For a few seconds, no one moved.
Not Lumine.
Not Paimon.
Not Nilou.
Not Lyney.
Not Lynette.
Not the gathered people of Fontaine who had absolutely come here expecting drama and had instead witnessed the local foreign idiot kneel like a knight from an old legend.
Even Greg was still on my shoulder, tail frozen midair like his tiny lizard brain was trying to process whether I had finally evolved or suffered a head injury from the Waverider incident.
Fair question.
I stayed on one knee before Furina de Fontaine, my head lowered just enough to show respect but my eyes raised enough to meet hers. The crowd whispered around us, little waves of confusion rolling through the harbor.
"Isn't that the chaotic one?"
"I thought he was the loud companion."
"Didn't he just vomit on someone's shoe earlier?"
"He's kneeling?"
"Her Majesty...?"
Honestly, that third person didn't need to bring up the shoe incident.
Too soon.
But I ignored it.
Because right now, this wasn't about me.
That was rare.
Terrifying, even.
Furina stared down at me, and for the first time since she had appeared, her grand little performance wavered.
Only slightly.
Most people probably wouldn't notice. The smile was still there, the posture still elegant, the theatrical confidence still wrapped around her like a royal cloak. But I saw the tiny pause behind her eyes. That split-second hesitation where arrogance met sincerity and didn't know what to do with it.
Because I wasn't challenging her.
I wasn't mocking her.
I wasn't treating her like some loud, smug Archon who had arrived to cause a scene.
I was acknowledging her.
And maybe that was worse.
Maybe that hit harder than an insult would have.
Furina lifted her chin, recovering with impressive speed. "W-Well," she said, her voice only stumbling for the smallest moment before regaining its stage-worthy rhythm, "it seems at least one of you understands the proper etiquette due before a god."
I smiled faintly.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
That did it again.
Another tiny flicker.
Not fear.
Not embarrassment.
Something softer.
Something buried.
Then she turned slightly, letting the attention of the crowd come back to her like a performer reclaiming the center of the stage. "Since you have shown proper reverence, I suppose I may be magnanimous. After all, this is Fontaine, and Fontaine is not without grace."
Paimon hovered behind me, whispering loudly enough that she might as well have announced it to the entire harbor. "Paimon doesn't know what just happened, but Shigeru being polite is making Paimon nervous."
Lumine whispered back, "Same."
Nilou's voice was softer. "He means it."
That silence after her words was small.
But I felt it.
Because she was right.
Furina's gaze shifted toward Lumine again, and for a moment, the old challenge still glittered in her eyes. The duel. The spectacle. The dramatic confrontation she had tried to summon out of thin air because that was what Fontaine expected of her.
A show.
A scene.
A god giving the people something to talk about.
But then her gaze flicked back to me.
Not for long.
Just enough.
And I knew.
She let it go.
Not only because Lumine had the energy of someone who had fought gods before and was fully willing to add another entry to the résumé.
Not only because the moment had slipped slightly out of her control.
But because I saw something in her eyes, and she knew I saw it.
The burden.
The fatigue behind the smugness.
The strain of holding a role so long that the mask had started to leave marks.
Furina cleared her throat dramatically, spreading one hand outward as if she had personally decided mercy would be more entertaining than combat. "Very well! Since my welcoming ceremony has already achieved its intended grandeur, I shall allow matters to proceed without further escalation."
Paimon blinked. "So... no duel?"
Furina gave an airy laugh. "A duel? Hmph. Do not misunderstand. I merely decided that now is not the proper stage for such an event. An epic confrontation deserves an audience prepared to fully appreciate its brilliance."
Lumine crossed her arms. "Convenient."
I felt that line nearly kick the atmosphere back into danger, so I rose from my kneeling position and spoke before anyone else could poke the theater Archon too hard.
"Then we'll look forward to the proper stage, Your Majesty."
Furina looked at me again.
I bowed my head once more, smaller this time, but still sincere.
"And I will be looking forward to Lyney and Lynette's performance."
Lyney blinked, clearly surprised that I had dragged his name into the conversation so smoothly.
