Chapter 205: My partner is actually with another woman…

Lumine and Paimon stared at Luna in stunned disbelief.

"It's you?! But... weren't you just working with us? We were discussing everything together!" Paimon exclaimed incredulously.

Lumine narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Did you plan this from the very beginning?"

Furina struck a triumphant pose, hands on her hips, a smug grin spreading across her face.

"Exactly the reaction I expected! You see, what you didn't know is that she's been on my side all along!"

"Which is why I knew every step of your plan."

Furina raised a finger.

"First step: The Spina di Rosula will have their members disguised as audience members, ready to publicly challenge me at the opportune moment and ignite the spark."

"It's perfectly understandable that my dear subjects struggle to comprehend the actions of a God."

"Then, you'll assume I'd visit Poisson to mourn the departed, seeking to alleviate my guilt."

Not a trace of the guilt or anguish she had displayed earlier remained on Furina's face.

Now, she was Focalors, the Archon. With the audience below and her on stage, she had to maintain the performance.

But Luna knew better.

Even though Furina was merely playing along, deliberately walking into their "trap," every word and expression carried a sliver of truth.

"Second step: You'd set up an ambush, forcing me into your fabricated 'magic box.' Using a secret tunnel beneath the sea connecting to Elynas, you'd transport me to this very stage!"

Damn it.

The entire plan had been exposed! Furina had been acting all along!

Furina clapped her hands. "And you entrusted the Fatui Harbinger 'The Knave' to mobilize their vast resources and manpower to excavate this clandestine passage."

"Meanwhile, Neuvillette and Clorinde would pressure me upon my arrival at the Judgment Court, presenting me with a Judgment I couldn't refuse."

"Well done, Clorinde," Furina praised sincerely. "You truly are my finest Champion Duelist."

Clorinde lowered her hat and nodded slightly.

"The Special Task Force and the masked spectators served as mere 'scenery' to set the stage, enhancing the atmosphere."

"And the Traveler attempted to force my secret out of me before it was too late."

"I must admit, your plan was rather intriguing."

"It's just unfortunate that in all your calculations, you failed to account for one crucial factor: your linchpin was right beside me."

It's over.

Neuvillette gazed silently at Luna, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Why would you do this?

To save Fontaine, information was paramount. With no new leads emerging, Furina's long-hidden secret was the key to everything. Luna couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

Countless eyes converged on Luna.

But she simply smiled. "Regrettably, I am indeed the traitor you perceive me to be, just as I warned earlier—you will ultimately be disappointed."

"However, I see no impropriety in my role as stand-in defense attorney."

Neuvillette closed his eyes.

Now that the situation had reached this point, improvisation was their only option.

Everyone in the Judgment Court was well aware of Luna's formidable abilities. If anyone could prove that "Furina = Archon," it was likely her.

Yet Neuvillette still couldn't understand.

He knew all too well that some things were more important than life itself.

But for Luna, what could possibly outweigh the value of her own life?

He tapped his staff lightly.

"Lady Furina's request for a stand-in defense attorney is approved. The Judgment is about to commence. Please take your positions."

"Wait!" Navia's shout interrupted Neuvillette's pronouncement.

"...Miss Navia, do you have any objections?"

"I..."

Navia fixed Luna with a deep, penetrating gaze.

She couldn't fathom why the Phantom Thief White Cat would side with Furina, but the countdown to the Prophecy was nearing its end. To prevent more people from succumbing to the Dissolution, they had to uncover the truth.

With this resolve, she pointed at Luna.

"I request to become the prosecution's Champion Duelist!"

Let's settle this fairly in the Court of Judgement, Phantom Thief White Cat!

Furina's eyes widened slightly at this unexpected turn of events, but it didn't shake her composure.

"Are you sure about this?" she whispered.

"Rest assured," Luna replied. "I anticipated this possibility long ago."

This had been foreseen long ago.

Someday, they would stand opposed in the Court of Judgement.

Now, that day had arrived.

Neuvillette announced, "The application is valid. Both parties, please take your seats."

"This is terrible," Lyney thought.

