On the screen...
Paimon spread her hands and excitedly said to Lumine, "It's been so long since we went back up. Let's hurry..."
"Huh?!"
But before Paimon could finish, a powerful tremor shook the space they were in.
Moraine: "Huh? What's going on..."
Lumine also nervously asked Moraine, "Are you all right?"
Moraine shook her head, but she was still very curious about what had caused that tremor.
Seeing the receptionist's bewildered expression...
Paimon thought for a moment. "Let's ask the Duke!"
[Neuvillette: Something seems a little off about that tremor!]
[Wriothesley: Hahaha, they certainly chose the right person to ask!]
[Tartaglia: Why does this Duke title sound more imposing than Childe? Ooh, I'm tempted!]
[Zhongli: Tartaglia, sorry for the trouble, but please pay the bill. @Childe]
[Tartaglia has gone offline.]
[Hu Tao: Zhongli, I'll pay for you. Having you beg someone else really makes me lose face as the director!]
"Duke!"
A very composed-looking man appeared on the screen, his voice as deep and rich as his appearance suggested.
"It's a pleasure to see you both. Is there something you need?"
Paimon skipped the pleasantries and asked bluntly, "What was that tremor just now?"
Wriothesley shook his head, gesturing for them to relax, and told them that, in his experience, the tremor had not come from the seabed, but from above the surface.
He then told them not to worry too much. After all, Neuvillette's strength was worthy of their trust.
[Kujou Sara: Hmm? The seabed? Is this prison built underwater? What an interesting design. Perhaps we could adopt it too!]
[Arataki Itto: Whoa, you're one vicious woman! Don't think you can act so arrogantly just because you beat me at sumo!]
[Kujou Sara: And there's our first prisoner!]
[Yelan: An underwater prison sounds even more exciting than a dungeon! Why am I a little tempted?]
[Ningguang: I'll give you the funding. Go build it later!]
[Hu Tao: So this is what a rich lady is like?]
[Hu Tao: Rich lady, I'm hungry!]
[Yoimiya: Rich lady, I'm hungry!]
[Keqing: Didn't you notice something wrong with this tremor? If this prison really is on the seabed, and a tremor above the surface can still affect it, I'm afraid...]
[Alhaitham: A fair point! But I'm more curious about what exactly Neuvillette sealed underwater.]
[Charlotte: This group is wonderful! Everyone here says such interesting things. Any casual remark could be a news story!]
[Jean: Mr. Neuvillette, could you tell us about it?]
[Neuvillette: If my guess is correct, it should be primordial sea water. This involves a prophecy, and I am not at liberty to go into the details!]
[Yae Miko: Just as I thought. People like this always love acting mysterious. This is how they appear on the surface, but who knows what they're like behind the scenes? Wouldn't you agree, Ei? @Raiden Ei]
[Raiden Ei: Uh...]
[Kujou Sara: Your Excellency, the Shogun!]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Your Excellency, the Shogun!]
As she watched everyone's discussion, Furina grew even firmer in her resolve.
She clenched her little fists tightly.
"Don't worry. I'll break the prophecy. I won't let anything happen to a single citizen of Fontaine!"
"Let me bear it all!"
"Have you finished the paperwork too?"
"Yes!"
On the screen, Paimon and Lumine nodded, preparing to leave and head to the surface to uncover the truth.
Then a soft, gentle voice came from the entrance.
"Oh, it's you two! Are you leaving?" Sigewinne, the adorable blue-haired girl with bunny ears, walked in.
Paimon happily waved as well.
"Yes! We've really imposed on you, staying here so long! This place is pretty nice!"
Lumine: "Thank you all for looking after us!"
Sigewinne: "Then come visit whenever you have time. I'll miss you!"
Paimon chuckled and said to Wriothesley, "Aren't you going to see us off?"
When she saw that he really meant to do it, Paimon lost her nerve.
Wriothesley gave a scoff. "How polite of you."
Sigewinne: "Does living underwater for so long leave you feeling short of company? Hmm... why don't I walk you to the entrance?"
Lumine: "It's all right. It's not as if we won't come back!"
Paimon: "That's right, we'll be back. The chef here really is good! We still need to report to Neuvillette!"
Sigewinne: "You're going to see Monsieur Neuvillette? Haha, please pass along my regards and the Duke's!"
Wriothesley: "Just yours will do, won't it?"
Sigewinne put her hands on her hips, looking a little displeased. "It's a matter of courtesy, you know!"
[Lumine: How can such an adorable little girl say something so cold? Come hang out in prison whenever you're free?]
[Paimon: The chef is really good? Then going there for a look sounds pretty nice.]
[Xiangling: Is the food in prison really good? I'd like to try it too!]
[Yae Miko: I never expected the fierce-looking Duke to listen to Sigewinne so readily!]
[Nilou: Is she from Fontaine too? She's so cute. Those bunny ears must feel lovely to touch!]
[Dunyarzad: So gentle. She's just so gentle!]
[Yoimiya: Even the way she expresses displeasure is adorable!]
[Lisa: She certainly is adorable. Even I can't resist wanting to give her a pat!]
[Wriothesley: Stop praising her, stop praising her! Any more and Sigewinne will die of embarrassment!]
[Sigewinne: Thank you for liking me, everyone. It's not just me. All of us Melusines are like this!]
[Zhongli: Melusines... I have heard a little about them. They seem to be a rather unusual kind of creature. However, as I recall, Melusines were not particularly well received.]
[Arataki Itto: Hah-how unforgivable! Someone actually dislikes something that cute?]
[Kujou Sara: For once, something decent came out of that foul mouth of yours!]
[Mamoru: Don't talk about our boss like that!]
[Sigewinne: Not at all. Everyone treats me very well now. And not just me-all Melusines are treated very well!]
[Lyney: That's right. I've never heard of anything like that. Melusines are everyone's good friends. People can't love them enough!]
[Zhongli: Then it seems I remembered incorrectly! My apologies!]
[Hu Tao: What's going on, Zhongli? Your first mistake! But that's all right. Even Rex Lapis makes mistakes, let alone you!]
[Neuvillette: ...]