Akio's mood instantly brightened when Clorinde called him "husband" so sweetly, but Furina's mood took a sharp nosedive.
She pounced into Akio's arms and sank her sharp little fangs into his neck, growling in frustration.
"Stupid husband! Stupid Clorinde! You're both bullying me!"
"Hey hey hey, I was wrong, don't bite my neck!"
"I'm biting you anyway! You big meanie!"
...
Watching the trio bickering and playing around, Raiden Makoto smiled gently from the side.
She turned to Raiden Shogun, who was staring blankly at Akio and the others, and said, "General, don't you think this kind of life is more colorful? Doesn't it make your heart stir? Doesn't it make you happy?"
"Yes." Raiden Shogun nodded in response. "Indeed. I'm only now realizing how empty and lonely my previous life truly was."
"But all of this," she added, a faint blush rising to her usually cold expression, "was brought by my husband. He is our salvation. I will follow in his footsteps forever, unwavering, unto death~."
"Exactly. With him here, I feel like there's nothing we can't overcome," Makoto said with a soft smile, watching her sister happily munch on cake.
"He is salvation."
...
The night before returning to Fontaine, inside Tenshukaku, Furina was feeling shy and had been planning to sneak away and sleep with Yae Miko. But Akio dragged her—quite literally—into Clorinde's room.
"Ugh... okay, okay, I get it, husband. I'll walk on my own, stop pulling me already... The others are gonna laugh at me to death..." Furina grumbled, whining.
"Alright," Akio replied, charmed by her cuteness. He gently held her small hand and led her into the room with a smile.
Furina obediently followed, letting him hold her hand as they entered.
"Eh? What are you two doing here?" Clorinde looked up in surprise when she saw Akio walk in, with a blushing Furina right behind him.
"Don't ask me! He dragged me here," Furina said, looking like she was about to cry.
"This big jerk knows we're going back to Fontaine soon. He's clearly trying to eat us both up before we go! Living out his dream of sharing a bed with the two of us~!" she huffed, hands on her hips.
"Ooh? My darling Furina, you really are the perfect wife—you know your husband's thoughts so well," Akio grinned mischievously.
"Hmph! As if! Your dirty thoughts are obvious to everyone!" Furina pouted.
Though she and Clorinde had already half-willingly given themselves to Akio before, the three of them together? That hadn't happened yet.
"Mmm..." Clorinde's cheeks flushed bright red too. Too embarrassing! And with the Hydro Archon herself, no less!
"Hehehe, my darlings, it's late. A night of spring is worth a thousand gold, you know," Akio chuckled wickedly as he pounced.
...
Five days later, Furina and Clorinde disembarked from the ship returning to Fontaine. The moist, familiar air of Fontaine greeted them, and Furina felt none of the suffocating pressure she once had.
"Hmph hmph hmph! Fontaine! Your god, Furina de Fontaine, has returned!"
"My dear citizens! Offer your most heartfelt blessings to your beloved returning deity!"
Furina beamed as she shouted toward the people in the distance.
"Whoa! It's Lady Furina! Didn't she sneak off to Inazuma to attend that divine coronation ceremony? She's finally back?"
"Hey! Watch your mouth! Lady Furina didn't sneak off! How could anything a god does be called 'sneaky'?"
"Enough! Cut the chatter and applaud already for Lady Furina!"
Clap clap clap! Cheers and applause erupted from the gathered citizens. Though the people of Fontaine often treated their Archon like a mascot, deep down, they truly respected and admired her.
Calling Furina the national idol wouldn't be an exaggeration—she was dearly loved by all of Fontaine.
A god who loves her people, and people who return that love without reservation—that's the spirit a nation should have. Don't you agree, Sumeru?
"Alright, my dear citizens! I have received your blessings! Now go on and take care of your business," Furina nodded in satisfaction, grabbing Clorinde's hand and preparing to slip away.
Suddenly, a petite figure appeared before them, blocking their path.
"Who?" Clorinde asked warily, her hand going to the sword at her waist as she eyed the pink-haired girl holding a kamera.
"Relax, Clorinde. She's clearly one of my many adoring citizens!" Furina said proudly, holding Clorinde back.
"I've just returned from Inazuma, it's only natural that someone would be losing sleep over me. For their peace of mind, I shall grant an audience!"
"..." Clorinde stepped back silently. This girl... She's way too full of herself. Such a drama queen.
"Ah! Thank you, Lady Furina! My name is Charlotte!" the pink-haired girl lit up when Furina allowed the meeting and quickly introduced herself.
"Charlotte?" Furina nodded, looking her over. "And what business do you have with me?"
"Lady Furina! I'm a reporter from The Steambird!" Charlotte said excitedly. "I heard you traveled to Inazuma to attend the divine coronation of the Great Divine Sovereign, the Heavenly Omnipotent One. I'd like to interview you!"
"A Hydro Archon's take on the ceremony—this kind of scoop is guaranteed to attract attention!" she added with glee.
"Hm? As a reporter, didn't you attend the coronation yourself?" Furina asked curiously. There were so many reporters present, after all.
"Ughhh..." At that, Charlotte looked heartbroken. The divine coronation! The biggest news in all of Teyvat!
"I was on assignment at the time. When I got back, most of my colleagues had already gone to Inazuma. I wanted to go too, but we were short-staffed and my editor-in-chief forced me to stay behind," Charlotte said bitterly.
"Hahahaha! I see! What a horrible boss you have. Do you want to press charges against her? Tell me—I, the God of Justice, will ensure you receive a fair trial," Furina offered with a grin.
"Ah? Uh... that won't be necessary," Charlotte waved her hands frantically. Sue her own boss? That was terrifying. She didn't even dare imagine it.
"Well then." Furina looked at her, a little disappointed now that the fun had passed. "Since you're a poor oppressed girl, I'll allow your interview. Go ahead—what do you want to ask?"
"That's amazing! Long live Lady Furina!" Charlotte cheered joyfully upon hearing her permission.
She'd been sure she was going to leave empty-handed today.
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