Night fell over Teyvat.
In Kael's living room, Lumine was focused intently on the unfolding plot.
Furina was restless, her eyes constantly stealing glances at Kael.
She had not expected that a lie from her past life would lead Kael so far astray.
What did this prove?
It proved that in Kael's heart, he believed everything she said without a shred of doubt.
The chat in the live stream was mostly filled with recognition for Kael's sacrifices and pity for his perceived helplessness.
But in Furina's eyes, Kael should not be subjected to such pity.
Heroes never needed pity; they deserved reverence.
"Whew..."
Furina let out a long, deep sigh.
Kael, Lumine, and Paimon were all startled at once, looking toward Furina in unison.
"What's wrong?" Kael asked curiously.
"Furina, suddenly sighing like that is really going to make people wonder," Lumine said with a mischievous smirk.
"Your memories haven't even returned yet, but have you already fallen for him?"
"I have not!" Furina puffed out her cheeks, but she quickly calmed down.
"I want to clarify something to the people in the live stream. I am not the Hydro Archon."
Huh?
The three of them were stunned.
They could not understand Furina's sudden, strange idea.
"Hey, don't look at me like that, okay?" Furina protested, her eyes darting toward Kael.
"I just can't stand those people in the chat pitying Kael for his failure."
"His idea didn't fail. He wanted to completely purge the Primordial Seawater. That was the best solution to prevent the people of Fontaine from being dissolved."
"Because no one knows the truth, everyone still thinks I have a way. I feel like this is unfair to Kael."
So that was it.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a look.
They were among the few who knew the inside story.
The reason the people of Fontaine were not dissolved by the Primordial Seawater was entirely because Neuvillette used his Authority to pardon their sins.
This allowed the people of Fontaine to shed their status as mimics of the Oceanids.
According to the current development of the past life, Kael did not have the power to change the reality that Fontainians were transformed Oceanids.
However, without anyone knowing the truth, he had devised a second plan to prevent Fontaine's dissolution.
That was to rely on the All-Devouring Narwhal to absorb all the Primordial Sea.
Then, he would seal and destroy the All-Devouring Narwhal.
Since he could not change the Fontainians' identity as Oceanids, Kael intended to solve the problem of the Primordial Seawater in Teyvat.
As long as the Primordial Seawater was gone from Teyvat, the people of Fontaine would not be dissolved.
"If you tell everyone in the chat now that you aren't the Hydro Archon, aren't you afraid they'll laugh at you?"
"What's there to be afraid of?" Furina suddenly stood up.
She arrogantly placed her hands on her slender waist. "I've already been to the Opera Epiclese and stood Trial in front of everyone."
"What's so hard about clarifying my identity in a live stream?"
"It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Lumine looked at Paimon and Kael.
Kael pretended not to notice Lumine's gaze, looking elsewhere.
'Her past life memories haven't even returned, and she's already starting to protect Kael's image?'
Lumine smiled. "Just as you said, once you publicly admit you're a fake Hydro Archon, Kael's plan will become the best method to save Fontaine so far."
"His image will immediately become grand again, even more magnificent than before."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Paimon, look at her. Furina hasn't even joined the family yet, and she's already protecting Kael."
"If she actually joins, won't she hit me if I say one bad word about Kael in the future?"
Paimon rubbed her head awkwardly. "Uh... well..."
"I can't help it, Lumine."
"To be fair, Kael is a good guy. Why would you want to argue with him anyway?"
"But I think Furina's determination is really impressive."
"Fine," Lumine laughed. "If people start talking behind your back later, don't come crying to me."
Live Stream:
Furina: "Ahem. Actually, I have a huge secret to tell everyone."
Neuvillette: "..."
Kaeya: "What huge secret?"
Venti: "Is there a new story?"
Yae Miko: "What's up? Did you stumble upon a little secret between Kael and Lumine?"
Lumine: "Fox, can you keep your mind on something serious for once?"
Raiden Ei: "Is it about the power you accumulated in the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale? That power must be very strong."
Furina: "Um... I definitely wouldn't know if the power is strong or not. After all, I'm a fake Hydro Archon."
Arataki Itto: "Huh? You're really not the Hydro Archon?"
Keqing: "No way. Your behavior really didn't match how a god should act, but hearing you admit it yourself is still a bit shocking."
Ningguang: "You're really not the Hydro Archon?"
Nahida: "Eh? Didn't you say you lost your power because you gave it all to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale?"
Furina: "That was a lie. If that power were really mine, how could I not know why the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale was having problems?"
