Chapter 101: The Art of Speaking by Furina

"Miss Sedene."

Sedene lifted her head, looking at the two people before her.

"Hmm? Isn't this Miss Navia and Miss Luna? May I ask what brings you two here?"

Navia smiled. "We're here to report on the follow-up investigation of the case to Monsieur Neuvillette."

"Is that so?" Sedene scratched her head.

"It is, it is. Don't worry, it'll only take a moment."

After a brief moment of thought, Sedene nodded.

"Alright, this way."

Pushing open the door to Neuvillette's office, Navia and Luna quickly stepped inside.

However, the first thing they saw wasn't Neuvillette, but Furina sitting on the couch.

"Huh? Luna? What brings you here?"

Furina being in Neuvillette's office wasn't surprising. A quick glance at the documents in front of her suggested that she was reviewing details for an upcoming trial.

After all, where there was a trial, there was Furina—she would never miss one.

As for Neuvillette, he was seated behind his desk, as composed as ever.

Luna casually held onto Navia's arm and spoke first. "We're here to investigate the case further. Monsieur Neuvillette might have some clues we need."

"The serial disappearance of young girls?"

"Yes. Based on our intel, someone named 'Vacher' is highly likely to be the mastermind behind it."

Furina recalled that Clorinde had mentioned the same thing.

Vacher? She had no recollection of such a person.

Also, why was Luna holding onto Navia's arm? She couldn't quite figure it out.

But she clapped her hands anyway. "Alright, I grant permission. Go ahead, Neuvillette!"

Neuvillette cast her a glance and sighed lightly.

Both Furina No.1 and Furina No.2 were present.

"I understand. Please wait a moment," Neuvillette replied. Since it was related to the case, he saw no reason to refuse assistance.

Furina gestured. "Have a seat, both of you. I wanted to talk about something afterward."

"Something about the performance?"

Navia shifted her gaze away from Neuvillette, took a breath, and sat down with Luna across from Furina.

"Oh, I didn't phrase it clearly. I meant something after the performance."

Furina crossed her legs confidently. "Luna, do you have any interest in being my leading actress?"

Navia couldn't help but glance at Luna.

Being Furina's leading actress? There was nothing ambiguous about the wording, yet she had an inexplicable feeling about it.

"Aren't I already?"

"In the theater? Yes, of course. But I'm talking about a film. I might be directing a film in the future, and you'd be the perfect lead."

Self-directing and starring wasn't impossible, but having Luna take the role would make things much easier.

"You'll have to ask my manager." Luna smiled.

"Manager?"

Navia patted her chest and laughed. "That would be me."

Furina suddenly understood.

"But surely there's no need to think too hard about it? Being handpicked as the lead by Focalors is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that most people could only dream of."

Navia asked, "What's the genre?"

"Not decided yet."

"Producer?"

"Haven't found one."

"Director?"

"Me."

"...Production crew?"

"Not assembled."

There was nothing at all! Navia was speechless.

But everyone knew Furina's impulsive nature. And the moment she put out the call, there would be a flood of people vying to join the production.

"Of course, there's no need to worry about compensation. When have I ever treated anyone unfairly?"

Navia nodded. "Luna, what do you think?"

"I have one condition." Luna raised a finger.

Furina wasn't surprised in the slightest. She chuckled smugly. "Not many dare to make demands of Focalors, but I'll allow it. Speak!"

"I haven't thought of it yet—I just wanted to secure Lady Furina's permission in advance."

"Oh?"

Was she going to make some absurd request?

Furina felt a bit uneasy and decided to issue a warning in advance.

"Let me make this clear—I have the final say on whether I accept it!"

Just because she allowed it didn't mean she would agree to it.

"Of course," Luna replied with a smile.

Does she truly understand? Furina's concern hadn't dissipated, but with the matter settled, backing out now would be utterly embarrassing.

An Archon must maintain absolute dignity at all times!

At that moment, Neuvillette concluded his search.

"I'm deeply sorry," Neuvillette said calmly, "but neither the archives nor the records contain any information about Vacher. It's not just on paper - my mind holds no recollection either."

So it's like trying to scoop water with a fork?

"That's..." Navia began, disappointment coloring her voice.

But Lulu got a chance to continue working with Furina. That alone makes this trip worthwhile! Navia thought.

Luna looked pensive.

Even the Iudex has no memory of him?

"...We'll take our leave now," Luna said, rising. "Our deepest gratitude, Lady Furina, Monsieur Neuvillette."

Navia also stood.

