Furina's voice grew increasingly confident and resonant: "Now then, my beloved subjects! Whether you acknowledge me or not, whether you have faith in me or not, I ask only that you maintain your zeal for justice. I have heard that this nation's sins can no longer be cleansed. How fortuitous—for it is precisely justice that blooms amidst transgression that carries the most exquisite fragrance!"
"The scales in the hands of the God of Justice should not be heavy. On one side rests fairness and impartiality. The other side... ought to be brimming with cheers and applause!"
"Let us take the law as our hymn, trials as our worship, kindle the bonfires, and raise our glasses to Fontaine's future!"
"Here, there is no problem that a trial cannot resolve! As long as you, my subjects, hold firm faith in justice within your hearts! As long as we are in this Opera Epiclese! As long as we stand before this very Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale! I, the god Focalors, can bring even the gods of this world to trial!"
The audience was swept up by Furina's speech. Thunderous applause and cheers resounded across the stage.
[Yun Jin: As expected of a born artist. Her performance is utterly flawless.]
[Ganyu: But Furina's true personality is clearly more introverted, isn't it? An introvert forced to play the role of an extreme extrovert...]
[Focalors: This was Furina's very first performance. You can sense it—there's still a trace of stiffness in her voice. She must have been incredibly nervous at that moment. As expected of the perfect human in my mind!]
[Zhongli: On one side of the scales rests Furina's suffering. On the other, Fontaine's future.]
[Venti: "Can bring even the gods of this world to trial"—that certainly has a commanding presence. Very assertive. It seems my travel plans to Fontaine will have to be put on hold for now.]
[Furina: Lord Anemo Archon, I... that was merely a performance.]
[Venti: I know. I was only joking too.]
[Zhongli: "Can bring even the gods to trial." Mm, I've heard that line before in Liyue. Though I didn't take it to heart at the time. As it turns out, the god who would be brought to trial was herself.]
Act Three: The Opera House, Furina
Furina sat beneath the spotlight at her desk.
A voice: "Lady Furina, here is the case report from today's trial and the follow-up results. Please review them at your convenience."
Furina: "Ugh, wasn't I right there at the trial? Leave those trivial details for Neuvillette to handle."
[Neuvillette: So that's why my workload is so immense. Every single day, so terribly busy.]
[Yae Miko: That's right. Leave those trivial details for Neuvillette to handle.]
[Neuvillette: I do not much appreciate this cold joke from our friend in Inazuma. However, I do not mind the work of a judge.]
[Wriothesley: Indeed. Justice is nearly an instinct etched into Neuvillette's very being. It has become a part of his temperament.]
[Keqing: As the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, I too must learn from Neuvillette when it comes to justice.]
[Zhongli: No need for modesty, Keqing. You are already doing excellent work. For you, proper rest should be more important. Ganyu, the same goes for you. These words are not something I could easily say under ordinary circumstances, but here in this broadcast room, as Zhongli, I wanted to express them.]
[Yae Miko: The Geo Archon sounds just like an old father. Comparatively, we are like orphans on the roadside, having not seen our own god in five hundred years.]
[Ei: Though I remain within the Plane of Euthymia, the Shogun has always been there, has she not?]
[Yae Miko: What? The Shogun is nothing but a puppet! I don't want to chat with a puppet. I'd rather go read a novel. But still... being able to see your words here—it truly makes me happy.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: The Kamisato Clan of Inazuma also very much hopes to meet you.]
[Arataki Itto: Agh! That Clorinde of yours is way too fierce!]
[Charlotte: Clorinde is our Champion Duelist. She is battle-hardened and tremendously powerful.]
[Kuki Shinobu: That explains it. We're all Vision holders, but our boss got tossed around like a little kid.]
[Furina: Let's see if you still dare to run your mouth in this broadcast room now!]
Furina: "Besides, not a single one of those trials is the one I've been waiting for."
The voice: "Uh, may I ask what kind of trial it is you are waiting for, my lady?"
Furina sprang excitedly from her seat: "A grand one! Dramatic! A magnificent trial that can bring everything to its conclusion... Ah, I doubt you'd understand even if I told you."
The voice, somewhat timid: "Indeed. I lack the ability to fathom the thoughts of a god such as yourself."
Furina didn't take offense. "No need to be so fearful. And don't dwell on what I just said. Go on with your work. The trial I await... will arrive one day."
[Furina: At the time, I thought that grand trial would come very soon. I never imagined it would take so many, many years.]
[Sigewinne: Sending hugs to Furina.]
[Ningguang: One can tell that at this point, Furina still had a bit of a temper. The traces of her acting were still somewhat apparent—a few flaws showed through. But that subordinate didn't seem to notice.]
[Keqing: Growth is a process that takes time.]
The scene shifted. Furina moved to a sofa.
Someone was clearly seated across from her. An aged voice spoke: "Lady Furina, I... I'm so overcome with emotion, I don't even know what to say. Thank you for granting me an audience."
Furina: "No need to thank me. You should thank yourself for your perseverance in waiting in line all this time until you finally got the chance to meet me."
"Hahahaha. It seems the charm I exude as a god also brings a certain degree of trouble to everyone, does it not?"
"Now, you are Lady Deotire, are you not? How is your son's illness lately?"
The voice: "Ah! You... you actually remember me? And you know of my family's affairs..."
"He's much better now. In truth, my son is an even more devoted believer than I am. He insisted that I come to see you and report back everything you said."
Furina let out a light, airy laugh: "Wonderful, truly wonderful. Next time something like this happens, you may inform me in advance. It wouldn't be out of the question for me to visit a citizen's home from time to time—a change of mood, if nothing else..."
The voice: "You are truly a gentle and wise god. I must thank you once more on behalf of my son..."
[Paimon: Lady Furina really is fulfilling the duties of a god. She remembered that injured citizen.]
[Ningguang: I noticed that Furina was deliberately emphasizing her identity as a god at every turn. If I didn't already know the truth, I wouldn't have caught that flaw either.]
[Venti: Yes. Among all the gods I know, not one has ever felt the need to deliberately emphasize their divinity. Deliberate emphasis, on the contrary, is a sign of falsehood.]
[Diluc: So that's why the Anemo Archon has been living incognito, disguised as Venti, drinking himself silly all over Mondstadt? And always stealing my wine.]
[Venti: Hahahaha! Dawn Winery's wine is indeed delicious. Hahahaha.]