Noon.
Top floor of Hotel Debord.
A table full of delicacies, their aromas wafting through the air.
Furina introduced each dish with familiarity. Having eaten many snacks at Lu Heng's shop, she wasn't very hungry and instead took the opportunity to share the history behind each dish.
The mainstream utensils in Fontaine's court were knives and forks, but hotels like Hotel Debord, which sometimes hosted foreign guests, also had bowls and chopsticks prepared.
Lu Heng picked up a piece of orange-glazed duck breast.
This dish was a craftable recipe in the game, with the effect of restoring stamina.
In reality, of course, it didn't have the game's mechanics, but it was indeed delicious.
The duck breast carried a fruity aroma, with the citrus notes adding a unique sweetness to the rich meat.
As the locals of Fontaine would say, before you've even swallowed the first bite, your fork is already reaching for the next piece.
"How is it?" Furina asked expectantly.
"Truly a dish that leaves one thoroughly satisfied. No wonder it has always held a place among Fontaine's culinary classics, no matter how the dining culture evolves."
"The chef's skills are excellent too—the fusion of fruit and meat flavors is just right."
Lu Heng didn't hold back his praise.
"Hehe~"
Furina smiled with satisfaction.
This was exactly the reaction she had hoped for.
"Try some of the others. My recommendations are all incredibly delicious!"
If one were to name the most authoritative food critic in Fontaine's court, Furina would undoubtedly be among them.
Not just because of her status as the Hydro Archon, but because she had literally been eating for five hundred years.
In other words, unless it was a newly introduced dish, Furina had tasted almost everything else at least once.
Lu Heng sighed with emotion. "No wonder people say that when traveling to a new place, it's best to ask the locals for recommendations. With their guidance, you're less likely to stumble into pitfalls."
"Well, that's not always true, but I definitely won't lead you into any pitfalls."
Furina crossed her arms, her pretty face full of smiles.
"Thanks."
Lu Heng raised his glass, filled with orange juice squeezed from Fontaine's bubble fruit.
"Why thank me?"
Furina said, "Treating you to a meal is actually my way of thanking you. Thanks to you, I feel much less nervous about doing many things now."
"I run a shop for business. This is a transaction. What you gain depends on yourself—no need for thanks." Lu Heng chuckled.
"Nonsense."
Furina shook her head. "What might seem trivial to you can change someone else's fate… Something that seems small might carry immense significance for the person who benefits from it!"
"At the very least, for me, I'm afraid that one day I'll wake up and find all of this was just a dream."
"That won't happen. When you wake up, you'll just hear me asking if you want to pull on the gacha."
Furina's lips twitched.
"I was finally building up some emotional momentum!"
"I interrupted on purpose. Otherwise, if someone saw Lady Furina crying in a private room, who knows what rumors might spread—like me bullying you?" Lu Heng teased.
"Who would dare spread such rumors!"
Furina huffed.
"In the past, I might have tried to clarify, but now… if anyone provokes me, I'll strike back with my fists!"
She made a punching motion, standing up with full confidence. "I'll have the big white bear punch them so hard they'll be bedridden for the rest of their lives!"
"That ruthless?"
"Of course, I'm joking. I'd have them exiled to the Fortress of Meropide, charged with spreading false rumors about the Hydro Archon!"
"Fair enough."
While the atmosphere in the hotel was relaxed and cheerful, the same couldn't be said for the Palais Mermonia.
Neuvillette was so busy his hands never stopped moving—signing documents, reviewing files, one after another.
"Sigh…"
He walked into the hall.
Inside the Palais Mermonia's hall, the integrated system had been set up.
There was an instruction manual for the system, and some Melusines and staff were already operating it.
Neuvillette input the list into the system and submitted a review request to the first decision-maker—Furina.
"What is Lady Furina doing right now?"
After waiting a long time without a response, Neuvillette couldn't help but wonder.
"Could she not have heard the notification?"
Neuvillette tried resubmitting the review request.
...
"So, you see, I'm someone blessed by good luck!"
Somehow, the conversation turned to gacha, and Furina looked incredibly pleased with herself.
Back when she was pulling in front of Lu Heng, she had been frowning, but now, thinking about how Neuvillette needed nearly 100,000 pulls for just three gold cards, she was extremely satisfied with her own gacha results.
Though she didn't seem to consider what that one [Genetic Optimization Technology] card represented.
Lu Heng thought about it and decided to let the silly girl enjoy her happiness for now.
Beep beep—
"What's that sound?"
Furina looked puzzled.
After glancing around and finding nothing unusual, she continued chatting with Lu Heng about all sorts of topics.
A short while later.
Beep beep—
"What now?"
Furina frowned.
"It's your equipment," Lu Heng reminded her. "Ordinary equipment doesn't have communication functions, but I just remembered you're connected to the integrated system. It might be Neuvillette looking for you."
"Oh, right."
Furina recalled that this was indeed the case.
The fourth-tier gold-crafted equipment didn't have a gaudy, nouveau riche feel but instead looked exquisite, like a work of art.
"A list?"
Furina skimmed through it and approved it.
Once approved, it seemed Neuvillette—knowing she wasn't one to micromanage—quickly displayed information about cards being equipped to specific numbered devices.
Lu Heng watched all this silently, inwardly marveling at how Neuvillette really was like a prime minister.
He performed his duties to perfection, never overstepping his bounds.
With someone as stable and reliable as him around, Furina only needed to eat well, drink well, and sleep soundly.
"Oh, I just remembered something else!"
Furina said reluctantly, "I can't go play at your place this afternoon. There's a press conference to attend."
"Is it to intimidate the nobility and potential lawbreakers?" Lu Heng asked.
"Yes." Furina nodded.
With the Palais Mermonia now bolstered by such formidable power, it was only natural to make it known.
Of course, much would still be kept under wraps.
Muscle only deters when it's flexed; a hidden gun, once loaded, commands even greater caution.
The undercurrents stirring in Fontaine's court would likely calm down soon.
If nothing else, the Skyfaring Mirror was a Sword of Damocles hanging over everyone's heads.
"The Skyfaring Mirror is indeed useful."
Inside the Palais Mermonia, Neuvillette nodded in approval.
"Yes! It can patrol all of Fontaine in just half an hour, even monitoring underwater areas!"
A Melusine nearby said cheerfully, "Mr. Neuvillette, the crime rate will drop significantly from now on. You'll have much more time to rest!"
Neuvillette was also very pleased with this.
As for whether the Skyfaring Mirror could eliminate crime entirely… he believed it was impossible.
The sun casts its light, but shadows still hide wrongdoing.
The dark side would never disappear entirely—it would only hide deeper, becoming more cunning.
But if they didn't use the Skyfaring Mirror, wouldn't these elements just grow even more cunning?
They couldn't refrain from eating for fear of choking.
Moreover, with the Skyfaring Mirror drastically reducing crime rates, the Palais Mermonia could focus more energy on dealing with these even craftier individuals.
"Notify the press."
"Understood!"
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T/N:
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