Several days later, the emotional scars from the disaster and the joy of survival gradually subsided. Reconstruction efforts in the various cities were proceeding at full speed.
During this period, the Fontaine Research Institute unveiled a highly malleable material made from inexpensive resources that boasted exceptional performance in all metrics. This innovation greatly aided Fontaine's post-disaster reconstruction efforts, instantly earning widespread favor and dispelling any lingering concerns about the institute's recent division.
Amidst the homeland reconstruction, perhaps the most striking sight was the All-Devouring Narwhal diligently at work, its colossal body resembling a living mountain range.
After Neuvillette created a remote monitoring device using Hydro Element to constantly oversee the Narwhal's progress, the creature dared not slack off, working tirelessly each day.
The All-Devouring Narwhal couldn't help but despair at the thought of how this once-proud sovereign of the sea had been reduced to such a fate, with countless "tiny insects" flocking daily to gawk at it. It almost wished for death.
The Narwhal had considered resisting, but Neuvillette's Sovereign Dragon form possessed overwhelming power, having already touched upon higher realms of strength. The Narwhal stood no chance of victory.
In the end, the Narwhal came to its senses: finishing its work quickly and fleeing was the wisest course of action.
As for the opportunity to snitch on Neuvillette to its master, that could wait.
Channeling its grief and rage into sheer force, the All-Devouring Narwhal began constructing infrastructure with a frenzy that left onlookers gasping in astonishment.
"Damn it," someone muttered, his face twisted with bitterness. "I can already hear my boss's next scolding: 'I'd be better off hiring a fish!'"
The surrounding crowd burst into laughter, the air thick with merriment.
Just then, someone raised a fist and shouted:
"Anyone want to join me in spitting on the Cult Leader?"
"Me!" "Me!" "Count me in!"
A massive crowd quickly rallied, and the mob, brimming with righteous anger, stormed toward Fontaine's new landmark attraction: the Water of No. 5.
Despite being called an attraction, the entire site consisted of a single display platform topped with a glass tank.
Inside the tank lay the dissolved remains of Amos, the Cult Leader of No. 6. Of course, the public later learned of his other identity: No. 5.
Before the display stand stood a massive signboard, larger than the entire attraction itself, covered with a litany of Amos's heinous crimes.
Each individual crime listed would have been enough to warrant multiple death sentences.
"Pah!"
Passersby invariably left their mark on the site, forcing the cleaning crew to scrub the area every hour. The worker was so exhausted that his gaze at passersby now held murderous intent.
Though the intimidating display deterred some, most visitors continued to come in droves, some even forming groups for multiple daily visits.
As this latest group arrived, they immediately launched another barrage of spittle. A young man stood out, spitting with particular fervor.
His saliva didn't just fly—it formed a drawing on the ground: a perfectly rendered middle finger.
The ferocious display left his companions stunned, and they quickly turned to him with questions.
"Young man, it seems you have a blood feud with Amos, the Cult Leader of No. 6."
"Oh, not really," he replied. "I'm just spitting for hire. I took a few orders earlier."
"..."
Hearing this, those who hadn't been stunned before were now utterly dumbfounded.
Good heavens! They'd even found a business opportunity in this whole affair!
Just as the crowd was snapping out of their daze, rubbing their hands together and preparing to mimic this venture, a report written and formatted by The Steam Bird was published, immediately causing a massive sensation throughout Fontaine.
The report detailed the entire incident from beginning to end, clarifying several public misconceptions.
After reading the newspaper with a desire to understand the truth, all of Fontaine erupted in an uproar.
Originally, everyone had believed that Hydro Archon Focalors had thwarted Dark Furina's conspiracy at the critical moment, saving Fontaine.
Now, however, they learned the truth: Dark Furina had sacrificed herself, deliberately allowing Focalors to misunderstand her and willingly accepting the "Judgment" Focalors had originally prepared for herself.
What nobility of character! What profound understanding of the greater good!
