The audience in the livestream had already suspected that Furina was a fake Hydro Archon.
So when she admitted her identity, no one felt overly shocked or surprised.
Whether she was the real Hydro Archon or a fake didn't matter.
In the end, it all depended on the Reincarnator to turn the tide.
[Leaving Palais Mermonia.]
[Kael felt a relaxation unlike anything before.]
[Furina had agreed to his proposal, giving him full authority over the operation to eliminate the Primordial Seawater.]
[Since his own thoughts didn't conflict with Furina's, Kael had nothing left to worry about.]
["Everything is developing in a good direction."]
[Kael sighed.]
[In the blink of an eye, over five hundred years had passed.]
["Perhaps once the Primordial Seawater disappears and Fontaine overcomes the Prophecy of Destruction, you won't need to store so much power in the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."]
["By then..."]
The truth of the matter was indeed so.
Neuvillette, who was watching, stood up excitedly.
The man who never smiled now wore a look of triumphant joy.
"Hahaha, my deduction was indeed correct."
"The person Kael wants to find and protect is Focalors inside the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."
In Neuvillette's deduction, because of Furina's lie, Kael believed she had given her power to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. This caused her to become like an ordinary person, even greatly affecting her memories and personality.
So as long as the prophecy was ended, Furina wouldn't need to give her power to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, and she could restore her appearance as Focalors.
In the livestream.
Dvalin: "Mr. Kael can now go all out in dealing with the Primordial Seawater without any pressure."
Osial: "Heh, for Mr. Kael, the fake Hydro Archon's opinion was actually more stressful than the Primordial Seawater itself."
Kamisato Ayaka: "Although the Hydro Archon is fake, Mr. Kael's concern and protection are real. Sigh..."
Yoimiya: "Ayaka, let me say what you're thinking. I'm so jealous."
Kamisato Ayaka: "I really wish I had someone like Mr. Kael by my side."
Kamisato Ayato: "Ayaka, having your big brother is enough. We don't need any Reincarnator."
Alice: "Ayaka, if you want to win Kael over, I suggest you debut as an idol."
Enjou: "What did Mr. Kael mean by that last line? What 'by then'? What is he going to do by then?"
Paimon: "Once the prophecy ends, the Pope and the Hydro Archon will get married and have babies."
Furina: "Hey, Paimon, what are you saying? There are so many people here."
Lumine: "Heh, it's not hard to have kids. You two can do it right now. Give them to me to raise, and they'll call me mother. After all, with Furina's build, she'd starve trying to raise a child."
Kael: "Lumine, calm down. What kind of wild talk is that?"
Furina: "What do you mean I'd starve trying to raise a child?"
Clorinde: "..."
Navia: "Maybe... because she's small..."
Furina: "..."
Furina: "Lumine, you jerk, you're mocking me. It's not like you could feed a child either."
Ningguang: "Liyue has professional wet nurses. If you need one..."
Furina: "Hmph. Fontaine still has Clorinde."
Clorinde: "???"
[On top of a high-rise building near Palais Mermonia.]
[One of Arlecchino's subordinates was observing everything through a telescope.]
["Is that the Pope of the Court of Fontaine?"]
["He actually met with the Hydro Archon. There must be something going on."]
["I need to report everything tonight to Lady Arlecchino immediately."]
[As soon as the words left his mouth, he was about to put away the telescope and leave.]
[But he felt his body freeze. The image of Kael in the lens had become blurry.]
["What's going on?" The subordinate was bewildered.]
[Then, a low voice by his ear made him feel as if he had fallen into an abyss.]
["Is it possible that the telescope lens is blurry because you're too close to me?"]
[What?]
[The Fatui soldier's heart filled with terror.]
[The moment he lowered the telescope, he realized Kael was already standing before him.]
[No. To be precise, he didn't know when he had moved from high above to down below, now kneeling before Kael.]
["Go back and tell Arlecchino that I'll be waiting in my office. Have her come see me now."]
Yae Miko: "So domineering. I love it..."
Tartaglia: "Is Kael that ridiculous? That soldier was secretly observing him from a high-rise, yet he was discovered and instantly brought right in front of him."
Arlecchino: "That person was likely sent by me to monitor Furina. I remember in this life, Furina was so frightened she lost her appetite for cake and didn't sleep all night."
Collei: "In the previous life, Miss Furina had an excellent appetite and ate all the cake Mr. Kael sent."
Amber: "And she couldn't help but smile happily."
Pierro: "So, will Arlecchino go to see Mr. Kael?"
Alhaitham: "I believe she will. Didn't she have prior contact and cooperation with Mr. Kael?"
