Lionne District.
Card Shop.
Hum—
A strange ripple spread through the air.
This intangible fluctuation indicated the diffusion of a high-intensity force.
Many people felt a momentary daze.
Lu Heng glanced toward the Palais Mermonia. Was this the work of the Skyfaring Mirror?
Not far from the entrance.
"Did anyone else just feel like their ears rang?"
Navia looked at the people beside her and asked, "Did you feel it too?"
"Yes, young lady," Maelstrom nodded. "It must be the effect of some kind of power."
Navia nodded, then turned to the man holding his forehead in pain and asked with concern, "Uncle Marcellin, are you alright?"
Marcellin was the president of the Cabriere Chamber of Commerce and had been close friends with her father, Callas.
After Callas passed away, Marcellin had provided Navia with much support. Though they were not related by blood, he truly treated her like an uncle caring for his niece.
Seeing him clutching his forehead in pain, Navia grew worried.
"Huff, huff..."
Marcellin took a few deep breaths, then waved his hand. "Don't worry, Navia. I'm fine. It's probably just old age—my body isn't as strong as you young folks anymore."
"Glad to hear you're okay. I wonder what just happened?" Navia relaxed slightly as she saw his complexion improve.
"Maybe we'll find out in tomorrow's newspaper?"
Marcellin chuckled, then looked ahead and said, "We're almost at the front of the line. Navia, do you have any cards you're hoping to get?"
"I... don't know," Navia shook her head. "I didn't bring much Mora this time, so I'll just see what fate brings."
"Heh, I see."
Marcellin smiled warmly, like a kindly elder. "If you're ever in need, just let your uncle know. I may not have much else, but Mora is something I have plenty of."
"No need," Navia quickly waved her hand. "Uncle Marcellin, you must also want powerful cards, right? With strong abilities, the Cabriere Chamber of Commerce's business will be more secure."
"...Yes."
Marcellin's expression turned hopeful. "I really hope to draw some cards that I desperately need."
If even the power of Archons could be obtained... could there also be a power capable of reviving those who had been dissolved?
His naturally hanging hand clenched unconsciously, the force turning his knuckles white.
His eyes betrayed a glimmer of longing.
"You'll definitely get them," Navia said with a smile.
"Yes, I believe so too," Marcellin replied, smiling back.
Palais Mermonia, Conference Room.
All eyes were fixed on the projection.
In the Skyfaring Mirror's perspective, time had rewound slightly, revealing scenes from the past.
"That's... Marcellin, the president of the Cabriere Chamber of Commerce?"
In the projection, Marcellin gradually changed his attire.
He avoided all prying eyes and made his way to a hidden location.
There, a terrified young girl struggled—her limbs bound, mouth gagged, eyes blindfolded, unable to make a sound.
Marcellin's gaze upon her was icy and indifferent.
He ignored her and walked toward what appeared to be an experimental table.
The notes he casually picked up contained horrifying records.
He had documented the name and physical condition of his target before proceeding with the experiment.
The journalists watching widened their eyes in shock, frantically snapping photos with their Kameras while scribbling down everything they saw.
At the head of the table, Furina's expression darkened.
Neuvillette's face also turned cold. As he prepared to record the Skyfaring Mirror's first use of its time-reversal function, the pen in his hand snapped from the sheer force of his grip.
A feeling he had never experienced before—rage—surged within the ancient dragon who had never understood human emotions.
"Dissolving... is this real?" someone asked in horror.
The projection soon provided the answer.
Under Marcellin's experiment, the young girl dissolved rapidly before everyone's eyes upon contact with the Primordial Seawater.
There wasn't even time to react—she simply dissolved!
For a moment, it felt as though everyone's hearts had stopped. Many stared in stunned silence.
In Fontaine's ancient prophecy, it was foretold that all would dissolve into the sea, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne.
"Dissolving..."
Furina's hands, hidden beneath the table, clenched her skirt tightly.
Something as fantastical as this was actually real!
And it had happened in the past!
The serial disappearances of young women had persisted for twenty years... which meant people had been dissolving since two decades ago, yet the Palais Mermonia had been unaware!
Furina felt as though her heart were being squeezed.
A suffocating sensation, like drowning, made her breath quicken and her mind fill with terror.
The Skyfaring Mirror would not lie, and Neuvillette would never stoop to fabrication—the fact that people could dissolve was now undeniable. No amount of self-delusion could soothe the fear gripping their hearts.
Over the years, the water levels had indeed been rising slowly, with the rate accelerating noticeably in recent years.
The prophecy's crisis was drawing closer!
In the Skyfaring Mirror's perspective, Marcellin was conversing with members of his organization.
The Palais Mermonia had intensified its investigations into the serial disappearances.
He actually planned to pin everything on the Fatui at the right moment!
Given the Fatui's reputation, the people would likely never listen to their explanations...
"Skyfaring Mirror, preserve the evidence!"
Neuvillette's voice snapped everyone back to reality.
He issued orders decisively: "Skyfaring Mirror, immediately lock onto the criminal's current location!"
The evidence was irrefutable—this was no longer a suspect, but a confirmed criminal, a monster guilty of unforgivable atrocities!
Moreover, he intended to shift the blame onto the Fatui!
If a misjudgment occurred during the trial, Marcellin would remain free!
The Skyfaring Mirror responded instantly.
The view zoomed out, then swooped down, locking onto the entrance of the card shop.
Marcellin stood there, smiling warmly as he chatted with Navia.
"It's Marcellin!"
"My god, the man who looks so kindly like an elder now could coldly watch as lives dissolved in his hands..."
"Is this expression just another mask of his?"
"Security forces, assemble immediately! We will arrest the true culprit behind the serial disappearances!" Neuvillette rose to his feet and addressed Furina: "Lady Furina, to prevent the suspect from using 'Primordial Seawater' and causing civilian casualties, I will lead the security team to apprehend Marcellin and his associates."
"I... will come too."
Furina's voice trembled slightly.
The journalists quickly reacted, rising to their feet as well.
"What a huge story..." Charlotte murmured.
The true culprit behind the serial disappearances being the president of a chamber of commerce was shocking enough to send waves through the Court of Fontaine.
But the revelation that Primordial Seawater could dissolve people would plunge the entire nation into panic.
Yet this was unavoidable—it couldn't be hidden, and with such a terrifying crisis lurking, the public had a right to know.
Tomorrow, the Court of Fontaine would descend into chaos...
Charlotte adjusted her hat and hurried after them.
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T/N:
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