Chapter 116 At this moment in Fontainebleau, a wanderer returns home…
Leosley had not seen his adopted brother for many days.
I have never seen it in either human or cat form.
"No need to worry, the security situation in Fontaine is very good recently."
Two days before his disappearance, he had heard Navelette offer such words of comfort.
"Mr. Mainkuhn may not be eloquent, but he is quick and agile. Even with a child in tow, he won't make any mistakes. His absence is probably just because he's tired of studying law."
"Is that so... That makes sense. He's been very active since he was little, so if something happens, even if he can't win a fight, he can at least run away."
At that time, Leosley was still able to suppress his doubts and make a few jokes with the Dragon King in a peaceful manner.
"You seem to have fewer official documents today than the past two days. What's wrong? Do lynxes hibernate too?"
"To my knowledge, there isn't."
Navelette responded tepidly, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"But you're right, that lynx that the Court of Justice spent so much effort hunting down has indeed suddenly disappeared without a trace."
"That sounds like a good thing."
"How so?"
Friends always comfort each other. Leosley explained with a smile, "Didn't you also say that lynxes only target bad guys? Now that he's disappeared, doesn't that just prove that there are no bad guys left in Fontaine?"
"Public security cannot be measured by the actions of criminals."
Despite the dragon's warning, it actually relaxed considerably.
"But if that's true, what's wrong with the court never finding him?"
"Ha, if villains really become extinct in Fontaine, you'll probably be unemployed and homeless, Grand Inquisitor."
“No, Fontaine’s new policy includes a plan to provide free shelter for the homeless, or I could go to Helu Village to live in seclusion,” Navilette explained earnestly.
"Um... cough, or you can come to Melo Petersburg, we even offer free lunch here."
"Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness, but I think your career won't last long, since it's all related to criminals."
"...Perhaps we can go together and ask Ms. Funina to take us in."
"That's not a good idea, people will laugh at us."
The Duke and the Grand Inquisitor stood there, one serious and the other casual, discussing how to make a better life after losing one's job in the Momo Palace, until a terrified scream escaped from a bystander.
"My God! The employment situation in Fontaine... has become so bad that even Lord Vilette is afraid of layoffs?"
*
Then came another day when no one was around.
But Leosley wasn't in a hurry.
After all, tonight was the night he was to meet with Mainkuhn.
He believed that no matter what happened, the stubborn child would not miss his promise to his family.
"Alright, alright, it's the same room, and everything you asked for is ready."
The god of justice looked somewhat listless, and leaned back on the sofa in a rare moment of relaxation:
"You're the first person to dare treat Mo Mang Palace like a hotel. It's fine to meet with your brothers, but what kind of logic is it to arrange a meeting at the abode of a god? Is it some kind of ritual?"
Leosley was prepared for the gods' disapproval and immediately pulled out his trump card.
"We've snagged a limited edition of ten slices of Debord cake for you."
"Just leave it there."
Funina's attitude was cold.
"?"
Leo was genuinely surprised. "You've fallen for desserts?"
"What are you saying..."
The deity muttered to himself for a while, but was too lazy to say anything, and just stared blankly, listless.
"What's wrong with Ms. Funina?"
Although Leosley was not a devout believer, he still cared for his own god, so he looked at the purple-haired guard beside him.
"ah."
Claude didn't think it was a secret, so she nodded helplessly to him and explained the reason.
"A few days ago, 'Miaomiao' launched several new soup cans. Because they are mixed with strawberry juice, the colors are bright and attractive. The accompanying chicken breast is also pressed into the shape of an adorable mouse. It is a rare pet food that combines artistry and practicality, so it became extremely popular as soon as it was launched..."
Ah, this...
As Leosley listened, his feelings became complicated.
Although I knew that Little Mayne was very much loved by Frynn when she was a cat, this...
Deceiving the gods seems to be a crime?
Forget it, don't overthink it.
Leosley tapped his head, trying to ignore everything.
"So you didn't manage to get one?"
"No, although it was very difficult, I managed to break through the encirclement and successfully made the purchase."