As the shock subsided, immense grief and admiration surged through the hearts of the Fontainians.
At that moment, the Fontaine authorities, under Neuvillette's personal signature, issued a decree establishing the day of Dark Furina's death as an annual national holiday for mourning, expressing the nation's gratitude to her.
In addition to the official decree, Neuvillette issued another proclamation...
Meanwhile, in a cemetery filled with tombstones, Furina stood before a newly erected tombstone. Carved into the stone was a brief biography of Dark Furina, but the space for her name remained blank.
Should I carve the name she used while impersonating Focalors?
But the name Focalors already belongs to its rightful owner; using it would be inappropriate.
Moreover, there was nothing buried beneath the tombstone—not even a symbolic object. Furina realized with shock that Dark Furina had left nothing behind, as if she had never existed in this world.
Yet every living Fontainian owed their salvation to her. That much was undeniable.
After pondering for a long time, Furina finally channeled Anemo Elemental Power and carved "Tomb of Furina's Sister" into the blank space.
As she completed the inscription, Furina felt a great weight lift from her heart.
So, she had finally acknowledged their fabricated bond. She would let this inscription serve as the only trace of Dark Furina's existence in this world.
As Furina set down the flowers and prepared to leave, she unexpectedly encountered a peculiar Clockwork Meka.
Its strangeness didn't lie in its appearance, but rather in its presence in this location, far from its designated patrol route. Moreover, its approach was unmistakably deliberate, as if it had been sent specifically to intercept her.
Having weathered countless trials, Furina immediately grew wary. Sure enough, the Clockwork Meka attacked her the very next moment.
Furina effortlessly evaded its initial assault, but the relentless Meka pressed its pursuit without relent.
Remaining composed, Furina first scanned her surroundings to ensure no innocent bystanders would be caught in the crossfire. With no civilians in sight, she confidently retaliated.
Though this Clockwork Meka was of the latest generation, Furina refused to believe she couldn't handle even a single one. Failing to do so would bring shame upon the Dual-Element Family.
Finally, Furina seized an opportunity to strike directly at the Clockwork Meka's core. However, a sudden surge of water erupted before her, causing her to freeze in surprise and hastily retreat.
The final strike failed, but that wasn't as shocking to Furina as seeing the Clockwork Meka control Hydro Elemental Power.
When did Fontaine's Clockwork Mekas advance to a new generation?
I could understand the previous models, but now they can even use Elemental Power?
Wait, thinking about it carefully, the Meka's movements were clumsy, yet its control over Elemental Power was so skilled... it's almost like someone is controlling it manually.
Suddenly, Furina realized something and called out:
"Focalors, could that be you?"
"Oh my, you caught on so quickly! Furina's intuition is truly remarkable."
Focalors, who had only intended to tease Furina, immediately confessed and approached her.
"This is a temporary body I'm possessing. Monsieur Rene is currently developing a vessel capable of housing my soul. It will take some time before we can meet in person."
Hearing Focalors' explanation, Furina surmised that she must have grown impatient with the solitude and couldn't bear to wait even a few more days.
With a glare, Furina snapped:
"So, you came here specifically to make trouble for me?"
"No, I just came to see her and ran into you by accident. That's why I decided to play a little joke on you."
The Clockwork Meka controlled by Focalors cracked its mouth slightly, then made an utterly bizarre expression, seemingly trying to smile, but it was too abstract to tell.
"Hmph, that joke wasn't funny at all."
Furina crossed her arms, displeasure evident. However, hearing that Focalors had come to visit Dark Furina, she couldn't bring herself to say more.
"Fine, go ahead. But just so you know, there's nothing down there. It's just a memorial."
"Yes, I know," Focalors replied, then approached Dark Furina's tombstone and laid down a bouquet of fresh flowers she had somehow procured.
"Thank you for giving me the chance to continue living," Focalors said solemnly. "I will cherish this hard-won life."