"I understand your feelings, Miss Navia," Neuvillette suddenly said.

"Mr. Callas was an exceptional man. His death is indeed regrettable."

His words sounded like consolation, but his tone carried no emotional inflection whatsoever.

It was as if he was merely reciting lines he felt obligated to say.

Navia clenched her fists. Luna immediately gripped her arm, the sharp pain snapping Navia back to her senses.

But she couldn't help whispering, "Do you know what you're saying? Did you think it was the right time to say such things, so you said it to me?"

Furina blinked repeatedly.

This... this atmosphere...

"Nana."

Navia pressed her lips together, glaring at Neuvillette before dropping her gaze.

"...Don't say such things to me. I beg you to call off the duel. You know there are doubts about the case, yet you still allowed it to continue. He still owes me so many answers he hasn't given..."

Navia's breath came in a trembling gasp. "I don't want to be angry."

Luna smiled. "Apologies. We'll take our leave now."

The two women disappeared behind the door.

Furina exhaled deeply, her breath catching in her throat. She'd almost been unable to breathe!

When Navia, usually so cheerful, became angry, she was truly terrifying.

Why were all the women around Luna so frightening?

"Neuvillette, you should learn how to speak like me," Furina said.

"I don't think I can manage it."

Such exaggerated displays simply didn't suit him.

"I'm talking about my art of conversation!" Furina declared, hands on her hips.

"True, but... even if I learned it, I doubt I'd know how to express myself properly."

Whether it was Navia's anger toward him or the guilt deep within his heart, both seemed separated by an invisible barrier, remaining distant from him.

Furina crossed her arms. "It's not strange for you, but you've improved significantly since we started. Keep working hard and observing humans. You'll gain more understanding."

Only in moments like these did she truly seem like an Archon.

Neuvillette nodded silently.

"Alright, time for my dessert—oh, has Clorinde visited recently?"

"No, but I can relay any message for you."

"Hmm... it's nothing urgent. I'll speak to her myself later."

-

Meanwhile, outside the city walls, Navia and Luna had left Palais Mermonia.

"I'm sorry," Navia said, her head hanging low.

"Mm."

"I asked for your help, yet I still nearly lost my temper." Navia felt utterly embarrassed.

Luna, however, remained unfazed. "It's understandable. You don't need to dwell on it. If the situation were reversed—"

Though that was highly unlikely—

"I might have reacted even more fiercely than you." She chuckled softly.

"Really? I can't imagine it. Lulu, you're always so gentle and composed. Anger and sadness seem to have no place in you."

"Don't make me sound like some inhuman creature. I do cry and get angry too."

Navia clasped her hands behind her back and smiled. "I'd love to see that side of you, Lulu."

"Then tear up the script I wrote. You'll see it then."

"...I feel like that might be dangerous for me."

Navia stopped walking, her heart still burdened with lingering frustration.

Did she resent Neuvillette? No.

He had simply made another of his typical decisions. Everyone knew the Supreme Judge's coldness, his fairness and justice - that's why he earned the world's trust.

"...I feel so stifled," Navia sighed.

"Maybe you didn't finish venting?"

"Perhaps. But I don't want to keep losing my temper either. 'Anger brings impulse, sorrow brings hesitation' - the Phantom Thief White Cat once said that. There's truth in those words."

I need to adjust my mindset. Navia took a deep breath.

Then Luna gently patted her belly.

Pfft—

Navia coughed a few times and hastily said, "Lulu! What are you doing?"

"Breathe in."

"I was just breathing in!"

"Quickly." Luna rubbed Navia's belly, urging her on.

"D-don't touch my stomach! I'll do it, breathe in—"

Luna nodded. "Then shout."

Shout? What should I shout about? Navia's eyes showed her confusion.

"Anything."

So... Navia let out a loud cry: "Ah—!!!"

The booming shout scared nearby animals into fleeing in all directions. Birds startled into flight, while Navia coughed again.

"Phew, that feels better. But shouting like this is embarrassing. Shouldn't you do it too, Lulu?"

"Nope. I'm not holding back any anger."

Navia grumbled, "What's that? You're so sneaky. Making me do it while you sit there."

Luna studied Navia's expression.

Under her gaze, Navia's eyes began to dart away. "What is it?"

"I think you still haven't vented properly."

"No, no, I really feel much better now!"

After a pause, Navia added, "Alright, maybe a little bit still."

"I knew it! I'm quite good at reading people. Since that's the case..."

Luna smiled, "Why not vent your frustration on me?"