[Lumine: If there were any other way, I absolutely wouldn't do this.]
[Paimon: Traveler, I understand you. You want to do something for Fontaine.]
Furina snorted coldly:
"So, there's no need for Neuvillette and Clorinde to explain their tasks. One was to gather a temporary audience and prepare the stage, the other to get ready for the duel—all just so that when I appear on the stage, I'd be forced into a trial I cannot refuse, right?"
Neuvillette nodded: "Exactly."
Furina turned to Clorinde in the audience and said proudly:
"Hmm, I commend your courage, Clorinde. Facing a god in a duel without hesitation—truly worthy of my most trusted dueling agent."
Clorinde saluted with one hand over her chest: "Thank you."
Furina then looked at Lumine:
"And you, Lumine… your task was to find me, keep talking to me, and prevent me from noticing the unusual nature of the house, until the duel, correct?"
Lumine shook her head: "No, you guessed wrong. My task was one final attempt—to get you to reveal your hidden information before reaching the judgment court."
Furina sighed:
"Ah, I see. Then I've missed the last opportunity. But it's fine. The trial that cannot be refused has begun. There's no reason to pause. There's no reason to stop now."
[Yae Miko: A trial by the public against a god… is this Fontaine's style? Shadow, I also want to judge you.]
[Kujou Sara: Lady Miko, why would you say such a thing?]
[Yae Miko: I just feel that Eternity is unsuitable for Inazuma, and Eternity is unsuitable for you, my friend, Raiden Ei.]
[Ei: I understand, Yae. No need to persuade me. Only Eternity brings me closest to the divine order. (Yae Miko weeps.)]
[Yae Miko: But bearing Eternity… is far too cruel for you.]
[Ganyu: Public scorn, loneliness, betrayal… makes me want to cry.]
[Yelan: This trap is incredibly clever, perfectly interlinked. Truly shocking.]
[Ningguang: To judge a god… is something I could never even imagine.]
Lumine lowered her head. There was no choice left—they had to judge the Hydro Archon.
Still, curiosity lingered: what did Furina intend to say before reaching the judgment seat?
Both sides were in position. Neuvillette announced the start of the trial.
Furina, standing on the defendant's seat, smiled:
"No need to repeat all the tedious introductions, Neuvillette. Let's move straight to the reading of charges. As the one being judged—the protagonist today—I still don't know on what grounds you intend to put me on trial."
"Let me be clear: it is normal for mortals not to understand a god's actions, yes? That alone does not constitute a crime for a god."
Lumine: "You're right. But the reason we're judging you isn't because of what you, as a god, have done or failed to do. The reason we judge you is—because you're not a god at all, Furina."
A ripple ran through the audience.
Shocked spectators: "Wait… Lady Furina isn't a god?"
"I thought this was going to be about the Hydro Archon's negligence… but is this accusation serious?"
Everyone watching the livestream was equally stunned.
[Charlotte: Lumine… why would you say that? Furina can't possibly not be a god!]
[Sigewinne: I never doubted Furina's identity either.]
[Wriothesley: I grew up hearing Lady Furina's stories, so how could she not be a god?]
[Ningguang: Earlier, in the livestream, the Knave suggested Furina might not be the Hydro Archon. Lumine likely learned this from the Knave, though it's unclear if there's evidence.]
[The Knave: After watching the previous events, I've started to believe in Lady Furina. Her concern for Poisson's citizens is genuine; her tears by the river were real. I won't comment further, but the livestream will reveal the answer.]
[Venti: This livestream system clearly has its own consciousness. Earlier, it revealed the identity of the Geo Archon. Let's ask it—System, is Furina the Hydro Archon?]
[Zhongli: Barbatos, after so many years, you're still playful as ever.]
[Nahida: The World Tree's memory tells me, Furina is indeed the Hydro Archon.]
[Furina: Do you hear that, Knave? Your doubts about me can be laid to rest. In light of your error, I forgive your offense.]
Regarding Lumine's accusation, Neuvillette declared:
"The accusation is valid."
Then Neuvillette looked at Furina:
"Lady Furina, do you acknowledge the claim made by the accuser?"
Furina's smile vanished, replaced by a flicker of panic:
"I do not acknowledge it. Of course, I do not."
Yet her confidence soon returned:
"I, Focalors, Furina de Fontaine, one of the Seven Archons of Teyvat, Queen over waters, lands, people, and laws—am undoubtedly a true god."
The audience murmured in agreement:
"Yes! Lady Furina may have a peculiar personality, but saying she isn't a god is… unreasonable."
"We never doubted her identity; at most, we complained she didn't focus on her duties. Why would the accuser say such a thing?"
The judgment scales tilted accordingly.
Furina looked at the audience, her voice firm and confident:
"Exactly. I believe the eyes of all present are keen. Many have regarded me as a god since birth—they will surely support me. Even the judgment scales naturally lean in my favor. Are you certain you wish to proceed with this futile debate?"
"Withdraw now, and in the name of the God of Justice, I promise not to pursue the charge of false accusation. Let today's events be treated merely as an entertaining farce for all to enjoy. How does that sound?"
[Charlotte: Truly impressive, Lady Furina immediately dominated the scene against the Traveler.]
[Wriothesley: After all, Furina is a god. Her presence cannot be rivaled.]
[Keqing: I wonder if Lumine will give up now…]
[Lumine: If it were me, I wouldn't give up until I obtained the information.]
[Ningguang: Her presence rivals even the Geo Archon.]
[Navia: Gods are gods, indeed.]
[Navia: This debate's one-sided from the start—not just questioning Furina, but trying to make the people of Fontaine doubt her too.]
(TL Note: The dialogue above from Navia doesn't really make sense in the context of this scene, so I put it in the system because that seems to make sense. But the original just had it in the scene.)
Before Lumine could withdraw, Furina took the initiative, asking boldly:
"Very well, if persuasion fails, then I shall ask. If I am not a god, what do you think I should be? I, who have sat on the throne for five hundred years—what has sustained me through these centuries?"
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TL Note:I'm done that was all the grinding I'm doing. The friday motivation is gone. ✌️