"Damn it... I really want to just rush into their homes and take them out." Rina's face was full of resentment.
Facing a dead end, Rina felt extremely anxious. Although she knew being anxious wouldn't solve the problem, she just couldn't calm down.
"Other Me, don't be in a hurry. You need to calm down and think." Furina spoke gently.
Of course, this gentleness was reserved only for Rina and Mirror Me.
Hearing Furina's words, Rina slowly calmed down. She turned her head and crossed her arms. "Hmph, just focus on doing your stupid Hydro Archon role. I don't need you to lecture me."
"Mhm, alright." Furina nodded in response.
After having spent several days with Rina, Furina already knew that she was just being stubborn, even if she wasn't entirely certain. For now, she just needed to go along with whatever Rina said.
Rina's breathing gradually leveled out. She wondered if there were any other ways.
'Is this really a dead end...? I already planned to clear out the Nobles for Furina, so I can't fail or else I'll seem useless... C'mon think, there has to be a way...'
Rina felt very suppressed inside, but she couldn't let her emotions show to Furina.
She didn't want to make Furina worry. The mission and responsibilities she carried were already heavy enough, she didn't want her to also shoulder her burdens as well.
Rina closed her eyes, her expression calm as if nothing had happened. Furina didn't know what Rina was thinking, she stood beside her without saying a word.
All Furina knew was that Rina was her only friend and the sole person that she can reveal her true self to. When she encounters difficulties, even despite lacking the ability to solve them, she can still think alongside her and stay by her side.
Rina let out a small laugh. 'How ridiculous... One of the purposes of my birth was to accompany and help you, yet I've ended up being the one who needs accompanying...'
She murmured these words to herself, so Furina didn't hear them.
The twins remained silent for a long time, both contemplating a way to break the deadlock. After some time, a glint of light flashed in Rina's red eyes.
Perhaps thanks to Furina's company, Rina had thought of a plan.
"Furina, lead the Maison Gardiennage to surround Henri's residence immediately!"
"Huh?" Furina was startled by Rina's sudden change. "Can I ask why?"
"Hmph. While we can't trace where the clothes come from, isn't what happened entirely up to us to decided? As far as I know, this noble is one of the more cowardly ones. The fact that he hasn't lost contact means he's involved in this plan. We'll take the clothes and give him a scare, we might even be able to squeeze information out from him."
Furina was a bit surprised, feeling as if she learned something new.
Midnight.
Three squads of the Maison Gardiennage sealed off all entrances and exits of Henri's residence. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late to escape.
"Damn it! How did they find out?! And... I'm the unlucky target." Henri rushed out of bed to change his clothes.
He had been terrified when he pulled back the curtains and saw the courtyard filled with the Maison Gardiennage.
"My Lord, don't panic yet. Talk to them first. What if they don't have any real clues and are just trying to bluff you?" His subordinate said slowly to Henri.
[T/L: What titles can I even use? The 'my Lord' here kinda sounds wanky here to me. Give me a run down on French titles, please.]
"Hmm, true." Hearing his subordinate's words, Henri slowly calmed down and walked out the door.
"Lady Furina, good evening. May I ask what business brings you to disturb my home at this hour?"
'Furina, I'll take control of the body now.'
Furina hesitated slightly but ultimately agreed to Rina's suggestion.
'Furina's' eyes turned bright red. However, since it was midnight, no one noticed the change in Furina's eyes.
She spoke in a harsh tone. "Are you playing stupid? Do I need to say why I've come?"
Rina's voice wasn't loud but it was authoritative and harsh enough to make everyone scared, even Furina didn't dare to look at Rina despite them sharing the same body.
The sweat that had just vanished from Henri De Monsault's forehead began to bead up again. He forced himself to answer. "If there is something, Lady Furina, please speak plainly. I truly do not know what you are referring to."
"Still refusing to admit!" Rina's voice suddenly rose in volume. Not only did several of the noble's thugs lose their footing, but even a few members of her own Maison Gardiennage were so startled they fell to the ground.
She slowly produced the garment. Henri recognized it at a single glance—it was the clothing of one of his subordinates who had participated in the operation!
Henri was now drenched in sweat.
"Do you recognize this?" A cold voice came from Rina's mouth, though she was also feeling uncertain inside.
She was gambling—gambling that Henri would recognize the garment.
[T/L: KAKEGURUI MASHO]
"The owner of this has already confessed to us. While he didn't dare to come here, we still promised to ensure his safety."
"Now, Henri, do you still want to continue resisting? If you can atone for your crimes by performing a service, I might consider allowing you to leave the Fortress of Meropide early."
"You know better than I do what life in the Fortress of Meropide is like, don't you?"
"Think about it. Do you want to spend the rest of your life there?"
The words were brief, but for Henri, this minute would be unforgettable for the rest of his life.
Before his subordinate could advise him otherwise, Henri immediately collapsed onto his knees, tears streaming down his face instantly.
"Lady Furina.... I confess! I want to atone! Please give me this chance!...[Name], [Name]... they were all involved!"
It must be said that the acting skills of the noble is truly top-tier.
Hearing this, the worry in Rina's heart finally dissipated completely and she let out a long sigh of relief.
"Heh, checkmate."
"Maison Gardiennage, take him away. Someone interrogate him for the details. The rest of you, immediately carry out arrests based on the list he provided!"
"Yes!"
'Alright, I'm giving control of the body back to you. You know what to do next, right?'
Rina looked at Furina, only to see that she was looking at her with starry eyes. "Other Me, you're so amazing! How did you act so convincingly?" Furina looked at her with a big smile.
'Hmph, alright, stop it. We'll talk about this later. Hurry up and wrap things up...'
This night might have been just an ordinary night for the common people.
But for the nobles in Fontaine, this night would be a sleepless one...