"You truly are beyond redemption."
At that moment, Dark Furina, who had been silent until now, launched another attack against Neuvillette. This strike, however, was more of a feint, her true intention being to rescue the Dottore Variant.
Neuvillette's eyes narrowed. Even if Dark Furina's attack was merely a probe, he couldn't afford to take it lightly.
Overall, the situation still favored Neuvillette; Dark Furina's strength remained slightly inferior to his.
What weighed heavily on Neuvillette's mind was how drastically Dark Furina's strength had increased since their last encounter. Her mastery over her powers had also grown considerably, making a repeat of his previous fortunate outcome unlikely.
Worse still, this likely signaled the imminent commencement of her next move!
Neuvillette's heart grew heavier as he recalled Dark Furina's gradually tightening noose around the Opera Epiclese.
Regardless, the opponent's current strength was insufficient to take someone from him.
Of course, Neuvillette remained vigilant, aware that Dark Furina might still have hidden trump cards up her sleeve.
As Neuvillette guarded against Dark Furina's potential tactics while simultaneously strategizing how to escape with the Dottore Variant, he suddenly sensed a cataclysmic shift in the Variant's aura. He frowned.
When Neuvillette glanced at the Dottore Variant again, the latter's body was completely enveloped in Abyssal power, radiating a nauseating stench from head to toe.
The Abyssal power surged up Neuvillette's arm, attempting to corrupt him as well. However, Neuvillette swiftly released his grip, preventing the Abyssal power from affecting him.
This action, however, also allowed the Dottore Variant to slip free of his control.
There was no other choice. The Abyssal aura emanating from the Variant was so overwhelmingly dense that even direct contact with it would have severely compromised Neuvillette himself.
Seeing the Dottore Variant wield this forbidden power with such mastery, Neuvillette's gaze grew colder.
"It seems even a being as formidable as Monsieur Neuvillette still fears this power," the Dottore Variant remarked, his voice retaining a chilling clarity despite the overwhelming Abyss Aura radiating from his body.
To have studied this malevolent force so thoroughly... If the Dottore Variant were allowed to roam freely within Fontaine, Neuvillette shuddered to imagine the catastrophic consequences that might ensue.
Yet capturing the Dottore Variant alive again posed an immense challenge. The Abyss Aura clinging to him was a major obstacle, not to mention the ever-watchful presence of Dark Furina lurking nearby.
Could he truly let the Dottore Variant escape this time?
As Neuvillette pondered this, vivid memories resurfaced in his mind: scenes of his past hesitation, which had ultimately led to dire consequences, leaving indelible scars upon Fontaine.
If he had realized it sooner, the outcome might have been very different.
The No. 6 Incident remains an indelible wound in the hearts of Fontainians. The death of Maison Gardiennage officer Henry is a regret that lingers in countless minds.
Though his heroic sacrifice awakened a patriotic spirit in countless Fontainians and strengthened the sense of responsibility and mission among Fontaine's law enforcement personnel, he clearly had a chance to survive.
This time, he wouldn't let history repeat itself!
Even if it meant abandoning the principles he had always upheld, it didn't matter. He now understood that some things are more important than principles—more important even than life itself!
In an instant, all hesitation vanished from Neuvillette's heart. For the first time, he knew with absolute clarity what he had to do next.
His identity as Chief Justice had been a constraint—a self-imposed one.
Originally, this constraint stemmed from his limited understanding of human emotions. But now, having freed himself from those shackles, Neuvillette felt an indescribable sense of relief.
With the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale—the most impartial and just Judgment mechanism—in place, could he allow himself an occasional indulgence?
"Dottore, your actions have caused incalculable damage to Fontaine. In my capacity as Chief Justice, I hereby notify you that you are under arrest."
"If you resist arrest, I will resort to more forceful measures."
Heh heh heh... Monsieur Neuvillette, do you really think these words carry any weight now?
Upon hearing Neuvillette's words, the Dottore Variant immediately retorted with mockery.
"Empty rhetoric, so weak and feeble. Such words hold no meaning for me whatsoever."
"I understand."
Hearing the Dottore Variant's reply, Neuvillette nodded, then unleashed the pent-up fury that threatened to incinerate his rationality. An overwhelming aura, far surpassing anything he had previously displayed, erupted from his body.
Sensing this immense power, the Dottore Variant's expression instantly changed, and even Dark Furina couldn't help but furrow her brow. The sheer magnitude of this power was terrifying.
What was even more terrifying was that Neuvillette wasn't even using his full power at this moment!
"Since that is the case, life and death are fated."
Neuvillette slowly raised a hand toward the Dottore Variant and Dark Furina, and a surge of immense power emanated from his body.
The Dottore Variant dared not confront it directly and immediately retreated to evade.
Dark Furina, however, raised her dark longsword and slashed at Neuvillette again.
"Vanish into foam!"
A surging torrent of water engulfed both the Dottore Variant and Dark Furina's figures.
Yet, in the next instant, Neuvillette heard a dull splash. A massive fissure tore open in the sky, and Primordial Sea Water poured down like a waterfall from the gaping rift above.
Simultaneously, Dark Furina's aura erupted. Wielding her dark longsword, she cleaved the descending column of water in two and surged forward once more.
Neuvillette calmly watched Dark Furina approach, his gaze fixed on her face, which was identical to Furina's. He sighed inwardly.
Her existence was a mistake. It was time to erase this error.
Neuvillette took a deep breath and raised his cane with his right hand.
Neuvillette's gaze abruptly sharpened, and he struck the air sharply with his cane.
A sound like shattering glass echoed across the heavens and earth, and for a fleeting moment, all movement seemed to freeze.
The final result: Dark Furina was utterly defeated, sent hurtling thousands of meters away. Her dark longsword had been reduced to a mere half-hilt.