Lynette's ears twitched.
Furina seized the statement immediately, because of course she did. "Ah, yes! Naturally, Fontaine's finest performances are not limited to the court. Lyney and Lynette's magic shows are quite renowned. Since you have only just arrived, perhaps you should witness for yourselves the elegance and artistry of our nation."
Lyney recovered quickly, smiling with practiced grace. "It would be our honor."
Lynette gave a small nod. "If you attend."
"I'll attend," I said, then glanced at Lumine and Nilou. "We'll attend. Probably. Unless I get arrested before then."
Paimon groaned. "Why would you say that out loud?"
"Manifesting realistic possibilities."
"Don't manifest crimes!"
Furina lifted her chin, satisfied now that the scene had found a less violent exit. "Then I shall leave you to take your first steps into Fontaine. Remember, Traveler from another land—the eyes of justice see all."
Her tone was dramatic.
Her smile was bright.
The crowd loved it.
But as she turned away, I watched her carefully.
Clorinde stood near her, quiet and composed, sword at her side, eyes as sharp as polished steel. She had watched the entire exchange without wasting a single movement. The moment Furina began to leave, Clorinde glanced back at me.
Caution.
Confusion.
And, buried beneath both, something close to awe.
Not because I was powerful.
Not because I was loud.
Not because I had titles from four nations now—Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru—and the questionable blessing of surviving being slapped after puking on a stranger's shoe.
But because I had shifted the scene without fighting.
I met Clorinde's gaze with a dead serious expression.
No grin.
No wink.
No joke.
Just a look that said I understood enough to be dangerous.
For a heartbeat, she held my eyes.
Then she turned and followed Furina.
The second her back was fully turned, I let the serious expression vanish from my face like someone had unplugged my dignity.
"Heh," I muttered, crossing my arms with a grin. "Hottie duelist."
Lumine's head slowly turned toward me.
Nilou blinked.
Paimon stared.
Greg's tail lowered in immediate disappointment.
I continued anyway, because my survival instincts were decorative. "You and Mr. Bakery, Wrio himself, won't escape the grasp of the greatest shipper in Teyvat history. Just you wait."
Lumine smacked the back of my head.
Hard.
"OW."
"There he is," Paimon said. "Paimon was worried for a second."
Nilou covered her smile. "You came back very quickly."
"I contain multitudes," I said, rubbing my skull.
"You contain problems," Lumine corrected.
"Also multitudes."
Greg flicked his tail.
"You too?" I asked.
Tail flick.
Betrayal confirmed.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, though several people were still whispering and glancing at us. Honestly, I couldn't blame them. From their perspective, the famous Traveler had arrived, the Hydro Archon personally welcomed her, a duel almost happened, and then some pale man who looked like he had lost a fight with the ocean kneeled like a knight and somehow defused the situation.
Fontaine loved drama.
We had basically delivered a free preview.
A group of children nearby even started reenacting it.
One kid dramatically pointed at another. "I challenge you!"
The other immediately dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty!"
A third kid shouted, "No duel!"
I stared.
Paimon stared.
Lumine sighed.
Nilou laughed softly.
"I've created a cultural moment," I said proudly.
"You've created a problem," Lumine corrected.
"Same thing in Fontaine."
Once Furina and Clorinde were far enough away, Lumine walked toward me with Nilou and Paimon close behind. Her expression was suspicious, and not the casual kind either. This was the "I know you know something and I am mentally preparing to shake it out of you" look.
Dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
Paimon pointed at me. "Okay! Explanation time! Why did you do that?"
Nilou nodded gently. "You were very serious."
Lumine's eyes stayed fixed on mine. "Too serious."
Greg shifted on my shoulder and leaned forward slightly, like he also demanded answers.
I looked between all of them, then shrugged.
"I felt like I needed to."
Lumine narrowed her eyes immediately. "That's not an answer."
"It's an answer with emotional mystery."
"Shigeru."
"Blondie."
"Don't dodge."
"I'm not dodging. I'm gracefully sidestepping."
