Cares's memorial service wasn't too long, nor was it… too short.
After Yuto presided and delivered his eulogy as the master of ceremonies, it was Navia's turn, along with the few remaining high-ranking members of Spina di Rosula, to take turns delivering their eulogies.
After all the necessary procedures for a memorial service were completed, the guests orderly departed under the organization of Miles and Silver.
Traveler looked at the gradually emptying surroundings and nodded slightly.
Now… this place truly felt like a suitable spot for a conversation.
In Traveler's plan, she originally intended to find Yuto at Palais Mermonia after the memorial service to ask about the doubts in her heart.
These doubts included, but were not limited to, questions about her blood relative, and what exactly primordial sea water was.
Although these questions could also be answered by Furina, the Water God was most skilled at being enigmatic. Moreover, her schedule was booked for over thirty years in advance. Instead of asking Yuto to arrange a meeting with the Water God, it was better to ask him directly.
Thinking of this, Traveler quickly walked up to Yuto, who was about to leave with Navia, and softly asked:
"Yuto, are you free now? I have a few questions I want to ask you."
"Of course, I am free. What kind of questions are they? If I know the details, I will not conceal anything at all."
Yuto said with a smile as he turned his head.
Looking at Yuto, who had a peaceful and gentle smile on his face, Traveler was first surprised, then gently asked:
"What exactly is 'original sea water'?"
Upon hearing this question, Yuto blinked slightly, then said with a wry smile:
"I don't know what primordial sea water is exactly. My understanding of it is not much different from yours, because this part of the investigation report is not in my hands, but with Mr. Neuvillette."
"If you want to know more information… I can take you to Mr. Neuvillette and ask him."
Traveler nodded gently upon hearing this, as it seemed to be within her expectations.
After all, from the perspective of work hours and scope of responsibility… Yuto seemed much busier than Mr. Neuvillette, so it was normal for him not to be aware of certain things.
"Okay, then I'll trouble you."
After receiving Traveler's response, Yuto looked at Navia behind him, and she also nodded gently at him, then took the lead and walked towards the port near Bai Song Town.
As the local… no, the host, Navia's efficiency in arranging a ship back to Fontaine would certainly be much higher than theirs.
Besides, Navia also realized that her partner had some more questions to ask Yuto. If Yuto were to arrange the ship… it would probably waste a lot of time.
However, before Navia could take a few steps, her heart seemed to be suddenly touched by something, and she instinctively looked towards her Father's tombstone.
Through the hazy curtain of rain, Navia saw a figure that had appeared at some unknown time, a sight that utterly surprised her
—Chief Justice, Neuvillette.
Navia thought for a moment, then walked in the opposite direction of her original estimation.
Yuto and Traveler naturally noticed this, and both turned their gaze and attention to the direction behind them.
"Huh? Is that… Neuvillette?! When did he get here?"
Paimon said, somewhat surprised.
Yuto, on the other hand, turned his head and looked at a small boat docked on the south side of the island where Beryl Region was located, seemingly understanding something.
Neuvillette might have arrived here just as everyone was dispersing, but he chose not to approach them. Instead, he stayed alone in front of Cares's tombstone, lost in thought.
Thinking of this, Yuto exchanged glances with Traveler beside him, then, under the cleansing of the light rain, walked behind Neuvillette and Navia.
...
Navia looked at the tall figure beside her, and the words of apology she had prepared in her heart simply refused to come out.
She could only remain silent.
And Neuvillette was the same. Already feeling somewhat guilty towards Navia because of the previous events… at this moment, he truly didn't know what to say.
At this moment, he suddenly remembered what Yuto had told him that night.
"If you want the continuous rainy season in Fontaine to stop, then you must first stop the rain in your heart."
Thinking of this, Neuvillette seemed to understand something, then slightly raised his head and softly said to Miss Navia beside him:
"…I am very sorry, Miss Navia, for coming to pay respects to your Father without greeting you."
Navia shook her head and replied in an equally soft voice:
"Don't say that, Mr. Neuvillette. While I truly want my Father to see my growth, it's not to the extent… of having the Chief Justice of this nation apologize to me."
"However… speaking of 'apology,' I think I should be the one apologizing to you, Mr. Neuvillette."
"I am very sorry for speaking so emotionally to you that day and for attributing many mistakes that were not yours to you."
Neuvillette gently shook his head, not directly answering Navia's words, but instead changed the subject:
"In the past two days… I have witnessed many things that are vastly different from my original views."
"Firstly, Vasher. He knelt at the main entrance of the Opera House, weeping bitterly, pleading with Mr. Yuto and the Traveler to teach him how to see Vignier."
"For this, he was willing to give his life, even believing that 'seeing Vignier again' was more important than his own life."
"Secondly, there is the… revelation that Mr. Cares brought to me."
At this point, Neuvillette paused slightly, his gray eyes quietly gazing at the tombstone engraved with the three characters "Cares" in front of him.
"I once refused to believe that for humans, there could be something more important than their lives."
"That was also why I didn't stop Mr. Cares from stepping onto the dueling stage."
"I believed that a truly innocent person would never give up their life like that; nothing is more important than 'living in this world'…"
"But I was wrong."
"Mr. Cares, for his loved ones, for his followers, and even for those who were unrelated to him, still chose to 'self-sacrifice'…"
With that, Neuvillette once again focused his gaze on the tombstone before him and softly said:
"Mr. Cares's actions have completely refuted me. He used his life to embody true justice."
"And I… was limited in my vision by that high position, failing to see all of this clearly."
"Therefore, I feel immense 'sorrow,' unable to let go."
Neuvillette slowly closed his eyes. Almost at the same moment he uttered these words, the drizzling rain suddenly intensified, as if fully emphasizing the somewhat mournful atmosphere.
Feeling the falling rain, Yuto sighed slightly, then walked to Neuvillette's side and gently asked:
"Neuvillette, now… do you have a new perspective on humanity?"
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