The group had only just breathed a sigh of relief.
But suddenly, everyone's hearts leapt back into their throats. 😰
Furina widened her eyes while staring at the chat.
She had just received a cake from Navia and was about to enjoy it. But now even the knife and fork in her hands were trembling.
Chat Group
Shikanoin Heizou:
"Wait… aren't we facing an extremely difficult dilemma now?"
"To destroy the Hydro Archon's throne, Neuvillette must reclaim the Authority of the Dragon Sovereign."
"Only a fully restored Neuvillette can absolve all Fontaine citizens of their sins."
"But from the moment she became the Hydro Archon, Focalors never enjoyed anything belonging to a god…"
"She treated herself as a sacrificial piece from the very beginning."
"None of us want to see such a god fall."
"But if she doesn't fall, the throne remains. Neuvillette can't regain the authority. And he can't absolve Fontaine's people."
"This is a deadlock loop!"
Navia:
"How can this be?!"
"Just now everyone was relieved… Focalors carried so much and in the end sacrificed herself to secure Fontaine's victory…"
"Is there really no way for her to live?!"
Lyney:
"Ah… this really is an impossible choice."
Collei:
"Focalors is such a good god… please don't let her die!!! 😭"
Arlecchino:
"There is no way… unless…"
Navia:
"Unless what?"
Clorinde:
"Unless the Original Sin itself disappears."
Paimon:
"What does that mean?"
Heizou:
"I see… everything Focalors did was meant to destroy the order established by Celestia."
"The throne must be destroyed so Neuvillette can reclaim the dragon authority."
"And she prepared to deceive Celestia…"
"The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles is literally in our group chat."
Apep:
"You expect her to help? What a joke."
Nilou:
"But… isn't it really impossible?"
"From Fontaine's perspective, everything Focalors did was for her people. She had no selfish motives."
"If a god like that falls… it will be a tragedy, not only for Fontaine but for everyone."
Yoimiya:
"The witch N said the prophecy must happen."
"And remember what she said: history that records the future in the past."
"So this is already history. I doubt simply restraining the Narwhal would solve it."
Xingqiu:
"It feels more like a curse."
"Even if there was no All-Devouring Narwhal, maybe there would be a 'Moon-Devouring Whale' or something else."
"Something would inevitably trigger the prophecy."
Kamisato Ayaka:
"We should at least try. But would Miss Skirk and her master be willing…?"
Skirk:
"No use."
Tartaglia:
"Well… if my master says it's useless, then Fontaine is doomed… 😮💨"
Arlecchino:
"So the root cause must be addressed."
"Otherwise, Focalors will inevitably die."
Neuvillette:
"…Sigh."
Everyone understood now.
Celestia stole the Dragon Sovereigns' authority.
Egeria stole the Primordial Sea's power.
Both were sins.
Celestia judged Egeria.
After her death, that sin was inherited by Focalors.
But no one had the power to judge Celestia itself.
Direct Question to Celestia
Lyney:
"@Sustainer of Heavenly Principles"
"Your Excellency… are the people of Fontaine destined to die?"
"Or must we sacrifice Focalors so we can survive?"
"I mean no disrespect. I just want to know… is there any perfect solution?"
"If there is, every Fontaine citizen would give everything to ensure Lady Focalors lives!"
Kaeya:
"Your courage is admirable."
Osial:
"Facing the Sustainer directly? Bold."
Sustainer of Heavenly Principles:
"I can't help."
Apep:
"Exactly what I expected."
The Sustainer explained:
"Let me give an analogy."
"If you fired an arrow at full strength, could your weakened self withstand that arrow?"
"As for stealing the dragons' power? They lost the war."
"In the new order, Egeria broke the law."
"So she was judged."
"Celestia merely acted as judge and executioner."
She turned to Neuvillette.
"@Neuvillette"
"As Fontaine's Chief Justice… could you allow a criminal to roam free?"
Neuvillette was silent.
Then he answered quietly.
"I… cannot."
Even if he wanted to lie, he couldn't say yes.
He had already been moved when watching Focalors' execution in the video.
Now he would have to watch it again knowing everything.
Focalors had tricked him.
Yet she had also given him five hundred years of life among humans.
He had learned too much.
To him, that cunning god had become something like a guiding friend.
How could he watch a friend die?
But as Fontaine's Chief Justice…
He could not allow a criminal to escape justice.
They all lived under the order of Celestia.
Neuvillette clenched his fist.
"So we can only submit…"
Hopeless Atmosphere
Paimon:
"I think I understand the Sustainer's meaning."
"From the perspective of order, she won't forgive Focalors."
"But after watching the video she clearly feels something too."
"She just can't act right now, right?"
Sustainer:
"No need to defend me."
"You may resent me, but I truly cannot interfere."
Azhdaha:
"Well then we're screwed."
The chat fell silent.
Navia:
"So we just accept this?"
"Everything hasn't happened yet… we still have time to save her…"
"How am I supposed to accept this?!"
Albedo Suddenly Speaks
Albedo:
"This problem seems unsolvable."
