Neuvillette's already heavy eyelids drooped further as he watched the Melusine push in a wobbling cart piled high with documents, almost half his height.
The dark circles under his eyes, comparable to heavy smoky makeup, spoke of the hardships of his continuous overtime for many days.
"Again… crime records of nobles?"
Neuvillette's voice was filled with deep fatigue, even a hint of numbness.
"Yes, Sir Neuvillette."
The Melusine nodded obediently, her tone as calm as ever, as if she were merely pushing a cart of candy.
"The four Honorary Knights fully utilized the 'Special Prank Authority' granted by Lady Furina, and today they raided the homes of three more nobles. These are the criminal evidences confiscated, the number of which is… quite astonishing, including but not limited to serious crimes such as corruption, fraud, illegal imprisonment, tax evasion, and attempting to pass off inferior perfume as limited editions."
"Alright, I understand. Just put them over there…"
Neuvillette waved his hand weakly, signaling the Melusine to stack the documents onto the "mountain of pending files" in the corner, which was already nearly touching the ceiling.
Fontaine was currently overwhelmed with an explosion of affairs, and he, the Chief Justice, had to temporarily step down from the judgment seat, fully entrusting the power of judgment to the absolutely impartial and incorruptible—Wolf King.
The Wolf King's judgment efficiency was indeed astonishing.
His judgment style was simple and crude: ascend the stage, present evidence (usually irrefutable proof obtained by the quartet through various outrageous means), read out the charges, and then directly pronounce the verdict.
He didn't care about the nobles' hoarse 辯ations, cries, or even threats from below the stage; his cold electronic eyes wouldn't even glance at them for an extra second.
Whenever a noble was still roaring, "I demand an appeal! This is a dictatorship!", the Wolf King would calmly announce in a mechanical voice, "Next," and then signal the guards to drag the previous one away.
Some particularly stubborn nobles, who still believed in the "duel privilege" of the old era, tried to salvage the situation through a duel.
Then they would face Matt, who was temporarily pulled in as a duel proxy.
The seven-meter-tall Electro Lawachurl didn't even need a weapon; he just looked at the opponent in confusion, then, like swatting a fly, punched the duelist, person and weapon included, straight into the floor, making it impossible to pry them out.
Duke Wriothesley of Meropide Fortress, after learning about the situation, had already cleared out the cells, brewed tea, and prepared a large number of psychological counseling plans, thinking he was about to welcome a batch of pampered, wailing noble prisoners.
But he never expected that the quartet and the Wolf King had no intention of letting these guys into his Meropide Fortress!
"Go to your place? With food, lodging, and regular fresh air? They wish!"
Elliot immediately stomped his foot.
"This kind of treatment encourages criminals!"
Jesse snapped his fingers: "I heard Sumeru is in ruins and needs 'enthusiastic volunteers' to cultivate the rainforest, clear out monsters, and brush the teeth of pack beasts."
Zane pushed up his non-existent glasses: "Seconded. Life in Meropide Fortress is too comfortable; it's not conducive to deep introspection. Pack them up directly and express them to Momonga in Sumeru! Consider it cross-border labor export, supporting the construction of a friendly nation."
As soon as this ultimate punishment plan was announced, all the nobles involved were instantly scared shitless and terrified!
They closely followed international news!
Who didn't know that major events in Sumeru were basically related to that skeleton-like "Supreme Being"?
Legend has it that his subordinates are all demons and monsters, especially skilled at "educating" prisoners with methods that defy imagination!
If they fell into his hands, wouldn't they be unable to live or die?
"No! Don't! I'd rather mine in Meropide Fortress for a lifetime!"
"Sir Neuvillette! Help! This is exile! This is illegal exile!"
"I can donate all my property! Just please don't send me to Sumeru!"
Zane had no time to listen to these nobles' wails and pleas. He directly contacted Momonga, succinctly saying: "Hey, Momonga, I've sent a batch of 'talents' over to you. Use them however you like, just don't kill them. If they want to die, don't let them die too quickly. Remember to issue an invoice… ah, no, remember to write a receipt."
After speaking, he opened a huge teleportation gate and, one by one, kicked these wailing nobles in like trash.
Neuvillette remained silent for a full ten minutes after learning of this method of handling.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, looking at the peaceful scenery of Fontaine, his heart experiencing great turmoil:
Is this in accordance with procedure?
No.
Does this comply with Fontaine law?
Not entirely.
But is it efficient?
Extremely efficient.
Is it satisfying?
...A little satisfying.
After a long while, he sighed deeply and turned to find Furina.
Furina was in her room, practicing in front of a mirror "how to elegantly accept being fed without appearing awkward." Upon hearing Neuvillette's report, she was first startled, then slammed her hand on the table (her small hand turning red), forcing a dignified expression:
"Hmph! H-how could there be so many parasites! The four Honorary Knights and Mr. Wolf King did well! Very well! I, the Hydro Archon, declare that this 'Sumeru Express' punishment is officially incorporated into Fontaine law! That's right, we in Fontaine don't have the death penalty, but voluntarily going to Sumeru for 'lifelong public service labor reform'… uh, as for whether they live or die once they're in the hands of the Supreme Being, that's none of our business! Perfect!"
Having said that, she immediately turned around, pretending to admire the murals, leaving Neuvillette with a slightly trembling back, and whispered, "Go quickly, go quickly, don't ask me for details again, I'm so afraid Mr. Zane will express me next time too…"
Neuvillette: "…"