"Well, look at that—murdering a witness in broad daylight to silence him!"
"Lord Marcel, is it? Good, very good indeed!"
As the group reeled from the sudden turn of events, Lofan seized the perfect moment to make his dramatic entrance.
"Caught red-handed! The evidence is irrefutable!"
"Confess your crimes, Lord Marcel!"
"I didn't do it! I swear I'm innocent!"
After all, Marcel was the only one left by Dean's side.
Could he have committed suicide?!
Marcel gritted his teeth, frantically backing away as he shouted, "All of you, attack! Kill them all!"
The clockwork mekas whirred to life.
But with less than half their original numbers remaining, they stood no chance against the elite forces of the Spina di Rosula—or rather, the Fleuve Cendre. The battle was a complete mismatch.
"Hand him over to me!"
A voice, strained with suppressed emotion, rang out. Everyone turned to see Navia, claymore in hand, striding toward Marcel with an aura of unstoppable destruction.
As if by unspoken agreement, the crowd parted, clearing a path for her.
"Be careful! He's definitely carrying something that can dissolve you into water," Lofan warned.
Navia didn't turn around, simply humming softly in acknowledgment, her attention fixed on her target.
Marcel felt Navia's terrifying aura wash over him, his body instantly drenched in cold sweat. He had never imagined this young girl could inspire such dread.
Marcel panicked and immediately ordered the Clockwork Mekas to intercept Navia.
Faced with a swarm of Gardemeks charging toward her and a barrage of cannon shells streaking through the sky, Navia simply raised her claymore high. Geo energy surged through the blade, extending it to its maximum length.
When the blade reached its limit, Navia swung it with all her might, as if unleashing all the pent-up resentment and frustration in her heart.
With a single swing, she cleared the battlefield before her, leaving Marcel utterly dumbfounded by the sheer power of the attack.
This is too strong!
Is someone cheating here? Can't anyone stop this?!
Terrified, Marcel finally managed to free himself from his bonds with the help of the Clockwork Mekas. Without hesitation, he ordered them to carry him away at full speed.
"Marcel!"
Navia's furious roar echoed behind him. Marcel didn't dare look back, ordering the Clockwork Mekas to flee at maximum power.
"Do you really think I'd let you escape now?!"
"We're settling the score today—for the lives of all those innocent young girls, for Monsieur Jacques, and for my father!"
Navia's claymore swung faster and faster, a flood of memories surging through her mind until they coalesced into the conversation she'd had with Melus just before today's operation.
"Miss Navia," Melus had said, "Monsieur Callas bore the burden of infamy and ultimately died to protect you."
"You were targeted by the perpetrator of the Serial Disappearance Case."
Seeing the shock and wavering resolve on Navia's face, Melus sighed softly.
"Monsieur Callas instructed me to reveal this at the right moment. I believe that moment has arrived..."
Snapping back to reality, Navia gripped the hilt of her claymore tightly. The fury she'd suppressed for so long finally erupted, pouring forth without restraint.
"Marcel!"
"You won't escape me!"
Under the astonished gazes of those around her, Navia was enveloped in a raging inferno. Unbeknownst to her, the once-dim Vision at her waist reignited, radiating the brilliant glow of Pyro energy!
Navia froze momentarily, then stared at the flames engulfing her hands.
Though she could feel their intense heat, they caused her no harm.
Navia laughed, her smile breathtaking.
"Teacher, is that you?"
The bitter hatred that had consumed her heart was now replaced by a warm current. Navia felt even the flames around her grow warmer.
"So you've been watching over me all along, Teacher Grett."
"Let's fight side-by-side again."
In the moment Navia was distracted, several Clockwork Mekas seized the opportunity to surge within meters of her. The chilling glint of their metallic blades pierced the air, aimed straight at her pale neck.
But in the next instant, Navia's body erupted with Pyro energy. Scorching flames instantly engulfed the Clockwork Mekas.
The machines' energy barriers flickered frantically before collapsing completely. Their metal bodies melted into molten slag.
Marcel, who couldn't resist glancing back at the battle, nearly fell from his Clockwork Meka in terror. Overwhelming fear seized his heart.
Even the members of the Spina di Rosula—Vinani, and even Lofan—were utterly stunned.
Wasn't Navia supposed to be a Geo user...?
"Damn it, could the last incident have traumatized her this badly?"
Lofan scratched his head, completely baffled. "She's unlocked a whole new attribute? How intense was that shock?"
"Miss Navia should be alright, right?" Vinani asked, a hint of worry in her eyes as she watched Navia. "I've never heard of anyone wielding two elements simultaneously."
"Relax, she should be fine," Lofan reassured her.
Just then, Lofan saw Navia charging into the Clockwork Meka, igniting sun after sun. His eye twitched, and his tone softened considerably. "Uh... probably?"
"Protect Miss Navia!"
The Spina di Rosula members snapped out of their stupor and immediately rejoined the battle, hastening the already one-sided fight to its inevitable conclusion.
Finally, Navia bisected the Clockwork Meka carrying Marcel as he fled, then pointed her claymore at the fallen man, his face contorted in pain.
"It's over, Marcel," she said calmly.
Hearing Navia's calm tone, an inexplicable rage surged within Marcel. He roared at her, "You're the one who's finished, Navia!"
Marcel pulled a bottle of vibrant azure liquid from his coat and hurled it at Navia.
Navia stood motionless, her expression unchanged. As the liquid approached, a scorching flame erupted once more, instantly vaporizing it.
"Aaaaaah—!"
The intense heat ignited Marcel's hair and clothes. He let out a piercing scream of agony and frantically rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames.
"Is this your final struggle, Marcel?" Navia remarked coldly. "How pathetic."
