Chapter 78

Fu Nina's front door was shoved open by Su Bai with a single palm strike.

Yet, as soon as he stepped inside, a slender silhouette came into view.

In the instant their eyes met, Su Bai froze in place.

At that moment, Fu Nina, clad in a bathrobe, blushed deeply, her gaze flickering with countless signs of flustered confusion.

"Huh?"

"Huh!"

"Wait, you you you..."

"What's going on?"

Fu Nina instinctively pulled her bathrobe tighter.

Her attention immediately shifted to the maid who had entered behind Su Bai.

"Didn't I tell you I was bathing?"

"How... how did you let him in..."

"I'm sorry, my lord, the Pope..."

It's not my fault—the Pope looked furious. How could I dare stop him?

Su Bai awkwardly rubbed his nose.

He asked, "Is the Water God unharmed?"

Fu Nina: "Huh?"

"N-nothing's wrong..."

Fu Nina gave Su Bai a suspicious glance.

Her eyes darted away.

Could this sudden rush of his be because of today's issue with the Oracle's Judgment Tribunal?

"Certain?"

Su Bai's sudden seriousness startled Fu Nina into stepping back; she tripped and sat down on the sofa.

"Y-yes... of course..."

The air in the room grew abruptly still.

After confirming Fu Nina was unharmed,

Su Bai said nothing more.

After a long silence, Fu Nina spoke first, testing with a tentative smile: "Would you mind stepping out for a moment?"

"If you have something to discuss, you'll have to wait until I've dressed properly."

"Don't forget, I'm the Water God, and you're the Pope."

"We're both prominent figures in Fontaine."

"If word spreads that I was alone in a room with you wearing nothing but a bathrobe, the citizens will start speculating, don't you think..."

"Right?"

Su Bai: "....."

His expression darkened.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Your bathrobe is even tighter than your usual attire.

What bad rumors could possibly spread?

Normally you wear shorts that show your Bai Xi legs; now you're wrapped up to the floor—what are you thinking?

Fu Nina: "....."

Fu Nina: "Hey, that's not fair—why does wearing more mean no rumors can spread?"

Lisa: "Hmm, Su Bai was indeed a bit hasty."

Yaoyao: "I think Su Bai has a point—if the citizens truly had improper thoughts, they'd have spread already."

Paimon: "I feel like Fu Nina looks... expectant, as if she really hopes the citizens misunderstand their relationship."

Fu Nina: "Hey, don't make things up—I don't!"

"Since the Water God is unharmed, I'll take my leave."

Su Bai replied coolly.

Without waiting for Fu Nina to respond, he left the room.

Fu Nina was left bewildered.

"What just happened?"

"Did I even ask for him to come?"

"I didn't call him, did I?"

"Could it be... Su Bai thought I was anxious because of the Fatui Executives' disturbance and the Oracle's Judgment Tribunal issue?"

"He came rushing over because he was worried about me?"

Thinking of this,

Fu Nina's lips curled up unconsciously.

"Oh my, oh my..."

Back on her bed, Fu Nina remained strangely elated.

She rolled around on the mattress.

"I thought he'd come to scold me—but who would've thought..."

Paimon: "See? I told you so. Furina is secretly hoping for that forbidden relationship between the Hydro Archon and the Pope."

Furina: "....."

Furina: "What in the world is a 'forbidden relationship'? Can you even speak properly?"

Lisa: "An excited Hydro Archon is quite adorable, you know."

Jean: "She looks completely like a young maiden in love, all sweet and dreamy."

【Stepping out of the Palais Mermonia.】

【Su Bai felt much better.】

【He also made a bit of fun of himself.】

【"Could it be that Avelson was right after all recently?"】

【"I'm even starting to hear things."】

【Recalling his meeting with Furina just now.】

【She still looked just as silly as ever, showing no difference from before.】

【Presumably, Furina was perfectly fine, bouncing around with energy, and still as carefree as ever every day.】

【But, unfortunately, Su Bai still hadn't figured out why the Primordial Sea water only affects Fontainians.】

【The Fortress of Meropide.】

【Constant wailing echoed from a certain room.】

【"What is going on, Wriothesley?"】

【"How did Wache end up like this?"】

【Clorinde looked at Wriothesley, as if asking whether he had done something excessive to Wache.】

【"Hey, I'm not that bored."】

【"He is merely the murderer in the missing girl case. Although his crimes are heinous, I wouldn't go so far as to do anything excessive to someone like him."】

【"He turned into this state after being brought here."】

【"I heard that after going to the Fountain of Lucine with the Traveler, his mind became abnormal," Wriothesley said, shrugging his shoulders.】

【He looked as if it had absolutely nothing to do with him.】

【"He went to the Fountain of Lucine too?"】

【A familiar voice sounded from behind.】

【Clorinde and Wriothesley immediately turned around. Upon seeing Su Bai, both quickly bowed and said, "My lord, the Pope..."】

【"Why have you come?"】

【"I intend to meet that Harbinger named Dainsleif and ask about his purpose for coming to Fontain."】