The atmosphere was unusually tense within a spacious room of a luxurious villa.
Levi knelt on both knees, his hands clasped tightly together, looking pleadingly at the middle-aged nobleman before him.
The nobleman's face was stern. He wore impeccably elegant traditional noble attire, his brow furrowed with worry and anger.
"Duke Joseph, you must save me! The content of the Steambird newspaper was all reported according to your instructions," Levi pleaded. "If I'm sent to the West Factory, I'm finished."
Upon hearing this, Joseph frowned deeply. He angrily cursed, "That Yide is a crazy madman! He's not only turned the Fontaine Research Institute into a complete mess, but now he won't even let the Steambird newspaper off the hook."
As he spoke, he paced back and forth in the room, clearly racking his brains for a solution.
Levi, still kneeling on the ground, remained motionless, only occasionally stealing glances at Joseph's reaction, his heart filled with anticipation and trepidation.
After a long while, Joseph finally made up his mind and said, "Levi, you must act immediately. Unite all influential journalists and writers and publicly publish strong criticisms of the West Factory in the Steambird newspaper. I want everyone to know what they're doing."
Levi, as if grasping at a lifeline, quickly responded, "Yes, Your Grace! I'll do it right away."
The anxiety in his heart dissipated considerably with Duke Joseph's decision.
Not long after he hurriedly left, Joseph, accompanied by his guards, headed towards the Palais Mermonia.
After entering the Palais Mermonia, he explained his purpose to Furina's butler, Sedene, who immediately went to Furina's room to report the matter.
When she heard the news of Duke Joseph's request for an audience, a hint of surprise flashed in Furina's eyes.
She quickly gathered her thoughts and instructed Sedene to escort Duke Joseph to her reception room.
Soon, the two were sitting opposite each other in the elegantly decorated reception room.
Furina smiled and asked politely, "Duke Joseph, what brings you here?"
Duke Joseph did not directly respond to Furina's question but instead became immersed in memories of the past.
He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a sense of vicissitude, "Lady Furina, when you first ascended to the throne, the nation of Fontaine was in turmoil. The Oceanids and many humans harbored doubts about you, and some even believed that you had usurped the seat of the Hydro Archon."
"At that critical moment, when the situation was precarious, it was our family who stepped forward and fully supported you, allowing you to stabilize your position."
"Later, in the fierce battle against the rebel organization, the Pure Water Association, our family paid an even more terrible price."
"Of the five hundred members of our entire clan, only a handful survived."
Although Furina had not experienced this past, she was aware of it. She understood that Joseph was simply trying to express how meritorious he and the other nobles were.
Joseph continued, "However, the recent series of actions by the West Factory have made those of us who once sacrificed our lives for you feel extremely disheartened."
"They have not only carried out a reckless purge of the Fontaine Research Institute, but they have also turned their attention to the Steambird newspaper, which is dedicated to uncovering the truth and spreading justice, attempting to control everything."
Furina frowned slightly. She calmly replied, "Duke Joseph, I understand your concerns. But as far as I know, the West Factory has no intention of controlling everything."
Joseph said vehemently, "Lady Furina, I respect your opinion."
"But the Steambird newspaper is an important platform for public opinion in Fontaine. If even it cannot speak freely, then where will our justice go?"
"We cannot sit idly by and watch the West Factory wantonly trample on our freedom of speech, nor can we tolerate them wantonly trampling on Fontaine's justice and fairness."
Furina could not think of any words to refute for a moment, so she demurred, "I will order the West Factory to regulate their investigative behavior."
Duke Joseph was clearly not satisfied with this answer.
He said in an almost threatening tone, "If the West Factory still does not let the Steambird newspaper off the hook, I will not hesitate to jump from the top of the Palais Mermonia at all costs. I am willing to use my blood to defend Fontaine's precarious justice."
If Duke Joseph were to really take such an extreme action, the seriousness of the consequences would be self-evident.
Not only would it provoke fierce opposition from the entire noble class, but even the common people would harbor great dissatisfaction with Furina and the West Factory, which was undoubtedly something Furina could not bear.
Under such pressure, Furina had no choice but to compromise, "Alright, I understand what you mean. Please believe that I will handle this matter properly."
Duke Joseph looked at her deeply and said in a heavy tone, "Lady Furina, I hope you can cherish the loyalty of our families to you. Don't let our passion cool down."
With that, he stood up to take his leave and left the reception room with a hint of determination.
Watching Duke Joseph's receding figure, Furina's head ached.
The origin of Fontaine's current nobility can be traced back to after Egeria's fall, when Furina hastily ascended the throne.
At that time, Fontaine's situation was extremely chaotic, and countless powerful Oceanids and human families expressed strong opposition to this new god.
They questioned Furina' qualifications and even did not hesitate to provoke war to defend their interests.
Later, with the help of some Oceanids and human families, Furina gradually stabilized the situation.
And these Oceanids and human families became the first nobles, with privileges above the law.
The Oceanids have long since disappeared from Fontaine, leaving only the human families.
The nobility has infiltrated all aspects of Fontaine. The resistance faced in completely eradicating them will only increase.