Lisa: "See, I told you..."
Jean: "Hey, saying it like this..."
Furina: "Yes, yes. The Kael of the past life was deceived by me. He took my words as the absolute truth."
Yoimiya: "I can't wrap my head around this. Someone actually dared to impersonate a god?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Sigh. How could your past self have the heart to deceive Mr. Kael? He was constantly sacrificing himself for you."
Kamisato Ayaka: "This means that the so-called power accumulated by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale..."
Furina: "Sorry, as for that power, I don't understand it at all."
Alhaitham: "That is unfortunate. Mr. Kael thought you were doing this to resist the prophecy."
Enjou: "Hmph, so that is how it is..."
Klee: "Hmph, so that is how it is! You actually lied to Big Brother Kael."
Aether: "Enjou, what are you huffing about?"
Enjou: "Prince, I actually do not think there is any need for everyone to worry. After all, Lord Kael has a backup plan."
Yae Miko: "What is there to worry about? I am actually completely unfazed. In fact, I find it a bit amusing."
Furina: "Huh? Do you not find this unexpected? Is it not a surprise?"
Neuvillette: "You... Er... I really do not know what to say to you..."
Yae Miko: "Please, this is a story of reincarnation. Kael is the true protagonist. I never thought things would end so easily from the very beginning."
Clorinde: "I did not expect Furina to actually dare to say that here. I admire your courage."
Navia: "So Mr. Kael really was the one who saved Fontaine in the previous life? He must have used his own method to completely erase the Primordial Seawater."
Neuvillette: "Based on the current situation, that should be the case. Provided no accidents occur, that is."
Skirk: "Sealing it first and then slaying the All-Devouring Narwhal? Mr. Kael is truly farsighted. He even accounted for the All-Devouring Narwhal erupting with Primordial Seawater. It looks like this should be the conclusion."
Zhongli: "Generally speaking, as a Reincarnator, young Kael must have at least one ending that results in death."
Lumine: "???"
Paimon: "Rex Lapis, are you acting as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to drum up business now?"
Hu Tao: "But Mr. Kael is of a long-lived race. His lifespan is immense. Could he really die from sealing that giant whale?"
Skirk: "That is impossible. Given the abilities Mr. Kael has displayed so far, once he exerts his full power, that whale would be no match for him."
Paimon: "Did you all forget? Teyvat itself is in a Cycle. It was mentioned before—unless Lumine can ascend to a new throne, or someone else does."
[Palais Mermonia.]
[Furina cried for a short while.]
[The mere thought of tonight's events made her tremble uncontrollably.]
[She never imagined that someone in Fontaine would actually try to kill her.]
[She had been so terrified that she collapsed onto the floor, screaming for help.]
[Fortunately, at the critical moment, a noise nearby scared the assassin off before they could do anything else.]
Arlecchino: "A noise? I remember in this life, there was no such noise."
Paimon: "It must have been Kael's butler. He was likely protecting Furina from the shadows. Otherwise, why would he be holding the kitten Furina was playing with?"
[Knock, knock, knock...]
["Who is it!"]
[Furina was like a coiled spring.]
[The sudden sound of knocking immediately put her on high alert.]
["Lady Furina, the Pope is here to see you. He says there is urgent business to discuss."]
[Kael?]
[Upon hearing that Kael had arrived, Furina's trembling body relaxed significantly.]
[She took a moment to compose herself.]
[She feigned a calm tone. "I understand. Have him wait in the parlor for a moment. I will be out once I have tidied up."]
[As soon as she finished speaking, Furina rushed to the mirror.]
[She used cold water to wash away the tear stains on her cheeks.]
[However, when she arrived in the parlor, she found more than just her favorite Mousse cake on the table.]
[Sitting obediently beside Kael was a small kitten.]
[It was the very same kitten she had been playing with right before the ambush tonight.]
['It is over.']
['That cat is in his hands. He definitely knows I was attacked tonight.']
['He did not hear me crying and screaming for help, did he? That would be so embarrassing.']
[Furina massaged her forehead in distress. For some reason, the moment she saw Kael, the fear that had gripped her moments ago vanished.]
["Coming here so late... surely it was not just to deliver cake?"]
[Furina pointed suspiciously at the Mousse on the table.]
[She had no appetite moments ago, but now she suddenly felt hungry.]
["And the cat."]
[Kael patted the kitten. It proactively ran to Furina's side, rubbing against her repeatedly.]
[This made Furina's mood brighten even further.]
["What is with you today?"]
