Furina took a deep breath, and a smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Oh my, alright. I just occasionally like to try acting as a tragic character. But it really doesn't suit someone as noble as me."
"By the way, what I just said to you… don't take it seriously. There's no way Fontaine would ever be controlled by a prophecy in my hands…"
Paimon: "But clearly, the earlier one was the real you, right?"
[Klee: This sister is saying such contradictory things… which one is the real one?!]
[Sigewinne: I often study human expressions. Earlier, Lady Hydro truly revealed her feelings. Now she's just forcing a smile.]
[Wriothesley: Sigewinne has been studying expressions for hundreds of years. I trust her judgment, and I also trust Lady Furina's feelings toward her people.]
[Neuvillette: Furina… perhaps you truly don't need to bear this burden alone.]
Lumine paused, thinking. They wanted to gather more information.
"Furina… maybe you really don't need to shoulder this alone. I believe your people would be more than willing to share the burden with you."
Furina shook her head.
"That's impossible. From the beginning, it was destined that only I would carry this responsibility…"
Lumine: "But you can still confide in someone. I am a witness—just speak to me."
Furina lowered her head in thought.
"A witness… yes. You came to Teyvat from beyond the Sea of Stars, right? That means… you never truly belonged here…"
"If everything in Teyvat is a stage for a comedy, then you are merely an audience member in the opera house, aren't you?"
Lumine nodded.
[Jean: What is a 'witness'?]
[Zhongli: Time has incredible power. History twists through the ages. To record truth accurately, one must find a better way to document it. Carving stone was once effective, but even seemingly unchanging rocks, the world, and even I may one day vanish. Lumine is someone who transcends the stars. If history is etched in her memory, it can travel with her to other worlds. As a traveler, if you record what you see, the era and history of Teyvat gain a form of backup. That is the role of a witness.]
[Hu Tao: Of course, that makes sense—Zhongli always knows everything.]
[Ningguang: I still only half-understand.]
[Nahida: Let me explain. All of Teyvat's memories are recorded in the World Tree. Altering the World Tree can alter people's memories. But Lumine is not recorded in the World Tree—she is an outsider to Teyvat.]
[Ningguang: Ah, I understand. Sharing Furina's secret with Teyvat citizens would have consequences, but telling Lumine is fine. I understand correctly, yes?]
[Furina: Exactly… Wait, Paimon is from Teyvat. My future self must never confide in her!]
[Ganyu: I understand now too… but Nahida, who is that?! (Zhongli sips tea)]
[Zhongli: Nahida also goes by the name Buer, the God of Wisdom of Sumeru, overseeing Dendro and the World Tree.]
[Diluc: Wait, Sumeru's Dendro Archon is Nahida? I've never heard that name.]
[Layla: Me neither.]
[Nahida: For some reason, I haven't left the Pure Sanctuary for 500 years, nor interacted with the public. So it's normal that you haven't heard of me.]
["Video Compilation System": Furina's story moves people to tears, and Nahida's story will too. The next video will show Nahida's story. (Nahida opens her eyes wide.)]
[Nahida: Me? I haven't done anything… I'm just a useless god. (bows her head)]
["Video Compilation System": No. Your story moved the world and saved the world. Every living being in Teyvat owes you gratitude.]
[Ningguang: I'm already looking forward to it. To learn so many secrets of the gods is truly exciting. I wonder if there's a story about our Geo Archon.]
["Video Compilation System": Morax, Archon of Liyue, has protected the region for 5,000 years. But perhaps now he wishes to step down. Isn't that right, Zhongli? (Zhongli sips tea)]
[Hu Tao: Zhongli, look! The system mentioned you! Do you know Morax?]
[Ningguang: Zhongli, I know him—he likes tea and listening to music.]
[Xiangling: Zhongli is also an expert in tasting food, highly skilled in culinary arts.]
[Venti: Zhongli is the Geo Archon! Isn't that clear already? Anyway, the system will show Zhongli's video eventually. You'll all find out sooner or later. Zhongli, you won't be mad at me, right?! (Zhongli sips tea)]
[Zhongli: Of course not. How could I ever blame Barbatos, the Anemo Archon?]
[Klee: ???]
[Jean: ???]
[Hu Tao: ???]
On screen, Furina became visibly excited at the affirmative responses.
"If it's you…"
But after hesitating repeatedly, she still didn't speak.
At that moment, the room shook violently, and the walls collapsed. The surroundings suddenly transformed into a judgment arena. The audience seats were filled with citizens.
Nearby, Lyney bowed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my warm-up performance is over. Next, the trial of the god may begin!"
[Lyney: So that's how it works. First, pressure from the crowd forced Furina to go to Poisson. Then, under Lumine and Paimon's guidance, she entered the small cabin. After that, the House of the Hearth moved the room to the judgment stage, making Furina face her trial. That style—such a dramatic magician's flourish!]
[Lynette: As expected of my big brother… capturing the Hydro Archon with ease.]
[Lyney: This wasn't my work alone. Neuvillette and the Traveler participated, along with a large crowd of extras.]
[Furina: …]
[Lyney: Forgive me, Lady Furina. That was my future self acting. My present self understands you.]
Furina: "I see. I commend your efforts for drama. But I am Focalors, the God of Justice, the very embodiment of justice! To attempt to judge me… is that not absurd?"
On the judgment platform, Neuvillette spoke coldly:
"I understand your words as a refusal of judgment, correct? In that case, you will have a chance to defend your honor through combat."
Clorinde stepped forward, longbow in hand, moving to the center of the stage.
Furina tried to resist. She looked at Clorinde.
"You… really intend to duel a god?"
Clorinde did not reply. She raised her weapon, aimed at Furina. Everything was clear without words.
Furina: "It seems you have made up your mind."
She raised her hands in surrender.
Paimon was shocked.
"F-Furina… she surrendered!"
Clorinde lowered her bow and exhaled in relief.
The audience was equally astonished.
"What's happening? The Hydro Archon surrendered in a duel against a mortal?"
"Isn't this… a bit embarrassing?"
"Lady Furina, what does this mean?"