Honestly… this is purely basic psychology. Well, not even psychology proper—let's just call it a common-sense conversational trick.
If someone holds a high position, usually comes across as serious, strong, noble, and hard to approach… then the moment they unexpectedly show a more approachable or relaxed side, it immediately shortens the social distance.
In ancient times, this way of using the element of "pleasantly surprised" in social interactions was called being people-friendly.
Nowadays…
"Not bad at all."
In the lounge, Renjiro, Lumine, Daphne, and Cassandra were seated across from each other on two sofas.
Renjiro knew that Lumine hadn't thought all this through—her emotional intelligence was decent, but she wasn't as calculating as him. If anything, it was more like "accidental success."
In short, a few simple words from his scatterbrained little sister had the effect of calming Cassandra's nerves.
Taking the opportunity…
"This letter… you delivered it to my familia outpost yesterday, right?"
Renjiro took out the envelope—not even formally sealed with wax—and placed it on the small table between them.
"Are you sure the contents aren't false?"
Seeing his serious tone, Daphne cautiously asked,
"What did Cassandra write? Can I read it?"
"Sure."
Renjiro didn't refuse. He didn't want the information inside widely known, but if he didn't let her read it now, the conversation couldn't continue.
Daphne was Cassandra's closest confidante, and she had overheard talk about the "prophetic dream" earlier. There was no hiding it.
Once Daphne read the short prophecy poem…
Unsurprisingly, she thought Cassandra was spouting nonsense again.
Her face involuntarily showed a hint of irritation.
Cassandra instinctively shrank back.
At that exact moment…
"Cassandra… you…"
"This is all true, right?"
Renjiro spoke abruptly.
"Huh?"
For a moment, except for Lumine sitting on his right, both Daphne and Cassandra froze.
Obviously, their reasons for freezing were different.
Daphne hadn't expected Renjiro to make such a judgment. That prophecy poem looked like the kind of intentionally vague nonsense some charlatan might concoct. If anyone actually believed it, she'd question their intelligence.
Meanwhile…
"You… you're willing to believe me?"
After her brief shock, Cassandra's eyes lit up like she had grabbed a lifeline. Her voice trembled with excitement.
During this moment…
[Affection: 1 → 5 → 7]
Renjiro observed that Cassandra's affection for him skyrocketed unnaturally.
But this unnatural spike made him frown.
Renjiro knew he wasn't Barbara, nor a pure-hearted boy from another world. Even with the advantage of foresight, just being the first to believe Cassandra's prophecy shouldn't jump her affection from 'stranger' to what could be considered best-friend-level 7.
Why?
Daphne and Cassandra were already at affection level 7 with each other. Their bond was so strong that in the original timeline, even if Daphne doubted Cassandra's sanity, she would risk her life to prove the prophecy true.
This disbelief wasn't her fault. Cassandra's "Five Dimension Troia" skill, while granting 100% accurate prophetic dreams, came with the side effect that almost nobody would believe her.
Even gods weren't exempt.
Clearly, this trait mirrored the legend of Troy Renjiro had heard on Earth.
He suspected the reason he wasn't affected by this "cursed" effect was because he wasn't originally from this world.
Plus, he had another world within himself, and Teyvat's overall mystery level was far higher than Cassandra's skill.
And… the additional support from the even more mysterious system.
"You didn't lie, Miss Cassandra."
Repeating this conclusion, Renjiro's expression turned serious.
Merely being the first person to believe her prophecy wasn't enough to make affection jump from 1 to 7.
It could only happen under very specific, high-stakes circumstances: Cassandra truly believed the world would end, and if no one trusted her, everything would be lost.
In such a moment, if someone capable of changing the outcome believed her… that sudden switch from despair to hope could instantly catalyze extreme affection.
To put it in perspective, Freya's affection level 8 took numerous interactions to accumulate. Even a goddess who had lived billions of years wouldn't instantly value Renjiro just for calling her "older sister."
It was the combination of the world's wonder, the novelty of the unknown, and the quasi-familial relationship that made this bond possible.
At present…
"Um… how should I address you?"
"Higashikata Renjiro. Just call me Renjiro."
Having heard his name, Daphne asked,
"Mr. Renjiro… do you really believe Cassandra's 'prophetic dream'?"
"The world will end… that's no joke at all."
In this situation… to Daphne, it was like hearing someone on Earth suddenly claim: The sun will explode tomorrow and destroy the world!
Could it happen? Sure.
Would anyone believe it? No.
Evidence? Oh, you just dreamed it… how convenient.
All these years, Cassandra had been trapped in this very predicament.