Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

"Haha, friends from afar, welcome to Fontaine! Above all waters, only this city. The Palais Mermonia is Fontaine's proudest architectural achievement. Of course, it's natural to be astonished, as this is probably your first time witnessing such a magnificent structure."

Jiang Qiao's sudden appearance made the blue and white-haired girl, dressed like French nobility and sitting in the courtyard, feel a bit uneasy.

Even with Kyoko's precedent, this method of arrival was still somewhat unsettling. But to prevent showing any weakness and arousing suspicion, Furina could only suppress her anxiety, stand up, and put on her usual flamboyant demeanor.

Of course—while carefully observing Jiang Qiao, she also thought, He's quite handsome. Hmm, he seems easy to get along with?

Jiang Qiao didn't respond, only glanced at Furina.

This left her confused and slightly panicked.

"Why is he looking at me like that… Did I say something wrong?"

"No, I said the same thing to others…"

"Oh no, he's from another world… Did I commit some taboo? … Is he angry?"

If a conflict arose—Furina's heart pounded in her chest. She suddenly regretted not bringing some Steambird guards. If things turned violent, Furina, fully aware of her mortal limitations, had no confidence in facing this man.

"Ahem… Esteemed guests, remaining silent in the face of a god's welcome is a transgression! Of course—perhaps there's something I haven't considered…" The girl, trying to maintain her dignity as the Hydro Archon with a forceful tone, yet still somewhat timid, hadn't finished speaking when she heard Jiang Qiao's words:

"You don't have to be so strained in front of me."

His calm words made Furina's eyes sting. Although she had sensed something amiss even in the chat group, the dutiful "Hydro Archon" still forced herself to play dumb, trying to maintain her "role":

"Eh… ahem, I'm not quite sure what you mean… Hmm, yes, as a revered god, receiving people's adoration can be a bit burdensome, but as the Hydro Archon, Focalors, such trivial matters are nothing to me."

"Indeed, that might be true for the Archon Focalors—but doesn't Furina deserve, and even need, to live more freely?" Jiang Qiao, unconcerned, walked to the center of the courtyard with Fairy Ely, sat down, took a sip of the steaming hot tea, and smiled.

"I know what you're worried about, and I also know what you're upholding."

"Of course, we've only just met, so it's natural for you to be wary and suspicious of me."

"But my words just now—you can consider them a promise, and that promise still stands."

Savoring the rich, flavorful tea, the young man lowered his eyes, calmly gazing at the still surface of the tea, like a well.

"You don't have to be Focalors in front of me. Just being Furina is enough."

"!!!" These words undoubtedly shocked Furina. They even instilled fear within her—fear that the secrets hidden within her heart were completely exposed before this man from another world, as if he could see right through her.

She wanted to comfort herself that he might be bluffing, but—Jiang Qiao's demeanor wasn't that of someone seeking or revealing something; he was simply stating a fact.

Five hundred years of experience allowed Furina to see through his unconcealed honesty.

Panic, fear… but also a hint of joy, a sense of relief.

The former was because her mission seemed to have encountered an unforeseen hiccup. She didn't know if this would cause any problems. The latter… five hundred years of suffering had exhausted Furina, both physically and mentally, yet she couldn't find anyone to confide in.

No one understood the hardships she was enduring. The adoring gazes of Fontaine's people were a great torment for this fragile yet resilient girl.

But for the sake of Fontaine's people, she had to persevere… just… how much longer?

How much longer could she endure?

She had asked herself this countless times, carrying out a "punishment" that seemed to have no end in sight.

Until this day, the arrival of the stranger named Jiang Qiao.

It was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness of a prison cell that had never seen the light of day. Even if it was incredibly small, for Furina, who yearned for light, it was a great comfort.

"…Who are you?"

Warm, wet—Furina had never shed tears in front of others. How could a powerful god cry like a fragile mortal? Only in the dead of night could she release her pain in solitude.

But before this man who brought light, she unexpectedly, uncontrollably shed tears… Of course, the tears came and went quickly. Furina, realizing her lapse, quickly wiped away the traces.

And a genuine curiosity arose within her—curiosity about him, and also concern for Fontaine.

"I have my ways, but as you know, there are many things that can only be kept in one's heart, right?"

He winked and gently blew on a raised index finger.

"So, shhh~"

"…My apologies." Furina was taken aback, then nodded.

Although this "Hydro Archon" possessed many characteristics of a blue-haired anime girl, when she wasn't acting out and was behaving normally, she was quite intelligent.

"Mmm, this cake is so delicious!" Fairy Ely, who had come to this world with Jiang Qiao, devoured the cake, her face covered in cream, a blissful expression on her face.

"That's…" Furina stared at the cake in front of Fairy Ely, dumbfounded.

Aaaaaah—that's my favorite cake, the one with only sixteen slices available daily!

And this was the last slice for today!

Furina, a lover of sweets, felt her heart skip a beat.

Damn it—why do these two keep ruining my desserts?!

Death penalty, they must receive the death penalty!!!

Of course, Furina could only lament internally.

However, while mourning her dessert, Furina couldn't help but be captivated by Fairy Ely.

