svetikya Page 328
Page 328
"Lady Furina, Fontaine should not advocate punishing people for their words, right? Although there are indeed crimes like 'publicly insulting a god,' I don't think what I just said should constitute a crime, right?"
"Or is it that the Water God is actually a petty and narrow-minded deity who intends to punish me for a little displeasure? If that's the case, I'll accept my fate."
Upon hearing this, Funina instantly became tense...
Why are they accusing me instead! I'm the one who's clearly been wronged! Waaah.
No—everyone around is watching, we absolutely can't let this continue, otherwise...
"Ahem, of course I, the mighty God of Water, would not be petty. Moreover, I am the God of Justice, how could I possibly do anything unjust? My people! What just happened was merely a test for you, and you have passed!"
She made an exaggerated gesture, with her arms raised and her face full of enthusiasm.
The onlookers were full of praise.
"As expected of Lady Funina, how could she possibly take her anger out on others?"
"Hey, what are you saying? Our divine being is extremely benevolent; how could he possibly get angry so easily?"
"Indeed, unless it's a serious crime like 'stealing Lady Funina's dessert,' I really want to imagine how angry Lady Funina, who is usually as kind as a mascot, would be."
There was much discussion and debate.
Jiang Qiao calmly observed all of this, as well as the blue-and-white girl performing so diligently in front of the people, and spoke:
"You go in first, I'll talk to this lady."
"Huh—?"
Funina was taken aback, then hesitated before saying, "Alright then, come in quickly."
Although performing in front of the public has long been a routine for her.
But the long period of acting had already made the girl 'disgusted' with this mission.
She only had to do it.
If it can be avoided as much as possible, this is undoubtedly a way to reduce the burden.
"Ah."
Surrounded by guards, Funina left.
Although the crowd was somewhat puzzled by the identity of the man who had spoken with their water god, they were too busy with the exciting show about to begin inside the theater to bother watching a stranger.
"Hello, hello, I am Navia Casapa, the president of the Rose Society!"
After Funina left, Navia's expression relaxed considerably, and she smiled and reached out to shake hands with Jiang Qiao.
Although for some reason she was not fond of power, and had some opinions about the water god, and even the high and mighty Fontaine—because the water god's absurd behavior had no deterrent effect on her.
But Furnessa is still a deity of Fontaine, and no matter how ridiculous she is, her mere presence can still put pressure on many people.
This doesn't stem from temperament, but merely from status, especially in Fontaine, a land modeled after France.
The aristocratic class remained hidden invisibly.
Navia, radiating energy accentuated by her deep eyeshadow, spoke with smug satisfaction:
"Hmph, you guys surely haven't heard of the Rose Society, have you?"
"Mediation of disputes, provision of protection, resolution of problems... a comprehensive and all-encompassing grassroots organization—the Rose Thorn Society!"
"Isn't that just a gang?" Fairy Ellie tilted her head.
As a continuation of Paradise Ellie—she is not as innocent as she appears on the surface. At least she has almost everything that Paradise Ellie has. The only difference is that her way of thinking is based on the part of Ellie Ellie when she was a child.
For Ellie, who has traveled the world, gangsters are not an unfamiliar concept.
Navia was speechless upon hearing this. She spoke loudly, somewhat embarrassed but earnestly:
"Well, that's not entirely wrong... but we're legal! We're fundamentally different from those scourges that wreak havoc on the community!"
"Oh, they're a good gang."
“Although there’s nothing wrong with saying that… well, the Rose Society is the Rose Society…” Navia corrected herself rather insistently.
That makes sense, but he really doesn't deserve such a title.
After all, no matter how nicely you put it—a good gangster is still a gangster, isn't he?
"Forget about that for now." Looking at the innocent-looking fairy Ellie, Navia shook her head, feeling both happy and helpless, before turning her gaze to Jiang Qiao.
"Sir! I'm very interested in what you just said."
She wasn't the kind of person who would beat around the bush. Although the words "carefree" and "young lady" might seem a bit incongruous together, Navia, who came from a gangster background, was clearly not a proper young lady.
