Yes, Lady Funina!

Forget about the dignity and pride of the nobility. Just show us the photos of how badly they've been beaten. In short, they all deserve to die!

As the trial began, the prosecution lawyer started listing one piece of evidence after another, accusing "Prince" D'Artagnan of the ruthless harm he had caused to his clients.

Of course, Datalia didn't really do anything to these nobles. At most, he made them suffer a little and suffer some physical injuries, but there was nothing that was truly life-threatening, including the nobles' henchmen. Datalia only made these people incapable of fighting, but did not take their lives.

After all, if D'Artagnan really wanted to kill these people, it would probably be as easy as killing a chicken. He wouldn't even need to activate his Demon King Armor; just the skills he had honed on the battlefield would be enough to give them a run for their money.

On the other hand, D'Artagnan seemed to have no intention of defending himself, and even his lawyer seemed to have just been randomly chosen. The poor lawyer was overwhelmed by the opponent's compelling testimony and was forced to retreat.

However, this lawyer is quite capable. Even in such a challenging situation, he still managed to clear D'Artagnan of charges of burglary, illegal entry, and malicious assault.

The main problem was that D'Artagnan did not do that. Even when he went to the noble manor, he was initially invited in, and it wasn't until the negotiations broke down that a fight broke out.

If we really want to categorize it, it could be considered legitimate self-defense, at most it would be considered excessive self-defense.

However, there is no way to deny the point of malicious debt collection. They beat up everyone in the noble manor who could carry a weapon. If this doesn't count as malicious debt collection, then what does? It can't be that only killing people counts as malicious debt collection, right?

The laws of Fontainebleau clearly stipulate the provisions against malicious debt collection, which is largely thanks to the fact that these nobles are always able to find loopholes in the law. Every now and then, the Palace of Mo Mang has to patch up the law.

The nobles had always abhorred this law, but when it came to actually using it, they thought, "Damn, it actually works!"

Double standards are unacceptable.

It's worth mentioning that whenever the nobles pulled out photos of their wounds after being beaten, the audience below would erupt in enthusiastic cheers and whistles, with some even openly shouting "Good riddance!"

This serious violation of court order was also punished by Navigette – he was asked to leave and was no longer allowed to eat melons in the theater.

As the debate between the two sides reached a fever pitch, the accusers presented their final piece of evidence: a photograph Charlotte had previously taken of D'Artagnan as he walked out of the Earl's manor.

But now that things have come to this point, the situation is actually quite clear. This photo proves nothing at all. I don't know why the accuser didn't present this photo at the beginning, but instead chose to put it at the end.

Don't ask, the answer is the master's task.

However, it was this photograph that finally made D'Artagnan realize who was behind the conspiracy against him.

The photo was taken by that young reporter. Because [Young Master] Tadalia knew about the relationship between the young reporter and Richard, he didn't pay much attention to it until the other side presented the photo as evidence.

D'Artagnan finally understood that he had actually found the mastermind behind this conspiracy from the very beginning, but he just didn't know it. Not only did he not know, he even wanted the other party to find him on their own.

Is this like being sold out and still counting the money?

Why does this feeling feel so familiar, as if it's happened before?

D'Artagnan couldn't help but sigh, "Birds of a feather flock together. No wonder Richard can be friends with Zhongli. These two must have at least eight hundred cunning schemes combined."

As D'Artagnan looked on with a sudden realization and turned her gaze to the man beside the throne, Richard nodded slightly in response.

Yes, that's me.

Tell me, did I tell you who the mastermind was before the trial ended?

Richard is always a man of his word; he does what he says he will do. If he says he will give you an answer before the end of the trial, he will give you an answer before the end of the trial. He is all about being real.

“Mr. D'Artagnan, do you have anything to say about the accusations made by Count Biss and his associates?” Navelette asked.

“There’s nothing more to say, Your Excellency the Grand Inquisitor. You may continue.” D’Artagnan no longer cared about the outcome of the trial; all he wanted to know was why Richard had suddenly targeted him.

They even went so far as to use those nobles as pawns to launch attacks against him.

When did I offend the other party?

no?

Just as Prince D'Artagnan was completely baffled as to why Richard was targeting him, the trial entered its next phase.

