In the live broadcast room.
Aether felt a surge of righteous indignation, finally finding a sliver of satisfaction in striking back at his brother-in-law.
Aether: "Hahaha, I knew it! Kael really did pin the blame on the Fatui."
Aether: "Heh! Your brother-in-law is still your brother-in-law after all."
Dainsleif: "Aether, have you already given up on opposing Lumine and Kael's relationship?"
Aether: "..."
Aether: "Dain, you play the riddle-man at critical moments, but when it comes to undermining me, you have more to say than anyone."
Dainsleif: "Please hand over your 100 million Mora. We shall watch the video while we travel."
Arlecchino: "It could not be helped. Lyney's actions could not be fully confessed during the trial, but this time, they became a sharp weapon for Mr. Kael to strike back."
Lyney: "Mr. Kael is truly a wife-protecting demon. He is absolutely slaying it."
Lynette: "Actually, I am quite envious in my heart."
Lyney: "Huh?"
Aether: "Heh, do all younger sisters have a rebellious streak these days?"
Zhongli: "That brings up a question. If Lyney had not entered the core of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale at that time, how would Kael have responded?"
Enjou: "Ho! That is indeed a question worth pondering. Even I do not know how to respond for a moment."
Lisa: "It really is a difficult question to answer."
Alhaitham: "A question like this has depth. It is worth analyzing repeatedly."
Collei: "I cannot even imagine it. My head hurts just thinking about it."
Venti: "Ehe, in that case, he could just say Tartaglia's Foul Legacy affected the energy of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
Dvalin: "Wake up, Barbatos. The issue with the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale happened first, and Tartaglia's Foul Legacy came after."
Skirk: "However, Mr. Kael's power remains formidable. What exactly did he use to defeat Tartaglia?"
Tartaglia: "If even Master does not know, I certainly do not understand it."
Skirk: "An invisible energy that pressured your body so much you could not even move a finger, making your entire frame feel heavy... This..."
Neuvillette: "This requires the person involved to answer. @Kael."
Kael: "Judging by my current power, defeating Tartaglia likely involved using changes in the Gravity Field."
Nahida: "You altered the gravitational environment around Tartaglia's body?"
Osial: "Ah? That works too..."
Skirk: "原来如此. When the surrounding environment is altered, one's own factors will be affected by those changes. As expected of you, Mr. Kael. I am looking forward to meeting you more and more."
Lumine: "Heh heh, meeting is fine, but please do not come wearing hot pants."
Skirk: "This... it should not matter, right..."
Aether: "Do not change the subject, dear brother-in-law. If you can answer the aforementioned question and guarantee the preservation of Furina's dignity, I will acknowledge you."
Paimon: "Wow! Lumine, your brother is clashing with Kael again."
Kael: "Are you asking how I would protect Furina if Lyney had never gone to the core of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale?"
Aether: "Yes. In what other way could you have maintained the Hydro Archon's dignity?"
Kael: "That is too simple. I think my past self's mind might not have been fully mature yet. If it were the current me, I would tell everyone present that Furina has recently been researching ways to enhance the power of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
Kael: "I would say she is making it so that it not only provides energy to the people of Fontaine but can also actively deliver Divine Punishment to those who cause trouble in Fontaine. Therefore, during the process of upgrading the energy of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, some minor issues may have occurred."
Aether: "Huh?"
Hu Tao: "So hard to understand. I do not get it at all."
Qiqi: "Qiqi... does not understand..."
Baizhu: "Brilliant. Truly brilliant."
Ningguang: "I understand now. Tartaglia caused trouble, an invisible force pressured him until he spat blood and fainted, and the energy of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale became disordered."
Yae Miko: "Impressive, impressive. As expected of the man I have my eye on."
Raiden Ei: "Miko, what do you mean?"
Yae Miko: "Kael means that the force suppressing Tartaglia was a new function resulting from Furina's upgrades to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. It can deliver Divine Punishment to those who cause trouble in Fontaine. That is why the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale has had energy fluctuations recently, leading to errors in the judgment results. Once the new function stabilizes, the judgment results will return to normal."
Jean: "Truly incredible, Mr. Kael."
Navia: "Wow! If he really said that, wouldn't Lady Furina be praised to the heavens by the citizens of Fontaine? Everyone would be looking forward to the new function of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
Clorinde: "It is essentially a perfect defensive weapon."
Wriothesley: "If such a system appeared, wouldn't my Fortress of Meropide end up empty?"
Neuvillette: "Because of the fear of Divine Punishment, even the behavior of Fontaine's citizens would be regulated?"
Lumine: "Sigh, I cannot compare. Furina's version is definitely better."
Kael: "Nonsense. I only said that to win over my brother-in-law. Is the brother-in-law satisfied? Do you acknowledge me now?"
