No one took the newcomer's arrogance to heart. After all, almost everyone in the group had gone through a similar "grand entrance" phase when they first arrived.
Rather than being offended by her "mesugaki-esque" attitude, they were more curious about her identity.
[Madoka Kaname: "According to what this Furina-san is saying, is she the Hydro Archon of her world?"]
[Furina: "Precisely! I am the Hydro Archon, Focalors! Regina of All Waters, Kindreds, Peoples and Laws! The deity who reigns over the Nation of Hydro, Fontaine! My name as a god is Focalors!"]
[Furina: "Now that you know my identity, you should take the initiative to turn yourselves in to the Palais Mermonia! After all, you wouldn't want to provoke the wrath of a god, would you?"]
Looking at the questions in the chat, the blue-haired "Archon" issued her warning in an incredibly proud and self-assured tone.
Anyone hearing these words would assume the speaker possessed immense power and authority, backed by the absolute confidence befitting a Hydro Archon. A lesser person might even be intimidated by the divine majesty and fall to their knees, begging for forgiveness.
Even in the well-traveled Dimensional Chat Group, no one could have guessed the current state of the person behind those words.
"Waaaaah! W-what is happening? Who is playing this trick on me? Is it the Fatui... or some bold outlaws? What do I do, what do I do?! If I use my Archon authority, I should be able to bluff my way through this like I always do, right?!"
In reality, the blue-haired girl was sitting stiffly, sipping her black tea. Externally, she looked calm, regal, and imposing.
Only someone standing inches away would notice the unnatural trembling of her wrist or the way the tea sloshed dangerously close to the rim of her cup.
She wasn't lost in thought; she was vibrating with terror.
Furina looked as steady as an old dog on the outside, but inside, she was a frantic mess.
Although she had been playing the part of the Hydro Archon for five hundred years and had mastered the art of keeping a poker face regardless of the situation, this was the first time she'd encountered someone—or something—linking directly to her brain.
One slip of the tongue and her inner thoughts could leak out.
If people found out she was an impostor, her own life being in danger was a secondary concern—the entire future of Fontaine would be forfeit!
At the thought, Furina bit her lip, doing her best to stay composed. If I were the real Hydro Archon, a true powerhouse, how would I be thinking right now? Oh, right!
[Furina: "Ahem... of course, if you have some grievance you wish for me to settle on your behalf, I am not entirely opposed to hearing you out."]
[Furina: "Provided, of course, that you follow the proper procedures and submit the relevant documents to me. I shall then arrange for the Palais Mermonia to conduct a retrial!"]
Over the centuries, Furina had accumulated plenty of experience. In Teyvat—especially in Fontaine—humans rarely thought to challenge a god. She had been startled by sudden "attacks" before, but most weren't aimed at the Archon; most people couldn't even get past the Gardemeks.
And even the few who could defeat the guards didn't actually want to fight a god they couldn't possibly beat; they just wanted to present their grievances.
Maybe that's what's happening this time too!
If desperate citizens were seeking a god's aid, it was only right for the Hydro Archon to respond.
Just as Furina was mapping out this "script" in her head and refining her persona for another performance, the chat group sent back its feedback.
[Rin Tohsaka: "Helping people settle their grievances? I don't know the specific lore of your world... but you're actually a pretty nice person, aren't you?"]
[March 7th: "For real! To be willing to give us a chance even while being 'offended'—the newcomer is a total sweetheart!"]
[Furina: "But of course! I, Focalors, am the God of Justice, and my reputation is beyond reproach!"]
[Furina: "Wait... you don't recognize me?"]
Furina puffed out her chest with pride, but a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. She had been the Hydro Archon for five hundred years; her name was known across the entire continent of Teyvat. Even if not as a god, her fame as a celebrity reached every corner of the world... yet these people didn't know her?
[Rin Tohsaka: "Truly haven't heard of you."]
[March 7th: "Sounds like the newcomer is super famous in her own world! Kind of like Miss Robin back on my side!"]
[Shiroyasha: "Based on her self-description, she's a deity ruling over humanity. Her divine concepts are Justice, Law, and Water. Sounds like a god quite beloved by her people."]
A world where a god directly ruled over humans? That was something usually reserved for the "Age of Gods." Shiroyasha was intrigued to encounter such a being.
[Furina: "Hmph! It seems you have a good eye after all! This Hydro Archon has always been a fan favorite!"]
Hearing Shiroyasha's praise, Furina's lips curled into a smug smile. It wasn't until after she finished boasting that she realized the logical loophole.
[Furina: "Wait, from what you're saying, you have absolutely no idea that the Hydro Archon exists? That shouldn't be possible! Under the rule of The Seven, everyone should know the other gods... The Seven have ruled Teyvat for thousands of years; even in the remotest backwaters, people should know something. Just who are you people?!"]
Furina began to suspect they were messing with her.
[Furina: "And what do you mean by 'your side' of the world? Are you implying you aren't even in this world?"]
Furina's brow furrowed as she sensed something was off.
[Rin Tohsaka: "That's right! We're from outside your world—travelers from other universes!"]
Rin's answer made Furina scoff internally. Hah! Do these people really take me for a fool? Travelers from other worlds? Even if such things exist, there couldn't possibly be this many of them! What a clumsy lie!
Just as Furina was gleefully preparing to point out the flaws in their story and launch a counter-argument, a message appeared in the chat that made her blood run cold.
[March 7th: "Wait a second! Something's not right... isn't the newcomer a 'Hydro Archon'? Why is her strength only Rank 0?"]
[March 7th: "According to the system, she's just a regular human!"]