Chapter 166. The First Hydro Archon's Demise in Sumeru?!
Zhongli left just like that.
Arlecchino stood alone in the deserted alley, mind racing. The information Rex Lapis had given was significant. More than the Tsaritsa had ever told her when she joined Snezhnaya.
Fontaine will inevitably suffer catastrophe. Only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne.
Rex Lapis had given her three critical pieces.
Archons cannot assist her—that explained why the Tsaritsa said she was powerless. The prophecy was destined—Rex Lapis himself had no solution. And ancient contracts, established by the original Seven Archons on Celestia at the end of the Archon War, forbade Archons of one nation from interfering in another's affairs.
He's hinting at something.
If Archons cannot interfere… who can? Who can interfere in a disaster that engulfs an entire nation?
Futsu Mitama?
He wasn't a current Archon. Next Electro Archon. Rex Lapis's chosen successor. Acting Dendro Archon. Different from the Seven. Hadn't signed those strange contracts.
He could help. But would he?
Arlecchino knew the extent of the grudge between herself and Aila. Futsu Mitama wouldn't help her easily.
So who else?
Requirements: identity must not be weak, absolutely free with no interference from various nations, and kind-hearted enough to meddle in others' affairs.
Does such an existence even exist on Teyvat?
Arlecchino stood in place, reviewing the intelligence. Unconsciously, she'd wandered onto Liyue Harbor's main street.
Bustling. Prosperous.
She sighed, helplessness creeping in. A hint of envy flashed in her eyes. Under Rex Lapis's leadership, Liyue was well-managed. Its future was full of vitality.
Fontaine seemed prosperous now. But through her "family members'" investigations the prophecy would begin soon; the sea levels kept increasing.
Five years? Ten?
Fontaine didn't have much time. If the prophecy came to pass… too late for everything.
She had to prepare. Confront Hydro Archon Focalors.
With sincerity, she could make Focalors reveal the method to resolve the prophecy. Then they'd work together.
But first—find suitable personnel.
Just as Arlecchino was troubled, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice cut through the night.
"Oh my~ Lumine~ Today was truly a day of abundant harvest~ Not only did we eat our fill~ We also met everyone."
Arlecchino's mind flashed:
That Flying mascot.
That voice was too distinctive to forget. She slipped into a secluded corner, gaze sweeping the crowd. Quickly found Paimon. Beside her—Lumine and Mona.
"Ha, for you two, it was a day of abundant harvest. For me, it was pure fright."
Mona patted her not-so-ample chest, helpless.
"Honestly, you two took me to a dinner party like that without a word. The moment I walked in, I was like—who am I, where am I, why am I here?"
Lumine smiled slightly.
"Because you're living at Futsu Mitama's place now, so I wanted to introduce you to them beforehand."
"Ah?! That big house belongs to Futsu Mitama?!"
Mona's eyes widened. She'd had no idea.
"Yes, it is." Lumine nodded, amused by Mona's shock. "Futsu Mitama once told me his house was too big. If anyone didn't have a place to stay, they could live there. Saves them the Mora of staying in an inn."
Paimon nodded earnestly.
"And there, we can cook our own meals! The beds are big and soft! We only need to spend a little time cleaning daily! As long as it's kept clean and tidy, you can live there indefinitely. Doesn't that sound great?"
Mona had assumed Lumine bought the house. After what Lumine did in The Chasm, she must have over a hundred million Mora. Buying a house in Liyue Harbor would be easy.
What was amusing was that Lumine bought it next to Wangshu Funeral Parlor. Wangshu Funeral Parlor was where the dead went. The living avoided it. Being neighbors required serious strength to hold your own.
But now?
Mona wondered if Wangshu Funeral Parlor was worthy of being neighbors with this group.
Wait…
Mona's mind flashed to Zhongli's words.
I am merely a humble Wangshu Funeral Parlor Consultant.Could it be?! He also lives at Wangshu Funeral Parlor?!
Then everything I experienced in Liyue before heading to Mondstadt… is going to be very, very exciting.
Lumine, Mona, and Paimon departed, chatting and laughing. Arlecchino watched the golden-haired Lumine's retreating figure, expression thoughtful.
"Someone."
Whoosh!
From the darkness, the Electro Cicin Mage sisters appeared. They'd always followed Arlecchino, remaining in shadows, never appearing openly.
"Compile all intelligence on that golden-haired traveler. Deliver it to me as quickly as possible."
"Understood!"
"Mission accomplished."
The Cicin Mages vanished.
Arlecchino stared at Lumine's figure, deep in thought.
Perhaps this is an opportunity.
She merged into the darkness. Time to relay Rex Lapis's reply to Snezhnaya. The Tsaritsa would issue orders to Tartaglia. Her mission would be complete.
But besides that, there were many exploitable areas in Liyue. She needed to profit for herself.
—
The night was long. Everyone had their own things to do.
None of it concerned Futsu Mitama.