"Then, the final decision on Mr. D'Artagnan's accusations will now be made by the [Prophecy Machine]."

Navelette inserted the written record of this trial into the port of the Proclamation and Judgment Cardinal. Immediately afterward, the record was swallowed, and the huge Proclamation and Judgment Cardinal behind Navelette began to operate. Pale blue light surrounded the machine, and after the light reached its peak, the judgment of the Proclamation Machine was also produced.

Navelette took out the card and, under everyone's gaze, announced in a loud voice:

"Based on the judgment issued by the [Cardinal Decree], Mr. D'Artagnan—"

"guilty."

Chapter 160 The Star-Devouring Whale & Furina on the Verge of Collapse (11K)

— [Prince] Dadalia has been imprisoned.

As the verdict was delivered, [Young Master] used the Eye of God to conjure a bow and arrow, launching an attack at an extremely fast speed in the direction of Richard.

The water elemental arrows it fired sliced ​​through the air, carrying astonishing destructive power as they hurtled straight toward Richard's face.

However, at this critical moment, Richard did nothing. An even more astonishing energy wave from the attack of the "Young Master" surged from Funina beside him, directly freezing the arrow in mid-air.

The sudden turn of events caused an uproar. What did it mean? Was someone dissatisfied with the verdict suddenly attacked and injured someone?

Funina belatedly looked down at her glowing little hands, her face still somewhat bewildered.

No, why am I glowing?

"Thank you for your help, Lady Funina," Richard said to Funina.

"Huh?" Before Funina could react, Richard spoke again.

"Please, Lady Funina, bring the thugs under control."

"I?"

Funina thought Richard must not have woken up properly today. How could she possibly control that fierce-looking guy below her? No, why is he wearing a mask?

Funina's clear eyes showed confusion. She didn't understand why D'Artagnan was still wearing a mask at this point. Wasn't it a bit too late to cover her face now?

Before Funina could think any further, she found herself becoming even brighter. The water elemental power emanating from her body enveloped the entire Opiclay Opera House, making it feel like being in an underwater world. Everyone was watching this miraculous scene.

Before the audience could react, the "Young Master," clad in the Demon King's armor, was already engulfed by the raging torrent and unable to move.

After struggling for only a few seconds, he completely lost consciousness.

That's it?

Some spectators had already found safe spots to watch the trial and were looking forward to a thrilling battle. But just a few breaths later, the accused, who looked like he was about to unleash a powerful attack, suddenly passed out.

With such a grand display, I thought you were going to fly to the heavens!

As the young master was brought under control, the boiling water elemental power on Funina's body gradually subsided, and the light gradually dimmed and became peaceful.

However, all of this happened so fast that even after it was over, Funina's "CPU" hadn't processed it yet. The crowd below stared blankly at Funina, who was sitting on her divine throne and hadn't even gotten up.

"Ahem." Richard coughed lightly, meaning, "Stop daydreaming, it's your turn to perform."

Upon hearing Richard's reminder, Funina seemed to regain her intelligence, looking at the pairs of eyes staring at her from below the stage.

Fu Ningna raised one hand and gently rubbed her bangs, resting her chin on her other hand. Her fair and firm legs were crossed, and she said in a disappointed tone, "Boring, a meaningless farce. You actually dared to declare war on me. Mortal, I acknowledge your courage, but I also feel sorry for your foolishness."

"Police, take this thug away!"

As the words fell silent, today's trial finally came to a satisfactory conclusion.

------

The next day, the Water God displayed his divine power, subduing the violent Winter Madman who suddenly attacked people. This directly replaced the noble (being) debt collection case that had been dominating the top of Fontaine's trending searches, and became the most talked-about topic among the people of Fontaine.

"Sigh, it's such a pity you didn't go to the trial yesterday. Our Water God, wow~ just one word: impressive!"

"Those are two words, but from what you're saying? You went to watch the trial yesterday?"

"No, I just heard it from others."

"Go to hell!"

……

Similar topics were constantly being discussed in the streets and alleys of Fontainebleau, while news of the Water God personally subduing the Fools' Enforcers was spreading to neighboring countries at an alarming rate.

