Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

The afternoon arrived, and it was time for the Trial.

The audience, already informed through various channels, had taken their seats early.

The opera house was packed, with not a single empty chair to be found.

Furina suppressed a yawn as she entered, bringing Clorinde with her back to her most familiar reserved seats. Meanwhile, Neuvillette stood in the most conspicuous position within the opera house.

But the true focal point of attention in the entire opera house was none other than the Oratrice.

The Oratrice, its full name being the "Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale," stood at the heart of the proceedings.

This was a creation of the gods, endowed with self-awareness. It would listen to the arguments of both sides during a trial and deliver the final verdict.

In essence, it was a Judge.

But its most remarkable feature wasn't self-awareness; it was the energy it produced.

Every aspect of the trial—both sides' arguments, the advocates' pleas, witnesses' testimonies, even the spectators' emotions—everything that transpired on the platform would manifest on the Oratrice.

When it reached a conclusion, all that had unfolded on the Trial Stage would be transformed into a unique energy called "Indemnitium."

And Fontaine's power source was none other than this Indemnitium.

It was truly impossible to fathom how such energy was created.

"....."

Noticing Navia's gaze fixed unwaveringly on Neuvillette, Luna asked with concern:

"Are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh... I'm fine, just reminiscing about some past events."

Navia rubbed her hands as she murmured: "My father... when I learned he intended to prove himself through a duel, I rushed to the scene, begging this Supreme Judge to call off the fight."

"He knew there were peculiarities in the case, yet he tacitly allowed the duel to proceed. In the end, my father fell to the sword of the lady standing beside the Archon - Clorinde."

Her gaze then fell on Clorinde, standing beside Furina.

Clorinde seemed to sense Navia's stare, pulling her hat lower and avoiding eye contact. This only made Navia's expression grow more complicated.

Everyone on the trial stage was familiar—most involved in her father's case.

To be honest, Luna couldn't truly empathize with Navia's feelings at that moment.

After all, her own "father" was still very much alive—although she wasn't sure if she could still call him that anymore.

And she had never even met her biological parents.

"Phew... Ha ha, this place is full of familiar faces! Come to think of it, I'm not so nervous anymore!" Navia adjusted her mood, a cheerful smile replacing her anxiety.

"Don't worry."

"Hm?"

Luna tightened the silk gloves she wore. "You're my assistant now, and I'm the one facing this Trial stage. Just trust everything to me."

Navia blinked, then gave Luna a hearty slap on the back.

"That won't do. A good partner must stand together, you know!"

Ouch! Luna struggled to maintain her composure.

"A partner?"

Navia nodded without hesitation. "Yes, a detective and her assistant are partners, sharing both fortune and hardship. Isn't that right, my dear detective?"

She had a point, indeed.

Except that Luna wasn't a detective but a phantom thief.

"Please take your seats."

Neuvillette's declaration signaled the beginning of the trial.

"Come on!" Navia grabbed Luna's hand without waiting for a response and pulled her to the prosecution side.

Across from them was the defense side.

The anxious Judith stepped out slowly, accompanied by a shrewd-looking defense attorney.

"It's starting, it's starting."

"A troupe member's accusation? They just performed not too long ago."

"But that's what makes it interesting!"

Fontaine's audience had always been bloodthirsty, loving nothing more than a good spectacle. Now that they knew the situation, they were practically itching to bring over a popcorn stand.

Hurry up! Can't wait to see the blood flowing like rivers!

Neuvillette looked at both sides and nodded slightly.

"Both parties are present..."

Furina suddenly stood up: "Both parties are present, the trial officially begins!"

"Rejoice, my people, for the truth and justice shall be revealed this moment. I have a premonition that today's stage will be absolutely riveting!"

"Lady Furina..."

Neuvillette, accustomed to such outbursts, still felt the need to remind her.

But before he could finish, another voice chimed in.

"That's right, so don't even blink or you'll miss a single heartbeat of this drama!"

Neuvillette shot a glance at Luna, feeling a headache coming on.

This sensation... it's just like Furina's.

One Furina was already overwhelming; now there's even a second one?

(TL Note: The Theater kids are multiplying.)

