Genshin Impact: Fontaine's Regent, driving players crazy.

Furina, weighed by concern, sat by the window and opened it.

Palais Mermonia, Fontaine City's loftiest structure, afforded her a panoramic view of the entire metropolis.

The night remained tranquil, yet the atmosphere had grown oppressive, stifling to the point of suffocation.

Increased patrols from Maison Gardiennage and Gardemeks on the streets had compelled citizens to return home early under curfew.

"I hope Themis is alright," Furina prayed inwardly.

-

Themis stared silently at the stoic woman before her, utterly taken aback.

"Clorinde, what brings you here?"

Clorinde disclosed her superior's message. "Neuvillette was worried about your safety, so he sent me here to assist."

"He said if You got injured, Furina would start screaming and shouting again."

"Exactly~" Wriothesley emerged from the shadows with a roguish grin. "Keeping the Lady happy is indeed a top priority."

"Miss Themis, you should accept Neuvillette's kind intentions. After all, wrapping things up quickly will put her mind at ease, won't it?"

Themis responded, "Hmm, you're right. Ending this farce is what matters most."

"We've finally found clues to track down the murderers after twenty years." Wriothesley cracked his neck audibly. "It's time for the Regent to issue orders and let me haul these scum to justice."

Themis looked at Clorinde and Wriothesley, who stood ready for action, then explained her plan.

"Clorinde, take the Maison Gardiennage to patrol the city and prevent harm to civilians."

"As for Wriothesley..." Themis felt a long-absent headache stirring.

"If you're here already, Calle and his friends probably have arrived as well. With their rich experience, you should head off to guard the gates first.

"As for that blond Traveler and Navia..." She cast a reassuring glance at Clorinde. "Don't worry, I'll go protect them."

Clorinde shrugged. "I have no objections. What about you?"

Wriothesley, under Clorinde's stare, spread his hands. "Me? Of course, I have no issues either."

The three of them, having confirmed their tasks, sprang into action.

Themis watched Wriothesley and Clorinde's retreating figures, feeling somewhat concerned for Furina.

Looking towards the direction of Mermonia Palace, Themis was confident that with Neuvillette in charge, Furina would not come to harm.

However...

"Furina is a smart person. She's probably so worried about this that she can't sleep right now."

Thinking of Furina put Themis in a slightly better mood.

But when she considered those brazen ringleaders, her expression gradually turned cold, her desire for vengeance growing.

After consulting with Lyney, Furina, and Clorinde, they had decided that in this battle, there would be no mercy—whether dead or alive, they had to see the culprits, be it a person or a corpse.

Just you wait!

This time, Themis would not show mercy like in the trial five hundred years ago—there would be no quick deaths for them.

Do they truly believe the torture devices in the Fortress of Meropide were just for decoration?

-

Shifting perspectives to the Traveler's group, guided by Melus' directions:

Lumine and Navia quickly found their way, heading straight for the lair of the same mastermind behind the scenes.

"I never expected that Sinthe's factory, capable of dissolving people into water with Primordial Sea, would be hidden within ancient underwater ruins."

Following the ocean currents, they swam into the ruins, then disengaged the mechanisms, successfully reaching the factory.

They swiftly knocked out the guards, allowing Lumine and Navia to slip inside.

Navigating stealthily through the factory, they found it relatively empty, with Lumine knocking out anyone she encountered.

As only one person remained, and just when Lumine thought they were almost done, their stealth was abruptly exposed by the Gardemeks' facial recognition system.

Lumine dropped the act, transitioning to brute force. Working with Navia, they cleared the incoming mechanical guards. Meanwhile, Paimon flew overhead, observing the last remaining person.

Lumine charged forward in a single stride and knocked him out with a kick.

"Quick! Lumine! There's a suspicious stranger over there!" Paimon pointed at the figure fleeing down the corridor.

"Oh no, hurry! He's trying to destroy evidence before us."

Reacting swiftly, Navia grabbed Lumine, scooped up Paimon, and rushed straight towards the stranger.

"Huh? Wait a second, I didn't know there was a hidden passage here!"

"It's common for such important places to have secret passages."

"But if there's someone here, might Silver also have enemies?"

Lumine frowned, fully realizing the gravity of the situation. "Navia, we must move quickly!"

With the crisis escalating, Lumine understood she needed to employ her true abilities!

Having traveled through five countries, Lumine wielded five elemental powers. Here, Anemo—the wind elemental power—provided the swiftest speed.