Paimon crossed her arms. "That sounds like dodging with extra words."
"It is."
Nilou's expression softened, though concern still remained. "You saw something, didn't you?"
I didn't answer right away.
Because yes.
I had.
Not a vision.
Not some supernatural truth shoved into my skull.
Just eyes.
Sometimes eyes told enough.
Furina's were bright and smug and theatrical, but behind them was a pressure I recognized too well. The kind carried by people who had to smile because if they stopped, everything behind the smile might collapse.
I looked toward the direction Furina had gone.
"Maybe," I said quietly.
Lumine didn't look satisfied.
Of course she didn't.
But she also didn't push immediately.
That was Lumine.
Sharp enough to know I was hiding something.
Patient enough to wait when it mattered.
Mostly.
Paimon, however, had no such patience. "What do you mean maybe?"
"I mean maybe."
"That explains nothing!"
"Correct."
Paimon made a frustrated little noise and threw her hands up. "Ugh! He's doing the thing again!"
"What thing?"
"The annoying mysterious thing!"
I placed a hand over my chest. "I learned from Dain."
Lumine sighed. "That explains why it's irritating."
Lyney chose that moment to step closer, his polite smile carefully placed but his eyes sharper than before. Lynette followed at his side, quiet as ever, though her gaze moved between us with that observant calm that made me feel like she had already filed several silent reports in her head.
Lyney looked at me with genuine curiosity. "That was... unexpected."
"Thank you," I said. "I specialize in unexpected public behavior."
Lynette looked at me. "That is believable."
I pointed at her. "You are very honest."
"Yes."
Paimon whispered, "Paimon really likes her."
Lyney's smile twitched before he turned his attention back to Lumine. "In any case, I'm relieved things didn't escalate. Lady Furina can be quite theatrical, but she is still the Hydro Archon. A direct confrontation so soon after your arrival would have been... complicated."
"Complicated," Lumine repeated.
"That is a very Fontaine word," I said.
Lyney gave a small laugh. "You'll find we have many of those."
I looked at him, then Lynette. "You two have a performance, yeah?"
Lyney blinked at the sudden shift, then nodded. "Yes. We were actually on our way to prepare."
Lynette added, "We should not be late."
"Then go," I said, waving them off. "I can take it from here."
Lyney tilted his head. "Are you sure?"
I nodded confidently. "It'll be fine."
Lumine stared.
Paimon stared.
Nilou stared.
Greg stared.
I amended, "Probably."
More staring.
"Maybe?"
Lumine rubbed her forehead.
"Well, anyways," I continued, "I can explain everything to them. Mostly."
Lyney looked deeply unconvinced.
Lynette said nothing, which somehow made the judgment louder.
Nilou smiled politely. "We'll be alright."
That seemed to reassure Lyney more than my existence did. Understandable. Nilou looked like someone you could trust with your life. I looked like someone who would accidentally gamble your life on a pun.
Lyney reached into his coat and produced a small magic pocket, offering it to Lumine. "Before we go, please take this."
Lumine accepted it carefully. "What is it?"
"A little gift," Lyney said. "Something given to people entering Fontaine, especially those who may need a reminder of our nation's unique atmosphere. You'll understand more soon."
Paimon floated closer, curious. "A magic pocket?"
Lynette nodded. "For collecting evidence, perhaps. Or memories."
I smiled faintly.
"Or prophecy."
The word changed the air.
Lumine looked at me.
Nilou's smile faded.
Paimon blinked. "Prophecy?"
Lyney's expression shifted slightly, though he recovered quickly. "You know of it?"
"I know of a lot of things poorly," I said. "It's my tragic gift."
Lynette stared at me. "That sounds inconvenient."
"Constantly."
Lyney looked like he wanted to ask more, but his schedule—and maybe his better judgment—stopped him. "Then perhaps you really can explain. We'll take our leave for now. If you attend our performance, we'll be happy to meet again."
"We will," Nilou said warmly.
Lumine nodded. "Thank you, Lyney. Lynette."
Paimon waved. "Bye! Don't be late for your show!"