Clarind subtly puffed out her chest.
"Then why does she look so dejected?"
"I managed to buy the cat food."
Claude's puffed-out chest quickly deflated.
"But the cat that eats is absent."
...
"Too talkative—so annoying—"
The silent god suddenly began to shout, complaining and lightly kicking the table leg to vent his frustration.
“My kingdom is so big, how could it not have cats! Clorind, don’t leave any for that scoundrel! He’s probably off enjoying himself somewhere without even saying goodbye, what a nuisance…”
"Oh, I see."
Leosley could already imagine the scene of a jubilant Furina holding her hard-won new product, eagerly anticipating seeing the cat eat it all. But she waited and waited, one day, two days, three days...
Well, I guess this is the first time that even a goddess like Funina has experienced the feeling of waiting.
Clorind: "Yes, Lady Frinina, I'll take them out and feed them to the cats on the next street right away."
"Wait, no—"
Funina jumped up, beaming with energy.
"Hey! If you're going to feed them, just pick the things the cat god doesn't like. Wouldn't that save money?"
Claurind: "Hmph, I knew it..."
*
It was still early, so Leosley left the Moman Palace and went for a stroll in the streets.
Fontaine's winters are damp and cold, and even with the blessing of the Divine Eye, Leosley couldn't help but bury his face in his fur collar.
The new policy of Mo Mang Palace is indeed good. In this weather, without a reliable shelter, there would probably be many more corpses of homeless people in the alleys.
...
I was quite lucky back then; I neither froze nor starved to death.
As he thought this, his legs involuntarily turned into the alley.
"Sir, I know a place where you can get free tea, but the location..."
After casually helping Navelette spread the policy, Leosley slowly walked deeper into the alley.
Despite the Grand Inquisitor's tireless efforts, how can a nation be entirely enlightened? Leosley was not such a naive man.
As long as it makes her feel better, that's enough.
"Greetings to you, ladies and gentlemen."
Leosley peered into the darkness and spotted a tattered little tent.
"I know a place that can shelter from the wind and rain. It's not the best, but it's better than canvas... Hmm?"
As soon as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he immediately realized he had misjudged the situation.
Although the three children immediately huddled together for protection, as wary as little lions, their thick fleece jackets and reflective leather shoes still indicated that they were children from well-off families, not homeless children.
"Hey, what are you doing playing here? It's dangerous around here, go home quickly."
Perhaps it was this caring remark that had an effect; although the children were wary, after exchanging glances for a while, they sent out a boy with light brown hair to lead the way.
"Sir, we're looking for a short-tailed Maine Coon here. Have you seen him?"
...
ah?
What are you looking for?
"The fur on its back is silver-gray with markings, while the fur on its belly and neck is white."
Lynette added casually.
"Her name is Xiao En."
Fimini mustered up her courage and added a sentence.
"No, call him Master!"
Linni immediately corrected him.
"His name is really Xiao En! My mom and I both know his name is Xiao En." The two children immediately started arguing.
"It's Master Da! My sister and I both know his name is Master Da!"
"Wait a minute, Linnie, Fimini, there's no way we can be sure if these two are the same cat right now."
"Whether it's a cat or not, it's going to snow heavily in Fontainebleau in a couple of days, so we have to catch it and bring it home quickly!"
Leosley: "..."
My dear Maine.
You are outside.
How many families did they actually have?
*
Leosley used all his tricks and finally coaxed the three children out of the alley, then dragged them into a warm coffee shop to extract information from them.
“Fimini…Linnie, Lynette, is that right?”
Look, Violet, it's not one, it's three kittens!
According to Liyue's custom, I should give them red envelopes.
"No, please let us go find the cat. We still need to look near Fimini's house, which is quite far! Uncle, please don't bother us!"
No one paid him any attention; they were all looking for a chance to escape.
The Fimini family home, isn't that the Grey River?
Leosley remembered Amélie's testimony and quickly pretended to be fierce to scare them.
"You're not allowed to go, or I'll tell your parents."
