Another night passed.
With that, Idris's one-day tour of the Fortress of Meropide came to an end.
Although he hadn't had the chance to study the sealing array related to the Primordial Sea, Idris was still more than satisfied. One day was limited time, after all—and obtaining the research blueprints for a massive floating warship alone was enough to keep him busy for quite a while once he returned to Sumeru.
As for that sealing formation…
Worst case, he could just head to Liyue and study there. Liyue had sealed plenty of gods over the years anyway—borrowing a reference wasn't exactly difficult.
When the second day arrived, Idris took his leave from Meropide and headed for the Court of Fontaine, straight to Furina's office.
By the time he arrived, Furina had already prepared tea and was waiting.
Seeing Idris and Nahida enter, she smiled politely.
"You're here. How was your trip to Meropide? Was everything smooth?"
"It was decent," Idris replied calmly.
He was in a good mood—after all, he'd gotten what he came for and enjoyed himself along the way.
Naturally, he didn't mention what he had obtained. Wriothesley had made it very clear that certain things were not meant to see the light of day.
Today's visit, however, was about concluding Fontaine's final transaction.
As Idris sat across from her, Furina's emotions became subtly complicated.
The night before, Focalors had felt like a completely different person—far more cheerful than usual, and oddly insistent on giving her strange advice.
Even after a full day had passed, Furina still found Idris difficult to look at normally.
Idris, of course, didn't concern himself with her thoughts.
He sat down casually on the sofa opposite her and picked up the blueprints on the table.
They were firearm schematics and patrol ship designs—exceptionally detailed, clearly laid out step by step, to the point where even mass production had been fully considered.
As he flipped through them, Idris casually asked,
"Why is it only you handling the handover today?
Did Neuvillette not come?"
Furina shook her head.
"No. He has other matters to attend to."
Idris nodded.
He understood perfectly.
Meeting would only make things awkward—just like with Zhongli. Sometimes, it was better not to meet at all.
After confirming the contents of the blueprints, Idris nodded again.
"These are thorough. I'm satisfied."
He reached out and passed her another document.
"This is the formula for the Bloodline Pill. Take it."
"The ingredients are all inexpensive and commonly found medicinal herbs. However, given the scale you'll need, I recommend designating farmland to cultivate them."
"With the grafting techniques I shared earlier, mass production shouldn't be difficult."
"After all, grafting isn't meant to create new species—it's meant to increase yield and versatility."
Hearing this, Furina let out a self-mocking smile.
"So… this was part of your plan as well, Grand Sage?"
"Indeed. With grafting technology, Fontaine will eventually become self-sufficient in producing Bloodline Pills."
"Before that, though, we'll still need Sumeru's support—whether it's pills, herbs, or other trade goods."
"You really do calculate everything to the last step."
She could already feel it.
Following Idris's rhythm meant stepping into a massive scheme—effective, perhaps, but undeniably exhausting.
Idris chuckled softly.
"Consider this a lesson, Lady Furina."
"Free gifts are often sugar-coated cannonballs."
"At the time, we were strangers. I helped you resolve some Fontaine cases verbally—that alone was already generous."
"So why would I hand over Bloodline Pills as a free greeting gift?"
It was the same reason he'd given Youth-Preserving Pills to Liyue.
Friendship was one thing.
Propaganda was another.
Furina sighed helplessly.
"I understand now… though understanding doesn't change much."
She finally looked slightly better only after carefully examining the bloodline pill formula—its precise, meticulous process impossible to deny.
"Then… our transaction is complete."
"Lady Furina," Idris said as he stood, "I sincerely hope Fontaine withstands its coming catastrophe."
With those words, he prepared to leave with Nahida.
But just as he rose—
Furina's face flushed red.
"W-wait, Grand Sage Idris. May I ask… one more question?"
"…Hypothetically."
"Hypothetically… would you ever consider forging a political marriage on behalf of Sumeru?"
Idris paused only briefly before replying honestly.
"I probably would."
Political marriage was a tool.
In the past, it hadn't existed—after all, every ruler was either a god or a devout servant of one. No one was marrying gods off.
But now it was different.
Idris was Sumeru's human king.
And for a human ruler, such methods naturally entered consideration.
Hearing his answer, Furina's cheeks reddened again.
Seeing her reaction, Idris frowned slightly.
"Lady Furina? Is something wrong?"
"N-no! Nothing!"
She hurriedly stood up.
"You… you're probably heading back soon, right? I'll walk you out."
Seeing her practically usher them away, Idris said nothing.
He simply took Nahida's small hand and followed her to the door.
As she escorted them out, Furina couldn't help recalling words Focalors had spoken the night before—
"Grand Sage Idris possesses the power to resurrect gods, doesn't he?"
"What I worry about isn't your present… but your future."
"When the truth is revealed, you'll step down from the throne yourself."
"At that time… I want to give you an identity that ensures you are never bullied again."
"I want to send a letter—
to arrange your union with Sumeru's king."
That single thought had completely frozen her mind.
Even now.
She watched Idris and Nahida step through the doors, waved stiffly, and murmured goodbye.
Idris clasped his hands lightly.
"Lady Furina. This encounter between us was… not especially pleasant."
"I hope that next time we meet, we can greet one another with a smile."
Furina lowered her head slightly.
"…Yes. I hope so too."
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