Her hand… was so warm.
As Lora held her hand, Furina felt an inexplicable sense of ease, as if all her exhaustion—every trace of sorrow, fear, and near-collapse—had been swept away in that instant. Her mood lifted for no clear reason.
It was strange… far too strange.
What was going on?
Why did she feel like this?
And she—who exactly was she?
Carrying these doubts, Furina remained silent the entire way, lost in thought as she mulled over Lora's identity and origins.
At last, something seemed to click. "Ah! I get it—you must be like Neuvillette, a Hydro Drag—"
Before she could finish, Lora covered her mouth.
A faint, clean fragrance brushed Furina's senses. She froze, staring at Lora in flustered confusion.
"Don't speak. We're here," Lora said, glancing back at her.
Only then did Furina notice Rocky Aivelson in the distance.
"That's him… These 'Local Legends' are incredibly dangerous. Be careful—don't let him notice us." She immediately grabbed Lora's hand and pulled her toward the nearby bushes, terrified they might be spotted.
Hélie quickly followed and hid with them.
Lora released Furina's hand, looked her straight in the eyes, and asked calmly, "Did he bully you?"
"…What?" Furina froze.
"I asked—did he bully you?" Lora repeated, her gaze unwavering.
Furina stared at her blankly. For a moment, her mind went strangely empty. Then, as if guided by instinct, she nodded. "Mm… he bullied me."
"Hélie, stay here with Furina. Don't move around," Lora said quietly. She turned away and stepped out of the bushes, heading straight toward Rocky Aivelson.
"H-Hey! What are you doing!? Hide! He's really dangerous! I can't save you—cough—I mean, I might not be able to protect you!" Furina cried out in alarm when she saw Lora walking straight toward him.
Lora didn't stop. She simply waved her hand back at Furina.
Rocky Aivelson had already noticed her approach and assumed a battle stance.
Lora didn't invoke the Light of the Raging Sea's Judgment, yet an overwhelming surge of Hydro energy gathered around her all the same. She muttered to herself, "I don't think I'm a very responsible mother… but when a child is bullied, someone has to demand justice. Please don't resist. Just die."
Rocky Aivelson: "?"
The question mark came too late.
The immense Hydro power enveloped him completely and erased him on the spot.
Looking at the puddle of water left behind, Lora turned and called out, "It's done!"
Furina cautiously poked her head out of the bushes, staring in disbelief. "Huh? That's it? It's already over?"
Lora nodded with a smile. "Of course. When I step in, it's effortless."
Furina rushed out of hiding and ran up to her. She looked at the water stain on the ground, then circled Lora once, eyes wide. "That's incredible! You're totally unharmed!"
"Or maybe," Lora said with a grin, "it's not that I'm especially strong—maybe he was just weak."
Furina immediately stepped back and put on a dignified expression. "Impossible! That was a terrifying 'Local Legend' that even I find difficult! You just got lucky with a sneak attack—next time won't be so easy!"
"Um…" Hélie tilted her head. "Hydro Archon, I think Lady Lora fought him head-on."
"Ahem! Don't question the Hydro Archon's words!" Furina lightly tapped Hélie on the head.
"Mm… got it!" Hélie nodded, holding her head.
Lora sighed softly at Furina's stubborn bravado. She reached out, took Furina's hand again, and led her in another direction.
"Eh? Where are we going now?" Furina asked blankly.
"Of course, to find the other 'Local Legends,'" Lora replied.
"What!? You're still going?" Furina stared at her. "Why?"
"To get revenge for you," Lora said with a smile.
"…Get revenge for me?" Furina froze completely. She looked at Lora, dazed and confused. She couldn't understand why Lora would do something like that for her.
Yet once again, she followed her without thinking. Even she didn't know why.
…
Back at the Palais Mermonia, Neuvillette was soon flooded with reports while handling official affairs.
"Lord Neuvillette, your dear friend Miss Lora and Lady Furina have eliminated Rocky Aivelson."
"Lord Neuvillette, your dear friend Miss Lora and Lady Furina roasted and ate the Iron Viscount."
"Lord Neuvillette, your dear friend Miss Lora and Lady Furina dismantled the Autonomous Supercomputing Force Field Generator and threw the parts into the valley."
And many more like them…
"Lord Neuvillette, should we intervene and stop Miss Lora and Lady Furina?" someone asked.
Neuvillette looked at the steady stream of reports and could only sigh, shaking his head. "There's no need. Don't disturb them—let them enjoy themselves."
As Fontaine's Chief Justice and its true authority, he was well aware that Furina had been bullied by the 'Local Legends.' But unlike Lora, he wouldn't simply charge in to take revenge without a word.
She really does dote on Furina, Neuvillette thought.
That night, as Lora and Furina walked back toward the Court of Fontaine, Lora glanced at her and asked, "So? Were you happy today?"
Furina could barely contain her excitement. "I never imagined I'd be able to deal with all those 'Local Legends'! This was amazing! You—cough—I acknowledge your bravery!"
"Is that so? Then thank you for the recognition, Hydro Archon," Lora said, reaching out to ruffle Furina's hair again.
This time, there was no teasing in the title, and Furina didn't feel particularly uncomfortable. Still, she shook her head. "You've been calling me Furina all day—suddenly calling me 'Hydro Archon' feels weird. Just call me Furina. I allow it!"