Aether: "This..."
Paimon: "Lumine, Aether is speechless."
Lumine: "It does not matter. I am super satisfied with Kael's statement."
Aether: "This..."
Dainsleif: "Aether, give up. You really are no match for him."
Tartaglia: "Hey, hey, hey! Stop for a second. Stop praising Kael. In this life, I was wrongly accused and ambushed by Neuvillette from behind. In the past life, I was pressured by Kael until I spat blood. Does anyone care about me?"
Arlecchino: "Never mind you, Tartaglia. My past self is about to appear. I am the most important person to challenge Furina. Right now, I do not even dare to imagine what kind of end I will face."
At Kael's home.
Furina looked up, peeking at Lumine and Kael who were acting all lovey-dovey.
Because of Kael's statement in the live broadcast room just now, Lumine was incredibly happy.
To say Furina was not envious would be a lie; her heart was truly beginning to stir.
Until everything from her past life was settled, Furina couldn't openly show affection to Kael the way Lumine did.
She recalled the version of herself that existed without Kael.
It was just as everyone had said.
The moment the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale delivered a misjudgment, every finger pointed directly at her.
Lumine and Paimon had originally gone to question Neuvillette.
But Neuvillette had deflected the question to her, the Hydro Archon, causing every eye in the room to fixate on her.
Only Furina could truly understand the crushing pressure and helplessness of that moment.
She had been forced to suppress her internal panic while spouting nonsense, all while people whispered and pointed behind her back.
But, because Kael had appeared.
Her past self never had to worry about such things.
He was like a hero clad in armor, descending upon auspicious clouds to stand before her past self and shield her from every blow.
"I'm so jealous of the Furina from that past life," Lumine suddenly said.
"If it were me, even if those five hundred years were bitter, having Kael by my side would make them sweet."
"Don't you think so?"
"Yeah," Furina replied absentmindedly.
Then, her face flushed a deep crimson in an instant.
"Eh, what are you all talking about?"
"I didn't hear you just now."
[The case concluded.]
[Regarding what Kael said about the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.]
[The citizens of Fontaine took it as truth, believing it was all the Fatui's doing.]
[They did not dwell on the matter any further.]
[Seeing this, Furina left the scene early at Kael's signal.]
"Using your own status and image in the hearts of the citizens as the key."
"It was a bit of a forced argument."
"That doesn't seem quite like you."
[Neuvillette approached Kael's side.]
"You likely could have come up with a better explanation for the Oratrice's issue."
"What is it? Has your mind been troubled lately?"
"Tsk!" Kael shrugged slightly and smiled. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Have you been presiding over too many trials lately? You're starting to talk nonsense."
"When Lyney appeared last time, he was carrying a massive amount of Indemnitium. Don't tell me he never went near the Oratrice's core."
"You are the Iudex; you should know best."
"If you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place."
"Hmm..." Neuvillette hummed in contemplation.
"If you want to stay clean, don't do things that give others leverage over you."
[Kael waved his hand.]
He left nonchalantly. "Everything for Fontaine, Lord Neuvillette."
[...]
[The moment Kael stepped out of the Opera Epiclese.]
[Navia, Lumine, and Paimon surrounded him.]
"Lord Pope, how was it? We solved the Serial Disappearances of Young Women in just a few days."
[Navia acted as if she were seeking praise, swaying shyly in front of Kael.]
"Hmm..."
[Paimon looked serious.]
"Ugh..."
[She really couldn't take it anymore.]
Paimon whispered into Lumine's ear, "Lumine, just a few days ago, Navia looked like she had a deep-seated grudge against the Pope."
"What's going on lately?"
"And after coming out of the Fortress of Meropide, Navia actually knew the location of Marcel's research base."
"I feel like something is fishy."
[Lumine shook her head.]
"Maybe you're overthinking it."
Clorinde: "Paimon isn't overthinking. Navia looks exactly like someone who can't repay a great debt and is considering offering herself in marriage."
Navia: "Clorinde, shut up!"
"Navia, are you saying the Traveler heard a mysterious voice at the Fountain of Lucine?"
"The voice was calling Vacher's name, and it was an Oceanid?"
[Navia's explanation piqued Kael's curiosity.]
[The Fountain of Lucine was the largest fountain in Fontaine.]
[It was not only an iconic landmark but also the central hub where all of Fontaine's waters converged.]
[If one possessed a powerful perception of Hydro, they could indeed trace back Fontaine's history through the Fountain of Lucine.]
[This was something Neuvillette had once told Kael.]
[However, Kael had also tried before, but he hadn't discovered anything.]
Paimon: "Strange, is Kael's ability to perceive the Hydro element really that weak?"
