Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

The images recorded by Fairy Ely's camera module were displayed for all to see. The story between Virgil and Marcel made the audience burst into laughter.

In a way, this was perfectly fitting for the Opera Epiclese.

The people of Fontaine were entertained and felt that their trip had been worthwhile.

However—after Virgil and Marcel turned on each other, the outcome was clear, and the culprit behind the "serial disappearances" case was determined.

"I can't believe the president of the Chambre de Commerce de Calabre was the culprit. I always thought he was a good person."

"Who knows? Appearances can be deceiving."

"Come on, the Chambre de Commerce de Calabre was never a good organization. They put on a good front, but behind the scenes, they engage in loan sharking and violent debt collection. I knew he wasn't a good person."

The audience murmured amongst themselves.

The noise subsided as Neuvillette struck the ground with his cane.

"The evidence is conclusive, Marcel—no, Vacher. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Although the evidence was conclusive, Neuvillette still followed procedure, staring coldly at Marcel in the defendant's seat.

As Chief Justice, he naturally had no fondness for the culprit who had troubled Fontaine for decades.

"…I request a duel!" Marcel gritted his teeth and shouted.

Proving one's innocence through a duel was a tradition established at Fontaine's founding. As long as one could defeat the Champion Duelist, they could clear their name.

Conversely, it meant death.

Clorinde, hearing this, showed no emotion, only adjusted her collar and placed her hand on the sword at her waist.

There were many Champion Duelists in Fontaine, but she had never been defeated. As the official Champion Duelist, those who challenged her were all dead.

Her cold eyes fixed on Marcel. Traditionally, a Champion Duelist should remain rational and objective, without personal emotions. Clorinde had always adhered to this principle.

But towards this man named Marcel, she felt an uncontrollable rage.

After all, Mr. Callas had died at her hands because of this man.

Clorinde had felt guilty about this for years, not knowing how to face Navia. Now, after learning the truth, she finally had an outlet for her emotions.

"Are you certain?"

"Of course! I'm certain!"

"No one in this world can judge me! Especially not the Palais Mermonia!"

In Furina's viewing box:

"What is he doing? Isn't this suicide?" Furina looked at the agitated and frantic Marcel, puzzled.

"He's seeking death."

The blue and white-haired girl, leaning against the throne, resting her chin in her hand, hit the nail on the head.

"Seeking death? Why?"

"But with his crimes, even a death sentence wouldn't be excessive." Furina mumbled.

Although the death penalty existed in Fontaine in name, it was practically obsolete. In five hundred years, she hadn't seen anyone sentenced to it.

"Precisely because of this, he has no qualms. And… he wants to stop what I'm about to do—or at least create trouble."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Oh dear, you're so silly," Fairy Ely said helplessly, "Reliable Me originally intended to use this guy as a typical example to guide Fontaine's justice system in a new direction."

Undoubtedly—this trial had been completely different from previous ones. There were no strange arguments; everything used was solid evidence.

Using the "serial disappearances" case as a precedent, there would be a template for future reference, correcting Fontaine's distorted and farcical legal system.

But all of this was based on the premise of Marcel being convicted.

"[I] can't believe this strange Champion Duelist system even exists…" [Furina] sighed, wanting to complain—well, it seemed that such things were indeed popular in Europe during the Middle Ages. This unique system was essentially a concession to the nobility.

But it was a serious legal loophole.

"Cough… don't you think it's quite cool? Risking one's life to defend their honor and innocence… Don't look at me, it wasn't my idea! I just think this system is very cool."

Furina coughed softly, explaining, then quickly waved her hands defensively when she noticed their gazes, and continued, "And… and this system isn't as bad as you say… With Clorinde, no one has ever been exonerated because of it."

Minor disputes in Fontaine were one thing, but major ones, those involving Clorinde… every single one ended in death!

One might be able to obtain a temporary residence permit at the Fortress of Meropide through a trial, but fighting Clorinde directly was a death sentence.

"Callas too?"