When Marcel finally extinguished the flames, his hair had been completely burned off, leaving a strong stench of charred flesh. Severe burns covered his body, so gruesome that it was almost unbearable to look at him.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you," Navia assured him. "A vile scoundrel like you deserves to be humiliated before a crowd, drowned in the spittle of countless onlookers!"
"Heh, heh heh... whimper..."
Marcel's mocking laughter dissolved into whimpering. He couldn't accept it. How could he, who had held all the advantages, suffer such a crushing defeat?
Where had he gone wrong? What had he overlooked?
For some reason, Marcel suddenly thought of Dean, his loyal butler of many years.
Dean's death had absolutely nothing to do with him. While he had indeed planned to secretly scatter the Primordial Sea Water he carried when everyone's guard was down, he would never have acted at that moment!
But why was Dean still dead?
If suicide was ruled out, that left only one possibility...
Marcel's eyes narrowed slightly. A terrifying thought struck him: could everything Navia had shown him be a facade?
Not only was this possible, but highly likely, given the unimaginable power she had displayed today.
Marcel let out a cold laugh directed at Navia.
"How are you any better than me? Didn't you kill Dean...?"
Hearing Marcel's words, Navia frowned.
"Marcel, what nonsense are you spouting? Didn't you kill Dean yourself?"
Marcel merely smirked derisively.
"Whoever did it knows the truth in their heart."
"You never intended to let Dean, your accomplice, off the hook. That's why you killed him when you did and framed me for it."
"What a cunning scheme, Miss Navia! I truly underestimated you."
Having finally pieced together the key elements, Marcel felt his defeat was justified.
No wonder his earlier attempts at poisoning and ambushes had failed, and no wonder she had caught up so quickly. He had been caught in her trap from the start.
Seeing Marcel's hysterical state, Navia frowned even more deeply.
Now that Marcel was in such dire straits, it seemed unlikely he would lie about something so inconsequential. Which meant Dean's death might genuinely have nothing to do with him.
But then, who had killed Dean?
Suddenly, Navia sensed that this incident was far from over.
"Miss Navia!"
At that moment, a familiar voice calling from behind snapped Navia out of her thoughts.
Seeing Marcel's wretched state filled everyone with a surge of vengeful satisfaction.
We helped him countless times, they thought. Monsieur Callas, whom we all respected so much, was murdered by this scoundrel!
But since Marcel was already in such a pitiful state, they feared that another kick might finish him off. Reluctantly abandoning their impulse, they gathered around Navia instead.
"Miss Navia, the Clockwork Mekas have been cleared. Only two clumsy fools sustained minor injuries."
The two injured men who were singled out immediately flushed crimson and protested loudly.
"But I took down so many Clockwork Mekas!"
"It's just a scratch! Does that even count?!"
Their complaints dissolved into a burst of hearty laughter, the first genuine cheer they'd shared in ages.
Things seemed to be gradually improving, but some people would never return.
"Miss Navia, what just happened?"
"We weren't mistaken, were we? Miss Navia, you're carrying a Geo Vision, aren't you?"
The group voiced the question burning in their minds. Even Lofan turned his attention to Navia, utterly bewildered.
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Navia replied, shaking her head. In a fit of extreme anger, she seemed to have somehow gained the ability to manipulate Pyro.
Yet, as she wielded the Pyro Element, a surprising sense of calm had washed over her.
"Alright, we should head back now," Lofan suddenly interjected. "Don't forget we still have some loose ends to tie up."
Only then did the others remember the remaining tasks they needed to complete.
"Right, let's go back," Navia agreed.
She kept her confusion and speculations to herself, planning to discuss it privately with Lofan later. With his keen mind, she believed he might offer some insight.
Afterward, Navia swiftly organized everyone into teams. Some remained to clear the battlefield, others collected the incriminating evidence Marcel had been carrying, and a third team transported the barely conscious Marcel back.
Dean's body was also recovered. Since even the water had seeped into the earth, they erected a simple stone marker in his place.
Although Dean had been complicit in Marcel's crimes, they acknowledged that capturing Marcel would have been far more difficult without his last-minute cooperation.
Later, the imprisoned individuals were "rescued" by members of the Spina di Rosula.
The group felt strangely awkward as the formerly aloof nobles showered them with gratitude. Some had personally apprehended these men, and now, facing their thanks, they were deeply conflicted.
Then, citing safety concerns, the Spina di Rosula cordially invited everyone to stay at their territory as guests.
When the visitors arrived, many faces registered surprise.
Didn't they say they weren't coming? Why are they all here now?!
Some astute individuals had already sensed something was amiss. Their suspicions deepened when they saw members of the Spina di Rosula transporting numerous vials of deep blue liquid and various clockwork meka back to their headquarters. As more people noticed these oddities, a growing unease settled over the crowd.
Reflecting on the gathering, they realized that Melus and Silver had done little more than regale them with tall tales, neglecting any substantive discussion. Furthermore, Navia, the President of the Spina di Rosula, had been conspicuously absent.
Despite these glaring inconsistencies, a tacit understanding prevailed, and no one voiced their concerns.
After lingering for a while longer, the meeting was abruptly adjourned, leaving everyone utterly perplexed.
What exactly had we accomplished here?
Many returned home deep in thought. The next day, news spread like wildfire throughout Poisson: the perpetrator of the serial disappearance case had been apprehended, and the prosecutor was none other than Navia, President of the Spina di Rosula.
The revelation left the town stunned.
When the culprit's identity was revealed—President Marcel of the Confrerie of Cabriere—disbelief and horror washed over the residents.
Could it be that the bandits who attacked us last night were... him?