"Ahem!"
Furina, feeling a bit embarrassed, handed the Gold Card to Lu Heng and changed the subject. "Help us take a look."
"Alright."
Lu Heng suppressed his smile and appraised the card.
[Calamity Wings]
[Tier]: 5th-tier · Gold
[Type]: [Multi-purpose Skill Card]
[Effect]: [Domain]
[Description]: Where the dragon's wings pass, calamity follows.
The card depicted a black dragon with crimson patterns, its maw wide open as flames licked its jaws—almost like a moving image.
The artwork, reminiscent of a photograph taken with a Kamera, was viscerally striking. The ruins beneath the dragon's feet evoked a sense of dread.
Just looking at the image made Neuvillette frown.
Even without reading the description, he could feel the malice and brutality emanating from the card.
The oppressive aura was overwhelming.
Even he, just by staring at the image, felt an immense pressure.
"This… is really just fifth-tier?"
"Genuine fifth-tier," Lu Heng nodded. "But it's on the higher end of fifth-tier."
Neuvillette understood immediately.
"What kind of card is it?"
"It can be used as a skill card or a summoning card, but summoning it consumes an enormous amount of energy, so it can't stay manifested for long."
"One thing to note—this Calamity Wings dragon is extremely ferocious, as you can probably tell from the description and artwork. Its abilities are devastating, and they also cause collateral damage to the surrounding environment."
"Additionally, its aura is harmful. Prolonged exposure can induce various plagues."
The dragon's name was reminiscent of Deathwing, and its appearance was like Godzilla with wings, its crimson patterns resembling flowing magma.
The black-and-red color scheme, combined with its overwhelming presence, made it clear—this was a monstrously powerful entity.
In all of Teyvat, there were barely a handful of beings that could stand against it!
"A high-tier fifth-tier card!"
Furina scratched her head. "But using it seems like killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred allies… It even damages the environment…"
"Then just don't use it on your own turf," Lu Heng said with a faint smile.
Furina thought that made sense.
This kind of card was best used on enemy territory.
(Though she hoped that day would never come.)
"Lady Furina, I hope you won't casually summon this thing," Neuvillette said sternly.
"Huh?"
Furina blinked, then waved her hand. "I don't need this card—you take it!"
Given Neuvillette's personality, there was no risk of him misusing it.
As Fontaine's Chief Justice, there was no need to worry about him harming Fontaine—if anything, the ones who should be worried were Fontaine's enemies.
So Furina was completely at ease handing it over.
"Very well."
Neuvillette didn't fuss.
This card had to be utilized, but it couldn't be entrusted to just anyone. The best solution was for him to wield it.
Immediately, he bound it to the Unified Management System, then equipped it to his customized Equipment Belt.
Worth noting—Furina's Equipment Belt was also linked to the system, but since it wasn't customized, she could freely choose whether to display or hide her card setup.
Her card usage wouldn't be logged, and her system ID was 001, while Neuvillette's was 002—reflecting their status as Fontaine's top two figures.
Looking at Neuvillette's beginner-tier Equipment Belt, Furina asked, "By the way, can customized Equipment Belts be upgraded in bulk?"
"The Unified Management System has a card dismantling and Equipment Belt upgrading function, but it's capped at fourth-tier. To reach fifth-tier, you'll need to visit the shop," Lu Heng explained.
"Then upgrade it."
Furina crossed her arms, adopting the tone of a seasoned veteran. "Once your Equipment Belt's tier improves, you'll understand the additional benefits."
Neuvillette nodded. "Understood. Let's finish the remaining pulls first."
"Sure, go ahead. I'll go grab some chips."
Furina was in a good mood.
Neuvillette worked efficiently, and before Furina could finish her bag of chips, he was done.
This time, no Gold Cards appeared, but Purple Cards kept showing up.
"94,000 pulls, resulting in three Gold Cards… and 24 high-tier Purple Cards."
Neuvillette asked, "Is this considered good luck?"
"Who knows? Luck varies from person to person—it depends on who you compare yourself to," Lu Heng shrugged. "As long as you're satisfied, it's worth it, right?"
Furina, munching on chips, pondered.
She had gotten three Gold Cards in 30,000 pulls, all with powerful effects—was that exceptional luck?!
She had thought her luck was terrible!
"Not a loss…" Neuvillette said seriously. "More like the difference between earning 10,000 times and 8,000 times the investment, right? Generous Mr. Lu."
Lu Heng chuckled but didn't respond.
"We've taken up a lot of your time. Thank you for your patience." Neuvillette bowed slightly.
"Don't mention it. It's nothing." Lu Heng waved it off and poured him another glass of water.
"Thank you."
Neuvillette took a sip, then began sorting through the sub-fourth-tier cards with Chevreuse.
Cards with undesirable effects were dismantled for EXP, while the rest—even if mediocre—were kept, since they weren't just for personal use but for Fontaine's official departments.
After spending considerable time categorizing the cards, Neuvillette said, "Lady Furina, regarding the distribution of Equipment Belts, do you have any input?"
"None." Furina shook her head.
Neuvillette had expected as much. "In that case, I'll draft a list later and distribute the belts accordingly."
"Got it."
Furina hadn't given it much thought.
Such was the life of an Archon—all she had to do was stamp approvals, while Neuvillette handled the real work.
Being a figurehead with power and prestige was the best job ever.
As Lu Heng returned from appraising a lucky customer's Purple Card, Neuvillette said, "Then, Mr. Lu, I'll take my leave for now."
Chevreuse stood up. "I've eliminated enough sin for today. Time to head back and prepare for afternoon training."
"Alright, feel free to drop by anytime—even just to chat." Lu Heng nodded.
"Goodbye."
Neuvillette and Chevreuse left.
Lu Heng's gaze shifted to Furina, who was still munching nonstop.
Furina paused mid-chew and pointed at herself. "Should I leave too?"
"Didn't mean it that way. Stay if you want."
Huh?
Why does that sound like you're talking to a kid?!
Another noble pulled a card, and Lu Heng stepped away for a few seconds before returning.
Furina glanced at the clock. "Are you free?"
"During business hours, free time is rare."
Lu Heng thought for a moment. "Unless customers aren't in a hurry for appraisals while I'm away."
"Did you need something?"
"Oh, I was thinking of treating you to a meal," Furina said.
"Treating me?"
Lu Heng checked the clock—it was almost mealtime.
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T/N:
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