Although she was only the second-generation Hydro Archon who inherited the position of Lord of Hydro and the god's authority of Egeria, the god's authority contained Egeria's entrusted will and a wealth of information.

The moment she inherited the god's authority, she immediately created the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale and found the newly born second-generation Hydro Dragon Sovereign, Neuvillette, devising a series of plans thereafter.

She awaited the day, five hundred years later, when the people would discover that her persona, Furina, was not a true god and subject her to judgment. During the trial, she would completely ignite the immense faith energy gathered within the Oratrice.

With a single blow, she would shatter the divine throne bestowed by Celestia to the Hydro Archon, releasing a portion of the water elemental authority confined within it, allowing the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, Neuvillette, to become a complete dragon.

By harnessing the full power of the ancient dragons, she could utilize the primal power of the Primordial Sea to create life—an ability belonging to the ancient Hydro Dragon Sovereign—and thereby allow the incomplete people of Fontaine to become true "humans."

Whether it was shattering the authority to return the ancient dragons' power or transforming the Fontainians into true humans—

It was all an act of usurping the authority of Celestia.

Previously, she had only dared to entertain such notions because she knew that Phanes had fallen into slumber. But now, she didn't dare even harbor a single thought.

As Focalors indulged in wild thoughts, Noah's voice rang out.

"Stop daydreaming, Focalors. I am not Phanes, but I equally abhor betrayal. As long as you fulfill your duties, I will not withhold rewards."

Focalors instantly snapped back to reality, drenched in cold sweat, and bowed her head: "Yes."

The Heavenly Principle still had the ability to read the hearts of the Seven Archons.

At the same time, she breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Heavenly Principle was not Phanes and she had no thoughts of betraying the Heavenly Principle, she would be safe.

Neuvillette was equally shocked but soon calmed himself. Such a powerful new throne—being able to read the minds of a Dragon Sovereign was not impossible.

Focalors raised her head and looked again at Furina, whom the Heavenly Principle had released from the sack.

Seeing her tear-streaked face, which was identical to her own, Focalors could tell how frightened she was by the Heavenly Principle.

She must have heard the conversation just now.

The Heavenly Principle bringing Furina here to meet her surely had some advantage for the plan as well.

Focalors looked apologetically at her own persona: "I suppose I should say long time no see, Furina."

Furina's nose twitched slightly, and her heterochromatic eyes widened as she looked around. "The me in the mirror! T-this… What on earth is going on?"

Although she had heard the conversation, she still looked utterly confused. However, she knew she hadn't been kidnapped and turned to look at the unusually unique young man beside her, who was about her age and appearance. Fearfully, she shrank her neck.

The one who had kidnapped her turned out to be the Heavenly Principle of Celestia… so, so terrifying.

Focalors walked to Furina, extended a hand, and tapped her forehead with her finger: "I can only say I'm sorry. I've let you bear so much without knowing anything."

Furina stared blankly at the reflection of herself in the mirror, her mind frozen. A torrent of information flooded her brain.

The Plan to Deceive Celestia, the Plan to Shatter the Divine Throne, the Arrival of the New Heavenly Principle, the Plan to Devour Worlds.

The information came quickly, and she processed it just as fast. Furina came to her senses, unsure whether to cry or laugh, water elements welling in her eyes. Even though she didn't make a sound, tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

"Ah, so… so that's how it is… It's fine now, really, it's fine…"

"Eh, I'm obviously happy, so why… why are there so many water elements in my eyes…"

The moment her heart, which had been strained every second of the past five hundred years, finally relaxed, emotions of grievance, a desire to be understood, and the need for someone to listen completely overwhelmed her like a flood.

Furina wiped her tears with her sleeve as she explained: "D-don't misunderstand! I-I'm not crying, okay? I'm not crying!"

Focalors slowly embraced Furina. Furina was her persona, and as the other half of the god's authority, she completely empathized with her feelings.

"I understand, Furina. You don't need to explain—I understand everything."

Furina pressed her lips together, tears continuously sliding down her cheeks, though she didn't make a single sound.

For five hundred years, every day, every night, every second, it had been so exhausting—truly exhausting.

She was afraid that if she relaxed for even a moment, she would expose a flaw. Even sleeping was terrifying, and she would often stay awake out of fear.

Before going to sleep, she would check every window and every crack, afraid that someone with malicious intent might capture something.

Although no one dared to desecrate a god, what if such a person truly existed?

For five hundred years, she had tirelessly played the role of a god, never once letting down her guard…

She was so tired, so desperate to share the burdens of her heart with someone.

She wanted so badly for someone to understand her.

And now, it was finally fine—the truth was revealed.

It turned out that everything had changed. The fate of the people of Fontaine had changed as well.

She no longer had to pretend to be a god.

Noah sat on the Hydro Archon's throne, which was located at the highest point of the Palais Mermonia. It was also the residence of the Hydro Archon.

The space was vast, with transparent glass walls offering a panoramic view of the entire Court of Fontaine.

He knocked on the table and said, "Alright, alright. Now that Furina understands as well, let's properly discuss the details of the next strategy for conquering the Akame ga Kill world."

Hearing the command from the Heavenly Principle, Furina hurriedly wiped away the tears still streaming from her eyes.

Focalors and Neuvillette both sat in their chairs, listening attentively.

Istaroth, as if it were the most natural thing, used Furina's cup to make herself a coffee.

Just as Noah was about to take a sip to wet his throat, he glanced outside the window.

"Barbatos, what are you doing sneaking around and hesitating out there?"

Focalors, Neuvillette, and Furina were stunned, and they instantly looked toward the window.

A breeze swept into the room, and the green-garbed bard, Barbatos, immediately appeared.

Although no sweat could be seen on Barbatos, his expression clearly showed that he was already metaphorically sweating bullets.

Barbatos looked like an employee nervously meeting a big boss alone: "Uh, Lord Heavenly Principle, even though I appeared in Fontaine, I have not neglected my duties!"

"Mondstadt currently enjoys favorable winds and rains, the ley lines are stable, and while Mondstadt's people are a bit lazy, there's absolutely no one engaging in serious wrongdoing. At most, there's just a bit of petty theft or mischief."

He had only wanted to chat with Focalors and plead with the Lord Heavenly Principle to include him in the plan to conquer the otherworld. He wanted to go see this otherworld himself.

But before he could even meet Focalors, the Lord Heavenly Principle had already noticed him.

A Anemo Archon like him suddenly showing up in the Hydro Archon's Fontaine—wouldn't that make the Lord Heavenly Principle think he was neglecting his duties?

Although the new Heavenly Principle was not as cold and heartless as Phanes, their rewards and punishments were still clear and decisive. He was definitely panicking right now…

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