence.
Fontaine's citizens were stunned.
A real execution…?
Road to Fontaine Court
"Death penalty…?"
Navia paused—
then smiled beautifully.
Good.
Perfect.
Her father and those girls
could finally sleep in peace.
"Miss, uh… did something nice happen?"
Mélus asked.
"You will understand soon."
She gazed gratefully up at the Light Curtain.
Thank you.
Wriothesley: Excellent! Only downside — fewer prisoners for me later.
Clorinde: A worthy decision. I support it.
Charlotte: Me too!
Lynette: Same.
Lumine: Historic moment incoming!
Alice: Justice feels great~
Ningguang: We should see the trial livestream.
Neuvillette: According to procedure, yes.
Navia: I can wait.
Arthur nodded in satisfaction.
Another positive ripple in Teyvat.
In the original timeline—
Marcel died in a petty act of revenge by a pure water spirit.
Not justice — just chaos.
Now?
This was righteous.
He continued:
"Now — the second source of Navia's tragedy."
"Mélus and Silver."
"After losing both parents…"
"She had only them."
"They carried her through the darkest days."
"Mélus — the loyal butler."
"He always kept the investigative clues safe — waiting for Navia to be strong enough."
"If she chose to remain a sheltered lady… he would serve her for life."
"Silver — young, blunt, but brave."
"He always carried eggs, sugar, and almonds…"
"…so Navia could bake whenever inspiration struck."
"Tireless protectors."
"Her shield. Her family."
"And yet—"
His tone lowered.
"In the original future…
when White Night Town was attacked…"
"They died protecting civilians."
"And even in death—"
"They shielded Navia from the vengeful dead."
"Protect her in life.
Protect her freedom after death."
"That… is true loyalty."
White Night Town — Roadside
All three stopped in place.
Navia's tears spilled again.
She turned heavily—
"…Mélus… Silver…"
They didn't know they would die yet.
But she couldn't un-know.
They were surprised at their future roles…
But proud.
Mélus placed a hand to his heart:
"Miss."
"This is our duty."
"Our honor."
Silver did the same:
"Yes, Miss!"
Navia choked—
"No."
"I won't accept those words."
"That is a future I reject."
"Now — everything is different."
"You will live."
"You will walk beside me—
to see Spina di Rosula's bright future."
The two men exchanged smiles.
Hand-to-heart—
"As you command, Miss."
"That's more like it."
She exhaled.
Then glared up at the Light Curtain—
She would fight fate.
Then—
The Light Curtain played a tribute video:
"Drowning Sorrows — Dedicated to the greatest partners: Mélus & Silver."
Images flashed:
Their first greeting…
"Eggs, sugar, almonds — all ready!"
Their support…
"With us here, you have nothing to fear."
Their future sacrifice…
"Goodbye, Miss."
"Live free."
The two-minute montage ended—
No one kept dry eyes.
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