The audience turned their heads in unison.
"What is he doing here?"
The Maison Gardiennage approached Marcel and gestured. "Please take the position of the accused."
Furina felt somewhat confused.
The roles of accuser and accused had instantly switched, and even the case had changed. Did she still need to stand with the accused? Did her duel with Luna still count? Defend Marcel? Impossible. She wouldn't do such a thing. She would never defend someone so wicked.
Moreover, the so-called "duel" she proposed was merely part of playing the role of a dramatic Archon.
She knew Luna had already uncovered the truth. To her, what the audience believed to be a "duel" was nothing more than another performance.
"Furina."
At that moment, she heard Luna's voice.
"I've already said it. I refuse your challenge. And becoming Mr. Lyney and Miss Lynette's defense attorney wasn't about accepting your duel invitation either."
"Every accusation deserves a defense. That's all."
There had never been a duel from the beginning.
Though it was all a performance... Hadn't she just spoken at length, only to end up saying nothing?
This way, there was no need for a complicated duel. That was convenient.
If they truly had to duel in court, even if Luna wouldn't feel awkward afterward, she certainly would.
Furina crossed her arms and snorted. "You're as rude as ever."
"Still, I'll allow it. Since you might be able to solve the Serial Disappearance Case, I, Focalors, will represent the audience and permit you to perform your drama on this stage!"
With that, she swiftly returned to her seat among the audience.
Ah, much better. This seat really is the best.
Clorinde murmured, "In a way, you could say this is Lady Furina's defeat."
After all, her invitation had been completely rejected.
"I-I know, I know..." Furina mumbled.
The audience, of course, didn't care.
Good show? They'd raise both hands and feet in approval.
Marcel seemed somewhat taken aback, but the bandages covering his face made it hard to see his expression.
"Navia, you and your friend might have misunderstood something," he said slowly as he walked to the accused's position, his voice steady.
"But then again, it's understandable. You've always been impulsive since childhood, easily swayed by emotions..."
Navia was secretly conveying clues to Luna when she heard this. She pulled her mouth away from Luna's ear and looked straight at Marcel:
"I don't deny that, but I have Lulu with me now! She'll rein me in before I go too far."
"That's what partners are for!"
Lynette: "..."
Her cat ears flattened against her head.
Lyney whispered, "If we're talking about impulsiveness, the old Luna was the real impulsive one."
Grabbing weapons, refusing to stop until all enemies were defeated, using the Delusion directly...
Though she appeared elegant and mysterious now, her core essence likely hadn't changed much.
Lynette nodded slightly, agreeing with her brother's assessment.
Naturally, no one else could hear their private conversation.
Luna had already obtained the essential information from Navia, which was sufficient to dispel any lingering doubts.
"I doubt Monsieur Marcel would comprehend this," Luna murmured, needing to confirm something.
"After all, your partner and lover has been dissolved."
Dissolved?
"What does 'dissolved' mean? Turned into a puddle of water?"
"Awesome! My favorite pre-battle trash talk!"
"Lover?"
Marcel's voice darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting? I've never had a lover."
Confirmation complete.
This guy... Luna narrowed her eyes before smiling. "Please disregard my extraneous remarks. Monsieur Neuvillette, may the trial formally begin."
Neuvillette nodded.
"Let the defense commence."
Luna smiled. "Let us begin with the Case of Callas the Unfaithful."
"Three years ago, Callas Caspar was accused of murdering his friend Jacques. He chose to defend his innocence through a duel, but ultimately perished by the sword of his Champion Duelist, Miss Clorinde."
"The decisive doubt is the gunshots," Luna said, raising two fingers.
"Everyone at the estate claimed to hear two shots, yet no second firearm was found."
"Monsieur Callas offered no defense against this accusation."
Marcel nodded. "I rushed out with Navia at the time. Don't you remember, Navia? Moreover, Monsieur Callas is my benefactor."
He spread his hands. "I had no motive to kill him, and besides, I have an alibi. Everyone at the banquet can vouch for me."
An alibi? Indeed, that would be the most effective way to prove one's innocence.
Luna smiled. "Yes, the banquet guests can confirm your alibi—you went to the second floor before the gunshots rang out."
Marcel opened his mouth to protest, but Luna's hand slammed against the railing.
"No traces of your crime? Simple—because you weren't the killer!"
Navia took over earnestly. "You brought in a third party to meddle between Father and Jacques."
She raised a finger. "The first shot was the third party hitting Jacques;"
A second finger joined the first. "The second shot came when Father wrested the gun and killed the third party!"
Marcel shook his head. "Are you all playing some kind of detective game? The Maison Gardiennage found absolutely no evidence of a third party. The 'third party' you speak of doesn't exist at all."
"I went to the second floor simply because I wanted to rest for a moment. After all, I'm getting on in years."
The audience nodded repeatedly.
"That's right, this is too far-fetched."
"The Maison Gardiennage said there's no evidence."
But when they looked at the Oratrice's balance, they discovered—it wasn't leaning toward either side.
Moreover, Furina was unusually quiet.
At this critical moment, shouldn't Lady Furina be delivering her sharp commentary? Why is she so silent?
Little did they know, Furina had already heard this deduction once. She understood the entire process and was already clear about the case's outcome.
The story's ending had long been decided. She only needed to witness it to the end as the "Archon of Justice."
Luna and Navia exchanged glances and nodded.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I request the presentation of evidence!"
Luna pulled down her hat. "Present the Primordial Sea water, Tears of a Maiden, and... Sinthe."
These pieces of evidence were undoubtedly preserved by Neuvillette himself.
Due to the Court of Justice's current lack of credibility, Neuvillette couldn't possibly have failed to notice this.
As expected, Neuvillette nodded. "Then I will bring the evidence here myself. Please wait a moment."
A short time later.
Neuvillette placed a jar of Primordial Sea water on the stand, followed by the Tears of a Maiden and Sinthe.
"Tears of a Maiden?! But wasn't it stolen by the Phantom Thief White Cat?"
"What kind of strange water is this?"
"My goodness, Sinthe again?!"
The audience buzzed with speculation.
Marcel maintained his composure. "Tears of a Maiden? I thought the Phantom Thief White Cat had no intention of returning it. But what do these three pieces of evidence prove?"
Luna turned her gaze toward Furina.
A complex expression crossed Furina's face. The news of a human being dissolved would undoubtedly cause panic. Yet they couldn't let the murderer roam free.
Furina nodded slightly. "Speak. Reveal the truth you've witnessed to the world. I, Focalors, grant you permission to do so."
"Of course." Luna's eyes held a silent command.
This order would be carried out by Navia.
Navia returned the smile. "Lulu has always been so meticulous. Then I shall obey your command..."
She raised her hand, pointing toward Neuvillette.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, please take the witness stand and tell everyone the truth about the Primordial Sea's water and the Tears of a Maiden."
Not for any other reason.
"For truth, justice, and the law, stand as a witness."
As Chief Justice, make your testimony.
Neuvillette gazed at Navia, seeing the burning determination in her eyes. He slowly nodded, then stepped onto the witness stand.
The Chief Justice... had become a witness?
The audience was utterly astounded, speechless. Lyney and Lynette were equally shocked.
Only Marcel's expression changed, his eyes trembling with nervousness.