"How can Fontaine's rule of law ever be upheld when I'm stuck working with a bunch of vermin like you?"
Inside a bright conference room at the Palais Mermonia, a black-haired young man slammed an unsigned arrest warrant onto the meeting table.
He swept his gaze around the room. Under the stunned stares of everyone present, he flicked his sleeve and strode out without hesitation.
Moments later, waves of criticism erupted inside the conference room.
"So disrespectful!"
"Does he even acknowledge his superiors anymore?"
Yet not everyone was condemning him.
A middle-aged man with a resolute expression stared in the direction the young man had left, unmistakable admiration flickering in his eyes.
Judge Roman noticed his expression and couldn't help but nudge him. "Captain Donatello, Lucien Valois's behavior just now was far too reckless!
He's only a deputy captain in the Gardes. Everyone here is his superior!"
Donatello shrugged indifferently. "I think he has a point. Everyone here knows the truth of the case, yet refuses to sign the arrest warrant. How is that any different from being vermin?"
Roman frowned. "That doesn't align with procedural justice."
Donatello shook his head slightly and said nothing more.
…
Lucien Valois strode out of the Palais Mermonia.
Warm sunlight poured down on him, bringing a hint of comfort and easing his mood somewhat.
At that moment, a young security officer hurried over.
"Captain, did they sign the arrest warrant?" His voice trembled, his eyes filled with both hope and anxiety.
Lucien Valois's expression darkened. He sighed softly. "Frederick, both the Court of Justice and the Prosecutorial Office rejected the application."
Hearing this,Frederic's shoulders instantly slumped. Disappointment and anger filled his face.
"How could this be? Everyone knows that bastard killed my sister! So why won't they sign the warrant?!"
Lucien Valois explained helplessly, "The evidence we have right now isn't enough to directly prove his involvement. Besides, he is…"
Frederick understood what he meant. He let out a long sigh. "Captain, I've troubled you enough. If there's really no way… then forget it."
"Absolutely not!"
Lucien Valois's gaze was firm. "You're my brother. Your sister is my sister too. I will make sure that beast gets the punishment he deserves!"
Frederick's eyes reddened. His throat felt clogged, and it took him a long while before he managed to choke out, "Captain… I… I…"
Lucien Valois patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. Leave everything to me."
AfterFrederic calmed down a little, he asked, "By the way, where's Old Luke?"
Frederick scratched his head. "He got dead drunk last night and got into a fight. He's still locked up in the detention room."
Lucien Valois was left speechless.
Just as he was about to head to the detention room to check on Old Luke, the radio on his chest suddenly crackled to life.
"Captain, there's a public disturbance at Chiori's Boutique."
Lucien Valois immediately grabbed the radio. "I'm on my way!"
With that, he turned and hurried toward Chiori's Boutique.
It was early winter. A faint chill lingered in the breeze.
Several withered plane tree leaves drifted slowly downward, like lingering thoughts of the trees, performing their final elegant dance in midair.
Walking along Fontaine's semi-modernized streets, Lucien Valois often felt as if he had returned to his previous life.
As time passed, that feeling gradually faded. He had slowly adapted to this fantastical world.
In games, the world was a beautiful fairy tale.
But reality was far from beautiful—at least, it had been that way before his system awakened.
As his thoughts wandered, Chiori's Boutique came into view.
In front of the distinctly Fontaine-style clothing store, a sharp-featured, scrawny man lay sprawled on the ground in disgrace, hurling filthy curses.
At the entrance, a young woman stood with her arms crossed, her eyes filled with disdain.
Her features were delicate, her brows sharp and spirited, radiating a straightforward and confident aura.
She wore a modified Inazuman-style outfit that retained traditional elegance while incorporating modern fashion elements, giving her a unique charm.
Her slender legs were tightly wrapped in black lace stockings, noble yet irresistibly alluring.
My wife.
When the man spotted Lucien Valois approaching, he pointed at Chiori with trembling fingers and shouted, "I just urged her to hurry up and finish the clothes for my young master! And this brat actually dared to hit me! Arrest her right now!"
Lucien Valois barked coldly, "I don't need you telling me how to do my job!"
Instead of backing down, the man grew even more arrogant, his tone laced with threats. "Do you know who my young master is? If you don't arrest her today, your days in the Gardes are over!"
Lucien Valois's eyes sharpened, narrowing slightly. "Then go on. Who is your young master?"
The man replied smugly, "Olivier, the eldest son of the Kappe family."
Hearing the name, Lucien Valois's pupils contracted. A trace of icy light flashed deep in his eyes.
Keeping his composure, he continued, "As far as I know, your young master owns more clothes than he can count. Why rush this one so desperately?"
"That's because…" The man stopped halfway, suddenly growing wary. He stared at Lucien Valois suspiciously. "Why are you asking all this?"
A cold smile curled at Lucien Valois's lips. He pulled out his baton. "To determine whether you're deliberately causing trouble."
Before his words had even fallen, there was a sharp "whoosh" as the baton snapped open. He stepped toward the man.
"Not only were you provoking trouble, you even attempted to harass the shop owner. Today, I'll let you taste the baton of justice!"
Seeing things go south, the man scrambled backward in panic, shouting as he fled, "Just you wait! Young Master Olivier won't let you off!"
Lucien Valois snorted coldly, retracted his baton, and turned toward Chiori.
At that moment, a gentle breeze passed by.
The girl's orange-yellow skirt fluttered up, revealing the garter above her black stockings, and higher still, a faint glimpse of black fabric.
"Hey, you're exposed," Lucien Valois kindly reminded her after appreciating the view.
However, his goodwill earned him no gratitude.
In an instant, murderous intent surged around her.
Her icy voice slipped between clenched teeth.
"Since you've seen it… then go die."