This is just a common threat, something that almost any normal child with a family will experience dozens or even hundreds of times in the early stages of life.
So Leosley didn't understand why the youngest blond child suddenly smiled with surprise, and then cautiously asked:
"Uncle, can you go and complain now?"
"We can't find him, and we can't find the cat either."
...
"Explain yourself, Mei... what happened to your parents?"
*
That evening, Leosley did not see his brother at Mormont Palace.
I waited all day but didn't get to see it.
I haven't received it for two days.
I waited for three days but didn't get one.
Just like that ordinary night nearly ten years ago.
*
"Naxi Da, Naxi Da".
Every meridian was soaked with thick hatred. Mainkun had gathered enough strength to cross the sea, and immediately squatted down to bid farewell to the gods.
"I'm going home for a bit. Be careful in Xumi, don't get bullied again."
"Home?...Don't worry, no one will harm the gods anymore."
Nasita paused for a moment at the warm word, but quickly realized what it meant. Recalling past events and fragmented conversations, she asked with concern:
"Are you going to see your child and...teacher?"
"Yes, there are many more important people and things, so many, I must go back."
The new king's voice was light and airy, and his fingernails were obediently tucked into his palms. Nasita recognized that this was the king in his soft state, occasionally showing a timid expression to the crowd, and hiding himself in unease.
"That's great."
She looked at the cat and smiled.
"What are you laughing at, wise god?"
During this period, the king would pay more attention to the gods' behavior and feelings than usual, and Narcida might even mistakenly believe that she had a sensitive and alert little believer.
"That's great."
The little god reached out and tiptoed to touch the cat's soft, drooping ears.
"There is someone who loves you."
"Hmm?"
"Vana Smarana Sapna, have a good time."
"Hmm."
Mainkuhn accepted it as a blessing, smoothed the ruffled fur, then suddenly pressed his ears together and looked towards the door in terror:
"Nasita! Someone's coming—"
"He's not a bad person."
Nasida peeked out and saw a young man with a deathly pale face:
"It's your new vizier reporting for duty."
"V...Vizil?"
"Yes, a position to manage administrative matters. Don't you remember? When the scholars discussed assigning you an assistant responsible for guidance and communication to help you, who are unfamiliar with politics, better manage Sumeru, you nodded in agreement."
Forced compromise through violence, ignoring the implications of decentralization and surveillance, Mainkuhn did indeed need a smart person to help him handle the backlog of government affairs, so Nasita also approved of this decision.
"Eh? Well, it seems like that's true..."
Mainkun desperately suppressed the trembling in his body, staring blankly at the young man.
[Why, why now?! The potion! Where's my remaining half-tube of potion?!]
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
The young man staggered forward.
"I...I am..."
[...Ahhh, don't come any closer! It's too late to stab now—]
Unable to hold it in any longer, Mainkuen's legs began to sway, his gaze frantically scanning his surroundings. Finally, with a steely resolve, he raised his hands to shield Nasita's worried face.
[Help me, help me, help me!]
Naxida: ...
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, please put me down."
After a long while, she helplessly swung her legs in the air, trying to fight for her right to be rooted to the ground.
"No, I'm not afraid."
The cat was stubborn, but it still clung tightly to the deity.
"Nothing's wrong, put me down quickly."
"..."
The cat didn't believe it.
"Put me down!"
Naxi Da was slightly annoyed and patted his head with her small hand.
"The child has already had a seizure, what are you still afraid of!"
"?"
Mainkun peered out in horror from behind her small body and saw the young man lying face down on the ground, his body twitching occasionally.
He had already fainted from fright.
“Sigh, the squirrel scared the hamster unconscious. Who’s really stronger?” Nasita shook her head helplessly. “This won’t do. How can someone so timid be your vizier? Do you have someone in mind? Vana…”
"!"
Mainkuhn, who had done nothing, was overjoyed and didn't care what the gods were saying. He just opened the window, relieved to have survived the ordeal, and jumped!
Goodbye, Sumeru!
Brother, I'm back!
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Author's note: No update tomorrow!
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