Neuvillette

As we see, Neuvillette clearly favors Risley, who then proceeds to address the judge in an inappropriate manner. Risley is smart enough to understand that the judge, as a representative of the authorities, feels responsible for the Duke's childhood misfortunes. However, he doesn't take advantage of this to extract benefits for himself: everything Risley needs, he has acquired himself. All he wants is simple human connection over a cup of tea.
The characters' lore suggests that their relationship extends beyond business correspondence. At times, it becomes clear that Risley longs to be closer to the judge, but the latter, for obvious reasons, maintains a psychological distance. At least on screen.

Risley, for his part, harbors a grudge against the judge. This doesn't stop him from working with Neuvillette. But perhaps his condescension, familiarity, and taunts stem from this deep-seated feeling.

Sidgvin maintains a constant correspondence with Neuvillette and reports to him on all the events that have happened to Risley since the very beginning of his stay in prison.
Sidgwin's letters highlight two points at once:

Risley is very important to Neuvillette;
Risley is disdainful of the judge's involvement in his fate precisely because he is convinced that Neuvillette had no influence in the past on the situation with street children in Fontaine.

Risley is a trustworthy man. I had to fight for his title and reputation. Do you think his flattery and demure demeanor won me over? There's a saying in Inazuma: "An unspoken word is a flower," meaning that sometimes it's better to remain silent.

Risley first assumed control of Meropides Fortress. This occurred after the previous commander fled. It's safe to assume Neuvillette closely monitored the new manager's performance, and once he became convinced Risley would make an excellent leader, he began promoting him.

There seemed to be no room for further advancement within Meropides Fortress; Risley was already king there. But Neuvillette devised an honorary title, valid on the surface as well, thus whitewashing Risley's reputation. The title documents listed the merits of "excellent management" and "active tax revenue." Neuvillette thus attempted to compensate Risley for the horrors he endured as a child. However, one cannot say the award was undeserved.

The Duke himself is known to be rather lukewarm about his title. For example, he declined the award ceremony, citing business, and simply wished to receive the documents. No matter how hard Neuvillette tried to persuade him by correspondence, he was unsuccessful. Risley dislikes superficial attention, and Fontaine reminds him of his dark and brutal past. Ultimately, Neuvillette gave in and simply completed the necessary legal procedures without ceremony.

Now Risley is a free and respected member of Fontaine society, although he still prefers to sit underwater.

At the end of the Melusine Legends Quest, if we talk to Neuvillette and Risley after the main dialogue, we'll be able to listen to additional dialogue where Neuvillette says he keeps forgetting he's much older than Risley, who asks him what he did before becoming a judge—did he really just swim back and forth in the sea? Neuvillette jokes that sometimes he even did it up and down. It becomes clear they're no strangers to informal conversation, and, starting off on a serious note, the conversation quickly devolves into banter. Now it's not just Risley who's teasing Neuvillette, but the judge is also getting his way. Although... what if he was telling the truth?

We first witness our heroes interacting in the Meropides Fortress during the story quest "Approaching Catastrophe." As the quest progresses, we discover that beneath the underwater prison lie the dangerous waters of the Primordial Sea, which threatens to burst forth at any moment. Which, in fact, is precisely what happens.

Risley manages to hold off the Primordial Sea until Neuvillette arrives. When they meet, they exchange only a few words, suggesting that Risley and Clorinda know the judge can control the Primordial Sea, but they don't know how—he's keeping it a secret. Risley teases the judge rather cheekily.
As the two depart, Neuvillette seals the breach with his elemental power, the Hydro Dragon. The heroes continue to discuss secrecy afterward, and Risley jokes with Neuvillette again.
Despite Neuvillette's poker face, it's clear he finds nothing wrong with Risley's behavior, meaning their relationship is already more than just a formality. And at the end of the quest, Risley even seems a little offended that Neuvillette didn't stay for tea. This suggests there were precedents for sharing tea, and the warden was counting on the judge's company.
One day, Neuvillette traveled to Liyue to sample the local water and attend the Sea Lantern Festival. During his journey, he bought several gifts for the Fontaines, including tea for Risley. The cunning merchant managed to sell the judge as many as ten boxes, scamming the judge into selling them at half price. In a flashback shown during the quest, Neuvillette is seen presenting the gift to the Duke.
Risley chuckles, understanding the situation, and promises to use up the tea quickly. Neuvillette also gives Risley a souvenir he made during a handicraft workshop in Liyue. It's a clay tablet engraved with a code of laws. His colleagues constantly threaten to give the warden the code, as he has no idea what laws apply above ground.

