The crowd was silent for a moment, then, like a stone thrown into stagnant water, ripples began to spread.
Food?
Medicine?
Is it true?
Countless gazes, filled with hope, turned toward King.
Kokomi looked at her people, and tears finally fell uncontrollably.
But she forced her back straight and spoke the line she had rehearsed countless times:
"Watatsumi Island can no longer survive on its own under Inazuma's order."
"I, Sangonomiya Kokomi, in the name of the Divine Priestess..."
She looked at King again, her eyes resolute:
"On behalf of all the people of Watatsumi Island, I implore you to accept us."
"Watatsumi Island is willing to bring the 'proof of oathful sight', a token passed down through generations, and offer our loyalty, skills, and everything we have to join Fontaine and become subjects under the protection of Lord King."
"From now on, Watatsumi Island shall continue alongside Lord King."
She bowed deeply once more.
This time, the several Watatsumi Army soldiers behind her, and the islanders in the square who could still move, all slowly knelt or prostrated themselves.
The sea breeze wailed through the empty square, kicking up fine coral sand.
The 'proof of oathful sight' that King had placed in his pocket grew slightly warm.
King looked at the crowd prostrated before him, seeing the faint but stubborn fire of survival in their eyes, and touched the ancient artifact in his pocket.
He looked up toward Inazuma City, as if he could see a silly figure in the Opera Epiclese counting the days until his return... "Everyone, stand up. No kneeling allowed."
King's voice broke the silence.
"Food and medicine will be distributed immediately."
"The people of Watatsumi Island, from now on,"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Raiden Ei and Yae Miko, finally landing on Kokomi's hopeful face.
"Will never go hungry again."
...Fontaine.
Opera Epiclese.
"Neuvillette—!!!"
Furina leaned forward, his hands pressed against the desk, his heterochromatic eyes wide.
"How long has it been? Half a month! A whole half a month!"
"Why hasn't King returned yet?!"
He was wearing that ornate blue and white skirt, but he lacked any of the elegance and composure he usually displayed when performing at the Opera Epiclese.
His cheeks were puffed out in anger, like a pufferfish stuffed with cream puffs.
"Didn't you say the matters in Inazuma were already settled?"
"Didn't you say 'justice' had already left Narukami Island?"
"Why has he run off to some Watatsumi Island now?!"
"What's so great about that tiny coral reef island I've never even heard of!"
"Is it more attractive than... than Fontaine?!"
He spoke with increasing anger, his small fists pounding the desk with a "bang bang" sound, causing several newly organized documents to slide onto the carpet.
Neuvillette looked up from a lengthy report titled "New Arkhium Energy Application Safety Regulations (Seventh Revision)" and rubbed his temples.
He put down his quill, his eyes as calm as a deep lake looking at the fuming Hydro Archon, his voice steady as always but tinged with a hint of helplessness:
"Lady Furina, I have already explained it to you three times."
"Mr. King is handling some urgent humanitarian affairs on Watatsumi Island."
"Although the island belongs to Inazuma, it has recently fallen into a serious crisis due to food shortages."
"Based on Fontaine's stance on justice and humanitarian spirit, Mr. King is coordinating aid."
"This is a legitimate and necessary diplomatic action."
"Humanitarian affairs again! Diplomatic action again!"
Furina wasn't buying it at all. He crossed his arms and snorted, his beautiful heterochromatic eyes screaming "I'm not listening, I'm not listening."
"Is that Raiden Shogun of Inazuma just a furnishing?"
"When something happens to her own people, why does my King... ahem, our Fontaine's Guardian have to take care of it!"
"And!"
He suddenly leaned in closer, lowering his voice, asking in a mysterious yet huffy tone:
"I heard that priestess on Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, is exceptionally beautiful?"
"And her nickname is 'The Strategist Who Plans for Everything' or something? That sounds like someone who's very good at tricking people!"
"Is she using a pitiful act to trick King into staying there?!"
This dangerous association made him even more anxious, and he began pacing in circles around the office.
"I knew it! Those priestesses and princesses in Inazuma are the best at tricking people!"
"King is so naive, he'll definitely be tricked!"
Neuvillette: "..."
His Honor the Iudex felt his temples throbbing again.
King... naive?
The man who made the Raiden Shogun cry with one punch, bathed the Tri-Commission in blood, and turned the entire upper echelon of Inazuma upside down.
Can that really be described as "naive"?
He sighed imperceptibly, picked up the cold black tea beside him, and took a sip, trying to calm his nerves with the cold liquid.
"Lady Furina, perhaps your imagination could be slightly more restrained."
"Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi is the leader of Watatsumi Island, and this time she is seeking aid from Fontaine on behalf of her people."
"Mr. King's decision is based on the actual situation and Fontaine's interests."
"Besides," Neuvillette paused, a hint of a smile flashing in his pale blue eyes, "do you think King would be ensnared by mere beauty?"
"Who... who knows!" Furina retorted stubbornly, but his momentum weakened slightly as he muttered, "What if Watatsumi Island has some magical caviar that's especially delicious and hooked him..."
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Although King looked fierce, he didn't seem to turn down good food?
And that glutton Paimon is on the ship too... No!
Absolutely not!
Furina snapped upright, hands on his hips, chin tilted up, and said in a tone used for announcing major decisions:
"I've decided! I'm going to Watatsumi Island too!"
"I want to personally inspect Fontaine's aid work!"
"To ensure our Guardian hasn't been bewitched by some strange priestess or strange desserts!"
Neuvillette set his teacup down firmly with a crisp "clack".
"No."
His refusal was concise and blunt, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Why not?" Furina protested.
"Fontaine needs you here."
"A Snezhnayan Diplomatic Mission is arriving soon to discuss cooperation projects between Snezhnaya and Fontaine."
"It's said that the Third Harbinger, who possesses power rivaling the gods, will also be present. Your presence will be required then."
"In short,"
Neuvillette saw Furina's face instantly fall, and his heart softened. He slowed his tone and comforted him: "Mr. King will return immediately after handling the affairs on Watatsumi Island. You should trust his sense of belonging to you... ahem, to Fontaine."
"But..." Furina still wanted to argue, but looking into Neuvillette's gentle yet unquestionable eyes, a sense of grievance welled up in his heart.
Mist instantly covered his heterochromatic eyes, and he pouted like a kitten locked inside and not allowed out.
"Ugh... Neuvillette, you're a bully..."
"I'm doing this for his own good..."
"What's so good about Inazuma? It's far and troublesome..."
"Watatsumi Island sounds very damp; it's definitely bad for the skin..."
He turned around and shuffled toward the office door, his ornate skirt seemingly losing its luster, his back a picture of dejection.
Neuvillette watched his back and sighed softly.
He picked up his quill again but paused before writing.
He looked out the window; the sky over Fontaine was as blue as if it had been washed.
He wondered if the sky over Watatsumi Island was just as clear right now?
Mr. King, it seems you'll have to speed up your work.
I hope you remember.
There is still a god in Fontaine waiting with bated breath for his Guardian to come home.
Of course, the Iudex would never say these words out loud.
He simply shook his head and continued to bury himself in the report on energy safety regulations.
Only the scratching of the nib across the paper seemed more urgent and faster than usual.
Hurry up and finish these matters.
Maybe I should write a letter to ask Mr. King when he's coming back...
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