After Thy Death, Thy Daughter...

"Cough cough cough cough, this stuff is still so strong." Xingsu took a big gulp of the liquor in the bottle, the spicy liquid rushing into his throat, causing him to cough violently.

"Damn old man, you didn't even tell me you were going to die so soon." A hint of red rose in Xingsu's eyes. He chuckled bitterly and muttered to himself as he looked at the person lying quietly.

The duel trial concluded, and according to Fontaine law, the family could claim the body of the person who died in the duel. Xingsu arrived backstage at the opera house and claimed Callas's body—as a member of the Spina di Rosula.

"I don't know if you'd like to drink Snezhnaya's 'fire water' (a type of liquor). I certainly don't like it, but this is the only bottle I have on me, so consider it my last drink with you."

The bottle tilted, and the wine slowly dripped onto the ground, soaking the stone bricks.

"I certainly can't marry your daughter, but you and Navia did help a homeless person when I first came to Fontaine. So now, it's my turn to help you."

Xingsu down, her fingertips gently tracing Callas's eyelids, closing his eyes that would never open again.

"..."

The room was deathly silent; no one answered.

"Your memory fades so quickly. You old codger didn't tell me anything more, and I have to find out the truth and get justice for you myself."

"Sigh, we should both be glad Arlecchino went back to Snezhnaya, otherwise we'd have to report to her about getting involved in your mess. Oh well, what can we do? She's my wife."

"Come on, heroes shouldn't be homeless. I... will take you home."

He stood up, carefully covered Callas ' body with the body bag, and carried it steadily on his back.

"Xingsu?" Just as Xingsu opened the door to leave, Clorinde appeared in the doorway, staring at Xingsu, momentarily speechless. "You..."

Xingsu didn't stop, brushing past her without even raising one hand and casually waving it behind him, leaving only his back view.

"I'll pass on to you. Remember to tell Navia if you have anything to say."

How did Navia get back to Poisson? She herself couldn't say.

The fragments of the journey were shrouded in a hazy mist, as if they were just a long and chilling nightmare.

She only remembered Melus and Silver supporting her on either side, the cold rain hitting her face, and the cheers and scoldings that lingered in her ears. But how she got to the destination, how she passed through the streets of Court of Fontaine, and when she got on the road to Poisson were all blurry.

She seemed trapped in a dream, replaying those scenes over and over again.

Gunshots suddenly rang out at the banquet in my dream, and everyone said that my father had killed someone.

In my dream, the judge's bench at the Opera Epiclese sits high above, while my father stands alone in the center of the arena.

In the dream, the audience in the gallery shouted insults, hurling the most vicious words at Callas.

In her dream, her best friend from childhood, Clorinde, raised a longsword and pierced her father's heart, ending his life.

Countless times she secretly wished that dreams were the opposite of reality.

In that way, there would be no bloodshed at the banquet, no judgment would be handed down, her father would still smile and ruffle her hair, and Clorinde would still be a friend with whom she could have tea parties.

But the lingering raindrops on her fingertips, the persistent hollow pain in her chest, and the sorrowful expressions of those around her were all relentlessly reminding her of these things.

This is not a dream.

All the heart-wrenching moments are simply the cold reality.

The drizzling, cold rain continued to blanket the entire Fontaine.

Xingsu carried Callas's body, treading along the wet road, step by step returning to the land he had protected his entire life.

Melus and Silver had already prepared a coffin and tombstone.

The three men remained silent as they gently laid Callas ' body down, covered it with earth, and erected a monument, sending this hero, burdened with injustice, on his final journey through the world.

The news quietly spread throughout the small town.

Those townspeople who had received kindness from Callas and Spina di Rosula spontaneously emerged from the depths of the streets. They did not believe the absurd rumors Court of Fontaine, nor did they believe the "unjust name" slandered by outsiders.

All they knew was that Callas had given them jobs, food, and safety; Callas had been kind to them. That's why they stood here to mourn the Spina di Rosula and Callas's death.

The drizzle fell silently on my shoulders; the entire cemetery was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and rain could be heard.

Navia knelt before the cold tombstone for a long time.

Her fingertips gently wiped away the raindrops rolling down the tombstone again and again. She naively thought that as long as she wiped away the cold rain and the icy water stains, her father, who lay buried here, would suffer less coldness and less injustice in the other world.

"Dad..."

"I don't know what happened that night... I don't know why they're slandering you like this."

"But I know for sure that you would never kill someone."

The wind and rain pattered down, but no one answered; only the cold, icy tombstone stood silently on the land of their homeland.

The Damselette buried her head in the cool air, made a vow with tears in her eyes, her voice weak but incredibly firm.

"In any case, your Spina di Rosula... our Spina di Rosula, will definitely continue."

"One day, I will personally wash away all the rumors and slander, and cleanse you of all the stigma."

A shadow gently descended, blocking out the drizzling rain.

Xingsu, carrying an umbrella, walked slowly across the damp earth and stood quietly behind her.

"It will happen, one day Mr. Callas's injustice will be cleared. But until then..." Xingsu paused slightly, bent down and reached out to take Navia's arm, gently helping the Damselette, who was drowning in sorrow, up from the mud.

The two stood side by side and turned around together.

Behind her stood the people of Poisson, heads bowed in silent mourning. At this moment, everyone stood silently, their eyes fixed on the Damselette who had just lost her father.

Looking at the simple and sincere crowd, Xingsu gently instructed, "These people have come here to mourn Callas. Now, Navia, the Spina di Rosula rests on your shoulders. It is your turn to stand up and lead them into the future."

The thick, dark clouds that had covered the entire sky slowly dispersed, and the drizzling cold rain completely stopped. Fine rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and gently fell upon the damp earth, the brand-new tombstone, and the Damselette's tear-streaked face.

The gloom has dissipated, and the rain has stopped, revealing a clear sky.

Navia looked up at the simple, hopeful faces before her, then turned back to gaze deeply at her father's tombstone behind her.

The wind swept across the damp grass, carrying the fresh scent of earth after the rain.

Thank you, Xingsu.

Having said that, Navia took a few steps forward and stood before the crowd. Her eyes, which had just been filled with sorrow, now shone with an indomitable light. She straightened her thin but upright back, faced all the townspeople of Poisson, and loudly proclaimed:

"I swear by the justice of Fontaine! My father, President Callas, was wronged in the Court of Fontaine. He refused to accept injustice, refused to plead guilty, and ultimately died by gunfire in a duel!"

"As his daughter, I, Navia, will take on the heavy responsibility of serving as the president of the Spina di Rosula!"

"I will definitely be able to clear my father's name and lead everyone to a better and happier life!"