The officer quickly summarized the case, then began presenting the evidence discovered by the Maison Gardiennage.
"The only person who could have been in contact with the deceased at the time of the crime is Mr. Lyney. We found no trace of any other individuals in the underground tunnel, nor any place where a third person could have hidden."
"Furthermore, the bloodstains in the tunnel bear signs of having been stepped on, likely by the murderer as they frantically fled the scene."
"Mr. Lyney, would you please show us the soles of your shoes?"
Lyney didn't answer or try to conceal anything. He simply displayed the soles of his shoes, revealing bloodstains to the crowd.
"These bloodstains are sufficient proof that Mr. Lyney left his magic box during the performance to commit the crime against the victim."
"Mr. Lyney, the evidence is conclusive. Please confess!"
Hearing the Maison Gardiennage's statement, Neuvillette turned to Lyney and calmly asked, "Mr. Lyney, do you have any rebuttal to offer?"
The audience erupted into chatter.
"Is this case really over already?"
"Where's the twist? I want to see a twist!"
"Boring! How could a case be this boring? What a letdown."
"The final verdict hasn't been announced yet. What's the rush?"
-
Sensing the commotion around him, Lyney knew that if he didn't reveal the truth immediately, he risked being convicted and imprisoned.
Left with no other choice, Lyney raised his voice to address the crowd.
"It wasn't me."
"From the moment I entered the box until the very end, I never saw the deceased again."
"During that time, I used the underground ventilation ducts to approach the core area of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
"Although I've erased all traces of my passage, I can recount everything I witnessed as conclusive proof that I was there."
"This also proves I had no time to commit the crime, as the bloodstains first appeared in an area closer to the victim's initial position."
"I only returned to the passage during the final ten-second countdown, and that's when I accidentally stepped in the blood."
Lyney paused, then continued.
"As for how to prove this, I heard the audience's countdown nearing its end, so I traversed the underground tunnels at nearly my maximum speed."
"A simple examination will reveal that only one of my feet was stained with blood, and that the bloody footprints on the ground were spaced widely apart."
Lyney was willing to reveal his true purpose to clear himself of suspicion because Arlecchino had promised to handle the aftermath if he only investigated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale without committing any dangerous acts. Snezhnaya would then negotiate with Fontaine through diplomatic channels.
However, if he were imprisoned for murder, even Snezhnaya's diplomatic influence couldn't secure his release.
He might still face other charges from Fontaine later, but for now, the suspicion of murder against him had been largely cleared.
Hearing Lyney's words, the crowd's eyes lit up. This is exactly the kind of twist that makes a case interesting!
Of course, some patriotic Fontainians voiced their outrage.
"Mr. Lyney, I thought you were different from the other Fatui. Were you just hiding your true nature too well?"
"Everything you've done was to spy on Fontaine's intelligence and benefit Snezhnaya! You've deceived us all!"
"Exactly! Such actions are unforgivable!"
-
"That's not how it is! Please, everyone, listen to me!"
Lyney pressed his hand to his chest, his voice urgent as he began to explain.
"Everything I've done until now has been genuine. I'm a Fontainian too, and I love Fontaine just as much as all of you!"
Lynette stepped forward and took Lyney's hand, offering him a touch of comfort.
Lyney glanced back at Lynette, who nodded in reassurance.
His composure finally returning, Lyney continued to address the crowd.
"The reason I did all this was to prepare for the Prophecy that will soon come to pass!"
"The prophecy?"
The audience erupted into murmurs at Lyney's words.
"He's talking about the prophecy... could it actually be true?"
"If even Primordial Sea Water exists, then it's possible, right?"
"Damn, that's terrifying! Fuck it, I'm quitting my job the moment I get back and blowing all my savings! No more saving for a house—I'm spending every last cent!"
-
"Mr. Lyney's claims regarding the prophecy still require further investigation. Please refrain from discussing matters unrelated to the case during this Judgment."
Although Neuvillette was nearly certain the prophecy was likely true, prematurely revealing it would incite widespread panic and severely disrupt the existing social order. Thus, he intervened to halt the discussion.
Neuvillette turned his gaze to Lyney. While he was curious about the situation in the core storage chamber of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, now was not the opportune moment to inquire.
"I will now dispatch officers to verify Mr. Lyney's testimony."
Upon receiving Neuvillette's order, Maison Gardiennage officers swiftly conducted a thorough inspection of the ventilation shaft area. Shortly after, they reported their findings to Neuvillette.
After hearing the officers' investigation report, Neuvillette nodded, then addressed the audience below in a clear, resonant voice:
"The Maison Gardiennage's investigation confirms that the area matches Mr. Lyney's description precisely."
"In other words, at the time of the crime, Mr. Lyney was not in the underground passage. Instead, he was in the core room housing the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
"This alibi eliminates Mr. Lyney's opportunity to commit the crime, thus exonerating him as the murderer in this case."
"If the Maison Gardiennage cannot provide any further new evidence, I will proceed with the final judgment."
Upon hearing Neuvillette's inquiry, the Maison Gardiennage officers began exchanging notes on their findings, discussing whether they had any evidence that could refute Lyney's account.
However, even after exhausting all their resources, the Maison Gardiennage failed to produce any new compelling evidence.
Neuvillette then activated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale to deliver the final verdict.
Lyney and Lynette watched the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale operate with a hint of nervousness. Although their suspicion had been cleared, what if something went wrong?
Just look at Tartaglia. Despite it being confirmed that he was not in Fontaine at the time of the crime, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale still convicted him, and he was now hammering away at parts in the Fortress of Meropide.
