"Monsieur Neuvillette, preliminary estimates indicate over a thousand casualties from this incident..."
After entrusting the severely injured Tartaglia to the care of the arriving Melusine Doctor, Neuvillette ordered an investigation into the casualties.
Hearing the numbers, Neuvillette's heart grew heavy. The scale of the losses was unbearable, and the subsequent impact would be unimaginably vast.
"How could there be so many?" Furina asked, her voice trembling slightly. She had been recalled by Neuvillette mid-escape and now stood listening to the Melusine's report.
"Lady Furina, besides the Opera Epiclese, Primordial Sea Water suddenly surged in other parts of the island as well. Many people didn't have time to seek shelter and..." The Melusine choked back tears, unable to suppress her grief.
The Melusine beside her immediately added, "Moreover, large amounts of Primordial Sea Water have also surfaced in other regions of Fontaine. Several cities have suffered devastating losses."
"How could this happen..." Furina murmured, her voice strained. The people she had sworn to protect were dying in such numbers even before the Day of Prophecy arrived. If this was the case now, how many more innocent lives would be lost when the prophecy finally came to pass?
Was all this truly meaningful? Lady Focalors had promised her that as long as she played the role of the Hydro Archon perfectly, everyone would be saved!
Furina knew the demand was harsh, but she couldn't bear to see more people die.
"Immediately deploy rescue teams to those cities!"
"Lady Furina, some of those cities have declared their secession from Fontaine."
"So what? Saving lives comes first!"
"Do as Lady Furina says."
Furina spoke without hesitation, and Neuvillette had no objections. He nodded to a Maison Gardiennage officer, who promptly hurried away to relay the orders.
Reflecting on the casualties, Neuvillette sighed deeply, though he quickly regained his composure.
"Instruct Ms. Charlotte to promote the Primordial Sea Suppression Ray throughout Fontaine. She should have captured footage of it earlier."
Neuvillette recalled seeing Charlotte discreetly filming during his battle with the Giant Whale, rather than taking shelter.
"Then notify Wriothesley to further expand factory production and increase the output of Primordial Sea Suppression Ray devices. We must equip all of Fontaine as quickly as possible."
"And the Academy—ask them to prioritize upgrading the Primordial Sea Suppression Ray. It's our most crucial tool for addressing the Prophecy crisis."
"Given the urgency, please ask them to work overtime as much as possible. I'll authorize ten times their regular overtime pay."
Neuvillette never imagined he'd one day be begging people to work more. Just recently, he had confined those who revised the Fontaine Law to the Court of Justice for mandatory rest, citing "excessive workaholism causing public unrest."
He shook his head ruefully, acknowledging the fickleness of fate.
His gaze then shifted to Rene and Jacob standing beside him, a slight headache creeping in.
With today's monumental events, proceeding with their Judgment would be deeply inappropriate. It seemed their hearing would have to be postponed.
Moreover, their recent actions had certainly earned them considerable credit. Neuvillette's perception of them had softened significantly, suggesting their eventual sentencing would be more lenient.
"You two may return with the Maison Gardiennage officers for now. I'll come find you once I've handled this crisis."
Finally, Neuvillette announced the postponement of the Judgment to the two.
"Wait a moment, Monsieur Neuvillette," Rene suddenly interjected, raising his small, round hand.
"I request permission from Monsieur Neuvillette to participate in the further development and application of the Primordial Sea Suppression Ray."
Rene had previously been utterly despondent, even lacking any desire to survive. But after witnessing the recent events, a spark of hope rekindled within him.
Even if it meant embracing the Clockwork Technology he had once scorned, Rene no longer cared. As long as he could save more people, he would do anything.
Moreover, seeing how far technological advancement had progressed, Rene suddenly recognized science's potential. Perhaps science held the key to breaking the chains binding the people of Teyvat!
"Monsieur Neuvillette, Lady Furina, please hear me out. I have no objection to any judgment imposed upon me," Rene continued.
"But I beg you to grant me more time and approve my request. I am willing to dedicate my talents to the future of this world."
"Ah, me?"
Surprised that Rene would call on her, Furina paused for a moment before waving her hands dismissively.
"Just leave it to Neuvillette. I have no objections."
Rene was taken aback by Furina's nonchalant attitude, but quickly regained his composure, turning to Neuvillette with a slightly expectant gaze.
Neuvillette hesitated slightly upon hearing Rene's request.
He recognized Rene's exceptional talent. Having such a rare genius devote himself wholeheartedly to Fontaine's scientific research had long been his fervent desire.
However, due to past experiences, Neuvillette couldn't fully trust Rene. After all, he still didn't understand why Rene's plans and the mysterious organization's objectives were so strikingly similar, or whether there might be some connection between them.
But with the current crisis looming, Neuvillette weighed the situation carefully and ultimately agreed to Rene's request.
Seeing Neuvillette nod, a heavy weight lifted from Rene's heart.
"Thank you very much, Monsieur Neuvillette."
Rene then turned to Jacob and said,
"Jacob, I previously assured you that following my plan would save the world, but the final plan ultimately failed."
"Now the choice is back in your hands, and this time I can't guarantee anything. I don't know what decision you'll make now."
"Personally, I hope you can live a life of your own."
"Rene, there's no need to even consider it."
Jacob chuckled softly at Rene's words.
"I've said it before: I am your shadow. We will never be separated."
"If you ever need me in the future, please just have me do as I always have."
"Being able to help you is the sole purpose of my life."
"Very well, I understand your choice."
Rene nodded and then turned to Neuvillette.
