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===BREAK===
Time returned to the present.
After listening to Lumine's third-hand account, Shao Yun deliberately put on a half-understanding expression and said, "I see. So that's roughly how things went."
"That guy named Vacher was abducted by a mysterious individual of unknown identity, who led a group of victims' families, and Clorinde and Chevreuse were unfortunately injured."
After saying this, Shao Yun immediately put on a look of strong agreement and continued, "But judging from your analysis, it really feels like Vacher probably won't meet a good end in the end."
"After all, they're all victims' families. I get the feeling Vacher will end up being cut into pieces—in the literal, physical sense."
Lumine rubbed her chin and stared at Shao Yun before finally asking, "Honestly, Shao Yun, was this really your doing?"
"At the time, Navia and I were inside the opera house, but we didn't see anything at all."
"However, someone capable of defeating opponents as strong as Clorinde and Chevreuse… in my memory, you're the only one who seems to have that level of strength."
Hearing this, Shao Yun frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure from being "framed" appearing on his face.
"How is that possible? I don't have that kind of free time to meddle in things like this."
"If I had time to play dress-up and act like some hero, I'd rather spend it asking around about Fontaine's beautiful scenery and then take you all sightseeing together. Wouldn't that be much better?"
Despite Shao Yun's earnest explanation, Lumine still felt that something about the situation didn't quite add up.
Just as she was about to continue questioning him, Shao Yun suddenly had a flash of inspiration and quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, don't get hung up on this anymore!"
"Today, I'm treating you both to a good meal. We'll use the commission rewards I earned—how about celebrating the Mora I made through honest labor?"
As he spoke, Shao Yun pulled out a pouch of Mora from his bag. At a rough glance, there were a little over six thousand.
Watching Shao Yun celebrate earning commission rewards, Lumine couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"This… since when did completing commissions and earning Mora become something worth celebrating like a major milestone?"
Shao Yun explained, "For someone like me—a bank robber—actually earning money through labor really is worth commemorating."
...
Inside the Palais Mermonia, Furina was currently in Neuvillette's office.
She paced anxiously back and forth across the room, each step accompanied by the crisp tapping sound of her high-heeled boots striking the floor, as if voicing the unease and panic in her heart.
Her hands were clenched tightly, her brows furrowed, and her mouth kept muttering nonstop.
"Ah! What should I do? What am I supposed to do now?!"
On the other side, Neuvillette appeared much calmer.
He sat steadily in his chair, his gaze fixed intently on the doorway, as though patiently waiting for the guards who had gone out to conduct the tracking operation to return with news.
Perhaps because the constant clicking of Furina's heels was truly grating on the ears, Neuvillette began to feel a dull ache building in his temples.
Finally, he couldn't help but speak up and suggest, "Miss Furina, please try to calm yourself. Why don't you sit down and rest for a moment?"
However, Furina was in no state to heed such advice. She clutched her hair tightly in panic and spoke in an agitated voice.
"How am I supposed to calm down?!"
"Clorinde and Chevreuse were injured by that mysterious gunslinger of unknown origin!"
"Now that Clorinde is seriously wounded and needs time to recuperate, who is going to take on the responsibility of protecting me during her recovery?!"
Hearing Furina's response, a wave of helplessness washed over Neuvillette.
He gently shook his head, sighed, and said slowly, "I didn't expect that in the face of such a major incident, the only things you'd focus on would be the injuries and your lack of personal protection—such superficial concerns…"
Furina rushed up to Neuvillette's desk and cried out in clear panic, "I don't feel safe at all right now!"
"What if that mysterious gunslinger comes after me next? You know how he slandered me!"
As she spoke, she gripped the edge of the desk tightly with her hands.
Neuvillette looked quietly at the somewhat unrestrained Furina. After a brief silence, he slowly asked, "You are one of the Seven Archons, the Hydro Archon 'Focalors.'"
"Even if you're not considered a top-tier combatant, you should at least have some means of self-defense, shouldn't you?"
When Furina heard this, a flicker of barely perceptible panic flashed through her already unsettled eyes.
However, she reacted quickly and immediately put on a calm front, hurriedly offering an excuse.
"Precisely because I am the exalted Hydro Archon, how could I casually involve myself in crude, violent affairs like fighting and killing?"
"That would be terribly undignified, wouldn't it?"
As she spoke, she lifted her chin slightly, trying to appear more imposing.
Neuvillette observed Furina's small gestures closely and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He was all too familiar with Furina's tendency to flee at the first sign of trouble.
After all, they had known each other for over four hundred years, and throughout that time, she had always been like this.
Thus, Neuvillette shook his head helplessly and sighed. "Sigh… it seems you're still as afraid of trouble as ever."
"Very well. In that case, Miss Furina, you should remain in the Palais Mermonia for the time being."
