Looking at the staff that emitted faint sea-blue light points, Furina's expression gradually changed from the previous astonished stupor to a gentle one.
The day she resigned and left Palais Mermonia... she had bid farewell to this staff.
To Furina, the splendor of tranquil waters was not just an exquisitely crafted staff; it also represented the authority of the Water God for the past five hundred years.
Although she was not a true God, but merely an ordinary girl wearing a God's mask, everything that happened today made her feel somewhat dazed.
She was indeed not a God, but in the eyes of those who were close to her... she was the true God.
It was precisely because of this that she was able to receive these truly heartfelt gifts today.
Thinking of this, Furina slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and gently held the staff that had accompanied her for five hundred years.
As if sensing something, the exquisite staff bloomed with a sea-blue radiance the moment it touched Furina's hand.
Feeling the unique sensation brought by the sea-blue light, Mr. Yuto's face showed a very gentle smile.
Just as he had resolved earlier, he wanted everyone in Fontaine to acknowledge Furina's identity as a God and accept her current identity as an ordinary person.
Under the 'drama' of the Judgment Court and the publicity of Lyney and others, most people in Fontaine were already filled with respect and gratitude for Furina.
And Beryl Region, under the intentional guidance of Spina di Rosula, also showed admiration and gratitude for Furina.
—that scroll was the proof.
Now, not only did people acknowledge everything Furina had done in the past, but even the splendor of tranquil waters expressed its recognition of Furina.
In a sense, Mr. Yuto's idea had been realized.
Looking at the gently smiling Furina, Mr. Neuvillette, who usually rarely smiled, also showed a hard-to-detect smile on his face, and then spoke:
"There should be a blade inside the splendor of tranquil waters. Perhaps due to the erosion of time, or for some other reason, that blade has vanished without a trace."
"Mademoiselle Clorinde used the Shadow Hunter's skill to re-forge a blade for the splendor of tranquil waters and house it within, to ensure Ms. Furina's safety."
Hearing this, Furina was slightly startled, then gently pulled up the top of the staff, and a gleaming blade appeared in the girl's hand.
Looking at the blade before her, Furina was momentarily stunned, then gently smiled, and sheathing the sword back into the splendor of tranquil waters.
She slightly raised her head, scanned the people before her, and gently smiled.
"Thank you, everyone. I have received your intentions..."
Hearing this, everyone present exchanged smiles, and then, as if by prior agreement, raised the wine glasses in front of them and said in unison:
"To Water God Furina, who gave everything for Fontaine; to our tomorrow."
Furina was slightly startled at this, then likewise raised the glass in front of her, which had been full of wine from the start, and softly said:
"To... our tomorrow."
...
After the opening group toast concluded, the atmosphere of the gathering finally shifted from its somewhat strange earlier mood to a true gathering among friends.
Navia pulled Furina and Lynette into a discussion about the latest fashion items in Fontaine and where to find good restaurants, while Clorinde sat nearby, listening silently, occasionally interjecting a remark.
For Furina, this was not only her first time attending a privately hosted gathering, but also her first experience of drinking and chatting happily with friends.
Although she felt a bit dizzy after finishing that one glass of wine, it wasn't entirely without benefits.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, Furina quickly shed the stiffness she had felt before entering the room and soon engaged in familiar conversation with everyone.
Completely unlike the topics discussed by the girls present... Mr. Yuto and his companions were indeed discussing serious matters.
It was about the impending full opening of the Narcissenkreuz Institute.
Lyney looked at the smiling Mr. Yuto and gently said:
"Mr. Yuto, the issue you raised earlier... Father has found a definite solution."
Hearing this, Mr. Yuto was first startled, then gently nodded.
"The Narcissenkreuz Institute has been in a semi-open state. Whenever Ms. Arlecchino is ready, the children who intend to sever ties with the Fatui can move in."
"As for the work of caring for the children afterward..."
Mr. Yuto paused slightly, directing his gaze to Mr. Neuvillette, who was sitting beside him sipping water, seemingly waiting for him to answer.
Although Mr. Yuto was nominally the Vice President of the Melusine Protection Association, it was better for Mr. Neuvillette to speak about matters related to Melusines.
As if sensing Mr. Yuto's gaze, Mr. Neuvillette slowly put down his cup, his gray eyes calmly looking at Lyney, and he softly said:
"The work of caring for the children will be undertaken by some Melusines who have a basic understanding of humans; they can enter work mode at any time."
Hearing this, Lyney's face showed a relieved smile, and then he sincerely said:
"Thank you, Mr. Yuto and Mr. Neuvillette, for being willing to put aside past grievances and... help these children."
Mr. Yuto, upon hearing this, gently waved his hand, picked up his wine glass, raised it slightly in a gesture, took a sip, and then continued:
"This matter is only because Ms. Arlecchino and I had a private discussion, which allowed us to reach a cooperation agreement so quickly."
"From the perspective of this matter, I actually think Ms. Arlecchino is more like a qualified 'parent' than the previous The Knave."
"Of course, you can see this from you and your sister."
Mr. Yuto gently smiled, then raised the wine glass in his hand and said:
"To our future cooperation, cheers; to all the children finding the life path they desire, cheers."
Thud—
Before Mr. Neuvillette and Lyney could even raise their cups, a loud thud came from beside the three of them.
This loud noise naturally attracted their attention, so they all turned to look, and thus discovered... a scene that made one's vision go dark.
At this moment, Clorinde was pulling the red-cheeked Furina, who seemed completely drunk, as if trying to stop something.
And Navia, after a brief moment of daze, instinctively looked at Mr. Yuto, blinked slightly, and said somewhat innocently:
"Mr. Yuto, Lady Furina seems to be..."
"Drunk?"
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