Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

The cruise ship traveled smoothly along the aerial track, passing through rolling mountains and winding coastlines.

Looking out the window to the left, one sees the natural beauty of Fontainebleau, with dense forests covering the hillsides, dotted with wildflowers of various colors, and occasionally birds startled from the woods, drawing free arcs in the air.

On the right, the morning light spread across the vast water surface, shimmering like golden dragon scales sparkling with dazzling light as the waves surged.

In the distance, several sailboats were sailing slowly, their white sails almost transparent in the sunlight.

The sea breeze flowed into the cabin through the open windows, carrying a salty, damp scent and a faint smell of seaweed, gently caressing the faces of every passenger.

The wind was neither too strong nor too sticky, just the right amount to make people feel comfortable.

Gentle light spilled into every corner of the carriage. Travelers rested their heads against the window, feeling the warmth of the light on their skin.

Today is undoubtedly a perfect day for going out and sightseeing.

The traveler had no time to open her eyes and appreciate the beautiful scenery. She kept her eyes closed, breathing evenly, enjoying this rare moment of rest.

"Fontaine is also a city of art and gastronomy, with a collection of rare architectural styles..." The guide from Melousin was still explaining in her childlike voice.

Her tone was filled with love and pride for her hometown, making it the perfect bedtime story for travelers.

Most of the passengers in the carriage were locals from Fontainebleau, dressed in elegant formal attire. The men were mostly wearing well-tailored suits, with impeccable bow ties or ties. The women wore various long dresses, the hems of which swayed gently with the slight rocking of the boat, and their hats were decorated with feathers or veils.

They had clearly taken countless rides on such cruise ships, and were already quite accustomed to the scenery rushing past the windows and the explanations they had heard countless times.

At this moment, they were gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their conversation gradually shifting from the recent weather and business situation to more serious social issues.

“Hey, don’t you think the recent sentences are too lenient?” said a man dressed in a smart dark gray suit, holding a cane. His hair was neatly combed, his beard was trimmed, and his brow was furrowed, giving him a worried look.

The noblewoman sitting next to him, dressed in a dark green silk dress, sighed softly and adjusted the brim of her hat with her lace-gloved hand.

"Ah... Come to think of it, how long has it been since the last death sentence was handed down? I can hardly remember."

"The tragedy involving the Burgundy family last month caused widespread panic; no one dared to sleep with the lights off at night." The man in the suit spoke with obvious dissatisfaction: "In the end, the main culprit was only sentenced to life imprisonment, to be imprisoned for life in Melló Petersburg. It's simply incomprehensible."

“That’s the lives of a family of twelve.” The noblewoman’s face showed deep sympathy and barely concealed anger, and the silk folding fan in her hand tightened unconsciously. “I heard that the youngest child was only six months old and hadn’t even been named yet. And Lord Vilette only sentenced him to life imprisonment. How… how can this be fair to those innocent souls?”

“I attended that trial.” Another gentleman sitting across the aisle, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, joined the discussion. His voice was deep and serious: “That lowly servant… I’m sorry, I can’t find a more polite way to describe him. He was kneeling on the ground, tearfully thanking Lord Villette for his ‘leniency,’ saying he would ‘atone for his sins for the rest of his life.’ It was a disgusting performance.”

“Ah, the Burgundy family were all good people,” a lady sitting a little further away, wearing a large sapphire brooch, remarked, her voice tinged with sorrow. “They often attended charity galas. They all had hearts of gold. How could such people suffer such a terrible fate, while the murderer is still alive and breathing this air…”

"The glorious era led by Lady Furina is over." The man in the suit who spoke first shook his head, his tone heavy: "Back then, although the laws were strict, justice was served. Now... Fontaine is probably heading towards decline."

“Yes, I really miss the era of Lady Funina.” The noblewoman echoed softly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes. “Although it was strict back then, everyone knew that good and evil would be punished accordingly.”

“Things are probably not that simple,” a middle-aged man with a sharp face and wearing a black top hat suddenly interjected. He had been leaning against the window looking at the scenery, but now he turned around and glanced at the group of people discussing: “Years ago, weren’t those old noble powers quite dissatisfied with Lord Vilette? They even tried to suppress his authority through public opinion, using an incident that Melosin mishandled.”

These words caused a moment of silence in the carriage. Several passengers exchanged meaningful glances.

"Oh! I see!" The gentleman with the gold-rimmed glasses pushed up his glasses as if he had just realized something. "So, when the Water God was still around, Lady Vilette didn't act rashly. After Lady Funina exhausted her divine power to save Fontaine and had to step down, the High Inquisitor stabilized the situation and began to purge those old nobles?"

“Aren’t the Burgundian families traditional nobles?” the lady with the jeweled brooch lowered her voice. “Although they are philanthropic, they do belong to the opposition faction.”

A murmur rippled through the passengers. Some were surprised, some were lost in thought, and some shifted their positions nervously.

This interpretation seems to offer a new and unsettling perspective on the recent series of “too lenient” verdicts—perhaps not leniency, but a more sophisticated political maneuver, a power game that weaponizes the law.

Help!

The traveler, who had listened to the entire discussion with his eyes closed but not a single word missed, let out a wail in his heart.

Why does this feeling of being forcibly stuffed with background information and watching NPCs' dialogues advance the plot feel so familiar?

Exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave, yet my brain kept thinking.

Please, I just want to get some rest.

These power struggles, legal disputes, and historical issues... wouldn't it be better to leave those for tomorrow?

The lecture about Fontainebleau's history and culture was abruptly interrupted. The passengers, engrossed in their discussion, paid no attention. They continued exchanging their grievances about the judicial system, their speculations about political undercurrents, and their nostalgia for bygone eras.

"Lady Vilette, that's not how it is!"

A clear, trembling voice abruptly interrupted the passengers' conversation, instantly shattering the silence in the carriage. All conversation ceased abruptly, and all eyes turned to the source of the sound—Melushin on the small information panel at the front of the tram.