Luna abruptly grabbed everyone's attention, her hand pressed against her chest:

"Luna, and Navia, daughter of 'Callas the Unfaithful'—we shall unveil the truth behind Mary Bestina's disappearance today! Let us restore justice to the deceased!"

"Callas? But that case was from three years ago..."

"His daughter finally comes forth to demand justice now, doesn't she?"

"Feels like booking these tickets was well worth it!"

Navia's gaze snapped to Luna beside her.

"Lulu, you..."

Why specifically mention her father's name with such disdain? In the moment, Navia couldn't quite process it. However, her intuition whispered that Luna was aiming to reclaim the Spina di Rosula's lost reputation.

Luna rewarded her with a gentle, reassuring smile.

The Spina di Rosula's prestige had plummeted due to the Callas case. But no one said it couldn't be rebuilt.

Hearing that derisive title, Clorinde's lashes flickered, and her lips pressed together slightly.

Neuvillette's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of hesitation flashed through his eyes.

Furina, however, was privately astonished: Wow, what's with this person? I've never met anyone who would respond like that before.

It didn't seem like acting either; rather, Luna appeared to be enjoying herself. This "Luna" character was quite to Furina's taste... at least in terms of compatibility.

After all, it was always awkward having only one person (Furina herself) be so over-the-top. But with someone else joining in, things were different.

However, she couldn't afford to lose—everyone was watching her, eager for her response.

Furina cleared her throat and gazed down at Luna.

"Very well, what a splendid opening! Let me, Focalors, bear witness to your performance on this stage! Ladies and gentlemen, let's applaud our brave Ms. Luna!"

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

"My deepest gratitude to you, Lady Furina," Luna said, curtsying with her skirt held high, showing no sign of nervousness.

Quickly, Neuvillette regained his composure and rapped his cane on the floor.

"Silence! This is a court of justice. Ladies Furina and Luna, please maintain composure. This is no opera stage."

Furina snorted softly and sat back down.

Luna bowed slightly. "My most humble apologies."

She glanced at the pair opposite her—the shrewd and capable lawyer's hairline was damp with nervous sweat, while Judith appeared even more agitated.

They've never faced such a spectacle before, Luna mused. Never experienced a situation like this.

Before beginning the debate, please allow me to restate the current status of the case.

Neuvillette picked up the record.

"Twenty-three days ago, Mary Bestina, the former lead actress of the Dark Moon Troupe, mysteriously vanished without a trace. The cause of her disappearance remains unknown, leaving open the possibility of kidnapping or murder."

"However, no clues have yet been found that point to the culprit. Without a doubt, this is a case that remains utterly clouded at every level."

"It's said they found her body on the beach," Neuvillette put in. "But the killer hasn't been identified yet."

Furina asked, "Didn't everyone believe she was one of the victims of the serial kidnappings?"

"That was only a rumor. Not a piece of hard evidence linked her to the cases of the missing girls," Neuvillette replied, putting down the record as he turned to Luna.

"Lady Luna, what are you accusing Lady Judith of?"

"She killed Mary Bestina."

"I didn't!" Judith chimed in hastily.

Her defense lawyer adjusted his spectacles. "Indeed, Miss Judith couldn't have done it, for she had no motive to kill her closest friend."

With these words, the defense finally entered the heart of the matter.

"A friend?" Navia asked, a note of doubt in her voice.

"Yes, without a doubt, they were the best of friends, inseparable. According to numerous testimonies from troupe members, they got along exceptionally well. Although there were a few minor conflicts, they always reconciled quickly."

"Miss Judith had no reason or motive to kill her dear friend!"

Navia and Luna exchanged glances.

Navia, with a sympathetic look, shrugged and forced a smile.

Luna's lips curved upwards. "Miss Judith, you're being quite unfair here."

Furina's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Her question echoed the thoughts of the entire courtroom.

"You don't trust your defense attorney at all, do you?"

Thump! A beat late, the defense attorney stiffly turned to look at Judith. She avoided his gaze, inadvertently confirming the truth.

There was nothing more tormenting than being accused by someone who didn't believe in you.

"Miss Judith, could it be that you..."

Luna slammed her hand on the railing... She wished she could bang the table, but alas, there was no table for her to strike. Instead, she pointed an accusatory finger:

"She concealed her true relationship with Miss Mary!"