Callas' words landed on Marcel's chest like a heavy blow, as if struck by a muffled hammer.
He hadn't expected that Callas had already investigated to such an extent.
The gazes from the audience felt like scorching sunlight, pressing down on him. He slowly scanned the room, taking in everyone present.
"Mr. Callas, please provide the exact location. We will send someone to verify the facts. Until then, Mr. Marcel is not to leave the Opera Epiclese," Neuvillette's calm voice echoed through the hall, as if a verdict had already been passed on Marcel.
Marcel understood. He had already lost.
Originally, according to his plan, Callas was supposed to die here. He would have plenty of time to deal with the Spina di Rosula, but Yu Xie had disrupted all of his plans.
He didn't understand how Yu Xie had anticipated that he would threaten Jacques.
Nor had he expected that this kid, Yu Xie, would be the one to bring about his defeat.
The guard unit assembled, and under Neuvillette's orders, they were about to leave for Marcel's stronghold.
But suddenly, Marcel let out a loud laugh.
His laughter was full of derision.
"Hahaha... There's no need for that. No need to do all those unnecessary things. I admit it, I did it all, but so what? You won't understand, you won't understand!"
Years of accumulated emotions erupted, and Marcel's face twisted into an expression of arrogance and defiance, as if he alone were the only one who was right in this world.
"Have you ever watched your loved ones be dissolved into water? Have you? No, you haven't! You people sitting in the audience, you just treat every trial like a drama, never caring about anyone else's feelings!
"I just wanted to bring my loved one back. What's wrong with that? I'd even wish I could be dissolved into water, to be with her, but I can't. I can't be dissolved!
"So all I can do is keep researching, trying to find a way to bring her back. So tell me, what did I do wrong?"
The room fell silent. Everyone was listening to Marcel's absurd rant.
But Marcel didn't seem satisfied yet.
He raised his voice even louder, shouting.
"As long as it brings my loved one back, I'll do anything! I'm not wrong—you are!"
His almost obsessive voice echoed in every corner of the opera house. He spoke with such conviction, as if he truly believed he had done nothing wrong.
Yu Xie knew that arguing with someone like this was pointless.
Despite all the logical fallacies in Marcel's words, there was no need to argue with him.
Killing so many innocent young girls just to bring back his loved one—no one could condone such absurd actions.
At that moment, Neuvillette stood up and activated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.
"According to the laws of Fontaine and the ruling of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, I declare Callas innocent and order his immediate release. Marcel... is guilty."
The trial was finally over, and the dust settled.
Marcel was escorted away, and before he left, he passed by the Fountain of Lucine.
In an instant, Marcel froze in front of everyone, and then, as if his soul had been drained, he became still and lifeless.
The laws of Fontaine hadn't sentenced him to death, but he died in this way.
To many, it was a satisfying end, but to others, it seemed as if Marcel had been given an easy way out.
In the subsequent investigations by the Marechaussee Phantom members, Marcel's secret base was discovered at the bottom of the sea, and the truth was revealed.
In any case, the true culprit behind the series of missing girls had been found, and the source of "Sinthe" had been eradicated.
It was considered a good ending.
Yu Xie escorted Callas back to Poisson Village. Standing at the doorstep, Callas hesitated and didn't enter.
The events at the Opera Epiclese had already reached the ears of the townspeople, and naturally, Navia was no exception.
Callas suddenly didn't know what kind of expression to wear when facing his daughter.
Should he smile? Or should he keep it neutral?
"Uncle, don't overthink it. Just go in. Navia must have already heard about what happened today, and she's probably really worried about you," Yu Xie said.
"Do you think she'll blame me?" Callas hesitated for a moment and asked.
"I don't know. If she blames you, let her. She's your daughter, and you're her father. You can talk things through," Yu Xie said with a light smile. "The important thing is, don't lie to her anymore."
"...You're right," Callas said, managing a faint smile. "I never thought I'd see the day when you'd lecture me."
After saying that, Callas was about to open the door, but at that moment, the door swung open.
Navia stood inside the door, and upon seeing Callas and Yu Xie outside, she froze.
She hesitated for a long time, her clear eyes seeming to hold shimmering tears.
"Welcome home, Dad."
...
The next day.
The Champion Duelist, Yu Xie, walked along the road to Palais Mermonia.
Passersby occasionally threw him slightly curious glances.
Early this morning, the trial that took place yesterday at the Opera Epiclese had already been covered by major newspapers.
Naturally, the capture of the true culprit behind the series of missing girls was the headline, but "Champion Duelist Yu Xie Questions the Duel System" also took up a portion of the coverage.
Yu Xie ignored the curious glances and made his way to the front of Palais Mermonia, walking straight in and heading to the office of the Chief Judge.
Neuvillette and Furina were both there.
Neuvillette was sitting at his desk, as usual, working, while Furina sat on the sofa nearby, looking a bit bored.
When she saw Yu Xie arrive, Furina immediately stood up and smiled.
"Yu Xie, what brings you here?"
"I need to speak with Neuvillette about something," Yu Xie replied, pausing in his steps.
Hearing this, Neuvillette stopped his work as well, stood up, and walked around the desk to the outside.
"What's the matter?"
"I'm resigning from the position of Champion Duelist," Yu Xie said.
The words caused a brief flicker of surprise in Neuvillette's eyes, and Furina widened hers in shock.
"W-What?" Furina questioned, wondering if she had heard wrong.
"Is this a decision you've thought through carefully?" Neuvillette asked, looking at Yu Xie with a serious expression.
"Yes," Yu Xie nodded firmly.
"As the Chief Judge, I will seriously consider your comments about the Duel System from yesterday's trial," Navillett said. "And as the Champion Duelist, you have undoubtedly been excellent. From a professional standpoint, I don't want you to resign from this position."
"Don't say any words of persuasion; it doesn't suit you," Yu Xie smiled at Neuvillette. "In any case, resigning wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's something I've thought about for a while. I want to do something else."
"In that case, I won't say more," Neuvillette said slowly. "You just need to submit a formal resignation, and I will approve it."
"Wait!" Furina quickly interrupted their conversation. "Yu Xie, are you really resigning? Can't you reconsider?"
Furina's reaction was actually something Yu Xie hadn't anticipated.
End of chapter
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