Chapter 53

"Eh!"

Paimon instantly sensed something unusual about Furina and looked at Lumine in panic: "Is that the Hydro Archon? How did she know we were coming..."

Furina was very satisfied with Paimon and Lumine's astonished expressions.

But she did not directly address them.

Instead, her gaze turned toward the Fontaine citizens around her.

"Wealthy ones, poor ones, those with wine cups or those with nothing at all, raise your cups; if you have none, use your arms as substitutes."

Oh oh oh...

Clap clap clap...

Seeing Furina suddenly appear, the surrounding Fontaine citizens also excitedly began clapping their hands.

Enthusiastically welcoming their Hydro Archon.

Seeing this, Furina became even more proud, puffed out her chest, and looked at Lumine and Paimon: "As you can see, strange travelers have arrived in my nation."

"Come, let us send them our blessings, to the travelers who have journeyed from afar and their companion."

Lumine and Paimon, feeling the enthusiastic attitude around them, were stunned.

Although she is Fontaine's mascot, she is quite popular in the eyes of the people.

"I have long heard that you two have stirred up storms in several nations, but I still welcome you."

"Oh, no..."

"I must come personally to greet you."

"After all, fear is the act of small people; I, being a god, will not be cautious just because I have heard rumors of you."

"But you need not worry; I see your devotion clearly."

"Wanting to pay homage to me is simply to better admire my power and authority."

Furina crossed her arms before her chest, radiating a confidence stronger than anyone else's.

One could even say she was overconfident, already swelling with pride.

"Of course, this is very wise."

"Smart people always gather under the right banner."

Facing Lumine, who had been silenced by the shock.

Furina was very satisfied, spread her hands wide, and announced loudly: "Welcome to the nation of water. I, the Archon Furukalos, the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, Furina, will acknowledge the value and meaning of your journey. Now, you may cheer to your heart's content."

Lin Ni: "....."

Lynette: "....."

The brother and sister were momentarily unsure how to explain the current situation to Lumine.

Clorinde was even more troubled, holding her forehead in silence.

According to Su Bai's instructions, welcoming the travelers only required making them realize that Fontaine welcomed and respected them...

It only required introducing them to Furina immediately.

The most important thing was to find out the travelers' specific purpose for coming to Fontaine.

Incidentally, if necessary, someone needed to be sent to keep watch.

Unfortunately, Furina seemed not to understand Su Bai's meaning.

She directly made these grand gestures in a bold and arrogant manner.

Clorinde could not stop her, but she understood that Furina simply wanted to display her identity as Fontaine's Hydro Archon before the other party.

Perhaps, this was exactly the result Furina wanted.

Kaeya: "Is Furina sending a distress signal to Lumine?"

Diluc: "Do you mean she wants to use Lumine's hand to deal with Mr. Su Bai?"

Arataki Itto: "Hahaha, that's hilarious. Wanting help, yet her attitude is more arrogant than Lumine's."

Lisa: "She has to emphasize her identity as the Hydro Archon in every three sentences; I don't understand what she wants to do."

Klee: "But I think the Hydro Archon sister is very interesting and very cute."

Fischl: "Mm, mm, mm, she has a very strong aura."

Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Stirring up storms in several nations, haha, she repeated Mr. Su Bai's words to Lumine."

Yae Miko: "Such an disobedient god. She is enjoying herself now, but it is unclear what treatment she will receive after returning."

"Uh..." Paimon was speechless, but still looked at Lumine.

"I didn't expect to meet Fontaine's Hydro Archon just after arriving in Fontaine."

"This is much faster than the previous four nations."

"It's just, why does this Hydro Archon give me the feeling of trying a bit too hard?"

Upon saying this.

Not responding to Furina's welcome would seem very impolite.

Paimon hurriedly asked: "My Lord Hydro Archon, how did you know we came to Fontaine?"

Furina slightly placed a hand on her waist.

She said proudly: "Oh, I understand; outsiders inevitably have some vulgar perceptions."

"But do not forget, gods are divided into the mediocre and the excellent; it is within normal understanding that you are astonished by my talent."

"Taking this opportunity, why not reflect: do you truly possess the virtue and etiquette to communicate with a god?"

"For me, obtaining your information requires only moving a finger; nothing is simpler than this."

Hehe, do you really think that without you, your Holiness the Pope, I would know nothing?

I, being the Hydro Archon, is it excessive to have a few intelligence agents? No, it is not excessive.

【Paimon and Lumine silently watched Furina, who stood high above them.】

【Paimon covered her small mouth and whispered to Lumine: "Wow, her attitude is so arrogant..."】

【Lumine nodded in agreement: "Yes, she always emphasizes her status as a god..."】

Kaeya: "Alright, I take back what I just said—Furina's actions aren't deep at all."

Zhong Li: "I've never seen a god so flamboyant—just to assert her divine status alone..."

Hu Tao: "Exactly—it's nothing like our guest minister, who hid his divine identity by staging a spectacular fall from the sky. Back then, I didn't know; if I had, I'd have dragged him straight to the Liyue Seven to ask if the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor could take over the Rock Prince's affairs afterward."

Jean: "Not like our Mondstadt Wind God—he's so unassuming that even right before you, you'd never link him to a god."

Lisa: "Maybe he's been squeezing her too hard, so she's letting off steam?"

Paimon: "No way—this time we met Furina, she was already like this. It has nothing to do with Su Bai. It just feels like she's added a little extra flair, trying to show off to him."

Furina: "Hey, there are so many people here—give me some face!"

Yaoyao: "Pfft—this line totally broke through her facade. Our Water God still seems awfully cute."

Kujou Sara: "When did she become your Water God?"

Yaoyao: "Come on, just chat a bit—don't be so serious."

【Seeing that Paimon and Lumine gave no reaction at all.】

【Furina froze.】

【Could it be that the welcome ceremony wasn't enough yet?】

【Furina truly didn't know what else to say next.】

【Paimon and Lumine simply watched her, offering Furina not a single response.】

【In an instant, the atmosphere turned painfully awkward.】

【"This..."】

【"Oh no, if I'd known the atmosphere would be this awkward, I should've followed Kloe Lind's advice and met them in the office."】

【"I need to think of a way to defuse this right away."】

【"Otherwise, who knows what he'll say about me next."】

Paimon: "Eh? Furina, did you have this thought too?"

Kloe Lind: "I don't know, but it seems unlikely—this lifetime, there was no arrangement by Mr. Su Bai. Everything was Furina's own decision."

Huanglong Yidou: "The aura just vanished."

Kamisato Ayaka: "Are you worried you'll mess up and get scolded by Mr. Su Bai? Ah... poor Water God..."

【Fortunately, the crowd of onlookers kept growing.】

【The citizens, eager for entertainment, assumed Furina was about to duel the Traveler.】