Geo, the rock elemental power, violently blasted away obstacles in their path as Lumine, pulling Navia and Paimon along, soared outward.

With the wind's boost, they moved swiftly and thrillingly, though encountering security mechanisms along the way irked Lumine.

How dare they? she thought. Do they think I'm so easily stopped by these measly obstacles?!

If not for their current underwater location, where she feared accidentally striking a vital pillar or wall and allowing seawater to flood in, Lumine would have wiped out everything in her path in an instant!

Lumine and Navia moved swiftly, catching up to their target in mere minutes. As the individual, face contorted with fear, desperately leaped into a nearby pool, ready to dive deep, Lumine's eyes gleamed—her chance had come!

Without hesitation, she channeled the electrifying force of the Electro element, which reacted violently with the water in the pool.

"AAAAAAAAH!"

Navia, witnessing the person's agonizing screams, couldn't help but remind Lumine, "This is for a court trial; don't electrocute them to death."

"Relax, I've got it under control!" Lumine reassured her with a thumbs-up and a steady gaze. I wouldn't go that far in front of you, Navia.

After binding the factory's prisoners securely, Lumine and Navia began searching the facility for clues.

Their search led them to a hidden room, where countless reagents and bottles filled with purple sea water were stored.

They meticulously combed through, gathering experimental data, documents related to researchers, and letters. Only then did Lumine and Navia finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Upon returning to shore, they found Silver and Melus surrounded by a group of formidable-looking individuals.

Without a moment's thought, Lumine rushed forward, positioning herself protectively in front of them. She drew her blade, its elemental energy focused on the intruders with lethal intent.

"Miss Lumine, it's a misunderstanding. These are supposed to be security forces sent for support."

"Oh, that's a relief. Lady Navia, I'm glad you're all safe and sound."

Melus and Silver saw that Navia was unharmed and also let out the breaths they were holding.

Lumine, still puzzled, put down her dull blade. Seeing Navia and the others converse so easily, she too lowered her guard.

But when they asked to be given the evidence, Lumine narrowed her eyes, a hint of suspicion flitting through her mind.

She shook her head, declining their request. "I'm very sorry, but this evidence is of utmost importance. Lady Themis told me to deliver it personally to the Opera Epiclese, then hand it over to her."

"Yes, yes, after all, the disappearances is a major event! We've only found evidence now; we can't let our guard down yet!" Paimon agreed with the Traveler wholeheartedly, feeling anxious about handing the evidence to Themis. She feared any mishaps that might bring trouble upon her.

"After all, such crucial evidence can't afford any issues."

Seeing the resolute determination in Lumine and Paimon's eyes, the self-proclaimed security personnel's gaze flashed with displeasure.

"You think you can protect such crucial evidence safely? I believe we should be the ones to deliver it personally."

"Rest assured, Lumine is an Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius. She's acquainted with the Qixing in Liyue, fought against a Fatui Harbinger, knows the Raiden Shogun, and is close with the Dendro Archon Nahida. Her strength is beyond doubt!"

Paimon boasted, deploying her Praise skill with gusto.

Lumine puffed out her chest and lifted her chin, wearing a See? I'm utterly impressive. No need to worry expression.

"This request comes directly from Lady Themis. I've never heard her mention you being assigned to escort me and Navia!"

Navia tugged Lumine's hand. "Enough, Lumine, Paimon. Let's head to the Opera Epiclese at once!"

"These kind Maison Gardiennage members seem eager to solve the disappearance case too. They surely want the truth revealed during tomorrow's trial."

"You're right, Navia," Paimon chimed in. "No time to waste! Let's deliver the evidence to Lady Themis quickly. Then those vile murderers will face justice!"

"I heard Lady Themis plans to invoke the Bloodred Trial from Fontaine's Unofficial History this time—making those villains pay in blood!"

Paimon urged them onward.

"Thank you for your assistance. We'll take our leave now!"

They ignored the grimacing faces of the suddenly appeared Maison Gardiennage members, walking farther and farther until they vanished into the distance.

Paimon, who had been looking eagerly at Lumine moments ago, suddenly softened her body and flopped over onto the Traveler's head.

"Phew, that was scary! Didn't you see their expressions? They looked ready to devour us!"

"But are we just going to let them go like this?"

Paimon gazed at Navia, clearly puzzled.

"Of course not. They still have a role to play in the final act.

"Sins of protectionism don't accumulate merely among the common people; it's certain that influential figures within the Court of Fontaine are involved as well."

"Don't worry. Miss Chevreuse of the Special Task Force is already stealthily following them."