Lynette gave a small wave.
Lyney smiled and bowed lightly before the twins turned and headed off, leaving us near the harbor with the magic pocket in Lumine's hand and a whole nation of drama waiting ahead.
For about five seconds, there was peace.
Then Paimon turned to me.
"Okay. Explain."
I looked at Lumine's hand, then toward the waterway leading deeper into Fontaine.
"The prophecy," I said.
Paimon's eyes widened. "So there really is one?"
"There is."
Lumine's grip tightened slightly around the pocket. "What kind of prophecy?"
I took a breath.
This was one of those moments where joking too hard would ruin it.
So I didn't.
Not at first.
"Everyone in Fontaine is born with sin," I said quietly. "Not even the Hydro Archon can absolve them. One day, the water levels will rise. Fontaine will drown. Its people will dissolve into the sea, and only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne."
Nilou's hand moved to her chest.
Paimon went pale. "D-Dissolve?"
Lumine stared at me, her expression sharpening. "Was Furina talking about that?"
"In her own way," I said. "Everything here is connected to it. The trials. The Oratrice. The performance. The pressure around justice. Fontaine isn't just dramatic because people like theater. It's dramatic because the whole nation is living under a prophecy and pretending the stage lights make the shadow less terrifying."
Paimon swallowed. "But... what does it mean that everyone is born with sin?"
I exhaled slowly.
"Short version?" I said. "Fontaine's 'sin' isn't something people did. It's something they are. Something tied to their origin. Something tied to the Hydro Archon's authority... and something that shouldn't exist in the first place."
Lumine's eyes narrowed. "Shouldn't?"
"Yeah," I said. "It's like... imagine being born already guilty of a crime you don't remember committing. And the entire nation builds a system to judge that guilt over and over again, hoping one day it'll make sense."
Nilou whispered, "That's... cruel."
"It is," I said. "And the prophecy isn't just about water rising. It's about judgment reaching its final verdict."
Paimon hugged herself. "That's even worse..."
I scratched my cheek.
"Don't worry," I added. "I've been mentally preparing for this ever since we stepped into Sumeru."
Lumine blinked. "You have?"
"Yeah."
Paimon stared. "Since Sumeru!?"
I nodded proudly. "I saw one suspicious line of lore and went 'oh no, this is going to be a problem later.' So I've been emotionally buffering ever since."
Nilou giggled softly despite the tension.
Lumine sighed. "You're unbelievable."
"Prepared," I corrected.
"Barely."
"Still counts."
I glanced toward the Aquabus again.
"I'm not telling you everything yet," I added more quietly. "Some parts... we need to see for ourselves. Some truths hit differently when you experience them instead of hearing them from an idiot who spoils things badly."
Paimon puffed her cheeks. "Hey!"
"I said badly, not accurately."
"That's worse!"
Lumine looked at me for a long moment.
Then she nodded.
"Fine," she said. "But no more vague hints without warning."
"No promises."
"Shigeru."
"Okay, fewer vague hints."
"Better."
So we started moving again, following the harbor path toward the Aquabus station. The city beyond waited like a grand theater, every arch, rail, canal, and mechanism polished to perfection. People passed by us with ordinary conversations, laughter, errands, work, gossip. Life.
A vendor called out about fresh pastries.
A pair of engineers argued about pressure valves.
A couple laughed as they boarded a passing Aquabus.
That was the cruel part.
A prophecy didn't stop people from living.
It just hovered over them while they did.
Paimon floated closer to me. "So... are you saying Fontaine is doomed?"
"No," I said.
Lumine glanced at me. "No?"
"No," I repeated, firmer this time. "Not if I can help it."
Nilou looked at me, her eyes soft but searching. "This is the first thing you plan to change."
I nodded.
"Yeah."
That word came out heavier than I expected.
I looked toward the water glimmering under the Fontaine light. "I've watched too many things happen because I thought I had to let the story play out. Some things, yeah, they need to happen. Some truths have to be discovered by the people meant to discover them. Lumine's dream with Caribert? That was hers to walk through." My fingers curled slightly. "But Fontaine's people suffering when I already know enough to act? Furina carrying that burden alone longer than she has to?"
