The Trial Begins

"See that~!" Felina said to Furina after finishing the conversation with the old lady.

When dealing with Furina's enemies, Felina was ruthless and calculating, but with Furina, she was warm and patient.

"Furina, I understand how hard it is to play the role of a Archon with a human heart and mind. I can see how carefully and cautiously you've worked to keep up appearances."

"But, Furina, if you focus too much on how others see you, you end up trapped by their judgments. It's exhausting to always be under that pressure."

"Archons are not gods because they look or act like gods, but because they possess the power and abilities of one."

"I understand that without divine power to match the role, you've had to keep up appearances to meet people's expectations."

"I understand why you've lived so carefully, always afraid that one wrong move might plunge Fontaine into disaster."

Her voice softened, turning into a message of hope and blessing for Furina.

"Furina, you've endured so much over these years. From now on, don't worry about others' eyes. Wear what you like, eat what you love, and do what makes you happy."

"Treat yourself well, Furina, live a little more freely, a little more happily."

"The people of Fontaine love and respect you; they won't doubt you just because you act differently."

"There's no need to feel fear or worry, because I'm here. I am your strength."

"Go and live boldly; everything will be fine."

On the street, Furina stood still for a long time, listening to Felina's gentle encouragement. She didn't know why, but those words made her nose sting with emotion.

Few people could understand how much these words meant to her. She held back tears, resisting the urge to cry in public. Once her pent-up sadness began to lift, a serene smile appeared on her face, like sunshine after rain.

This smile was no longer the perfectly poised and elegant expression she usually wore. Instead, it was carefree and lighthearted.

She took a few steps forward, and her steps, too, were no longer the graceful strides of nobility but carried an ease and spontaneity.

At first, she moved cautiously, worried others would be disappointed in her behavior.

But when no negative reaction came, her heart relaxed, and her steps became more natural, walking however felt comfortable.

"Huh? Lady Furina seems to be in a great mood today!"

A Melusine from the Marechaussee Phantom, munching on her sandwich, waved to Furina as she spotted her.

Unlike most citizens, the Melusines were close to Neuvillette, so they often saw Furina and didn't stand on as much ceremony around her.

"Oh? What makes you think I'm in a good mood today?" Furina asked as she stepped up to the Melusine.

"Well, normally you walk in such a stiff way, with your whole body tense, like you're not having a good day."

"But today you're walking freely, and your body looks so relaxed—it's obvious you're happy!"

The Melusine's keen observation skills had caught even the smallest changes.

Furina blinked, taken aback, and asked, "So, do you think this version of me is better than before?"

"Oh, definitely! I hope you stay this happy forever!"

"I…"

Furina paused for a few seconds, and the Melusine wondered if she'd said something wrong, but then Furina's gaze softened.

"Thank you for your concern. I'll do my best to be happier from now on!"

She bent down, giving the Melusine's head a gentle pat, and exchanged a few more words before leaving, her steps even lighter now.

Felina observed Furina's transformation, feeling gratified.

She believed that one day Furina would live as a free, joyful girl.

That was the life Furina deserved.

Today, Furina became a happy girl.

She strolled through the streets of Fontaine, looking at the city she had seen countless times, yet for the first time, she found it beautiful.

To her, this was the first time she truly saw this city through her own eyes.

When you see the world with a new perspective, everything seems fresh and fascinating.

She wandered for a long time, finally heading to the Opera Epiclese around noon. There was a performance today she'd long anticipated.

When she arrived at the opera house, she noticed Neuvillette was seated in the front row.

She blinked in surprise; she'd always thought Neuvillette was too busy and too serious to enjoy something like opera.

But she shrugged off the thought and took her seat, waiting for the performance to begin.

Two hours later.

"Mmm~!"

"What a fantastic show. This troupe keeps getting better!"

Stretching lazily, Furina let out a satisfied sigh after the performance.

However, just as she was about to leave—

"Everyone, please wait!"

A loud voice rang through the opera house.

People turned to see a middle-aged man stepping forward.

"Who is that?"

"Oh, I think I know him!"

"That's Marcel, president of the Cabrière Association! What's he doing here?"

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

Unfazed by the attention, Marcel held a solemn expression as he stepped onto the stage.

"Perfect timing, with the Chief Justice Neuvillette here as well."

He bowed to Neuvillette. "Today, I ask that you and everyone present bear witness!"

"I am here to accuse Lady Furina!"

"What?!"

The crowd exploded into an uproar!

"What? Accuse Lady Furina?"

"Is he insane? A mere mortal accusing a god?"

"Yeah, he's out of his mind."

"But isn't this dramatic? A mortal accusing a god! This is the first time in Fontaine's history!"

"Ohh!!"

Some people stood up, clapping excitedly.

Ignoring the chatter, Neuvillette looked at Marcel with a blank expression.

"Mr. Marcel, are you certain you wish to accuse Lady Furina?"

"I am."

"Very well, what is the charge you bring against her?"

Marcel hesitated for a moment, as if making a final decision.

Then he met Furina's gaze with resolute eyes and spoke.

"I, Marcel, stand here today to accuse Furina of impersonating the Hydro Archon and deceiving the people!" Marcel's voice boomed, carrying across the entire opera house.

As soon as his words fell, it was like a thunderclap dropped into a calm lake, stirring up massive waves of reaction among the crowd.

"What?!"

"Lady Furina is pretending to be a Hydro Archon?"

