Make the Spina di Rosula Great Again

"Tsk tsk tsk, this little girl really has the air of a leader~"

Xingsu stood to the side with his arms crossed, watching Navia speak calmly in front of the crowd, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

There's no need to worry about the House of the Hearth; the children at the Hotel Bouffes d'ete are being carefully looked after by Clervie, and Lyney can also help by accompanying them during training.

So for the next few days, Xingsu stayed in Poisson to assist Navia in managing the town's affairs and helping her stabilize the situation.

As the days went by, under Navia's leadership, Poisson gradually shed the gloom brought by Callas ' death, and all affairs proceeded in an orderly manner, slowly returning to normal.

Although many residents of the town had watched Navia grow up, when she first took over the heavy responsibility of being the president of the Spina di Rosula, many couldn't help but have doubts—could such a young girl shoulder the burden left by Callas and protect Poisson?

As it turns out, she really could.

Navia possesses both a warm heart and the ability to get things done. She patiently listens to the townspeople's demands, discusses solutions with Melus and Silver, seeks help from Xingsu when encountering problems she cannot solve, and never backs down from difficulties. Her daily hard work and sense of responsibility gradually dispel everyone's concerns.

Today, she has won the trust of almost every resident of Poisson.

Why do I say "almost"?

Because there were bad people mixed in with the people of Poisson.

Callas's death left the leaderless Spina di Rosula like a piece of easy prey, attracting a large number of covetous hyenas and vultures.

Those forces that coveted the interests of Poisson lay in wait, ready to pounce.

High-level gang warfare often only requires the simplest methods.

Under the cover of night, some people secretly dumped rotten and smelly fish and shrimp into the town. The stench permeated the streets and alleys, causing the townspeople to complain and curse.

Many others mingled in the taverns and dockside markets, spreading rumors everywhere.

Rumors circulated that Court of Fontaine harbored resentment towards Callas's crimes and was about to take action against the Spina di Rosula, aiming to eradicate the entire organization.

At first, Xingsu regarded these as harmless minor troubles. He would step in to stop some of the disturbances, deliberately leaving some difficult problems for Navia to deal with, as a kind of training, to teach her to face the intrigues and malice of the city on her own.

Then an outrageous rumor began to quietly spread throughout the town.

They discovered Xingsu's background, learning that he was previously a member of the Spina di Rosula, but rarely visited Poisson. After Callas' death, he came to Poisson to wholeheartedly support the Spina di Rosula. Thus, this group of people with ulterior motives fabricated a complete but outrageous lie out of thin air:

In truth, Callas had taken a liking Callas Xingsu back then, bringing him back to the Spina di Rosula and subjecting him to all sorts of humiliation. Xingsu couldn't endure it any longer and fled overnight. Now that Callas is dead, he has returned for revenge, wanting to take Callas ' daughter away and seize control of the entire Spina di Rosula to complete his vengeance.

Callas probably had no idea that he would face another ordeal after his death.

Some townspeople, unaware of the truth, looked at Xingsu with a somewhat... intriguing gaze upon hearing this explanation.

Upon learning that she had been the Xingsu: "...?"

Navia was so angry that she was ready to fight. She was about to lead her people to investigate the people who spread the rumors one by one and expose the rumor-mongers in public, but Xingsu stopped her.

"There's no need for such a grand display," Xingsu said calmly. "The more we do this, the more the rumors will spread."

No one knows what he did in secret.

Overnight, the rumors that had been circulating in the streets, taverns, and docks vanished as if washed away by the tide.

"How did you do that?!" Navia's eyes shone as she looked at Xingsu with adoration.

Xingsu raised a hand and rubbed his temples. "Children shouldn't learn this."

"But I'm not a child anymore..." Navia pursed her lips and retorted defiantly.

"... Then don't learn it, it's not something you can master."

The Damselette pouted and reluctantly gave up. Then, remembering what Xingsu had mentioned earlier, her eyes lit up with anticipation again.

"Okay... By the way, Xingsu, you said you had a surprise for me today, what is it?"

"Hmm... judging by the time, the children should be here soon."

"Children?" Navia looked bewildered, not yet understanding what that meant.

thump--

A crisp knock came from outside the door.

"Xingsu, we've arrived."

Xingsu stepped forward and opened the door.

Standing outside the door were siblings Lyney and Lynette, who both bowed slightly in greeting.

Navia's eyes widened as she looked at the two people in front of her, recognizing the brother and sister with an expression of disbelief.

"Huh? You two are the street magicians who were featured in the Steambird before? You're... Xingsu's... kids?!"

Lyney scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed, and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Ah, well... let me explain to Miss Navia."

"Oh, they're just kids from the orphanage. I was so scared! I thought they were from Xingsu... They're all so grown up now." Navia breathed a long sigh of relief and patted her chest.

"Ah... haha, actually, the adults in charge of the household are still quite young. It's just the responsibilities on their shoulders that make them look grown up." Lyney chuckled awkwardly, and with a deft flick of his finger, a vibrant yellow rose bloomed out of thin air in his palm. He handed the rose to Navia, "This is for you, Miss Navia. I hope you like it."

"Wow!" Navia's eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed in amazement, "What amazing magic!"