He never imagined that the final enemy they would face would be their closest friend, their own family.

And judging by Luna's past performances in the Court of Judgement, all their preparations might be in vain.

But they had no choice but to grit their teeth and press on.

This was for the future of Fontaine.

"Lulu, why did you choose Lady Furina?" Lynette asked, her head bowed and ears drooping.

They knew better than anyone that Luna was the Phantom Thief White Cat; they were family.

Yet none of them could comprehend the meaning behind Luna's actions.

Lyney couldn't think of any comforting words, so he simply continued to stare at the stage.

"...Let's just keep watching for now," he said. "She wouldn't want Fontaine to be destroyed by the prophesied crisis."

Luna and Furina took their places on the side designated for the accused.

"Hmm? My Divine Throne has actually been moved here," Furina remarked in surprise, her gaze drawn to the imposing throne standing in the center of the stage.

Though called a Divine Throne, it was simply her personal seat.

Luna chuckled. "It seems they've put some thought into this."

"Ah, I know... they don't want to treat me this way either," Furina murmured, lowering her gaze.

"But Lady Furina has no intention of giving up, does she?" Luna asked.

Furina nodded slightly. "Of course not."

Standing in this final Court of Judgement, she had already made her final decision.

Perhaps her performance wouldn't be glorious, perhaps she would disappoint everyone. But five hundred years ago, she had accepted a mission uniquely her own.

And... she stole a glance at Luna.

Though she would never voice it, she knew she could stand here without fear only because her sole ally was by her side.

She hadn't felt this secure in five centuries.

"Just this once, help me, White Cat," Furina whispered softly.

Luna curtsied, lifting the hem of her dress. "Of course, my beloved Lady Furina."

This time, she had come fully prepared. In addition to her two fully charged Skills, she had one last trump card up her sleeve.

-

Meanwhile, Lumine, Paimon, and Navia, the prosecution team, took their places.

After a brief exchange, they reached an unavoidable conclusion:

Improvise.

"All parties, please take your seats. The Judgment begins."

"The prosecution will now state the charges."

There was only one charge.

Navia's clear voice rang out: "The sole reason for Lady Furina's trial is this—you are not a god!"

Whoa! Talk about starting with a bombshell!

The audience buzzed with murmurs.

"Not a god? This is... completely unexpected."

"Impossible! Shouldn't they be accusing the Hydro Archon of negligence or dereliction of duty?"

Furina = God. This was an unshakable truth etched into the hearts of every Fontainian, a fundamental principle passed down through generations, her divine figure etched in their collective memory.

Yet now, she was being accused of not being a god?

Unthinkable. Utterly impossible.

"The charge stands," Neuvillette declared.

"Lady Furina, do you acknowledge the prosecution's accusation?"

How could she possibly acknowledge it? Furina stated solemnly, "Absolutely not! I, Focalors..."

"Furina de Fontaine..."

"...One of the Seven Archons of Teyvat..."

As Furina spoke, her tone grew increasingly assertive. "Regina of all waters, all lands, all peoples, and all laws—without a doubt, I am the true God!"

Suddenly, the Oratrice activated.

Its scales tilted in Furina's favor.

Lyney murmured, "The Oratrice moved right from the start?"

It was as if the machine unconditionally recognized Furina's legitimacy as a God.

"See?" Furina said with a faint smile. "Even the Oratrice acknowledges my status. Are you still determined to continue this pointless charade of a Judgment?"

Navia pointed a finger. "I object!" She slammed her hand on the table. "The people's belief in your divinity is based solely on common sense!"

"But—" Furina began to retort.

Luna slowly raised her hand.

Here it comes! Navia braced herself, while Lumine and Paimon watched Luna tensely.

"Before we formally proceed to the defense, I have a suggestion," Luna said.

Neuvillette paused for a moment. "Please proceed."

Luna raised an index finger, her smile elegant. "I question the impartiality of this Judgment."

Her words took everyone by surprise, even Furina, who blinked rapidly, utterly taken aback.

"Doubt? Where's the doubt? Isn't this how Judgments have always been conducted?"