He returned to the house he'd bought in Liyue. Under Aila and Black Aila's joint service, he bathed, changed, and lay on the bed, browsing the Chat Group.
Aila and Black Aila? They'd gone out to fight.
Over Futsu Mitama's "first time."
Aila: First come, first served! I was there first! Priority!
Black Aila: Bullshit! The strong are entitled to everything! You can't beat me!
They'd gone out to duel.
Winner serves Young Master.
Of course, with identical memories, identical combat power, and comparable authorities, unless it was a fight to the death, there'd be no true victor.
Futsu Mitama didn't particularly care. He had more interesting things on his mind.
What The Knave said today piqued his interest in Fontaine.
[Futsu Mitama: So, what's the situation with Fontaine? How much do you all know?]
[Albedo: I only know the general idea. Fontaine is a nation of justice. Hydro Archon Focalors loves trials very much.]
[Yae Miko: I also only understand the general situation. Fontaine is quite far from Inazuma, but in terms of maritime trade, Fontaine and Inazuma are often in contact. The information I know is only about the prophecy: Fontaine will be swallowed by water. Of course, I don't care about this prophecy. Even if Fontaine is flooded, can't the people of Fontaine swim?]
[Eula: I think it's probably not that simple.]
[Klee: Klee can swim!]
[Keqing: I don't have many impressions of Fontaine, but the things they create there are indeed very durable. Just like Sumeru.]
[Cyno: Fontaine, I don't understand it.]
[Nahida: Actually, if I had to say, I've learned quite a bit of information through the Irminsul.]
[Futsu Mitama: Can you tell us?]
[Nahida: Hmm~~]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: It's fine, you can say it, but just touch on it lightly~]
[Nahida: It's actually very simple. Regarding information about Fontaine, I learned one thing through the Irminsul: the prophecy cannot be changed.]
[Futsu Mitama: So, this is something that is bound to happen?]
[Paimon: Wait?! Bound to happen?! Doesn't that mean Fontaine is going to be annihilated?!]
[Lumine: No, if Fontaine is flooded, what about the other nations?]
[Azhdaha: What else can be done? Set up barriers, or work with old friends to push the water back. But the water won't rise for no reason. There must be a secret we don't know about.]
[Raiden Ei: You don't know either?]
[Azhdaha: I'm responsible for fighting, Beelzebub, do you know!?]
[Raiden Ei: I only know a little. During The Seven Archons' gathering 500 years ago, I met Hydro Archon Focalors. She said she was going to do something big. As for what it was, I'm not sure. But she was very interested in me using the Shogun to govern Inazuma.]
[Raiden Makoto: Interested in you using the Shogun to govern Inazuma?]
[Yae Miko: Oh no, I suddenly have a bad feeling about Fontaine's future.]
[Futsu Mitama: Agreed.]
[Raiden Ei: HUH? Although I already know I was wrong, the Shogun's performance is still very good. It's my greatest masterpiece.]
[Venti: Hahahaha, The Seven Archons' gathering 500 years ago? At that time, I seemed to not even have the strength to speak. Everyone met in a hurry and then fell into slumber.]
[Zhongli: …]
[Nahida: I seem to have been absent—]
[Raiden Makoto: Normal. Too many people died in that calamity 500 years ago.]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: The Original Hydro God, our old friend Egeria, she died in Sumeru.]
[Futsu Mitama: Ah?! She passed away in Sumeru?!]
Futsu Mitama, lying in bed, suddenly sat up.
Explosive news. Should I quickly return to Sumeru? See if Egeria can be pulled into the Chat Group? Get first-hand information about Fontaine?
[Maha Rukkhadevata: Hmm, but I don't know exactly where she passed away. After all, at that time, she was fighting, and I was also fighting. I died even earlier than her.]
[Nahida: The Irminsul only recorded that The Original Hydro God died in Sumeru. But we really don't know where she was. Plus, my power is relatively weak, and 500 years have passed since the incident.]
[Venti: Do you need my help? If it's about wind, I can probably find the place where she died very quickly.]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: Is your power still enough?]
[Venti: Eeeh~ Not much~ But enough~]
[Zhongli: However, Futsu Mitama, are you interested in Fontaine's Prophecy?]
[Futsu Mitama: Hmm, I'm still very interested in the prophecy The Knave mentioned today. And my goal is to travel across Teyvat! The seven nations must be visited one by one, slowly!]
[Lumine: Hmm, me too.]
[Paimon: But, weren't we talking about the prophecy? I always feel like you guys only say half of it.]
[Raiden Makoto: Hahahaha~ Regarding this~ Little Paimon, I can only tell you that this belongs to a kind of[taboo]. Knowing too much is not a good thing, you know. However, when you need to know, you will know. I just hope Egeria still has a trace of her soul preserved. If even her true spirit has perished, then there's probably really nothing that can be done.]
[Venti: Then I also need to take action. If I find anything, I'll let you know.]