I shook my head.
"No."
Nilou's voice was gentle. "You really are favoring the Hydro Archon."
Yeah, bro, it got cut short in the last version. Here's the continuation from the exact cut point, bringing back Lumine, Nilou, Paimon, Greg, and the ending you wanted.
Paimon nodded quickly. "Yeah! Paimon noticed that too! You were acting all respectful and knight-like."
"It was very weird," Lumine added.
"Extremely weird," Paimon agreed.
Greg flicked his tail once from my shoulder.
I slowly turned my head toward him. "Et tu, Greg?"
Tail flick.
That meant yes.
Betrayal.
Deep betrayal.
I placed one hand over my chest. "Wow. So after all my elegant diplomacy, my emotional intelligence, my historically rare use of braincells, and my successful prevention of an international incident, this is what I receive?"
Lumine crossed her arms. "You puked on someone's shoe less than an hour ago."
"That was maritime warfare."
"That was seasickness."
"An enemy tactic."
Paimon pointed at me. "The enemy was calm water!"
"Exactly. The most sinister kind."
Nilou covered her mouth, but her shoulders shook. She was trying to keep the moment gentle, serious even, but apparently my public nautical defeat had become unavoidable historical evidence.
Fair.
Hurtful.
But fair.
Lumine stepped closer, eyes still sharp beneath the amusement. "Don't dodge the question."
"I'm not dodging. I'm conversationally repositioning."
"That means dodging."
"Advanced dodging."
"Shigeru."
That voice.
Blondie voice.
The kind that could stop most of my nonsense in its tracks because it carried equal parts affection, warning, and I swear I will drag the answer out of you if I have to.
I sighed.
The harbor noise softened around us. People still passed by, the water still moved through Fontaine's elegant mechanisms, and somewhere in the distance a performer laughed like the entire nation existed inside a stage play. But for our little group, the air grew quieter.
I looked toward the direction Furina had gone.
"Because I see myself in her eyes," I said.
That shut everyone up.
Even Paimon.
Even Greg.
Nilou's expression softened first. Of course it did. She always reached the heart of things before anyone else.
"Shigeru..." she whispered.
I smiled faintly, but it didn't have much idiot energy left in it. "The jokes, the performance, the confidence so loud it becomes armor. The way she stands in front of everyone like the whole world is a theater, because if she stops acting, maybe she'll have to feel the weight of everything she's carrying."
I exhaled slowly.
"I know that kind of mask."
Lumine's expression changed.
The suspicion didn't disappear completely, because she knew me too well and because I was, by all legal definitions, suspicious. But it softened. Her eyes moved over my face like she was trying to see what I wasn't saying, what I was carefully leaving folded behind the joke.
Nilou reached for my hand first.
Warm.
Gentle.
Steady.
Then Lumine stepped closer and took my other hand.
Firm.
Certain.
Unquestioning.
"We'll go through this together," Lumine said.
I looked at her.
Her golden eyes didn't waver.
"After all," she continued, "we're your fiancées."
Nilou smiled softly as her fingers tightened around mine. "You don't have to carry this alone either."
Paimon floated in front of me with her hands planted on her hips, trying very hard to look brave instead of emotional. "And Paimon will be there too! Because Paimon considers you one of her closest friends!"
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The emotional damage was getting too wholesome.
Greg shifted on my shoulder, then lightly rested his tail against the side of my neck. Not a flick. Not a smack. Not judgment.
Just there.
Tiny lizard support.
Absolutely unfair.
I looked at Lumine holding one hand, Nilou holding the other, Paimon floating in front of me, and Greg perched on my shoulder like a scaly little guardian of questionable loyalty.
For once, my mouth didn't immediately produce nonsense.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
My braincells had entered sacred territory.
I smiled.
Really smiled.
"I can never ask for better companions than you guys."
Paimon's eyes widened.
Nilou's expression warmed.
Lumine's fingers tightened around mine.
