Maintaining his perfectly elegant smile, Kamisato Ayato stepped forward and bowed deeply to King: "Good day, Mr. King."
His gaze swept across the sea, his tone filled with admiration and flattery: "Such a powerful fleet is truly breathtaking. Fontaine's national strength is indeed unfathomable."
King nodded slightly in response.
He looked at Kamisato Ayato and asked directly, "Did you receive the letter Neuvillette wrote to you?"
"Yes, I just received it this morning."
Kamisato Ayato took out a letter sealed with the Opera Epiclese's wax stamp from his robes, presented it with both hands, and clearly summarized the main points: "Iudex Neuvillette stated in the letter that, based on humanitarianism and neighborly friendship, Fontaine is willing to provide Inazuma with comprehensive aid, including food, medicine, reconstruction materials, and technical support."
"The related vessels have already set sail with the fleet, but they are slower and will arrive within a few days."
He paused, raising his voice slightly to ensure the surrounding Inazuman high-ranking officials could hear clearly:
"As for Ritou... Iudex Neuvillette, after careful consideration, believes that the act of 'cession' is too severe and could easily damage the long-term friendship between the two nations."
"It would also lead the other nations of Teyvat to misunderstand that Fontaine intends to ignite war."
"Therefore, Iudex Neuvillette has proposed a new plan."
"Fontaine plans to 'lease' Ritou to establish the 'Fontaine-Inazuma Special Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone'."
"The lease term... is tentatively set for ninety-nine years."
"Leasing?"
Yae Miko's eyes lit up, and a great weight was lifted from her heart.
Leasing for ninety-nine years versus ceding for five hundred years—the difference in nature is monumental!
The future is promising!
The future is promising indeed!
Kujou Sara also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the leasing still left a slightly bitter taste, compared to the direct cession of territory, this was the best outcome they could hope for right now.
Kamisato Ayato continued, "Within the Cooperation Zone, the commercial laws of Fontaine will apply, and it will be managed by personnel dispatched by Fontaine, but Inazuma will retain the right of supervision."
He looked at King, his tone sincere: "This plan is well thought out and takes the overall situation into account. The Kamisato Clan... and all of Inazuma, are deeply grateful."
King took the letter and glanced at it.
Neuvillette had also rambled on quite a bit in the letter, the gist being that the hole left by the previous explosion at the Fontaine Research Institute finally showed hope of being filled.
This aid would earn long-term profits, expand Fontaine's influence, and also help absorb some surplus capacity—truly killing several birds with one stone.
These points only took up half a page.
The remaining nine and a half pages praised Mr. King's brilliance and wisdom, noting how well the matter was handled... King didn't bother to read the details, handing the letter to Lynette beside him to put away.
"Regarding the Cooperation Zone, send people to finalize the details as soon as possible," King stated succinctly. "The reception and distribution of aid must be efficient, preventing further layers of exploitation."
"Please rest assured!" Kamisato Ayato immediately guaranteed, "This matter will be personally supervised by me, and the Yashiro Commission will oversee the entire process, ensuring every grain of rice and every piece of medicine reaches the citizens who need it."
"Then I leave it to you. I will be watching."
—
King had no interest in continuing to participate in the specific arguments regarding tax percentages, management rights, or material verification.
After stating his bottom line and ensuring the framework of the aid would not be distorted.
King left the haggling over the specific details to Kamisato Ayato, Yae Miko, and the officials who had accompanied the Fontaine fleet.
He gave a slight nod to Clorinde and Lynette, signaling them to stay and follow up on the matter.
King himself turned around, planning to take a walk along the dock and distance himself from the increasingly technical discussion.
Can't understand, absolutely can't understand...—
The Inazuman populace at the Ritou Dock gradually ceased panicking and began looking around curiously.
On the sea, the Fontaine fleet resembled dormant behemoths, silent yet reliable.
Inazuma, this deeply wounded nation, was finally forced onto the operating table, and the process of excising the rot began.
The process was certainly painful and bloody.
But at least, the pulse of life began beating again.
The area of the dock near the "Fontaine Fleet" berths was relatively quiet.
The massive hulls cast shadows, and the ships gently swayed with the waves.
Here, some Fontaine personnel could already be seen busy unloading crates marked "emergency food," "medical supplies," and "basic building materials," conducting preliminary inventory and handover with a few minor officials appointed by the Inazuman side.
Just as King walked near the piles of materials, intending to check their quality.
Suddenly, a pink figure "flew" out from behind a pile of wooden crates like a light bird, running straight into his arms.
"Oh! Mr. King! So you were here!"
A small head with light pink long hair and large, watery eyes cautiously peered out from King's embrace.
It was Furina's personal Melusine—Miss Aeval.
Traveling abroad for the first time, she seemed a little nervous, her small hands anxiously twisting her white maid dress.
But the moment she saw King, her eyes immediately lit up, like two sapphires submerged in seawater.
"Good morning, Mr. King!" she spoke softly, her voice sweet and gentle. "I didn't frighten you, did I?"
"Good morning, I wasn't frightened." King shook his head slightly, his tone gentle.
He always showed extra tenderness towards these pure-hearted Melusines.
"That's good..."
Aeval sighed in relief, carefully taking out an envelope sealed with light blue wax from her sleeve, and presented it to King with both hands.
The envelope looked very well protected, without a single crease.
The wax seal bore Furina's personal crest—
A delicate little crown, encircled by patterns of waves and musical notes.
"Lady Furina insisted that I hand this to you personally. She said..."
Aeval's small face flushed slightly, and she lowered her voice even more, with the excitement of someone shipping a couple: "This is just for you; no one else should know the contents."
King stared at the exceptionally carefully packaged envelope, slightly stunned.
He reached out and accepted it.
The envelope was light, but it carried a faint, familiar fragrance.
It was the clean, fragrant scent that Furina often wore.
"Thank you." King smiled slightly and said softly to Aeval.
"You're welcome! It is Aeval's honor to deliver a letter for Lady Furina and Mr. King!"
The little Melusine smiled happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Hurry and open it to read it."
King was in excellent spirits at this moment.
He broke the wax seal and pulled out the letter paper.
The paper was exquisite stationery printed with subtle water patterns.
The handwriting was ornate but somewhat hurried, revealing the writer's unconcealed emotions as they wrote:
"To Mr. King, the most reliable, greatest, and most invincible Guardian of Fontaine:
May this letter find you well!
(Hehe, I learned that phrase from those old-fashioned nobles. Doesn't it sound classy?)
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