[Lyney: What a wonderful speech!]
[Freminet: We got to see what the Hydro Archon is really like!]
[Navia: I seem to have found hope again too. With all of us working together, we can definitely change the prophecy.]
[Sigewinne: Keep it up, everyone!],
[Lynette: I hereby announce that I've gone from being a fan of the Hydro Archon to a fan of the madwoman!]
The video fell silent for a moment.
Looking at Lumine and Paimon's expressions, Furina suddenly laughed and returned to her usual self.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What's this? Were you stunned by my superb acting? Oh, it was just a whim. I suddenly wanted to try playing a tragic character. It really doesn't suit me after all, hahahaha..."
"I improvised all of that just now. Don't take it too seriously. With the great me here, how could Fontaine possibly be affected by a mere 'prophecy'..."
Watching Furina change her expression as though she were in a play, Paimon said helplessly, "Furina, why are you putting on an act again? What you said just now was what you really wanted to say, wasn't it..."
Lumine watched Furina, constantly counting the time in her head. No, it's almost time... She's steered the conversation back again. We still don't have enough information...
Lumine made up her mind. "Furina... It's all right. You can tell us everything you've been carrying. Whatever it is, we'll definitely help you."
Furina said, "Telling you... I'm sorry, but I can't do that. It was decided from the very beginning. Everything, all of it, is mine alone to bear."
Lumine said, "Even if there's nothing we can do, telling me would make you feel a little better, wouldn't it? I'm a [witness]. Tell me!"
At Lumine's words, Furina, for once, did not immediately argue back. Only after a few seconds did she continue, "A [witness]?... I suppose so. I heard from someone before that you aren't from Teyvat, but came from beyond the sea of stars..."
"If all of this was arranged in the script long ago, then you-you're someone outside the script. Or perhaps a member of the audience. Maybe you really could..."
Struggle filled Furina's face. She was deeply conflicted, two voices constantly arguing in her mind.
Her entire body tensed.
Everyone watching the video could see that Furina's resolve had begun to waver. There was only one last step left.
She only needed to take a small step forward to cross it.
[Xiangling: Just say it! Say it! I really can't take this anymore.]
[Arataki Itto: If she doesn't say it soon, I feel like I'll go crazy too. I've lost all interest in food and drink. I only ate three bowls of rice for a meal today. That's a terrifyingly small amount.]
[Kuki Shinobu: Boss, I know you're anxious, but calm down first. What do you mean, only three bowls? Those were buckets!]
[Amber: It should be fine to say it, right? After all, even if fate concerns the people of Teyvat, the Traveler isn't one of them!]
[Neuvillette: Not necessarily. The moment the Traveler came to Teyvat from beyond the sea of stars, everything was already decided. She was bound to become a part of fate. No one can be an exception.]
[Paimon: That sounds so cultured!]
[Zhongli: Even stone has a heart. Whatever the secret might be, holding fast to it for centuries while enduring others' misunderstandings and slander-that strength of character alone is enough to move anyone!]
[Hu Tao: Consultant Zhongli, you sound so cultured too.]
[Lyney: Please say it, Lady Furina.]
[Tartaglia: I'm genuinely anxious now. Even at death's door, I've never felt this agonizingly restless!]
Everyone in the chat room was discussing it, desperate to know just what Furina's secret was.
In the video.
Furina's psychological defenses were on the verge of collapse, yet she still hesitated.
Lumine was growing increasingly anxious too, but she couldn't say it aloud. She could only keep repeating silently to herself, Hurry, Furina. There really isn't much time left!
Furina's gaze flickered, a faint glimmer of tears appearing in her eyes. Her lips parted several times, but no sound came out.
The closest she came was uttering a single word: "I..."
Just as Furina drew a deep breath and prepared to speak again.
"Bang!"
The entire room shook violently.
Panic covered Furina's face, and she swallowed the words she had been about to say.
All four walls surrounding the room suddenly collapsed.
Furina and the others appeared in the center of the opera house. All around them, every seat was occupied.
She looked at the gazes coming from every direction-curiosity, excitement, scrutiny, suspicion...
Furina was utterly panicked. She had never imagined that she would one day appear in the opera house this way.
Though she was doing everything she could to maintain her usual demeanor, her body still betrayed her. Her legs took an involuntary step back, and then she looked toward Neuvillette.
"Everyone, the opening act I performed has concluded." Lyney removed his top hat and bowed deeply to everyone. "Now, let us move on to the part everyone has been waiting for. The trial of a god officially begins!"
Furina glanced around again. "I see. That was close..."
Furina quickly cast those distracting thoughts aside. Her voice became theatrical once more, and her entire demeanor changed as she looked at Lyney and said haughtily, "Hmm, a fine performance. The show you put on for the sake of [drama] certainly deserves praise."
[Lyney: My future self actually pulled off a performance like that, making Lady Furina appear out of thin air... No... making a living god appear.]
[Yelan: Transporting such a large room all the way here from Poisson. Impressive, truly impressive.]
[Yae Miko: It certainly is full of drama!]
[Ningguang: Gathering all the citizens in advance and placing her under their watchful eyes certainly created a situation where Furina couldn't refuse!]
[Paimon: We've finally seen the entire plan. Even though it has nothing to do with the current me, I still feel so guilty...]
[Lumine: A little, yes.]
[Diluc: Exploiting Furina's trust, giving her hope only to shatter it again... That's a bit too cruel...]
[Neuvillette: ...]
[Barbara: My heart aches a little. Sob, sob!]
[Keqing: Impressive, truly impressive. If her willpower had been even a little weaker, she would have said it!]
[Yanfei: The attitude of Fontaine's people really is... They aren't afraid of angering a god at all. They all look like they're here to enjoy the show!]
[Hu Tao: If Liyue put Rex Lapis on trial, I don't think anyone except Consultant Zhongli would be interested!]
[Zhongli: Actually, I wouldn't be particularly interested either!]
[Xiao: Uh-]
On the screen.
Furina's voice grew louder and louder. "But I think you may be far too idealistic. I am the God of Hydro, and Focalors, the God of Justice. I am justice itself. You're actually absurd enough to try to judge me-to judge justice? What a fanciful notion!"
Neuvillette said, "From what you're saying... do you intend to refuse the trial?"
"Then, according to the rules, you will have one opportunity to defend your honor by defeating a Champion Duelist!"
No sooner had Neuvillette spoken his final word.
Clorinde stepped onto the stage from the other end, her face expressionless and the sword in her hand gleaming coldly.
Furina's voice was filled with disbelief and a hint of panic. "You... you... Have you truly decided to duel a god?"
Clorinde's expression did not change in the slightest, nor did she make a sound. Her only response was the sharp sword pointed at Furina.
Furina nodded. "...It seems you've made up your mind."
Then she slowly raised her right hand, drawing the gaze of everyone in the opera house!