Enjou: "Heh, with the wisdom of a Fatui Harbinger, she couldn't be unaware of the stakes. She will definitely go."
Lumine: "If she doesn't obey, hang her up and beat her."
Lisa: "What's wrong with you, cutie Lumine? It feels like you've flipped some forbidden switch."
Nahida: "My dear Lumine, are you alright?"
Lumine: "I'm fine. I'm just returning to my true self."
Paimon: "Wow! Lumine, who has fused the seven elements, has she recovered her memories?"
Yoimiya: "Eh, Lumine with her memories back feels kind of scary."
[Late at night.]
[Someone gently knocked on the door of Kael's office.]
["Your Holiness."]
["Arlecchino has arrived with fresh tea leaves, saying she has important matters to discuss with you."]
[Aivelson's voice came from outside the door.]
["Let her in."]
["Yes, Your Holiness."]
[After receiving Kael's approval.]
[Aivelson opened the door.]
[Arlecchino walked into the room slowly, carrying a tea box in her hand.]
["Long time no see, dear Pope."]
[Kael subconsciously glanced at the tea box in Arlecchino's hand. It was indeed the variety he liked to drink.]
[Sensing Kael's gaze.]
[Arlecchino smiled.]
[She smiled very naturally, as if meeting an old acquaintance.]
["I still remember Your Holiness's taste preferences."]
[Arlecchino skillfully placed the tea box in the right spot.]
[She then sat on the sofa, crossing her long legs.]
["Your Holiness summoned me late at night. I wonder what business you have with me."]
Lyney: "Why does Father from the previous life seem so familiar with Mr. Kael?"
Lynette: "I have the same feeling."
Lisa: "Dear Fourth Fatui Harbinger, The Knave, please explain to everyone why you from the previous life knew Pope Kael, and clarify your underground lover relationship."
Arlecchino: "Hmph! The witch of Mondstadt really speaks without thinking."
Navia: "What a mess. Just how many young ladies in our Fontaine has Mr. Kael had affairs with?"
Kael: "What kind of talk is this? Your Honor Iudex Neuvillette, may I charge Navia with slander?"
Neuvillette: "Based on current evidence, the esteemed Reincarnator Mr. Kael, you indeed have unclear relationships with many young ladies."
Kael: "You don't understand. I am benevolent. I want world peace and love for all. I want to give every suffering person a happy home."
Furina: "Wow! I didn't know Kael could boast even more than me."
Navia: "Pfft, you made me laugh. You really are humorous, sir."
["You're asking when you already know the answer." Kael swept a cold gaze toward Arlecchino.]
[Arlecchino didn't mind. She simply spread her hands. "Well, it couldn't be helped, could it?"]
["I am truly grateful that Your Holiness acted on behalf of me, an orphan from the House of the Hearth, and helped me eliminate the previous Knave."]
["I returned this time only to complete the mission assigned by the Tsaritsa. As a Fontainian, I also want to find a way to deal with the approaching prophecy."]
["I believe Your Holiness knows better than anyone that in recent years, Fontaine's sea levels have been constantly rising."]
["Not long ago, there were even scenes of Primordial Seawater dissolving Fontainians."]
["Everything is gradually approaching the prophecy."]
[Arlecchino finished speaking.]
[She looked seriously at the indifferent Kael.]
["Even the children of the House of the Hearth want to give their all to stop the prophecy."]
["What is the Hydro Archon doing?"]
["Watching operas, watching trials, leisurely drinking tea and eating cake at Palais Mermonia."]
["As if none of this has anything to do with her."]
[As Arlecchino spoke, her tone grew much heavier than before.]
["You are not a Fontainian. The Primordial Seawater has no effect on you. With your abilities, you also have no need to fear the so-called prophecy crisis."]
["But for the people of Fontaine, the prophecy is a blade constantly hanging over their heads."]
["Once it happens, what will the people of Fontaine do?"]
["The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya promised me that as long as I obtain the Gnosis, I can first use the Hydro Archon's Gnosis to combat this prophecy and save Fontaine."]
[Arlecchino did not hide her purpose for this trip from Kael.]
[In her view, with Kael's centuries of foundation, it was impossible for him to be unaware of the Fatui's objectives.]
[Furthermore, the gods themselves didn't seem to care much about the Gnosis.]
[Generally, as long as the attitude wasn't too poor, they would give the Tsaritsa face.]
[It was like a tacit understanding between the gods.]
["Moreover, through my probing tonight, things have become even more interesting."]
[Arlecchino wore a hint of amusement.]
["Furina's behavior was completely unlike that of a god..."]
["She doesn't have the Gnosis on her at all."]
