With Richard's bold declaration and Furina's stern "judgment," the atmosphere immediately turned tense and deadlocked.
The Treasure Hoarder boss's expression darkened. It seemed things wouldn't be resolved peacefully today.
The goods they were transporting were extremely important, classified as gray-market items. That is, not strictly illegal under the law, but also not officially approved for sale.
If they surrendered, there was no guarantee that the Hydro Archon, or the man beside her, wouldn't confiscate the cargo.
That was the outcome the Treasure Hoarder boss feared most. To him, this cargo was second in importance only to his own life.
Losing it might as well be a death sentence.
Meanwhile, Furina was just as anxious.
'No way… no way! Is that guy really planning to attack me? I'm the Hydro Archon! Even if they're smuggling illegal goods, isn't that still a lesser crime than defying a god?''
'Fontaine doesn't even have the death penalty! Wouldn't it be better to just surrender quietly and spend some time in the Fortress of Meropide?'
Furina was panicking internally, thoughts racing. But even so, she remained standing in front of Richard.
Not because she was particularly brave, but because hiding behind Richard like a frightened little girl would have been far worse.
The mighty Hydro Archon, hiding behind her own citizen? That'd be a complete disgrace!
Having her identity doubted was the last thing Furina could accept.
So even though she was scared out of her mind, she forced herself to act like the dignified Archon she was supposed to be.
And Richard? He acted like he didn't notice her fear at all, and continued provoking the hoarders with gusto.
"Oh? What, you actually plan on attacking Lady Furina? Aren't you afraid of divine punishment? Do you think you can win against the Hydro Archon?"
'Stop talking, Richard. Please stop talking.'
Why hadn't she noticed before that her Secretary General was such a chatterbox?
If she really could dish out divine punishment, she would've done it already! Did he actually think she was giving them time to surrender?
She was buying herself time! Hoping, praying, that Clorinde would return any moment now.
Furina praying.jpg
The Treasure Hoarder boss's expression twisted. "Lady Archon… and sir beside her… must you push us this far?"
Behind him, the other hoarders placed their crates on the ground and began drawing their weapons.
Swords, spears, clubs, just the sight of them made Furina's heart drop like a stone.
"Push you? You're the ones being stubborn! In the name of the Hydro Archon, I issue this final ultimatum. After I count to three, if you do not surrender, we will take forceful action," Richard said coldly.
"You will go down in history as the first criminals in Fontaine to be exiled to the Fortress of Meropide for defying a god. A warning to all who follow."
'He sounded righteous and commanding. But… who was actually going to do the fighting?!' Furina thought bitterly.
'Maybe we should just… run for it?'
These hoarders looked like they were transporting something really important. If they ran now, the hoarders probably wouldn't chase them.
They could report everything to the Maison Gardiennage afterward and let the professionals handle it.
And as for how to explain things? Just say she uses all her divine power to support Fontaine's energy grid. That'd be a good excuse.
The more Furina thought about it, the more appealing the idea became. She even started reaching to grab Richard and make a break for it.
But the Treasure Hoarder boss heard Richard's words and flinched. He noticed the hesitation growing among his men. If he waited any longer, it'd only take one person breaking ranks, and the rest would follow.
He knew better than anyone that his crew was a ragtag bunch with no real backbone.
And if they gave up? They'd be arrested. Mission failed. Ending up in Meropide was the least of his worries. What really terrified him was the wrath of their client.
Just thinking of that freak's "methods" sent a chill down his spine. That guy would actually kill them.
The boss made a snap decision.
No more waiting. They'd fight.
Fontaine had no death penalty. Even if they angered a god, the worst they'd face was a longer sentence.
But failure on this mission… meant actual death.
The choice was obvious.
"Brothers! They're bluffing!" the boss shouted, brandishing his machete and charging forward. "If she really was the Hydro Archon, we'd be defeated already! Why would she waste time talking to us like this?!"
His words struck a chord. It did make sense. If she were the real deal, they'd have been crushed by now.
The hoarders gained confidence and swiftly surrounded Richard and Furina, closing the circle tight like a pack of hyenas waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
"How dare you!" Furina's eyebrows furrowed, raising her voice.
"I gave you a chance, and you squandered it. Don't blame me if I strike you down!"
Her voice had an effect; the hoarders hesitated slightly, but only slightly. They still closed in, leaving no openings to escape.
Furina saw that too, and her heart sank.
'Great. Now we really can't run…'
She deeply regretted not dragging Richard away sooner.
Meanwhile, Richard remained calm, composed, and totally unfazed by the encirclement.
He'd been watching Furina closely the whole time.
Despite her excellent acting, he had noticed the flicker of panic in her eyes the moment they were surrounded.
Just a flash, immediately concealed. But it was enough.
He now knew with certainty: Furina had no combat strength at all.
Just as she appeared, weak.
And if Clorinde, her personal bodyguard, had made him promise to protect Furina… then even she must believe Furina can't fight.
Can't even handle a gang of Treasure Hoarders.
That was enough confirmation. No need to keep testing.
Besides, any more of this and he'd have a hard time explaining things later.
Meanwhile, Furina was already thinking about how to surrender with dignity.
Maybe hold her hands up gracefully, like she was lifting a trophy?
Or remove her white gloves and wave them with poise?
No good! No matter how she imagined it, nothing preserved her image as a god!
What kind of Archon surrenders before the fight even begins?!
As the hoarders closed in, Furina felt completely cornered.
Then—
Richard said, "To deal with trash like you… We don't need Lady Furina to lift a finger."
And then
Furina watched in shock as Richard waved his hand, and from the nearby sea, several massive water pillars erupted like dragons.
They surged forward under Richard's command and instantly crashed into the hoarders, sweeping them away with overwhelming force.
The battle was over in seconds.
All that remained were groans from the soaked and battered Treasure Hoarders. None appeared mortally wounded, and their weapons had all been collected by the waves and neatly stacked as evidence.
They now awaited a grand trial.
The first case of a group of Fontaine citizens being charged with defying a god, setting a legal precedent.
In a twisted way, they had made an "invaluable contribution" to Fontaine's legal history.
And Furina? She was stunned.
'Wait… my secretary general is this strong?!'
Not only had he wiped out the enemies in an instant, but he also controlled the range of the attack so precisely that even their pot of crab soup wasn't disturbed. It was still bubbling happily over the fire.
'Why didn't you say you were this strong earlier?!'
She'd been scared out of her mind, thinking they were done for!
"Lady Furina," Richard said, drawing her attention, "shall we take a look at what these Treasure Hoarders were willing to risk everything to protect?"
He gestured toward the crates.
Furina quickly followed him toward the hoarders' stash…