[Start of the chapter] “I…
I was deliberately pretending to be weak!” Furina’s eyes flickered.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of embarrassment on her face.
Instead, she spoke with complete confidence, her voice filled with smugness.
“I simply wanted to see…” “What exactly that outrageously bold assassin intended to do.” “I wanted to uncover his true intentions so we could take down everyone involved!” “Did you really think someone like him could frighten me?” When the surrounding guards heard this, realization dawned on their faces.
One after another, they nodded repeatedly.
The way they looked at Furina was filled with admiration and reverence.
“So that’s what happened!” “I knew it!
How could the mighty Hydro Archon possibly be frightened by an ordinary person?” “Lady Furina showed remarkable foresight!
She deliberately appeared vulnerable to lure the culprit out into the open.
Truly impressive!” “Thank goodness Lady Furina is unharmed.
Otherwise, we would have had no way to answer to the people of Fontaine!” “That assassin has some nerve!
To actually attempt to assassinate the Hydro Archon—he’s courting death!” The guards spoke one after another.
Their voices were filled with respect.
Not a single one of them doubted Furina’s words.
In their minds…
Furina was the omnipotent Hydro Archon.
How could she possibly be frightened by an ordinary person without a Vision?
Furina listened to everyone praising her.
A trace of smugness appeared on her face.
But inwardly, she was panicking.
The things Toki had said earlier…
They were like a thorn lodged deep in her heart, impossible to ignore.
After a brief pause, she put on a casual expression and asked, “That assassin from earlier…
What are you planning to do with him?” The moment she thought about the possibility that Toki knew her secret, Furina became unbearably nervous.
If Toki held a grudge against her and revealed that secret…
Fontaine’s prophecy would come true.
All the people of Fontaine would be swallowed by the sea!
Everything she had worked for over the past five hundred years would be for nothing!
Clorinde answered in a cold voice.
“Lady Furina.” “Attempting to assassinate a god is an extremely serious crime.
There is no need for a trial.” “The guards will take him directly to the Fortress of Meropide.” “He will be imprisoned for life and never be allowed to cause trouble again!” “No!” Furina blurted it out almost instinctively.
She quickly restrained herself and lowered her voice.
“I believe…
there may have been some kind of misunderstanding.” “No ordinary person would ever dare attack the god of an entire nation.” “Perhaps someone forced him to do it, or perhaps he has circumstances he cannot speak about.” She paused before continuing.
Her voice carried an unquestionable firmness.
“Inform the people at the Fortress of Meropide.” “Do not treat him too harshly, and do not do anything to him without authorization.” “I’ll find some time to visit the Fortress of Meropide and speak with him personally.” At the same time, Furina was screaming inwardly.
That black-haired, black-eyed man…
Please, whatever you do, don’t reveal my secret!
As long as you keep quiet, I’ll agree to anything.
Even if you want me to cooperate with you on something, I’ll do it!
Clorinde was somewhat puzzled.
She didn’t understand why Furina was showing such concern for someone who had supposedly tried to assassinate her.
Even so, she respectfully bowed.
“Yes, Lady Furina.
I’ll make the arrangements immediately.” Meanwhile…
Madeleine kept a firm grip on Toki as she escorted him through the corridors of the Palais Mermonia.
They then reached the edge of the Court of Fontaine and boarded an elevator.
From there, they traveled toward Fontaine’s underwater prison— The Fortress of Meropide.
Madeleine’s grip was incredibly strong.
Toki’s arm throbbed painfully beneath her fingers.
But he could only endure it in silence.
His mind was already turning over what he should do once he reached the Fortress of Meropide.
Before long, the two arrived at the entrance to the Fortress.
They passed through a heavy iron door.
A damp, icy chill immediately washed over Toki.
It was completely different from the luxurious warmth of the Palais Mermonia.
The lighting here was dim.
Moss covered the walls.
A faint smell of rust and mildew permeated the air.
Every now and then, the distant shouts of prisoners could be heard.
The entire place carried a suffocating air of despair.
Madeleine escorted Toki straight to the reception desk.
Behind the counter, Marette was looking down as she organized some documents.
When she noticed the two approaching, she raised her head.
A hint of surprise appeared on her face.
She immediately stood up and greeted Madeleine with a smile.
“Madeleine?
What brings you all the way down here today?” “Aren’t you usually stationed beside Lady Furina?
You hardly ever leave the Palais Mermonia.” Madeleine’s expression remained completely unchanged.
She answered evenly, “Lady Furina specifically ordered it.” “She told me to personally escort this prisoner here.
She wasn’t comfortable entrusting him to anyone else.” “Lady Furina specifically ordered it?” Marette’s eyes widened.
The surprise on her face grew even stronger.
Her gaze landed on Toki, examining him from head to toe.
Her eyes were filled with confusion.
“What exactly did he do?” “For Lady Furina to personally single him out and even have you escort him here yourself?” Madeleine’s voice remained completely emotionless.
She pronounced each word clearly.
“His crime is…” “Attempting to assassinate the Hydro Archon—Lady Furina herself.” “What?!” Marette cried out.
Her surprise instantly turned into disbelief.
She looked at Toki again.
Her eyes were filled with incredulity.
She couldn’t even stop herself from asking him directly, “Him?
An ordinary person without a Vision?” “He actually dared to try to assassinate the Hydro Archon?
Kid, where did you even find the nerve?” Toki looked at Marette’s stunned expression.
The corner of his mouth twitched helplessly.
It wasn’t like he wanted any of this.
Who could have known that the moment he arrived in this world and opened his eyes, he would be mistaken for an assassin?
And then immediately dragged off to the Fortress of Meropide on top of that.
“What if I told you I was framed…
Would you believe me?” Toki asked helplessly.
“Nine out of ten people who come here say they were framed.” Marette shrugged.
Madeleine raised her chin slightly toward Marette and urged, “Stop talking to him.” “Process his incarceration paperwork.
I still need to return and report back.” “Lady Furina is waiting for news.” Marette immediately composed herself.
She nodded and picked up the registration form on the desk.
As she lowered her head and began filling it out, she continued glancing at Toki from time to time.
The confusion and disbelief in her eyes never faded.
Marette put away the registration form.
She lightly pressed one of the metal buttons on the desk with her fingertip.
Her eyes swept over the sentencing information in the documents.
Then she looked at Toki and spoke in a completely matter-of-fact tone.
“I’ll confirm the charge and sentence one more time.” “Your crime is—attempting to assassinate the Hydro Archon.” “Your sentence is 125 years, 53 days, 15 hours, and 20 minutes.” “H-How long?!” (End of Chapter)