Spy-wait...
-
"Monsieur Neuvillette, what do you need us for?"
Before long, the most powerful nobles in Fontaine had gathered outside Neuvillette's office.
These individuals controlled the lifeblood of Fontaine's various Domains, and the consequences of any crisis would be unimaginable.
Neuvillette shook off his thoughts and fixed a solemn gaze upon the assembled nobles.
"I've called you here for two matters."
"First, to discuss this afternoon's military exercises."
"Second, to identify potential threats among us."
As Neuvillette's words hung in the air, the atmosphere in the room gradually froze.
A trap! This is clearly a Red Wedding!
While the stated purpose was to identify risks, the methods Neuvillette intended to use remained unclear. He might seize this opportunity to suppress those who often opposed him.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, how will this investigation be conducted?" one of the nobles asked.
Neuvillette nodded.
"I understand your concerns, but I assure you that as Chief Justice, I will maintain fairness and impartiality."
The nobles nodded in agreement.
Indeed, over the past few centuries, Neuvillette had maintained an excellent record of impartiality. Moreover, even if they disagreed, they knew it would likely make no difference. Neuvillette's recent actions had been far more decisive than before.
In the past, Neuvillette would have consulted them on nearly every decision he made. But recently, he had been constantly traveling, and they had no idea what was keeping him so busy.
Even the subsequent military exercises were decided upon unilaterally by Neuvillette, who then sent word to them.
They truly missed the Neuvillette of old. Back then, they could leverage their authority to make the seemingly invincible Neuvillette compromise with them. Now, they wouldn't dare attempt such a thing.
"Very well, Monsieur Neuvillette," the nobles said, nodding in agreement. "We trust you will render the fairest judgment."
"So, what are we to do now?" one of them asked.
"Simply follow me into the chamber."
Hearing Neuvillette's words, the nobles exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what he was up to.
Clearly uninterested in further explanation, Neuvillette strode into the chamber first.
A golden light flashed.
"Congratulations! You're not a spy!"
"Lady Furina?!"
At the sound of the cheerful voice, the nobles looked around the chamber in bewilderment, but Furina was nowhere to be seen.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, is Lady Furina here as well?"
"No, this is merely... the Academy's latest invention. It incorporates a portion of Lady Furina's authority to more accurately identify problematic individuals within Fontaine."
Neuvillette suddenly recalled that Furina's true identity was already under suspicion by many. Though he knew she was indeed an impostor, Focalors must have had a profound reason for entrusting an ordinary person with her role. He would do his utmost to protect her cover.
This was an opportune moment to bolster Furina's credibility. Coincidentally, the Academy had also employed a voice actor to mimic her voice for the device's operation. The imitation was so perfect that even he couldn't distinguish it from the original—let alone anyone else.
If this device successfully fulfilled its purpose, the doubts surrounding Furina's identity would diminish significantly.
Neuvillette carefully recalled the explanation given by the Head of the Research Institute earlier, then continued:
"Lady Furina wished to expedite the calming of those undergoing the screening process. Therefore, her voice has been incorporated into the device."
The nobles stared blankly at Neuvillette, puzzled by Furina's seemingly redundant gesture. Was this elaborate charade truly necessary?
But upon closer reflection on Furina's usual antics, the nobles instantly found her actions quite logical.
One by one, the nobles entered the office, their eyes fixed on the blue meteorites cascading from the device above. For some reason, Neuvillette found his mood souring.
In the end, every noble had been screened, and none were found to be compromised.
Accompanied by the cheerful announcement, "Congratulations! You're not a spy!" the nobles took their seats, their expressions oddly strained.
We came here for a meeting and a spy hunt, so why does the atmosphere feel so off?
Perhaps Furina's voice was simply too effective at stirring up the atmosphere...
Seeing that everyone present had passed the test, Neuvillette breathed a sigh of relief.
If the device is functioning correctly, then this is a decent outcome for Fontaine.
Had even one person among them been compromised, it would have sent shockwaves through the nation.
Thank heavens, that didn't happen.
Neuvillette nodded, temporarily setting aside his worries, and turned his attention to the others present. He began explaining the device brought by the Fontaine Research Institute.
"So, we've all passed the test, right?"
