King didn't look at Old Cromwell anymore.
There seemed to be some movement in his arms; he looked down at Furina.
Those heterochromatic eyes had opened at some point.
Furina didn't continue faking unconsciousness but lay listlessly in King's arms, his expression gloomy like a blue sky covered by dark clouds.
The good mood from being held by King was completely gone now.
So Fontaine had this kind of scum too.
He thought they only existed in Inazuma.
Or rather, he thought that in Fontaine, under Neuvillette's governance, even if such things existed, they wouldn't be so excessive.
But reality was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head.
Being sold to laboratories, starving to death after disaster relief funds were embezzled... these innocent people were all his subjects.
And for five hundred years, he had achieved nothing, only playing the fool, unable to do anything.
Furina lowered his eyes, tears shimmering, his lips pursed into a thin line.
King felt the stiffness in the person in his arms and gently tightened his grip, holding him a bit closer... the crowd had already been dispersed by the Equitable Judgment.
Neuvillette commanded the soldiers to "send" Old Cromwell's wicked soul to Celestia.
Meanwhile, he sent people to the Cromwell Manor to "invite" the female relatives and young children to be "guests" at Meropide Hold.
That young Guard's weapon was confiscated, and he was pinned ruthlessly to the ground.
His face was pale, and he was still muttering, "Why did it turn out like this? I didn't know. Am I not a hero?"
He would spend the rest of his life in the dark prison of Meropide Hold, regretting this day.
No one would pay attention to his wailing.
Raiden Ei stood not far away, her purple eyes watching this scene without blinking.
She tilted her head slightly as if pondering some profound question.
King's way of handling things just now... not looking at whether they committed a crime, but only at whether they enjoyed the benefits brought by the crime?
In those noble households in Inazuma, those women and children who never participated in the business also lived in mansions, wore fine silks, and ate delicacies.
Every bite of food they enjoyed was exchanged for the blood and sweat of the exploited commoners.
Raiden Ei's eyes suddenly lit up.
So that's how it is!
No wonder King wanted to uproot those families in Inazuma, leaving none behind.
Enjoying the blessings brought by a crime makes one an accomplice!
Many noblewomen in Inazuma didn't participate in their family's criminal activities at all; they only knew how to spend money.
In King's logic, the relatives of criminals are also guilty.
But why is that?
Raiden Ei felt her brain itching, as if something was growing.
She began to think, her brow furrowed, thinking with utmost seriousness.
Then, a flash of realization appeared in her purple eyes.
So that's it!
Because the money they spend is dirty!
Sigh, King is still too kind.
If you ask me, they should be killed before they even commit a crime!
This is called preventive crime!
Mm-hmm.
As expected of me, thinking so far ahead!
Raiden Ei nodded inwardly, her self-admiration rising another level.
Beside her, Venti, who was slacking off, silently took a sip of wine.
Catching a glimpse of Raiden Ei's "arrogant" expression, his lips twitched, and he couldn't help but recall his peerless colleague.
Baal... your sister is not like you.
There's something seriously wrong with her head!
—
Ganyu squatted in a corner.
At some point, he had pulled out a small notebook and a quill and was recording rapidly.
"The Chronicles of Learning from Lord Su Ze: Fontaine Chapter"
"Mr. King's principle for dealing with criminals—those who enjoy the dividends of crime are regarded as accomplices."
"Sentencing standards: determined based on the degree of knowledge and the duration of benefit."
"Execution method: all detained, reviewed in batches."
He wrote quickly, the tip of the pen making a rustling sound on the paper.
In his pale purple eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible blood-red light flickered.
Those family members of the unscrupulous merchants who survived in Liyue.
Are you celebrating right now?
Do you think you've escaped?
Ganyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sweet and gentle smile.
Then he closed the small notebook and let out a soft breath.
"I've learned so much..."
He murmured softly.
When I return to Liyue, I'll slowly teach those family members of criminals how to "be human" again... King felt a faint sense of unease in his heart.
All the criminals had been arrested; the matter seemed to have ended.
Soldiers of the Equitable Judgment escorted Old Cromwell's body onto the prison carriage.
Bursts of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Venti laughed loudly, pulled an Apple from his cloak, and crunched on it.
Raiden Ei was still immersed in her own world, nodding proudly.
Ganyu had already put away the small notebook and leaned over to Lumine to whisper something.
Everything was normal.
But King's brow furrowed slightly.
Something's not right.
His gaze swept across the surroundings; everyone was doing what they should be doing, with no abnormalities.
But that sense of dissonance was like a fine thorn, stuck in his senses and refusing to leave, no matter how he tried to pull it out.
King closed his eyes and released his extraordinary perception.
Countless pieces of information rushed in like a tide—
The panting of dockworkers carrying cargo.
The shouts of street vendors selling Fonta.
The sound of distant seabirds flapping their wings... there seemed to be no problem.
But the unease in King's heart, instead of dissipating, grew stronger.
It was as if something important was quietly slipping away in a corner he couldn't see.
King opened his eyes and suddenly spoke.
"I'm going for a walk."
King
Everyone looked up at him.
"Where is Mr. King going?" Ganyu asked instinctively. "Can Ganyu accompany you to learn?"
He spoke with such eagerness that Lynette went into stress mode again, a dark aura faintly emanating from her eyes.
"No need," King waved his hand. "All of you go back to the Opera Epiclese to rest. I'll be back soon."
Without further explanation, he gently set down Furina in his arms.
Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction of the Opera Epiclese.
Furina opened his mouth slightly, wanting to ask him to stay, but he felt the seriousness in King, so he said nothing.
Lumine opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Paimon beat him to it: "Is King going to buy something delicious? Remember to bring one for Paimon!"
Without looking back, King waved his hand nonchalantly... King walked through the bustling streets of Fontaine, past the harbor that was gradually returning to calm, his pace getting faster and faster.
That unease was like an invisible thread, leading him.
It was like a call... no, not a call, but a warning!
King's sixth sense was desperately signaling him, like an alarm going off in his body, making his temples throb.
King couldn't say where he was going; he just followed his instincts.
The surrounding buildings became more and more familiar.
White domes, exquisite reliefs, towering pillars—
Opera Epiclese.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"