"What?! Another Fatui Harbinger has arrived?!"
Inside the Palais Mermonia, Furina's voice shot up several octaves.
She nearly fainted on the spot.
Another Harbinger?
And one ranked even higher?!
What should I do? What do I do now?!
This is clearly premeditated!
What if he targets me?!
Furina could feel her legs trembling uncontrollably.
As an ordinary human, she had none of the strength her title implied.
She couldn't even beat a slightly stronger civilian.
How was she supposed to fight a Fatui Harbinger?
"Ahem! It's nothing! Just a mere mortal! I'm not afraid!"
Thankfully, Furina quickly adjusted her posture.
So what if he's a Harbinger?
As long as I don't run into him, everything's fine!
The one delivering this news was Fontaine's Chief Justice, Neuvillette.
He glanced at her trembling legs but did not expose her panic.
"That Harbinger is exceptionally powerful. It is said he easily slew a god once, and he maintains a close relationship with the Electro Archon."
Even Neuvillette was wary of such a visitor.
An unfamiliar powerhouse would raise an alarm anywhere.
Especially this Harbinger codenamed Genius.
His strength clearly surpassed the others by more than a single tier.
Even Arlecchino, who had long been stationed in Fontaine, did not trouble Neuvillette much.
But this one—
This one did.
"He's that strong?"
Furina's heart sank even further.
Why would someone like that come to Fontaine?!
There's nothing here!
"Lady Furina… are you afraid?"
Neuvillette couldn't help but ask.
He could clearly see her fear.
Yet he had witnessed her sit upon the Hydro Archon's throne for centuries.
No ordinary human possessed such longevity.
So he had never doubted her divinity.
But if she were truly a god—
Why fear another so much?
"Afraid? Absolutely not! I am Focalors! The Hydro Archon of Fontaine! Even foreign gods may be judged by me! Why would I fear a mere Harbinger?"
Furina promptly sat down on the sofa—
Just in case her shaking legs betrayed her.
Her words were bold.
Her heart was not.
She desperately wished she could hide somewhere no one would ever find her.
"I have gathered some intelligence. If you require it, take it."
Neuvillette slid a document forward.
"Understood. It's only a Harbinger. No need to make a fuss…"
Furina forced herself to sip some water.
Then she stood, took the file, and left.
Watching her retreating figure, Neuvillette sighed softly.
"You were the one making a fuss…"
After leaving his office and closing the door,
Furina glanced around.
No one.
She dashed back to her room.
Locking the door, she slid down to the floor and opened the file.
"Created a dream that trapped all of Inazuma… Granted another Harbinger, Childe, power rivaling a god… Even killed an ancient enemy of Rex Lapis in a single move…"
The more she read, the more her confidence evaporated.
This Harbinger sounded terrifying.
Was he here to create chaos in Fontaine too?
"What do I do? If he comes for me, I'm doomed!"
How could a powerless human fight someone capable of killing gods?
"Would you like some specialty snacks?"
"No, I'm not in the mood—"
Furina froze.
That wasn't her voice.
Slowly, stiffly, she lifted her head.
A strange man was sitting on her sofa.
In front of him was a table piled high with snacks.
But that wasn't the problem.
The problem was—
There was a strange man inside her room.
Before she could scream, Su Ran raised a finger to his lips.
"Shh. Keep it down. You wouldn't want Fontaine waking up tomorrow to rumors about the Hydro Archon secretly keeping a man in her chambers, would you?"
"Y-You! Who are you?! Why are you in my room?!"
Furina felt like the sky had collapsed.
Which meant—
He had seen everything.
Her panic.
Her fear.
"All that's secondary. The real question is—would you like some snacks? These are imported specialties from beyond your world. You won't find them anywhere in Teyvat."
"..."
Furina stared at him speechlessly.
Her life felt like it was hanging by a thread.
And he was offering snacks?
"The Genius Harbinger is already in Fontaine!"
"Don't be so tense. I've got plenty of experience dealing with Harbingers. I've beaten a few myself. Want some tactical advice? Otherwise, when you run into one, you'll just be waiting for execution."
"Really? You've defeated Harbingers? Even… the Second Seat, Genius?"
A flicker of hope appeared in her eyes.
She was wary of this stranger—
But she had no options.
If he could truly help…
That would be good.
"I'm evenly matched with Genius. I wouldn't fear him."
What a joke.
How could someone fear themselves?
"Really?"
Hope glimmered brighter.
"Of course. I couldn't possibly deceive a god. That's a crime I wouldn't dare commit. After all, I'm just a human."
Even if this "human" could casually wipe out every god on Teyvat.
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