Cherreads

Chapter 55 - Chapter 55 The truth gradually emerges

After listening to Yuto's analysis, the audience sitting below let out sounds of sudden realization.

After Lyney's case, they had gained a preliminary understanding of primordial sea water.

Everything Yuto had just said... was completely logical.

"As expected of Assistant Administrator, he deduced the full scope of the case based on just this information!"

"So that's how it is... But what does this have to do with Marcel? Even if Yuto is right, that doesn't prove Marcel is the mastermind, does it?"

"Is that the problem here? The Serial Disappearance of Young Girls has lasted for so long, causing widespread panic, until it finally subsided three years ago."

"Yes, such a dangerous thing as primordial sea water has been used for so many years... Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine..."

Not only did the audience express such sentiments, but even Marcel, who stood opposite Navia and Yuto, began to applaud.

"Lord Yuto's words are very reasonable. This way... Mr. Cares and Jacques's motives can also be explained... They didn't act against each other."

Hearing this attitude of speaking on behalf of the other party, Neuvillette was momentarily stunned, then subconsciously reminded him:

"Mr. Marcel, you are currently being accused; you need to present a counter-argument."

"Ah no, but I think Lord Yuto's arguments and Navia's investigation results are very reasonable. Moreover, these contents... don't point to me, do they?"

At these words, even Neuvillette, who had presided over Judgment for five hundred years, fell silent. Just as he was about to ask Navia about the core content, Furina was the first to speak:

"Then, then I'll ask? I think there are two main issues now..."

Furina said, her gaze fixed on Yuto, and asked:

"First, do you have any evidence to support these deductions you've made?"

At this moment, Furina was doing what Yuto had instructed her to do.

As the God who guides justice, she naturally had to lay bare the problems she had noticed.

At this moment, Furina was putting into practice the words Yuto had impressed upon her.

Her task was to guide justice and maintain impartiality.

Now her interlocutor was Assistant Administrator Yuto, one of the three giants of Fontaine, and she could not let these details slip by.

If it were to be glossed over carelessly... even if this case were overturned, people would still say that Furina and Neuvillette were lenient towards Yuto, and their credibility would decline.

She believed that this was definitely not what Yuto wished to see.

Hearing this, Yuto smiled slightly at Furina, seemingly approving of her actions, but then he suddenly shook his head and said without any hesitation:

"I'm very sorry, as of now... there isn't any."

Yuto's words were like a tinderbox, instantly igniting the interest of the thrill-seekers in the audience.

"No way? Doing something so blatant in broad daylight? Even if you're the Assistant Administrator, you can't do that, can you?"

"It shouldn't be. Lord Yuto should have more to say. Why are you all so quick to jump to conclusions?"

"That's enough. An Assistant Administrator getting involved in something with such personal feelings... Do you think it will end well?"

Yuto stood quietly, his sea-blue eyes showing no ripple, as if completely indifferent to these remarks.

He had been an Assistant Administrator for over four hundred, almost five hundred years; he knew the temperament of the people of Fontaine all too well.

These people were pure spectators who loved a good show, rarely capable of rational thought. Most of them either watched for entertainment or fanned the flames.

So at this time, you couldn't confront them. You had to calmly state all the facts you had seen and your thought process, coupled with your position and prestige...

They would naturally shut up.

"Although we don't have direct evidence to corroborate our deductive reasoning, we do have a corresponding approach."

"Actually, the principle is simple: the word 'disappearance' was strongly associated with 'young women' at the time, so once a young woman disappeared, everyone would become alarmed."

"But what if this 'third person' wasn't a young woman? The method of investigation is also very simple: through elemental power investigation and matching, then searching for records of people who disappeared during that period, there will naturally be discoveries."

As expected, as Yuto articulated his thoughts and investigative approach little by little, the audience's murmurs of dissent grew fainter and fainter, until they vanished entirely.

After listening to Yuto's explanation, Furina pondered for a moment, then nodded gently and said to Neuvillette:

"That makes sense... Neuvillette, I believe this is a very reliable direction for investigation."

"Furthermore, I have another question, which relates to the subsequent duel. If the truth is as Yuto analyzed..."

"Then why didn't Mr. Cares defend himself? If he had simply stated that someone had dissolved, he would at least have had room to contend in the Judgment, wouldn't he?"

Hearing this, Yuto took a slight step back, and Navia answered almost immediately:

"I've thought about that, and the answer is actually simple—he didn't want to."

"For the culprit behind the Serial Disappearance of Young Girls, the efficacy of primordial sea water is a highly important secret."

"Once this secret is leaked, his actions would immediately be noticed by us, just like... now."

"My father, Cares, could choose to reveal it, or he could choose to conceal it..."

"But at that stage, Spina di Rosula was in turmoil, and the reputation he had painstakingly built his entire life instantly collapsed. Choosing to reveal this important clue might not necessarily lead to the culprit..."

"—But he absolutely could not... protect me."

Miles looked at Miss Navia with a hint of heartache, then raised his head and said to Furina, who was seated in the VIP section:

"My boss personally told me that Miss Navia had been chosen as a target for the Serial Disappearance of Young Girls."

Navia took a deep breath, composed herself, and then continued to speak:

"If the secret had been made public, then three years ago, the culprit would have fought Spina di Rosula to the death. Not only I, but others in the guild would also have been in danger."

At this point, a sneer suddenly appeared on Navia's face, and she then spoke with some agitation:

"After Spina di Rosula and they perished together, perhaps your patrol team could solve the case and give Spina di Rosula, and give my father, Cares, justice, but..."

"What good is justice?! What can it protect?!"

"If he had any expectations for this justice, for the so-called 'justice' and 'Judgment' of this Opera House, my father would not have established Spina di Rosula!"

"By choosing to conceal it, we could maintain our mutual deterrence and continue the stalemate."

"And I would become the President of Spina di Rosula, making it harder for me to disappear, and I could also gain more time to investigate this matter."

"Until I uncover the truth, prepare thoroughly, and stand here, so that I, not this Opera House, can restore the truth and honor to my father!"

Hearing this, Furina fell into a brief silence.

Her heart felt heavy at this moment, but... she had to persevere.

The young woman simply composed herself and quietly asked:

"Are you saying... Mr. Cares sought his own death?"

"That's right."

"Is there... evidence for that?"

"Of course."

Navia's gaze fell upon Clorinde, who stood beside Furina.

"That would be his opponent—Duel Proxy Clorinde!"

------------------------

I've already uploaded over 40 chapters of this story on Patreon.

If you're enjoying it, you can check out the latest chapters early over there.

patreon.com/Greyhounds

Thank you so much for your support.

And if you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave a Power Stone for me.

More Chapters