A Harbinger was already terrifying enough.
What kind of identity could possibly be more frightening than a Fatui Harbinger?
Unless he was an actual god!
But was that even possible?
Furina carefully observed Su Ran again and didn't see anything particularly extraordinary about him.
He looked no different from an ordinary passerby on the street.
Though… if she really tried to pinpoint something unusual, maybe she could.
"So, 85, why did you come looking for me? It can't just be to treat me to snacks, right?"
Furina was very self-aware.
Even if she wasn't a real god, she was still Fontaine's Hydro Archon in name.
She wielded unimaginable authority in Fontaine.
Even if she didn't personally handle many affairs, mobilizing resources wasn't difficult.
After unexpectedly meeting him like this, she didn't want it to turn out that he had approached her with ulterior motives.
She had no real friends.
And she didn't want this seemingly friendly person to be anything but genuine.
"Yes, I just genuinely wanted to get to know you, Furina. You're not suspecting I have hidden intentions, are you?"
If Su Ran had any ulterior motive—
Well, he did.
He wanted her to be happier.
Even though it wouldn't be long before she stepped down from the Hydro Archon's position.
Since he was here, he hoped she could start relaxing a little earlier.
"Um… maybe just a tiny bit."
After all, he had appeared in her room out of nowhere.
And in a rather forceful way.
Her suspicion was only natural.
If she had no doubts at all, her fake Archon identity would've been exposed long ago in these past five hundred years.
"I see. Well… I do quite like you, Miss Furina."
Su Ran reached out and lifted her chin lightly.
Furina immediately scrambled backward until she hit the edge of the sofa.
"H-Hey! I'm Fontaine's god! How could I possibly date an ordinary human?!"
At that confession-like tone, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Over the years, she'd had plenty of admirers.
She was used to hearing declarations of affection.
But someone this close—
Someone confessing to her face—
This was a first.
She couldn't accept something like that.
She still had her mission.
"Look at you, getting this worked up over a single sentence. Is that really fitting for a dignified god?"
Her startled, almost reflexive reaction made Su Ran laugh.
"All you need to do is stay adorable, Furina. I don't expect anything else from you. But if you ever run into trouble, you can call for me. I can solve your problems."
He paused slightly.
"Any problem."
"Excuse me?! There's nothing in this world that could possibly trouble me!"
Even though she was touched, Furina still pretended to be composed.
She was Fontaine's Hydro Archon!
How could she admit to having problems?
Even if she did—
She couldn't say it aloud.
"Then don't call me unless you need to."
Su Ran pulled out a tablet.
"You seem to like the snacks, so I'll give you some more."
With a few taps, he "borrowed" another batch from Herta Space Station.
He'd report it to Herta later.
No big deal.
"Huh? How did you do that?"
Seeing items appear out of thin air, Furina leaned closer to inspect the tablet in his hand.
"Advanced technology. If you want to learn, I can teach you someday."
After she stepped down as Hydro Archon.
After she returned to an ordinary life.
Then she'd have time to truly pursue what she wanted.
For now, she still had to endure.
She didn't trust him that deeply yet.
And even if he offered too much help too quickly—
She wouldn't necessarily accept it.
When something falls from the sky too easily,
Suspicion is inevitable.
"Can't you teach me now?"
Furina was naturally curious about new things.
But this time, Su Ran didn't give her the chance.
He vanished instantly.
"Why leave so suddenly?"
Watching him disappear without warning, Furina blinked.
That ability was incredible.
She'd seen Clorinde's swift movements before—
But this left no afterimage.
No doors or windows had opened.
How did he leave?
Teleportation?
She even bent down to check under the bed.
Nothing.
If not for the pile of snacks in her room—
And her slightly stuffed stomach—
She might've thought she hallucinated the entire thing.
"I'm back~"
"Welcome back." ×3
Three voices answered from inside the room.
That surprised Su Ran.
Besides Arlecchino-chan and Herta—
There was someone else?
"Long time no see, Mr. Genius!"
A blonde young lady in an elegant aristocratic gothic dress and black top hat stood there, wearing sunglasses and smiling brightly.
"Eh? Why is it you?"
Su Ran was genuinely surprised.
He'd expected that someone might show up while he was gone.
Maybe Arlecchino.
Maybe Neuvillette.
Maybe even Clorinde.
But Navia?
That hadn't crossed his mind.
Logically speaking… they shouldn't have established contact that quickly.
Her presence here felt somewhat unexpected.
"Why can't it be me? I'm a citizen of Fontaine too. It's perfectly normal for me to be here, isn't it?"
Even facing a Fatui Harbinger, Navia showed remarkable composure.
There was no fear in her expression.
If anything, she seemed… friendly.
That made Su Ran start questioning things.
Since when was Fatui this popular?
"Father, Miss Navia is someone I met after arriving in Fontaine," Arlecchino-chan explained.
If it had been any ordinary Fatui member, Navia wouldn't have dropped her guard so easily.
But if it was Arlecchino-chan's father—
That was different.
"Looks like you're more popular than Arlecchino herself."
Even so,
Su Ran was genuinely curious.
Why was Navia so enthusiastic upon their first meeting?
Had Arlecchino-chan fed her some kind of persuasive potion?
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