That night, most of the Gendarmerie and Special Patrol units across Fontaine were mobilized, quickly surrounding the mansions of several core nobles.
Unfortunately, the rule of Fontaine's top nobles was deeply entrenched. While the Special Patrol units were relatively secure, the Gendarmerie was riddled with noble moles. They preemptively notified the nobles of the operation, but since all entrances and exits to the Court of Fontaine had already been sealed by the Special Patrol, the nobles' escape plans were thwarted. They were forced to rely on their private armies and mansions to resist stubbornly.
However, this was a confrontation between private forces and official power. Although the Gendarmerie and Special Patrol units couldn't breach the defenses immediately, over time, even if the stalemate continued, the nobles would eventually be trapped and defeated.
André (the elder who sat in the center during the previous noble meeting) sat in his living room, head bowed and eyes closed, deep in thought.
He beckoned to one of his subordinates, who immediately stepped forward.
"Jacques, are all the backup plans ready?"
"Yes, milord, they are all prepared."
"Good, then I am relieved. If I do not return within 24 hours, activate the backup plans immediately."
"Understood, milord."
André pushed open the door and slowly walked out into the courtyard.
The moment he stepped out, all weapons were pointed directly at him.
Furina had also arrived. As the highest-ranking noble currently, the Hydro Archon needed to personally supervise his arrest.
André slowly raised both arms.
Everyone immediately tensed up, their focus razor-sharp.
Furina swallowed hard. In truth, she was somewhat scared; she wasn't Black Furina, who possessed such immense power.
However André slowly raised both arms straight up above his head.
That's right, it was the gesture of surrender.
"Huh?" Furina looked confused.
"Lady Hydro Archon, after long consideration, I have realized that resistance is futile. Therefore, I intend to come with you."
"However, before I leave, there is one thing I wish to say to you."
"Speak," Furina commanded, maintaining the dignity of the Hydro Archon.
"If I have not returned to this location by this time tomorrow, a few... minor problems might arise within the Court of Fontaine."
Hearing this, Furina's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged.
"Am I to understand this statement as a threat?"
"No, no, Lady Hydro Archon, this is not a threat; it is a negotiation." André's expression was completely neutral, as if he were speaking to an ordinary person.
"Furina, take him away first. We can discuss this later," Black Furina's timely voice reminded her.
"Special Patrol, take him away now."
André was handcuffed and escorted away. As he was being led off, he turned back to look at Furina, leaving her with a meaningful smile.
"Lady Hydro Archon, I hope you make a wise choice."
At the same time, the teams arresting the other eight nobles encountered identical situations. After temporarily taking the nobles into custody, several squad leaders rushed to Furina to report the circumstances.
"I understand. This matter is too serious to be handled entirely by the Court of Arbitration. Notify the Court of Arbitration that I will temporarily handle this case."
"Yes, Lady Furina!"
"Other me, what do you think?"
"Clearly, we've been threatened. I didn't handle this well; I was careless. I wanted to eliminate the nobles in one swift move but overlooked how deeply entrenched their power is in Fontaine. Their influence penetrates every sector of the nation. It's obvious that our initial plan to arrest them all is no longer viable." Black Furina frowned. She had thought the matter was resolved, and the current complication naturally displeased her.
"However, this alternative plan can serve as a substitute."
"What is it?" Furina asked, curious.
"Look, like this..."
"But if we do that, won't it leave behind potential problems?"
"We have no choice. If we genuinely arrest all of them, the Court of Fontaine will probably explode tomorrow. If you still want to arrest them, you can, after all, you are the Hydro Archon of Fontaine."
"I'll pass then. I don't want my citizens to get hurt, nor do I want my nation damaged," Furina said in a somewhat low voice. A few hours later, Furina and the arrested nobles arrived at a relatively secret location.
"Lady Furina, it seems you have made your decision?" André asked. His expression showed confidence regarding the outcome Furina was about to announce.
"Ahem." Furina cleared her throat, ignoring his question and directly announcing the verdict.
"I, the Archon Focalors, Furina de Fontaine, representing the Fontainian Court of Justice, hereby announce the ruling regarding the case of the nobles plotting the attack on the Fontaine Patrol units:
André, Renaud, Armand, Guillaume, Louis Dumont, Henri LeBlanc, and Edmond (thanks to the AI for the names) are found guilty of serious crimes for their involvement in plotting the attack on the Fontaine Patrol units. However, considering this is a first offense and their lack of deep involvement, they are sentenced to confiscation of 60% of their total personal assets, revocation of their noble titles, removal from all positions within the Court of Fontaine, and the disbandment of all private armed forces, among other penalties."
"Delore, as the initiator and mastermind of the plot, is found guilty of heinous crimes and is sentenced to confiscation of all total personal assets, lifelong deprivation of political rights, life imprisonment, revocation of his noble title, removal from all positions within the Court of Fontaine, and the disbandment of all private armed forces, among other penalties."
"Louise, for her significant involvement in the plot, is found guilty of major crimes and is sentenced to confiscation of 80% of her total personal assets, 20 years of fixed-term imprisonment, 20 years of deprivation of political rights, revocation of her noble title, removal from all positions within the Court of Fontaine, and the disbandment of all private armed forces, among other penalties."
"Although Henri de Montceau was heavily involved in the plot, he showed remorse, confessed proactively, and cooperated with the investigation. Therefore, he is sentenced to confiscation of 70% of his total personal assets, 8 years of fixed-term imprisonment, 8 years of deprivation of political rights, revocation of his noble title, removal from all positions within the Court of Fontaine, and the disbandment of all private armed forces, among other penalties."
"Should you disagree with the above rulings, you may file an objection with the Court of Justice within 15 working days."
As soon as Furina finished speaking, the expressions of the nobles varied considerably.
The first seven maintained their usual expressions; everything was within their expectations.
Upon hearing his result, Henri de Montceau flashed a joyful smile, saying, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Lady Hydro Archon!"
Even though most of the seven nobles who avoided imprisonment were more involved than he was.
As for why he was imprisoned?
That was, of course, because Black Furina had previously promised him a reduced sentence in the Fortress of Meropide. Speaking through Furina's body was equivalent to the Hydro Archon making the promise, and the Archon naturally had to keep her word.
However, Delore and Louise did not look pleased, especially Delore.
"Lady Hydro Archon, are you not worried about what might happen in the Court of Fontaine tomorrow?" He dropped the pretense, glaring fiercely at Furina, speaking in a tone bordering on a threat.
"Oh, right, let me add one more thing. If any malicious incidents occur within Fontaine over the next 50 years, the lives of you ten may not be entirely safe~" Furina's voice rang out faintly.
At this, the seven nobles immediately glared fiercely at Delore and Louise. André, in particular, offered an ambiguous smile and slowly spoke: "Don't forget that I know the location of your wife and children, and I have several old friends down in the Fortress of Meropide."
The two of them immediately backed down.
"Very well, if there are no objections, I shall take my leave. I still have follow-up work to attend to. Farewell, everyone."
"Special Patrol, escort the three away."
"Yes, ma'am."
The Special Patrol immediately stepped forward, handcuffed the three, and escorted them directly to the Fortress of Meropide. ... Palais Mermonia, the Hydro Archon's residence.
"Other me, how well did I imitate the line you taught me just now?" Furina was a little excited, perhaps because they had severely crippled the power of the nobles this time.
"Hmm, passable. Now, go to bed early. The Chief Justice will be arriving tomorrow." Black Furina wasn't particularly happy, but she wasn't angry or dissatisfied with the result either; that was just her usual demeanor.