"Gulp… That was a mistake! …Alright, it's indeed not very good." Seeing [Furina]'s questioning gaze, Furina blushed, then lowered her head and admitted her mistake.

The blue and white-haired girl shook her head and sighed.

"Even death is different."

Was the death of a noble and the death of a commoner the same? From the perspective of life, perhaps it was, but for the living, it wasn't.

The duel system was essentially risking one's life to defend their honor and innocence. Winning went without saying, but dying…

It meant the end of everything, a clean slate.

If Marcel, the culprit behind the "serial disappearances," died on the gallows, it would demonstrate Fontaine's authority. Dying in a duel, although not meaningless, would diminish the impact.

Did he die because of the court's judgment? No, he died fighting for himself, defending his innocence!

From a personal perspective, it didn't matter.

Jiang Qiao didn't need to consider any of these issues. Directly eliminating this guy might be easier and more satisfying, at least it would be out of sight, out of mind.

But as [Furina], from the perspective of the Palais Mermonia, he couldn't be so rash.

A heinous criminal, even if they had to die, should die in a public trial.

Dying in a duel…

It would be better to just send him to the Fortress of Meropide.

One should act according to their position. Although for Jiang Qiao, this body was just one of many he had used, even as a temporary substitute, he would do his best to handle everything properly.

Putting down her crossed legs, [Furina] walked to the railing.

"Vacher, as a criminal, you have been stripped of all political rights—and also the right to request a duel to clear your name."

"This is also my decree as the God of Justice."

"Chief Justice, I don't think I need to say anything more, do I?" The blue and white-haired girl's divine, heterochromatic eyes fell upon Neuvillette, a hint of seriousness in her tone.

"Oh my god, Lady Furina is presiding over the trial!"

"This is the first time I've seen Lady Furina like this. But you know, she's so cool!"

"Indeed, indeed—a decree from the Hydro Archon! The previous Lady Furina never spoke with such authority!"

The Fontaine citizens, instead of being disgusted by [Furina]'s "domineering" behavior, were excited and full of praise.

Did they understand what the "Sovereign of All Waters, All Opulence, All People, and All Laws" meant?

A queen should have this kind of imposing aura, otherwise, what kind of queen was she?!

Furina, who had been worried that the citizens might be suspicious, now felt a twinge of jealousy seeing their excitement.

Wait, did they like him that much?

She was their true Hydro Archon!

"I understand." Neuvillette, leaning on his cane, nodded impassively.

Although he didn't think too much about it, and even felt slightly helpless about [Furina]'s appearance—after all, normally, their Hydro Archon only caused trouble.

But it was different this time. Such a formal intervention in the name of the God of Justice… as long as they still recognized the Hydro Archon's authority, whether to maintain the foundation of Fontaine's law or to give [Furina] face, Neuvillette knew what to do.

"In that case, let's conclude this trial."

"The evidence is conclusive, Vacher. As Chief Justice, I hereby pronounce you: Guilty…"

Neuvillette instinctively wanted to request the verdict from the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, but [Furina] shook her head slightly.

Meeting her gaze, Neuvillette seemed to understand something. He was silent for a moment, then said,

"The criminal, Vacher, has abducted and dissolved numerous innocent girls in water, and trafficked the illegal substance Pneuma… among other crimes. Now, according to Fontaine law, with multiple charges, you are sentenced to…"

"Death."

Neuvillette hesitated for a moment, but feeling [Furina]'s gaze, he still delivered the verdict.

Honestly, this wasn't because he was submitting to his superior, the Hydro Archon.

It was simply because the death penalty had practically never been used since the establishment of Fontaine law.

This was why Neuvillette, despite knowing that Vacher's crimes warranted the death penalty, was still hesitant to use it.

"Death penalty! Did I hear that right? It's actually the death penalty!"

"I thought that punishment only existed on paper. But indeed, with all the crimes he committed, just the death penalty might be letting him off easy."

"Say, aren't they using the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale for the judgment?"

"Well, whatever, as long as it's interesting. Besides, with that rigid machine, who knows, it might just give a simple 'guilty' verdict, which would be too ridiculous."

