Lumine and Paimon finally stepped onto Fontaine's territory after disembarking from a passenger ship.
"We're finally here... After all that sand and water on the way, this must be the port within Fontaine," Paimon exclaimed, flying ahead. "Fontaine... it feels so advanced! I heard their industry is highly developed, with all sorts of strange and wonderful machines."
"You can tell from Fidelle's weapon alone," Lumine agreed. "Fontaine's mechanical engineering must be the strongest among the Seven Nations."
The port was bustling with activity. As the locals chatted, they occasionally glanced at Lumine and Paimon.
Lumine and Paimon quietly approached, straining their ears.
"Is that the famous Traveler?"
"Yes, yes! She's the Traveler who won first place at the Liyue Summit! Her strength is legendary. I never thought she'd come to Fontaine!"
"And that little creature beside her... is that Paimon? So cute!"
As they eavesdropped, Lumine and Paimon unconsciously struck a pose, hands on their hips.
"Lumine, I didn't realize we were so famous already!" Paimon exclaimed.
Lumine pondered for a moment. "It must be news Charlotte brought from Liyue."
New to Fontaine and unfamiliar with its customs, they decided to approach the two people who had been discussing them earlier.
Paimon: "Hello! We just arrived in Fontaine. Could we ask you a few questions?"
The man and woman, who had been conversing, initially seemed tense as Lumine and Paimon approached. But hearing Paimon's friendly tone, they relaxed.
"You must be the famous Traveler and Paimon! Ask whatever you like!"
During their conversation, Lumine and Paimon learned that Fontaine's trials leaned toward theatrics. The Fontainians valued the drama of the courtroom stories more than absolute justice or factual accuracy.
As for justice and truth, they believed the absolute impartiality of Chief Justice Neuvillette and the predictive power of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale were sufficient safeguards.
"Excuse me, how would we go about meeting the Hydro Archon?" Lumine asked.
"That's simple," the man replied. "Just go to the Opera House. Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, practically lives there—it's her greatest obsession!"
Woman: "Hmm, I think they probably wanted a one-on-one chat with Lady Furina... Getting an audience with the Hydro Archon is quite difficult. You have to book well in advance, and it depends on Lady Furina's 'schedule' and all that..."
Lumine frowned, puzzled. "Schedule? What does that mean?"
Paimon: "Is the Hydro Archon really that busy with official duties? But you said she spends all her time at the Opera House..."
Man: "No, no, Lady Furina rarely interferes with state affairs. The difficulty in getting an audience is simply because she's 'so popular,' I guess?"
Paimon chuckled.
"Pfft... This is the first time I've ever heard people describe a god as 'popular' or 'likeable'... Wait, I think I'm starting to understand. In Fontaine, is the Hydro Archon kind of like a 'Celebrity' god?"
Man: "That's... not entirely wrong, I suppose. Or maybe more like a 'mascot'?"
"Hey, hey! She's still our god, you know! Isn't that a bit too blunt?"
The man scratched his head. "Hmm, you're right. We should be more restrained in front of outsiders, or we might get dragged before Monsieur Neuvillette..."
"Ha ha ha... Don't be silly! The Law may have countless clauses, but it certainly doesn't criminalize gossiping about Lady Furina."
Paimon: "..."
Lumine formed her own opinion. The Fontainians seemed to adore the Hydro Archon, yet they also lacked a certain reverence...
She remembered Nahida saying that Furina was a God with a strong personality, and Fidelle describing her as a kind, gentle, and reliable God...
Paimon leaned in close to Lumine's ear and whispered:
"Lumine, I remember Fidelle was the Hydro Archon's bodyguard. Should we try to find her and ask her to introduce us to Furina?"
As they chatted, Lumine noticed a girl standing alone by the harbor's edge. Paimon, thinking the girl might be contemplating something desperate, hastily bid farewell to the man and woman, grabbed Lumine's arm, and dragged her toward the girl.
-
Meanwhile, on the Aquabus, Fidelle, Clorinde, and Furina were conducting their patrol.
"Fidelle, do I need to adjust anything about my appearance? Does this expression need to be more majestic and imposing?" Furina asked, her small face rigid as she tried to project divine authority.
Fidelle couldn't help but smile. "Lady Furina, just be yourself," she said. "You're already plenty majestic as you are."
"Eh? Really? Then Clorinde, what do you think of me now?"
Clorinde replied, "Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, your attire is impeccable, and your presence radiates unwavering majesty."
Furina finally nodded in satisfaction, rubbing her cheeks. She was about to meet the famous Traveler, and she absolutely couldn't let herself be outshone!
-
The girl standing by the sea earlier was named Lynette, and her brother was Lyney. After some conversation, Lumine and they had become acquainted.
Just as the four were preparing to head to Fontaine, over twenty police officers suddenly rushed out of the port.
"Um... you were planning to meet Lady Furina, right?" Lyney said. "But it seems she's already come looking for you."
The officers lined up on either side of the waterway, performing the standard Fontaine Salute.
Furina ascended a newly erected staircase and stood atop a large crate, with one hand on her hip.
Clorinde and Fidelle stood behind her like two great protectors on her left and right.
Both were Electro Attribute, and were mature female characters, and looked very domineering...
-
Player World
The players' perspectives were accompanied by a distinctive Fontainian melody, and their focus was crystal clear:
Furina's legs, Fidelle's waist, Clorinde's chest...
[WOOO! Give the cameraman an extra drumstick!]
[Fidelle!!!]
[Two Electro MILFs! Gorgeous!]
[Th-th-that button... isn't it under too much pressure? It looks like it could pop any second!]
[Yeah, yeah! I even feel like the force of that popping button could rival a bullet!]
[Why is everyone just talking about the MILFs? Is no one mentioning our Hydro Archon?]
[Heh heh, if no one's claiming her, I'll take her for myself!]
-
Fontaine.
Paimon pointed ahead. "Hey! Is that... the Hydro Archon? How did she know we were coming...?"
High above, Furina tilted her small head back, the cowlick atop her head standing straight up.
"Rich or poor, with wine cups or empty hands, my citizens, raise your cups! Those without cups, raise your arms instead!"
The crowd below erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Furina raised a small hand, silencing the crowd. She cleared her throat.
"As you can see, strangers have arrived in my kingdom. Come, let us offer them our blessings and salute the far-traveling Traveler and her companion!"
The applause surged again, even more fervent this time.
Lumine and Paimon felt countless eyes fixed on them. Even Lumine found herself feeling a bit self-conscious.
Paimon: "Huh?! Are they talking about us?"
Lumine glanced around, her thoughts taking an odd turn. There doesn't seem to be anyone with a cup here...
Furina: "I've heard tales of how you two stirred up storms of blood and strife across several nations. Yet I still welcome you—no, I insisted on personally greeting you."
"Fear is for the small-minded. As a god, I won't let such pointless caution guide my actions. Rest assured, I see your sincerity clearly."