Chapter 35 - Furina's Flaws, and Yes, Dawn Winery's Wine Really Is Good

TL Note: Had to lock in for my studies for a test, so 2 chapters today🎉. Also, what a chapter name, wow.

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Great—the people's opinion has turned around. I just need to keep this momentum and restart the inauguration speech…

Furina's voice grew stronger and more confident:

"Now then, my beloved citizens—whether you acknowledge me, whether you believe in me—maintain your passion for justice. They say the sins of this nation can no longer be washed away. Perfect. Justice born from sin carries the most intoxicating fragrance."

"In the hands of the God of Justice, the scales must not be heavy. On one side rests fairness and impartiality. On the other—there should be cheers and applause."

"Let us take the law as our prayer, turn judgment into worship, ignite the bonfire, and drink deeply for the future of Fontaine!"

"This is the truth: there exists no problem that a trial cannot resolve. As long as you—my people—hold justice firmly in your hearts… As long as we stand here in the Opera Epiclese… As long as we stand before the Fontaine's Oratrice… I, the Archon Focalors, can judge even the gods themselves!"

The audience was swept up in her performance, applause and cheers echoing throughout the Opera.

[Yun Jin: A true-born artist. Her performance leaves no cracks at all.]

[Ganyu: But… Furina's personality is clearly introverted. For an introvert to be forced to act like an extremely extroverted god…]

[Focalors: This is Furina's very first performance. You can hear just a little stiffness in her voice. She must have been terribly nervous. As expected of the perfect human I envisioned.]

[Zhongli: On one side of the scales lies Furina's suffering; on the other, the future of Fontaine.]

[Venti: "Even the gods can be judged"—very imposing, very domineering. Looks like I'll have to put Fontaine travel plans on hold.]

[Furina: Lord Anemo Archon, that… that was just acting.]

[Venti: I know, I know. Just teasing.]

[Zhongli: Judging the gods… I've heard words like this before in Liyue. I did not care then. But now, it seems the one to be judged was her all along.]

Act Three – Opera House, Furina

Furina sat at a desk under a bright spotlight.

A voice spoke: "Lady Furina, this is the report for today's cases and the follow-up rulings. Please review it."

Furina: "Ugh, I was already there. Leave those little details to Neuvillette."

[Neuvillette: No wonder my workload was enormous. Every day was so busy.]

[Yae Miko: Yes, yes. Leave those little details to Neuvillette.]

[Neuvillette: I do not appreciate the sarcasm from my friend from Inazuma… but I do not dislike the work of a judge.]

[Wriothesley: Justice is almost instinctive for Neuvillette. It has become part of his very presence.]

[Keqing: As the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, I should learn from him.]

[Zhongli: No need for modesty, Keqing. You have done very well. For you, proper rest is more important—Ganyu, that applies to you too. I rarely say these things privately, but here, as Zhongli, I should say them.]

[Yae Miko: My, my. Lord Geo Archon speaks like a concerned father. Meanwhile, we feel like abandoned orphans—we haven't seen our god in five hundred years.]

[Ei (Raiden Shogun): Though I remain in the Plane of Euthymia, the Shogun has always been present, has she not?]

[Yae Miko: Oh, please. The Shogun is just a puppet. I'd rather read novels than talk to a puppet. But… I'm actually very happy to see your message here.]

[Kamisato Ayaka: The Kamisato Clan of Inazuma wishes to see you as well.]

[Arataki Itto: Hey! Your Champion Duelist—Clorinde—is way too scary!]

[Charlotte: Clorinde is our professional Champion Duelist. She's fought countless battles and is extraordinarily strong.]

[Kuki Shinobu: No wonder. Our boss also has a Vision, but he gets tossed around like a child.]

[Furina: Let's see if you still dare talk nonsense in my livestream!]

Furina: "Besides, none of these trials are the ones I truly look forward to."

A voice asked, "Then… may I ask what kind of trial you do look forward to?"

Furina sprang up from her seat, excited:

"A grand one! A magnificent, theatrical trial that brings everything to an end…!"

"But sigh, even if I tell you, you won't understand!"

The voice trembled: "Y-yes… a humble person like me cannot fathom the will of a god."

Furina didn't mind. "No need to be nervous. And don't think too hard about what I said. Go on, you may return to your work. The trial I await will come someday."

[Furina: Back then, I really thought that magnificent trial would arrive soon… I never imagined so many years would pass.]

[Sigewinne: Hug for Furina.]

[Ningguang: I can see signs of immaturity here… her disguise slipping a little. There are small cracks, but her subordinate didn't notice.]

[Keqing: Growth always takes time.]

The scene shifted. Furina was now seated on a couch.

Someone was clearly sitting across from her. An elderly voice said, trembling:

"Lady Furina… I'm… I'm so overwhelmed that I don't know what to say. Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Furina: "No need to thank me. Thank yourself for your persistence—you finally reached the day your wait paid off."

"Hahaha! It seems the charm I exude as a god is… mildly troubling for the public, hm?"

"Now then—your name is Deotiray, yes? How is your son's illness?"

The person gasped: "You… you actually remember me? And even know about my family—"

"He's much better now. In fact, my son is your most devoted follower. He begged me to come see you and repeat every word you say back to him."

Furina let out a light, cheerful laugh.

"Good. That's wonderful. Next time this happens, tell me ahead of time. Visiting citizens at home once in a while isn't impossible. It could even be a change of pace."

The elderly voice choked: "You are a gentle and wise god… on behalf of my son, thank you again…"

[Paimon: Furina really was fulfilling her duties as an Archon… she even remembered the injured citizen.]

[Ningguang: I noticed that Furina keeps deliberately emphasizing her identity as a god. If I didn't already know the truth, I would never have detected that flaw.]

[Venti: Indeed. In all the gods I know, none has ever emphasized being a god. Those who insist on it are usually the false ones.]

[Diluc: So that's why you hide your identity and sneak into Mondstadt as Venti to get drunk? And you keep stealing my wine.]

[Venti: Hahahaha! Dawn Winery's wine is truly excellent!]