Focalors spoke with absolute certainty:
"I came to find you because you ruined my plan."
"The so-called prophecy spreading across Fontaine is not a prophecy of destruction.
It is a prophecy of rebirth."
"But your actions have disrupted everything I prepared."
Idris raised a brow, pretending not to know.
"Oh? And why is that?"
Of course, Focalors could not reveal the truth.
Her original plan required Furina to deceive the world — even deceive Celestia — for five hundred years.
During that time, the Oratrice would accumulate enough power to one day unleash a judgment capable of destroying a God's Throne.
It was the only way to save Fontaine.
But because Idris introduced the Bloodline Elixir, her plan was no longer necessary… and no longer workable.
So she used Nahida's power to speak to him directly, hoping to persuade him to stop before he completely dismantled the prophecy she had spent five centuries arranging.
She shook her head gently.
"Forgive me, but this matter concerns all of Fontaine's secrets. I cannot tell you the details."
"I only hope… you will cease your actions here."
"Stop?"
Idris laughed quietly.
"Focalors, that's a bit unrealistic."
"I've already signed contracts with Furina. If I suddenly stop supplying the elixirs now, the people of Fontaine will feel utterly betrayed."
"The public backlash alone would be like a tidal wave. No force in Teyvat could stop it."
"I've seen the way those people look at me — they're desperate. They won't allow anyone to cut off what they see as their only hope. Not even their god."
Focalors frowned.
"Don't underestimate me. Furina is human — her judgment is clouded by fear of you. She may misunderstand your capabilities."
"But I know better."
"You created this situation. You alone have the ability to end it. You already stopped the catastrophe in Sumeru — this problem is nothing compared to that."
Idris smiled as if amused.
"My, my. I didn't expect the former Hydro Archon to have such a high opinion of me."
"True, I can end the chaos if I want to. Even if it damages my reputation a little."
"But tell me—"
His eyes sharpened.
"Why should I follow your will?"
"Not even the Dendro Archon or Morax can order me around.
Celestia certainly cannot."
"You? A single fragment of soul… what right do you have to demand my cooperation?"
Focalors paused — then attempted a bargain.
"I can give you a G—"
Idris cut her off instantly.
"Don't even think about offering me a Gnosis. I don't want it. I don't need it. And if I had one, I'd sell it like any other bargaining chip."
"You—!"
For the first time, Focalors was struck speechless.
She finally sighed, helpless.
"…They say you're a villain. You truly are a villain no one can understand."
Idris smiled politely.
"Thank you. I simply prioritize my own interests before acting kindly."
"And in your current state… you don't have anything valuable enough to interest me anyway."
"That is… true," she admitted softly.
Then, with a bright, teasing smile, she lightly hopped in place.
"Then… if I act pitiful and adorable, will you give up your plan?"
Idris burst out laughing.
"After all this time, very few people have managed to amuse me. Congratulations — you're one of them."
"But since you can't offer me anything worthwhile… why don't I guess your plan instead?"
Focalors grew confident again.
"You won't guess it. My plan was crafted to deceive even Celestia. If a human could figure it out, it would be embarrassing."
Idris shrugged.
"We'll see."
"First: I've fought Neuvillette. I know his true strength. And I know he isn't at full power yet."
"Second: the Wisdom Archon is my companion. Through her knowledge, I know far more than ordinary people."
After all — Idris already knew every future plotline.
"And there's an ancient truth," Idris continued.
"Archons gained their authority by inheriting power stripped from the original Elemental Sovereigns."
"Fontaine's people carry traces of ancient issues in their blood — problems that a god alone can't solve."
"But a Dragon Sovereign can."
"So the only way to restore Fontaine is—"
His eyes narrowed.
"To destroy the Hydro Archon position entirely."
"No more Water God.
No new Archon to inherit that power.
Only then can Fontaine be freed."
"And so… you needed Furina to play the role of the god.
A decoy.
A mask.
A sacrifice."
"That way, Celestia wouldn't notice your real plan."
"Am I right?"
Focalors froze — shocked.
For a moment, her expression shifted to pure dread.
Then she exhaled softly and smiled with astonishment.
"…As expected of you."
"I believed I had already overestimated you."
"But you still managed to surprise me."
"What you said is nearly completely correct. Only a few details differ."
She glanced toward the real world — where Furina was happily chatting with Nahida — and silently nodded.
No wonder Furina trembled in front of Idris.
He was terrifyingly sharp.
Idris didn't linger on her emotions.
Instead, he asked calmly:
"Then tell me — after everything is over, what does Furina receive in return for five hundred years of service?"
Focalors thought for a moment.
"Well… she will continue to have a long lifespan."
"But after the judgment destroys the divine seat, she will suffer an unjust sentence. That may… affect her emotionally."
"But afterward, she will be hailed as the hero who saved Fontaine."
"She will finally be free from the burden of pretending to be a god."
"She'll be able to live her own life… as a true human.
I believe she will be happy."
Her voice was soft. Peaceful.
Filled with gratitude for the woman who acted for her sake for half a millennium.
But then—
Idris let out a cold, merciless laugh.
"Ha. What a wonderfully hypocritical reward."
"…What did you say?!"
Focalors' eyes widened in shock.
Idris' tone turned sharp as a blade.
"I said you're hypocritical. In the matter of Furina — utterly, laughably hypocritical."
Even Nahida, listening through the dream, couldn't help pressing a hand to her forehead.
Furina — unaware of anything — simply blinked at Nahida.
"Lady Nahida? Are you feeling unwell? Did something upset your stomach?"
Nahida smiled stiffly.
"No, no… just… remembering something…"
Meanwhile, in the dream:
Even the gentle, calm Focalors couldn't hide her irritation.
"Before we spoke, the current Wisdom Goddess warned me…
She said your tongue is venomous and you never hold back."
"Now I see she wasn't exaggerating."
"Fine then. Tell me — in what way am I hypocritical?"
Idris sneered.
"You call it a 'reward'? Freedom? A heroic title?"
"Furina — a human girl — played god for five centuries, lived under ridicule, isolation, and unbearable psychological torment."
"And what does she get?"
"A longer life?
'Freedom'?
Not even a Vision to protect herself?"
"She can't fight, can't defend herself, can't even live safely."
"To be frank—"
Idris raised a brow.
"Your so-called reward is worth less than finding her a reliable husband and letting her live a peaceful human life."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito