Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
===BREAK===
Lyney had left.
Victor Wang let out a sigh of relief and turned to Furina. "Let's come up with a discreet way to communicate in front of others. Just now, Lyney caught on to something, more or less."
"Just now?" Furina tilted her head in confusion.
"Just now… Didn't you notice the signal I gave?"
"What? Oh—" Furina suddenly understood. "So that gust of wind that blew the window open was your doing? Uh… what were you trying to convey at that moment?"
"After closing the window… I shook my head at you in Lyney's blind spot. Even if it was just in your peripheral vision… you should have seen it, right?"
"R-Really?"
"..."
"Don't stay silent. Look, you shook your head to tell me to reject Lyney's request, and I did… so… so…"
"So, we need a clear, simple signal," Victor Wang stated firmly. "It has to be more obvious than nodding or shaking your head. It should be impossible for you to ignore, even a fool should understand it."
"Fo-Fool? Okay, fine, this time it was my mistake, so I'll let it slide… but only this once…"
"I didn't say you're a fool; I was just giving an example."
After briefly defending himself, Victor Wang pondered the issue.
Ordinary signals, like coughing or stamping a foot, wouldn't work. Too obvious for others, yet not obvious enough for Furina…
Maybe only shaping letters with Geo constructs right in front of her could work, but most of the time, whatever Furina sees, others can see too. Wind was still the best option.
"Let's try this. When we need to communicate, I'll wrap wind around your hands. Left hand means 'disagree,' right hand means 'agree.'"
"Wind?"
Victor Wang didn't explain further and sent a current of wind curling around Furina's hands, spinning around her palms and the backs of her hands.
"How's that? Even with gloves, you should be able to feel it, right?"
"Yes…"
"Once you confirm you've received the signal, clench that hand into a fist and the wind will stop. Otherwise, I'll keep it spinning around your hand until you notice. Likewise, if you clench twice in succession, I'll take that as your signal to me."
Furina tested it by clenching her right hand twice, then said seriously, "I understand."
"Good. And it's fortunate you didn't accept Lyney's request just now."
"Seeing you so worried… could Lyney really be plotting some terrible scheme?"
"Terrible scheme?" Victor Wang repeated deliberately. "Why would you think that?"
Furina crossed her arms, chin slightly raised, and explained proudly:
"I've always suspected Lyney is affiliated with the Fatui. His siblings as well. But they are also citizens of Fontaine. Before they make any mistakes, I must both remain cautious of them and fulfill my duty as the Hydro Archon to my people.
I know a bit about what the Fatui have done in other nations. Though I don't know what they might attempt in Fontaine, with the prophecy approaching, Lyney insisting on performing at the Opera Epiclese made me vaguely suspect they might have some plan.
The entire energy source of Fontaine—the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale—is located at the Opera Epiclese. It's far too important. So, I guessed… Lyney might be targeting the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale!"
"..."
"So, did I guess correctly?"
"The target is right, but the intent is wrong… Lyney and the other Fatui in Fontaine—more accurately, the House of the Hearth—have the same primary goal: responding to the prophecy. Under this shared objective, we can temporarily allow them to act."
"Alright, alright… let's not dwell on this."
Trying to show off her cleverness but failing, Furina waved her hand and changed the topic.
"The prerequisites for the three plans are now complete; it's time to implement them. Though, it's been a long time since I intervened in governance…
"Even if I simply lay out the tasks, the Court of Fontaine will send people to execute them. They'll be surprised by my sudden action.
"And that Neuvillette, since arriving in Fontaine, has practically taken over the responsibilities of governance here. He'll likely ask why we're mobilizing like this.
"Sigh, what a hassle… come with me."
…
"Neuvillette, you've come after all."
Curious about the new face beside Furina, Neuvillette asked, "Lady Furina, can you clearly tell me why you had the Court take these actions? It seems to be in preparation for a flood?"
"Flood?" Furina nodded. "Exactly. The prophecy is nothing more than a flood."
"You're serious… you know when the prophecy will occur?"
"If even the Hydro Archon doesn't know, who else in Teyvat would?"
"But as far as I know, you've been using various forces to secretly investigate the prophecy. Honestly, your past actions suggested you didn't know much about it."
"Ahahaha! So, you've been keeping an eye on me, Neuvillette? I didn't realize you're that type of person."
"Lady Furina, this isn't the time for jokes. What you're about to do requires tremendous human and material resources. I just want a reasonable, precise answer."
"All right. Since you know I've been investigating secretly, I admit it—even as Hydro Archon, I'm not omnipotent and occasionally need a little help. Now the investigation has yielded results. That's all there is to it."
"Is that so…"
"Yes."
After a few seconds of staring each other down, Neuvillette finally nodded. Before leaving, he glanced at Victor Wang. "And this is…?"
"Mr. Neuvillette, my name is Victor. From today, I will serve as Lady Furina's guard."
"Can we discuss something privately?"
"Of course… but it's work hours, so Lady Furina's approval is needed."
"I permit it. Don't talk too long; there's still much to do later."
…
They moved from one office to another—just a short distance, up and down a floor.
Victor Wang was still pondering why Neuvillette sought him out when Neuvillette spoke first: "Your aura is very complex. Some parts feel familiar… but no, it's impossible for so many auras to coexist in one person. Forget that. What I really want to know—did you bring the intelligence about the prophecy?"
With Furina's reaction as a cue, Victor Wang didn't deny it. "I'm glad I've lived up to Lady Furina's expectations."
"…Is your source reliable?"
"It's 'us.' Predicting the prophecy's timing is largely thanks to Lady Furina."
"I know you, but in my hundreds of years in Fontaine, I've never met anyone like you. You may not have even been to Fontaine, right?"
"Knowing me makes it simpler. At the very least, my own safety should be questioned. As for my contact with Furina, there are countless discreet ways to communicate without me physically coming to Fontaine."
"…I will still remain cautious."
"That's fine… How about a bet? If Fontaine survives the prophecy following our steps, you'll unconditionally help me—legally and without harming anyone."
"First, you must prove the reliability of your information. Only then will you have the right to pull me into a bet."
The story of The Kitsune Replacing the Shogun is only fully understood by Furina. If shown to others, it would either confuse them or reveal her act prematurely.
To help Furina avoid harm and let events unfold as expected, one must help her act as the Hydro Archon until the last moment.
Convincing Furina first, then letting her convince others, is the only way to suppress distrust. Anything beyond her authority must be left to time.
Victor Wang smiled. "You'll see my proof, Mr. Dragon."
Neuvillette's expression changed slightly. "You're a dragon too?"
"I'm not."
===BREAK===
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