Watching the massive Hydro Eidolon gradually close in, Furina's pupils dilated in shock, and she froze in place for a moment.
"Lady Furina!" The nearby Gardes rushed toward Furina, but they were too late.
Just as the claws were inches away from Furina, her heterochromatic blue eyes instantly turned blood-red. A killing intent radiated from "Furina" as a red Scythe manifested in her hand. She immediately lunged at the Hydro Eidolon at a high speed and the Scythe cleaved right through its body.
With a single strike, one of the large Hydro Eidolon's arms were severed. "Roar—" It let out a cry of agony. "Furina" didn't stop, she spun mid air and casted a look of disdain. She raised her arm and with a flick of her wrist, sent the Scythe flying towards the Hydro Eidolon.
In less than a second, the Scythe had pierced through its body. Then, tracing through the air, it passed through the body again. After several cycles, the Scythe flew back into "Furina's" hand. Then the Hydro Eidolon finally collapsed onto the ground.
Without a moment's rest, "Furina" turned and charged into the swarm of monsters.
"Let me see just how much strength you really have?" "Furina" took down a monster each second while rampaging through the swarm.
"Other Me... is this powerful? Just now, I thought I was done for..." Inside the Inner Space, Furina watched as Rina was insta-killing the monsters, completely dumbfounded by the display.
The thousands of monsters were wiped clean by "Furina" within ten minutes.
"W-What?" The Guide in the party was stunned. She knew the Hydro Archon could certainly clear these monsters, but she didn't expect the Hydro Archon to be this fierce! "No... this won't do! I have to run. Once this matter is investigated, it'll lead back to me soon. Damn it... if I'd known, I wouldn't have been so greedy for that bit of Mora."
Having just finished her work, Rina spotted the Guide trying to sneak away. She instantly flew over, grabbed him by the neck with one hand and pinned him down. The man was instantly unable to move.
"Are you going to speak or will I have to pry your mouth open." Rina's ferocious expression combined with her threatening tone instantly shattered the psychological defenses of the Guide who had intended to stay silent.
"I-I'll talk... I'll tell you everything. A-A man named Pierre told me! He gave me a hundred thousand Mora to lead the party to his designated location and told me about a path for my escape! He said he'd give me another three hundred thousand Mora after it was done!"
"Anything else?"
"N-No... nothing else." The Guide's face was full of terror as he dared not to utter a single lie.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Rina tossed him to the Gardes nearby. "Take him into custody so that he'll be set for trial on a later date."
"Yes!"
Rina then called Furina's Secretary over and ordered. "You take one squad and return to The Court of Fontaine immediately. Demand that they arrest and interrogate a man named Pierre. Also, order all Fontaine institutions to thoroughly investigate for moles. Notify the Maison Gardiennage to set up ambushes near the homes of several key Nobles in advance!"
"Yes, Lady Furina." The Secretary led a dozen fast-running members and headed back first.
An inconspicuous member of the party saw this scene from a distance and thought secretly. "Not good!" He stealthily took a shortcut and left the cave ahead of time.
At this time, Rina was returning control of the body to Furina and since the distance was relatively far, he actually managed to escape.
Having just regained control, Furina was still somewhat shaken, cold sweat pouring down her face.
She really wanted to thank Rina right now, but it was clearly not the time.
"Lady Furina!"
"Lady Furina!"
"Lady Furina!"
The voices calling out to Furina appeared again, but this time it was no longer worry, but cheering.
Everyone surrounded Furina, celebrating and thanking the Hydro Archon for leading them through this crisis.
"I told you, Lady Furina is so powerful, how could she possibly have no power?"
"Yeah, it's all thanks to Lady Furina this time, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go home."
Furina sat at the front of the carriage, puffed out her chest, put on a very exaggerated expression and shouted to the crowd. "Hahaha, do you see, my people? This is the strength of I, the Hydro Archon, Focalors! Cheer and celebrate that you have such a god!"
"Lady Furina!"
"Alright, disperse now. Clean up the battlefield and prepare to return to The Court of Fontaine."
Everyone dispersed in an orderly fashion.
Furina continued to maintain her elegant posture, sitting at the head of the carriage. Her expression seemed calm, but her heart was in a state of turmoil.
"O-Other Me, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might've... died here... and Fontaine would also..." In the Inner Space, Furina looked down slightly at Rina, a sobbing sound coming from her mouth.
"Hey, hey, hey, alright, stop crying. I can't stand seeing that." Rina took a step back with a look of feigned disgust.
"Then, can we be friends?" Furina asked Rina tentatively. "You already know that I carry the role of Hydro Archon. So... I can't make any friends, otherwise my secret could be revealed. But y-you're different, you already know and you share the same body as me. You're the only one who can become my friend...."
"I've calmed down and thought carefully over these three days... If you knew I was the fake Hydro Archon, Mirror me is so powerful that she would definitely have noticed and jumped out to think of other plans. But since she hasn't; appeared, it means Fontaine is still safe and that you're truly protecting me."
"Also, I want to apologize to you... At that time, I didn't trust you enough, I ignored you in many things and my attitude toward you was horrible. I'm sorry..."
Furina slowly spoke her heartfelt thoughts.
"Ha, friends? No way, who cares about that."
Having just heard the first half, Rina was ecstatic inside, but her words were as sharp and mean as ever.
That is, until the latter half—"You are my only..." As soon as Furina said that, Rina had frozen.
"You are my only... Furina said You are my only! Ahhhhhh!"
Rina, who was about to refuse, heard this and immediately lost control. She starts to freak out internally, not even hearing Furina's subsequent apology.
"Ahem, I forgive you. We'll be friends from now on!"
"Mm-hmm, best friends forever, friends for a lifetime!"
Furina's face was full of joy. After all, she was just a young girl; being able to have a friend, and an only friend at that, naturally made her very happy.
The usually stoic Rina also showed a slight smile, indicating she was in a very good mood right now.
Only, behind that smiling face lay a trace of sadness, a sadness that no one could see.
"A lifetime... forever... huh? I hope so..."
——————————————————————————————————————————
At the same time, inside The Court of Fontaine
"My Lord, this is bad! The Hydro Archon suddenly showed her power and dealt with all the monsters within ten minutes. The mole we planted has also been caught! And he even gave out Pierre!" A man ran flusteredly to a noble's side and reported the matter as quickly as possible.
"What?" All the Nobles stood up in surprise, clearly somewhat panicked, though they tried to remain calm.
"Go! Quickly, go and take out that fellow Pierre! Be fast!"
"Yes!" The subordinate hurried away.
"I really underestimated the Hydro Archon... she could even catch a mole so quickly. Now we can only pray that our speed is faster."
However, he didn't know that if it hadn't been for that stupid mole failing to run away, they would have had much more time.
Meanwhile, the Secretary had also led the squad back to The Court of Fontaine.
"Now, it's my turn to go on the offensive."