"Teacher!"
Navia planted her feet firmly, halting her retreat. With a swift flick of her sword, she unleashed a surge of Geo Elemental Power many times stronger than before, instantly obliterating the surrounding Clockwork Mekas.
Rushing forward, she caught Lofan before he could collapse. Staring at the Hydro arrow piercing his heart, Navia's body began to tremble violently.
An overwhelming panic surged through Navia's heart, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Monsieur Grett!"
Seeing Lofan's sudden misfortune, the others erupted in grief and fury, unleashing power beyond their limits. They swept through the enemy ranks, completely routing the nobles' forces.
Clorinde's eyes narrowed. When had that arrow appeared? Why hadn't she sensed it at all?
She scanned the battlefield vigilantly, but found no trace of anyone wielding Hydro Elemental Power.
Where is he hiding?
No matter how thoroughly she searched, Clorinde couldn't locate the hidden enemy, and her frustration grew.
Then, it struck her—she had once again failed to protect someone precious to a young girl. Overwhelmed by regret, guilt, and a complex tangle of emotions, Clorinde's attacks became increasingly ferocious. The Marechaussee Hunter she was battling directly felt the full force of her fury. Soon, he was covered in countless wounds and swiftly subdued by Clorinde.
While the others unleashed their full potential, Navia gently lowered Lofan to the ground, cradling him in her arms and resting his head against her chest.
"Teacher... please don't die..."
Seeing her dress stained crimson with blood, scalding tears streamed down Navia's cheeks as she began to sob softly.
"You still have so much to teach me," she whispered, her voice thick with tears. "I haven't grown enough to make you proud. Please, don't leave me alone again..."
"Navia... cough, cough, cough!"
Lofan seemed about to speak, but blood choked him. He coughed violently several times, blood bubbling from the corner of his mouth.
Panic seized Navia. She gripped Lofan's clothes tightly, her voice trembling. "Teacher, don't speak! You'll be alright!"
"That's right! We need to get you to a doctor! A doctor will save you!"
"Cough, cough, cough... Navia, I..."
As more blood spilled from Lofan's lips, Navia's tears flowed freely. She pressed her cheek against his forehead, her voice thick with sobs. "Teacher, please don't say anything more! You'll be alright!"
"No, I must..."
Feeling Lofan's stubborn gaze and seeing his deathly pale face, utterly drained and as if he were settling his affairs, Navia finally abandoned her desperate pleas.
With his heart pierced, Lofan's chances of survival were virtually nonexistent.
Perhaps the Hydro Archon possessed the means to heal him, but by the time Navia found her, Lofan's body would likely be stone cold.
No, she couldn't let her teacher see her so vulnerable in his final moments. He wouldn't be able to leave in peace knowing he had left her like this.
With that thought, Navia wiped away her tears and forced herself to appear composed.
By then, the battle had subsided. The others simply bound the prisoners while everyone gathered around Navia and Lofan, their faces etched with sorrow. Clorinde approached cautiously, still wary of the Hydro Element user lurking in the shadows.
"Teacher, everyone's here. If you have anything to say, please... say it now..."
Navia didn't know how she managed to utter those words. As soon as they left her lips, she felt all strength drain from her body.
"Cough... cough..."
"Navia... I want to tell you..."
"...My heart... is actually on the other side..."
The moment Lofan uttered those words, Navia and everyone around her froze in shock.
"Huh?!"
That was the universal thought racing through their minds.
"Don't just stand there! Get someone to treat me! I think I can still be saved... cough cough cough!"
"Y-yes, Teacher! I'll take you to a doctor right away!"
Hearing Lofan speak again snapped Navia out of her daze. She quickly scooped him up and rushed off.
"Come with me. I know a highly skilled doctor."
"Okay!"
Without hesitation, Navia followed Clorinde's lead.
Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of relief and joy at their miraculous escape.
In the end, Lofan was "saved" without any serious complications.
As Clorinde had said, the doctor was indeed skilled. However, Lofan deliberately controlled his body's recovery speed, keeping himself in a state between moderately and severely injured.
"Did any of those we captured confess anything?" Lofan asked.
Navia shook her head gently.
"Is that so?"
"Never mind. It's not crucial. As long as they're in our custody, that's enough."
"Let's move on to the next step—dragging those nobles down from their high horses!"
Lofan's tone turned cold as he spoke, not entirely feigned. The depravity of Fontaine's nobility had far exceeded his expectations.
He had initially assumed that with the Hydro Archon Furina overseeing Fontaine, the nobles would exercise some restraint. Yet, Fontaine proved to be even more corrupt than Inazuma, a testament to Furina's apparent ineffectiveness.
Lofan's original red line had been to avoid harming innocent lives, but these nobles and their cronies no longer qualified for such protection.
"You're planning a direct assault on the nobles?" Clorinde stepped forward, her gaze shifting between Lofan and Navia. "That would violate established procedures."
Lofan glared at her, his voice sharp. "So everything those nobles have been doing is perfectly within the rules, Miss Clorinde?"
Clorinde fell silent, unable to answer.
"Clorinde, I appreciate your intervention and your help in finding such an excellent doctor for my Teacher," Lofan continued, his voice still sharp. "But we won't compromise on this. Blood debts must be repaid in blood!"
Navia met Clorinde's cold gaze with equal intensity. Their opposing loyalties had led to this confrontation, a scenario Navia had desperately sought to avoid, hence her earlier refusal of Clorinde's offer of assistance.
"If you try to stop us, Clorinde, we become enemies."
"I won't let you leave this room."
Navia wasn't joking. As she spoke, she slowly drew her claymore.
Seeing the unwavering resolve in Navia's eyes, eyes that betrayed a deep well of sorrow and rage, Clorinde finally relented.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear your conversation."
Clorinde seemed dazed, as if this were the first time she had ever broken a rule she had always upheld.
"But I have one condition... no, a request. I hope your actions won't harm any innocent people."
"You have my word, Clorinde."
"I, Navia, swear it in the name of the President of the Spina di Rosula."
"All we seek is justice!"
Hearing Navia's oath, Clorinde nodded and turned to leave.