Greg's tail pressed once against my neck like a silent agreement.
And because I was emotionally allergic to staying sincere for too long, I cleared my throat and grinned.
"Anyway," I said, my voice returning to its usual crime-against-peace rhythm, "soon we'll meet a cute pink-haired journalist and a certain ginger idiot whom we always square up with yet somehow remain friends with."
The emotional moment shattered beautifully.
Paimon groaned. "There he goes."
Lumine sighed, but she was smiling. "I knew it couldn't last."
Nilou laughed softly. "A pink-haired journalist?"
"Very cute," I said. "Dangerously enthusiastic. Journalism gremlin, but positive."
Paimon narrowed her eyes. "And the ginger?"
"Oh, you know him."
Lumine's eyes sharpened instantly. "Childe?"
I pointed at her. "Bingo."
Paimon threw her hands up. "Why is he here too!?"
"Because fate loves recurring problems."
Lumine muttered, "I am not dealing with him today."
"You say that now."
"Shigeru."
"I'm just saying. The ginger has excellent timing for being a menace."
Nilou tilted her head. "Is he dangerous?"
"Yes," Lumine and Paimon said together.
I nodded. "Very dangerous. Also weirdly friendly. Basically if a battle maniac was shaped like a wallet problem."
Paimon blinked. "A wallet problem?"
"He always looks like he should be paying for dinner after trying to fight us."
Lumine stared at me.
Then, despite herself, she snorted.
Nilou giggled.
Paimon tried to stay annoyed, failed, and sighed. "That's... weirdly accurate."
"I specialize in weirdly accurate."
"And weirdly annoying."
"Also true."
Greg flicked his tail.
"Greg, if that was agreement, I swear—"
Tail flick.
"Unbelievable."
And just like that, we kept walking.
Toward the Aquabus.
Toward the Court of Fontaine.
Toward prophecy, trials, masks, dragons, journalists, duelists, Fatui, and one Hydro Archon smiling under a weight no one else understood yet.
My hands were still held by Lumine and Nilou.
Paimon floated ahead, already complaining about future problems she hadn't met yet.
Greg sat on my shoulder, tail flicking every now and then like he was keeping score of my life choices.
Around us, Fontaine moved beautifully. Water flowed through polished channels. Mechanisms turned with graceful precision. People laughed, argued, hurried, performed, judged, and lived beneath the shadow of a prophecy most of them had learned to treat like distant thunder.
But thunder had a way of getting closer.
I knew that.
Still, when I looked at the people beside me, the knot in my chest loosened a little.
Lumine, stubborn and brilliant, walking beside me like she was already ready to fight the future if it dared touch us.
Nilou, warm and gentle, holding my hand like kindness itself had decided to take physical form and travel with an idiot.
Paimon, loud and hungry and brave in ways she probably didn't even realize.
Greg, judgmental little traitor that he was, still staying on my shoulder because apparently this was where he belonged.
I smiled to myself.
I guess even an idiot can be blessed.
__________
End of Chapter 183
Quests Completed:
Successfully survived your first audience with the Hydro Archon
Defused a potential Archon confrontation using respect instead of chaos.
Confused Furina with genuine sincerity.
Earned Clorinde's cautious attention without drawing a weapon.
Received Lyney's invitation to Fontaine's grand magic performance.
Obtained a mysterious magic pocket from Lyney.
Revealed the existence of Fontaine's ancient prophecy.
Explained just enough lore to emotionally damage the entire party.
Officially declared your intention to save Fontaine.
Accidentally turned an emotional confession into another Childe roast.
Rewards:
*+1 Furina's Genuine Hesitation
*Nilou Hand Hold ×1
*Lumine Hand Hold ×1
*Paimon's Emotional Support Badge
*Greg Neck Pat (Ultra Rare)
*Clorinde's Suspicious Respect
*Lyney's Magic Pocket
*New Passive: "Mask Recognizes Mask"
*Quest Added: "Save the Nation of Justice"
*Future Boss Encounter Unlocked: Ginger Wallet Problem