Yuto looked at the bustling venue in front of him, feeling a surge of emotion.
If Navia had chosen to hold the memorial service immediately after Cares's passing... Cares might not have been able to rest in peace.
After all, at that time, Cares was seen by people as the embodiment of 'injustice,' a hypocrite who had abandoned 'justice' and given up completely.
—This was not the treatment a great man deserved.
But now...
Thanks to the efforts of Miles and Navia, he finally received the overdue, rightful treatment, three years later.
Among these so-called guests... Yuto saw many familiar faces.
Many of them were merchants and chambers of commerce who had close dealings with the Spina di Rosula but completely severed ties after Cares's incident.
Although there were elements like interest chains involved, at least they were willing to atone. As for whether to forgive them or continue cooperating with them...
That was Navia's concern.
Thinking this, Yuto nodded slightly. Just as he was about to say something to Navia beside him... a rather boisterous girlish voice entered his ears.
"Navia, we're here! Eh?! Yuto is also attending the memorial service? Don't you have to work today?"
Hearing this, Yuto instinctively turned his head. The first thing that caught his eye was the white floating spirit waving its small hand—Paimon.
Of course, there was also the Golden-haired Traveler, Lumine, whom he privately called the 'humanoid walking disaster.'
"My dear partners, you've finally arrived. I was worried you might be late because of the weather."
Navia said with a gentle smile.
"How could we be! Since Navia invited us, we're definitely going to arrive on time!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips with a smug expression, as if she wasn't the one who couldn't get up this morning, but Lumine.
Lumine, on the other hand, nodded gently to Navia as a greeting, then turned her gaze to the tall Yuto.
"Speaking of which, Yuto, don't you have to work today?"
Lumine's words made Yuto slightly pause, then he smiled and shook his head, saying:
"All sorts of things are happening in Fontaine at all times. It's not that I don't need to work today, but that I took a day off and moved everything to be dealt with tomorrow."
"And Navia invited me yesterday to be the emcee for this memorial service, so I came."
Hearing this, Paimon nodded her small head in understanding, then suddenly asked as if remembering something:
"Oh, right, Yuto, we heard on our way here... that a Ritou delegation is coming to Fontaine? Is that true or false? It's not some unreliable folk rumor, is it?"
Navia nodded repeatedly in agreement, echoing:
"Yes, yes, I wanted to ask that too. The current Spina di Rosula needs to gradually pick up its old business structure and then expand upon that foundation."
"If the Spina di Rosula can develop better under my leadership... Father would surely be very happy to see it, wouldn't he...?"
Looking at the three people in front of him, each with a different expression, Yuto smiled lightly and nodded.
"Of course it's true. The leader of this Ritou delegation is the 'Seven Stars General Secretary,' and I hear she's half an Immortal."
"As for when they'll arrive... it's probably in four days."
Yuto's words made the two people in front of him widen their eyes, seemingly unable to believe their ears.
"W-what?! Gan Yu is coming to Fontaine?!"
Paimon exclaimed.
Yuto nodded as a matter of course, offering no further explanation. Instead, he briefly scanned the guests who had already taken their seats in the venue and said to Navia:
"It seems most of the people have arrived. Let's get ready to start, Navia."
Navia naturally understood what Yuto meant. She nodded gently, then began to usher Lumine and Paimon to their seats.
...
Unbeknownst to anyone, the originally clear weather suddenly turned overcast, and a light drizzle began to fall, perfectly setting the mood for the memorial service.
Under the gaze of many wealthy merchants and dignitaries from Fontaine and numerous residents from Bai Song Town, Yuto gently stepped onto the slightly raised platform.
The guests below didn't seem surprised by Yuto's appearance; rather, they considered it... only natural.
After all, his relationship with Cares was profound. He stood by Navia and supported her during the final Judgment. All of this... was enough to qualify him for the position of 'emcee.'
At this moment, Yuto's face did not bear his usual gentle and calm smile. There was only seriousness, and a hint of well-concealed sorrow.
Yuto briefly scanned the guests below, then softly began to speak:
"Today, we gather here to commemorate the man who defended 'justice' with his life, who truly defined what 'justice' means—a great man worthy of the title 'Count,' Mr. Cares."
"Without him, Bai Song Town would not be as orderly as it is today."
"Without him, Bai Song Town would not have experienced that unforgettable period of prosperity."
"His life... was a life worthy of the name 'legend,' worthy of the name 'Count.'"
At this point, Yuto paused slightly, then fell into reminiscence, speaking softly:
"In my memory, he was a gentleman with a keen interest in Fontaine Opera, always offering various suggestions for Fontaine's cultural life."
"But when one day I invited him to the Opera House to enjoy a very classic performance... he declined, leaving me with a remark I have never forgotten to this day."
"'The twists and turns at the negotiating table are far more numerous and dramatic than those in an Fontaine Opera; the wounds on the faces of the residents living in Grey River are far more numerous than the scars actors portray with makeup.'"
"The initial purpose of establishing the Spina di Rosula was just like his never-extinguishing sense of justice: dedicated to solving problems for the people."
"The Spina di Rosula, like him, was a guild focused on people's livelihoods, involved in various industries, dedicated to helping people solve problems, and even communicating and cooperating with Palais Mermonia when necessary."
"When facing an opponent who controlled primordial sea water... what he did was not to save himself, but to save the members of his guild, to save his daughter."
"This is his interpretation of 'responsibility.'"
"Similarly, Mr. Cares was a man who carried 'justice' through to the end. Without his sacrifice, the case of the missing girl would still be unsolved."
"He used his life to explain what 'justice' truly is. He used his life to explain what 'responsibility' is, what 'love' is."
"He was a great man with the people in his heart, an excellent leader, a warrior who interpreted justice with his life."
"Mr. Cares, you are worthy of our... eternal remembrance."
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