Fontaine — Palais Mermonia.
"Lady Furina, 'outsider dragon' does indeed suit my identity better."
Neuvillette remained perfectly calm as he watched Furina laugh so hard she nearly choked.
Because to him… that nickname truly sounded more accurate.
"Well… you're not wrong."
Furina wiped at the corner of her eye, trying to regain her composure.
He was a dragon, after all.
Calling him an "outsider person" was technically less correct.
But even so… "outsider dragon" still sounded way too bizarre!
"What about those other two scenes?"
"Didn't you feel embarrassed at all?"
She leaned closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Traveler and Paimon's tiny panic-filled expressions in that recording…
Just imagining them again made her want to laugh.
"I can sense that the atmosphere is awkward," Neuvillette admitted plainly,
"but as the footage showed, understanding the feeling is… difficult."
Hearing this, Furina couldn't help feeling a spark of sympathy.
A being with overwhelming power,
yet terribly lacking in emotional intuition.
Though honestly…
that made him perfect for the role of Chief Justice.
Perhaps that's precisely why Focalors brought him to Fontaine in the first place.
"Oh, and one more thing~"
Furina tilted her head, blinking playfully:
"We've worked together for centuries.
Why have we never had any awkward moments?"
Neuvillette fell silent.
Lifting his cup slowly, he took a sip.
Inside his mind:
With someone as noisy and dramatic as you beside me… awkwardness is impossible.
If Zhongli were present, he would definitely nod in deep brotherhood.
Dealing with a whimsical god for centuries was a shared trauma.
✦ Supernal Chat Group ✦
Group Chat freezes + awkward emoji chaos incoming…
Barbara: So that's really how he interacts with others… huh…
Keqing: Second-hand embarrassment is real.
Kokomi: His conversation pacing… oh dear.
Nilou: After one sentence, I suddenly don't want to speak anymore…
Dvalin: "Outsider dragon"? Nice. I'll use that too.
Wriothesley: Yep. That's exactly his style.
Sigewinne: He doesn't interact with people much, only Lady Furina and Melusines…
Traveler: Before going to Fontaine… Paimon must learn social skills.
Paimon: EXCUSE ME?!
Furina: With me here, awkwardness is IMPOSSIBLE!
Neuvillette: I will… attempt to converse more deeply in the future.
Suddenly — a certain talkative Adeptus appeared.
Cloud Retainer: Come learn with this adeptus! I am most skilled at conversation!
Neuvillette: Then how should I start?
Everyone else: (bad feeling intensifies)
Cloud Retainer: Start with those closest to you!
Like… let me tell you about Ganyu when she was little—
Ganyu: MASTER. NO.
Cloud Retainer: Then… Shenhe!
Shenhe: Please don't.
Cloud Retainer: Hmph! If none of you appreciate this adeptus's teachings, then fine!
The "conversation expert" rage-quit.
Neuvillette: "..."
Then a new challenger arrived…
Cyno: Learn from me.
Jokes create joy and interaction.
Neuvillette: A demonstration, please.
Cyno:
If you fall down, the Water God will help you up,
because her name is Furina ("Fú ní nà" = Help you up).
Furina: …
Cyno:
Only one person can make Paimon fall to the ground.
It is Charlotte ("Xià luò dì" = Fall down scared).
Traveler: …
Paimon: …
Charlotte: …
Cyno: What? Not funny?
Entire Teyvat: …ice age
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia.
Furina shivered, hugging herself.
"Neuvillette, if you wish to learn… just learn from ME."
"No need to follow those two!
Or Fontaine will turn from a Nation of Water…
into a Nation of ICE!"
Neuvillette nodded solemnly.
Yes. Danger detected.
The livestream screen moved once more — and all eyes focused.
Back at the villa.
Arthur continued:
"What you've just seen was one trait."
"Now for the second part of his proper evaluation — Justice."
"For more than four hundred years,
with the sole exception of one special case involving Navia's father—
he has upheld justice without a single mistake."
"To ensure absolute neutrality,
he refuses all personal relationships and favors."
"He must remain incorruptible.
Therefore… he is the symbol of justice in Fontaine."
"And moreover… the loneliest soul in all of Fontaine."
Group Chat Reacts Again
Lynette: No wonder he always feels slightly distant…
Jean: A truly admirable devotion.
Alhaitham: Ideal for judiciary work indeed.
Sigewinne: He's been carrying the burden alone.
Yanfei: But law also requires humanity…
Clorinde: To this day, with him and the Oratrice together—
there has never been a wrong verdict.
Paimon: W-what's an Oratrice???
Furina: Come to Fontaine and experience it yourself~
Paimon: Uhh nope. Hard pass.
Neuvillette: I will continue to fulfill my duty.
Arthur leaned forward:
"I'll explain through a real legendary case."
Neuvillette stiffened where he sat.
Yes… it must be that case.
Four hundred years ago.
"The Chief Justice didn't come alone —
he brought with him a new people: Melusines."
"Born from Elynas —
though Elynas was a calamity like Durin…"
"Melusines were gentle,
and longed to live peacefully beside humans."
"With special abilities,
they joined the investigation bureau — the Tribunal of the Hunt."
Cute Melusine photos flashed on screen.
All soft hearts collectively melted.
"But the reality they faced was merciless."
"Fear and distrust of a foreign race."
"Rumors of collusion with the Chief Justice."
"Old nobles angry their power was being dismantled."
"And thus — both Neuvillette and the Melusines were rejected."
Chat:
Traveler: But they're SO cute!
Paimon: People shouldn't bully cuteness!!
Klee: Klee will protect Melusine sisters!
Alhaitham: Distrust of the unfamiliar is human nature.
Venti: Elynas is like Durin. Then… the fear is understandable.
Jean: Durin's attack nearly doomed Mondstadt.
Nilou: But how could such kind beings come from there…
Albedo: Something must have changed.
Wriothesley: They rejected not just Melusines — but Neuvillette himself.
Diluc: New power always threatens old structures.
Arthur continued:
"Even so, there were compassionate people."
"Like Captain Wriothesley —
who took in a Melusine named Carole and treated her like his own sister."
"Slowly… the people began to soften."
"But then—
a carefully-laid conspiracy descended."
The music darkened.
A collective chill ran through every watcher.
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