"I remember during that trial's confrontation..."
"It ended with Furina losing to Lumine."
"But the most critical part was Navia's help."
"Without Navia, I don't think we would have had full confidence in defeating Furina."
Paimon recalled the scene from back then. She began chatting with Kael and the others.
"Given Kael's status as the Pope, I imagine Navia would stand on his side."
"Plus, with Kael's abilities, the two of us wouldn't stand a chance." Lumine chimed in.
"Sigh, this feeling is like a husband bringing another woman home to bully his wife and child."
Pfft!
Kael, who was drinking tea, nearly choked to death at Lumine's words.
Seeing this, Lumine hurriedly patted Kael's back, speaking with a hint of anxiety. "What's the matter? Can't I even make a joke to tease you?"
"It's not like anyone doesn't know those were things from a past life reincarnation."
"I know you couldn't help it back then."
"Lumine, why do I feel like you're making me sound like a baby?" Paimon asked blankly.
"Alright, alright, let's stop joking." Lumine immediately cut the topic short.
Her gaze turned toward the nervous Furina. She sighed softly.
"Furina, the past is in the past. You don't need to be so restrained anymore."
"Actually, I know. You are Focalors' personality."
"Eh?" Furina froze on the spot. "How... how did you know?"
Lumine scratched her cheek sheepishly and smiled. "During the final Trial, when you were crying, I saw your memories."
"Eh!!"
Suddenly, Furina was like a punctured balloon, jumping up instantly.
"So that means..."
"Yeah, I felt quite bad about it back then. I've always wanted to apologize to you." Lumine's face showed her regret.
"Holding on for 500 years... you really worked hard."
"And until the very end, you couldn't even prove your sacrifices to everyone."
"But I think this exposure of your past life might help re-establish your name."
Hearing this, Furina's nose twitched.
The Hydro element nearly surged from her eyes.
Holding on for 500 years had been truly exhausting. Fortunately, the Prophecy was false.
"So..." Lumine suddenly stood up, hands on her hips.
"To apologize to you, I'll share Kael with you."
Furina, who was still immersed in sadness, saw her grief instantly turn into shock.
"What?"
"Wait, where is this even coming from?"
"Exactly." Kael was also dumbfounded. "I'm not an object. How can I be used as a bargaining chip for your apology?"
"Oh? You seem unwilling?" Lumine squinted at him. Her smug, mischievous look made Kael want to laugh.
"Is it because you think Furina isn't as 'big' as Clorinde?"
Kael: "..."
"Hey!" Furina stood up in protest. "I... well..."
"Mr. Kael is very outstanding as a Reincarnator, but even if I'm not the Hydro Archon, I'm still Fontaine's biggest star, okay?"
"I... I..."
"I don't want to! I..."
Furina's head drooped slightly, her eyes darting around, unsure where to look.
She was extremely puzzled. Had Lumine developed some strange hobby after recovering her memories?
How could she say such things in front of Kael and Paimon?
Even if she wanted to express her feelings, she should do it privately, shouldn't she?
"Look at her, Lumine..."
"Furina is putting up a front again. She's actually overjoyed inside."
Paimon pointed her small finger at Furina. "Once she recovers her memories, I bet even if you try to drive her away, she'll cling to Kael's leg for dear life."
[Opera Epiclese.]
[Lumine and Paimon had been invited by Lyney. They arrived at the theater early and, under Lyney's arrangement, sat in the front row with the best view.]
[Accompanying them was a white-haired man dressed in ornate clothing.]
[Lyney was still preparing for the magic show.]
[At this moment, the only people in the venue were Lumine, Paimon, and the white-haired man sitting next to them.]
['Ugh...']
[Paimon, floating beside Lumine, looked very uncomfortable.]
[Lumine kept winking at Paimon, signaling her to go strike up a conversation with the man. Otherwise, the atmosphere was just too awkward.]
['Hmm...'] [Paimon's face showed a hint of reluctance.]
['We really should talk to that person. Sitting here like this when no one else is around is too awkward.']
['It's up to you, Paimon.']
['You... I knew you'd do this...']
[Paimon and Lumine had a small "dispute" over the matter.]
[Neuvillette, sitting nearby, naturally overheard their whispering.]
[He spoke with great gentlemanly grace. "My apologies. I didn't realize there was an issue with the atmosphere. It was my oversight."]
["If necessary, we can simply chat. It's no trouble at all."]
[Neuvillette's proactive intervention eased the tension significantly.]
[Paimon took the opportunity to chat casually with him.]
["You're here so early too, and sitting in the front row just like us. Are you also a friend of Mr. Lyney?"]