["You seem quite happy. To think you would actually come all this way to bring me things."]
['Hey, hey, hey. You are not happy because you saw me making a fool of myself, are you?']
['That person was terrifying. She was trying to kill me!']
["I am doing alright," Kael said as he sat opposite Furina. He crossed his legs with a smug expression.]
[He did not mention a single word regarding the attack on Furina.]
Instead, he said, "I have finally come to understand the Hydro Archon's painstaking efforts to save Fontaine."
'What!'
'Does Kael know the truth?'
Furina froze upon hearing this.
A flicker of imperceptible fear flashed through her pupils.
Fortunately, Kael's subsequent words allowed Furina to breathe a long sigh of relief.
"I am deeply sorry for my previous misunderstandings of you."
"You were right. As the Pope, I should just do my part."
"As a god, you have your own strategy for dealing with the Prophecy."
'Huh?'
Furina listened, her mind in a fog.
Undoubtedly, the Kael before her had noticed something, but he seemed to have misunderstood something because of her lies.
However, facing Kael's expression of heartache...
Furina's eyes flickered as she asked softly, "What... what did you find out?"
Hearing this, Kael combined the information he obtained from Vacher with his own conjectures and explained them to Furina.
Mm!
So that was it.
The consciousness of the dissolved girls actually returned to the Primordial Seawater.
They converged into Oceanids.
He believed that the reason people of Fontaine were dissolved by Primordial Seawater was that they themselves had a significant connection to it.
It was as if the people of Fontaine themselves had emerged from the Primordial Seawater.
And they should have a great connection with Oceanids.
Kael suspected that the people of Fontaine were Oceanids who had walked out of the Primordial Seawater.
Seeing Furina's dazed and cute expression...
Kael chuckled. "Don't underestimate me. Of course, I know that such shocking news must never be known by others."
"Originally, I thought that as long as I could solve the impact of the Primordial Seawater on the people of Fontaine, I could resolve the Prophecy."
"But now it seems I've failed. In the end, I still have to rely on you, Hydro Archon."
'No! What do you mean rely on me?'
'The people of Fontaine are Oceanids from the Primordial Seawater?'
'Huh? Huh? Huh?'
'The truth is actually like this?'
Furina was completely stunned.
Navia: "Uh, Lady Furina's eyes have gone completely blank."
Clorinde: "Didn't Mr. Kael notice anything strange?"
Arlecchino: "He definitely noticed something was off, but I think Mr. Kael must have mistakenly thought that the truth he discovered shocked Furina. How should I put it..."
Venti: "Hehe, it's like, 'Look, Hydro Archon, even though your Pope isn't a god, he has already glimpsed the power of the gods. Are you scared?'"
Lisa: "Is he showing off his results to the girl he loves?"
Diluc: "Sigh, it's a pity Mr. Kael trusts Furina too much. He has doubted everything, but he has never doubted Furina's identity as the Hydro Archon."
"Mm..."
Furina suppressed the shock in her heart and nodded repeatedly.
"However, as the proxy of the Hydro Archon, it would be too pathetic if I just gave up like this."
"After my extensive investigations, I discovered the reason for the rising sea levels in Fontaine."
"At some point, a giant whale broke into the Primordial Seawater."
"It is frantically devouring the Primordial Seawater, causing its body to expand continuously. This displaces the water and causes Fontaine's sea levels to rise."
"I already have another way to deal with it. If you agree, I will focus my energy on that whale for the time being."
"After using it to swallow all the Primordial Seawater, I will find a way to completely seal and eliminate it. As long as there is no Primordial Seawater in Teyvat, the people of Fontaine will no longer have to worry about being dissolved, and the Prophecy will not come true."
'Agree! I agree with both my hands and feet!'
Furina stood up excitedly.
"You say you really have a way?"
"Huh?" Kael was taken aback.
Furina quickly adjusted her tone. "I mean..."
"As expected of the Pope I chose. Indeed, in the whole world, only you are worthy of being the proxy of me, the Archon Focalors."
"Do everything as you see fit, my dear Pope."
Furina finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After so long, she finally saw hope for breaking the Prophecy.
"Um..."
"Why are you crying?"
Kael's gentle voice, filled with heartache, made Furina freeze again.
"Crying?"
Only then did she realize that at some point, tears had actually fallen.
"Idiot, I'm not crying. It's just that you, who exceeded even a god's imagination, made me momentarily excited."
"I failed to control the Elemental Power of Hydro within my body."
"Oh my, having too much Hydro Elemental Power isn't always a good thing."