Before the Gate.
With Wriothesley and Clorinde no longer holding the line, the Primordial Sea water breached the Gate with alarming speed, surging toward Neuvillette.
Neuvillette slowly opened his eyes and gently raised his right hand, conjuring a translucent blue shield in his palm.
The shield's coverage was narrow, yet it firmly contained the Primordial Sea water within his hand, preventing a single drop from escaping.
Neuvillette pressed his right hand forward, forcing the Primordial Sea water to recede as he himself stepped forward.
"As the Prophecy foretold, this day may have been inevitable..."
"But it shouldn't have come now. Such ancient power could easily annihilate an entire race..."
"This boundless calamity is nothing more than an outpouring of rage."
Controlling the Primordial Sea water, Neuvillette guided it back beneath the valve.
With a forceful wave of his left hand, he sealed it tightly in place. His gaze fixed on the seal, his expression grave.
"...This Trial is too vast. Please forgive me for being unable to participate in its Judgment."
-
Player World.
In the live streams of major Genshin Impact streamers, many erupted in sharp, excited cries.
"Neuvillette is so cool!"
"First, he subdued Childe with a single slap, and now he's suppressing the Primordial Sea. I think I'm in love..."
In Chen Xiyao's live stream:
"Trust me, you have to trust me this time! With this level of plot intensity, Neuvillette is definitely going to be the main DPS, and a super powerful one at that!"
Stars sparkled in Chen Xiyao's eyes. Neuvillette was everything she loved—just like Zhongli, she had to pull for him!
Not only did he have a captivating voice, but he was also stunningly handsome!
"Crap, I don't have enough Primogems left! I've already spent way too much... Should I whale just one more time for Neuvillette? Hmm, just this once!"
-
Opera House, Reception Room
The Knave shifted, crossing her legs at the knee:
"Phew... Enough with this charade, Lady Furina. As a God, I imagine you're intimately familiar with the phenomena we've been discussing. At least, that's what I initially assumed. But judging by your expression, I seem to have misjudged you?"
Furina, her mind preoccupied with matters outside, replied with a voice barely above a whisper:
"...What do you want?"
The Knave: "Now that we've reached this point, there's no need for diplomatic pretense. Let me speak as a Fontainian—you know the Prophecy better than anyone, and everything is coming to pass."
"Yet you sit here so nonchalantly, sipping tea and nibbling cake, as if a few insects had merely flown into your garden. Is this truly acceptable?"
"The Prophecy is a sword hanging over all our heads. Every faction is scrambling to avert disaster or save themselves—even the orphans of the House of the Hearth are desperately trying to save their homeland."
The Knave's voice suddenly rose, her tone becoming aggressive:
"But what about you? Hydro Archon Focalors! From the very beginning, you've refused to take any action whatsoever, your complacency astonishing."
Furina clasped her hands together on her lap.
"No... I have never underestimated the Prophecy, nor have I ever idled my days away. Withdraw your skepticism and cease your presumptuous conjectures about the Gods!"
Furina's tone was utterly different from her usual theatrics, devoid of any trace of pretense. She answered The Knave's doubts with unwavering sincerity.
The Knave's voice returned to its usual calm: "It's not just me who questions you. Countless Fontainians, born in this land, likely harbor the same doubts."
"Hydro Archon, how will you save them? Save us? How will your protected people survive on this land that is on the verge of sinking?"
Overcoming her fear, Furina met The Knave's gaze directly:
"I have my own methods, and I've been working toward this for so long... Even if you despise me, you have no right to deny me!"
Furina rose to her feet. "Fontaine will be saved! Even though... even though I cannot yet see the true future, as long as I continue like this, I can face anyone without shame!"
The Knave: "Then please tell us, Lady Furina, what exactly are these efforts you speak of? Where can we see them?"
Furina: "...I..."
-
Live Stream:
[ "She's so aggressive! We can't even get a word in!" ]
[ "What exactly is Furina hiding? Why can't she just tell us at this point?" ]
[ "It's a good thing Fidelle stepped out. Given her absolute devotion to Furina, she might have started a fight with The Knave!" ]
[ "A full-blown fight is unlikely, but she would definitely defend Furina and give The Knave a piece of her mind." ]
[ "Fidelle went to investigate the Prophecy. Furina must have sent her. So Furina hasn't been ignoring the Prophecy after all." ]
-
Lumine sat quietly, unable to find an opportunity to interject. She knew nothing of the conversation between The Knave and Furina, so she instead focused on analyzing Furina's tone and inner thoughts.
Just moments ago, Furina had been so assertive, but now her confidence had vanished. Was there something she couldn't reveal?
"Oh... it's like the Prophecy. Everything will be revealed at the appointed time. You simply can't see those things yet."
The Knave immediately detected the shift in Furina's tone compared to her earlier statements, suspecting she was now being dishonest.
With a soft chuckle, The Knave replied, "I see. Truly befitting a God. The efforts you undertake remain entirely beyond the grasp of us mortals."
"If I may rephrase my question, Lady Furina, perhaps you could share what you can publicly disclose—for instance, your countermeasures against this calamity."
Furina stammered, "Uh... countermeasures..."
The Knave's laughter carried a hint of helplessness—or was it... fondness?
"Judging by your expression, do you have none?"
Furina crossed her arms defiantly. "Countermeasures are confidential information too!"
The Knave then inquired about the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, asking Furina about the purpose of its accumulated Indemnitium. Naturally, Furina had no idea.
"Mr. Neuvillette isn't present today. Could the Hydro Archon have sent him to resolve some pressing matter?"
"Of course! And this must remain strictly confidential!"
Realizing she couldn't extract any further information from Furina, The Knave deftly steered the conversation toward lighter topics, dispelling the previous oppressive atmosphere in the reception room.
-
As the tea party concluded, The Knave proactively suggested that Lumine escort her out, mentioning she had some matters to discuss with her along the way. Lumine agreed.
The Knave departed first, and Lumine turned to Furina, noticing her whispering to herself. Leaning closer, Lumine overheard Furina's muttered words:
"This tea party was more troublesome than I imagined... And Fidelle! It's been two days already, and my little cakes are all gone. Why hasn't she returned yet?"
Furina muttered, then suddenly realized Lumine was watching her. She quickly coughed a few times:
"Y-you... why are you staring at me like that? Is there something else you need? If not, I'd like to rest now~"