While everyone was marveling at the Water God's strength, they all had the same thought: how dare the other side attack their god?

As for the female protagonist of the trending topic, our beautiful and powerful Lady Funina has read today's Steambird News again and again.

The smile on his lips was even harder to suppress than the tuft of hair sticking up on his head.

"Richard, how did I do yesterday?" Funina assumed a fighting stance, waving her small, pink fists at the air twice before looking at Richard and asking, "Did you get that expert feel?"

"Lady Funinna's strength is beyond doubt."

No need to question it, because there isn't.

"That's right, my performances are world-class!"

While she may not be as strong as Richard, when it comes to acting skills, Fu Ningna is second to none.

After all, others perform to make a living, but Fu Ningna lives to perform.

"But then again, why did that 'young master' suddenly attack you?"

From an outsider's perspective, Tartaglia might appear to be attacking the water god, but from Frynn's perspective, the arrow was clearly aimed at Richard.

That's where the problem lies, because Funina clearly remembers that before the trial began, the young man named D'Artagnan greeted Richard with a smile, his attitude quite friendly, as if they were friends.

If they were friends, why did Tatalia attack Richard?

This question had been bothering Funina for a long time. Yesterday, because there were still many things to deal with after the trial, Funina held back from asking. But now, she finally couldn't help but ask the question.

Richard saw no need to hide anything from Funina's questions.

"I think it must be that Mr. Datalia has finally discovered the truth."

"The truth?" Funina repeated, puzzled.

"It was I who got many nobles to unite and sue him. In a sense, it was I who personally sent him to Mero Petersburg."

"Eh?!"

Funina's almond-shaped eyes widened, completely unexpected that Richard would say that. However, after thinking about it for a moment, she realized that it seemed to be true.

After all, given the usual practices of those nobles, they would rather suffer in silence than make a scene like this.

Because doing so would not bring justice; on the contrary, it would make them the laughingstock of the entire Fontaine, which would be absolutely unacceptable to the nobles who always considered themselves superior.

However, this time, these nobles unusually chose to sue "Prince" D'Artagnan, and even contacted the media to create momentum. Knowing full well that there was a trap, they still resolutely stepped into it.

This is definitely not what they wanted to do; someone is forcing them to do it.

"How did you do that?" Funina couldn't help but ask, curious about how Richard managed to get those nobles who valued their reputation above all else to submit.

"Well..." Richard deliberately kept everyone in suspense.

Funina playfully punched Richard in the chest with her little fist. "Speak up!"

"Naturally, it's because I have leverage over them."

Nobles naturally value face highly, but it depends on what they are comparing it to. If you were to put their so-called face against their ancestral titles, what do you think they would choose?

Clearly, they chose the latter. Richard only revealed a small part of what they had done, and these people were scrambling to be his lackeys. Face? It didn't exist for them.

After listening to Richard recount the whole story, Funina felt that it didn't seem to be difficult to do.

Why do I feel like... I could do that too?

I'm sorry, Lady Funina, you... you might not be able to do it.

After all, everything Richard did was based on his own strength. If it were Funina doing the same thing, she would probably be so frightened by the repeated attacks that she would be hiding under the covers and drooling before the trial even began.

"So why are you targeting him?"

Does he need a reason to be targeted?

"Don't you need it?"

Furna knew perfectly well that Richard never did anything without a reason, so there must be a reason why he had "Young Master" D'Artagnan operate the sewing machine.

It's impossible to say that someone was sent in for no reason.

However, what annoyed Funin was that no matter how she asked, Richard refused to tell her, and she ended up being thoroughly teased by him.

"Fine, I won't ask you anymore. Go do whatever you need to do!" Fulina finally lost her patience with Richard's nagging and waved her little hand, telling Richard to go somewhere cool and stay there. This water goddess is not going to serve you anymore.

After leaving Funina's office, Richard returned to his own office. On the surface, he appeared to be handling official business, but in reality, his mind was drifting into the depths of the sea, following the footsteps of the "Young Master".

------

Today is the first day that D'Artagnan has been staying in Mero Petersburg, and it is also the first time that Mero Petersburg has taken in the executors of the Fools.

In a sense, Prince Tartaglia has made history.