Before long, the carriage arrived at the Opera Epiclese.
Even from a distance, the opera house looked magnificent.
Its pristine white structure gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
Two uniformed guards stood at the entrance, their expressions stern and their vigilance high.
The Opera Epiclese had already lost its usual lively atmosphere.
In its place was an air of solemnity and gravity.
Clearly, everyone knew that a special retrial was about to take place here— and that it might even lead to a Judicial Duel!
Toki followed Furina into the opera house.
After passing through a long corridor, they arrived at the courtroom.
The courtroom was spacious and solemn.
At its center stood the crucial machine that supplied energy throughout Fontaine— the Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale.
It would also play a crucial role in Toki’s retrial.
Chief Justice Neuvillette sat behind the judge’s bench.
He wore his dark-blue judicial attire, his expression cold and dignified.
His piercing gaze seemed capable of seeing straight through a person’s heart.
Rows of neatly arranged seats stood on either side of the courtroom.
They were already filled with spectators.
Among them were Fontaine officials, members of the Marechaussee Phantom, and civilians who had hurried over after hearing the news.
Everyone’s attention was focused on the center of the courtroom.
Quiet discussions spread through the crowd, their expressions varied.
Some were curious about Toki’s courage.
He was actually daring to challenge Clorinde, who had never lost a duel before.
Others believed Toki was greatly overestimating himself and was destined to fail, becoming just another defeated challenger in the history of Fontaine’s Judicial Duels.
“Silence!” Neuvillette raised one hand, his voice cold and forceful.
All discussion within the courtroom instantly ceased.
The entire chamber became completely silent, leaving only the faint sound of breathing.
Neuvillette slowly swept his gaze across the room before finally settling it on Toki.
His voice remained cold.
“Toki, for the attempted assassination of Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, you were sentenced to 125 years, 53 days, 15 hours, and 20 minutes of imprisonment in the Fortress of Meropide.” “You have now objected to that judgment, requested a retrial, and proposed proving your innocence through a Judicial Duel.” “Is that correct?” Toki stepped forward.
Standing straight, he firmly met Neuvillette’s gaze.
“Correct!” “I never truly intended to assassinate Lady Furina.” “My previous actions were the result of a misunderstanding.” “Today, I am willing to prove my innocence through a Judicial Duel!” “Very well.” Neuvillette nodded, his voice still impassive.
“Under Fontaine law, a defendant has the right to request a Judicial Duel before judgment is passed, replacing the normal trial procedure.” “Since you insist on exercising that right, I approve your request.” He paused.
Then he turned his gaze toward one side of the courtroom and announced in a resonant voice, “Summon the official Champion Duelist— Clorinde!” As soon as he finished speaking, a figure slowly emerged through a side entrance.
She stood tall and straight, still wearing her familiar tight-fitting white shirt.
The buttons across her chest looked as though they were under considerable strain.
Below that was a short black skirt, paired with semi-sheer black stockings and dark thigh straps that emphasized her long, powerful legs.
If the person facing her in a duel happened to be a man…
her appearance alone would probably be enough to distract him.
Toki, at least, couldn’t resist looking a few extra times…
Clorinde carried her usual combination of a one-handed sword and pistolet.
At this moment, a chilling killing intent surrounded her.
Her gaze was cold and sharp.
She resembled a drawn blade, intimidating enough merely by standing there.
Clorinde walked to the center of the courtroom and bowed slightly toward Neuvillette.
“Champion Duelist Clorinde, reporting as ordered.” “I await your instructions, Chief Justice.” Neuvillette gave a slight nod.
“Clorinde, the defendant Toki has requested a Judicial Duel today to prove his innocence.” “As the official Champion Duelist, you are required to fight to the best of your ability, uphold the law, and show no favoritism.” “You are already familiar with the rules.” “If the defendant wins, he will be acquitted immediately and all charges will be dismissed.” “If he loses, the original sentence will be carried out.” “Both parties accept responsibility for whatever happens to them during the duel.” “Understood.” Clorinde nodded slightly.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Toki, carrying a trace of contempt.
In her eyes, Toki was nothing more than an inmate who had been imprisoned in the Fortress of Meropide.
Even if he possessed some fighting ability, there was no possibility that he could be her opponent.
She had never once suffered defeat even against Vision Holders.
Much less against an “ordinary person” like Toki.
Noticing the disdain in Clorinde’s eyes, Toki’s lips curled upward.
He stepped forward and stared sharply at her.
“Clorinde, today I challenge you personally.” “I’ll use my strength to prove my innocence!” “And that undefeated record of yours…” “It looks like today is the day it finally ends.” The instant those words left his mouth, an uproar erupted throughout the courtroom.
No one had expected Toki to be this audacious.
Not only had he dared to challenge Clorinde, he had openly declared that he would break her undefeated record!
Some people shook their heads, believing Toki was far too arrogant.
Others had anticipation in their eyes.
They wanted to see just how capable this inmate who dared challenge Clorinde actually was.
Furina sat in the spectator gallery nearby.
Her hands were tightly clenched together, and her palms were beginning to sweat.
Her face was filled with worry.
Her eyes remained fixed on Toki as she silently cheered him on.
Hearing Toki’s words, Clorinde gave a cold snort.
“If you’re that eager to throw your life away, I’ll oblige you.” “I’ll show you what true strength looks like!” The corner of Toki’s lips rose slightly.
Of course, he had deliberately provoked Clorinde.
He wanted her angry enough to unleash her full strength from the very beginning without worrying about conserving her stamina.
Then Toki could rely on Bolstering Bubblebalm to continuously restore himself.
Even if he couldn’t defeat her immediately, he could simply keep fighting until she exhausted herself!
Seeing the hostility between them, Neuvillette raised one hand, signaling for both sides to remain quiet.
“Prepare yourselves.” “The duel will officially begin after the three-count.” “Both sides must obey the rules of the duel.” “Prohibited methods are forbidden.” “Whatever happens during the duel will be borne by the participants themselves.” Toki took a deep breath.
Hydro began slowly circulating through his body.
The power of the Enhanced Flowing Counter Fist was instantly activated.
A faint blue glow surrounded him as streams of water coiled around his fingertips.
His expression became increasingly determined.
Clorinde also prepared herself.
She slightly raised the one-handed sword in her hand.
The presence of Electro around her grew increasingly intense.
The killing intent surrounding her sharpened even further as her cold gaze remained fixed on Toki.
She was ready to attack at any moment.
She intended to make this arrogant inmate pay for his insolence and use his defeat to preserve her undefeated reputation!
“Three!” “Two!” “One!” “Begin the duel!!!” As the staff member’s voice rang out, the atmosphere inside the courtroom instantly froze.
Every pair of eyes focused on the two figures standing at its center.
A Judicial Duel concerning innocence and honor— one that would determine whether an undefeated record endured or a new life began— had officially commenced!
The instant the final count ended, Clorinde attacked first.
Her figure shot toward Toki like an arrow released from a bow, moving so quickly that only an afterimage of Electro remained behind her.
The one-handed sword in her grasp crackled with violent Electro.
A cold flash swept through the air as she thrust the blade directly toward Toki’s heart!
The cutting wind around the blade was fierce, carrying a bone-chilling pressure.
The attack was overwhelmingly powerful and gave Toki no opportunity whatsoever to catch his breath!
(End of Chapter)