Devil's Path (Genshin Impact x OC)

Chapter 3: Flood of Memories

Opening 1

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With the imprisonment of the Phantom Weasel, Fontaine resumes it's normalities, however, from behind the scenes, a plot against the Melusines of all people, is soon to be uncovered.

Lucius and Paimon enter Neuvillette's office in the Palais Mermonia and overhear an ongoing conversation between Sedene and Neuvillette.

Sedene: Wait, did I hear that right? Monsieur Neuvillette, are you sure you'd like to take over the case yourself?

Neuvillette: That's right.

Sedene: But why? Technically speaking, cases like this are better left to the Gardes...

Neuvillette: Oh?

Neuvillette's attention turns to the approaching travellers.

Sedene: Ah! Lucius and Paimon, please help me talk our Chief Justice out of this. He wants to investigate a case on his own! This is completely unprecedented. How can we have the Iudex acting like a private detective?

Lucius: I can introduce you to some great detectives that I'm good friends with, though they're based overseas.

Neuvillette: I trust that you'd be able to work that out with how well-connected you are, but I must apologize. I do not plan on relying on anyone else's help for this matter.

Lucius: So, what's the case about? If it makes you have to investigate it personally.

Neuvillette: A Melusine named Kiara received a threat letter.

Paimon: And then...?

Neuvillette: That is all the information I have acquired at this stage.

Paimon: Huh?

Sedene: (sigh) I have no idea why you're so hung up over this. I've checked the schedule in advance, and it seems like there aren't any trials today. So if you insist... I have no objections.

Neuvillette: Thank you for understanding. I will leave a note explaining my absence on my desk — I would appreciate it if you could take it to Lady Furina. She may have no interest in official affairs, but standard procedure dictates that I'm still responsible for reporting to her.

Sedene: Yes yes! Understood. I'll come back later and deliver the note to her.

Sedene quickly leaves the office.

Paimon: Judging from Sedene's reaction, it must be pretty rare for you to investigate stuff personally. What's so special about this case?

Neuvillette: I cannot tell you just yet, but it reminded me of certain past events. There could be complicated conflicts of interest behind all this, so I must eliminate all risks in advance.

Lucius: Conflicts of interest?

Paimon: We still have no idea what's going on.

Neuvillette: It is not my intention to keep you in the dark, but I need some time to revisit those memories and collect my thoughts. Long story short... A little more than four hundred years ago, I became the Iudex of Fontaine and initiated a series of institutional reforms. There were few people I could trust, but I had two subordinates who were exceptionally trustworthy and capable: Carole, a Melusine, and Vautrin, leader of the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol.

Paimon: They must've been amazing people to receive such high praise from you!

Neuvillette: Indeed. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to protect them. The reforms damaged the interests of some, and the more conservative faction took advantage of Carole's identity to instigate political unrest. Ultimately, they wanted me to yield more of my power. The incident resulted in Carole taking her own life and Vautrin being exiled. From then on, I've been especially careful when dealing with cases related to Melusines.