"Looking for me? Why?"
Lora frowned. Why would Neuvillette be searching for her?
And then there was this portrait…
She had never revealed her revival to the Fontaine faction, had she? Moreover, she had only issued orders to the Oceanids who had left Fontaine. Could one of them have relayed this news back?
But… that shouldn't be possible. Every Oceanid had been warned by Rhodeia to keep Lora's identity strictly confidential.
Hearing Lora's question, Hélie shook her head.
"I don't know. Neuvillette suddenly said he wanted to find the person in the portrait! And he also told us this person is in Liyue!"
"Suddenly?" Lora grew even more puzzled.
Hélie nodded and added, "Friends working at the Court of Fontaine mentioned that Neuvillette apparently had a dream. In it, he saw someone, and upon waking, he drew this portrait and ordered the search."
"When did this happen?" Lora pressed.
Hélie paused to recall, then gave a date. Lora calculated—it matched the day the Ancient God of the Vortex, Osial, broke his seal and emerged. That was also when she had unleashed her power without restraint.
Was it then that Neuvillette sensed her power?
"Did Neuvillette mention any purpose for sending you to find me?"
Not yet certain of Neuvillette's intentions, Lora didn't reveal much about herself. She gazed at Hélie and inquired.
Hélie thought for a moment before telling Lora, "Neuvillette said that after finding you, he hopes you will return to Fontaine with me!"
"Return to Fontaine?" Lora frowned thoughtfully, then asked, "What if I don't go back?"
"Neuvillette stated that if you refuse to return to Fontaine, he will come to see you personally!" Hélie replied.
Hearing this, Lora sighed helplessly. She rubbed her temples and murmured, "Honestly… If he leaves Fontaine, chaos will erupt there the very next day."
Hélie nodded. "Yes, Hélie thinks so too!"
Well, if that's the case…
Lora rose and said to Hélie, "I need to step out for a moment to speak with someone. Wait here for me. Once I'm done, I'll return to Fontaine with you."
"Yes!" Hélie nodded obediently.
Lora stepped out the door and headed toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Not long after she left, Rhodeia returned to the Jade Chamber. She knocked on Lora's door, but a voice that wasn't Lora's came from inside. Startled, Rhodeia quickly pushed the door open and saw Hélie sitting in a chair.
"Who are you? Where is my lady?" Rhodeia frowned, her gaze cold as she stared at Hélie.
Hélie immediately jumped to her feet, explaining to Rhodeia.
After hearing Hélie's explanation, Rhodeia felt a bit dazed.
"My lady… is returning to Fontaine?"
She didn't know where this sudden sense of loss came from.
Once Lora returned to Fontaine, wouldn't she grow closer to Focalors rather than to her?
Meanwhile, Lora, who had gone to find Zhongli, remained unaware of the events unfolding at the Jade Chamber. Learning from the staff at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor that Zhongli had left early that morning, she resorted to a minor trick to locate him—finding him engrossed in a story.
"You're here? Have a seat." Zhongli greeted Lora, gesturing for her to sit.
Lora sat directly beside Zhongli and whispered, "I might need to return to Fontaine."
"Is it that peculiar being from Fontaine requesting your return? Her name is Melusine, correct?" Zhongli was well aware of Hélie's presence in Liyue and knew she hailed from Fontaine. Connecting this to Lora's current request to return to Fontaine, he instantly grasped the connection.
Lora nodded and continued, "If Lumine hasn't returned from Mondstadt by the time I come back, have them head to Inazuma first. As for them asking what I was doing, you can make something up, right?"
"Leave it to me," Zhongli nodded.
"Thanks," Lora thanked Zhongli.
Zhongli then asked, "In a hurry? If you're not in a rush, why not stay and listen to this segment with me?"
Lora smiled and politely declined, saying, "Hélie is still waiting for me at the Jade Chamber. I'll have to pass. Next time we have the chance, we can watch plays and listen to stories together."
"The time foretold by the prophecy of the Heavenly Principles has not yet come. Your return this time cannot alter the prophecy," Zhongli said slowly, looking at Lora.
Lora nodded.
"I know. This trip is just to check in."
After all, the flooding of Fontaine was caused by the All-Devouring Narwhal, and that whale hadn't yet erupted from the Primordial Sea. The prophecy hadn't arrived yet. Even if she returned, she couldn't trigger it prematurely.
Moreover, when the prophecy did come, she needed to save everyone—including Focalors.
With her current strength alone, she couldn't accomplish that yet.
After settling matters with Zhongli, Lora returned to the Jade Chamber. Both Rhodeia and Hélie were seated in her room.
When Rhodeia saw Lora return, she quickly stood up, walked to Lora, and asked, "My lady, are you going back to Fontaine?"
Noticing Rhodeia's furrowed brow, Lora sighed helplessly.
"Yes, someone has invited me. I must return to see them. Why the worried look?"
Rhodeia replied, "I will accompany you back."
Lora shook her head.
"Stay here. When Lumine returns, go to Inazuma with her. I need to gather Gnosis. Once you're in Inazuma, keep an eye out for any leads on that. Rhodeia, this is crucial. I'm counting on you."
Without resolving the prophecy, the water quality in Fontaine couldn't be fundamentally purified. Rhodeia and the others couldn't survive long in Fontaine's current conditions, which was why Lora decided to leave Rhodeia behind.
Rhodeia gazed at Lora and nodded earnestly.
"Please rest assured, My lady. I will complete this mission!"
Satisfied with Rhodeia's resolve, Lora nodded. She then turned to Hélie and asked, "Hélie, are you tired? If so, you can rest for a few days before we depart."
Hélie shook her head.
"I'm not tired! We Melusine have exceptional stamina! To fulfill Neuvillette's command, we should depart sooner rather than later!"
"Alright, then let's go. We'll take a boat from the Wangshu Inn." Lora smiled and nodded, watching Hélie, who radiated boundless energy.