"Monsieur Neuvillette, I know our past actions have implicated innocent people, but please believe in our resolve to save the world."
"Perhaps you can't trust us immediately, but we will prove the purity of our intentions through our actions and time."
Neuvillette nodded slowly.
"Monsieur Rene, thank you for contributing your efforts to Fontaine's future. Please accompany the Maison Gardiennage officers and depart for now. I will make further arrangements for you later."
Upon hearing Neuvillette's words, Rene followed the officers out.
"Neuvillette, what should we do next?"
Furina asked Neuvillette, feeling somewhat lost.
"With so many lives lost in Fontaine, their families must be struggling to accept this, grieving deeply..."
The thought brought a wave of sorrow to Furina's heart.
Neuvillette sighed softly.
"At this point, all we can do is try our best to soothe the public's emotions," he said.
"And provide material and financial assistance."
Faced with such a massive disaster, even he couldn't do much more. Neuvillette shook his head, then called Furina to return to Fontaine together.
He hadn't forgotten the crisis posed by Dark Furina. He couldn't let Furina travel alone, and he needed to get back to Fontaine quickly to obtain more detailed casualty reports for subsequent arrangements.
However, just as Neuvillette and Furina arrived back in Fontaine, something completely unexpected occurred.
Countless citizens had already surrounded Palais Mermonia. Maison Gardiennage officers, Special Task Force members, and Gardemeks stood at the ready, confronting the crowd.
Though none of them were armed, the scene made it clear the situation had escalated to unimaginable levels of severity.
What exactly has happened?
Furina's eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene.
"What's everyone doing gathered here?"
The commotion Furina made quickly drew the crowd's attention. When they spotted Furina and Neuvillette, they immediately erupted into cheers.
"Look, they're back!"
Before Furina could even react, she and Neuvillette were surrounded by the crowd.
"Lady Furina, Monsieur Neuvillette, please stay safe!"
Maison Gardiennage officers and Special Task Force members in the distance also noticed the pair's arrival. They anxiously tried to break through the crowd's blockade to reach them and provide protection, but their paths were completely blocked. All they could do was shout warnings from afar.
Neuvillette gazed sternly at the crowd and spoke slowly.
"If you have any grievances, you may voice them freely."
"If your demands are reasonable, I will do my best to fulfill them."
"However, please understand that your methods are unlawful. I urge you to cease these illegal actions immediately, or I will consider pursuing legal action against your violations."
As Neuvillette finished speaking, a commotion rippled through the crowd, but it quickly subsided. All eyes turned to Neuvillette and Furina, burning with anger.
"Enough, Neuvillette. Your threats hold no sway over us."
"Didn't you claim our actions violate Fontaine's laws?"
"From this moment on, we refuse to be governed by you. We will trust in our true Hydro Archon, Lady Focalors!"
Hearing this name, Neuvillette realized the situation was spiraling beyond his control.
"What nonsense are you spouting? I am the true Hydro Archon! That impostor is merely a counterfeit!"
Panic surged through Furina as she heard the crowd's voices. She forced herself to appear calm and declared, "If you're trying to joke with me, this joke has gone too far!"
To her surprise, her words only intensified the crowd's fury.
"Silence, you shameless usurper! You dare insult our Lady Focalors!"
"As Focalors's younger sister, driven by envy for the Divine Seat, you betrayed your own sister and conspired with Neuvillette to seize her position!"
"Now that your sister has returned after breaking the ancient seal, instead of reflecting on your crimes, you dare to claim she's an imposter!"
"Is this the behavior of a true sibling?! How could you betray the sister who cherished, loved, and indulged you?!"
"Look at your sister! She has publicly declared that if you simply acknowledge your wrongdoing, she will forgive your past transgressions!"
"In comparison, your actions are utterly shameless and despicable!"
Hearing these accusations, Furina was completely stunned. Rumors about her usurping Dark Furina's Divine Seat had only surfaced recently, yet within days, the rumors had already evolved into a completely new version?!
"Wait, why am I the younger sister?"
Neuvillette, who was about to interject, nearly lost his composure at Furina's bizarre question.
Is this really the time to be worrying about that?!
Neuvillette shook his head in exasperation. Can't she see how dire the situation is? Why is she still being so flippant?
He turned to the crowd and asked,
"You've all seen the latest broadcast, haven't you? Even after all the preparations we've made to counter the Day of Prophecy, you still refuse to believe that Lady Furina is the true Hydro Archon?"
Neuvillette was perplexed. Although suspicions about Furina's identity had surfaced before, the situation hadn't reached this critical point. Why had things escalated so drastically after their return from the Opera Epiclese?
His gaze swept across the crowd, searching for potential infiltrators.
"Of course we've seen it!"
"We witnessed firsthand how over a thousand casualties occurred at the Opera Epiclese alone, despite the protection of the great Lady Furina and Monsieur Neuvillette. The total number of casualties across all other cities is even more staggering!"
"Yet in the cities protected by Lady Focalors, not a single casualty occurred!"
"Facing such overwhelming evidence, do you still stubbornly insist on being the true Hydro Archon?!"
Hearing these words, both Neuvillette and Furina were utterly shocked. Furina even cried out in disbelief.
"No casualties whatsoever?!"
They couldn't understand how Dark Furina had managed it.
Although she possessed some Authority over Water, protecting even a few neighboring towns would have been impressive enough. Yet towns declaring their allegiance to Dark Furina stretched far and wide.
"Now it's clear who Fontaine's true Hydro Archon is!"
"You've deceived us for five hundred years, you shameless imposters!"