["If Mr. Lyney wishes, I would be more than happy to be his friend."]
[Uh...]
[Realizing Neuvillette wasn't Lyney's friend, Paimon and Lumine were momentarily at a loss.]
[Fortunately, just as both sides were about to introduce themselves, Lyney arrived.]
[He introduced them to each other.]
["Lord Neuvillette is Fontaine's most just Iudex. You see, that seat has always belonged to Mr. Neuvillette."]
[Above the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale in the center of the Opera Epiclese stage, there was a seat distinct from the rest of the venue's chairs.]
[It was the symbol of Fontaine's ultimate justice.]
["Ah, so you're such a big figure! My apologies, I thought..."]
Paimon hurriedly apologized for her earlier behavior, but Neuvillette stopped her. "It is of no consequence. The title of Iudex is merely a professional identity. Just as everyone has their own place, there is nothing special about it."
"However, though I am somewhat reluctant, I should give you a word of caution..."
The expression on Neuvillette's face became slightly more serious than before.
"That fellow over there has been posing in the high VIP seats for quite some time now..."
"She is doing it specifically so that when you first lay eyes on her, she can present what she considers to be her most gallant side."
"You should probably take notice of her soon, or else she will become quite dejected."
After hearing Neuvillette's words, Paimon, Lumine, and Lyney followed his gaze toward the VIP balcony high above the Opera Epiclese.
Furina was currently crossing her fair, slender legs, resting her chin on one hand as she gazed down at the group below.
Seeing that they had finally noticed her, Furina let out a light chuckle that seemed to look down upon everything. "Hehehehe..."
Lumine: "..."
Paimon whispered, "Ugh, look at that smug face. It seems Furina has no idea that you already saw through her, Neuvillette."
"That is for the best. We can ignore her for now and focus on the performance."
Neuvillette left them with those words and sat down by himself.
However, his brief remarks left Paimon utterly speechless.
'Is this really the relationship between Fontaine's Hydro Archon and the Iudex? I feel like...'
They really don't get along at all.
"By the way, I noticed there are only two VIP boxes in the entire venue."
"Furina sits in one as the Hydro Archon, but who does the seat right next to hers belong to?"
Paimon was incredibly curious.
Even the Iudex of Fontaine could only sit in the front row with them, so...
Who else could hold a status higher than the Iudex of Fontaine?
This was a nation centered around the Trial, after all.
"That seat belongs to the Pope of Fontaine."
"However, the Pope has not visited the Opera Epiclese for a hundred years."
Mentioning that seat, Neuvillette looked back toward the direction where Furina was seated once more.
Looking at that empty chair, Neuvillette's expression was filled with reminiscence.
The Pope!?
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a surprised glance.
They had heard the term "Pope" before at the Mondstadt Cathedral.
Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru didn't have such a position.
"He must have a status similar to the Grand Sage of Sumeru," Paimon said to Lumine.
"I have a feeling he might be a very scary person."
So this is Fontaine's Iudex, Neuvillette?
Neuvillette's appearance made the eyes of people from other nations light up.
It had to be said that as the Iudex of Fontaine, his speech and mannerisms were steady yet humble.
The only exception seemed to be his slight frustration and dissatisfaction with his own Hydro Archon.
But, remembering Furina's various antics from before...
Everyone suddenly understood Neuvillette's plight.
Yae Miko: "Reborn as the Pope: My Past Life Lover. I think I can have Yae Publishing House write a light novel with this title."
Venti: "As expected of Mr. Kael. To be reborn as a Reincarnator and become the Pope, his status in Fontaine is clear to see."
Zhongli: "The two most luxurious VIP seats in Fontaine's largest opera house—one belongs to the deity, and the other belongs to Kael."
Lisa: "If Lumine and Kael meet and she suddenly recalls her past life memories, that's when the real show begins."
Charlotte: "Mm, that would certainly satisfy Lady Furina's desire for a thrilling plot."
Lumine: "What are you all talking about? Who told you Kael's Reincarnation cycles follow a specific order? Maybe his memory of being the Pope belongs to someone else."
Collei: "I find Paimon's evaluation of Kael as the Pope quite interesting. She immediately compared him to the Grand Sage of Sumeru."
Nahida: "At least based on my deductions, no matter how Mr. Kael reincarnates, he would never become a figure like the Grand Sage. Mr. Kael's core essence is surely centered around protection."
Lumine: "Stop praising him. He can barely hide the smirk on his face."
Alice: "If he can't hide his smirk, then that's your responsibility, Traveler Lumine. Why don't you use your mouth to seal those uncontrollable corners of his lips?"
Lumine: "Eh? This... Lady Alice, what are you saying? I don't understand at all!"
