"I'm furious! That despicable murderer has made me feel so guilty!"
When Furina learned from the Maison Gardiennage that the so-called lover of the victim was actually another victim himself, she found a note tucked in his underwear pocket. Its contents matched the bloodstained letter's message.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the two individuals' homes were located in different regions—Fontaine and beyond Fontaine's borders—separated by over a thousand miles. Moreover, their daily lives showed no overlap whatsoever.
Ultimately, the Maison Gardiennage merged all previous cases with the serial suicide case, confirming that the culprit possessed some means of controlling people's actions.
When this realization struck, those at the pinnacle of Fontaine's power trembled. From that moment on, they began harboring suspicions about everyone they knew.
To prevent social panic, the Maison Gardiennage chose not to disseminate this truth to the public.
As one of the victims involved, Furina appeared even more enraged. On one hand, she had been toyed with by the murderer; on the other, the existence of such a vicious criminal roaming free under her rule as the goddess of water was intolerable!
"I, Furina, swear to capture that despicable murderer and bring them to justice!"
"This is infuriating!"
With no outsiders present, Furina revealed her true character without restraint.
"Clorinde."
Furina called out, and Clorinde promptly entered the room.
"What does Lady Furina require?"
"Go retrieve all details from the Maison Gardiennage regarding the serial suicide case. I will personally hunt down that rat who dares to mock the gods!"
"Yes, Lady Furina."
Though as the Hydro Archon, Furina's safety was generally assured, Clorinde still took a moment to instruct the other guards before departing.
"Heh heh, when I personally apprehend that murderer, the citizens of Fontaine will surely spread tales of my wisdom and power from mouth to mouth. Perhaps even foreigners will come to revere and adore me!"
With this thought, much of the gloom clouding Furina's heart dissipated. She suddenly sprang up from her seat.
"Ah, I've forgotten!"
"It's time to meet those adorable subjects who wish to behold my majesty at close quarters!"
Furina immediately summoned the Maison Gardiennage and inquired about the day's queue.
"Only three people?"
An expression of disbelief crossed Furina's face. In the past, those wishing to see her would have formed a queue encircling Fontaine Palace!
"Damn that wretched murderer!"
"You'll pay for this. This goddess will personally handle you - your arrogance won't last long!"
Though initially frustrated, Furina soon realized that despite the recent turmoil, three people still remained steadfast in their devotion. These were clearly her most devoted fans!
"Ha ha ha, very good, very good! Bring them in quickly. Since there are so few people in line today, I'll give them a bit of special treatment."
"Allow them to enter the room for closer conversation."
In the past, to receive citizens, Furina had established a special room. This room was meticulously arranged to demonstrate her authority.
Soon, led by members of the Maison Gardiennage, those wishing to see Furina appeared outside the room.
The first to enter was a young girl. Seeing such a special guest, even Furina couldn't maintain her usual aloof demeanor. However, she still adopted a slightly mature tone to educate the girl about loving her parents and studying diligently.
The second person was a middle-aged woman who said she had waited in line for exactly one year, finally getting the chance to meet Furina at such close proximity.
Furina felt quite pleased with herself. Look at how adorable and devoted this person was! Fontaine needed more people like this!
The third person was an ordinary-looking young girl, probably in her twenties.
When Furina saw her, she smiled solemnly and waited quietly for the girl to begin with praise.
"Lady Furina, I've finally met you!"
Furina was utterly stunned by this forceful declaration, the words dredging up unpleasant memories from her past.
She saw the young girl cupping her face with both hands, her pupils now heart-shaped. This must be the most devoted fan among all fans!
Dealing with such fans could be challenging, but Furina refused to flee. Steeling herself, she nodded toward the girl. Deep down, she felt a twinge of satisfaction.
"Ah! Lady Furina nodded at me! She must like me too!"
"I'm so blessed!"
The young girl spoke while gradually approaching Furina, her pace quickening.
"I adore Lady Furina! My heart belongs entirely to you!"
"Offering my heart to Lady Furina!"
With a sudden "pop," Furina's pupils dilated.
Before her eyes, the girl plunged a hand into her own chest. She tore through her ribs, extracting a still-beating heart that pulsed with white steam rising from the bloody mess. Smiling radiantly, she presented the organ to Furina.
"Please accept my heart, Lady Furina!"
After a brief silence, Furina suddenly burst into a series of terrified screams and fled the room at top speed.
"So scary! So scary!"
Furina remained huddled in a corner with her head covered for a long time before gradually calming down. However, her beautiful eyes still trembled slightly, the images she had witnessed earlier lingering stubbornly in her mind.
Finally, Furina mustered the courage to stand up again and hesitantly began walking back the way she came.
"There were security guards in the room at the time. I wonder if he saw... I hope he's alright now."
Before Furina had gotten far, a reporter stopped her.
When she realized the reporter was asking about the deceased, Furina suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to tell her story. She quickly agreed to the interview.
"Listen, you might not believe this, but I swear it's true. As a God, I would never lie!"
After recounting the events, Furina feared the reporter might think she was making up a horror story. She hastily added, "I swear it's true! I would never lie!"
"No, I have complete faith in what Lady Furina said!"
The reporter nodded upon hearing Furina's words, then continued:
"But I'd like to understand the details."
"May I ask, Lady Furina, did the young girl act like this at the time?"
Pfft!
Under Furina's watchful gaze, the reporter plunged a hand into his own chest. With an expressionless face, he mimicked the young girl's earlier actions.
Feeling warm blood splatter across her face and seeing the still-beating heart in the reporter's hand, Furina let out an even more piercing scream than before. She fled to a room at a speed surpassing her limits, barricading herself inside.
This time, Furina swore she wouldn't leave this room today, nor would she let anyone else enter. Only Clorinde's knock would be answered - no one else's!
Yet moments later, as Furina's panic began to subside, a crisp knocking sounded at the window.
Neck stiff with tension, Furina turned to see a flamboyantly dressed blonde man pressed against the glass, cackling wildly at her.
The man laughed uproariously, drilling his own temples with his fingers.
Then, as a moment arrived, his expression froze. His limbs went limp, and his figure vanished from the window.
Moments later, a dull thud echoed from below—a heavy object hitting the ground.
"Ah—"
Furina's scream hung in the air today, lingering in every corner...