“To be honest, there’s a case called the ‘Serial Disappearances of Girls’ that’s been going around in the Fontaine region for a long time. And it just so happens that you have some grudges with this case that you need to settle, so…” The older guard standing next to Navia, dressed in a black hat and suit, was quite serious.
“This case has been shrouded in mystery in Fontainebleau. If you, sir, know anything about it, Rose will be willing to offer a generous reward.” Another guard, Silver, said earnestly.
Even life?
Jiang Qiao looked at the three of them with a half-smile.
Upon hearing this, Miles and Silver became somewhat wary and hesitant, but they tacitly stepped in front of Navia.
—They are not afraid of death... Oh, that's somewhat unfair, but at least in their hearts, there are things more important than life.
That was the young lady whom the master had entrusted to them!
It doesn't matter what problems they have, but if Miss Navia has any problems, even if Lord Carles forgives them in the afterlife, they themselves will never be able to forgive themselves.
However, the next moment, Navia, who had been blocked behind them, pushed the two aside, glanced at them with some displeasure, and then faced Jiang Qiao with a firm expression:
Even life itself.
“Young Miss!” Silver and Miles shouted.
"Alright, I am the president of the Rose Society! How can I be inferior to even my own guards?"
“Mr. Jiang Qiao, if you really know something, you can tell me directly without any hesitation.”
"Even if it costs me my life, I absolutely cannot let my father die in such an unclear and unjust way!"
The girl's beautiful face radiated an unwavering determination—as if nothing could stop her.
If I refuse, I might get harassed later, right?
Although Jiang Qiao didn't have a complete understanding of Sister Huangdou, it didn't prevent her from making this judgment.
Of course—that is, if you refuse.
And why did he refuse?
From any perspective, Jiang Qiao clearly had no reason or need to hide anything from a rat lurking in the shadows.
So he smiled, and just as he was about to speak, he realized something.
"If you want to know something, why don't you ask your guard first?"
"Perhaps they know something."
With that, Jiang Qiao chuckled and patted Mellors on the shoulder before heading toward the Opiclie Opera House.
"Of course, I don't mind if you ask now, after all..."
"If Mr. Mouse knew, he would be very anxious and desperate."
Navia stood there dumbfounded, somewhat confused, and wanted to chase after her to ask what it meant.
A very kind and familiar voice came from behind:
"Haha, Navia, you're here too?"
Navia smiled slightly upon seeing him—Uncle Marcel was the president of the Cabrière Chamber of Commerce, and they had been on good terms since her father, Carles, and he had taken good care of her. Apart from Miles and Silver, he was probably one of the few people closest to her.
"Who was that young man just now? I saw him from a long way off, and he's quite a handsome young man."
"A friend I just met."
"Hello friend, hello friend! You're not getting any younger, and in a few years, it's time to start thinking about settling down..."
"Eh--?"
Upon hearing this, Sister Huang Dou blushed instantly—although she seemed carefree, she was actually quite clueless in this area.
Carles, Miles, and Silver all provided excellent care for her.
This topic just popped up out of nowhere... Ugh.
"Ahem, I'm still young, and Rose has so many things to do. There's no rush," Navia said, then asked curiously, "By the way, Uncle Marcel, what brings you here?"
Although the Opicclay Opera House is very popular in Fontainebleau, most people who come here are more relaxed, and cases at the Opicclay Opera House are not usually major cases. As the president of the Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, he should be at his busiest time in this prosperous era.
How could they possibly have time to travel all the way to Ilaiya Island?
"Haha, I happen to have some business on Ilaiye Island, so I took the opportunity to come and take a look. I heard that Lord Vilette is presiding over this trial. It would be a shame not to come and see it."
“It’s you who’s really neglecting your studies, isn’t it?” Marcellus laughed, then teased the former.
Navia was a little embarrassed.
That's absolutely true—she really is neglecting her duties.
The Gabriel Chamber of Commerce is fine, as it has business throughout Fontainebleau. However, the service area of the Rose Society is limited to the lower levels and White Pine Town. Normally, she should be working at the Rose Society headquarters.
There's no time to come here to watch a trial.