"From here on out, it's your turn to shine, Traveler!"

"Me?" Lumine questioned, bewildered. "Isn't someone already being sent to apprehend them?"

"Letting us conduct a blatant investigation initially was all part of a plan to divert attention away from a secret operation. Emphasizing the Lex Talionis—the eye for an eye notion, in this case, blood for blood—and the Bloodred Trial is a way of signaling that this time, Lady Themis and Lord Neuvillette won't tolerate these actions any longer. Lurking further means certain death for them."

"Huh? But how? Lady Themis is said to be spokesperson for the Hydro Archon! How dare they lay a hand on her? Aren't they afraid of divine retribution from Lady Furina?"

Paimon said in surprise, expressing her bewilderment.

Lumine also felt this situation was incredibly reminiscent of something else—oh, right, just like those individuals in Watatsumi Island, blinded by their own interests, focusing solely on the benefits of war without considering divine retribution.

"Alas, it can't be helped," Navia said, clearly exasperated. "In short, if they don't want to be dragged out and sentenced, becoming Fontaine's second capital punishment case in five hundred years, after the Bloodred Trial, they must take action."

At this point, Navia couldn't help but feel somewhat concerned. "Traveler, I've heard much about your deeds in other countries. I don't doubt your strength at all; my only concern is Lady Themis, who appears so delicate. What if she gets hurt?!"

Lumine listened to Navia's words, her expression turning complicated. She truly wanted to grab Navia by her collars, urging her to quickly shed those eighteen layers of delusion.

What delicacy could there be in that Themis, with her twisted sense of humor? From what you've said, she's already been alive for over five hundred years—how could anyone possibly think she's frail?!

Not to mention that face—it gave her instinctive PTSD even now!

As they approached the perimeter of the Opera Epiclese, Lumine could spot Themis from afar.

However, as they drew closer, the scene unfolding was unexpected.

Lumine covered her face, feeling overwhelmed by the rapid changes in this world.

How could I ever imagine seeing the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles surrounded by a horde of Gardemeks?!

Without hesitation, Lumine led her group forward, positioning herself protectively in front of Themis.

The latter appeared unfazed, only smiling warmly at Lumine.

"Miss Lumine, I'm afraid you'll have to endure much more hardship from here on out."

Looking up at the unnumbered Gardemeks still converging on the opera house, Themis's expression turned icy.

It seems like the cake she had stirred up this time would truly leave them in a drunken stupor!

The battle was about to erupt. Lumine tightened her grip on her Dull Blade.

Surveying the mechanical guards, Lumine felt brimming with confidence.

"Just watch me catch them off guard!"

"I am the Traveler, wandering beyond the heavens! Having traversed four nations, unmatched by any foe!"

"Let me test your mettle!"

"I'll carve through them seven times and back!"

Hearing these words, Themis's half-smile froze momentarily.

"Oh heh heh, Miss Themis, don't mind the Traveler. She's just reciting some drama lines learned from Yunjin in Liyue to lighten the mood," Paimon explained awkwardly.

"Ha ha, seems like our Traveler is quite versatile," Navia chuckled softly.

Themis, treated as if she were fragile, didn't say much else. She simply held Paimon quietly, serving as a supportive mascot for the group.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning and crash of thunder signaled the belated arrival of Clorinde, who had finished handling her own matters.

"Clorinde!" Navia's eyes lit up. Perfect! With these two Archon-like teammates, what could we possibly fear?!

Experience had proven that while the in-game Traveler's combat effectiveness was lackluster, the real one was extraordinarily formidable.

With Clorinde and Navia mopping up the stragglers, the group advanced as if encountering no resistance.

"True to her reputation, even Clorinde and I struggle to keep up with your speed," Navia remarked.

"To simultaneously wield five elemental powers with such mastery—this Traveler lives up to her fame," Clorinde added.

Both Clorinde and Navia gave exceptionally high praise for the Traveler's combat prowess.

"Very well, everyone. Let's discuss rewards after we're done here."

"Now, it's time to head to the opera house and prepare for the trial."

Themis, clutching the evidence from the Traveler and Paimon, wore a beaming smile.

Eh~ Although Themis is smiling happily, why do I get a sense of unease from her? Paimon whispered cautiously into Lumine's ear.

Lumine glanced at Themis, whose face was contorted with anger into a forced smile, and silently covered Paimon's mouth.

Sometimes, seeing someone who never shows any emotion break into a furious smile is even more terrifying!