"Has he gone mad?"

"Furina isn't the real Hydro Archon? How could that be?"

"Well… it might not be impossible!"

"Come to think of it, I overheard some people talking last month about how Lady Furina might not actually be the Hydro Archon."

"And when you really think about it, there hasn't been a single legend or miracle attributed to her in five hundred years!"

"Eh, who cares? Regardless of whether Lady Furina is the Hydro Archon, the idea of a mortal accusing a god is inherently dramatic!"

"Right, either way, there's going to be quite a show!"

The crowd was abuzz, some incredulous, others doubtful, a few angry, while some simply looked eager for the spectacle.

Feeling the mounting tension in the opera house, Furina, sitting in the front row, was suddenly overcome with panic.

Most of the people around her might not feel it, but she knew the truth.

Only she knew she was indeed not a real god.

Only she knew that if her impersonation was exposed, the foretold disaster would become unavoidable.

If he was accusing her publicly, he must have evidence. Her personal reputation mattered little, but the fate of all of Fontaine was at stake, and she couldn't help feeling rattled.

But just as her nerves reached their limit, Felina's voice resonated within her mind.

"Don't worry, Furina. Remember how I told you that I'd prepare a grand trial to unmask the mastermind behind the attacks on you?"

"This situation is just another part of my plan. Leave it to me. Relax and enjoy the trial!"

Hearing Felina's reassurance, Furina finally managed to calm down.

The next moment, Felina took over her body.

She glanced at Neuvillette.

Earlier, Furina had wondered why Neuvillette—usually busy and uninterested in opera—would attend today's performance.

Of course, a meticulously arranged trial wouldn't be complete without the presence of Chief Justice Neuvillette.

Every step Marcel had taken, every choice he'd made, Felina had anticipated. His accusation today was no different.

That's why she had invited Neuvillette to be here beforehand.

At that moment, Neuvillette looked at Felina, his expression clearly questioning: This was part of your plan?

Felina smiled, giving him a nod.

Receiving her affirmation, Neuvillette returned his gaze to Marcel, standing and addressing him sternly:

"Fontaine is a nation of law and justice. Here, everyone has the right to accuse, even against a god. The Tribunal will support such a right."

"But, Mr. Marcel, I must remind you that Fontaine also upholds laws against perjury. If your accusation is true, the laws of Fontaine will render judgment upon Lady Furina."

"However, if your words prove false, then you must be prepared to face the consequences of falsely accusing a god."

"So, I ask you one more time, are you certain you wish to accuse Lady Furina?"

Marcel: "I am certain!"

Neuvillette then turned to Felina. "Lady Furina, do you accept Marcel's accusation against you?"

Felina rose from her seat, wearing a calm smile.

"I am a god because I am a god. I do not need to prove it to anyone."

"But a mortal challenging a god in court—this, without question, will be a spectacular drama! As a Hydro Archon, I have no qualms about giving my people a performance worthy of the annals of Fontaine's history!"

"Mr. Marcel, since you wish to challenge this god, I shall grant you the stage to do so!"

Wearing her yellow sundress, Felina stood on the stage, arms raised as she spoke boldly, echoing Furina's usual flamboyance.

The crowd burst into wild cheers, filling the entire opera house with excitement.

"Since that's the case, the trial shall commence. Both parties, please take your respective places."

At Neuvillette's declaration, the trial began.

"Mr. Marcel, since you have accused Lady Furina of impersonating the Hydro Archon, please present your evidence."

"Of course, Chief Justice."

Standing on the high platform, Marcel raised his arms, launching into a speech under everyone's watchful gaze.

"By all rights, a Archon should be powerful and wise. But everyone can see that in the five hundred years Lady Furina has held her position, she has never once performed a miracle!"

"She has no involvement in Fontaine's affairs, choosing instead to idle away her time, absorbed in opera and trials."

"Her behavior is childish and naive, no different from any ordinary girl."

"That is to say, Lady Furina neither possesses divine power nor wisdom. For this reason, I have grounds to believe she is not the Hydro Archon."

As Marcel's words fell, murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

"Wow… when he puts it like that, it actually makes sense!"

"True, I never noticed until he pointed it out."

"For all these years, it's true—Furina has never really done anything god-like."

"Whenever I see her, she's either shopping or at the opera. Given this, Marcel's suspicions do seem justified."

With the crowd's murmurs, the Arbiter's Scales tilted in Marcel's favor.

The Arbiter's Scales (Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale) were a mechanism created by the previous Hydro Archon, Focalors, to reflect the people's trust in justice during trials.

Throughout the proceedings, it would shift based on the arguments of the plaintiff and defendant, as well as the public's opinion.

Now leaning toward Marcel, the Scales seemed to agree with his reasoning.

Yet Felina showed no concern, and when met with skeptical glances from the crowd, she merely spread her hands.

"Gods display miracles only in the face of disasters that require divine intervention."

"A god who hasn't had to show miracles, who enjoys their time, isn't this just proof of the peace I've brought to Fontaine? Or is there anyone here hoping for a catastrophe that would require a god's intervention?"

With that, the crowd exchanged glances, seemingly agreeing with Felina's reasoning.

Isn't a god's lack of intervention a good thing? What kind of silly question was Marcel asking?

For a moment, the citizens present looked at Marcel with a hint of disdain.

The Arbiter's Scales tilted back in Felina's favor.