The nobles breathed a collective sigh of relief after hearing Neuvillette's explanation.
Though they were confident they had nothing to hide, they had feared Neuvillette might use this opportunity to suppress them.
Despite Neuvillette's impeccable reputation, they ultimately trusted only themselves.
"Yes, the device's test results indicate as such," Neuvillette nodded, then began outlining his plan.
"I intend to proceed in phases, starting from the top and working downward to identify those with issues."
"As for the general populace, we'll leave them be for now."
"Not everyone who has regained their past memories is necessarily affiliated with that faction. Especially among the common people, most simply wish to continue living ordinary lives."
Hearing Neuvillette's plan, the nobles nodded thoughtfully.
"How long will this undertaking take, Monsieur Neuvillette?"
"That I cannot say for certain. Our immediate priority is producing the Primordial Sea Suppression Ray. We lack the capacity for mass-producing this device."
"This is also why I'm focusing on internal investigations for now. To thoroughly screen everyone would take far too long."
After hearing Neuvillette's explanation, the nobles found his reasoning sound and refrained from further questioning. Instead, they asked:
"What is required of us in this matter?"
"Simply maintain secrecy for now. Leave the rest to me."
Neuvillette's words momentarily stunned the nobles, who then felt a surge of resentment. Such immense authority—and he intends to handle it alone!
However, recalling the formidable power Neuvillette had previously demonstrated, they quickly suppressed their anger.
"Very well, Monsieur Neuvillette. We shall entrust this to you."
Their objections were futile; after all, who could argue with such overwhelming strength?
"Now, let us proceed to discuss the upcoming military exercises."
"Preparations are already underway at the designated location. I believe it has already attracted considerable attention, including that of the ruling powers of the other Six Nations."
"The crucial question now is: how much of our true strength should we reveal?"
"Ah? We're still holding back?"
The nobles exchanged puzzled glances at Neuvillette's words.
Fontaine's military might was hardly among the strongest of the Seven Nations. If they were still holding back even now, what was the point of conducting this military exercise at all?
"Monsieur Neuvillette, aren't you trying to use this opportunity to put Snezhnaya's envoy in their place?"
"Snezhnaya's power is at its peak. If we continue to hoard our strength, we risk losing any deterrent effect."
For the nobles, exposing Fontaine's weapons mattered little. After all, no arsenal could match the deterrent effect of Neuvillette himself.
At least, that was true until recently.
"You may not be fully aware of the current situation."
"Both the Fontaine Research Institute and Fortress of Meropide have developed various new types of weapons. Some of them pose a threat even to me."
"Ah?!"
The nobles were genuinely stunned. Weapons that even Neuvillette considered threatening—just how powerful could they be?
And according to Neuvillette's words, there seemed to be more than just one such weapon!
"Indeed. My concern now isn't that other nations might underestimate Fontaine, but rather that displaying too much strength could unite them against us, viewing us as a threat."
Neuvillette recalled the devastating power of the Pneumousia Obliteration Bomb and shook his head.
It was a true nation-annihilating weapon. In sufficient numbers, it could effortlessly destroy any nation, even one guarded by an Archon.
Neuvillette believed that his own power alone couldn't guarantee the survival of many places under such an intense attack.
Even as the weapon's user, he felt profound apprehension, which had prompted him to task the Academy with developing countermeasures. However, no breakthroughs had been achieved yet, perhaps due to the immense difficulty of the task.
Alternatively, it might be because the Academy had been overwhelmed with other urgent matters recently, leaving them little spare time.
Neuvillette understood this perfectly and hadn't even bothered urging them to expedite the process.
As for the nobles, despite their venerable status and composed demeanor, hearing such news still made it difficult to control their emotions.
Good heavens! To be jointly considered a threat by other nations? How thrilling!
At the same time, the nobles gained a clearer understanding of the devastating power of Fontaine's new weapons.
This is absurd! When did Fontaine rise to such prominence? How did we miss this entirely?!
Oh, right. This falls entirely under Monsieur Neuvillette's jurisdiction. Never mind then...
The nobles were deeply dissatisfied with Neuvillette's monopolization of power, but they dared not voice their true opinions.
Instead, they had to console themselves, thinking it was already commendable that Neuvillette had even informed them now. They couldn't demand too much.