Skirk: "Perhaps in that life, the power Mr. Kael used had nothing to do with Elemental Power."
Lumine: "I think it's more likely that because my husband is too powerful, that Oceanid didn't dare appear before him."
Arataki Itto: "Why did that Oceanid know Vacher? Could it be his dissolved lover?"
Kujou Sara: "Oh, you seem to have found a blind spot."
Cyno: "Ah, so you're saying dissolved Fontaine people become Oceanids? What's going on there?"
Navia: "Ahaha... is that so... how would we know."
Thoma: "I strongly suspect you're just pretending to be calm."
[Kael was curious.]
[He followed Lumine and the others to the Fountain of Lucine.]
["How is it, Lord Pope? With your abilities, you should be able to sense that Oceanid too, right?"]
[Navia looked at Kael with adoration.]
[Unfortunately, Kael gave a bitter smile and shook his head: "Sorry, I don't seem to be able to sense the presence of that Oceanid."]
[Navia was shocked: "Eh, impossible! The Lord Pope is so powerful, how could he not sense it?"]
[Paimon: "...."]
["The current Navia is acting completely like a Pope fangirl."]
["She can't even accept that Kael can't sense the Oceanid."]
[An Oceanid?]
[Paimon's whispering was naturally heard clearly by Kael.]
[However, he couldn't care less about her teasing right now.]
[Regarding Lumine, Kael had a general understanding.]
[She could use various Elemental Powers without using a Vision.]
[Moreover, she was likely someone from another world.]
[For such a special person, having an extremely strong perception of the Hydro element wasn't hard to understand.]
[Furthermore, Lumine's clear eyes revealed a bit of innocence, and she had been working hard on this case. She probably wasn't lying.]
Lisa: "Hahaha, what a cute Mr. Kael, teasing his past-life lover."
Lumine: "What are you laughing at? Even if I'm not in his memories, he still acknowledges me."
["Maybe she's not here anymore."]
[Seeing Kael deep in thought, Lumine gave a kind reminder.]
[Navia, who had a bitter face a moment ago, instantly beamed with joy: "I told you so! With the Lord Pope's power, how could he not sense that Oceanid?"]
[Lumine was also smart. She didn't try to sense it again to test if the Oceanid was still there.]
["Alright, alright."]
["The twenty-year-old Serial Disappearances of Young Women case is finally solved."]
["The criminal has been brought to justice, and the false charges my father carried have been cleared."]
["Now is the time to celebrate."]
[After Navia finished speaking, she looked at Kael shyly.]
["I wonder if the Lord Pope has time to have a meal with us?"]
[Paimon and Lumine were stunned upon hearing this.]
["As expected of Navia. With her passionate personality, she just directly asked the Pope out for a meal."]
[They had stayed in Fontaine for a long time.]
[Lumine and Paimon naturally understood Kael's status.]
[He was an existence no less than the Hydro Archon Furina, and they even felt his status was a level higher.]
[It was difficult for most people to even see him once.]
[And Navia actually asked him to eat with them?]
["Sigh, I really don't know if the Young Lady's passionate personality is a good or bad thing."]
[However, just as Kael was about to give up on searching for the Oceanid and decline Navia's invitation, a faint sound of crying drifted into his mind.]
['So long...']
['So lonely...']
['How much longer...']
['I'm sorry, I can't do anything.']
['.....']
[Kael: "!!!"]
[This voice is...]
[Furina.]
[The sudden crying coming from the Fountain of Lucine made Kael's pupils constrict sharply.]
["Sorry, Navia, Lumine, Paimon..."]
["I have something urgent to attend to. Let's save the celebration for next time."]
[Ignoring their stunned expressions, Kael hurriedly turned and left, walking quickly toward the Palais Mermonia.]
Keqing: "Was that crying voice Furina's?"
Ganyu: "Yes, the voice is identical."
Arataki Itto: "What's happening now? I'm finding Fontaine to be so mysterious."
Kuki Shinobu: "Has something gone wrong with Furina?"
Yoimiya: "I'm not sure, but seeing Mr. Kael so anxious, he must think something happened to Furina."
Kamisato Ayaka: "Is he going to the rescue? Mr. Kael cares so much about Furina. I feel like Furina should be fine, though."
Dvalin: "Sigh, even Neuvillette said Kael's heart has been in turmoil these past few days. Could it be that the pressure of these hundreds of years is too much, and he's having auditory hallucinations?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Regardless of whether something really happened to Furina, Mr. Kael's anxious look is enough to prove how much he cares for her. Oh, so sweet."
Azhdaha: "Doesn't Kael not suffer from erosion?"
Zhongli: "Er! You've asked a good question, but I don't know how to answer you."
Venti: "Sigh, the exhaustion in one's heart might be more serious than resisting erosion, especially when there's someone you care about."