Chapter 457: Chiori Overthinks Everything

Chapter 457: Chapter 457: Chiori Overthinks Everything

Now that she knew the whole truth and no longer feared the prophecy, Furina’s daily routine had changed dramatically.

Countless guests who had booked tea parties with the Hydro Archon kept having their appointments postponed.

As a result, the Palais Mermonia received a flood of complaints.

The complaints weren’t directed at Furina herself.

They were directed at the Palais Mermonia.

After all, no one in Fontaine blamed the Hydro Archon. She was still the nation’s brightest star.

But recently, Furina had stopped watching plays.

She had even stopped attending trials, something she had never missed before.

Such a drastic change threw Fontaine into unease.

After all, Furina was the Archon of an entire nation.

Every word and action she took could affect Fontaine.

A habit she had maintained for five hundred years had suddenly disappeared overnight.

Naturally, people became suspicious.

Some even started rumors that the Hydro Archon was terminally ill.

Fortunately, very few people believed that.

Because although Furina rarely left the Palais anymore...

Focalors was constantly out and about.

"What are you doing? Can’t I just stay in my room for once?"

Furina protested as Focalors dragged her out the door.

"You haven’t gone outside in ages. You should at least take a walk."

"But aren’t you outside every day?"

Furina dragged her feet unwillingly.

"That’s exactly the problem!"

Focalors sighed.

"Because I’m out every day, everyone’s getting suspicious. Our personalities are completely different."

The once theatrical and flamboyant Furina had suddenly become graceful and elegant.

Anyone would think something was wrong.

So they might as well use this opportunity to tell Fontaine the truth.

There were two Hydro Archons.

"That sounds way too troublesome. Why not just say the Hydro Archon split her consciousness, and that’s why her personality changed?"

Inside the Palais Mermonia, the staff were already used to seeing two Furinas from time to time.

But once they stepped outside...

Two identical Furinas walking side by side became an unforgettable sight.

The people of Fontaine stared blankly as one Furina pulled the other along through the streets.

Even a pink-haired reporter who had come specifically to investigate Furina’s recent personality change instinctively raised her camera.

Click.

The photo was taken.

Barring any surprises...

Tomorrow’s front-page headline had just been decided.

Passing through the bustling streets, Focalors led Furina to a boutique.

"Chiori Boutique?"

Furina looked at the storefront in confusion.

"Why bring me here? I have plenty of clothes already."

Focalors rolled her eyes.

"I’m not buying clothes for you."

"I’m buying clothes for myself. I’ve worn the same outfit for five hundred years."

Back when she only existed as a consciousness, she never cared.

But now she had a physical body.

She couldn’t possibly spend the rest of her life wearing just one outfit.

Inside Chiori Boutique, the owner watched the customer sitting on her sofa with extreme vigilance.

"Sir... you’ve been sitting here for half an hour."

"Are you planning to buy something?"

If it had been anyone else, she would’ve suspected they were loitering.

But because it was this man...

She didn’t need to suspect anything.

He was absolutely here to cause trouble.

A Fatui Harbinger.

One of the highest-ranked ones.

"I’m waiting for someone."

The boutique’s clothing was certainly fashionable.

But compared to fabrics from beyond Teyvat...

The materials here simply couldn’t compete.

A difference in civilization couldn’t be overcome through craftsmanship alone.

"This isn’t a café."

Chiori looked increasingly nervous.

"Even if you’re waiting for someone... do you have to look so intimidating?"

He was merely sitting there quietly.

Yet the pressure filling the room was overwhelming.

As expected of a Fatui Harbinger.

And one ranked even higher than Arlecchino.

Su Ran had absolutely no idea what Chiori was imagining.

The so-called "intimidating expression"...

Was just him spacing out.

As for the pressure?

That was probably just her imagination running wild.

"How about I smile?"

Su Ran joked.

"N-No need! Please don’t force yourself."

Chiori hurriedly stopped him.

Making the Genius smile for her?

Was she tired of living?

She was convinced Fontaine’s laws couldn’t possibly restrain this Harbinger anymore.

"It’s not forcing myself."

Su Ran gave her a gentle smile.

A handsome face paired with a warm smile would normally make countless girls swoon.

Unfortunately...

Chiori wasn’t one of them.

Her heartbeat skipped for an entirely different reason.

Not because he was handsome.

Because she was terrified.

She knew exactly what the Genius had done in Inazuma.

Even the Raiden Shogun couldn’t stop him.

What chance did she have?

Should she call Chevreuse?

Without a god present...

Who could oppose this man?

Chiori had mentally prepared herself to never see tomorrow’s sunrise.

"Seeing someone from Inazuma living such a good life in a foreign country..."

Su Ran suddenly spoke.

"That makes me feel relieved for the Raiden Shogun."

"You’ve probably run into quite a few difficulties living so far from home."

He seemed to realize Chiori had thoroughly overthought everything.

Unable to resist, he decided to tease her a little.

"The Fatui also offer... noise-cleaning services."

"If you’re interested."

"...Thank you."

Suppressing every ounce of resistance in her heart, Chiori thanked him.

Because she didn’t dare refuse.

She understood exactly what "noise-cleaning" meant.

But she definitely didn’t want to make that kind of deal.

She was a law-abiding citizen of Fontaine.

She didn’t do illegal work.

"Speaking of which..."

"Right now Inazuma’s business prospects are clearly better than Fontaine’s."

"Have you considered moving Chiori Boutique back there?"

Ever since interstellar trade began, Inazuma’s economy had taken off.

Merchants poured into the country.

Combined with Ningguang’s promotion campaign...

Liyue, Snezhnaya, and Inazuma now looked poised to leave the other nations behind.

Just a few months earlier, Inazuma had still been under the Sakoku Decree.

The transformation was astonishing.

"W-Well..."

Chiori hesitated.

"I’ve lived in Fontaine for years. I’m used to it here."

"And moving all the way back would be such a hassle."

She couldn’t help suspecting there was some hidden scheme behind Su Ran’s suggestion.

After all...

She had absolutely no trust in the Fatui.

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