Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
===BREAK===
After hearing Furina's request, Shao Yun was extremely surprised. What kind of nonsense is this? Isn't Clorinde enough already? Now she's dragging us into this too?
"What?"
Furina was just about to explain her reasoning when she noticed Clorinde standing behind Shao Yun, so she hurriedly explained herself to Clorinde first.
"Clorinde, I'm not saying you're inadequate. You're truly very dedicated, it's just that… I—I'm worried you might get hurt, so I wanted to find some additional help."
After hearing this, Clorinde showed great understanding. She nodded and replied gently, "It's all right, Lady Furina. I understand what you mean. There's no need to explain further."
However, after Furina said those words in such a casual tone, clear displeasure appeared on Shao Yun's face.
"So, what you're saying is that Clorinde can't get hurt, but if I die, that doesn't matter? Is that it?"
Seeing Shao Yun's reaction, Furina immediately realized she might have misspoken. She quickly tried to smooth things over with flattery.
"You're so strong—how could you possibly get hurt so easily? Let alone be in any real danger. Who would even believe that?"
Listening to Furina's exaggerated praise, Shao Yun felt both amused and helpless.
"Alright… you really think highly of me," Shao Yun remarked teasingly. "As expected of Fontaine's famous actress—truly a big star…"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Furina clasped her hands together and pleaded earnestly, "Please! No matter what kind of compensation you want, it's all negotiable! Please, join Clorinde and become my guards!"
Just as Furina finished voicing her request, Chevreuse—whose injuries had already healed and who had returned to the special operations unit—walked in with an inspection report in hand.
When she saw that, aside from Neuvillette, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon were also present in the office, she froze for a moment, confusion filling her mind. Why are these three here?
"Hmm?" Chevreuse let out a soft sound of surprise.
Noticing that Chevreuse's attention was focused entirely on him, Shao Yun quickly spoke up. "Please don't mind our presence. If there's something important, feel free to say it."
Chevreuse nodded lightly, then walked straight toward Neuvillette, giving both him and Furina a polite nod.
"Lord Neuvillette… and Lady Hydro Archon. After careful examination by the specialists on our team, regrettably, we were unable to uncover any valuable leads."
"This is the detailed inspection report. Please review it."
Hearing that no useful clues had been found, Neuvillette's expression immediately turned serious.
"I see."
When Furina heard that there were no leads, her heart sank. Did that mean the culprit might never be found?
"So, the trail just ends there? Didn't the nearby security mechanisms record any suspicious individuals either?"
Chevreuse shook her head apologetically and replied, "I'm very sorry, Lady Hydro Archon. We also investigated all nearby security mechanisms, but unfortunately, we found no valuable clues."
"We will consider increasing the number of security mechanisms and raising the security level around the Palais Mermonia."
Seeing that she had seemingly reached a dead end, Furina suddenly straightened up.
"So, this Dutch van der Linde is declaring war on this Hydro Archon, huh? Fine—then don't blame me for being merciless!"
Seeing the powerful aura Furina suddenly radiated, Paimon was taken aback. She whispered to Lumine, "Looks like Furina's getting serious. I'm actually kind of looking forward to what she'll do."
Clorinde, who overheard Paimon's muttering, nodded in agreement.
"This is the first time I've seen Lady Furina prepare to act personally. It seems this Dutch van der Linde has truly angered her."
Neuvillette stroked his chin and muttered thoughtfully, "Could it be that Furina is genuinely angry? That's fine… I'd like to see what she's capable of too."
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Furina walked up to Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon with exaggerated flair. Like she was conferring knighthood, she declared solemnly, "Now, I shall bestow upon you a glorious mission…"
"Mr. Shao Yun, Miss Lumine, and Miss Paimon—by the name of Furina de Fontaine, Hydro Archon—I grant you the title of my Lochknights! Will you help me apprehend the culprit who attacked the Palais Mermonia?"
Everyone thought she was about to do something big—but instead, she dropped something ridiculous. What on earth was she even saying?
Witnessing Furina's wildly imaginative performance, Paimon couldn't help but complain, "Huh? What is all this supposed to be? So she's just asking for help after all! I thought she'd grab a weapon and search all over Fontaine, then chop the culprit on the spot!"
Seeing Furina acting so far off-track, Neuvillette closed his eyes helplessly and muttered to himself, "What was I even thinking… how could she possibly handle these matters herself?"
Shao Yun, on the other hand, showed no mercy at all as he said bluntly, "This is the Palais Mermonia, not the Opera Epiclese. Furina, if you want to put on a show, don't disgust me by doing it here, alright?"
Paimon then started seriously thinking about what Furina had said earlier.
"Still, 'Lochknights'? Is this another honorary title, like Mondstadt's 'Honorary Knight'?"
Seeing that the three clearly knew nothing about the Lochknights, Furina decided to enlighten them.
"You've never heard of the Lochknights? Then let me properly tell you this story."
Just as Furina's impromptu history lesson was about to begin, Shao Yun waved his hand impatiently and cut her off.