"Indeed, indeed, compared to that machine created by Lady Furina, the judgment of Chief Justice Neuvillette is clearly more just and reasonable!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Lady Furina is also very cool!"

"Then you want her to preside over the trial?"

"No need, no need!"

"Hmph, you heretic! What's wrong with Lady Furina presiding over the trial?! You're disloyal!"

The Fontaine citizens below were once again arguing amongst themselves.

But undoubtedly, a trend had emerged—Neuvillette's authority was rising.

Of course, it was already high to begin with.

After all, Furina, the Hydro Archon, was essentially a mascot, and only the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale could surpass Neuvillette's authority.

And after bypassing the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, Neuvillette's authority increased further.

However, this came at a price. For example, Focalors, currently hiding within the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, was worried.

Wait, what was going on?

Why did the trials suddenly stop using the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale?

The debate process was the most important, the only way for the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale to collect Numina of Justice and Order. And currently, she was still far from having enough to shatter the divine throne.

Honestly, she had been quite happy after seeing [Furina].

After all, her previously wavering self seemed to have completely stabilized, as if she had returned to five hundred years ago, perhaps even calmer than Furina, who had just become the Hydro Archon back then.

This way, her biggest worry, that Furina wouldn't be able to hold on until she had collected enough Numina of Justice and Order to shatter the divine throne, seemed to be resolved.

But now, there was no need to worry about Furina. The problem seemed to be on her side.

Well… it was probably just a special case.

Focalors looked at the scene outside, comforting herself.

Perhaps it was because this Vacher was special that Neuvillette and Furina had adopted this unusual approach.

However…

"Furina has truly improved a lot."

Focalors looked at the calm [Furina] on the throne, resting her chin in her hand, watching with interest.

The previous Furina, although she also used the Hydro Archon's authority, it was more like child's play.

She held almost no authority.

If she tried to be assertive, it would only be Furina herself who ended up embarrassed.

But [Furina]'s demeanor just now…

"Very good, this is it, worthy of me!" Focalors thought—although it seemed a bit strange compared to her ideal self, if she included herself, she felt that this was just right, no… it was even better!

Focalors' decisiveness, composure, and gentleness, combined with Furina's calmness and elegance.

It was a two-in-one package!

"…Death."

When he heard the verdict, Vacher, who had been acting tough and seeking death through a duel, was stunned, his legs giving way as he collapsed on the ground.

Seeking death wasn't difficult.

But when death truly approached, Vacher became afraid.

Perhaps as an adventurer, he had the courage to face death, but after becoming the notorious Marcel, he had clearly lost that courage.

Of course—what terrified Vacher even more wasn't just death,

But the fact that once he died, his desperate wish to see Venier again would truly come to an end.

"I won't accept this! I won't accept it!"

Vacher roared, looking incredibly pathetic, trying to escape the guards' grasp, only to be violently pressed to the ground, crying out,

"Let me go! Let me go! I won't accept this!"

Of course, Vacher's execution wouldn't be carried out so hastily—after all, Fontaine had practically never used this punishment. It had always been a symbolic gesture, even the Gardes, the enforcers of the law, believed it was just there to scare people.

And yet, someone had actually been sentenced to it.

How to carry out the death penalty became a matter of discussion and consideration.

[Furina] offered her opinion:

"Use the guillotine!"

Looking at the conflicted Neuvillette, Jiang Qiao suggested this very appropriate execution tool.

After all—Fontaine was based on France.

And when it came to France, what was more iconic than the guillotine?

It was a specialty, a must-try!

"Guillotine…" Hearing this suggestion, Neuvillette's face contorted.

Undoubtedly, from this suggestion, he finally found the Hydro Archon's usual absurdity.

He had considered shooting, hanging—these methods were undoubtedly more dignified and would have less visual impact on the audience.

He hadn't expected her to suggest the guillotine… why not just suggest "death by a thousand cuts"?

To this, [Furina] said:

That wasn't out of the question either.

If necessary, they could even have Vacher do it himself!