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Chapter 4 - Furina: I’ve Got It! I’ll Solve the Fontaine Crisis by Putting the Traveler on Trial!

Outside Mondstadt.

Paimon stared at the projection, her tiny face overflowing with shock.

"Honorary Knight!"

"Friend of the Adepti!"

"You even beat the Raiden Shogun!"

"You saved Lesser Lord Kusanali!"

"You solved the Fontaine crisis—!"

"W-wait, Lumine, is this our—no, your future?"

"Are we seriously this amazing!?"

"Yeah… we're like the main characters of a light novel!"

Amber nodded so fast she looked like a pecking chick.

Lumine scratched her cheek, embarrassed.

She hadn't done any of that yet.

But hearing Paimon's bragging, she shot her a cute side-eye.

"And what does this have to do with you, emergency food?"

"How does it not?"

Paimon crossed her arms with righteous confidence.

"I was the guide who started your journey!"

"And I appeared in those scenes too!"

"Obviously I get half the credit!"

Just imagining herself becoming a legendary figure known across all of Teyvat, Paimon rubbed her hands together in excitement.

Lumine could only sigh helplessly and turn to Amber apologetically.

"She's always like this."

"It's fine."

Amber waved it off, then looked at Lumine hopefully.

"So… if this is really your future—

could you help Mondstadt too?"

"Don't worry! We'll definitely repay you!"

Mondstadt had suffered under the dragon crisis for too long.

A miracle had appeared—she intended to grab it with both hands.

"Of course!" Lumine smiled.

"But let's finish the stream first."

"Mm! Then it's settled!"

Amber nodded eagerly.

Mondstadt — Knights of Favonius Headquarters

Jean stared at the projection showing Lumine fighting Stormterror.

"Lisa… you were right!"

"The key to resolving the dragon crisis has arrived!"

Lisa reclined gracefully on her sofa, though her smile widened.

"Then we must properly welcome our new Honorary Knight~"

"Absolutely."

Jean immediately began messaging Amber.

Liyue — Jade Chamber

Unlike Mondstadt's excitement, Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu all frowned deeply.

"What do you two think?"

Ningguang asked calmly.

"Information is too limited," Keqing said.

"From the footage, all we know is that the Traveler and the adepti fought Osial together… and that the Fatui interfered."

"Right now, Lumine is still in Mondstadt. The dragon crisis hasn't even ended."

"We have some time."

Ganyu suddenly hesitated.

"There was… one thing."

"In the footage, I didn't see the Geo Archon."

"And considering the Traveler arrives around the time of the Rite of Descension…"

"Could something go wrong this year?"

That sentence made both Ningguang and Keqing tense up.

Especially Ningguang.

She was the one presiding over this year's Rite.

If something happened… she would be held responsible.

Keqing, though usually critical of Ningguang, still tried to reassure her.

"Don't panic. There's still time."

"And he said he reviews one Teyvatian per day."

"We might get more clues."

"You're right."

Ningguang exhaled slowly.

Having calmed down, she continued:

"The Traveler helped Liyue in that future. We should maintain positive relations."

"And starting today, keep strict watch on the Northland Bank and all Fatui activity."

"Agreed."

Keqing and Ganyu nodded immediately.

Inazuma — Sangonomiya Shrine

Gorou looked at Kokomi, eyes wide.

"Lady Kokomi, the Traveler not only joins our Resistance, but even becomes Captain of Swordfish II!"

"And— s-she actually defeats the Raiden Shogun!?"

How powerful was this girl!?

"Yes," Kokomi murmured softly.

"An outsider's power will help us…"

But deeper in her heart, another thought shook her—

Does this mean the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree truly end?

For the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Meanwhile, in Tenshukaku—

Ei watched the scenes of Inazuma in silence.

"I… lost?"

"By the people's will?"

"If this is the future… does that mean my pursuit of 'Eternity' was mistaken?"

For the first time in centuries, confusion clouded her eyes.

Sumeru — Sanctuary of Surasthana

"I… come out? I'm freed?"

Nahida's small voice trembled with mixed emotion.

A bit of joy.

A bit of disbelief.

A bit of fear.

The Akademiya was functioning smoothly now.

So for there to be a crisis in the future…

What went wrong?

Then something else hit her.

"The title 'First Sage'… but temporary?"

She frowned deeper.

Travelers helping her and earning the title made sense—

but why would it become invalid?

She wasn't someone who would ever rescind such gratitude.

So… what happened?

After thinking in circles, she sighed softly.

"Not enough information…"

"If only he would review me too."

"Maybe then I'd understand."

She looked back at the projection with small, hopeful eyes.

Fontaine — Palais Mermonia

Furina watched the Fontaine section of the projection, her expression uncharacteristically solemn.

Not a trace of her usual dramatic flair remained.

"The person in the mirror once said…

everything will end in a grand, theatrical trial."

"And when that moment comes…

everyone will be saved."

"When combined with what the projection showed…

Is it tied to the Traveler?"

"Does the prophecy end after she arrives?"

A weight lifted from her heart.

For five centuries, she had played the role of a god.

Finally—

finally the dawn was close.

But then she glanced at the mysterious projection again…

and dread crept into her.

"I hope… I hope he doesn't review me."

"That would be… troublesome."

Neuvillette noticed her shifting expression and frowned gently.

"Lady Furina?"

"Lady Furina?"

"Huh!? What—what is it!?"

She jolted like someone caught stealing pastries.

"You looked troubled. Did you discover something?"

Neuvillette tilted his head slightly.

Furina's panic evaporated in an instant.

She raised both arms triumphantly.

"Of course I did!"

"I am Focalors, the God of Justice!"

"And I already know how to solve the prophecy crisis!"

"…Please explain."

Neuvillette braced himself.

"It's simple!"

Furina puffed her chest proudly.

"The projection says the Traveler comes here and solves the crisis!"

"So obviously—

she must be the culprit behind the prophecy!"

"All we have to do is put her on trial!"

"Then the crisis is resolved!"

Her blue eyes sparkled with absolute confidence.

A grand, theatrical trial.

What could be more perfect than judging the legendary otherworldly Traveler?

Neuvillette: "..."

He silently decided he should not have asked.

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