Risley could also be called a sole ruler. Under his leadership, a separate state within a state exists: within the vast Meropides prison, no external laws apply; criminals serve their sentences there, and their well-being depends solely on the authorities. Fortunately, the Duke of Meropides Fortress possesses high moral standards and genuinely cares for his charges. Of course, this doesn't mean anyone will be able to take advantage of him.
In anticipation of the Fontaine sinking disaster, Risley even organized the secret development and assembly of a massive ship called the "Wingalet," which would rescue the inhabitants of Meropides and the people on the surface in the event of a disaster. He spent enormous resources and employed many people on this project. In reality, Risley had little faith in the success of his undertaking; however, as a man of action, he simply couldn't sit idly by in such a situation.
Moreover, Risley proved to be an effective manager. As a former criminal and inmate of the Meropides Fortress, he was well-versed in the prison's inner workings. So, when he took control, he was able not only to extract more commercial profit from the prisoners but also significantly improved their living conditions.
By the way, why is Risley called a Duke? It's a rather interesting moment in the character's history. He was awarded this highest title by Fontaine's leadership for exceptional service to the region, and we'll return to this a little later when we discuss the relationships between our characters. These services, in fact, relate to the efficient organization of robot production. The Meropides fortress not only pays for its upkeep but also brings Fontaine a substantial profit.

Neuvillette is Fontaine's supreme judge at the start of the region, and as the story progresses, its sole ruler. He is a competent and influential figure. Neuvillette's highest aspiration, predictably, is justice for everyone. While he is not a heartless machine, the judge hides his emotions and feelings deep within. His internal processes do not influence external ones: his verdicts are always based on facts and laws.
When Neuvillette took over as Chief Justice hundreds of years ago, he wasn't as beloved by the public as he is now: people simply didn't trust a stranger. And although nothing is known about the Chief Justice, by the time the game takes place, he had already acquired considerable authority. This is precisely because the Fontaines trust the Mecanique Oratrix machine, which effectively delivers verdicts during court hearings. And Neuvillette, with his innate sense of justice, always delivered the same verdict. This assured the people that the judge could be relied upon.
Neuvillette has a special bond with the Melusines. He watches over them and carefully oversees their integration into society. This is not surprising, as both he and they belong to the realm of Light or elemental beings. These include, for example, slimes, wraiths, protogens, eidolons, and dragons. The Judge, among other things, is also a Hydro Dragon, reborn in human form (you can find a comprehensive guide to dragons here). The Melusines were born from the body of the Abyssal Dragon Elinas, and Neuvillette is the reincarnation of the Hydro Lord killed by Fanet. Interestingly, when the Hydro Dragon is sad, it always rains in Fontaine.

The Judge has a reserved nature and never abuses his power. Living alongside people, he carefully studies their feelings and emotions. This helps him understand his own experiences. Outside of work, he is a sensitive and considerate person who never shows indifference and strives to help others. He treats not only the Melusines with care, but also the residents of Fontaine, and cares for them out of his own free will.

Neuvillette confirms that he is a Hydro Dragon, the successor to the former Hydro Dragon, who died long ago. In his Legends quest, Neuvillette states that he does not know why he was born in human form. Despite appearing human, Neuvillette does not recognize himself as such, and therefore feels like an outsider among humans. This may be the cause of his loneliness and alienation from society.

However, some questions about Neuvillette's origins can be answered in the Byakuyakoku Collection. As stated in the book "Trial Record of the Vishaps of the Deep": "The prophecy says that the dragon Lord of Water will be born in human form. We must not allow this to happen in Enkanomia"—which, even before Fontaine's appearance, hinted at Neuvillette's identity. Volume V, "In the Light, Beneath the Shadows," contains the following words: "... according to the ancient prophecy, the water dragon, the ancient ruler of the Vishaps, will certainly descend in human form... ...(The dragons of the deep have evolved and mastered the power of other elements, and therefore lost their purity. Therefore, the Lady of the Seas can no longer be born among them)." The dragons of the deep were originally "creatures of the World of Light." As a result of difficult living conditions and the actions of Enkanomia scientists, the vishaps were able to evolve, although they lost their original, pristine purity. Thus, not only Neuvillette, but also other elemental dragons, can exist (or be reborn) in human form, but not in dragon form.

Neuvillette is presented as a multifaceted character. On the one hand, he is serious and aloof. He is the law and order, the embodiment of justice, and it is within his power to judge and punish the gods themselves. He has no personal passions, and tries to devote all his time to his work. On the other hand, Neuvillette is quite a sensitive character, although he does not show it. He sincerely worries about his friends and the Melusines, and about the fate and future of Fontaine. Neuvillette wonders why he was born in human form and what his long life will lead to, wanting to understand the meaning of his existence.
One of Neuvillette's notable traits is his sympathy for the Melusines, leading him to be called the father of the Melusines, or even the "male Melusine." As described in the Neuvillette Legends quest, approximately four hundred years ago (relative to the current time in the game), Neuvillette assumed the position of High Judge of Fontaine and enacted a series of reforms, including the integration of the Melusines into Fontaine society. Some Melusines asked Neuvillette to bring them to the Cour de Fontaine, and he, in turn, decided that some of the Melusines' characteristics would be useful for organizations such as the Twilight Court. Thus, it is thanks to Neuvillette that Melusines can still be found on the streets of the city, for whom the judge bears responsibility. Beyond a sense of protective duty toward the Melusines, Neuvillette shares something more with them. In the face of Melusine, the judge, like the dragon Hydro, sees a continuation of the vishaps, sees in them something close and dear, something that is not found in people.