'Bu... business, right, business!'
Rina finally snapped out of it.
'Good grief, what was I thinking just now!'
Thinking about her behavior just now, Rina felt uncharacteristically embarrassed.
'I'm here to make a deal!' Rina said to Focalors, hands on her hips and head held high.
"Oh? A deal?" Focalors became interested. She was very curious about what conditions Rina could propose.
'In the upcoming two trials, use the justice in 'my' heart to interpret the two trials.'
Rina enunciated her conditions word by word.
"Interesting, you're actually using justice to trade?" Focalors smacked her lips, maintaining her standard smiling expression. "The asking price of the God of justice won't be low, you know. Tell me your offer first."
Hearing this, Rina pursed her lips. 'I will help you take good care of Furina and hide her identity as the fake Hydro Archon.'
"Hehehe." Focalors laughed out loud upon hearing Rina's words. "If you didn't make this deal with me, wouldn't you do that anyway? For your Furina, you..."
Clearly, these little tricks of Rina's were no match for Focalors .
Before Focalors could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Rina.
'Y-You… don't talk nonsense!' Hearing Focalors teasing words, Rina got flustered again, her cheeks turning slightly red.
(Author: Why does the Focalors I'm writing feel like she's leaning towards Elysia...)
"See, getting flustered again."
'I am not flustered!!!'
"Alright..." Focalors put away her playful smile, her expression becoming slightly more serious. "If you have the chance, come visit me from time to time. It would be best if you could bring some small cakes made by you and some recent photos of Furina. Also, if Fontaine can successfully overcome this crisis, accompany Furina well and make her happy every day..."
Focalors expression gradually became sorrowful.
Was that last sentence... entrusting someone to her care?
Never mind, it's still early, don't think so far ahead.
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Rina should have easily accepted this condition, but when Focalors said the second half, a bit of bitterness arose in her heart.
'Should I accompany her after success... It seems like there won't be a chance for that, this opportunity should be left to Focalors. The current Furina needs my company, but what about afterwards? Will she still really need me..?'
.
.
.
'Fine, I agree.'
Rina gritted her teeth and made up her mind.
'Anyway, the contract doesn't specify who should keep her company…'
"Hmm, the contract is established! Those who break their contract shall suffer the wrath of the rock!"
Focalors resumed her signature smile and extended her hand to Rina. Rina also smiled at her, which was rare.
Only, beneath each of their smiles lay their own little secrets, unknown to the other.
'Hmph, happy... cooperation.' Rina hesitated for a moment, then shyly extended her hands toward Focalors .
With the contract reached, the heavy burden in both their hearts was finally lifted.
There was still some time before Furina's performance ended. Focalors projected the stage where Furina was performing in front of them, sat down cross-legged and motioned for Rina to watch with her.
Rina hesitated for a moment, but still walked toward Focalors unconsciously.
'Ahem, let's be clear, I didn't want to watch this on my own initiative; you invited me to watch!'
Focalors replied with a smile: "Yes, yes, it was I who invited Rina to watch..."
Rina then reluctantly sat down.
On the stage, Furina was performing with focus, her acting skills truly superb.
Focalors watched with great interest; she was very gratified that Furina could find something she loved and devote herself to it.
"Furina's acting is quite good!"
'Of course, that's my Furina!'
The two chatted while watching Furina's performance.
As they watched and chatted, the topic drifted to Furina.
Focalors still really wanted to know about Furina's situation outside; after all, once outside the Opera Epiclese, her perception wasn't very strong.
'As for her now... although I can't say she's living in luxury, she lives a quite fulfilling life every day.'
'After the two incidents involving the nobles and Gray River, even if Furina doesn't act like a god, the masses won't doubt her identity. Therefore, she doesn't need to keep her heart tense all the time to play the Hydro Archon. I've talked to her about this, but she never listens to me; sometimes she still puts on a tone that doesn't belong to her.'
Rina said this while pouting, it looked like she was a little unhappy that Furina didn't listen to her.
Although she was inside the Oratrice, Focalors naturally knew about the two major national events involving the nobles and Gray River.
When she learned about these two things, she was even a bit surprised.
"No way, Furina actually had the courage, boldness, and ability to solve these two major issues?"
Now she understood.
The Hydro Archon played by Furina had real divine power and Rina also seemed a bit smarter than Furina, so the possibility of solving these two problems was quite high.
'But, as I said, Furina's life is quite fulfilling now. Watching plays, watching the trials she's interested in, eating small cakes, learning acting from me, and even sneaking out to play…'
Hearing Rina's words, Focalors was very gratified, but at the same time felt guilty towards the twins.
The Furina she separated to play the Hydro Archon and endure suffering now didn't need to bear so much pain and lived an ordinary life; wasn't this exactly what Focalors hoped for?
But since the Furina she was supposed to take care of was so well protected by Rina, she had to thank Rina, both emotionally and reasonably.
"Rina, thank you for always accompanying Furina. At the same time, I also apologize to you and Furina. Staying inside this Oratrice, not going out to think of ways to fight the prophecy with you..."
Focalors put away all her playfulness and bowed deeply to Rina sincerely.
Rina was startled by Focalors action and quickly pulled her up, saying in a slightly cold tone. 'Why thank me? I haven't done anything.'
But in reality, having received Focalors thanks, Rina was still very happy inside.
'Also, don't even mention apologies; you are the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, you couldn't possibly abandon Fontaine, you are just fighting the prophecy in a different place.'
Rina glanced at the sword above Focalors, which was clearly a size larger than it had been a few moments ago and sighed silently.
'What you're doing... even an idiot could guess…'
"Thank you for your understanding..." After Focalors said this, the two remained silent for a long time.
Furina's performance was about to end and Rina had to go back.
"Leaving already?"
'Yeah. What, you're not going to miss me, are you?'
Focalors nodded slightly; after all, she was usually very lonely and solitary; she was very happy about this interaction with Rina.
'Tsk, I'll find a chance to come again, didn't we make a contract?'
"The contract... yes, we made a contract… Ones who break their contract shall suffer the wrath of the rock."