Having previously shown little interest in the military exercise, the nobles now found themselves eagerly anticipating it. As those in power, they naturally desired Fontaine to become as powerful as possible, as this would expand the scope of their own authority.
Surpass the glory of our ancestors—the moment has arrived!
Fueled by this thought, the nobles felt a surge of ambition coursing through their veins.
"Monsieur Neuvillette," one noble suggested, "I believe we should collect real-time feedback from the audience. We can gradually unveil Fontaine's weapons while simultaneously gauging the spectators' thoughts. This would allow us to halt the demonstration at the opportune moment."
Neuvillette nodded. The idea was indeed feasible, but there was one major flaw.
National-level considerations and individual perspectives are entirely different, making it difficult to strike the right balance.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, my suggestion is to conceal our true strength!" another noble interjected.
"Fontaine is currently in turmoil. We cannot afford further provocations."
"If we reveal too much power, other nations will inevitably send countless spies to infiltrate our ranks and gather intelligence."
"With all our resources focused on averting the crisis foretold by the Prophecy, we have no energy to waste dealing with foreign intrusions."
"Therefore, I believe demonstrating only slightly greater strength than before will suffice. Maintaining a low profile is the wisest course!"
Neuvillette nodded. Though he understood the noble's reasoning, he fundamentally disagreed.
Only absolute power could silence these restless troublemakers!
He had learned this firsthand. Constant concessions had only emboldened our adversaries. Had he taken decisive action from the start, the outcome might have been different—those who perished...
Neuvillette took a deep breath, composing himself.
The greatest problem now was that he believed Fontaine's military strength rivaled, or even surpassed, the combined might of the other Six Nations. Yet he had no desire to resolve disputes through war.
If the other nations perceived Fontaine's power as an existential threat, they might unite to impose sanctions, plunging him into chaos.
Thus, the key was striking the right balance in showcasing their capabilities—demonstrating enough strength to deter aggression without provoking further conflict.
"How about this? We only showcase weapons that Monsieur Neuvillette deems non-threatening to himself."
"That way, the other Archons won't feel threatened either, essentially guaranteeing their non-interference."
"Excellent! What a brilliant idea!"
Before Neuvillette could even speak, the other nobles erupted in praise.
"Very well, let's proceed with that."
Neuvillette agreed, convinced this approach posed minimal risks. He provisionally approved the plan.
"It's nearly time. We should depart immediately to take our places at the event."
Upon hearing Neuvillette's words, the nobles rose from their seats, their faces beaming with delight.
How could they not rejoice at the news of Fontaine's formidable strength?
"Neuvillette!"
The door burst open with a bang.
All eyes in the room immediately snapped toward the sudden intrusion, converging on the figure of Furina.
"S-so many people?!"
Furina was startled to see so many nobles gathered in Neuvillette's chambers. But quickly realizing there were outsiders present, she knew she had to act more like the Hydro Archon.
Straightening her posture, she continued:
"Neuvillette, I heard you're holding a military exercise this afternoon."
"How fascinating! You didn't invite me? That's simply outrageous!"
"As the Hydro Archon, how could I possibly miss such an event?!"
As she spoke, Furina strode forward, passing through the device sent by the Academy.
A black light flashed across everyone's vision, followed by Furina's gleeful voice emanating from the device:
"Ha ha! You're the spy!"
Neuvillette, who had been frowning as he considered having Furina knock again and re-enter, froze in place at the sight before him.
The other nobles stood rooted to the spot, an eerie silence descending upon the scene.
"Huh? Why is my voice coming from there?" Furina exclaimed, startled at first, then utterly perplexed. "What did that sentence just say? I can't understand it at all!"
"Strange... is my voice really coming from this device?"
Furina turned to examine the Judgment apparatus, but its intricate mechanism left her utterly bewildered. She quickly gave up, turning back to Neuvillette with curiosity.
"Neuvillette, what are you all playing?" she asked. "Is it a new game? It looks fun—can I join?"
As the nobles stared at Furina, they recalled Neuvillette's earlier words: "This device incorporates a portion of the Hydro Archon's authority, granting it considerable accuracy."
So, the Furina standing before us is an imposter!
One noble slammed his fist on the table and roared, "An imposter!"
