Chapter 57

How could you say such a thing right in front of Su Bai and Paimon?

Even if you want to express your feelings, you should say it privately, wouldn't you?

"Look at her, Lumine..."

"Furina is pretending again, but she's actually thrilled inside."

Paimon's tiny finger pointed at Furina: "When she regains her memories, I bet even if you try to drive her away, she'll cling to Su Bai's leg tightly."

【Opéra d'Oberklye.】

【Lumine and Paimon, invited by Lin Ni, arrived early at the opera house and were seated in the front row—the best viewing position—by Lin Ni's arrangement.】

【With them came another man, dressed in lavish attire, with white hair.】

【Lin Ni was still preparing for his magic act.】

【At that moment, the hall contained only Lumine, Paimon, and the white-haired man beside them.】

【"Hm..."】

【Paimon, floating beside Lumine, looked extremely uncomfortable.】

【Lumine kept signaling Paimon with her eyes, urging her to go talk to the man, or the atmosphere would become too awkward.】

【"Hmm..." Paimon's face showed reluctance.】

【"We really should talk to that person; sitting here in silence with no one else around is too awkward."】

【"You've got this, Paimon."】

【"You... I knew you'd do this..."】

【Lumine and Paimon had a small "argument" over this.】

【Neuvillette, beside them, naturally overheard their whispered exchange.】

【He said with great courtesy: "I apologize; I didn't realize the atmosphere was awkward. It was my oversight."】

【"If you'd like, we can just chat directly—it's no problem."】

【Neuvillette's proactive intervention eased the tension in the room.】

【Paimon seized this opportunity to casually strike up a conversation with Neuvillette.】

【"You also arrived so early, and you're sitting in the front row like us—are you also a friend of Mr. Lin Ni?"】

【"If Mr. Lin Ni wishes it, I would be very happy to become his friend."】

【Uh...】

【They realized Neuvillette was not Lin Ni's friend.】

【Paimon and Lumine were momentarily speechless with embarrassment.】

【Fortunately, just as both sides were about to introduce themselves, Lin Ni arrived.】

【He introduced them to each other.】

【"Lord Neuvillette is Fischl's most impartial judge—look, that seat has always been Mr. Neuvillette's."】

【At the center of the opera stage's wall, above the Decree and Judgment Mechanism, there was a seat distinctly different from the others in the hall.】

【This was the symbol of Fischl's greatest impartiality.】

【"Ah, so you're such a prominent figure—I apologize, I thought..."】

【Paimon quickly apologized for her earlier behavior, but Neuvillette stopped her: "No need. The title of Supreme Judge is merely a professional role—just as everyone has their place, nothing special."】

【"Still, though I'm reluctant, I'll give you a heads-up..."】

【Neuvillette's expression grew slightly more serious than before.】

【"That person over there has been posing in the VIP box for a long time..."】

【"Just so that when you first see her, she can show off the most 'cool' pose she can muster."】

【"You'd better notice her soon, or she'll be upset."】

【After hearing Neuvillette's words, Paimon, Lumine, and Lin Ni followed his gaze to the VIP box high above the opera house.】

【Furina sat with her fair legs crossed, one hand propping up her cheek, gazing down at the group below.】

【Noticing they had seen her, Furina let out a light, dismissive laugh: "Hehehe..."】

【Lumine: "....."】

【Paimon: "Uh, she's acting so smug—Furina clearly has no idea you've already exposed her."】

【"That's fine. Let's just ignore her for now and enjoy the show."】

【Neuvillette said this, then sat down alone.】

【Yet his few words left Paimon utterly speechless.】

【"So this is the relationship between Fischl's Water God and the Supreme Judge? It feels..."】

【... completely incompatible.】

【"By the way, I noticed there are only two VIP seats in the entire hall."】

【"Furina, as the Water God, sits there—then who would sit in the seat next to her?"】

【Paimon was very curious.】

【Even Fischl's highest judge could only sit in the front row with them—then...】

【Who could possibly hold a status higher than Fischl's Supreme Judge?】

【This is a nation built on judgment.】

【"That seat belongs to the Pontiff of the Fengdan Sect."】

【"But the Pontiff has not come to the opera house for a hundred years."】

【Mentioning that seat, Neuvillette turned his gaze once more toward Furina's direction.】

【Looking at that seat, Neuvillette's expression was filled with memories.】

【The Pope!?】

【Ying and Paimon exchanged a surprised glance.】

【They had heard the term "Pope" at the Mondstadt Cathedral.】

【In Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru, there was no such position as the Pope.】

【"I suppose his status is like that of the Grand Sage of Sumeru," Paimon said to Ying.】

【"I have a feeling he'll be a terrifying person."】

Is this Neuvillette, the Supreme Adjudant of Fontaine?

Neuvillette's appearance left people from other countries in awe.

It must be said that as Fontaine's Supreme Adjudant, his speech and conduct were steady yet humble.

Only regarding his own Hydro Archon did he seem to hold some grievances and displeasure.

But, recalling Furina's various past actions...

everyone suddenly understood Neuvillette.

Yae Miko: "Reborn: The Pope Was My Past-Life Lover. I think Yae Publishing House should write a light novel with this title."

Venti: "Truly, Mr. Su Bai. Reborn as the Pope through reincarnation, his status in Fontaine is evident."

Zhong Li: "In Fontaine's grandest opera house, the two most luxurious VIP seats belong to one deity and one Su Bai."

Lisa: "If Ying and Su Bai meet and suddenly recall their past-life memories, that would be quite a spectacle."

Xia Luodi: "Hmm, that would truly fulfill Lady Furina's wish for a thrilling plot."

Ying: "What nonsense are you spouting? Who told you Su Bai's reincarnated past lives follow a specific order? Perhaps the past-life memory of the Pope belongs to someone else."

Klee: "What I find interesting is Paimon's assessment of Su Bai, the Pope. She immediately compared Su Bai to the Grand Sage of Sumeru."

Nahida: "At least by my deduction, no matter how Mr. Su Bai reincarnates, he will never become a figure like the Grand Sage. The primary meaning of Mr. Su Bai must be protection."

Ying: "Stop praising him; he can barely suppress the smile on his lips."

Alice: "If he can't suppress the smile on his lips, that is your responsibility, Traveler Ying. Won't you use your mouth to seal the smile he can't suppress?"

Ying: "Eh, this... Lady Alice, what are you saying? I don't understand at all."

Eula: "Hehehe, feeding me more lovey-dovey stuff again. I'll mark this as a grudge, Ying."

Amber: "Record my jealousy as hatred along with it."

【"The Pope is not a terrifying person," Lin Ni quickly corrected Paimon's thought.】

【"In Fontaine, the Pope is a figure respected by all. He has worked tirelessly for Fontaine for hundreds of years."】

【"Uh, just as dedicated as Lord Neuvillette."】