Thud… thud… thud… thud…
A thunderous heartbeat ignored the wooden door and drilled into Clorinde's ears.
Clorinde stood outside, instinctively holding her breath.
From that sound alone she could sense the world-shattering power coiled in the body beyond the door.
Clorinde clenched her fists; her palms were damp.
The door slid open without a sound.
King stood behind it, face fierce yet indifferent, though cold sweat already soaked his back.
His gaze fell on Clorinde—calm, unrippled, yet it made the battle-hardened Champion Duelist's heart clench.
'What is it?'
Three words, icy, efficient, devoid of emotion—like a God's whisper.
Clorinde's heart skipped, then began to race.
Never had she felt such pure, unalloyed pressure from anyone.
Even when facing an enraged Neuvillette she had merely felt fear.
Now, she wanted nothing more than to kneel and submit.
The sensation… the sensation made her legs weak and her cheeks burn.
She forced herself to blame the flush on her recent sprint, drew a breath, and explained:
'It's the Traveler who solved Stormterror's crisis in Mondstadt, along with her flying companion.'
'Lady Furina, citing Article 17 of the Fontaine Aerial Object Regulations Addendum (Provisional), states that flight within city limits is forbidden during the first three days of each month and demands the temporary confiscation of the flying object.'
'The flying object refused, designated the Traveler as its Champion Duelist, and initiated a trial by combat.'
'Lady Furina accepted and appointed you as her Champion Duelist.'
King: '…'
A thousand alpacas thundered through his mind.
I have to fight Lumine?
The same Lumine who punched Stormterror, kicked Osial, currently wields five elements, and is destined to smack the heavens—Teyvat's undefeated champion?
I'm just a paper tiger who scares people with a stiff face and a loud heartbeat, and you want me to duel her?
Thud! Thud! Thud—!
The King Engine sensed its owner's internal alpacas and pounded harder, shaking the entire Opera Epiclese.
Clorinde, cheeks reddening beneath the rising drum of that heartbeat, couldn't meet King's 'fixed' stare.
After a moment's silence she assumed he found the matter trivial and quickly added:
'The Traveler isn't exactly weak; as the woman who defeated Stormterror, she should give you a good fight!'
King closed his eyes and inhaled.
The Traveler isn't weak—but I am!
I'm doomed. Is it too late to run?
I could just say I'm dissatisfied with this job and quit.
King opened his eyes again, their depths now 'placid as an ancient well'—
He was ready to resign from civil service.
But when he looked at Clorinde he saw admiration shining in her beautiful eyes.
'…'
King knew he was finished.
'Lead the way.'
——
Opera Epiclese, courtroom.
The scene mirrored his first visit, only the defendant had changed.
Every seat in the gallery was taken; citizens buzzed with anticipation for the next 'grand show'.
Furina stood upon the hydro-archon's dais, elegant and poised—everything was under control.
She watched the puffed-up Paimon and the resigned Lumine below, a confident smile curling her lips.
'Hmph, outlander, in Fontaine the law is absolute.'
'Since you chose trial by combat, prepare for defeat!'
Her gaze swept to the entrance. 'I shall field my mightiest divine guardian—Mr. Su Ze!'
The instant the words fell, the side door swung open.
Clorinde stepped in first, then moved aside.
King appeared in the doorway.
He walked forward, step measured, face expressionless.
His casual clothes, far from jarring in the solemn setting, carried a rule-breaking, uncanny authority.
Thud… thud… thud…
The King Engine once more filled the Opera Epiclese.
The chattering gallery fell dead silent.
The terror the heartbeat had inspired days ago flooded back into every heart.
'It's… it's him! Fontaine's strongest man!'
'Lady Furina is sending him out?!'
'Surely the Traveler doesn't deserve death…'
'That sound—I can't breathe!'
Whispers rippled through the crowd, steeped in dread and awe of King.
Paimon darted behind Lumine, small face pale.
'Waaah! Lumine, that man is scary—and he looks super strong!'
Lumine's expression was grave.
She tightened her grip on the dull blade; from that heartbeat she felt a tangible, crushing pressure unlike anything before.
This man was unquestionably the strongest opponent she had met in her entire journey—
Even more dangerous than the Electro Archon of Inazuma!
Furina watched King 'calmly' enter, listening to the King Engine that steadied her even as it turned her knees to jelly, and her smile bloomed brighter.
She turned triumphantly to Lumine and Paimon. 'Well? You can still surrender, you know.'
King reached the center of the courtroom and stood facing Lumine.
The air congealed like iron.
An invisible force seemed to collide and compress between them.
The King Engine roared at full throttle—
Wilder, more reckless than ever—
Because King's inner scream of 'WHAT THE HELL' had peaked.
Thud!
Thud!!
Thud—!!!
The heartbeat crashed like the steps of some primordial beast shattering the earth.
Eardrums ached; Lumine and Paimon's hearts twitched to its terrible rhythm.
Dust sifted from the dome,
Tiny stones began to crumble from the grand structure's joints,
Clattering onto empty gallery seats.
Under the pure pressure the Opera Epiclese was starting to buckle!
Spectators sat ashen, clamping hands over ears, huddled in their seats, eyes wide with terror of King.
Some quietly sobbed, already regretting coming.
Upon her dais Furina fought to maintain elegant composure;
She trusted King's strength, but this was getting out of hand—
Would she be killed by the aftershocks…?
Lumine, directly opposite King, felt it most keenly.
She clenched the dull blade, knuckles white.
Cold sweat beaded on her forehead and nose, sliding down her taut cheeks.
She stared at the man before her.
He merely stood, yet the invisible pressure felt like a fathomless ocean, set to crush her will.
I'll die… I'll definitely die!
This man is different from every foe I've faced!
He isn't someone humans can oppose!
I don't even have a one-in-ten-thousand chance—
No, I won't even get a chance to strike!
The instant he decides, I'll be ash!
'Lumine! You can do it! Beat that scary guy!'
Paimon fluttered behind her, tiny fists clenched, still trying to cheer her on:
'Show him what we're made of!'
Lumine nearly coughed blood; she shot Paimon a glare.
If the situation weren't dire she'd swat the floating pest.
This whole mess is your fault!
Then inspiration struck like lightning.
In one lightning move she yanked the still-chirping Paimon out of the air!
'Eh? Lumine, what are you doing?!'
Paimon shrieked.
Pinning the struggling pixie, Lumine drew a breath, looked up at Furina on the dais, and with the resolve of one sacrificing kin for country declared:
'Lady Hydro Archon! Under the Fontaine Aerial Object Regulations, I hereby surrender the offending flying object—'Paimon'—for lawful disposal!'