Yuto could have chosen not to participate in this proactive rescue plan, but he always had reasons why he had to.
He had just said that relocating the residents of Beryl Region was part of Furina's plan, so he absolutely had to ensure that everyone left without a scratch.
—Otherwise, Furina would face an even more exaggerated backlash.
As her Assistant Administrator, Yuto naturally didn't want to see any of this, which is why he threw himself into this rescue plan to ensure no casualties.
Although from a motivational standpoint, Yuto's actions couldn't be considered justice; one could even say he was somewhat selfish.
But as the saying goes, 'A sage is judged by his actions, not his intentions; if judged by intentions, no one is a sage,' so there's no need to be so harsh on his motives.
...
While Yuto was still busy in Beryl Region, Furina was sitting in Yuto's office, staring blankly at the note on the desk.
"Furina, the primordial sea water is likely the culprit causing the people of Fontaine to dissolve. The gates of Meropide have shown signs of unusual activity, and this substance originates from beneath Fontaine, which makes me uneasy about Beryl Region."
"So, by the time you see this note, I should already be in Beryl Region helping Spina di Rosula relocate the residents. There's no need to worry too much."
"As your Assistant Administrator, my job is to help you resolve these matters so you can focus on confronting the impact of The Prophecy."
"As for this afternoon's tea... I might not be able to drink it with you. I hope you can understand."
Looking at the clear, concise note before her, Furina felt a moment of disorientation.
She really wanted to know how her Mirror Self planned to resolve this tricky The Prophecy, and she also wanted to tell Yuto, who trusted her, about her own solution.
But... all of it was just empty talk.
Because Furina had only met her once; after that, she couldn't even dream of her, as if that part of herself had vanished into thin air, nowhere to be found.
Thinking of this, Furina sighed softly, a sense of powerlessness welling up from the depths of her heart.
"Even if you had just told me beforehand..."
Furina muttered softly, seemingly a little displeased with Yuto's self-important actions.
But displeasure aside, since things had progressed to this point, she could only gradually accept it.
But...
"Why do I always feel a faint sense of unease?"
Furina slightly raised her head, looking out the window of Yuto's office at the blazing sun hanging high in the sky, a worried expression appearing on her face.
"Please come back safely... Yuto..."
The young girl gently closed her eyes, silently praying for her beloved while continuously wishing for his safety in her heart.
After all...
He was the only person in this world who would unconditionally trust her, and the only person she truly recognized.
...
As time passed little by little, Yuto had been busy from noon until dusk.
He gently wiped the thin sweat from his forehead, then slightly raised his head, looking at the residents gradually being relocated with the help of Spina di Rosula members, a relaxed expression appearing on his face.
"Phew... Much faster than I imagined."
Yuto shook his head, as if marveling at something.
In his estimation, relocating these residents, who were once suspected of being 'nail households,' would take at least a full day.
But Yuto had overlooked his and Spina di Rosula's influence in the hearts of Beryl Region residents, and he had also overlooked the weight of the phrase "Furina's plan."
With the combined help of these three factors, their rescue plan was very successful, completing everything in just half a day.
This was indeed an unexpected pleasant surprise for Yuto.
"Phew... Next is the scene from the PV. I'm actually quite curious, how exactly was I swallowed by the primordial sea water?"
Yuto let out a long breath, pondering the future events that might occur as he walked from the bottom of Beryl Region to the surface.
And just then... an inexplicable tremor came from beneath his feet, completely interrupting his thoughts.
Yuto looked down incredulously at the deepest pool of water, muttering in a low voice:
"How can this be... Wasn't there at least two or three more days?! Why is this happening?!"
...
Seawater, the Duke's office.
Lyney took a small sip of his freshly brewed tea, then looked up at Clorinde before him, asking softly:
"How was the check-up? Is anything uncomfortable?"
Clorinde gently shook her head, taking a symbolic sip of the tea she didn't like before speaking:
"Nothing is uncomfortable; it's just simple skin redness and slightly rapid breathing. It's the symptom of exposure to low-concentration Seawater."
Hearing this, Lyney nodded gently. Just as he was about to say something more, he felt a violent tremor beneath his feet.
He suddenly looked up, exchanged glances with Clorinde, and then rushed out of the office, shouting to the guards who were swaying precariously from the tremor:
"Quick! Have all the guards release the exiles! Announce over the broadcast for them to run upwards as much as possible!"
Perhaps Lyney's roar made the guards realize the seriousness of the situation, and they immediately scattered to notify the guards in charge of different penal zones.
Having done all this, Lyney didn't hesitate to re-enter his office and quickly move with Clorinde towards the "gate."
At this moment, the pointer embedded in the "gate" began to swing wildly at an incomprehensible frequency—
as if the concentration of the Primordial Sea in Fontaine's waters had already exceeded its monitoring range.
"Tsk... This is bad..."
Lyney looked at the violently shaking pointer, a grave expression appearing on his face, then turned back to Clorinde, saying in a low voice:
"Indeed..."
Clorinde also drew her gun at this moment, poised and ready, and said with her usual coolness:
"I told you so long ago."
Thump, thump, thump, thump—
A slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from behind them. Lumine and Paimon appeared behind them without any surprise.
"What's happening... Uwah—"
Before Paimon could finish speaking, an abnormal vibration once again echoed through the spacious room where the "gate" was located.
A few metal parts mixed with dust fell from the ceiling, as if the place was about to collapse any second.
"You've come at just the right time, but... you'll have to leave immediately."
-------------------------------
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