"But actually, it's quite simple."
Charlotte:
"What?! Mr. Albedo has a solution?!"
Sucrose:
"As expected of you!"
Klee:
"Albedo is amazing! 🎉"
Paimon:
"In critical moments we rely on the alchemy genius!"
Furina:
"What's the solution?! Please tell us! Fontaine will repay you with everything!"
Albedo:
"Didn't Scaramouche want to become a god?"
"Just let him become the Hydro Archon."
"Focalors steps down."
"Then the one executed will be Scaramouche."
"Problem solved."
"Simple, right?" 😏
Tartaglia:
"WHAT THE— I never thought of that!"
Kaeya:
"You truly understand how to propose solutions."
Venti:
"Great plan. Now it depends on Raiden Ei."
Raiden Ei:
"This has nothing to do with me."
Azhdaha:
"Good! The creator has no objections!"
Paimon:
"Wait… aren't we forgetting something?"
Kazuha:
"We didn't ask Scaramouche himself."
Baizhu:
"I asked him."
"He has no objections."
(Video: unconscious Scaramouche being asked while dissected for research)
Venti:
"Yep, that's definitely what 'no objections' looks like."
Kaeya:
"If intentional, it's genius. If accidental, it's legendary."
Furina:
"I knew everyone here was a genius!"
"So this plan really works?!"
Albedo:
"Unfortunately… no."
Furina:
"…???"
Navia:
"Ah?!"
Albedo:
"I was just lightening the mood."
"If it were that simple, Focalors wouldn't have sacrificed herself."
The discussion spiraled again.
Puppet substitutes, fleeing Fontaine, restraining the Narwhal…
Every idea was dismissed.
If it were possible, Focalors would have thought of it already.
Suddenly — Dvalin Speaks
Dvalin:
"This depressing atmosphere is almost funny."
"Haven't you realized the key point yet?"
Furina:
"The key point?"
Neuvillette:
"…The key point?"
Lyney:
"So what is it?"
Venti:
"Idiots."
"When everyone is stuck on an unsolvable problem…"
"Why not ask the invincible Sect Leader?" 😏
Tartaglia:
"OH RIGHT!!!"
"We've been thinking for so long when the answer is obvious!"
Zhongli:
"I thought you would realize sooner…"
Sustainer of Heavenly Principles:
"If it's him… the problem can indeed be solved."
Klee:
"Brother Gu Chen?!"
"So Albedo already knew from the start?"
Alice:
"Albedo… come to the kitchen. I have some Mora for you." 😈
Furina Immediately Appears
Furina:
"@Gu Chen"
"Sect Leader! Sect Leader!"
Gu Chen:
"Oh? Isn't this the Sect Leader's biggest anti-fan?"
"Why so enthusiastic today?" 😏
Furina:
(hands clasped)
"Sect Leader, please! Guide your most loyal follower, Furina!"
Kaeya:
"Wasn't she the one roasting the Sect Leader the most two days ago?"
Venti:
"Time for karma."
Azhdaha:
"I hereby announce Furina has officially defected from the anti-Sect Leader alliance."
Paimon:
"I worried for nothing. We had a big boss at home all along."
Neuvillette's Request
Neuvillette:
"@Gu Chen"
"Mr. Gu Chen… only you can solve this problem now."
"Afterward, I am willing to offer everything, including the Authority of the Dragon Sovereign."
"I only ask for one chance of life for that cunning friend of mine."
(8-second video of Neuvillette speaking sincerely)
Venti:
"What kind of feeling makes a Dragon Sovereign willing to give up everything to save a god from the opposing side?"
Neuvillette:
"She deceived me, yes."
"But in these five hundred years, I learned too much."
"I consider Focalors a friend."
"And I cannot watch a friend be executed."
Soon the chat filled with pleas.
Lyney.
Navia.
Clorinde.
Wriothesley.
Sigewinne.
Charlotte.
Lynette.
Freminet.
Even Arlecchino joined.
All asking the same thing:
Give Focalors one chance to live.
Back in Mondstadt
Jean noticed Gu Chen hadn't responded for a while.
She asked softly:
"Is it difficult?"
"If you don't want to help, we'll stand by your decision."
Gu Chen laughed lightly.
"That's a strange conclusion."
"I was only surprised."
"So many people are willing to give everything for a god who can no longer bring them power or benefit."
"Even people unrelated to Fontaine."
He looked thoughtful.
"Focalors… your actions truly shone like a meteor."
"Beautiful, brilliant… and regrettable if they end too soon."
Barbara blinked.
"So… what will you do?"
Gu Chen chuckled.
"As the Sect Leader, the Acting Grand Master, the Regent General… and many other roles…"
"How could I calmly watch such a regret unfold?"
Then he glanced at a private message.
Private Chat — Furina
"Sect Leader… please!"
"I'm willing to give anything!"
Gu Chen laughed again.
"Well… since Fufu has personally begged me."
"A god like Focalors deserves a chance."
"A chance to live a life even more brilliant."
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