Chapter 559: Ren: Compared to Fontaine, I'd Rather Save Furina!
After Ren submitted the application, Furina immediately agreed. Then, feeling that sitting elegantly on the judgment seat seemed impolite, she stood and tidied her skirt. When she finished and looked up, she froze. Ren was standing right in front of her, a warm smile on his face.
"Eh!" Not yet prepared, she was startled and instinctively recoiled. The heel of her shoe lost its footing, and her body tilted backward. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact.
Only, it never came. She felt a warm touch on her back, a safe and steady support.
"Am I that scary?" A warm breath brushed her ear.
She opened her eyes. Ren was close beside her, his hand supporting her tilting body. It was a simple thing, yet it made her feel something special. All this time, she had been the Hydro Archon—arrogant, majestic, just. But she knew she was just an ordinary person, who could only cry when she was alone. Now, it was as if someone knew her weakness and was still willing to stand by her side.
"Do you want to stand up?" he asked.
"!!! Oh, oh!" Brought back to her senses, she quickly adjusted her posture. "Phew~ Luckily, no one saw that."
"People, no. But there is a dragon." He pinched her chin and turned her head. Below the judgment seat, a man in a blue and white suit, with white hair and flowing blue tips, was looking directly at them.
"Neuvillette!!!" Furina gasped. When did he arrive? He couldn't have seen my embarrassing performance, could he?!
"Lady Furina, may I ask you to introduce this non-Fontainian to me?" Neuvillette nodded slightly, his expression solemn. He wasn't focused on her slip, but on the unfamiliar man standing with her on the judgment seat.
"Hello, I am Furina's friend, Ren," he simply introduced himself.
Furina also nodded like a pecking chick. "That's right! Ren is my friend! Neuvillette, don't look at him like he's a criminal."
"I apologize. My gaze is always like this," though his voice was flat, his apology could be heard.
Ren didn't care much, but looked at the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale above his head with interest. He then asked, "Fufu, what do you want me to do?"
"Save Fontaine… Lady Furina, what does this mean?" Neuvillette frowned.
When "saving Fontaine" was mentioned, Furina's gaze became heavy. She pursed her lips but dared not speak.
Understanding her concern, Ren snapped his fingers. "Speak boldly. Now, even Teyvat cannot hear your words, let alone the sleeping Heavenly Principles."
Although she didn't understand what he had done, she was willing to trust him. Calming herself, she slowly explained. "The prophecy of Fontaine. Fontainians are born with sin. One day, the sea level will rise and drown those burdened with it. Everyone will dissolve, and only when the Hydro Archon weeps on her divine throne can the sins be washed away."
"Ren… please save Fontaine!" she made her request with anticipation.
However, his answer was indifferent. "I'm sorry. I'm not interested in what happens to the Fontainians."
"..." Furina stood stunned. She didn't understand. Did I do something wrong? Is it because of my deception? "I apologize! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she frantically bowed.
"Lady Furina…" Neuvillette, below, heard everything clearly. The matter was not fully understood, so he decided to watch quietly.
"Sigh." Seeing her in such a humble state, Ren felt a little distressed. He placed his hand on her head, stopping her apology. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just stating a fact. I don't care what happens to them."
At this point, his tone changed, becoming gentle. "But I care about you, Fufu. Rather than saving Fontaine, I'd rather hear you ask me to save you."
"I…" Her eyes were teary, but she stared blankly into his. She realized she had misunderstood. Saving me? For over four hundred years, she had never thought of such a thing. She had always just done her duty, diligently playing a role. No one knew she was Furina, not Focalors. Now, suddenly, someone was telling her that he wanted to save her.
She only felt a warm current surging within her heart, gentle and enveloping. This unprecedented concern made her feel dazed.
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