Neuvillette said calmly, "Lady Luna, am I to understand that you are accusing the Tribunal of impropriety?"

"No," Luna replied, her smile vanishing and her tone turning icy. "This is simply the truth."

"If you believe there are flaws in the Judgment, please point them out."

"Of course. My reasoning is quite straightforward."

Why does her defense sound exactly like Lulu's? Navia bit her lip, feeling as though she were facing her former partner once more.

Luna pointed at Neuvillette. "Mr. Neuvillette, you were also involved in this plan."

Neuvillette: "..."

"The entire purpose of the plan was to use the Judgment to expose any information Lady Furina might be concealing."

"You actively participated in the planning discussions, offering numerous suggestions and insights. You were a key player in this scheme."

"You suspected that Lady Furina was hiding something."

Navia's eyes widened in sudden realization.

So that's her angle!

As expected, Luna continued, "In other words, the Chief Justice himself may have been wearing 'colored glasses' from the start!"

"The lofty Judge suspected the accused from the very beginning!"

"Therefore, I submit that the impartiality of this Judgment is questionable!"

Neuvillette remained silent, taken aback by this unexpected line of attack.

"I'm not finished. I call for a witness!"

Sedene nervously approached the witness stand, glancing at Neuvillette.

Neuvillette nodded slightly, signaling her to proceed.

This was indeed a blind spot they had overlooked. Luna's ability to exploit it only highlighted their oversight. Outmaneuvered, they had no choice but to concede.

Sedene visibly relaxed a little and testified, "W-well... Miss Luna and I did see... Monsieur Neuvillette and Lady Furina arguing..."

Luna smiled faintly. "The Chief Justice was arguing with Lady Furina even before the Judgment began."

She clapped her hands. "I trust everyone here has clear eyes. Under these circumstances, Mr. Neuvillette's statements might be biased."

"Impossible!" Navia retorted. "The Judge would never render an unjust verdict! Five centuries of documented Judgment records prove it!"

"That's why I said 'might'," Luna replied, "given the extraordinary circumstances."

Luna smiled. "However, just to be on the safe side, I think it would be wise to let Mr. Neuvillette rest for a while and allow the Oratrice to deliver the verdict in this trial. It's a sensible option."

The Oratrice? Lumine thought. No way... The Oratrice already condemned Childe outright.

Paimon voiced the same concern. "The Oratrice already declared Childe guilty before! Who knows if it'll do the same thing this time?"

Luna seemed to have anticipated their objections. "How convenient," she said. "It seems we have two biased judges presiding over this trial."

Luna continued mercilessly, "Rather than a trial, this is nothing more than a theatrical performance."

Oh no! Navia realized belatedly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, this is nominally a trial, but it's truly a pure drama unfolding before your eyes."

"Now, please remove your masks, cast aside your preconceived notions, and embrace your roles as spectators of this story. Savor every moment that follows!"

Hmm... maybe she's right? The audience exchanged glances, then one by one began removing their masks.

The tense atmosphere of the trial dissipated, replaced by the expectant gazes of the crowd.

She's dismantling the entire trial!

Furina hastily protested, "Hey! Don't steal my thunder!"

"What's so bad about that?" Luna replied.

Furina felt utterly helpless. If Luna stole all the limelight, how could she possibly maintain her persona as the formidable, dramatic embodiment of Focalors?

Furina's composure gradually returned.

This was the Phantom Thief's true intention.

If they can't break Furina's mental defenses, they can't win.

Luna snapped her fingers. "Of course, we have no intention of leaving. Since the stage has invited us, we'll see this through to the end."

Furina puffed out her chest. "Exactly! That's what makes the absolute protagonist shine!"

"Please continue," Luna said with a smile, gesturing. "The real defense has only just begun."

What an intimidating opening move...

But she couldn't afford to lose, not even for a moment.

Navia bit her lip. Why does my chest feel so heavy and painful right now?

Neuvillette sighed softly.

"I don't deny anything Lady Luna has said. But I swear this trial will proceed strictly according to Fontaine's laws and procedures. There will be no lack of fairness or impartiality whatsoever."

"...Now, please continue with your defense."