Yes, Lady Funina!

Thinking of this, Richard gave Funina a look that said "keep calm." Funina understood and obediently kept quiet, watching Richard perform.

After spending a lot of time with Richard, Funina also learned a lesson: silence is golden. Before things become clear, it's best not to rush to speak out, or you might suffer a backlash.

She has learned her lesson from many past mistakes.

“Then thank you very much, Uncle Marcel.” Navia nodded, and at the same time, she unconsciously looked at Richard.

Clearly, this young lady was also unable to make a judgment and wanted to hear Richard's opinion.

Despite the short time they spent together, judging from Clarinde and Furness's behavior, Richard was clearly the one in charge, or rather, the external brain.

"I suppose this must be Lord Richard from the City Hall?" Marcel said, following Navia's gaze to Richard.

“You know me?” Richard raised an eyebrow.

Although his existence was not a secret, most of the Fontaine people who were unaware of the inside story would only think that he was an ordinary civil servant, at most a high-ranking official with a lot of people under his command, and at most the steward of Minister of Administration, Lady Funina, with little real power.

Only those who have access to the core of Fontaine and understand its operational logic truly know what it means to have ministers who come and go, but civil servants who remain constant.

Few of these people would know that Richard was a top civil servant, wielding far more power than his colleagues, the permanent secretaries of other departments, and practically turning the entire city hall into an impregnable fortress.

Marcel's behavior just now clearly showed that he knew Richard, and Richard could even sense a faint sense of apprehension emanating from him.

"Lord Richard, you must have a bad memory. I was actually at the banquet that Mr. Harbor organized last time, but since the Cabrière Merchant Guild is not a very big merchant guild, it was difficult to have a word with someone as distinguished as you. So I could only sit at the end of the table."

"Even so, I learned of your existence from many big bosses."

Marcel was not lying; he had indeed learned about Richard from the owner of a large merchant guild.

This Mr. Richard is quite something. Although he doesn't show off in his daily life, he actually wields a terrifying amount of power, especially for the business owners who make a living in Fontainebleau.

Its importance even surpasses that of the Ministry of Commerce in Fontainebleau, since the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for regulating the market and formulating the future direction of Fontainebleau's business development.

However, the city hall is not only responsible for urban management, but also has the function of coordinating various departments and units in Fontaine. In layman's terms, it is a bridge for communication between various departments, as well as an intermediary and lubricant.

As businessmen, no one understands better than them how important the middleman can be. Moreover, the city hall is responsible for managing the city's affairs, which naturally includes many trivial matters such as environmental improvement, urban appearance improvement, and fire safety improvement in Fontaine.

Although many of its functions overlap with those of other departments and require their cooperation, that alone is sufficient.

All they need to know is that if they do business in Fontainebleau, they absolutely cannot offend the city hall, otherwise... they will definitely not have a good ending.

This is only the surface situation. The information that Marcel found out went even deeper. It is said that in the early years, the city hall in Fontaine was just a marginal and dispensable department. It cannot be said that the people in the department made any outstanding contributions to the citizens of Fontaine, but at the very least, corruption was rampant.

Even if they only have a little bit of power, those guys can make the most of it and squeeze every last drop out of them. Anyone who comes to the city hall for help will be skinned alive by those officials.

However, at some point, a newcomer arrived at this peripheral department. In just a few years, the entire department was transformed, and its power grew. It gradually transformed from a peripheral department on the verge of disbanding into a behemoth second only to the court.

As for who that newcomer is, it goes without saying that he is none other than Mr. Richard, the current Executive Secretary.

The former civil servants either died, fled, or settled in Mero-Petersburg. Even those who were captured and taken to Mero-Petersburg did not dare to say anything against Mr. Richard.

"What do they think of me?" Richard asked with a light laugh.

“A good official, Mr. Richard is a good official and a good person, just like…” Marcel paused, unsure whether he should say it.

“Like…Kares,” Richard said for him.

Volume 1: Chapter 81 Unspoken Rules - Clarind?

“I didn’t expect Mr. Richard to know Mr. Carles.” Marcel said with a wistful expression.

"【The Unjust Carles】, surely only a minority of people don't know that? Comparing me to him, aren't you afraid I'll get angry?" Richard raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly.

You're comparing me to Navia's father, but did you even ask Navia if she was willing?

“Since Mr. Richard knows Mr. Carles, he should understand that he is a good man.”

"Even if he's convicted? Can I take that you're questioning the fairness of the trial in front of the Water God?" Richard retorted, not letting Marcel off the hook, ready to put him on the hot seat.

Fu Ningna also glanced at the chamber of commerce president at just the right moment.

