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

As the first rays of dawn streamed through the window into the bedroom, Furina rubbed her eyes, still drowsy, and stared up at the ceiling, clearly not yet fully awake.

Gradually, as her mind began to clear, Furina sat up from the bed, her gaze darting around her surroundings in confusion.

"Huh? Where am I?"

Weren't I waiting for news from Themis earlier?

When did I end up back in bed? I didn't even undress.

She glanced down at her clothes, then looked around the room, her heart filled with perplexity.

"Ugh... did I actually fall asleep while waiting yesterday?"

"I wonder how Themis is doing."

Setting aside the pillow she had been clutching, Furina stood up.

Her thoughts filled with concern for Themis, Furina hurriedly slipped on her slippers and pushed open the bedroom door.

In the living room, the white-haired Regent sat on the sofa. Hearing the commotion, she looked up from the documents in her hand and turned towards the bedroom.

"Themis—"

Furina paused, suddenly struck by a wave of questions. Yet, the one that mattered most was about Themis.

"Are you sure you weren't injured yesterday? Is anything feeling off?"

"Has the situation outside been resolved?"

Themis, seated on the sofa with a smile, responded, "Don't worry, Lady Furina. I'm unharmed."

"Moreover, the plan is progressing smoothly without any unforeseen complications. The trial can proceed as scheduled today."

Concerned, Furina rushed to Themis, circling around her repeatedly until convinced that not even a hint of injury marred Themis's body. Only then did she inwardly sigh in relief.

Seeing Furina's expression transform from worry to relief brought Themis some happiness. Perhaps I'm just as important to her as she is to me, she thought. Unable to resist, Themis gently stroked Furina's head and placed the documents she was holding on the table.

"Lady Furina, the trial is still some time away. You should take some time to wash and tidy up."

"I'll prepare breakfast."

After enjoying breakfast, Themis took Furina to the Opera Epiclese.

There, Lumine had been waiting for some time.

"Did you sleep well, Traveler?"

"Mm-hmm, quite well."

Lumine nodded, answering Themis's question before it was fully asked.

She cast a quick glance at Paimon beside her, then shot the little companion a teasing look.

This time, she didn't want to be beaten to the punch—she refused to remain just a background character!

As for the incident where her body had frozen from fright upon first seeing Themis, that seemed to have vanished without a trace after their battle last night.

Themis, the regent who had so greatly contributed to Fontaine, had succeeded in washing away the rigid image of a "Sustainer of Heavenly Principles" that had been etched in Lumine's mind.

And then there was the five million still fresh in her memory!

From every possible angle, at this moment, Themis appeared to Lumine to emanate a divine glow from head to toe, down to every hair on her head.

"Good rest is indeed essential. I'm relieved to see you all so alert and energetic."

"So, are you two ready?" Themis asked.

Lumine nodded. She had rehearsed her lines with Navia several times in preparation for today's trial.

"In summary, don't be nervous. During this trial, both Lady Furina and I will stand behind you."

Paimon giggled. "Well, if Themis says it's alright, then there's nothing to worry about."

The knowledge that the Hydro Archon Furina would also assist them suddenly eased their tension.

Themis's capabilities had been proven beyond doubt during Lyney's exoneration. Her calm demeanor and unwavering confidence instantly reassured the two, who were unaccustomed to courtroom debates.

After parting ways with Lumine and Paimon, Themis returned to her designated position in the Opera House. As the Regent, her seat was situated slightly behind and adjacent to Furina's.

The audience below the stage buzzed with loud, chaotic chatter. Themis could clearly distinguish their conversations.

"Ah, have you heard?" one spectator remarked. "They've caught the mastermind behind both the Sinthe distribution and the disappearance cases."

"Praise the Heavens! As the father of a daughter, I can finally put an end to my constant worries."

"Come to think of it, why does the area outside the opera house look so chaotic?"

"I heard the mastermind behind all this launched an attack on the Regent last night using their homemade security devices."

"What?! And now this too! Can you believe it? Is Lady Themis alright?"

"My dear, helpless Lady Themis, so kind and innocent—how could anyone be so wicked as to harm her!"

"Kind and innocent?"

"Of course! Lady Themis is like a pure, innocent little white flower in a field, and yet, there's always someone who wants to violently destroy her!"

Upon the raised platform, Themis rested her forehead in her hand, feeling overwhelmed. Though she was deeply moved by their concern, wasn't there a possibility that she wasn't as fragile and helpless as they seemed to believe?

Especially Furina, who nodded along with the spectators' comments below while casting occasional glances of deep worry at Themis. It made her feel somewhat speechless.

Well, I suppose it's not wrong to show a bit of fragility now and then.

"Silence! The trial begins—"

"Please refrain from talking during the court proceedings—!"

Under Neuvillette's ever-icy gaze, the audience fell silent in an instant.

"Let me now review the case of the missing girls from the beginning..."

As Neuvillette recounted the story, the connection between the initial incident at the magic show and the subsequent disappearance of the girls gradually came into focus.

Lumine and Paimon stood at the prosecutor's table, gazing at the empty seat opposite them, reserved for the accused.

"That's strange," Lumine remarked. "Yesterday, didn't Themis say they had already caught the culprit?"

