At first glance, this pair seemed unremarkable—both were from Palais Mermonia, after all.
But upon closer inspection, something felt peculiar.
Especially Neuvillette.
"Monsieur Neuvillette actually appearing outside?" Luna murmured, slightly surprised.
Most of the time, Neuvillette remained at Palais Mermonia, buried in endless documents and cases day after day. It was rare to see him venture out, let alone in a place like Poisson.
Neuvillette paused for a few seconds before answering. "I'm here to pay respects to Miss Navia's father."
His words had the opposite effect. Navia's eyebrows shot up at his explanation.
Luna immediately gripped her arm, the sudden pain making her gasp.
Navia gently pressed down on Luna's arm and shook her head, signaling she was fine.
Her heart wasn't so small that she couldn't forgive even now.
Everyone was just doing their part, yet conflicts and contradictions had erupted—such things happened all too often.
Furina, on the other hand, was utterly shocked. "Who... who are you?"
"What?" Neuvillette asked, perplexed. Clorinde nodded. "She's asking who you are."
"Neuvillette."
"No, I didn't ask your name! I just never thought you'd actually figure it out. Not completely, but you've got some understanding of humans now. Not bad."
Understanding of humans?
The words sounded like she was implying Neuvillette wasn't human, though everyone knew that already.
But perhaps Neuvillette's true identity was even more astonishing than anyone imagined?
"...That's about it. Sorry for coming over without greeting first," Neuvillette said.
"Enough."
"I'm sorry." Navia drew a deep breath. "I mean, stop apologizing! You've chosen truth and justice. That's enough."
"The rest... let it go."
Though she knew some were still drowning in the anguish caused by past sins, she believed it was time to let go of all those unspeakable things from the past.
"I'm not as fragile and delicate as you think."
These words weren't directed solely at Neuvillette.
Clorinde: "..."
Who was that person who had just been embracing Luna? Furina wisely chose not to ask.
Even for an Archon, there are some things that should not be spoken!
Neuvillette remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Humans truly are an incredible existence."
"...Once, I believed there was nothing more valuable to humans than life itself. That's why I didn't stop your father—a truly innocent man would never abandon his life."
"Yet your father completely shattered my belief."
"I've never considered treating trials as a form of drama to be praiseworthy, and I still hold that view now."
"A trial should be solemn, fair, and just."
"But the light you've shown on the trial field is dazzling. For this one moment, I, as a 'spectator,' offer you my praise. You've done well."
Neuvillette clapped lightly. "Congratulations on solving such a long-standing case."
"Congratulations," Clorinde clapped.
"Congratulations! Those who receive Focalors' blessing and praise are truly rare!" Furina smiled as she clapped.
Luna nearly thought they were about to form a circle around her and Navia to applaud.
Navia placed her hands on her hips. "Thank you!"
She raised her hand and gently patted Luna's chest.
"Lulu should join in too!"
Luna sighed softly, mirroring Navia's stance with hands on hips and chest puffed out.
"We're the best detective team!" Navia declared loudly.
"Although we don't actually have any detective credentials whatsoever!"
"Ah..." Navia trailed off.
True enough.
Does that make them unlicensed detectives? That sounds... rather dashing!
Neuvillette lowered his hands and murmured, "I came to tell Mr. Callas..."
He paused, deep in thought.
"...'Thank you.' Just say that to my father," Navia interjected, unable to bear it any longer.
Neuvillette nodded slowly. "...Thank you."
The rain had indeed subsided considerably. When Neuvillette declared his intention to sweep Callas's grave first, the four companions had no choice but to move slightly away.
Luna's curiosity bubbled over. "Are you here for grave-sweeping too?"
Furina gave a light laugh. "Luna, your understanding is rather shallow—not that I'm criticizing grave-sweeping itself, but your comprehension of the Archons!"
What quick preemptive defense!
Stepping out from under Clorinde's umbrella, Furina twirled with light steps. "This rain was clearly meant for me! It made me want to sing loudly in the rain, and before I knew it, I'd arrived here."
"Can't be helped—I'm the Hydro Archon, after all. Water's my element."
"As for Clorinde, she's my guardian."
Furina extended a hand to Luna. "Now, do you understand?"
Clorinde murmured, "I wanted to visit Monsieur Callas's grave, but... when Lady Furina heard about it, she said a rainwalk has its own charm and brought me here." Furina: "...." Luna looked at Furina.
A visible blush of crimson bloomed across Furina's face.
Clorinde, you... Furina couldn't help but grit her teeth.
Why use such plain language? Don't you know I'm the Hydro Archon Focalors...
No, wait—I called myself Furina... A complex expression flashed through Furina's eyes.