"My brother is really something, always carrying roses around," Lynette remarked casually, picking up a playing card with her fingers. The patterns on the card shifted and transformed, and a delicate little cake materialized from the card. "Miss Navia, please try this cake; it's delicious."

"Amazing!!!" The Damselette's attention was completely drawn to the magic trick, her heart filled with novelty and joy.

While Navia was engrossed in the magic show, Lyney quickly winked at Xingsu by the window.

Xingsu understood immediately, quietly slipped out, and gently closed the door behind him.

As soon as she stepped out of the house, she saw Clervie standing to one side in the courtyard, while Freminet was carefully counting stacks of supplies that had been delivered.

"Lord Xingsu..." Freminet timidly raised her head and greeted Xingsu in a low voice.

Clervie leaned against a wooden crate, arms crossed, and half-jokingly teased, "Hey, isn't this Xingsu? You haven't been home for so long, and you've brought so many supplies from home to help this place... Could it be that you've been completely captivated by that girl from the Spina di Rosula?"

Freminet's expression hardened; he sensed this topic wasn't suitable for him to hear, so he put on his diving helmet and crouched down at a distance.

Xingsu stumbled, nearly losing his balance. He quickly regained his footing, hastily held up three fingers, and retorted with a serious expression:

"You can't just say things like that! I'm completely devoted to Arlecchino! Besides, these supplies were raised with money I 'borrowed' from those nobles. What's wrong with me spending my own money?"

Clervie's smile deepened as she pressed on, "Then do you dare to say it to Pepe in person?"

Xingsu's ears burned slightly, but she stubbornly retorted, "Why, why wouldn't I dare!"

"Ah~ okay, okay~ our Xingsu Su is the bravest." Clervie covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling as she secretly smiled.

Just as Xingsu was about to offer another explanation, Navia's clear voice came from inside the house.

"Xingsu, why did you leave without saying a word!"

Navia carried the cake quickly to the courtyard, a bit of white cream still dab at the corner of her mouth. As soon as she stepped outside, her gaze fell on Clervie, and she tilted her head slightly in confusion. "Hmm? And who is this?"

Clervie dropped her joking expression and stepped forward.

"Hello, Miss Navia, my name is Clervie, and I own and head chef a dessert shop. I often make desserts for children, and this cake you're holding is one I made."

Navia's eyes lit up at this, she looked down at the cake in her hand, then at Clervie:

"So that's how it is! It tastes delicious! Speaking of the food here..."

"These are all supplies that can help the Spina di Rosula; I asked the children to move them over."

Navia quickly waved her hand, her expression resolute. "I absolutely cannot accept these supplies! I'm already extremely grateful for your help in Poisson these past few days, how could I let you spend so much money? These supplies should be left for the children in the orphanage."

"I'm part of the Spina di Rosula, after all, and I make quite a bit of money in Court of Fontaine," Xingsu said casually.

"No matter how much money we make, these supplies are still very expensive! I can't let you spend so much..." Navia still wouldn't budge.

Xingsu shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "It's alright, just a few million Mora. I make tens of millions of Mora for a single job, and sometimes over a hundred million if things go smoothly."

"Ah... ah? You, you wouldn't have..." Navia's Fontaine contracted slightly, instinctively connecting the dots to the rumors circulating, and the words caught in her throat.

"Don't worry, I only make money from certain nobles." Xingsu's lips curled into a faint smile. "I have a completely honest relationship with them; they willingly hand over Mora to me."

Clervie smiled slightly, naturally understanding the story behind Xingsu's "heart-to-heart" words.

Initially, Clervie was still troubled by the fact that Xingsu was still involved in kidnapping and assassination. But when Xingsu presented Clervie with the overwhelming evidence, Clervie remained silent for a moment before exclaiming, "Xingsu, you did a good job!"

Let's bring my thoughts back to the present.

Navia accepted the supplies.

"If you ever want to visit the children again, come see them. They'll love you." Xingsu looked into Navia's eyes and smiled gently.

Navia's heart sank, and she quickly asked, "You... you're leaving?"

"Yes, we've been in Poisson for quite some time now. The children at House of the Hearth are waiting for us to return. The situation at the Spina di Rosula is now stable; the rest of the journey is in your hands, Navia."

"Please, please wait a moment. Melus! Silver!"

"Exist."

"Yes, young lady."

Navia spoke rapidly, "I want to make macarons."

"Yes."

The two immediately fetched the ingredients and tools needed for baking. Navia tied on a simple apron, weighed the seasonings, whipped the icing, and put it into the oven, doing each step with extra care.

Before long, a large box of beautifully colored macarons came out of the oven. Navia carefully closed the lid, held it with both hands, and solemnly handed it to Xingsu.

"Remember to eat it!"

Xingsu Su looked down at the warm pastry box in her hand, her fingertips touching the warmth emanating from the box. After a moment of silence, she softly replied, "... Mm."

The boat rocked gently, breaking through the clear blue waters of Fontaine, carrying the group away from the embankment of Poisson and slowly heading towards the main city of Fontaine.

Xingsu held the exquisite box of macarons in one hand, lifted the lid with her fingertips, casually picked up a pink and white dessert, and took a small bite.

Xingsu narrowed his eyes helplessly and clicked his tongue in exasperation:

"Tsk, it's sickeningly sweet."