Under the water, Navia also fell into confusion. What exactly had she come here to do?
But Navia was quickly persuaded by Melus's words.
Just then, Giverny and Bernette came over to greet Navia.
[Navia: Giverny and Bernette... weren't they on the casualty list?]
[Ningguang: My memory is strong. I never forget a thing. Their names indeed appeared on the casualty list.]
[Keqing: People who were on the casualty list have reappeared. Is this a dream? (thinking)]
[Neuvillette: A familiar sensation. This place is likely not a dream.]
[Lyney: Perhaps it's connected to the Primordial Sea. There may be secrets of the Primordial Sea here.]
In the footage, after learning their names, Navia sensed something was off, but she didn't dwell on it.
Led by the four, Navia arrived at the Opera House.
The audience seats of the Opera House were filled with quite a number of people.
Essonnes: "Look, Navia is here."
Jolienne: "Navia's two attendants have come along as well."
A look of confusion appeared on Navia's face. There were truly so many people here to observe the trial, and their faces all bore a strange fervor... Many were people she recognized. So many had come to watch, yet why did she have no recollection of this so-called case?
Navia looked toward the judge's seat. The judge's seat was empty.
[Neuvillette: The progression of this story is not right. I am the Iudex of Fontaine. Whenever a trial takes place, I attend without exception.]
[Ningguang: No exceptions?]
[Neuvillette: No exceptions.]
[Sigewinne: Ah! Could it be that by that time, Monsieur Neuvillette had already... (crying...)]
[Wriothesley: Monsieur Neuvillette is far too powerful. How could anything happen to him? Perhaps there are hidden circumstances.]
[The Knave glanced at Neuvillette: "Is the key to resolving the prophecy within you? Is your death the key to undoing it?"]
[Furina: Hahaha, Neuvillette's authority surpasses your imagination. There's no need to worry about him. Let us continue to enjoy the trial below.]
[The Knave sank into thought: Could it be that Neuvillette is the true Hydro Archon?]
In the footage, Navia and her two attendants ascended the defendant's stand together.
Reyervan: "Dear Lady Navia, you have still not realized your crime. Allow me to elucidate on your behalf."
"As everyone is aware, Lady Navia is the successor of Master Callas, the head of the Spina di Rosula, the foremost figure of our Poisson."
"Ever since you took over the Spina di Rosula, you have helped those in need, just as Master Callas did in the past. You and your Spina di Rosula have always striven for the happiness of Poisson."
Navia spread her hands: "In that case, am I not a thoroughly good person?"
Reyervan nodded: "Precisely. And it is precisely for that reason that we accuse you. You have helped us. You and we are one, inseparable."
"The whole of Poisson is one great family. We are all family, and you are so very important. We absolutely cannot lose you."
"Therefore, you are guilty. Your sentence is to remain here, to be with us forever."
Navia, bewildered: "What are you talking about?"
"I have indeed done many things for Poisson, and I am very willing to be with everyone. But does this need to be discussed in court?"
This was all a matter of course.
[Navia: The video's development has left me utterly confused.]
[Ningguang: I am also unable to understand. Everyone is behaving strangely. To analyze this, we need more information.]
[Klee: Staying behind... that must be something really scary.]
[Keqing: This video is making me feel rather oppressed.]
Upon learning that Navia was willing to stay with everyone, the people in the courtroom all laughed.
The smiles looked somewhat sinister and terrifying.
Silver's pupils quivered: "I remember now. I understand. This trial is..."
Melus also shook his head repeatedly: "No, wait. It shouldn't be like this..."
Navia wore a look of confusion.
Reyervan: "Mr. Melus, what are you saying? Our opinion is perfectly clear and unified. Court! Pass judgment! Please declare her guilty!"
Desyree: "Navia, stay. You are one of us."
Silver hastily intervened: "My lady, don't admit guilt! This is a trial meant to make you stay here forever!"
Melus stepped forward, positioning himself before Navia: "I wish to exercise the right to defend. Mr. Reyervan, Navia possesses a kind nature, but she also possesses a fully independent mind."
[Neuvillette: Incredible. Melus and Silver have broken free from the collective consciousness! I now understand what is happening.]
[Furina: What is it? Tell us, tell us! (eyes wide open)]
[The Knave, sneering: "What's the matter? Can our Hydro Archon not see it?"]
[Furina: Of course I know! I am the God who presides over the Hydro element. Nothing can be hidden from me. I merely wished to see if Neuvillette had arrived at the same conclusion as I had.]
[Xiao: What an ostentatious god.]
[Neuvillette: The answer is quite simple. The Fontainians dissolved by the Primordial Seawater became Oceanids. The consciousnesses of those Oceanids merged into a single collective consciousness. Keeping Navia here was their shared wish. At the very beginning, Melus and Silver were also among those who brought Navia to the courtroom.]
[Neuvillette: But now, the two of them have broken free from the collective consciousness.]
[Arataki Itto: To break free from a collective consciousness to save their lady! Those two are superhuman! That's so cool!]
[Klee: So moving.]
In the video, Melus and Silver began to mount a defense for Navia.
Silver: "The young lady was born free and independent. She has never been bound by anything. Even Master Callas's death could not trip her advancing steps."
Melus: "The things she has done do not prove that she considers herself a part of any group. She has merely extended a gentle helping hand and offered aid to others as an individual. Please understand the difference."
Reyervan: "Is that so? As an individual? But do not forget, we are all Fontainians. This is the Nation of Justice, the Nation of Water."
"Even if Lady Navia helped us as an individual, that does not change the fact that this soul shall merge into the whole. Water welcomes all. Water merges all."
"In the Nation of Water, all things shall be measured, and in the end, everyone shall become one. When the collective's opinion emerges, that opinion is justice!"
"Now, I speak on behalf of everyone. Our opinion is entirely unanimous. Navia shall stay. Navia shall become one with us."
[Klee: These people are so mean.]
[Ningguang: The collective's opinion is justice. I cannot agree with that view. I believe individual happiness is equally important.]
[Jean: Heavens... the collective's opinion is justice? Then what freedom does the individual have? I dare not imagine.]
[Venti: Each and every individual should, like a bird, be free to choose the direction of their flight.]
[Zhongli: A contract must not be forced. Only a covenant entered into by free will shall be binding.]