"Yes, that's it! Hit it, Liu Yuan!"
Furina hid behind Liu Yuan, peeking her head out to watch Liu Yuan "beat up" this local legend that had once bullied her.
Dobharcu, a being said to have once repelled the Hippokampus and protected countless Blubberbeasts, was the Lord among Blubberbeasts.
And in the wilds of Fontaine, there were many other powerful beings similar to Dobharcu. Such powerful beings were called "Local Legends" by the Adventurers' Guild, and Adventurers were advised to avoid provoking them if encountered in the wild.
On one occasion, Furina had very carelessly angered a local legend.
Specifically, Furina saw a Blubberbeast sunbathing on the beach and, unable to resist, went up and furiously rubbed its belly.
However, what Furina didn't expect was that this time, the Blubberbeast whose belly she rubbed didn't silently endure it as usual. Instead, it let out a cry — and then, this local legend appeared.
If Clorinde hadn't been guarding her nearby, Furina would likely have been taught a lesson.
Despite not suffering any damage, Furina still quietly noted this super-sized Blubberbeast in her little notebook, planning to get her revenge someday if the opportunity arose.
Before, Furina couldn't even imagine doing so — because she couldn't win.
However, this time…
Hmph, I have Liu Yuan!
Liu Yuan was a bit helpless.
In truth, this large Blubberbeast in front of her bore no ill will toward her or Furina, but since Furina requested it, Liu Yuan could only give the large creature a few harmless taps.
After all, it was also a life.
Liu Yuan wasn't someone accustomed to killing; at most, she would directly eliminate any being that bore ill will toward Furina.
The large Blubberbeast, however, treated Liu Yuan's "attacks" as a game and started playing with her.
It felt no malice from Liu Yuan— though it faintly sensed that the girl behind her seemed familiar, somewhat resembling the being that had bullied its offspring long ago.
"Are you satisfied?"
Liu Yuan stopped her movements, then looked at Furina, who was hiding behind her.
The waters of Fontaine were magical. Any being that controlled elemental power could breathe underwater, and as the "Hydro Archon," Furina naturally possessed this ability.
At this moment, Furina's hair floated slightly in the water, and her mask had been removed, revealing her delicate face.
Outside Fontaine — and underwater at that — Furina wasn't afraid of being seen, so she took off her mask.
Furina nodded slightly, softly saying:
"Mmm, that's about enough."
Seeing the newspaper in Fontaine earlier had left Furina completely at a loss. She finally understood why the troupe members and even Clorinde had been looking at her strangely these past few days.
This gave Furina the urge to just hide in her room forever.
So, to calm herself down, she had actively asked Liu Yuan to take her outside Fontaine.
After that, she and Liu Yuan walked around together to clear her head, and Furina slowly calmed.
There was nothing she could do — anyone would struggle to stay calm after reading such a newspaper!
Honestly, if she were just Furina, she would want all of Fontaine to know that Liu Yuan belonged to her.
But in Fontaine, Furina was not only Furina— she was also the "Hydro Archon."
She feared these rumors might make people doubt her legitimacy as a deity.
After all, archons were supposed to be majestic.
Like the Geo Archon of Liyue, who respected contracts and guided the nation every year.
Or the Electro Archon of Inazuma, who personally governed everything.
They all seemed reliable.
In contrast, she hardly resembled a deity at all.
Neuvillette, if anything, seemed far more like a god than she did.
A deity falling in love…
It just sounded unreliable.
And then… there was the Prophecy.
Even though Liu Yuan seemed overwhelmingly powerful — far beyond Neuvillette — when facing that inevitable moment, she would likely be powerless.
Thinking of this, Furina decided not to tell Liu Yuan about it.
She didn't want Liu Yuan involved. She didn't want Liu Yuan to be in danger.
She didn't know that her citizens were not only unbothered by their deity falling in love—but were actively enjoying the spectacle.
For centuries, the title "Hydro Archon" had lost most of its majesty in Fontaine. Instead, the majesty of the "Chief Justice," who served in place of the Archon, had solidified in people's hearts.
To Fontainians, the idea of their deity falling in love was not strange at all.
As for Lady Furina — the unpredictable young woman— her falling in love wasn't surprising whatsoever.
But unfortunately, Furina knew none of this.
She was trying her best to suppress her thoughts.
Today was a rare day off — she should enjoy it.
Furina looked at Liu Yuan, ready to speak — but suddenly noticed the local legend had crept behind Liu Yuan!
"Liu Yuan! Watch out!"
Furina instinctively cried out — but then realized the giant Blubberbeast was carefully, affectionately nuzzling Liu Yuan's back.
Liu Yuan calmly pushed the Blubberbeast away, a streak of light flashing through her deep blue eyes.
Then she turned toward Furina with a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… nothing…"
Furina replied quietly, watching the super-sized Blubberbeast look at Liu Yuan with tiny, harmless eyes.
Compared to herself, Liu Yuan seemed much more popular with small animals…
"It's asking you if you bullied its offspring last time," Liu Yuan suddenly said.
"What?" Furina blinked. "You… understand what it's saying?"
"I can sense its mental fluctuations and roughly understand its meaning."
"This…"
Furina's thoughts instantly vanished. One remained—
Liu Yuan is so amazing… I'm so useless…
"Come on, get on. Dobharcu says there are many interesting places nearby."
Liu Yuan patted the giant Blubberbeast's head, then extended her hand toward Furina.
After a slight hesitation, Furina took it, and they sat together on the back of the local legend.
Thus began their underwater adventure.
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_