When news of the decree's revision reached Fleuve Cendre, the atmosphere remained tense. Everyone suspected it was merely another scheme orchestrated by the nobles.
Their suspicions were spot-on. The benefits offered by the nobles were merely bait. Had Marquis Relf not been driven to the brink, they wouldn't have even bothered to cast the line.
Lofan's plan had been to manipulate Marquis Relf into not only releasing the bait but also increasing the amount to entice the "fish" more easily. Finally, he would snap the line, ensuring the bait was swallowed whole.
No one genuinely wanted to live beside the foul, sunless sewers unless they had truly reached the end of their rope in the Upper District. Deep down, most people still yearned for sunlight. This was Lofan's final gift to them after all his machinations.
Lofan scanned the familiar faces before him, especially Navia, Melus, and Silver standing nearby. His original plan had been to orchestrate a grand farewell for himself, but now a pang of reluctance tugged at his heart.
He quickly shook it off. This wasn't goodbye forever; there was no need for hesitation at the end.
After days of reflection, Lofan had also resolved his inner turmoil. He doubted he would ever again be forced to orchestrate such a mass slaughter of lives. This time, the nobles' intolerable behavior had left him no choice. Otherwise, he would have devised a plan to let others deal with them.
Moreover, as the System's new features unlocked, Lofan believed it would gradually help him regain his composure.
"Teacher, what should we do now?"
Sensing the gazes of Navia and the others, Lofan quickly regained his composure and addressed them.
"Comrades, listen to me."
"There's no doubt this is a trap designed specifically for us—and a cunningly blatant one at that."
"If we refuse, the people of the Upper District and the nobles who don't harbor too much ill will toward us will think we're greedy, demanding more than our fair share."
"And some among us, seeing the opportunity to regain their Fontaine citizenship, no longer wish to live a life of constant uncertainty."
"This is the nobles' tactic to divide us!"
"I'm aware of all this."
As Lofan spoke, the assembled group listened quietly, without interrupting.
Having witnessed unimaginable victories in numerous operations, they had come to see Lofan as their guiding light.
Moreover, the sheer joy of following Lofan's lead without having to think for themselves had become addictive. Unless his plans were utterly absurd, few dared to voice objections.
"But if we accept, we'll have to leave this familiar battlefield for an unknown place."
"And once we come out into the open, the nobles will use every trick in the book against us. Our situation will become incredibly precarious."
Lofan paused, then his voice suddenly surged with passion.
"But this is also an extraordinary opportunity! A chance to finally shed these shameful labels once and for all! A chance to live in the sunlight again!"
"Those nobles are too arrogant! They underestimate us completely! We survived the most desperate times—what makes them think we'll cower before their petty schemes now?!"
Lofan's words ignited confidence in the crowd.
Indeed, we've endured the worst trials. With so many nobles wiped out in the recent purge, what's left to fear?
"We'll take their bait!"
"And we'll swallow it whole!"
Lofan's speech stirred their blood, and they roared in unison:
"We'll fight them to the bitter end!"
"Just a bunch of clowns—I've slaughtered plenty of their kind before!"
"Any fool who dares to invade our Fleuve Cendre will be sent packing in disgrace!"
Thanks to the elevator built by Lofan, the elderly residents of Fleuve Cendre, their bodies weakened by age, finally stood beneath the sunlight once more.
Though the sunlight wasn't harsh, they shielded their eyes with their hands, tears already streaming down their weathered faces.
They had never dreamed they would have another chance to leave Fleuve Cendre and see the outside world. According to rumors, they might never have to return to that dirty yet nostalgic place.
Some had initially resigned themselves to dying in Fleuve Cendre, not wanting to burden others. But after Lofan's repeated persuasion—even pleading—they too agreed to leave.
Lofan's contributions to Fleuve Cendre were immeasurable. They couldn't possibly refuse his advice, let alone his heartfelt pleas.
His unwavering devotion to their well-being further deepened the community's respect for him. Look at our leader, they thought. Despite his high position, he humbles himself for us. Those nobles would only look down on us from their lofty perches.
When they reached the Upper District and basked in the sunlight once more, they felt as if they had been reborn.
The onlookers showed little disgust towards the group of people dressed in tattered, even malodorous clothes, smiling warmly at them instead.
Previously, most Fontaine residents had harbored prejudices against the people of Fleuve Cendre. But after the recent events, their hearts were filled only with gratitude and sympathy.
Gratitude stemmed from the profound changes these individuals had brought to Fontaine's current state, while sympathy arose from the immense sacrifices they had made.
Escorted by the Court of Justice, the journey to their designated settlement outside Fontaine proceeded smoothly. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, members of the Court deployed Clockwork Mekas to clear nearby monsters and construct basic defensive fortifications. Melusines arrived with essential supplies.
It was then that Lofan noticed a significant shift in the Court's composition—the number of Melusines had noticeably increased.
While permanent housing would take time to build, temporary tents served as shelter.
Although official assurances promised the construction teams would arrive soon, Lofan understood perfectly why the nobles hadn't authorized prior work: they simply hadn't believed the Fleuve Cendre residents would survive long enough to occupy proper homes.
Deep within this region lay a vast reservoir of Pneumousia Energy. A single spark could detonate the entire area, blasting everything and everyone above into oblivion.
This Pneumousia Energy had been personally planted by Lofan himself...