In front of the card shop.
Navia stood on her tiptoes, brimming with curiosity as she watched the people ahead of her draw cards.
From up close, she could see the excitement of those who had obtained cards, showcasing powers that surpassed ordinary human abilities.
Even though Navia possessed a Vision, these powers still seemed incredibly wondrous to her.
And these were just the first and second-tier cards—what about the third and fourth-tier cards, which belonged to the realm of the truly powerful? Not to mention the fifth-tier cards, which only a handful of lucky individuals could draw?!
"I really wish it was our turn already," Navia said impatiently.
Marcel chuckled. "Navia, don't rush. We'll be there soon."
Navia nodded.
When they had first arrived, the length of the line had made her fear they might not even get a turn.
But after waiting for a while, she noticed the line moved quickly, meaning people didn't linger in the shop for long.
As they waited, they ran into Marcel, who had been queuing in another line, and they struck up a conversation.
"Uncle Marcel, I remember you still have some unresolved health issues, right? Earlier, I noticed someone drew a healing skill card. Maybe we can find them later to treat you?" Navia suggested.
Marcel thought for a moment before smiling. "Sure, I'd love to experience such a miraculous skill that can effortlessly cure ailments. Those minor pains might not be life-threatening, but they're certainly a nuisance."
Navia had seen many elderly people in Poisson suffering similarly and sighed in agreement. "Yes, and Melus too—we'll go together later."
"Of course, young lady," Melus replied without hesitation.
"I hope I can draw a practical skill card like that too," Navia said wistfully. "That way, I could help the residents of Poisson with even more problems."
Marcel's smile remained unchanged.
Navia was young, kind, generous, and always eager to help.
But precisely because she was young, she tended to act impulsively and emotionally when handling matters.
She… was much easier to deal with than her late father.
Inside the card shop.
After appraising a card for a lucky customer, Lu Heng's gaze fell upon the crowd.
His formidable abilities allowed him to hear conversations from a great distance.
Navia and Marcel?
He took a closer look at Marcel.
Unlike the rough character model from the game, the real Marcel had streaks of gray at his temples, and his face bore traces of aging that matched his years.
His deeds made it impossible not to remember his story.
Lu Heng turned his head toward the street corner.
Two plainclothes officers from the Gardes chatted casually, appearing as if they were just passersby.
Most of the people in this street were patiently queuing, waiting for their turn to draw cards.
But upon closer inspection, one would notice that at both ends of the street, beyond the lines, people were slowly approaching the shop while pretending to chat.
Looking up at the sky.
The You Tian Mirror, hidden in the void, had also locked onto this location, ready to launch a precise strike at any moment.
The card shop was clearly surrounded, but apart from Lu Heng, no one else had any idea.
The two plainclothes officers were also discussing the shop.
"Such incredible and powerful abilities. It's just a shame we don't have enough Mora..."
"Let's work hard and think about it later. But we don't have to queue—we can just go in and buy a couple of drinks? I heard they're quite good, even better than Fonta."
Marcel, who had been puzzled by their approach, suddenly understood.
So they weren't cutting in line. That made sense—who would dare cause trouble at this shop?
Reassured, Marcel turned his attention back to the counter.
It would soon be his turn.
'Vacher, I will definitely—'
Suddenly.
Two hands clamped down on his shoulders.
Two feet kicked the backs of his knees.
Caught completely off guard, Marcel was forced to his knees and pinned to the ground.
The abruptness of it sent the crowd into a panic.
Navia's expression changed drastically.
"Gardes! Apprehending a criminal!"
The plainclothes officer kneed the struggling Marcel, twisting one of his arms while flashing his badge with the other hand.
"Huh?"
Navia, who had been about to intervene, froze. "You must have the wrong person! How could Uncle Marcel be a criminal?"
"This is a misunderstanding! It has to be!"
Marcel, his face pressed against the ground, shouted, "You've got the wrong man!"
"Stay down!"
The officer elbowed him harshly.
One officer kept Marcel pinned while the other quickly pulled on gloves and began searching him with visible tension.
"What are you doing?! Stop!" Marcel bellowed.
Rapid footsteps approached.
"Marcel… no, Vacher. You are under arrest."
The crowd parted as Neuvillette strode forward, cane in hand, looking down at Marcel, whose glasses had been shattered in the struggle.
"V-Vacher? Who's that?"
A flicker of panic flashed in Marcel's eyes, but he quickly steadied himself. "You've definitely mistaken me for someone else!"
"What on earth is going on?"
Navia's mind was in chaos.
Why had Uncle Marcel suddenly been arrested? And who was Vacher?
"Marcel's real name is Vacher. He is the mastermind behind the production of Sinthe and the true culprit behind the serial disappearances of young women," Neuvillette declared.
The crowd erupted in shock.
"What?! He's the serial disappearance killer?!"
"I can't believe it—someone so well-dressed could be such a monster!"
"Oh my god, this is like something out of a play!"
"How could this be…?" Navia murmured in disbelief.
"He's the mastermind behind the disappearances and Sinthe?" Melus was also taken aback.
Having served Navia's father, Callas, for many years, he knew the truth behind Callas's death—but he hadn't known the identity of the organization's leader.
So this man had been hiding among them all along?
Melus tensed, his expression turning wary as he pulled Navia back. "Young lady, step back to a safe distance. He's dangerous!"
Though confused, Navia trusted Melus implicitly and retreated several steps.
Silver, dressed in sunglasses and a suit like a bodyguard, moved to shield Navia.
"Why?"
Navia whispered.
"He's the one responsible for your father's death," Melus said grimly.
"What?!"
Navia wondered if she had misheard.
But Melus nodded solemnly.
Navia fell silent.
The man she had always treated as an elder… was the one who had caused her father's death?
How could she possibly accept this?
Lu Heng poured himself a cup of black tea.
Noticing Furina sneaking up beside him unnoticed, he poured her a cup as well.
"It's not me!"
"You've got the wrong man!"
Marcel continued to struggle, roaring, "This is a setup! It wasn't me, it wasn't me!"
"Hmph!"
Furina, who had just taken a sip of tea, slammed her cup down and said coldly, "Neuvillette, show him the evidence!"
Before she even finished speaking, Neuvillette was already prepared.
The specialized equipment linked to the You Tian Mirror projected the recordings.
As the footage of his own past actions played before his eyes, Marcel's pupils shrank in horror. "H-How is this possible…?"
But he wasn't the only one in disbelief.
The surrounding citizens erupted into chaos at the images.
"Found it!"
The officer pulled a test tube hidden on Marcel's person—inside, the Primordial Seawater shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Instantly, the terror of dissolution sent the crowd scrambling back, not stopping until they were at least twenty meters away.
"The evidence is conclusive! What more do you have to say?!" Furina demanded.
----------
T/N:
Access 30 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/furinaimpact