Eula: "Heh, keep feeding me this dog food and I'll have to add it to my grudge list, Lumine."
Amber: "Record my jealousy along with the grudge!"
"The Pope is not a scary person at all." Lyney quickly corrected Paimon's assumption.
"In Fontaine, the Pope is a figure respected by everyone. He worked tirelessly for Fontaine for hundreds of years."
"Er, he is just as dedicated as Lord Neuvillette."
"Let us not speak of that. The Pope and I simply worked hard in our respective fields." Neuvillette quickly interrupted Lyney's comparison.
Such things were better left without casual comparisons.
"Wow, when the Pope is mentioned, I feel like there's a sparkle in Lyney's eyes. Have you met the Pope, Lyney?" Paimon asked with a smile.
Lumine also nodded repeatedly.
At least from Lyney's attitude, he clearly admired this Pope he had never met.
"Unfortunately, no..."
Lyney looked dejected.
"I've been at the Opera Epiclese for so long, yet I've never seen the Pope once. It is just as Lord Neuvillette said."
"Since I was born, the Pope has stopped coming to the Opera Epiclese."
Bang!
Suddenly, a slight noise caught everyone's attention.
Looking up, two people were walking into the Opera Epiclese, one behind the other.
Leading them was a black-haired man dressed in magnificent attire, holding a scepter.
Following behind him was Clorinde, the one who had previously been guarding Furina.
"Lord Neuvillette arrived so early?"
"There aren't many people here yet."
The moment Kael's voice rang out.
Neuvillette's body trembled slightly as he immediately rose from his seat.
"Lord Pope?"
"It has been a long time."
What? Who?
Lyney, Lumine, and Paimon froze on the spot.
Speak of the Pope, and he appears?
They couldn't be that lucky.
Kael and Neuvillette met, exchanging polite greetings.
Kael's gaze immediately shifted to the others.
"Is this the Traveler from afar?"
"How adorable."
Paimon scratched her head sheepishly and laughed. "Hehe, thank you for the compliment, Lord Pope, but..."
"Lumine is the Traveler."
"Oh?" Kael feigned a look at Lumine, who puffed out her chest, and immediately broke into a smile. "My apologies. I have been so busy with work that I got confused for a moment."
"Forgive me."
"I never imagined the Traveler would be such a lovely young lady. To travel through several nations at such an age, your strength must be remarkable."
"Welcome to our Fontaine."
Lumine shook her head, indicating it was no problem.
Being praised by Kael actually made her feel a bit embarrassed.
"And you must be the magician, Lyney. You look like a brilliant performer."
"You must give us a grand show."
Hearing this, Lyney replied excitedly, "Yes! I definitely will not disappoint you, Lord Pope."
Afterward, Kael and Neuvillette bid each other farewell. Kael then led Clorinde toward the VIP seating.
"Lumine, I didn't expect the Pope to be so young. I thought he would be an old man."
Paimon muttered as she watched Kael's departing back. "And he is really approachable."
"Paimon, don't forget. The Pope hasn't been here for 100 years. His age should be..."
Lumine reminded her.
"Oh right! I almost forgot."
Paimon looked toward the VIP seats again, and suddenly, she froze.
"Huh?"
"Look at Furina. Just a moment ago, she was crossing her legs with that smug look on her face."
"Now, why is she sitting so perfectly straight?"
[Yae Miko: That silver tongue of his... he could make anyone float away with flattery.]
[Nahida: I do not think it is trickery. I believe Mister Kael is acting quite normally.]
[Jean: For someone of Kael's status to converse so approachably and with a smile is truly remarkable.]
[Lisa: When someone in such a high position treats ordinary citizens this way, it certainly makes them feel overwhelmed by the favor.]
[Lumine: Pfft, he actually called me adorable. I can't help but laugh.]
[Arlecchino: He only rushed to the scene because he was afraid you would cause trouble. Yet, he acts so warm-hearted toward you. How should I put it?]
[Tartaglia: Hypocritical?]
[Lumine: Shut up. You really don't know how to talk to people.]
[Tartaglia: Hey, that's uncalled for, Traveler. I've helped you plenty. You can't just forget your friends the moment you get a boyfriend.]
[Paimon: You've also scammed us before! Why don't you mention that? Anyway, Furina's fear of Kael doesn't look fake. She was acting all high and mighty just now, but now she's like a little lamb, behaving so well.]
[Yae Miko: Perhaps they have a private dynamic we don't know about. If she doesn't behave, she might have to suffer a bit when the night is quiet.]
[Kael: How do you know so much?]
[Furina: What does that mean? I don't understand at all.]