Yet she maintained her composure, saying, "Ah, what can you do? Mortals always presume to interpret the divine will through their own lenses. I find this distasteful."
"Then we must reward Lady Furina with some pastries," Luna said with a smile. Furina's face remained impassive.
Does she truly believe offering me sweets will make everything acceptable?
"Lady Furina, the rain seems to have stopped. Shall we continue our 'walk'?" Clorinde asked again. Furina glanced upward. Though dark clouds still hung in the sky, the rain had indeed ceased.
Couldn't it have lasted a bit longer? Why must the rain conspire against me?
This is no laughing matter.
Furina crossed her arms and huffed, "Hmph, wh-whatever! Since you're already here, why not go pay respects at Callas's grave? It won't take long."
Clorinde glanced at Navia, as if asking for permission.
Unimpressed by this attitude, Navia took a deep breath.
"Of course you may. But afterward—you'll come to Poisson with me. Lulu, and you too, Lady Furina!"
Neuvillette asked, "What about me?"
"...You'll come too."
Furina blinked repeatedly, turning to Luna. "What's going on?"
"Good question. It seems our tea party will need to be held earlier than planned."
"Huh?"
Not long after...
Outside the headquarters of the Spina di Rosula in Poisson...
"It seems the Hydro Archon has come here?"
"Could she be here to deal with the Prophecy?"
"I don't know! And there's Miss Clorinde, Miss Luna, and Monsieur Neuvillette too..."
The crowd buzzed with speculation, but their chatter had no effect on the atmosphere inside the headquarters.
Navia set down her teacup, the porcelain clinking against the saucer with a crisp sound that made Furina flinch.
"Come."
Clorinde, seated across from her, avoided eye contact. "Come where?"
"Let's argue! No... I mean, let's hold a trial!"
Navia patted her own chest, then patted Luna's head.
"We'll be your opponents," Luna said, taking a casual sip of her black tea. "The meaning is simple: Nana dislikes Miss Clorinde's evasive attitude. She prefers direct conversation to reconcile."
Reconcile?
Clorinde turned to Navia. "Is that true? You..."
"I originally wanted to reconcile with you directly, but your attitude infuriates me! So let us refute your arguments!"
Neuvillette nodded. "Where there is a trial, there must be a judge. I shall serve as the judge this time."
What nonsense is this? Furina wanted nothing more than to flee this place immediately.
The atmosphere crackled with gunpowder tension.
Clorinde's face showed genuine confusion. "I don't quite understand."
Navia had always defied her expectations, and this time proved no exception.
"Perhaps we should settle this outside, using your preferred method." Navia gestured toward the door with her thumb.
Clorinde shook her head slowly.
"...Then accept this. You believe yourself guilty, don't you? Then Lulu and I will prove your innocence!"
It sounded troublesome, but in reality, it meant airing all their conflicts—a true heart-to-heart conversation.
It took Clorinde a moment to grasp Navia's meaning. Her gaze settled on Luna.
"Miss Luna."
"Hm?"
"Could you be my defense attorney?"
Navia instantly panicked. "Don't steal my Lulu!"
Their detective duo was indispensable.
Luna smiled. "Of course."
"W-wait?!" The flustered Navia pressed her face inches from Luna's. "Why would you agree? Shouldn't you refuse and say, 'My partner is only Nana'?"
What a troublesome woman, Furina thought.
Luna maintained her smile. "My partner is indeed only Nana, but a defense attorney and prosecutor can't really be considered partners, can they?"
She stood and moved to sit beside Clorinde.
"Miss Clorinde isn't particularly eloquent, so let me help rephrase some of your words."
Clorinde smiled faintly. "Thank you. You were just as considerate when I was your assistant."
"A-assistant...?"
The shaken Navia sprang up, leaning across the table to seize Luna's shoulders and shake her violently.
"W-when did this happen? How come I didn't know you got a new assistant?"
Furina picked up a pastry with interest. Being a spectator in this drama was quite entertaining.
At least she could continue watching this scene indefinitely without ever growing tired of it.
"When you hadn't yet come to the Trial..." Luna's head swam from the sudden movement.
"In that brief time... you found a new assistant?" Navia's eyes glistened with unshed tears, the news too unbelievable to process.
"It's only 'temporary'," Clorinde murmured.
"Hm? Temporary?"
Luna nodded, pressing Navia's hand. "When you weren't here, Nana, and I had no assistant, Lady Furina arranged for Miss Clorinde to help."
Navia's gaze snapped to Furina.
Furina had been about to take a bite of her pastry. Under Navia's intense stare, she suddenly felt flustered.
I-I didn't do anything wrong! she thought, yet still set down the dessert.