"What? You're leaving?"
Furina stared at Lora in disbelief.
"You've only been in Fontaine for a few months, and you're already going?"
"I have some matters to handle in Liyue," Lora replied gently. "But don't worry. I'm from Fontaine—I'll return sooner or later." She smiled reassuringly. "Don't be sad."
At the latter half of Lora's words, Furina coughed lightly and straightened, her expression turning solemn.
"Sad? I'm not sad at all! I am the god Focalors, blessed with eternal life. I wouldn't be upset over something so trivial!" She paused, then added loftily, "I grant you permission to attend to your affairs. But once you're finished, you must come back and serve as my bodyguard."
Lora smiled with fond indulgence and nodded.
"Alright. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Seeing that smile, Furina suddenly felt a little awkward. She hastily made up an excuse and left Neuvillette's office.
After she was gone, Neuvillette turned to Lora. "Shall I have Hélie accompany you? If you need to send any bills back to Palais Mermonia, she can assist. And a Melusine's perspective is… unique. She may prove useful in other ways as well."
"That isn't for me to decide," Lora replied. "Shouldn't you ask Hélie what she thinks?"
"You're right. Her wishes should be respected."
Neuvillette nodded and had someone summon Hélie.
When Hélie learned that she would be leaving Fontaine to accompany Lora and assist her, she agreed without a moment's hesitation.
"To be of service to Lord Neuvillette and Lady Lora is my honor!" Hélie declared earnestly.
"Bring a bit more for the journey," Neuvillette added. "Palais Mermonia can take care of daily necessities, and I'll cover the travel expenses."
"Neuvillette… are you treating me like Furina now?" Lora listened as he methodically arranged everything, as though determined to settle every detail of her life. A few figurative black lines appeared on her forehead.
Neuvillette froze, then cleared his throat. "My apologies. That's my fault. I tend to worry too much."
"Being attentive isn't a bad thing," Lora said mildly. "While I'm away, I'll be leaving Furina in your care." After all, he was a five-hundred-year veteran model employee. If he were truly driven off, who would work for her—no, who would uphold justice for the Court of Fontaine?
At Romaritime Harbor, Neuvillette personally arranged a ship to take Lora and Hélie to Liyue.
As Lora boarded, she turned back to him and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Remember what I told you. Pay close attention to those places. Fontaine can't afford any more deaths right now."
Neuvillette nodded.
"Rest assured. I'll personally inspect everything and see that it's all handled properly."
Only then did Lora relax slightly and head into the cabin. Hélie waved enthusiastically.
"Lord Neuvillette, we're heading off now! Bye-bye!"
With that, the ship slowly set sail, heading southeast. It was only after the vessel had departed that Furina finally arrived. Seeing Neuvillette standing alone at the now-empty harbor, she rushed over. "Neuvillette, where is she?"
"She's already departed," he replied.
Furina's eyes widened as she looked toward the distant ship on the sea. She frowned. "What? She left that fast? I didn't even get to see her off… ahem, I mean, I hadn't even given her permission to leave yet!"
Hearing her awkward phrasing, Neuvillette sighed. "Lady Furina, there will be another trial at the Opera Epiclese soon. Shouldn't you be there by now?"
"Tch. If you're not there, why should I be?" Furina shot him a sideways glance.
Although Furina was the God of Justice, a trial could not proceed without Neuvillette's presence—an unspoken rule in Fontaine. Compared to that, the absence of the Hydro Archon was almost acceptable; Neuvillette's absence, however, was absolutely not.
"I'm heading to the Opera Epiclese now," Neuvillette said. "Would you like to come with me?"
Furina snorted. "No need! I'll go on ahead. You'd better hurry up too."
Watching her walk off toward the Opera Epiclese with her hands clasped behind her back, humming to herself, Neuvillette let out a helpless sigh before following after her.
...
The ship docked at the port near Wangshu Inn. As soon as Lora stepped ashore, she saw Xiao waiting there.
Before she could greet him, Hélie hurriedly stepped in front of her, staring at Xiao with a grave expression.
"Lady Lora, be careful! This person is extremely dangerous! There's a terrifying aura about him—you shouldn't get close—"
"Uh…"
Lora gently took Hélie by the shoulders and moved her aside. "Hélie, he's not an enemy. He's my friend."
"Eh? Lady Lora's friend? But…" Hélie frowned and looked up at Xiao again. "Then why does he have such a frightening aura? Lady Lora doesn't have anything like that…"
"She's probably sensing the karmic debt on me," Xiao said with a weary sigh.
Lora patted Hélie's head and said to Xiao, "Sorry about that. This child hasn't seen much of the world, so her words may come off as blunt. Please don't take it to heart."
"It's fine. I'm used to it," Xiao replied, shaking his head without any hint of resentment.
Lora then asked, "Were you waiting here for me?"
Xiao nodded. "Yes. Rex Lapis said you might return to Liyue in the next few days, so whenever I had time, I waited here. He also asked me to pass along a message: the Traveler and Paimon have already set out, and your attendant, Rhodeia, is traveling with them. If you wish to catch up, you should depart directly for Inazuma."
"Since I'm already in Liyue, I should at least let Zhongli know," Lora said calmly. "They're still in Teyvat—they won't disappear." She looked at Xiao. "Will you come with me to Liyue Harbor?"
Xiao hesitated, then shook his head.
"That… probably isn't necessary. My status isn't suitable for entering Liyue Harbor. The Lantern Rite… I'd rather not recall it."
As he mentioned the Lantern Rite, his expression twisted ever so slightly.