Palais Mermonia, Office of the Supreme Judge.
Neuvillette sat at his desk, focused on processing official business, his brow furrowed from time to time.
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open. He looked up and was surprised to see Furina. She rarely came to his office on her own initiative.
Furina looked a little unnatural. Maintaining her usual elegance, she walked to Neuvillette's desk.
She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, and then said solemnly, "Neuvillette, I have an important order to issue."
Neuvillette was even more astonished, because although Furina was the Hydro Archon, she had rarely directly interfered in Fontaine's affairs.
He looked at Furina with a solemn expression, waiting for her to continue.
Furina continued, "I plan to establish an organization called the 'West Factory'. This organization will be specifically responsible for supervising the work of the Fontaine government and handling those complex and intricate cases."
"I object!" Neuvillette expressed his opposition without hesitation.
His firm attitude startled Furina a little. "Why not?"
Neuvillette gazed deeply into her eyes and replied, word by word, "Lady Furina, you should understand that establishing an institution that overrides Fontaine's laws and regulations is undoubtedly a challenge to fairness and justice. This is unacceptable to me."
Hearing this, Furina felt a slight urge to back down.
However, the threat from Lin Yide resurfaced in her mind – if she couldn't even accomplish this, he would reveal her greatest secret.
This was a price she absolutely could not bear!
Thinking of this, Furina's expression instantly turned cold, and her aura underwent a dramatic change.
She was like an inviolable deity, her tone filled with unquestionable authority: "Judge, please remember, I am the Hydro Archon of Fontaine.
What I just said is not a discussion with you, but a communication of my order!"
This assertive stance startled Neuvillette, and he realized that before him was the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, whose will should be above all else.
Nevertheless, Neuvillette still stood his ground. "Lady Furina, I agree to your order.
But as the Supreme Judge you personally invited, I have the right to know why you are doing this."
Furina was relieved to hear Neuvillette agree to her order.
But hearing the latter part, she panicked a little. She couldn't possibly reveal the real reason.
At that moment, she suddenly had an idea. "Judge Neuvillette, if I remember correctly, the number of unsolved cases in Fontaine has been increasing in recent years, hasn't it? For example, the Anna sisters' death case that shocked Fontaine three years ago has not yet been solved.
This shows that there is a big problem with the government. The purpose of my establishment of the West Factory is to better uphold justice."
Neuvillette pondered for a moment and said, "Lady Furina, your vision is certainly beautiful, but how can you ensure that the newly established West Factory can truly change the status quo and solve these problems?"
Furina was momentarily speechless, and her momentum weakened a lot.
She didn't know how to answer for a moment.
So, she hardened her heart and resolutely said, "Let's take the Anna sisters' death case as an example. The West Factory I established will do its best to solve this case.
If the West Factory can successfully solve this case, then I believe its ability and value will be fully proven.
At that time, I hope that you, as the Supreme Judge, can acknowledge the existence of the West Factory and give it your support."
Neuvillette nodded. "In that case, let's use the Anna sisters' death case as a test for the West Factory. If the West Factory can solve this case, then I will acknowledge its existence in the name of the Supreme Judge."
…
In the stillness of the night, Lin Yide sat alone at his desk, flipping through a thick book on Fontaine's history.
The author of this book was clearly a fanatical worshiper of the nobility. He spared no effort in praising the nobility's noble bloodline and glory in the book, portraying the nobility as the epitome of all good qualities.
At the same time, he also sharply criticized and belittled Supreme Judge Neuvillette and the Melusines, and even incited the nobles at the end of the book to unite and launch an uprising to overthrow Neuvillette's rule.
Lin Yide looked at these words, and a sneer couldn't help but appear on the corner of his mouth.
This book showed him the stupidity and blindness of the nobility, and also revealed Neuvillette's pedantry and incompetence.
In his opinion, if this were in his previous life, anyone who dared to write such a book would be brutally suppressed and punished by the ruler, and even their family would hardly be spared.
However, to his surprise, Neuvillette had taken a laissez-faire attitude towards the dissemination of this book.
As a judge, Neuvillette was undoubtedly fair and just; but as a ruler, his pedantry and adherence to convention were disappointing.
At this moment, a gentle knock on the door broke the silence of the night.
He quickly sorted out his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Come in."
The door slowly opened, and Lyney's figure appeared at the door. He held a cup of steaming coffee in his hand, with a respectful expression on his face, and said softly, "Master Yide, I've brought you a cup of coffee."
Lin Yide frowned slightly, looking at the boy in front of him. "Lyney, in this family, you and Lynette are not my servants, so don't call me Master Yide. You can choose to call me brother, or call me father."
Although his tone was a little stern, Lyney could feel the sincerity and respect in it.
A warm current surged in his heart, understanding that Lin Yide truly regarded them as family.
Lyney's voice trembled a little. "Okay, I understand, Father."
Hearing this title, a faint smile appeared on the corner of Lin Yide's lips.
He took the coffee, took a sip, and felt the warmth from this late-night offering.