Paimon chimed in, "Exactly! How come we haven't even caught a glimpse of the mastermind behind the scenes?"

"But then again," Lumine mused, "Themis did mention that the number of individuals involved in these abductions is overwhelming. Could it be that they couldn't all fit on the opera stage, so some were left out?"

Lumine found Paimon's conjecture entirely plausible.

"Following the investigation by Lumine the Traveler and Paimon, guided by Regent Themis, we have discovered the following evidence."

The members of the Maison Gardiennage arranged all the tangible evidence before the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.

As they gazed upon the pinkish-purple fluid before the Oratrice, along with various letters and experimental records, Furina's jaw dropped in shock.

The audience below was equally astonished.

Shocked spectator: "Heavens! So there really is something in this world that can dissolve people into water."

Fearful spectator: "Thank goodness, Lady of the Waters, please bless us. We owe gratitude to Lady Themis for her unwavering vigilance, preventing this madman from conducting his horrifying experiments throughout all of Fontaine."

Neuvillette spread out the list prepared by Themis of the innocent young women targeted by the mysterious criminal over the years.

He recounted each case one by one, describing the horrific fate that befell each girl.

As time passed, the weather outside the Opera House grew increasingly gloomy, with a faint drizzle beginning to fall.

The audience below was moved by these girls' tragic experiences. They had done nothing wrong, yet were unjustly targeted. While everyone remained unaware, the murderer continued to roam free.

Anger, frustration, and sympathy filled the courtroom. The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale absorbed these emotions, as it was its duty to do so.

However, upon reaching the last page, Neuvillette's mood significantly improved. It revealed how these innocent girls were secretly saved. Due to the shadowy figure still at large, they had been forced to change their identities and start new lives in other countries. Now, they were finally safe and sound.

After their initial shock, the audience below broke out into enthusiastic cheering.

They praised the Hydro Archon, the Regent, and Neuvillette.

The audience also expressed gratitude towards the traveler who willingly helped Fontaine by searching for clues and providing crucial evidence.

Lumine, caught in a wave of praise, began to feel somewhat bashful.

"The safe return of the ladies is indeed cause for celebration," Furina stood up, clapping in joy at this happy outcome, drawing everyone's attention.

"But my dear Iudex Neuvillette, I'm sure there is more to share."

"Such as the name of the person behind all this. Why would someone risk so much? And just who has been shielding them all these years, allowing them to act with such impunity!"

"It's utterly revolting. How could anyone commit such atrocities in our pure and just Hydro Nation?"

"As the god of justice, I cannot tolerate these actions. They do not merit forgiveness!"

"That's why I believe they deserve the severest punishment!"

Neuvillette nodded in agreement. "Of course, we must inform the populace of everything. But instead of relying on my deductions, wouldn't it be better to let Lady Furina recount the events herself, ensuring clarity?"

The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale emitted a muffled click.

Thin strands of blue light rose, saturating the area with the essence of water.

Furina stared at the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, bewilderment covering her face. This unexpected turn of events left her utterly at a loss.

"Lumine! Quick, look! The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale is lighting up!"

"I see it."

Lumine turned her gaze to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, joining Furina in observation.

This wasn't their first close encounter with a divine creation, but previous encounters had all occurred in the context of conflict. This was the first time they had the opportunity to truly observe, as bystanders, a divine creation manifesting a miracle.

"I've seen displays like this before from Themis, but didn't she say that these aren't acts of the Hydro Archon's divine power, just minor inventions?"

"Even if they're minor inventions, they must still be deeply connected to the gods," Lumine surmised.

The massive screen set up in the arena began to flicker as light and shadow intertwined to form images.

Audience members below widened their eyes, fixating on the scenes unfolding before them. They were witnessing the crime as it happened!

This was the first time in their lives they realized the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale had this capability!

No wait, that's not right! This was their first time seeing the Hydro Archon demonstrate her divine powers!

After a moment of bewilderment, Furina swiftly composed herself.

"Ahem, my dear subjects, there is no need to panic. This is merely a new feature brought about by recent upgrades to the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale."

"It also serves as a manifestation of the divine's power."

The elated audience responded, "So that's how it is! Truly befitting of the great Hydro Archon!"

Praise echoed from below the dais, but Furina felt a sense of hollowness in her heart.

As she returned to her seat, the additional function of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale intrigued her while also filling her with alarm.

This feature never existed before. Why was it suddenly added?!

Has it truly been upgraded, or is there something wrong with the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale?!

Furina furrowed her brow in distress.

Within the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale—

Focalors assumed a kitten-like expression, realizing that Themis wasn't joking when she mentioned using the item as evidence.

"But come to think of it, has Fontaine's technological advancement progressed so rapidly?"

Scratching her head, Focalors was deeply shocked—how could even a divine being like herself be unaware of this?

"Ah, you've no idea how much there is to learn about the world when your just a hermit," replied Themis with a dismissive wave.

Moreover...

Themis rested her forehead in her hand, realizing that this had somewhat involved magic.

By tapping into her own abilities and combining them with the monitor's functions, she had achieved something truly potent, in a way.