Chapter 18: Unseen Eyes

"Get your filthy hands off me, you scum!" the man snarled, thrashing violently beneath Callas as he struggled to break free.

"Quite the aggressive one, aren't you?" Callas remarked, keeping restrained on the floor, but the subject's hands moved, trying to reach for something. 

"Melus," Callas called out sharply.

"On it, boss," Melus replied, swiftly pinning the man's arm and pulling a concealed firearm from his pocket.

"It seems this firearm isn't of Fontaine origin," Melus remarked, turning it over. "Might be a clue as to where this man came from."

"Excellent," Callas replied. "We'll be handing that over to the authorities."

The Gardes quickly rushed in, grateful for the timely assistance of the Spina di Rosula, before detaining the individual and confiscating the firearm for further investigation.

With the situation beginning to settle and more suspicious individuals detained for questioning, additional Gardes stormed into the Palais, led by Captain Hugo. 

He stood out among the others, not in standard uniform, but dressed in the distinguished formal attire befitting his rank.

And with each step, echoed with fury, how could their revered Archon, Lady Furina, be attacked right under the Gardes noses?

He going to give his men a proper scolding once all this was over.

With fire in his eyes, he strode toward Neuvillette, who was deep in conversation with the Marechaussee Phantoms.

"Monsieur Neuvillette," one officer said, "the weapons found on their persons appear to be of Snezhnaya origin. But the blade used by the attacker seems to bear markings of a wolf."

Mmm… What could it mean? Neuvillette is deep in thought, trying to decipher the meaning of the symbol.

Overhearing the conversation, Hugo's curiosity was piqued at the mention of the blade.

"Apologies for interrupting," he said, stepping closer. "But may I have a look at that blade? I have some experience with weapons from that specific nation."

"Ah, Captain Hugo," Neuvillette replied with a nod. "Your input would be greatly appreciated."

The officers quickly brought forth the weapon, placing it carefully in Hugo's hands.

Hugo examined the blade, recognition flickered in his eyes.

"As I thought," he muttered. "This blade is indeed from Snezhnaya. However, the marking doesn't belong to any specific group. But to a species of beastmen who live in the mountain regions of Snezhnaya ."

"Do you believe they orchestrated this attack?" Neuvillette asked, his tone edged with gravity.

"I don't," Hugo replied. "It's more likely the individual purchased it from their village."

Hugo paused as flashes of memory crossed his mind.

"It's quite a journey to reach them, but they're usually welcoming to outsiders. They rarely venture beyond their lands, so it wouldn't make sense for them to have attacked the Archon of Fontaine."

Hugo looked intently at the symbol, shaped like a wolf's head, its teeth lining the bottom of the blade.

"As for this symbol… is it the god they've worshipped since the dawn of their kind."

"And which god might that be?" Neuvillette asked, a glint of curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"If I remember correctly," Hugo said, "he's known as God of Chaos."

At once, the room seemed to darken. A heavy silence fell as the officers tensed.

Neuvillette, however, remained unfazed upon hearing the name.

The God of Chaos?

Where had he heard that before?

Ah, yes—in the archives. The very being is said to have shaped much of Teyvat's lands.

"Who would even worship a god like that?" one of the officers muttered.

"It's not our place to question their beliefs," Neuvillette replied firmly. 

"Captain Hugo, could this be the work of Fatui?" Neuvillette asked, clearly shifting the subject.

"Given that all the weapons are indeed from Snezhnaya, the possibility is there," he acknowledged.

"I've reached that conclusion as well," Neuvillette said calmly. "But the evidence remains too insubstantial to establish a direct link. We must tread carefully—I will not jeopardize our diplomatic standing with a hasty accusation."

"Then we should allow the Marechaussee Phantoms to carry out their duties," Hugo agreed. "As for the matter concerning Lady Furina—I offer my sincerest apologies. The Gardes will take full responsibility for today's incident."

"Ah Lady Furina," Neuvillette said, his gaze drifting momentarily toward the ceiling. "She's currently being escorted to a secure chamber by Lieutenant Louis. She is unharmed, so there is no need for concern. In fact, it was your newly appointed Garde who prevented any harm from befalling her."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "The only recent recruit I'm aware of is Clorinde. You mean her?"

Neuvillette gently corrected him, "It was Lucien who intervened."

"Lucien? Color me surprised—I recall that boy ignoring every invitation I sent. But I'm glad he finally decided to join." 

"Yes, I believe both he and his sister were trained in the old art of the Marechaussee hunters," Neuvillette said. "There's no doubt—they are both highly skilled."

"Of course, after all they were trained by my dear friend," Hugo said with a chuckle. "I witnessed them outmatch my instructors myself. They're probably the best fighters in all of Fontaine… of course, after you, Monsieur Neuvillette."

Neuvillette cast a glance toward Lucien, who was delivering his report on the incident. "Not for their age, I would've already requested they join the Champion Duelist roster. In hindsight, treating them as mere children was a mistake."

"Then there's the matter of the breach—it must never happen again. Security will be strengthened, and every individual entering these halls will undergo thorough screening."

"I'll ensure that the security of the Palais Mermonia remains tight."

"See that you do," Neuvillette replied, his gaze shifting to the crowd of families huddled together, speaking among themselves as though the day's chaos were nothing more than a performance.

"They were insistent on seeing Lady Furina, unwilling to leave without speaking to her. But after what has transpired, I trust they now understand this is hardly the appropriate time for such an audience."

Lucien pov 

I couldn't believe it—his first day on the job, and he'd nearly been harmed protecting an Archon.

My master's training came in clutch, no doubt about that.

But one question kept nagging at me: why would anyone attack an Archon—a god? Even if he hadn't stopped the blade, surely Furina would've done something far worse to that guy.

Then again… she looked scared for a moment. Just a flicker, but it was there.

Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

Either way, the danger had passed. No one was hurt except for the ones responsible.

Lucien glanced over at Callas, who had just handed off one of the suspects—the same one who'd tried to distract him earlier.

They weren't from Fontaine; everything about them was off, from their clothes to the weapons they carried. He'd overheard someone mention that the firearms weren't even made in Fontaine.

That piqued his curiosity. He rubbed his hands together, already scheming.

Maybe I can convince dear old Lieutenant to let me have a look…and a quick little feel.