["Even when I appeared, just a feint was enough to scare her legs soft, sitting on the ground begging for help. That pathetic appearance was worse than an ordinary person's."]
["Moreover, I sensed a certain cursed power from her. Your Holiness, with your level, it should be impossible not to sense this strange power."]
[Seeing that Kael remained silent, Arlecchino stood up and walked straight to the desk.]
[Slap!]
[Her hands lightly slapped onto the desktop.]
["Then can you give me an explanation?"]
["What exactly is going on with Furina?"]
["She has no Gnosis and carries a curse, yet she became the Hydro Archon of Fontaine in name."]
["As the highest agent representing divine authority, shouldn't you explain this issue?"]
["Or is it..."]
["All of this was your idea to begin with. Fontaine no longer has a Hydro Archon. To maintain divine authority, you pushed Furina, your pet, before the people to act as the Hydro Archon."]
[Facing Arlecchino's interrogation.]
[A fierce light suddenly flashed in Kael's eyes.]
[In the next second, he grabbed Arlecchino by the neck and lifted her entire body into the air.]
["Have your wings hardened after becoming a Harbinger?"]
["Back then, I helped you because I saw you arguing with the previous Knave for the sake of the other orphans in the House of the Hearth."]
["And now you turn around and doubt the Hydro Archon's identity?"]
["Arlecchino, who gave you the guts?"]
[Ugh!]
[Arlecchino struggled to break free from Kael's grip.]
[The feeling of suffocation made her dangling legs kick continuously.]
[Her heart was filled with terror.]
[She hadn't expected Kael's reaction to be so intense.]
["You..."]
["You can't do this to me."]
[Arlecchino spoke with difficulty. "If you kill me, the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya..."]
["The Tsaritsa?" Kael sneered. "You're just a Harbinger. You're not the first one I've killed."]
[That's right. The previous Knave was killed by Kael.]
[Arlecchino panicked completely.]
[Her face flushed red from holding her breath. "But, but Furina she..."]
["All the signs really don't point to her being a god..."]
[Thud.]
[Arlecchino collapsed onto the ground, gasping for fresh air in large mouthfuls.]
["Arlecchino, I understand your concern for Fontaine." Kael let out a long breath.]
["But I hope you also understand that the Hydro Archon is not what you imagine."]
["No matter how strong our abilities are, we are ultimately just ordinary people."]
["As the Pope, even after a hundred years, I have failed to glimpse the true meaning of godhood."]
["Some matters are naturally arranged by the gods themselves."]
[Arlecchino slowly stood up.]
[Regulating her breathing.]
["You really are ruthless. You almost strangled me to death."]
["This extreme behavior is like silencing someone after they've exposed your true face."]
[Kael rolled his eyes and smiled. "Are you saying I should have killed you instead of sparing your life?"]
[Arlecchino: "..."]
["Furthermore, as you said, even if I truly were doing this for divine authority, when Fontaine's prophecy truly arrives and Fontaine is destroyed, I should be the one hurting more than any of you."]
[Arlecchino was speechless.]
[Thinking about it, that seemed to be true. If Fontaine were truly destroyed, the power Kael had accumulated over a century would be destroyed in an instant.]
["Put away your presumption toward the Hydro Archon."]
["You need not worry about the prophecy. I guarantee you in the name of the Pope of Fontaine."]
["The people of Fontaine will absolutely not dissolve in the sea, and the prophecy will not come to pass."]
Arlecchino: "Pure revenge. Mr. Kael is truly a wife-protecting maniac."
Tartaglia: "Is it because you frightened Furina, so he found a reason to almost strangle you to death?"
Lyney: "You scared me. I thought Mr. Kael was going to kill Father."
Kujou Sara: "I had a premonition that Mr. Kael wouldn't kill The Knave. Mr. Kael said he valued how The Knave acted for the other orphans against the previous Knave. He must think highly of her."
Lumine: "Ahhhh, suddenly I'm so jealous of Furina."
Paimon: "Yeah, I remember in this life when Arlecchino came to question Furina, Furina was like a frightened child. She didn't know anything, sitting on the sofa as if on pins and needles. When asked about countermeasures, Furina got so scared her shoulders slumped, and she didn't even dare look up at The Knave."
Amber: "Poor Miss Furina."
Yae Miko: "She was tough in the previous life. She just has good fortune. So what if she's a fake Hydro Archon? Being loved is like having a mountain to lean on."
Arlecchino: "I'm quite puzzled. With Mr. Kael's strength, could he really not tell Furina was lying in the previous life?"
Lumine: "Hey, this time it was his turn to be lovesick."