After solemnly speaking these words to the tombstone, Focalors noticed the inscription and glanced at Furina. But Furina was pretending to admire the distant scenery, completely ignoring Focalors' actions.
Focalors couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, remarking to herself that Furina's tsundere behavior was exactly like hers.
"Furina, thank you for erecting this tombstone for her. It ensures she leaves at least a trace in this world. This should have been my responsibility."
"No need," Furina waved her hand dismissively, finally turning around. "It was just a small thing."
"I always have others handle these tasks for me. I just pay them. Don't worry about it too much."
Furina paused, then continued, "Besides, it would feel really strange to thank myself."
Hearing Furina's words, Focalors chuckled softly. "Heh heh heh... Even though you're my human form, that was five hundred years ago. Now you are simply Furina. There's only one Furina in this world, and no one can take your place."
Furina nodded in agreement. Indeed, while their thought processes were similar, their personalities and habits were completely different.
Furina quickly accepted this fact and asked Focalors with genuine concern, "Are you alright in this state?"
"There might be some minor side effects," Focalors replied gently. "After all, a Clockwork Meka isn't exactly an ideal vessel for storing a soul."
Suddenly, something occurred to Focalors, and a wave of surprise surged through her. She hurriedly said to Furina,
"Furina, I recall you saying that Miss Emily ultimately transferred her consciousness into her Vision before completing her final conversation with you, right?"
Seeing Furina nod, Focalors' heart quickened slightly, and she immediately spoke up.
"In that case, that Vision must have been modified to the point where it can store consciousness!"
"You're right! How could I not have realized that sooner?"
"Speaking of which, with Miss Emily's abilities, could she have even foreseen this?"
Upon hearing Focalors' words, Furina froze, then stammered, "Surely... surely she wouldn't have foreseen something so absurd?"
"Then... may I borrow your Anemo Vision for a moment?"
"No!"
Furina's stutter vanished at Focalors' words, her tone firm and resolute.
"This is the last gift Emily gave me. I swore I would never give it to anyone else!"
"If you really need to use it, I can lend you my body temporarily. But you absolutely must keep your word and return it!"
Hearing Furina's words, Focalors was speechless. She couldn't believe the woman would entrust her entire body, yet refuse to let her borrow a Vision for a mere moment.
"It seems Miss Emily couldn't have foreseen this..." Focalors murmured under her breath.
Just then, a Maison Gardiennage officer came hurrying toward them from afar. His eyes lit up the moment he spotted Furina, and he quickened his pace.
"Lady Furina, this is urgent! Monsieur Neuvillette is about to resume the previous Judgment!"
Furina and Focalors froze in shock.
"Wait, what's Neuvillette up to now? Wasn't the matter settled last time?" Furina demanded.
"Lady Furina, Monsieur Neuvillette says the previous Judgment was interrupted by unforeseen circumstances. Now that Fontaine has returned to some semblance of order, he must fulfill his promise to the people."
"To hold himself accountable for the innocent lives lost..."
"Enough! I'm going there immediately!" Furina cut him off halfway through his explanation and rushed toward the Opera Epiclese.
Seeing the pair depart, Focalors hurried after them, inwardly grumbling, "If I'd known this would happen, I would have stayed with the Clockwork Meka a little longer. Now I have to make another trip."
By the time Furina and Focalors finally arrived at the Opera Epiclese, the Judgment had already concluded.
When Neuvillette saw them, his expression remained remarkably calm, despite being handcuffed.
"I've been sentenced to a month in prison. During this time, please take care of Fontaine."
Upon hearing this, Furina and Focalors were completely stunned.
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Neuvillette couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
Hah! You think you can just dump all the work on me? Not a chance!
Enjoy working your tails off for a month, you two slacking Hydro Archons!
If anyone could have glimpsed Neuvillette's inner thoughts at that moment, they would have sensed the overwhelming resentment threatening to burst forth...