"I'm not interested in whatever Lochknights you're talking about. Stop pushing your problems onto irrelevant people like us!"
Shao Yun's refusal shocked Furina deeply. She panicked and asked, "Then what about my safety? How am I supposed to deal with that?"
Shao Yun replied indifferently, "Why are you asking me? How would I know?"
Seeing Shao Yun and the others about to turn around and leave, Furina steeled herself and suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Lumine's waist from behind, shouting loudly, "No! You can't just leave like this!"
This move was actually very clever. Furina knew that as long as she could persuade Lumine, Shao Yun would naturally follow suit and agree to protect her.
Caught off guard by the sudden hug, Lumine was flustered. She struggled slightly and said helplessly, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"
Seeing Furina clinging on without regard for appearances, Neuvillette couldn't stand it anymore.
He changed the subject and said seriously, "I believe we have a more urgent issue that needs to be addressed first."
As he spoke, Neuvillette took out a diplomatic meeting request from his drawer—the one Arlecchino had submitted earlier that day.
"The Fatui Harbinger 'The Knave' has requested a diplomatic meeting. Lady Furina, how should we handle this?"
Upon hearing that, Furina thought there was no way a Fatui diplomatic request could even compare to her personal safety.
She first released Lumine, then, as usual, waved her hand casually and said, "Is that even a question? Same as always—just find an excuse and brush it off."
This time, Neuvillette did not nod. Instead, he explained, "If this were before, I would indeed have rejected it. But now…"
His gaze sharpened as he continued seriously, "Lady Furina, may I ask—can you provide me with a reasonable justification?"
Furina heard the doubt in Neuvillette's words, and her voice instantly rose an octave.
"Neuvillette, are you questioning me?"
Neuvillette picked up the threatening letter on the desk, glanced over its contents, and stated his reasoning.
"This 'Dutch' makes a fair point. Other than seeing you perform at the Opera Epiclese to placate the public and gather some hydrographic data, I truly have not seen you make any other concrete efforts."
When Neuvillette once again brought up her response to the prophecy crisis, Furina was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I…"
Neuvillette didn't give her much chance to speak and continued on his own.
"The letter says that what people need is not you telling jokes on stage, but tangible results—even something like reviving the plan to rebuild the City in the Sky, or constructing a new underwater city…"
Furina fell back on her usual routine. She looked confident on the surface, but her hands were tightly clenched as she said, "I've always been working hard to address the flooding crisis! I need you to trust me, Neuvillette!"
But this time, that tactic didn't work.
"Then please state clearly what efforts you have made. Otherwise, I can only proceed with a diplomatic meeting with Lady Arlecchino," Neuvillette said sternly.
Hearing that Neuvillette was prepared to meet with a Fatui Harbinger, Furina's eyes widened in shock.
"You'd rather believe a Fatui than believe me?" she said, pointing at her own face.
Neuvillette sighed helplessly. "I'm sorry, Lady Furina. I must be accountable to all the people of Fontaine."
Furina puffed out her cheeks angrily and huffed like a sulking child. "Fine! Go meet Arlecchino then—I'm leaving!"
She then turned around, waved her hand, and said, "Shao Yun, Clorinde, Lumine, Paimon—you're all coming with me. Let's go out and clear my head. I don't want to stay in the Palais Mermonia anymore!"
Seeing Furina about to leave the palace, Neuvillette quickly reminded her, "The suspect who attacked the Palais Mermonia—"
Before he could finish, Furina turned back and shot him a glare. "With Shao Yun here, who could possibly hurt me?!"
With that, she dragged Clorinde, Lumine, and Paimon along and left the office.
Neuvillette looked at Shao Yun, feeling like an old father sending his child out and entrusting her to a caretaker. "Mr. Shao Yun… I'm counting on you."
Still not understanding how he had somehow become Furina's babysitter, Shao Yun walked up to Neuvillette and asked seriously, "How did I get dragged into this? Why am I suddenly responsible for babysitting Furina?"
Neuvillette had no good answer. Furina had always been like this, and he had indulged her for years. As long as she didn't cause major trouble, he usually didn't lecture her.
But this time, for Fontaine's sake, he had to stand firm. Even so, he was genuinely worried about Furina's safety.
Faced with Shao Yun's dissatisfaction, Neuvillette could only say apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Shao Yun. Please take Furina out to relax for a while. During that time, all your expenses will be covered by the Palais Mermonia. Is that acceptable? Consider it a personal favor I owe you."
Hearing that Neuvillette owed him a favor, and seeing how earnestly he cared for Furina's well-being, Shao Yun fell silent for a moment before agreeing, offering a vivid comment.
"You're like Furina's father. She's basically your daughter."
Neuvillette neither confirmed nor denied it. He nodded, then added another request.
"While you're at it, please also let Arlecchino know that I agree to the diplomatic meeting. Thank you."
Shao Yun waved his hand helplessly, agreeing to it. After all, he had business with Arlecchino as well.
"Alright. Got it."
===BREAK===
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