“Well… I wouldn’t dare say that. What I mean is… well, no matter what, Mr. Carres has helped me. All my wealth comes from Mr. Carres’s kindness. He is truly a good man to me,” Marcel said sincerely.

"So, you also suspect there was something fishy about the Carles case back then?" Richard asked again.

"..." Marcellus was silent for a moment, then looked at Navia beside him, as if he understood something.

Richard and Furness in front of me must have been persuaded by Navia to want to exonerate Kares. Although I don't know what evidence they have, they are probably here to ask me what exactly happened back then.

Moreover, judging from their appearance, they must have consulted Florent and his group before coming to find me, so they didn't come solely for me.

Having figured this out, Marcellus had a plan in mind. His old face showed a sorrowful expression as he said, "Yes... I believe Mr. Carles is not that kind of person. I am willing to pay any price as long as it can clear his name."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure."

Richard nodded upon hearing this, and then said something that Marcel hadn't expected.

“In that case, Clarinde, take Mr. Marcellus to the Opicley Opera House first.”

Wait a minute! This...this isn't right, is it?

After hearing this, Marcel looked up at Richard with a start, seemingly not expecting Richard to say such a thing.

Seeing this, Richard calmly added, "Relax, Mr. Marcel. We're just asking you to testify in court, not treating you as a criminal. You'll be accompanied by Mr. Florent and Guard Thierry."

"However, this trial is being held in secret, and those who need to appear in court need to go to the Opiclie Opera House as soon as possible. Any leak of information could become a variable in this case."

"Since Mr. Marcell is willing to pay any price for Mr. Carles' reputation, there shouldn't be any problem with just appearing in court to testify, right?"

Marcel realized he had overreacted, so he quickly lowered his head, composed himself, and replied, "No, no problem."

Soon, Claude led Marcel to the Opikley Opera House. Before leaving, Richard patted Claude on the shoulder, giving her a protective shield to prevent any accidents.

If Marcel senses something is wrong and splashes the primordial amniotic fluid onto Clorinde, this protective layer will appear to shield her from the deadly amniotic fluid.

In addition, this layer of protection can also safeguard them in case of other dangers.

There's no other way; such useful tools are rare these days, so we have to protect them.

Clarin didn't know what Richard had done, but after he patted her on the shoulder, she felt inexplicably at ease.

The aloof and sophisticated woman pursed her lips, unsure of the underlying principle. However, she had once heard from a colleague that being patted on the shoulder by one's boss was a form of affirmation and reward.

The reason she felt at ease was probably because of this... at least she didn't have to worry about her work evaluation report this month.

Claude quickly took Marcellus by railboat to the Opikley Opera House, settled Marcellus into a designated room, and her mission was complete.

Richard had planted informants everywhere – from the Fools, the Special Patrol, the Rose Society, and even Inazuma's agents. Even if Marcellus was the mastermind behind the 'Les' trafficking ring, he couldn't have disappeared without them noticing.

As things stand, Marcel probably won't disappear, since he sees this trial as nothing more than Navia finding some superficial evidence to clear Kares's name, and it has nothing to do with him.

In fact, Carles died in a climactic match and was not actually tried. Therefore, he did not bear any real judgment.

The so-called "unjust Kares" is actually just the outside world's evaluation of this leader of the Rose Thorn Society who died in the dueling arena.

Whether this public opinion is manipulated, directed, or promoted by someone is a matter of opinion.

“Ms. Clorinde, I would like to ask when this trial will begin. Of course, I don’t mean to rush it, but the Cabrière Chamber of Commerce needs someone to be there right now, and I can’t be away for too long,” Marcel said.

“Don’t worry, it will be quick. The trial will begin tomorrow, and given Richard’s work style, it should be over soon,” Claude said, a strange feeling creeping into her heart.

When she said this to Marcellus, it felt like telling a prisoner about to be executed that the executioner's knife would be quick and the pain wouldn't last long.

"That's good, that's good. Lord Richard is indeed as legendary as he is said to be, a man who likes to plan carefully before acting, leaving no room for his opponents to resist," Marcel remarked.

I wonder who Richard's opponent is this time. He's really had a run of bad luck. Anyway, it has nothing to do with him.

"The same as in the legends? What is he like in the legends?" Clarinde was curious, wondering what Richard was like in the eyes of these merchants.

“That’s certainly extremely impressive. You should know that before he came to the city hall, the city hall was practically a defunct department. It was nothing like the powerful city hall it is now,” Marcel praised sincerely.

To some extent, Marcellus truly regarded Richard as a great threat. When the leader of the treasure-hunting gang was exposed to Richard, drawing his attention to 'Less', he immediately cut off all the channels selling 'Less' on the market and went into hiding.

