When the surrounding citizens saw Furina's calm and composed demeanor, their hearts settled.
"This is our Lady Furina!"
"Who was spreading rumors that Lady Furina was just a mascot? She's clearly very reliable!"
"Thank goodness! Lady Furina obviously has a plan. We definitely won't be dissolved!"
Though Furina hadn't said anything, her expression alone was enough to reassure everyone.
Lu Heng glanced at her. He had to admit—she had a firm grasp on Fontaine's people.
This persona of hers worked perfectly on them.
Others might not know, but Lu Heng understood clearly. He knew Furina would persist until the end and see her plan through.
But…
Thinking about certain parts of the process, Lu Heng lowered his gaze slightly.
Why did it have to be so painful?
Was suffering truly a prerequisite for achieving great things?
Lu Heng shook his head, dispelling the unnecessary thoughts.
The past was the past. The present was now.
The moment he arrived in Teyvat, he had become like a butterfly flapping its wings—destiny had already begun to shift in imperceptible ways.
And besides, Lu Heng was no fragile butterfly. In terms of power, he stood at the pinnacle, overlooking the entire world!
"Having the power to change fate… really is reassuring."
A smile returned to Lu Heng's face as he silently watched Furina's performance—strong on the outside but fragile within.
What was going through her mind right now?
Furina was actually quite nervous, but she knew she absolutely couldn't show it.
Five hundred years. Her acting had never slipped, and today would be no exception.
"Alright, alright, calm those restless hearts of yours. I'll handle everything."
Furina waved a hand, her expression tinged with a hint of boredom—as if she had long been prepared, but people kept pestering her, making her slightly annoyed.
The citizens grew even more at ease.
Neuvillette said nothing and made no move.
He didn't know what preparations Furina had made for the prophecy crisis, nor did he interrupt or question her plans.
As mentioned before, Neuvillette often came across as "rigid" and inflexible.
In his mind, though he was Fontaine's Chief Justice, the entire nation belonged to the Hydro Archon. Thus, he was effectively Furina's subordinate.
If Furina hadn't shared her plans with him, it likely meant he wasn't needed. Unless the disaster arrived and Furina failed to act, he wouldn't challenge her authority.
Only then would he step in to fulfill his duties and demand answers.
Lu Heng took in Neuvillette's expression.
Had Poisson not been suddenly submerged by disaster, Neuvillette probably still wouldn't have confronted Furina—at least, not in such a drastic manner.
"Go on, disperse."
Furina waved her hand again.
Reporters and citizens gradually scattered.
Charlotte and the other journalists, having gotten their answers, were the first to leave.
No doubt, the next morning's Steambird would spread today's events across all of Fontaine.
"Lady Furina, I shall handle the follow-up matters as well," Neuvillette said.
"Very well."
Furina nodded, then shot Lu Heng a meaningful glance.
Lu Heng followed.
Instead of taking the main road, the two chose a quieter path.
Furina glanced around, ensuring no one else was nearby, before her expression instantly crumbled.
The confident, all-knowing Hydro Archon vanished, replaced by a vulnerable young girl.
She kicked a pebble along the path, her voice filled with worry.
"What should I do when the disaster really comes?"
"Do what you want to do."
Lu Heng replied.
"Do what I want…?"
Furina paused, murmuring to herself.
"What I dream of most is having enough power to tear apart the prophecy, end all of this, and finally live my own life…"
But… could she really do it?
Every time she thought about it, she couldn't help but ask herself that question.
She was just an ordinary person—powerless, inexplicably living for centuries—how could she possibly possess such strength?
Dreams were just dreams. Fantasies were just fantasies. The cold reality was like a bucket of ice water, forcing her awake.
But… she did have that kind of power now. Maybe it still paled in comparison to a true god's, but she could work hard, gain more!
"That's right!"
A smile bloomed on Furina's face.
The girl who had been sulking just moments ago now brimmed with confidence.
"Listen, I'll find a way to get more Mora later… and then—hmph!"
The spirited girl hopped onto a roadside rock, standing tall enough to look down at Lu Heng by half a head.
She raised her hand dramatically, declaring to the horizon:
"Screw the prophecy! I, Furina, will tear it all apart! Fontaine will never be swallowed by the sea! I'll protect my people with everything I have!"
"Now that's bold." Lu Heng gave her a thumbs-up.
"Hehe."
Furina's cheeks flushed pink as she jumped down, scratching her head sheepishly.
"Did I look super cool just now? Like, really cool?"
"Absolutely."
Lu Heng nodded with a grin. "Almost threatened my own level of coolness."
"You're so shameless~!"
Furina puffed her cheeks, then broke into a giggle.
"Feels like something I used to only dream about might actually come true~"
"Hope is a beam of light."
Lu Heng smiled. "You can see it, but not always grasp it. But if you keep walking toward it, you'll catch it eventually. Go on—reach out and make your dream real."
"You're really good with words."
Furina tilted her head, blinking at him.
"Gotta be, running a business." Lu Heng's smile didn't waver. "Wouldn't be able to trick Miss Furina into pulling cards otherwise."
"Ew."
"You bring hope to others so easily, yet downplay it like it's nothing. Why is that?"
"Mutual benefit, I suppose."
Lu Heng felt that everything he had now was thanks to the system.
All he did was run the shop according to its rules—and in the process, grow stronger through transactions.
"Just for a bit of Mora?"
Furina's face was full of disbelief, but she didn't press further.
She simply tucked that gratitude deep into her heart.
"Come on, I'll treat you to dinner!" Furina announced.
"Another thank-you?" Lu Heng raised an eyebrow.
"Of course! You helped clear up my worries. Besides, eating alone is boring—chatting with you is fun." Furina nodded earnestly.
"Alright then, let's go. We'll check the shop first." Lu Heng agreed readily.
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T/N:
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