Fortunately, now that Tartaglia, a Harbinger, had been imprisoned, even if they were incarcerated as well, it wouldn't be quite so humiliating.
In the end, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale delivered a verdict of innocence. After Neuvillette announced the result, Lyney and Lynette were acquitted and released.
"Brother, it's all over now," Lynette said softly.
"No, Lynette, it's not over yet," Lyney replied, glancing at the spot where the "lucky audience member"—one of his magic assistants—had died. He murmured, "Let's find the real culprit, Lynette."
Lynette nodded in agreement.
"Mm, I'll help you with whatever you want, Brother."
Lyney gave her an indulgent smile and reached out to pat her head, but she swatted his hand away and glared at him.
"Ha ha ha..."
After this brief interlude, Lyney and Lynette conducted a meticulous investigation of the crime scene.
As prime suspects, they had been unable to approach the crime scene.
Eventually, traces of blood were discovered in a hidden compartment within Lyney's magic performance box.
In truth, Lyney's magic box consisted of two layers—an outer shell and an inner chamber—separated by a concealed gap.
During the magic act, the inner chamber would slide along pre-set tracks, while the outer shell remained a hollow facade, designed to deceive the audience.
The Maison Gardiennage's lack of expertise with magic props had led them to overlook this crucial detail.
When Lyney discovered the bloodstains in the box's hidden compartment, a faint smile curled his lips.
"Lynette, I've found the murderer."
"Let's go find Monsieur Neuvillette."
"It's time for the culprit who framed us to experience a taste of the treatment we endured."
-
The second Judgment began swiftly.
This time, Lyney and Lynette stood at the Prosecutor's Stand, while the magic assistant responsible for the stage's box sat at the Defendant's Stand.
The magic assistant was still dazed, staring incredulously at the Lyney and Lynette siblings.
"Mr. Lyney, Miss Lynette... This... this can't be right! I'm not the murderer! There must be some kind of mistake!"
Hearing his trembling voice, the audience members exchanged knowing glances.
It's a done deal! He's definitely the culprit!
"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I believe Monsieur Chief Justice will make his own judgment," Lyney replied with a faint, cold smile.
After all, the man had framed him for murder, forcing him to reveal his secret operation. Lyney naturally wouldn't show him any kindness.
At that moment, Neuvillette declared the Judgment open.
"Mr. Lyney, please present your account of the case."
"Very well, Monsieur Chief Justice."
Lyney removed his top hat, bowed respectfully to Neuvillette, then turned to address the audience.
"Here's what really happened. To fulfill this condition, the culprit had to hide in the box's secret compartment from the beginning, waiting for the victim to arrive."
"In other words, only the Magic Assistant responsible for the box on stage could have done it. You are the real culprit!"
"Finally, you seized the moment when I emerged from the box, drawing everyone's attention, to slip out of the secret compartment and create the illusion that you'd been outside all along."
"Am I right, Assistant?"
Hearing Lyney's accusation, the Magic Assistant leaned weakly against the railing, his legs trembling.
"Brilliant!"
"I never imagined the truth would be like this. This trip was worth it—not only did we witness a spectacular magic performance, but an even more thrilling legal drama!"
"The murderer's methods were practically magic themselves! No wonder he's the Magician's assistant—his criminal techniques are nothing like those of ordinary criminals!"
-
"No, that's wrong! I didn't kill anyone..."
"At this point, denials won't help you."
"If the Magic Assistant cannot prove he wasn't in the box's hidden compartment at the time of the crime, I believe Chief Justice Neuvillette can deliver the final verdict."
"No, it wasn't me! I swear, it wasn't me, Mr. Lyney, Chief Justice Neuvillette, everyone! Please believe me!"
"Do you have any evidence to refute Mr. Lyney's accusations?"
At that moment, Neuvillette spoke, addressing the Magic Assistant.
However, the Magic Assistant continued to insist on his innocence, claiming he didn't kill anyone, but provided no concrete evidence to support his claims.
"It seems I can proceed with the final procedure now."
Neuvillette reactivated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, bringing the Judgment to its final stage.
Everyone present assumed the case was concluded, but then something utterly unexpected occurred.
"...Not guilty."
The audience froze, stunned by Neuvillette's verdict of innocence. The courtroom erupted into chaos, a cacophony of disbelief and confusion.
"Not guilty?! How could he be not guilty?!"
"Could he really be innocent after all?!"
"But there's no one else who could have done it!"
"Could the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale be malfunctioning?"
"Look, even the final verdict for Tartaglia, the Fatui Harbinger, given by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale just a few days ago was utterly bizarre, wasn't it?"
"Well, it's not impossible. Although Lady Furina herself created the Oratrice, a machine is still a machine. It's bound to malfunction eventually. After five centuries, it's no surprise if it starts acting up."
A growing number of people began questioning the Oratrice's fairness and impartiality, though they remained a minority. Most were already cracking open melon seeds, eager to see how the story would unfold.
"Not guilty? What in the world is going on?"
Lyney was equally bewildered. He never imagined the Oratrice would deliver a verdict of "not guilty."
But working backward from this verdict, Lyney noticed some discrepancies.
For instance, the bloodstains in the hidden compartment were surprisingly sparse. And where had the object the assistant used to shield himself from the blood spray vanished to? These small details raised significant questions.
It seemed the assistant's breakdown earlier wasn't due to being exposed as the culprit, but rather because he was concealing some deeper secret.
Suddenly, a possibility struck Lyney. He immediately turned to the Magic Assistant and asked:
"What did you see in the hidden compartment?"
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I saw nothing at all!"
Hearing Lyney's question, the assistant's demeanor instantly became agitated, his face contorting into a mask of terror.