A heads-up: today afternoon's two chapters will focus on Fufu's inner portrayal and mental changes before the Judgment.
The more she suffers now, the more relieved she will be when the truth is revealed.
(I want to see these people of Fontaine slap themselves in the middle of the night!)
Of course, as difficult as it is now, there will be happiness after the Judgment ends. As someone who writes sweet stories, I have to write these painful parts for the sake of the plot.
(You can tell from the Navia part that I'm not meant to write this kind of thing.)
In summary, tomorrow's update will be moved to 6 PM, starting with five chapters, from the beginning of the Judgment to the end of The Prophecy, all in one go.
(Someone spent three hours outlining, I won't say who.)
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Lumine and Paimon watched Furina walk out of Palais Mermonia unhurriedly, somewhat surprised.
Although Furina's back still appeared composed, from her somewhat flustered steps... Lumine could tell that her true state was not as good as she let on.
Paimon looked at the departing Furina, then at Neuvillette, who stood rooted to the spot, muttering softly:
"Ugh... it seems the talks broke down..."
Lumine, however, nodded, then led Paimon into Neuvillette's office.
—Regardless of whether the talks broke down or not... the outcome of the matter is paramount.
If the talks broke down but some crucial information was obtained, then the outcome is naturally good.
Even if no crucial information was obtained, there's no need to panic excessively; we can brainstorm and think of the next solution.
...
Looking at Neuvillette, whose expression was slightly heavy, Paimon asked with some concern:
"Neuvillette... are you alright?"
Neuvillette gently shook his head, then counter-questioned:
"You've been waiting outside the door for a while, haven't you?"
Paimon nodded, then spread her hands and said:
"Yeah, it's been a while, but Furina just zipped off, like she didn't have time for us."
After saying that, Paimon paused slightly, then opened her mouth and asked:
"So... did your talks break down?"
Neuvillette was startled at first, then gently nodded without speaking.
Neuvillette did not obtain any information related to The Prophecy; he didn't even finish asking his questions.
After all... there was still the matter of the Immortal Spirit in The Prophecy that hadn't been clarified.
From the perspective of obtaining information, his talks with Furina had completely broken down, because the last sentence she left completely cut off any possibility of further communication.
Similarly, from a relational standpoint... although Furina wouldn't directly flip the table, her relationship with him wouldn't be good afterward either.
It was a breakdown in every sense of the word.
Neuvillette himself was aware of this. After a brief thought, he spoke to the two people in front of him:
"She's still the same as before, choosing to avoid the crucial points in her plan. As for the contents of those three stone tablets... she claims to know nothing at all."
"Under these circumstances, the discussion did not progress smoothly..."
"Ugh... judging by Furina's attitude just now, it's probably going to be difficult to get any more information from her. So what do we do next?"
With that, Paimon looked at Neuvillette with expectant eyes, hoping that the Chief Justice could provide a solution.
Neuvillette naturally noticed Paimon's gaze and, after a brief thought, proposed his plan.
"From the negotiation process just now... Ms. Furina likely won't reveal anything unless absolutely forced."
"Since basic communication isn't making her speak..."
A strange look flashed in Neuvillette's gray eyes. He looked at the two people in front of him and slowly said:
"Then we'll probably have to create an environment where she has no choice but to speak."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon tilted their heads in confusion, seemingly not understanding what Neuvillette meant by "an environment where she has no choice but to speak."
"Hmm... how do we get Furina into that environment? And also, what kind of environment is it?"
Lumine also stroked her chin, deep in thought.
Based on her understanding of this world, besides Judgment... there really seemed to be no other environment where one absolutely had to speak.
Wait?
Judgment?
As if something clicked, Lumine looked up at Neuvillette in shock, her golden eyes showing a hint of inquiry, as if awaiting Neuvillette's answer.
Neuvillette, however, gently nodded, then said distractedly:
"In my memory, people only reveal the truth when facing Judgment. Perhaps only in such a scenario... can we obtain more information."
"Ugh! Neuvillette! Are you really not joking?! We're going to—"
Paimon exclaimed loudly in surprise.
For her... this content was truly a bit beyond her comprehension.
She always felt that she and Lumine had to encounter some rather incredible things with the God of each nation they visited.
In Mondstadt, they watched the Wind God have his god's heart taken right before them.
In Ritou, they personally "sent off" Rex Lapis.
In Inazuma, they fought the Raiden Shogun.
In Sumeru, they liberated the Lesser Lord Kusanali.
And this time... they were actually going to judge a God?!
"Judging the God of justice in the nation of justice... Ugh... I still think it's so absurd..."
Paimon gently shook her head, as if somewhat at a loss regarding the current situation.
Lumine also nodded, then asked:
"The execution of Judgment requires a charge. What charge do you intend to use to place her in the accused's seat?"
"Also, if she has already made preparations... what should we do?"
Hearing this, Neuvillette nodded slightly.
The questions Lumine just raised were also what he had been pondering ever since Furina left.
And now... he had an answer.
"During the questioning process just now... I found that Ms. Furina chose to quibble on certain points."
"You've just arrived in Fontaine, so you might not know about the previous Water God, Egeria."
"According to the ancient records of Palais Mermonia, the previous Water God was an extremely gentle God. Under normal circumstances..."
"If Egeria had committed some'sin' that led to The Prophecy, she would absolutely not have kept secrets from her successor."
"And just now, when I asked Ms. Furina if she knew the content engraved on the second stone tablet... she claimed to know nothing about it."
At this point, Neuvillette paused slightly, then shook his head before speaking:
"Just this alone... is enough to cast suspicion on Furina's identity."
"Uh... wait, I'm a bit confused..."
Paimon held her little head, feeling a bit dizzy for a moment, as if she didn't understand anything Neuvillette had just said.
"Neuvillette means... to judge Furina on the charge that she is not the Water God..."
Lumine first explained to Paimon somewhat vaguely, then sighed softly and asked:
"Isn't that a bit too cruel for her?"
Neuvillette did not speak, but turned to look out the window behind him, remaining silent for a while before finally saying:
"It is indeed somewhat cruel for her, but now all of Fontaine is in crisis. 'Information exclusive to a God' is too important, both for us and for the people of Fontaine."
"Facing the coming storm, no one can stand idly by."
"We... must take a risk."
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