"Treat it as technology sharing, and we'll share any new firearm advancements with you as well?"
The moment Idris said this, Furina's tension loosened just a little.
If Fontaine handed over the firearm blueprints and Sumeru later produced upgrades, Fontaine could still claim partial credit.
And given Sumeru's reputation as the land of wisdom—along with Idris' own title as Sage—Furina didn't doubt they could improve the designs.
But the more she thought about it, the more she realized…
This was still a trap.
A polite, refined trap—but a trap nonetheless.
Idris had made his intentions clear:
One pill recipe in exchange for two of Fontaine's top technologies.
Furina finally replied,
"Lord Idris, your asking price is too high."
Idris smiled.
"Of course it is. Every pill formula of the Alchemy Division is a precious treasure to us.
If the Bloodline Elixir recipe were to spread across the world, what value would our entire division have left?"
Furina clenched her jaw.
"But if we can't obtain the formula… it will be a disaster for our entire nation!"
Idris simply chuckled softly.
He had no intention of playing hero.
He wasn't the Traveler.
He was the Sage of Sumeru—
and a villain with only one guiding principle:
利益.Profit.
Seeing Furina refuse to budge, Idris casually added:
"Then I'll offer one final condition—
allow me to visit the Fortress of Meropide for a day."
He said it like he was asking to visit a tourist attraction.
But in truth, Idris had two goals:
One: Investigate the sealing array left by Focalors and Neuvillette over the primordial seawater. His
Two: See the "Ark Project"—the floating mechanical ark hidden within the prison's depths.
He had come all the way to Fontaine.
He wasn't leaving empty-handed.
"Visit… the Fortress of Meropide?"
Both Furina and Neuvillette froze.
To the public, they could simply say Idris was being held there.
They didn't have to mention he was sightseeing.
The people would calm down, the Presse Clockwork would have a headline, the Oratrice would receive the energy it needed…
It solved a lot of problems at once.
And only Idris would dare treat a nation's legal machinery as his personal amusement park.
Idris glanced around the table.
"Well, Lady Furina?
If we agree on the day-trip and technology sharing, the exchange proceeds.
If not… we're done here."
He rose as if ready to walk out.
Nahida immediately hopped off her chair, cooperating with his dramatic exit.
Watching him leave, Furina panicked.
"W-wait! Lord Idris, Fontaine accepts your terms!"
"But the firearm blueprints and aquatrain schematics aren't things we carry around on paper. We'll need at least a day or two to get them from the Technologie Institute."
"That's fine," Idris said. "Alchemy isn't something one masters overnight either."
"You'll need proper cauldrons, experienced instructors, and the beginner's trials.
If you work fast, you'll refine your first batch of Bloodline Elixir in two and a half months."
"Self-sufficiency, however?
Three to four months at minimum."
Furina laughed weakly.
"Haha… understood…"
Idris continued:
"Meanwhile, Sumeru's Alchemy Division will ramp up production.
We'll sell you Bloodline Elixirs at standard market prices—not inflated. You may also hire foreign alchemists or convince our students to come work in Fontaine. That's your business."
He paused, calculating mentally.
In three or four months, the Traveler would likely leave Sumeru for Fontaine.
At the same time, Bayda Port—once expanded—would already be generating wealth for Sumeru.
This wealth would, in turn, fund—
Sumeru's sky-rail plans,
firearm R&D,
and future national projects.
A perfect, clean profit loop, and Sumeru didn't spend a single Mora.
Fontaine's side similarly relaxed.
They could buy elixirs early to ease their crisis, and the recipe guaranteed future independence.
It was the best outcome they could hope for.
Idris stood and offered Furina a hand.
"Then—may our exchange be prosperous."
"May it be so."
Furina brought out a contract scroll.
"Since Lord Idris likes Liyue, we prepared a Liyue-style contract."
"Of course."
The contract was signed.
Neuvillette triple-checked every line, terrified Idris had hidden some trick.
Only when he confirmed no textual traps did he finally breathe out.
Fontaine gave up a lot—but far less than what they feared.
And they might survive the Prophecy after all.
Relief washed over the room, mixed with a strange, complicated respect for Idris.
Nahida's Request
"Now that we've resolved the Bloodline Elixir issue," Nahida suddenly said, "Lady Furina, may I speak with you alone later?"
She threw Idris a subtle glance.
Idris immediately understood.
"Whenever you like," he said.
"The Meropide visit can wait until tomorrow."
Just hearing Nahida's request made Furina stiffen all over again.
"A-ah… little Lucky Princess… is something the matter?"
Nahida smiled sweetly.
"Nothing serious.
We are both Archons of Teyvat, after all."
"Even though I've entrusted all my authority to Lord Idris, that doesn't mean we have nothing to discuss."
"It's only a private talk. Nothing dangerous."
Furina exhaled in relief.
"Well… then that's fine."
Though "fine" was a big word.
Talking alone with the God of Wisdom was terrifying.
After arranging desserts and tea for the upcoming conversation, Furina stepped back.
Meanwhile, Idris and Nahida linked minds.
Idris:What are you planning, little princess? Just chatting?
Nahida:
Not exactly. It's not me who wants to speak with her…
It's the soul hidden inside Furina's body.
"You can guess who it is, right?"
Idris didn't even need to think.
"Focalors—the previous Hydro Archon."
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