“Naturally.” Wriothesley nodded, a faintly satisfied smile appearing on his face.
He liked Toki’s straightforward personality.
No beating around the bush, no pretending to be above everything.
Toki simply said whatever was on his mind, which made him far easier to deal with than people who acted one way in public and another in private.
“As long as you’re willing to help when the time comes, we can negotiate the price then.
You won’t be shortchanged.” Toki nodded as well.
He picked up the wooden box containing the Sourcewater Droplet and, while Wriothesley lowered his head to take a sip of tea, quietly willed it into his system inventory.
He wasn’t worried about Wriothesley noticing anything unusual.
Storage items weren’t exactly unheard of in this world.
Lyney and Lynette had Magic Pockets.
And Madame Ping’s Serenitea Pot needed no explanation.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.” Toki stood up and gave Wriothesley a slight nod before turning toward the office door.
He retraced his route and took the elevator back up to the Court of Fontaine.
The moment he stepped out, he saw Furina waiting for him in a nearby plaza.
She was still wearing her exquisite Hydro Archon attire, her sea-blue hair gleaming beneath the sunlight.
A radiant smile covered Furina’s face, and her eyes were filled with anticipation.
The instant she saw Toki emerge, she hurried over excitedly.
“Toki!
Congratulations!
You’re officially out of prison now!!!” Looking at her cheerful expression, Toki couldn’t help but smile as well, his voice becoming slightly gentler.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” “Not at all!
I only waited for a little while.” Furina waved her hand.
Curiosity filled her eyes as she quickly asked, “Oh, right!
What did Wriothesley want with you?
He didn’t give you any trouble, did he?” “No.
He just gave me some compensation as thanks for saving people while I was in the Fortress of Meropide.” Toki spoke as though it were nothing important.
Hearing that, Furina breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to her face.
“That’s good.
“By the way, Toki, where are you planning to go now?
“You’ve only just been released, so you probably don’t have anywhere to stay yet, right?” Toki rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before answering somewhat helplessly, “I really don’t have anywhere to go right now.
“I haven’t been in Fontaine for very long, and I don’t know many people here.” Furina’s eyes immediately lit up, as though she had suddenly thought of an excellent idea.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Gathering her courage, she asked, “Then…
why don’t you live with me?” “Huh?” Toki froze instantly.
His eyes widened slightly, his face filled with surprise.
Almost instinctively, he opened the system interface and checked Furina’s Affection level.
It was still at 19 points.
It hadn’t gone up or down.
Her Affection was only at 19, and she was already inviting him to live with her?
Wasn’t this progressing a little too quickly?
Seeing Toki’s stunned expression, Furina instantly realized that she had spoken too hastily and caused him to misunderstand.
Her face immediately turned bright red.
She frantically waved her hands and hurried to explain.
“I-I mean, you could become my bodyguard!
“Just like Clorinde!
You could normally live in the Palais Mermonia too!
“And that way, you could supervise my Flowing Martial Art training as well!
Wouldn’t that be perfect?” As she spoke, her eyes darted away, refusing to meet Toki’s gaze.
She was terrified that he would misunderstand her again.
Toki recovered from his surprise.
Looking at Furina’s flustered and embarrassed expression, an almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He immediately began calculating the possibilities.
This was an excellent opportunity.
Living in the Palais Mermonia would allow him to spend every day with Furina, increasing the chances of triggering special events and raising her Affection.
At the same time, he would become Clorinde’s colleague, giving him more opportunities to interact and build rapport with her.
That would increase his chances of eventually binding her as a “partner.” Both of his goals could advance at the same time.
“I suppose…
that wouldn’t be a bad idea…” Toki deliberately pretended to consider it for a moment before slowly nodding.
His tone remained casual, as though he were merely agreeing on a whim.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go anyway.
Becoming your bodyguard and living in the Palais Mermonia would save me the trouble of finding somewhere else to stay.” The instant Toki agreed, Furina’s face lit up with joy.
All her embarrassment and panic vanished immediately.
“Great!
Then I’ll help you arrange everything right now!
“Oh, right!
I almost forgot.
If you’re going to become my bodyguard, you’ll need to join either the Maison Gardiennage or the Marechaussee Phantom.
“Which one do you want to join?” “The Maison Gardiennage or the Marechaussee Phantom…” Hearing those names, Toki immediately recalled what he had previously learned about them, his eyes flickering thoughtfully.
The Maison Gardiennage was responsible for maintaining public order throughout Fontaine, including regular patrols, arrests, security, traffic management, and other routine law-enforcement duties.
Its forces included the Gardes and the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol, with Chevreuse serving as Captain of the latter.
In simple terms, they were Fontaine’s primary public law-enforcement force, responsible for everyday security and order.
The Marechaussee Phantom, on the other hand, operated separately as an investigative and specialized law-enforcement organization.
It answered directly to Neuvillette.
Its duties primarily involved supernatural incidents, monsters, espionage, underground organizations, judicial-duel-related matters, and other unusual cases.
Compared with ordinary law enforcement, its personnel operated more discreetly and possessed greater authority.
“The Marechaussee Phantom.” Toki answered without the slightest hesitation.
“The position is more discreet, and it would be more suitable for personally protecting you.” “Personally protecting me…” At those words, Furina’s cheeks once again gained a faint blush.
After recovering, Furina lightly cleared her throat to conceal her embarrassment and nodded.
“If it’s the Marechaussee Phantom, then we’ll go directly to Neuvillette in a moment.
“But I should warn you—the Marechaussee Phantom’s assessment will definitely be stricter than the Maison Gardiennage’s.
“After all, the Marechaussee Phantom handles high-risk assignments.
You should prepare yourself for that.
“Still, with your strength, I’m certain you’ll pass the assessment without any problems!” “Naturally.” Toki smiled faintly, his voice overflowing with confidence.
Afterward, Toki followed Furina toward the Palais Mermonia.
When the guards saw Furina, they bowed respectfully and immediately allowed the two of them through.
They walked straight through the long corridor until they arrived outside Neuvillette’s office.
Furina gently knocked on the door.
Neuvillette’s calm, distant voice came from inside.
“Come in.” The two pushed open the door and entered.
Neuvillette was sitting behind his large desk, reviewing documents.
His expression was impassive, and an air of authority surrounded him, naturally inspiring respect.
When he saw the two enter, he slowly put down his pen.
His gaze settled on Furina and Toki.
“What is it?” Furina stepped forward and spoke directly.
“Neuvillette, Toki wants to join the Marechaussee Phantom.
From now on, he’ll be responsible for serving as my personal bodyguard.” “Him?
Join the Marechaussee Phantom?” Neuvillette’s gaze slowly shifted toward Toki.
His eyes were deep and penetrating, almost as though they could see straight through a person’s heart.
He studied Toki for a long moment.
After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
“Before we proceed with any assessment…
“Mr.
Toki, could you tell me something?
“Where exactly did you come from?
“And why did you suddenly appear inside Furina’s room?” (End of Chapter)