Yuto didn't know what changes had occurred to his Vision, nor did he know that he had suddenly been labeled a "Fontaine Coconut Sheep."
All he was thinking about now was one thing: quickly return to Palais Mermonia to finish reviewing those damned documents, and then find a professional craftsman to reforge a new staff for him.
Halfway there, a burly man with wolf ears suddenly appeared in Yuto's mind.
"Speaking of which... can this matter be entrusted to Lyney?"
"That guy is one of the best in Fontaine, whether it's connections or money-making ability, and now he has a lot of manpower... maybe I really can entrust it to him?"
"Hmm, with Tartaglia in this unconscious state... I'm afraid I'll have to fill out the report myself."
Thinking of this, Yuto nodded slightly, then quickened his pace to leave Opera Epiclese.
However, before he could take a few steps, a clear, cold female voice came from behind him.
"Yuto, are you alright?"
He could tell it was Clorinde's voice.
Yuto slowly turned around, revealing his characteristic gentle smile, then gently shook his head.
"I'm fine, it's just that my staff is broken, and now I want to ask Lyney for advice on forging a new one."
Hearing that name, Clorinde was first startled, then chuckled and shook her head.
"How about it? Are you planning to use the connections you and Neuvillette saved back then?"
In response, Yuto shrugged helplessly, then said:
"There's no other way. Who told the former Warden to be a guy who deliberately destroyed Meropide's economic system, accepted a duel, and then ran away?"
"That's true."
Clorinde chuckled softly, then tentatively asked:
"I see Lady Furina is very concerned about you. Do you... want to tell her?"
Yuto blinked slightly at the words, seemingly not hearing the probing intent in Clorinde's voice:
"It's not that serious. I'm just going to Meropide; it's not like I'm not returning to Palais Mermonia tonight."
After saying that, Yuto seemed to feel it wasn't quite right. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before continuing:
"Later, I'll have to trouble you to send her back to Palais Mermonia. Just tell her that I need to personally escort Tartaglia to Meropide, and as compensation, I'll give her a small cake tomorrow."
"A small cake?"
"Yes, a dessert Furina likes. In all of Fontaine... only I can make it."
"...Alright, I will relay it truthfully."
Yuto smiled and nodded at this, then turned and left. Clorinde, watching Yuto's retreating figure, gently shook her head, then walked into the Opera House.
What kind of relationship exists between the Assistant Administrator and the Water God of Fontaine... it's better not to make wild guesses.
This was the conclusion Clorinde reached today.
...
By the time Yuto reached the Opera House's front hall, a rush of footsteps and shouts came from another passage.
"You scoundrel! No more running! You're already a serious offender, and now you've added another crime!"
Hearing the commotion, Yuto subconsciously turned his head. The first thing he saw was Vasher rushing towards him, followed by Esmond.
He frowned slightly, feeling a moment of confusion.
"I remember... I don't think I changed this part of the content? Is it because of my impromptu speech on the accusation stand?"
While Yuto was momentarily stunned, Marcel... oh no, Vasher, had already run up to him.
"Lord Yuto! Lord Yuto! Please... no, I beg you to stop and tell me... how exactly did you communicate with her in Lucine Fountain!"
"Damn serious offender! You're resisting law enforcement, adding another crime..."
Esmond was about to pull out the baton from his waist and strike Vasher a couple of times, but this action was directly stopped by Yuto.
"Esmond, there's no need to waste energy on such scum. His crimes... if investigated thoroughly, would probably be enough to land him in Meropide for ten lifetimes."
Yuto said indifferently.
"Ah... yes..."
Esmond agreed while putting away his baton, then stood aside, staring intently at Vasher, fearing he might escape.
Seeing this, Yuto turned his head slightly, quietly looking at the face he utterly loathed, and after a cold sneer, he counter-questioned:
"Who gave you the courage to come and ask me such a question after the Judgment?"
"Also, you're a serious offender... where do you get so many demands?"
Feeling Yuto's cold gaze, Vasher couldn't help but shiver, then clasped his hands together in supplication:
"Please... I beg you, I just want to hear her voice again. I beg you... teach me that method. This is my last request in life..."
"As long as I can hear her voice, I won't have a single complaint even if you kill me on the spot!"
Hearing the agitated remarks, Yuto gently shook his head, then turned his head to look at Esmond, asking softly:
"What's the situation with Tartaglia's escort? In his current unconscious state... he probably can't fill out the information, can he?"
"Reporting to Assistant Administrator! Tartaglia is being escorted by security machinery to the Meropide entrance. Colleagues from the Law Enforcement Office have already gone to notify Duke Lyney!"
Hearing this, Yuto nodded slightly.
"Good, I understand."
With that, Yuto walked quickly towards the Opera House's main entrance without looking back, ignoring Vasher's cries and pleas.
Just as he was about to step out of the Opera House's main entrance... he suddenly turned his head and said softly:
"That golden-haired Traveler has also seen Vignier. If you beg her... hehe..."
After dropping that remark, he walked out of the Opera House without looking back.
He left the choice to the Traveler, to see if she was willing... to grant "release" to this self-absorbed murderer.
This was not his job, but the Traveler's.
What's more...
He wanted to create his own "character arc."
Assistant Administrator Yuto is indeed a thoroughly good person, but that doesn't mean he would show kindness to people like Vasher and the former Warden.
He wasn't Neuvillette; Yuto didn't need to learn some incomprehensible fundamental concepts of humanity from such people.
In the original plot, the reason Neuvillette agreed to such a person's request was essentially because he gained a strange quality similar to "love is more valuable" from him, which is why he nodded in agreement.
But Yuto didn't need to extract anything from him.
As Cares's friend and Navia's Licensed Agent, he had ample reason to refuse Vasher and let him live in misery forever.
Of course, he didn't go to extremes, but this "going to extremes" wasn't aimed at Vasher, but at Neuvillette.
The biggest reason he didn't forcefully have Esmond take this guy to Meropide was because Neuvillette needed it.
"Does this count as a good person? It should... right?"
Yuto thought with some uncertainty.
As his thoughts concluded, Yuto also noticed the gurgling sound of water beside his ears.
He turned his head slightly, looked at the Lucine Fountain beside him, closed his eyes slightly, and murmured softly:
"May you rest in peace after harvesting his soul."
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