As soon as Dark Furina regained her footing, she unhesitatingly fled the scene through a spatial portal.
Neuvillette watched her disappear into the portal. His hand, poised to clench into a fist, paused briefly before turning toward the gaping fissure from which the Primordial Sea Water poured. He gripped the air forcefully.
Instantly, space warped violently, and the torrent of Primordial Sea Water pouring from the sky abruptly halted. A colossal azure Magic Array materialized overhead, sealing the celestial fissure shut.
Finally, Neuvillette fixed his gaze on the heavily injured Dottore Variant, who had just opened a spatial portal to escape. His piercing stare froze the Variant in his tracks.
An overwhelming force pressed down on the Dottore Variant, crushing his already battered body. He collapsed to his knees, cracking the ground beneath him, his head buried in the dirt, every bone in his body groaning with sickening creaks.
"Dottore, it's time you paid the price for your actions."
Neuvillette landed gracefully on the ground and slowly approached the Dottore Variant, his gaze utterly indifferent.
As Neuvillette drew closer, his aura intensified rather than diminishing, growing increasingly oppressive. Soon, the Dottore Variant's body emitted several sharp cracks as bones fractured, and he collapsed into a shapeless heap on the ground, like a lump of clay.
Yet even in this state, the Dottore Variant refused to yield, summoning his remaining strength to taunt Neuvillette.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, do you truly believe you've won?"
Neuvillette halted abruptly, his brow furrowing deeply once more.
While it was possible the Dottore Variant was bluffing, the words could also be true.
"I've been pondering since earlier how you suddenly appeared in my secret experimental facility," Neuvillette said. "I've finally realized—you must have encountered the Divine Dragon!"
The Dottore Variant coughed twice before continuing.
"Heh heh heh... Monsieur Neuvillette, hasn't it occurred to you that if the omnipotent Wishing Machine were truly so perfect, why would I have discarded it so carelessly?"
"In truth, it's merely a half-finished product. While it can indeed grant most wishes, you must pay a corresponding price for each wish you make."
"This price will be paid with whatever you hold most dear."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, what is the most important thing to you?"
Upon hearing these words, Neuvillette's heart clenched in sudden dread.
Damn it!
Neuvillette dared not linger any longer. He restrained his power, lifted the severely weakened Dottore Variant, and prepared to demand a solution. But before him, the Dottore Variant's expression suddenly twisted into utter panic and fury.
"Wait! This isn't what we agreed upon!"
Just as Neuvillette wondered why the Dottore Variant had suddenly lost control, the Variant vanished right before his eyes—even the bloodstains on his hands disappeared, as if the Variant had never existed at all!
Stunned by this vanishing act, Neuvillette stood frozen for a moment before finally regaining his composure. His expression turned grave.
Neuvillette didn't know why the Dottore Variant had vanished, nor whether its disappearance was connected to the Prime. But he had no time to dwell on such questions now.
He immediately rushed to the nearest city, only to be met with a scene that plunged his heart into despair.
The once clean and orderly streets were now littered with rubble, vast swathes of buildings had collapsed, and even through the torrential rain, distant flames still flickered on the horizon.
The sounds of battle echoed from afar. Sensing the surging Elemental Power in the air, Neuvillette hastened toward the source with a heavy heart.
Along the way, he witnessed countless corpses strewn across the ground, a sight that filled him with profound sorrow.
He had sensed that something was amiss, but he never imagined the targets were the citizens of Fontaine.
Staring at the horrific scene before him, Neuvillette couldn't bear to imagine what horrors might be unfolding in other cities.
Soon, he reached the battlefield and froze in surprise. His enemy was a small, lizard-like creature.
But as soon as he sensed the immense Electro Elemental Power surging from its body, Neuvillette's shock vanished, replaced by grim determination.
"Monsieur Neuvillette!"
The exhausted crowd erupted in expressions of relief and elation upon seeing Neuvillette's figure, their hearts surging with gratitude for their narrow escape.
The enemy's strength proved insufficient; Neuvillette swiftly dispatched them.
However, the enemy's ability piqued his interest. They could absorb various forms of energy through a strange, viscous fluid and then unleash it all at once.
But there was no time to ponder this now. Neuvillette shook his head, issued immediate orders to the Maison Gardiennage officers on the scene, and moved on to the next nearby city.
In that city, he encountered a peculiar entity whose body radiated astonishing heat...
After some time, Neuvillette finally returned to Fontaine.
The city appeared largely unscathed, offering him a small measure of relief. Yet this was but a sliver of comfort compared to the deep sorrow and self-reproach that continued to weigh on his heart, fueled by the harrowing scenes he had witnessed along the way.
"Neuvillette!"
Before Neuvillette could even return to Palais Mermonia, a familiar voice called out from afar.
Seeing Furina hurrying toward him, Neuvillette's expression immediately settled into its usual calm.
"Lady Furina, how is the situation in Fontaine?"
"I was just about to tell you about that!"
Furina paused, then continued.
"Earlier, a strange creature appeared in Fontaine and began wreaking havoc on the city."
Hearing Furina's words, Neuvillette's heart immediately tensed.
"What happened next?"
"I defeated it myself!"
As she said this, Furina puffed out her chest and tilted her head proudly, as if saying, "Hurry up and praise me."
Neuvillette let out a sigh of relief, then offered Furina a few brief words of praise to satisfy her vanity.
"Hmph, it wasn't all me! I had help from Navia, Lyney and Lynette, and everyone else too!"
"But I discovered something strange. After we defeated him, a Divine Dragon appeared in the sky, offering to grant my wish."
"When I heard about such a stroke of luck, I immediately wished for it to revive everyone who died in the incident!"
Neuvillette: "..."