No Longer Human | Arlecchino

Chapter 12: Distrust

The courtroom buzzed with a mix of relief and tension as Neuvillette rose to deliver his verdict. "After careful consideration of the evidence presented, I find Lyney and Lynette not guilty of the charges against them. 

The prosecution's case was built on falsehoods and manipulation." A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience, their curiosity piqued about how the truth had come to light. 

Garde Vaughm, who had relentlessly pursued a conviction, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his demeanor betraying his unease.

"I—I was just following orders!" Garde stammered, desperation creeping into his voice. "We were supposed to place blame for the serial disappearances onto Lyney to shift suspicion onto the Fatui. The higher-ups said this was the best opportunity!"

Neuvillette leaned forward, his expression stern and authoritative. "You speak of orders as if they absolve you of responsibility. If your intention was to mislead the court and protect the true culprits, you must understand the gravity of your actions."

The tension escalated as Garde struggled to defend himself, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "I'll tell you everything! Our boss discovered that the water can cause people to dissolve and can be made into a potion that causes unforgettable acceleration. We've been in this business for a while, and the disappearances were the boss's idea."

A gasp spread through the courtroom at Garde's confession, revealing the sinister motivations behind the scheme. Neuvillette's voice rang out again, firm and unyielding. "Such ruthlessness... All present, please submit to inspection immediately!"

As the proceedings continued, Lyney watched the exchange intently, feeling the weight of the revelations pressing down on him. 

Once the verdict was announced, he stepped toward the Traveler and Paimon, his expression earnest. 

"Traveler, Paimon, please wait. I know you may not want to speak to me right now. Even so, I'd like to thank you for staying with me to the end, even after you learned I'm a member of the Fatui."

He took a deep breath, the memories rushing back. "When our parents died, my sister and I were left wandering the streets. I learned magic from an older street performer, and eventually, we began performing together. But when a noble took us in, it wasn't for our well-being. He wanted my talent for his own gain. My sister was taken from me, sent as a gift to a more eminent person at a banquet."

A shadow crossed his face as he continued, "It was only thanks to the Knave that we were saved from that fate. She welcomed us into the House of the Hearth, offering protection and a sense of belonging."

"Blah blah blah," was all Ren heard as the courtroom droned on around him. He focused on his task, knowing that his actions would pave the way for Arlecchino to maneuver more freely. He steeled himself and made a bold declaration before the trial commenced.

"I hereby declare, Everyone one will distrust Furina just for this night"

The ripple of his words echoed in the chamber, a challenge that would soon bear fruit. The backlash against Furina was slow but he finished the trial, 

Ren could feel the effects of his declaration surge through the atmosphere like a shockwave. But with that surge came a physical toll, his body began to go numb, his strength waning as the energy he'd summoned began to dissipate.

Realizing the urgency of his situation, Ren hastily made his way back to the hotel room he had rented. Each step felt heavier than the last, his limbs betraying him as he stumbled through the door and collapsed onto the bed.