With photographic proof in front of her, there was no way it could be fake.
Furina trusted evidence like this.
"So... how do you know people from outside Teyvat?"
"...And what is the outside world like?"
For Furina, who had begun playing the role of the Hydro Archon almost immediately after her birth, the world beyond Teyvat was utterly unfamiliar.
Within Teyvat, there was almost nowhere she could reveal her true self.
Even her own bedroom was no longer a place where she dared let down her guard, thanks to someone's unexpected visits.
If her secret were ever exposed...
Fontaine would be finished.
"It's a place full of wonders," Su Ran replied.
"There are countless different forms of life."
"And the reason I came to see you this time..."
"...is because I'd like to invite you somewhere once the time is right."
His plan was simple:
He wanted to take Furina to Penacony.
After all, Furina was an artist through and through.
With five hundred years of experience acting as the Hydro Archon, she had become an exceptionally accomplished performer.
Not only was she an excellent stage actress—her singing was outstanding as well.
Perhaps she'd create some wonderful chemistry with a certain superstar whose name echoed throughout the galaxy.
"...Me?"
The invitation made Furina's eyes light up.
But excitement quickly gave way to worry.
"...I don't think I can."
"The people of Fontaine can't do without their magnificent Hydro Archon!"
She was curious about the outside world.
Very curious.
But until everything had been resolved...she couldn't leave Fontaine.
She didn't even dare seek help from the other Archons.
She feared they'd see through her disguise at a glance.
"Then you really are a dedicated Archon, Furina."
"Of course!"
"I am Focalors!"
Despite feeling guilty inside,
Furina declared it with impressive confidence.
As for whether anyone would expose her...
Well, the real Hydro Archon hadn't appeared for five hundred years.
As long as no one meant her harm, she wasn't worried about being discovered.
"Then I'll invite you again another time."
Su Ran wasn't worried.
He knew exactly what Furina was afraid of.
Once she was finally free of her burdens, there would be plenty of time.
"That won't work either!"
"I already told you—I'm Fontaine's Hydro Archon."
"My people still won't be able to do without me."
It wasn't that she didn't want to go.
She simply couldn't.
So no matter what reason Su Ran offered, she would refuse.
Even now, she still hadn't figured out who "85" really was.
"Don't be so certain, Furina."
"Who knows?"
"Maybe before long..."
"...you'll be the one eager to run out of the Palais Mermonia."
Seeing that Furina still remained wary of him, Su Ran decided not to tease her any further.
"Just bringing snacks is a little boring."
"This time..."
"...I'll leave you something more special."
He produced a record player from beyond Teyvat.
After placing one of Robin's records onto it, music filled the room.
"...Mm."
"I can't understand the lyrics."
Still, music transcended language.
Even if she couldn't understand the words, she could appreciate the melody.
As someone deeply versed in opera, Furina naturally understood music itself.
"That's alright."
"As long as it sounds good."
Record players already existed in Teyvat, so there was no need to worry about her damaging it.
Watching Su Ran open the window as though preparing to jump...
"...Hey!"
Furina couldn't help calling out to him.
"You've brought me gifts twice now."
"...Don't tell me you actually like me?"
Twice.
Every single visit, he had brought presents.
What normal person treated someone they'd barely met this well?
Even if she was Fontaine's Archon, these gifts were unusually thoughtful.
"They're all different from what you give everyone else."
"Of course."
"Who wouldn't like Furina?"
"...Liking a god never ends well."
After all these years, this was the first time Furina had genuinely wanted to become friends with someone of the opposite sex.
If only he weren't so mysterious...
"What unfortunate timing."
"I happen to like quite a few gods."
"The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya."
"The Electro Archon of Inazuma."
"So far..."
"...things have been going rather well."
Without waiting to see Furina's reaction, Su Ran leapt out the window.
"...Will it kill you to stop exaggerating for once?"
She complained aloud, but before long, she was already sitting on the sofa, opening the new pile of snacks.
Eating sweets while listening to music...
Life wasn't so bad after all.
After jumping from Furina's room,
Su Ran didn't leave.
Someone had already blocked his path.
Fontaine's Chief Justice, Neuvillette, had apparently been waiting below for quite some time.
"The Second Harbinger of the Fatui."
"You trespassed into the Hydro Archon's private chambers."
"Are you treating Fontaine's laws as though they don't exist?"
He had no idea Furina didn't know Su Ran's true identity.
After all, he had already instructed the Melusines to deliver every report concerning the Genius.
Naturally, he was curious what exactly the Hydro Archon and the Genius had been discussing.
"If no one saw it..."
"...does it even count as a crime?"
"The victim hasn't complained."
Even Furina herself hadn't objected.
Why was the Chief Justice making such a fuss?
Su Ran paid Neuvillette little mind.
"I witnessed everything."
Even though the streets were empty, Neuvillette still hadn't attacked.
The top three Fatui Harbingers were universally acknowledged to possess overwhelming strength.
And this new Second Harbinger had risen by defeating the previous Number Two.
There was no question about his power.
If they fought,
Neuvillette wasn't afraid.
But the battle would almost certainly damage the city.
"You're not even human."
"You're a dragon."
"Do Fontaine's laws apply to other species too?"
The current Neuvillette, who had yet to reclaim the full authority of the Hydro Dragon,
posed no threat whatsoever to Su Ran.
Then again...even after reclaiming it, the result wouldn't change.
"Fontaine's laws apply to every living being within Fontaine."
Neuvillette had never exempted even himself from the law.
"In that case..."
"I suppose I'll have Arlecchino and me bring a fruit basket tomorrow to apologize."
Su Ran shrugged.
He could have simply altered Neuvillette's memories with the power of Remembrance.
But there was no need.
Without a memorable lesson, the man would only repeat the mistake next time.
"That won't be necessary."
Neuvillette intended to arrest Su Ran tonight.
The following morning, the headline across Fontaine read:
"Chief Justice Neuvillette Seriously Injured and Hospitalized."
—------------------------------
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