Chapter 400

This also once again elevated the status of the Goddess of Justice.

So, everything went smoothly. But how long must I continue, my other self?

Furina looked at everyone with a proud smile, without a trace of gloom, and then turned and left with a smug expression.

Eris followed behind her, his brow furrowed.

Anqi, who was also an actress, vaguely sensed something.

Still don't know the truth about the Hydro Archon, or the World Tree?

[What I store here are the memories of those who have died. What truly happened to the Hydro Archon is perhaps only known to her, and she is not yet dead. However, judging from the past memory data of Fontaine, the curse of the Fontaine people originates from the Heavenly Principles; it is very likely that the previous Hydro Archon and the Fontaine people committed something that the Heavenly Principles could not tolerate. I will try to dig deeper into the information from Egeria's remains.]

[So, could we infer that the current Hydro Archon's current appearance might be a result of something he has done to counter the curse?]

[Possibly. And Instrument of Reassurance you asked about earlier, it was also created by this generation of Hydro Archon, but I haven't received any useful information from it. The only thing I'm certain of is that this machine has been collecting the power of faith generated during trials and performances. Accumulated over five hundred years, this power is not to be underestimated.]

Eris looked at the girl in front of her, her face thoughtful, but in the end only a faint gentleness appeared on her face.

I have a feeling that something big is about to happen, judging from the series of mysteries surrounding the Hydro Archon.

But it doesn't matter, she doesn't dislike solving puzzles.

Besides, Furina is very cute, so it was quite enjoyable.

"Eris, you did a great job today and deserve a reward."

"Yes, Lady Furina."

"Then let's go to the audience seats. There's a trial later, Goddess of Justice won't miss it. By the way, is the cake I asked for ready?"

"Yes, Lady Furina."

Eris responded obediently.

Furina nodded in satisfaction, then her expression suddenly froze. She turned back, slightly apprehensive, and said:

"Just to confirm, is this the signature cake from that new Wateuf store on the street? You didn't make it, did you?"

"Eris went to the store at dawn and bought the first Strawberry Cake of the day."

"That's good, that's good."

Furina patted her chest.

She believed in Eris's taste, but she couldn't trust Eris's aesthetic sense at all.

If someone were to take out a plate of indescribable little cakes from a high vantage point and eat it with obvious enjoyment, it would be unimaginable how the public would perceive the Hydro Archon's hobbies and tastes.

Furina gracefully finished her cake from her seat at the top, replenishing the energy she had just expended during the performance.

Eris took out a handkerchief at the right moment, lifted Furina's chin, and carefully wiped her lips.

As Furina's chin was touched and her lips were rubbed, she tried to keep her composure, but a faint blush still appeared on her face.

"No, you don't need to go that far."

"What is Lady Furina saying?"

"No, it's nothing."

Furina was reluctant to admit it, but after being taken care of like this for a few days, she found it increasingly enjoyable.

Regardless, Eris did the right thing. Her meticulous care as a life assistant is certainly commendable.

So, Furina had no choice but to convince herself to get used to it.

Once everything was in order, the Court of Appeal escorted the defendant and plaintiff to their seats on either side, Neuvillette sat down in the judge's chair.

"As the judge in today's trial, I hereby declare the court in session. The Court of Appeal will now proceed with the case details."

"Yes! In this case, the plaintiff, Mr. Hof, is suing the defendant..."

Mr. Charlick...

A very ordinary commercial dispute case.

These are seemingly ordinary yet sophisticated business tactics—deliberately blocking someone else's store restroom and standing at their store entrance making defamatory remarks to every customer.

Furina did not get up.

Not every case deserves the Goddess of Justice. Besides, today's performance is already enough for the common people to talk about for days; any more activity would be excessive.

Furina has acted for five hundred years without ever making a mistake. Although from God's perspective, her deliberate high-profile behavior, which actually stems from insecurity, might make her seem a bit naive, she is actually very intelligent.

She simply maintained a composed and elegant demeanor, quietly watching the trial come to an end.

However, while Furina can remain on the sidelines, Neuvillette and the Instrument of Reassurance still have to give a result to this trivial case.

"According to the Instrument of Reassurance, the defendant is guilty! In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Fontaine Commercial Fair Competition Law, Charlick is ordered to pay the corresponding damages and be imprisoned in Meropide for twenty days. The trial is adjourned."

The Neuvillette's cane striking the ground signaled the end of the trial.

The audience members started discussing the topic with lingering interest, but most seemed rather dissatisfied.

"There was no twist at all; in fact, it was quite boring."

"I thought business competition should be on a more sophisticated level."

"It's over? That's it?"

Unfortunately, compared to Furina's previous performances, which could be described as art, the case itself was far too minor. The debate proceeded smoothly with solid evidence, but there were no compelling rebuttals, and the trial was completed almost without any significant ups and downs.

Is this child's play?

It's indeed a bit frivolous; the seriousness of the law seems to have been greatly diminished, completely unlike the cold and austere image one might normally imagine.

Yet, this very frivolous trial, day after day, year after year, has completely instilled in every Fontaine resident the idea that Fontaine is a land of law, and that all Fontaine residents should abide by and be protected by the law.

In Fontaine, even a child on the street knows that one must obey the law, otherwise the judge's seat at the Grand Opera House will be waiting for you.

Just as Mondstadt proclaims the principles of freedom through poetry, Liyue upholds the belief in contracts through trade. Furina, through a trial akin to a performance, ensured that the people of Fontaine would forever remember Fontaine as a land of justice and law, thus establishing Fontaine's harmonious and stable social order.

"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Eris thinks Lady Furina is very amazing."

Compared to the Raiden Ei blindly delegate power and mess things up, Furina's creativity and the actual level of governance she has achieved in the past few days are far superior.

Furina naturally puffed out her chest.

"Of course, I am the Goddess of Justice!"

Eris simply stared straight into her eyes.

Eris's eyes were red, but they did not have a bloodthirsty or ominous aura; they were as calm as a clear spring, like cool yet warm and translucent rubies.

Furina felt a chill run down her spine under that calm yet inquisitive gaze.

"Hey! What are you looking at?"

"Lady Furina is very cute, just like Melusine."

"Of course!"

"I'm curious about Lady Furina's secret."

"I have no secrets!"

"..."

Eris's silence made Furina's subconscious rebuttal seem particularly abrupt.

"Ahem! The trial is over. There's no point in sitting here any longer. Let's go outside for a walk."

"Yes, Lady Furina."

Eris remained calm and compliant throughout.

Before leaving, she waved to Neuvillette was looking in her direction.

Neuvillette raised her hand in response, then watched helplessly as Eris drifted away with Furina.

"..."

Unable to speak with Melusine, whom she longed to see, Neuvillette remained silent.

At the same time, the weather outside also changed from sunny to cloudy.