"W-what's going on? Chu Xi... how did she become like this?! And that severed hand you're holding... is it... is it hers?"
Before Paimon could burst into tears, Lumine hushed her. "Shh, let her rest for a while."
Paimon choked back her sobs. "Lumine, how can we help her now?"
"Let's take Chu Xi back with us first. We'll figure everything out when she wakes up."
"Okay, let's get Chu Xi back to the Serenitea Pot."
Navia, having recovered her composure, approached Lumine to ask about the commotion on the second floor.
Lumine explained, "Her name is Chu Xi. She's a friend of ours. In an accident, the Fatui Harbinger Second Seat, the Doctor, transformed her into this... thing."
"Chu Xi..." Hearing Lumine's story, Paimon could no longer hold back her tears. They streamed down her face in fat drops.
Lumine continued, "Chu Xi said she barely managed to escape the Doctor's laboratory. After learning that Paimon and I were in Fontaine, she walked all the way here from Snezhnaya alone. But... before she could find us, those people upstairs kidnapped her."
"Those men tried to take advantage of her, but Chu Xi's body had already been altered. Enraged, they tried to kill her, but they inadvertently triggered her body's protective mechanism, and her body killed them!"
"Chu Xi couldn't control her own body at all. Paimon and I both know her—she's kind-hearted. If she hadn't been forced into this situation, if she hadn't been pushed to her breaking point, she would never have done such a thing!"
Paimon clenched her tiny fist, visibly furious.
Navia looked at Chu Xi, cradled in Lumine's arms. Seeing the tear-streaked face, she suddenly felt those men upstairs had gotten exactly what they deserved!
Rapid footsteps echoed as Chevreuse led the Special Task Force rushed in, accompanied by Clorinde.
Fidelle had already been dispatched to investigate the Serial Disappearance Case elsewhere, so she wasn't present.
Navia's expression grew complicated when she saw Clorinde.
Chevreuse and the others swiftly moved upstairs, leaving Clorinde behind to gather information.
"What happened here? Has the missing girl been found?"
Lumine recounted the events again. After hearing the full account, Clorinde immediately headed upstairs.
Soon, Clorinde and the others descended, their faces grim.
Some Special Task Force members were pale as death, vomiting incessantly.
Clorinde's expression was stern. "Traveler, this matter is of grave importance. Could we trouble Miss Chu Xi to assist with the investigation?"
"Absolutely not!" Lumine refused sharply. "Chu Xi has suffered severe physical and psychological trauma. She'll cooperate when she's recovered, but until then, no one—and I mean no one, not even the gods of Fontaine—will take her away!"
This "no one" included even the god of Fontaine. Lumine's nerves were stretched taut. If a god tried to take Chu Xi, she would unhesitatingly declare war!
Paimon and Navia stepped behind Lumine, their stance clear.
Clorinde: "Fontaine values the law, but we are not blind to human compassion. We will wait for Miss Chu Xi to recover. In the meantime, leave the apprehension of all those involved in this incident—and anyone who has ever committed such atrocities—to us!"
Clorinde's gaze was icy. Having often assisted Neuvillette in his duties, she was well-acquainted with the darker rumors surrounding certain Fontaine nobles.
Without concrete evidence, they had been untouchable. But now, with this incident, they could finally sweep them all up in one fell swoop!
-
Chu Xi fell into a deep slumber after losing consciousness, sleeping soundly until she naturally woke up. The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was Paimon.
"Chu Xi, you're awake! That's wonderful! Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"
Chu Xi glanced down at her mechanical body, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes.
Noticing Chu Xi's expression, Paimon realized she had said the wrong thing and frantically apologized.
Chu Xi reached out her right hand and gently patted Paimon's head.
"Paimon, it's okay. I'm just happy to see you all again."
"Waaah... Chu Xi, the Doctor is absolutely despicable! When we catch him, we'll definitely avenge you!"
Lumine, hearing the commotion, entered from outside, still holding the severed arm in her hand.
Chu Xi climbed out of bed, walked over to Lumine, took the severed arm, and placed it against the stump of her left arm.
Fine, thread-like filaments emerged between the severed ends, connecting and drawing the arm back into place. Within moments, Chu Xi's left arm was restored to its original state.
"Chu Xi, how are you feeling now?"
"Traveler, I'm alright. I just sometimes lose control of my body... I'm so sorry for causing you so much trouble again."
Lumine: "Chu Xi, don't say such things! From now on, you're staying with Paimon and me, and you're not going anywhere else. I'll take care of things with the Doctor. No more acting on your own!"
Chu Xi was deeply moved and nodded vigorously.
Paimon: "Yeah, Chu Xi, you're staying with Paimon and the Traveler from now on!"
Now that Chu Xi was awake and seemed to be in good spirits, it was time to resolve matters in Fontaine as soon as possible.
Lumine proposed that Chu Xi attend the trial at the Opera Epiclese in Fontaine. The word "trial" immediately brought back the horror of that night, a flash of terror crossing Chu Xi's eyes.
Lumine: "Don't worry, Chu Xi. Paimon, Navia, and I will all be on your side. I promise you'll be safe!"
Even if it meant antagonizing all of Fontaine, Lumine was determined to take Chu Xi away if necessary!
Comforted by Lumine and Paimon, Chu Xi agreed to attend the trial at the Opera House.
-
Fontaine, Opera Epiclese, before the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.
Neuvillette slammed his cane against the ground, emitting a muffled sound.
"Court is now in session!"
Normally, Neuvillette would offer some preliminary remarks about the case, but today he remained silent.
The audience in the Opera House could sense that the Judge was unusually incensed.
Furina sat in her designated seat, her face uncharacteristically grave, while Fidelle stood silently behind her.
"First item on the agenda: the young girl kidnapping case that occurred in Fontaine earlier this week. The victim, Miss Chu Xi, is present. I now invite Miss Chu Xi to recount the events from her perspective. If any part of her testimony is too difficult to share, she may skip it."
Chu Xi took a deep breath, rose to her feet, and recounted everything that had happened since her arrival in Fontaine, exactly as she had told Lumine. This included the modifications the Doctor had made to her.
Even though Neuvillette had been informed of the situation beforehand, hearing Chu Xi's firsthand account struck him with a different intensity.
"That Doctor has truly done every evil deed!" Furina exclaimed.
Lumine, Navia, and others who knew Chu Xi fell silent, while the audience erupted into murmurs.