"With the Palais Mermonia's security forces… even if that mysterious individual were extremely bold, they wouldn't dare barge in here to cause you trouble."
The moment she heard Neuvillette suggest that she stay obediently holed up in the Palais Mermonia, Furina pouted and rejected the idea outright.
"Isn't that no different from being imprisoned?"
"No, absolutely not!"
"Neuvillette, while Clorinde is recovering, could you temporarily take on the role of my guard?"
At those words, Neuvillette froze entirely. He nearly choked on his own breath.
What was going on here? Had Focalors taken the wrong medicine today?
How could she possibly make such an outrageous request?!
Back then, when you wrote to invite me to serve as Fontaine's Chief Justice, that letter said absolutely nothing about also having to moonlight as your personal bodyguard!
Why don't you just declare yourself my "Prime Minister" already? From now on, we'll each address each other however we like—I'll call you the Hydro Archon, and you can call me Father!
Seeing Neuvillette remain silent for so long, Furina reached out and gently shook his arm, pressing him coquettishly.
"Hey, say something already! Don't just stand there spacing out!"
Neuvillette shook his head helplessly.
He steadied himself and then spoke slowly. "Miss Furina, how exactly do you expect me to respond?"
"The matters I have to deal with right now are far more numerous than you imagine."
Then, Neuvillette slowly raised four fingers and said to Furina, "First, the Confrerie of Cabriere is trafficking Sinthe. The Gardes—and even the Palais Mermonia itself—may have internal accomplices. I need to immediately arrange personnel to investigate."
"Second, the mysterious gunslinger injured Clorinde and Chevreuse, leaving us without a suitable Champion Duelist."
"Third, the victims' families who participated in Vacher's abduction—though their circumstances are understandable—will still be tried according to the law, and I must preside as Chief Justice."
"Fourth, Liyue has sent a letter. A special envoy is arriving in Fontaine to visit Miss Yanfei, who was attacked here. I must personally receive them."
After listing these four matters one by one, Neuvillette's tone remained calm as he asked in return, "At a time like this, when every affair requires my personal attention…"
"You actually came up with the idea of having me act as your guard?"
"I must say, that is quite a… uniquenotion."
After hearing this, Furina immediately realized that her request had indeed been unreasonable, and she felt somewhat guilty.
Her previously forceful attitude softened at once as she muttered, "Ah… but I really don't have any sense of security right now."
"Who knows whether that mysterious gunslinger might suddenly come after me?"
"What would I do if something really happened?"
At this critical moment, a crisp, rhythmic knock sounded on the door, breaking the slightly oppressive atmosphere.
Moments later, the diligent Melusine of the Palais Mermonia—Sedine—pushed open the door and entered.
She bowed slightly and reported, "Lord Neuvillette, the special envoy from Liyue has arrived at the Palais Mermonia."
Upon hearing this, Neuvillette's heart stirred slightly, and he murmured in a low voice, "I didn't expect the Liyue envoy to arrive so quickly…"
A moment later, he adjusted his composure, then turned to Furina and instructed, "Miss Furina, please return to your room and rest for now."
"As for the arrangements for a suitable guard during Clorinde's recovery, I will resolve the matter as soon as possible. Please be at ease."
Though he had complained a bit and felt a headache coming on from Furina's particularly "unhinged" behavior, they had worked together for over four hundred years…
He was used to it by now. Helping her resolve difficulties wasn't exactly a first.
Next, Neuvillette turned his gaze to Sero and said, "Please guide the Liyue envoy directly to my office. Thank you for your trouble."
Sero nodded promptly. "It's no trouble at all, Lord Neuvillette!"
With that, she turned and left to carry out the task.
Just as Furina was about to leave the office, she turned back again and reminded him once more, "Neuvillette, you must find a suitable guard during this time! Don't forget—absolutely don't forget!"
Seeing that finding an appropriate guard was not something that could be settled quickly, Neuvillette proposed a relatively compromise solution.
"Very well, then let us proceed like this for now."
"For the time being, you will remain in the Palais Mermonia."
"Other than attending necessary trials, avoid going out. That way, I can protect you within my capabilities."
Although he had firmly rejected the idea of acting as Furina's personal guard, Neuvillette ultimately still took on part of the security responsibilities concerning her.
Of course, this protection was limited strictly to the Palais Mermonia and trial proceedings.
As for any other time—say, if Furina wanted to go out and have fun—that was nothing more than wishful thinking.
After all, Neuvillette himself was already overwhelmed with duties. Where would he find the spare time or energy to accompany her on leisurely outings?
...
Elsewhere, inside a secluded reception room of Hotel Bouffes d'ete.
"Lyney, are you saying all of this is true?"
"Every word of it, Father."
"If that's really the case… interesting."
"I think I've already guessed who that mysterious gunslinger is…"
"Father, you think it's…?"
"This matter is not to be spoken of again. Not even to your sister. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Father."
===BREAK===
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