Chapter 69

Fucalos?

Naviet kept recalling how Su Bai referred to Furina.

This was the second time he called Furina by name, but each time he used her godname.

From the beginning of the viewing until now.

Naviet realized that no matter when or whom Su Bai faced,

he always called Furina the Water God.

From this alone, it could be deduced that in Su Bai's heart, he deeply respected Furina.

"As for why he always calls Furina Fucalos..."

Naviet pondered long and hard, then suddenly a childish thought flashed through him.

"I understand. I finally understand."

Combined with Furina's lie that she had bestowed all her power upon the Oracle Judicature.

And Su Bai's rare, relaxed expression when he touched the core of the Oracle Judicature.

All signs indicate that the person Su Bai sought in Fengdan was not the current Furina, but the true Water God, Fucalos.

"Su Bai's purpose in coming to Fengdan was to find Fucalos."

"But he discovered that the current Water God Fucalos was entirely different from the Fucalos he knew."

"However, due to issues of status and position, he could not directly ask for clarification."

"So, to obtain the truth, he continually contributed to Fengdan until he became the exalted Pope of Chonggaode Sect."

"During his quest for the truth, Furina wove lies to deceive Su Bai, claiming she had given all her power to the Oracle Judicature."

"Su Bai believed her, thinking that if he returned the Oracle Judicature's power to Furina, she would become Fucalos again."

"The two quarreled over this matter, and in a fit of anger, went eighty-nine years without speaking."

Naviet, having pieced it all together, let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.

Though he did not know what exactly had transpired between Fucalos and Su Bai in their past lives,

based on Su Bai's contributions to Fengdan in their past life, Fucalos owed Su Bai an unrepayable debt of gratitude.

Of course, the greatest "culprit" in their past life might well have been Furina herself.

Even when faced with Su Bai's questions, Furina could have simply refused to answer.

Naviet could not understand why she used lies to bind Su Bai.

"Ah..."

"When the story ends,"

"Furina, you're on your own."

Chapter 54: Exchanging Minor Sacrifices for Hope — Foreshadowing the Pope's Ending

【The Papacy, the Pope's Office.】

【Naweiya stood before Su Bai, her slender frame trembling uncontrollably.】

【After the previous trial, Naweiya, who had long harbored injustice in her heart, finally broke down.】

【Accompanied by Lumine, she sought out Su Bai to clarify what had happened three years ago.】

【"My father, Karees, I'm sure His Holiness still remembers him."】

【"Three years ago, before the trial, my father requested to meet you alone."】

【"Then he faced off against Linde's decision and died in Linde's hands."】

【"I want to know what you two spoke about, what you said to my father."】

【Naweiya never believed her father could commit murder against a friend.】

【Moreover, in that case at the time,】

【Full of doubts.】

【According to the evidence from that time,】

【Karees fired two shots at his friend and killed him.】

【But one detail caught Naweiya's attention.】

【A complete garment was left at the scene.】

【It was just like the person dissolved in the opera house — only the clothing remained.】

【This forced Naweiya to suspect that someone else had been present at the scene besides her father.】

【Perhaps the killer shot Karees's friend, then was silenced with Water of the Womb Sea.】

【Just like Officer Vaughn, who was silenced.】

Paimon: "No wonder Naweiya from our past life helped us — her grudge against Su Bai stemmed from her father seeking him out before his death."

Linde's decision: "I still hold great respect for Uncle Karees's character."

Jean: "Then what was the outcome of this case?"

Linde's decision: "As Naweiya from our past life suspected, the one who killed Uncle Karees's friend was the person dissolved at the scene."

Leo: "So Naweiya blamed Su Bai — the last person to speak with Karees — for her father's death?"

Venti: "I originally thought Su Bai, the Fengdan Pope, would enjoy boundless glory — now it seems he's plagued by trouble daily."

Naviet: "Ah, the servant hasn't appeared yet."

Arenochi: "Huh!"

Tartaglia: "What's going on?"

Arenochi: "Nothing. I merely exerted pressure on Fengdan in my capacity as an Executioner of the Cryo Nation's Fatui."

Arenochi: "But judging by the current situation, my past-life self didn't seem to have much room to act."

【"Was it you who sent him to his death?"】

【"He must have trusted and respected you, believing you would believe in him and help him—that's why he sought you out alone before the trial."】

【"Is it... 547."】

【Naviya's flushed face turned redder, her voice growing louder.】

【"Yet you betrayed his trust in you, causing him to confess guilt voluntarily."】

【"Father Kareis refused to admit he had killed his friend, and under duress, he challenged Clorend."】

【"In the end, he bore the unjust name of Kareis."】

【"And during the last trial, you forcibly intervened, using underhanded methods to swap the Mondstadt thief—all to protect the so-called divine authority."】

【"Enough!" Clorend roared furiously: "Naviya, mind your tone."】

【"You are speaking to the Pope."】

【"Without concrete evidence, your words alone could be defined as an insult to the Pope."】

【"An affront to the gods."】

【"Merely from what you've just said, you could be imprisoned in Melopeterburg."】

【This...】

【Clorend's outburst frightened Paimon into retreating step by step.】

【Lumine was equally stunned.】

【She had never imagined the Fengdande Sect held such immense power.】

【At least in Mondstadt, they had felt no presence of the sect at all.】

Barbara: "....."

Lumine: "This... this calls for Barbatos..."

【"Enough, Clorend."】

【Su Bai waved his hand, signaling Clorend to fall silent.】

【"I think Young Lady Naviya should come with me."】

【"Where to?"】

【"Melopeterburg."】

【"What!" Paimon and Lumine both gasped in shock.】

【Lumine immediately stepped in front of Naviya.】

【"Does the Pope intend to convict Naviya without a trial?"】

【Lumine glared coldly at Su Bai before her.】