Lu Heng's warm embrace seemed to shut out everything, as if nothing outside mattered anymore—even if the sky collapsed or the world ended.
Furina found herself lingering in it.
But she quickly realized she couldn't stay like this.
Her reddened eyes still glistened with tears, her cheeks flushed. She sat with her head bowed, fingers nervously twisting together.
"Sorry… I couldn't control myself just now. I got your clothes all dirty…" Furina murmured softly.
Glancing at Lu Heng's clothes—stained with snot and tears—she wondered how she could have cried so messily!
It was all Lu Heng's fault!
Why did he have to speak to her in such a heartaching tone? It made her lose her composure instantly!
"It's fine."
Lu Heng smiled, shaking out his clothes, which instantly became spotless again.
Though his rank wasn't high, the effect was similar to a cleansing spell from a cultivation setting—a simple but incredibly practical trick.
"Have you figured out what to do now?" Lu Heng asked.
Furina nodded. "First, let's eat. Later, I'll go see Focalors."
"Alright."
Lu Heng glanced at the table. "The food's gone cold."
"It's fine as it is," Furina said, not picky.
"Let's heat it up."
He summoned a card similar to elemental resonance.
Maintaining the right temperature under the plates was effortless.
"When will I be able to do things like this?"
Furina suddenly thought of Arlecchino's Absolute Control card, feeling a pang of envy.
If she had a card like that, she could fully master all her current cards and unleash their full power.
By then, the prophecy crisis wouldn't be a problem, right?
"Practice more, get familiar with them."
Lu Heng believed she could do it if she put her mind to it. "Let's eat."
After crying, Furina felt better, though the mood at the table remained somber.
After dinner, the night deepened.
Lu Heng and Furina set off for the Opera Epiclese in the Erinnyes Forest.
In the game, the Opera Epiclese occupied a significant portion of the map, but that was due to technical limitations.
In reality, Fontaine was vast, and the map scale couldn't be compared to the game. The straight-line distance from the Court of Fontaine to the Opera Epiclese was only about ten kilometers.
They caught the last aquabus.
After thanking the Melusine for her concern, Furina sat on the seat, letting the night breeze cool her thoughts.
The chilly wind cleared her mind.
"Cover yourself a bit."
Lu Heng took off his coat and draped it over Furina's legs.
"But what about you…?"
Furina turned to look at him.
Lu Heng was now only wearing a white dress shirt.
"I'll be fine. You might catch a cold."
He raised a finger, and a card named Flame Core materialized, spinning in the air before vanishing as he withdrew his hand.
Furina's eyes curved slightly, her lips pressing together.
She just shifted closer to him.
"Actually, I'm not cold…"
Furina whispered, showing him her Elemental Resonance card—the Hydro symbol glowing brightly.
Then she unequipped it.
The night wind blew, and she shivered slightly.
Why endure discomfort for no reason?
"Silly."
"Nonsense, I'm very smart!" Furina grumbled under her breath.
Soon, they arrived at the Romaritime Station.
After a short walk, it was already late at night, and no one was around the Fountain of Lucine.
Re-equipping her Elemental Resonance, Furina gazed at the fountain and heard her own voice—the sobs of lonely nights.
But that was in the past.
"It was lonely. It was long. But it won't be much longer!"
Furina strode into the Opera Epiclese.
The opera house was eerily quiet.
Lights flickered on one by one.
The empty stage and audience seats only emphasized the vastness and solitude.
Furina couldn't help but glance at Lu Heng.
He had already taken a seat nearby.
If not for him—without him—she would still be performing alone in this lonely theater.
But now, she wasn't alone. She had someone who understood her.
Furina took a deep breath and looked up at the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale on the high platform.
It wasn't the core of the Oratrice, but she knew Focalors could see through it.
Furina had so much to say.
But when the words reached her lips, they became:
"Focalors, I know you're there. Wake up!"
"Furina…?"
A voice identical to hers.
A figure slowly materialized on the stage.
Apart from their clothing, the only differences were their experiences, their temperaments, their eyes.
"How did you know I existed?"
Focalors stared at Furina, her expression a mix of confusion and worry.
Her face was complex—guilt toward Furina, sorrow as if seeing Fontaine drowned.
"Don't worry, nothing's been leaked. Fontaine hasn't been flooded either."
Furina shook her head, sighing. "Facing another version of myself is such a strange feeling… I've almost forgotten what I wanted to say."
Focalors relaxed slightly, glancing at Lu Heng. "Because of him?"
"Yes."
Furina nodded. "But let's not talk about him yet. I'm here to stop you!"
"Stop me? Why?"
Focalors looked surprised.
"I know everything now. Your plan. Our future."
"You succeeded."
Those six words alone made Focalors smile with satisfaction.
"If it succeeded, why stop me?"
Focalors stepped closer, embracing Furina softly. "You've suffered all these years. But please, hold on a little longer, okay?"
"No!"
Furina gently pushed her away. "I don't want to be judged, to cry on the throne. And I don't want you to die!"
"But… Furina, if I don't perish, how can we return the Dragon Sovereign's authority to Neuvillette?"
"The Heavenly Principles stole the dragon's power. Egeria stole the power of the Primordial Sea. These acts were sins. Returning what belonged to the dragons fulfills justice and uses his power to save Fontaine. This is the plan I spent so long devising."
"We don't need Neuvillette for this anymore."
Furina shook her head.
"Not Neuvillette…"
Focalors looked at Lu Heng. "Him?"
Furina still shook her head.
"Then who will absolve the sin of Fontaine's people?"
Focalors grew even more puzzled.
Furina lifted her chin, crossing her arms. "Me, of course!"
"You?"
Focalors burst into laughter. "Be good, don't joke around."
"I'm not joking!"
With those words, Furina stopped holding back. Her equipment manifested in full.
Behind her, the Divine Throne materialized—carved with dragons and phoenixes, etched with mountains, rivers, and the sun and moon.
Furina took a step back and sat upon the throne.
Twelve cards orbited around her—four gold, eight purple.
Each card radiated a unique aura, converging into an overwhelming, majestic pressure!
Focalors was stunned, her pupils reflecting Furina's regal figure upon the throne.
The Divine Throne glowed.
Furina's presence surged exponentially.
She spoke calmly:
"The essence of the world is survival of the fittest. With power enough to defy the Heavenly Principles, the prophecy can naturally be overturned."
"The sin of Fontaine's people shall be absolved by me."
"The right of Fontaine's people to exist shall be acknowledged by me."
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T/N:
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