Furina looked at the sulking Rina and didn't know how to cheer her up, remaining silent for a moment.
At this moment, inside Rina's mind.
'I know she was right to suddenly seize control, it would be a bit embarrassing to forgive her just like that without her doing anything. Maybe I'll relent once she speaks?'
'No, no, that feels like letting her off too easily. Hmm…'
Rina happily made her decision.
However, Furina remained silent for a long time. The two of them just stared at each other, and the atmosphere seemed to become a bit... awkward?
Furina: Other Me isn't speaking... is she really that angry? What should I do? Would speaking make things worse? Better not say anything.
Rina: Furina, hurry up and say something! Just say I'm sorry or anything and I'll forgive you!
The two of them remained deadlocked like this for a long time.
In the end, it was Rina who couldn't hold out any longer and conceded defeat.
'Alright, alright, I forgive you.' Rina perfunctorily forgave Furina, but her words still carried a hint of reluctance.
"Really? That's great!" Furina was excited. She had been worried about how to cheer up Rina. "When we get back, I'll share half my cake with you!"
'Hmm... Huh?!' Rina thought her plan had completely failed, but unexpectedly, she could get even more cake. What a pleasant surprise.
Now both Furinas were happy.
After the playful banter between friends, the two began to discuss serious matters.
"Other Me, what do you think we should do next?"
Faced with the current situation, Furina felt somewhat lost. Fortunately, she had Rina by her side to accompany her.
'If I were them, given the current circumstances, what I could do is avoid conflict, observe and collect intelligence on them and seek opportunities for peace talks. Therefore, I suggest that everyone first do some things to help the local residents in Gray River Area to gain their trust. After that, negotiating with them might go more smoothly.'
Rina thought for a moment before answering Furina.
"Hmm, that makes sense. I know what to do now. Thank you, Other Me!"
Furina cheerfully left the Inner Space.
As soon as Furina emerged, she saw all the team members standing in a neat row, all looking at her with anxious expressions.
"Wh-what's wrong?" Furina felt a bit guilty.
"Lady Furina, you finally reacted! You were completely unresponsive no matter how much we called you earlier!" Cecily looked at Furina with anxious eyes. Seeing that the Hydro Archon finally had a reaction, her restless heart finally settled down.
Furina was startled. "Oh no! I actually forgot this isn't the Palais Mermonia..."
"Uh, hehe..." Furina gave an awkward laugh, "I was just resting earlier. As the god, Focalors, what could possibly happen to me?"
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. The plan to head to the Fire Land organization is temporarily postponed. The current mission is: Form teams of 3, do simple disguise work, look for people in need of help within Gray River and provide them with assistance. Regroup here in one day. Pay attention to safety and maintain communication."
Furina decisively skipped the topic.
"Yes, Lady Furina!"
The previously somewhat dispirited atmosphere in the team dissipated and everyone perked up to carry out the mission.
Furina looked at Cecily and said. "Cecily, you come with me."
"Yes, Lady Furina!" Cecily directly followed Furina.
Thus, Furina, Cecily, and one Rina also formed a three-person team.
Not far away, a person with a blue band tied around their arm saw this scene and hurriedly ran off in a certain direction.
A blue band tied around the arm is the mark of a Fire Land organization member.
A few minutes later, Louis's team
"Let's go to the old man who gave us the map earlier first and bring him some food." Louis suggested to the other two team members.
The other two members recalled the previous scene again, their faces slightly unable to hold back.
"Okay... haha... sure, that old man is indeed pitiful."
The three headed straight for the old man's house. Since their disguise wasn't as exaggerated as last time, Louis simply placed the food they carried with them at the doorstep and left a letter.
The main body of the letter read as follows.
[Thank you for providing me with a place to stay. Currently, I have successfully obtained a job within the Fire Land organization. The organization's boss, Uncle Liego, also gave me a lot of food.
Now I can have food and shelter. Remembering the help you gave me earlier, I've decided to share some of this food with you. I hope we can all get through this difficult time together.
Darkness will eventually become the past and the rainbow is surely in the near future!
Finally, thank you once again for the help you provided me.]
After hurriedly placing the letter and food, Louis's team immediately left to avoid being discovered.
Simultaneously, the person with the blue band tied around their arm, standing in the distance, saw this and also quickly left, running towards the Fire Land base.
Furina's team
Furina and Cecily strolled through the less crowded areas of Gray River.
'Furina, there's a Fire Land member tailing us from behind. Currently shows no malicious intent.' Rina, sensing the presence of someone following, informs Furina.
"Good, understood. The plan is proceeding smoothly. This is the effect we wanted." Furina replied.
As they walked forward, they suddenly saw a broken bridge ahead.
"A broken bridge?" Furina carefully examined the surrounding environment. By utilizing Rina's Hydro, she successfully changed her attire. After instructing Cecily to keep an eye on the surroundings, she went forward to ask an old woman nearby for information.
"Hello, grandma," Furina greeted the old woman, handing her a bag of bread in the process. "Can I ask you for some information?"
"Information? This old woman doesn't know any news. You can ask Fire Land. But you seem new here. I'll do my best to answer any questions you have." The old woman accepted the bag of bread, took one out, and started eating immediately. It was clear she hadn't eaten such things in a long time.
"Then I'll ask. This bridge... what happened to it?" Furina pointed at the broken bridge not far away.
"This bridge..." The old woman paused, swallowed a bite of bread and continued, "It's been broken for a long time. But we don't have the materials, skills, or manpower to repair it here, so we have to take a long detour every time we travel."
"I see..." Furina understood something. Seeing the old woman devouring the bread, she quickly handed her a bottle of water and said, "Thank you. Please eat slowly."
After obtaining the information, Furina went back to reunite with Cecily.
"Other Me, can you repair this bridge?" Furina asked Rina.
'Hmm, unfortunately, without materials, even I can't repair it.' Rina said to Furina in a somewhat teasing tone, perhaps getting back at her for earlier.
"Ah—" Hearing this, Furina felt somewhat dejected.
'But—' Rina suddenly changed her tone. 'I can use Hydro to build a new bridge.'
"Build... a new bridge?" Hearing Rina's statement, Furina was a bit shocked. Building a several-hundred-meter bridge just like that.
"Other Me is really powerful..."