He only dared to show his face after the incident at the Fontaine Academy of Sciences, when all of Fontaine's attention was diverted there.

Now that she has actually met Richard and started talking to him, Marcellus has also realized how difficult the other man is. For example, in the conversation just now, she was led by the other man the whole time and had no room to talk back.

This is enough to show his strength; otherwise, he could have become the Water God's chief secretary, while I, without that accident, would probably still be just an ordinary adventurer.

Of course, if he had a choice, he would rather be an ordinary adventurer, living a simple life with Vinier, than end up like this.

In fact, Marcell was quite pleased with himself, after all, even the legendary Richard hadn't discovered his true identity, which gave Marcell a strange sense of accomplishment.

This can be considered a defeat, to some extent, of the powerful Secretary-General.

-- He has quite the Ah Q spirit.

Unfortunately, the same methods used against Carres could not be used against this Secretary General. Marcel clearly realized that Richard and Carres were fundamentally different.

Carles has a weakness, while Richard does not, perhaps because he knows too little about him. However, the difference in their status means that Marcel cannot deal with Richard the same way he dealt with Carles.

If Richard hadn't taken the initiative to come to her, Marcel wouldn't even have had the right to speak with him.

If we can't even exchange a word, how can we deal with him?

Moreover, it is said that Richard is not from Fontainebleau, which means that the primordial seawater in his possession is ineffective against him. In other words, Richard is an invincible opponent for Marcel at present.

Upon hearing Marcellus's vague description, Clarinde immediately lost interest.

She knows how capable Richard is, does she need you to tell her? You've already arranged everything perfectly for her.

"Get some rest, Mr. Marcellus. If you're bored, there's a concert at the opera house today."

"No, no, I'm getting old, and my energy can't compare to when I was younger. I'll just stay in my room and wait to attend the trial tomorrow."

"Miss Clorind, is there anything else?"

"Gone."

"Then please get some rest as well."

With that, Marcel hunched over, turned around, and went back into his room, where he took out a Steambird newspaper to pass the time.

Seeing this, Clarind didn't say anything more. After helping him close the door, she prepared to go and meet up with Richard and the others.

While passing by the Opikley Opera House, Claude unexpectedly ran into an old colleague from back then, the one who had told her that "being patted on the shoulder by your boss is actually a form of affirmation and reward."

However, when that colleague saw Clorinde, his expression was somewhat unnatural, and after exchanging a few words, he hurriedly made an excuse and left the scene.

Clarinde found it a little strange, but she didn't care. They were just ordinary colleagues, and it was said that this colleague had been promoted shortly after she became Funina's secretary, and was now reportedly no longer working on the front lines, but instead working as an office clerk.

It's said that the position is quite high, at least a minor leadership role.

As Clarin was thinking this, she saw that her colleague hadn't gone far when a middle-aged woman in a dress took his arm.

And that middle-aged woman... was her colleague's direct supervisor.

Clarinde paused, unconsciously touching her shoulder, then shook her head, trying to banish those unrealistic thoughts from her mind.

Impossible, it's impossible no matter how you look at it, right?

"Is that your former colleague?" Lynette asked, appearing beside Cloninde at some point.

Lynette's sudden voice startled Cloninder, but she quickly recovered and replied, "Yes."

"I heard that a high-ranking official in Mo Mang Palace recently remarried, supposedly in an office romance. Oh, so it was with your former colleague."

"What's wrong with this...?"

“Hehe, no problem. Men want a better life, women want a partner they like, each gets what they need, no problem at all.” Lynette was used to this situation. As far as she was concerned, as long as Richard didn’t do that, she didn’t care what others did.

"!!!" Clorind was startled; just as she had thought.

Did Richard patting her on the shoulder mean...?

Seeing the conflicted look on Klorinde's usually cool face, Lynette asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing, I was just wondering why he would do that?"

Claude was referring to Richard, but Lynette mistook the "he" in Claude's words for her former gigolo colleague.

“It’s common, you see it all the time, it’s really nothing special,” Lynette replied.

"What do you mean? Have you encountered this before?" Clarinde assumed that Richard had also patted Lynette on the shoulder.

Thinking about it carefully, it's not surprising. After all, Lynette is indeed very beautiful, not to mention she has cat ears and a cat tail...

Lynette thought of how her adoptive father had sold her to a nobleman, and wondered if that counted too.

So she nodded and said, "I have."

"You agree?" Clarind asked again.

"I didn't have a choice at the time."

In that situation, Lynette really had no choice. After all, she wasn't the person she is now. She was just an ordinary little girl living with her brother under the roof of others. She had no power to resist her adoptive father and the nobles.