"Guards! Seize this spy at once!"
"Protect the Hydro Archon! Guards, protect Lady Furina!"
"Monsieur Neuvillette, my life and fortune are in your hands now!"
With the first shout, chaos erupted.
The nobles initially wanted to call in their bodyguards and Gardemeks waiting outside to protect them, but then they remembered the invincible Neuvillette standing right beside them. They promptly hid behind him.
In an instant, Neuvillette transformed into a mother hen, with a long line of nobles trailing behind him like chicks following his tail.
Neuvillette's expression darkened. Having worked alongside Furina for five centuries, he knew this Furina was the same person he had always known.
But the device had malfunctioned at the worst possible moment, leaving him utterly bewildered.
Earlier, to help conceal Furina's true identity, he had told everyone that she had contributed to the creation of the device.
Now, with this crisis unfolding, how could he possibly explain it?
Furina was just playing around with everyone?
This pale and feeble explanation would likely convince no one. In fact, after this incident, others' suspicions about Furina's true identity would likely escalate to a new level.
Sigh, why did she have to show up at this exact moment? She's never made things easy for me.
Neuvillette sighed inwardly. Even if he knew this Furina was the real deal, he had no choice but to take her into custody for investigation.
With this thought, Neuvillette beckoned to the Gardemek stationed outside the room. The Gardemek entered and restrained Furina.
Furina: "???"
Seized by the Gardemek, Furina stared at Neuvillette in utter bewilderment.
"Neuvillette, what do you think you're doing?"
"Have you been coveting my Hydro Archon position all along? Did you finally snap today?!"
"Take her away," Neuvillette commanded the Gardemek, who promptly dragged Furina out of the room.
"Neuvillette, what are you planning? I am the Hydro Archon!"
"You dare order the Gardemek to arrest me? This is treason!"
"You'll regret this, Neuvillette!"
-
As Furina's voice faded into the distance, Neuvillette spoke softly, "It's over."
Hearing his words, the nobles hiding behind him cleared their throats, straightened their collars, and cautiously emerged from behind Neuvillette.
"I can't believe those thieves had the audacity to impersonate Lady Furina herself!"
"Yes, yes, thank goodness this device exposed her disguise. We could have been in real danger!" The nobles exclaimed, relieved.
"Speaking of which, didn't she look remarkably like the real Lady Furina?"
"You're right! Her performance was uncanny, almost indistinguishable from the genuine article."
"Could it be... that she actually was Lady Furina?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"How could the real Lady Furina be accused of being a spy by a device she helped create?!"
"Good point. If even such a flawless disguise couldn't evade this device's detection, it seems Fontaine's crisis will soon be resolved!"
Neuvillette watched the nobles chattering merrily about the incident, a hint of resignation in his expression.
His actions earlier had been a necessity. Had he publicly defended Furina on the spot, it would have undermined the device's credibility. Moreover, the situation might have escalated, requiring Furina to prove her innocence through other means.
To avoid such an outcome, Neuvillette acted decisively, taking Furina away.
He would then investigate thoroughly, determining whether the issue stemmed from the device itself or from something inherent to Furina.
"The military exercises will proceed under your supervision. I'll personally interrogate the individual involved," Neuvillette declared before hurrying away, leaving the nobles staring after him with puzzled expressions.
"Strange... Neuvillette seems unusually hurried," one noble remarked, his eyes gleaming with insight. He seemed to grasp the situation, and after a moment's thought, he added casually, "Enough about them. With the time we have, we'd be better off inspecting Fontaine's new weapons."
"Indeed! Let's head over there now. We need to see them firsthand."
The mere mention of the new weapons sent the nobles into a state of near-hysterical excitement. The more powerful the weapons, the greater their sense of security—especially in these turbulent times. Equipping their Gardemeks with such armaments would maximize their sense of security.
How long has it been since we've had a proper meal? they thought. Now we can finally get a good night's sleep!
Chatting animatedly, the nobles departed Palais Mermonia, quickly putting the earlier incident out of their minds.
They weren't interested in the impostor posing as Furina. Neuvillette was handling that matter. All they wanted was to see their future weapons as soon as possible.
Before long, the nobles arrived at the scene aboard the private airship, only to find the area already swarming with people.