"The heavenly principles cannot be opposed. That scene in The Prophecy… will surely happen."
Hearing this, Lumine was silent for a moment, then continued:
"But you still didn't choose to give up."
"Give up? Ah… what a beautiful word, meaning finally accepting fate, and thus… liberation."
"Fate is truly unreasonable and doesn't follow rules. Just the precursor of The Prophecy takes so many lives…"
"But just now, I understood. I still don't have the right to accept fate on behalf of the people."
"Before Seawater completely submerges Fontaine… it's not too late."
An unprecedented determination flowed in Furina's eyes.
She recalled a phrase Yuto often said.
"Some things are always above others."
Throughout these five hundred years, Furina had always placed "responsibility" before "her own life."
It's no exaggeration to say that if her death could directly resolve The Prophecy, she would commit suicide without hesitation to complete her final dance.
Looking at Furina, whose eyes were filled with determination, Lumine subtly frowned, as if she had encountered a difficult problem.
After a brief thought, Lumine slowly said:
"Furina, perhaps you can try to confide. Your people would be very willing to share these burdens with you."
To this, Furina merely shook her head gently.
"This is my duty, it always has been. Only I… can bear it."
Hearing this, Lumine seemed to recall the "characteristic" Zhongli had mentioned to her earlier, and after a soft sigh, she said:
"I am the 'Witness.' Just confide in me."
Lumine's words made Furina suddenly look up, a strange glint flashing in her beautiful heterochromatic eyes, then she fell into thought.
After a long while, Furina slowly raised her head, looking at Lumine in front of her, and gently asked:
"If everything in Teyvat is a play on a stage, then you are merely a 'Spectator' in the Opera House, right?"
Lumine nodded, not speaking, but the anxiety in her heart had reached its peak at this moment.
"Quick, speak… there's no more time, Furina!"
Furina, however, was caught in hesitation. She didn't know whether she should speak, or if she even could.
After a long silence, just as Furina was about to open her mouth to say something, their room vibrated again.
The next second, the surrounding walls slowly descended, and the appearance of the Opera House appeared before Furina's eyes.
"This is…"
Furina's eyes widened, as if she couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened.
"Everyone! My warm-up act is over. Next… we can begin the Judgment of God!"
Lyney's words made Furina connect all the previous events. At this moment… she understood everything.
But the deep disappointment hidden at the bottom of her heterochromatic eyes went unseen by anyone.
The young girl slightly raised her head, looking at Lyney in front of her and the audience below, and said loudly:
"I commend your efforts for 'drama.' "
"However, I am Focalors, the God of Justice, the embodiment of justice. Isn't it a bit too absurd for you to try to judge 'Justice itself'?"
Neuvillette, standing on the judgment seat, slowly closed his eyes upon hearing this.
If he could… he wouldn't want to go this far either.
He slowly exhaled, then continued to speak:
"Ms. Furina, I can interpret your words as a 'refusal to be judged,' correct?"
Furina didn't speak; she just quietly looked at Neuvillette, her heterochromatic eyes devoid of any emotion.
Sometimes… "calmness" is far more shocking than "disappointment."
Neuvillette naturally saw Furina's reaction, but he couldn't show any emotion now.
Because this was the Opera House where Judgment was being carried out, not Palais Mermonia.
He sighed softly, then continued:
"Then… you will have an opportunity to defend your honor through a Duel."
As soon as he finished speaking, Clorinde, her assigned Duel Proxy, slowly walked onto the stage with a longsword in hand, her purple eyes quietly fixed on Furina, without speaking.
"You… are you sure you want to Duel with God?"
No trace of fear showed in Furina's eyes. She simply stared directly at Clorinde, waiting for her response.
Clorinde merely slowly raised the sword in her hand, pointing its blade towards the young girl, without saying a word.
Seeing this, Furina nodded knowingly, then, under everyone's gaze… slowly raised her hands.
"What's going on?! Furina, she… she surrendered?!"
Paimon's surprised voice instantly echoed throughout the entire Opera House, and the audience below began to question in waves.
"What?! The Water God surrendered in a Duel with a person?"
"This is too disgraceful…"
To these comments, Furina merely shook her head gently, then spoke:
"It seems you've somewhat misunderstood me. Raising one's hands sometimes doesn't mean surrender…"
"This time, I raise my hands to signify that I am ready to 'face Judgment,' no Duel is needed."
"I admit, I have always been avoiding certain things."
"Hmph… but now, as the Water God, it's time to show courage and determination!"
"I, Furina, will interpret true 'justice' in this Judgment!"
"Cheer, applaud! In this Opera House, a wondrous development that people wouldn't even dare to fantasize about!"
"A rich and thrilling stroke on Fontaine's stage! The Judgment of Focalors, the God, is about to begin!"
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