Although it was hateful that she was ruining her dessert, this little thing… was so cute!

So small, like a Melusine, and those ears, they were just like a fairy's!

Furina's heart nearly melted as she stared at Fairy Ely.

At this moment—

"Lady Furina, a trial is about to begin at the Opera Epiclese. Would you like to attend?" A woman with long, dark blue hair, dressed in a French naval uniform and a captain's hat, approached from outside the courtyard and addressed Furina.

At the same time, her gaze fell upon Jiang Qiao and Fairy Ely, becoming sharp.

"…These two."

Furina was the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, one of the most important figures. Although it might seem ridiculous for humans to protect a god, the Gardes and Steambird still took Furina's security very seriously.

Moreover, this was the Palace of the Primordial One, the political center of Fontaine—she had never seen these two before, and she was certain that these strange individuals hadn't gone through any registration process… In other words, had they snuck in for a clandestine meeting?

If it weren't for Furina's ambiguous attitude and the relatively harmonious atmosphere, this Chief Justice would not have been so polite. Even so, she remained highly vigilant towards these two unidentified individuals.

Noticing this, Furina quickly interjected, "Ah, Clorinde, don't mind them, they are my friends—you know, among gods, there are always some interactions that are different from mortals."

"Don't mind her too much. Clorinde is just like this, very serious. But although she appears cold on the surface, she's actually a very nice person."

Clorinde: "..."

"Ahem, right, I haven't introduced Clorinde to you yet. She's the Champion Duelist of the Gardes."

"I know." Jiang Qiao calmly sipped his tea, completely unfazed.

"Oh, right! Since there's something happening at the Opera Epiclese, would you like to come with me? It's quite interesting."

Furina, relieved, extended the invitation, her eyes holding a hint of anticipation and longing. Although being so close to someone she had just met was a bit strange, and as the Hydro Archon, it could easily cause controversy, Furina, accustomed to loneliness, hadn't had anyone to confide in for five hundred years, bearing all her pain alone.

Although Jiang Qiao still couldn't allow her to pour out her heart—Furina didn't dare to either—at least with his presence, Furina felt that she wasn't alone. Even though she still had to play the role of a "god," with him by her side, she felt more relaxed and comforted.

You don't have to do anything, just stay by my side.

Fairy Ely, who enjoyed lively events, said excitedly, "Eh—? Opera? Okay, okay! A fairy from the Land of Fairy Tales loves interesting things!"

Jiang Qiao didn't respond, but upon sensing her expectant gaze, he smiled slightly.

"An invitation from Miss Furina, it would be rude to refuse."

"In that case, I'll gladly accept." He emphasized the "Furina."

Even in front of Clorinde, Jiang Qiao still addressed her as "Furina."

But he also subtly maintained Furina's carefully constructed facade as the Hydro Archon.

Although Clorinde didn't catch the hidden meaning, Furina coughed lightly, "Ahem, let's go then."

(Yes! He agreed!) Furina cheered internally, but still maintained a serious expression as she walked beside Jiang Qiao, "Although I understand your admiration for my greatness as a god, there's no need for excessive praise. I'm not that kind of ostentatious god."

Translation: No need to be so obvious in front of others, I don't really care about that—Addendum: I love hearing that, tell me more!

"I understand."

Led by Clorinde, Jiang Qiao and Fairy Ely followed Furina out of the Palace of the Primordial One, eliciting cheers from the Fontaine citizens.

"Furina seems quite popular," Fairy Ely remarked, "She truly is a beloved god."

"But this place is so big and magnificent!" Fairy Ely, floating past the shops, was incredibly excited.

Jiang Qiao also observed the city with a scrutinizing gaze.

—Just like Liyue Harbor and Mondstadt, the in-game versions were scaled down. Their actual sizes far exceeded Jiang Qiao's expectations, and the Palais Mermonia was no exception.

Compared to the in-game version, this Fontaine was at least dozens of times larger.

However, the familiar landmarks were still there.

Although Clorinde was quite serious, perhaps because they were the Hydro Archon's friends, or perhaps because she didn't want to tarnish Fontaine's reputation, she briefly acted as a tour guide, patiently explaining to Jiang Qiao and Fairy Ely:

"We will now take the Navia Line to the Ile d'Eros, where the Opera Epiclese is located."

Of course—they soon had a more professional tour guide, the Navia Line conductor, Euphrasie.

"Lady Furina, Miss Clorinde." Although usually somewhat languid, seeing these two important passengers, Euphrasie became a bit more attentive.

Furina, sitting next to Jiang Qiao, resumed her flamboyant demeanor.

"It's fine. These two are my friends. Please introduce the beautiful scenery of Fontaine to my esteemed guests, just as you would to any other visitor."

"Ah, yes…"

"Esteemed passengers, our destination is the Opera Epiclese…" Although initially a bit nervous, Euphrasie, as a seasoned conductor, quickly got into character, eloquently introducing the passing scenery—of course, her enthusiasm wasn't on the same level as when dealing with a certain blonde idiot and an unidentified flying object.

Under the watchful eyes of Furina and Clorinde, Euphrasie displayed her full conducting prowess, making one wonder if she was trying to win this month's top performance award.