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

Ever since the forums opened, Themis had been in contact with intelligence operatives in Fontaine.

She kept them on high alert, ordering them to notify her immediately once the yellow-haired traveler set foot in Fontaine.

The defection of the Oceanids had dealt a severe blow to Fontaine's intelligence network. However, numerous Oceanids on the outskirts of their domain still yearned for their homeland. Although they had various reasons—such as water quality or religious beliefs—that prevented them from returning to Fontaine, it did not hinder Themis' ability to engage them with her eloquence.

"Beloved Oceanids, Fontaine now faces an unprecedented crisis. Surely you wouldn't wish to see Egeria's cherished kingdom of Fontaine perish?

"The ruler of the Nation of Hydro has already devoted all her power to help Fontaine overcome its prophesied crisis. Can you truly show no compassion towards Fontaine, its young Hydro Archon, and your very own homeland? Will you refuse to lend even the slightest assistance to her, who guards your memory?"

For the past five hundred years, Themis had been stationed near Tunigi Hollow, always capturing any Oceanids she encountered.

It's just an art of appealing to pity, right? In this regard, her mistress, Lady Furina, could be considered the epitome of tragedy among the gods. While other countries might invoke mere sadness, the plotline involving Furina and Focalors was enough to make Themis shed genuine tears.

Although tragedies should not be compared, it did not prevent Themis from using this to pave the way for Lady Furina. She successfully swayed all the Oceanids, bringing them back into Fontaine's fold.

It is clear that selling a pitiful act serves as an effective scheme against the Oceanids.

After all, their simplicity makes them easy to fool—ideal targets for scams.

Some Oceanids, hindered by their limited intellect from pursuing intelligence work, were still recruited by Themis. She believed in utilizing every resource, finding roles suited to their abilities.

For instance, they were dispatched to guard the tomb of Egeria, the former Hydro Archon, within Tunigi Hollow—the place where she met her demise.

Upon hearing they would tend to Lady Egeria's tomb, the Oceanids eagerly thumped their chests, itching to depart for Tunigi Hollow at once.

Come on! This is about guarding Lady Egeria's tomb, ensuring her rest remains undisturbed by worldly affairs.

Seriously, for Oceanids, this is just too cool!

No longer adrift in Teyvat, lost and aimless, these Oceanids finally had a purpose beyond drifting with the currents.

Hooray for Lady Themis!

"No, you should say 'Hooray for Lady Furina!'"

"This was all Lady Furina's decision! She declared we must unite all our strength to protect our homeland, Fontaine! To safeguard everything Lady Egeria once cherished!"

"This is our sacred duty, as all creatures in Fontaine who were once under Lady Egeria's care!"

Standing among the Oceanids, basking in their pure and reverent gazes, Themis inwardly derided her own cunning.

But the Oceanids, unaware of Themis's thoughts, obediently exclaimed in unison, "Long live Lady Furina!"

In that instant, Furina's noble image took deep root in the hearts of the Oceanids.

After all, perception is shaped by comparison, and gods are no exception – especially ruling gods.

Thanks to the stark contrast provided by God King Remus, Furina's fervent desire to repatriate the Oceanids resonated profoundly. Her mission to defend Fontaine and uphold all that Lady Egeria had cherished compelled even Themis, Fontaine's second-in-command, to personally scour Teyvat's nations for their traces.

What a peerless deity, what a noble being – truly worthy of inheriting Lady Egeria's legacy!

This so-called God King Remus, with his misguided endeavors, couldn't hope to rival a single strand of the new Hydro Archon Furina's hair!

Determined to protect these simple-minded Oceanids from exploitation, Themis approached the mascot, Idyia.

"Huh? Me? You want me to lead them in guarding the tomb of Hydro Archon Egeria?!"

Idyia, now in human form, looked up with wide eyes, startled by this revelation.

"No, no, no! I can't do it! This is Lady Egeria's life-long commitment we're talking about! I'm not capable!"

"Yes! That's right! I couldn't possibly!"

Seeing the child so flustered, her words tumbled out incoherently.

"No! You can do it! If I say you can, then you can!"

"Every member of Fontaine, as prescribed by Fontaine's laws, enjoys their rights whilst bearing their responsibilities."

"Since you've chosen to aid Fontaine and will return to your homeland, you naturally become a part of Fontaine! Entitled to the same rights and obligations as any other citizen."

"As you are now a member of Fontaine, appointing you to a role to ensure lawful conduct is entirely within the bounds of our laws. It's decided, happily!"

Themis, assertive and unyielding, didn't give Idyia a chance to resist, swiftly installing her as the Head Warden of the Tomb Keepers.

A formal appointment document, bearing the Palais Mermonia's seal and personally signed by Themis, was directly handed to Idyia, granting her official status.

In the end, Themis left with a nonchalant wave.

Idyia found herself bewildered, left alone to clutch at the job offer letter from Palais Mermonia. She looked around at the trembling group of Oceanids.

The group of little Oceanids stared at each other, before finally all turning their gazes on Idyia.

Themis had told them before they arrived that Idyia was the master of this paradise.

To be able to transform into humanoid form through one's own power—what an incredibly powerful Oceanid, they thought.

Thus, they had no doubts whatsoever when Themis declared that Idyia would serve as the Captain of the Grave Guard, leading them to protect the body of Lady Egeria and contribute their strength to Fontaine.

"Um... uh... don't all stare at me like that!"

"You should go find places to stay first and settle down."

Idyia covered her face with her hands, feeling overwhelmed, and made a hasty retreat.

Even as she fled, she remembered to advise the others to find accommodations—a testament to her kind nature.

Whenever Themis took time to visit the desert and observe, she noticed that despite Idyia's repeated protests, whenever she was with the other oceanids guarding the grave, she radiated enthusiasm. As if the lethargy that usually enveloped her completely dissipated, replaced by energy and purpose.

As visible joy filled Idyia's face, she was suddenly surrounded by the Aranara, blocked within Tunigi Hollow amidst their collective gaze.

This overwhelmed the socially anxious little Oceanid Idyia, who had spent years as a homebody. At times like these, she would simply hide inside her bottle, seeking solitude and reflection.

"Come to think of it, is it really alright for her to be so happy while guarding the remains of the Water Archon?" Aramuhukunda, the original Aranara, observed Idyia excitedly pacing through the hollow, trailed by a group of oceanids and young Aranara.

Themis chuckled softly, "Of course it's alright. After all, she's clearly overjoyed, isn't she? If Egeria were here, she would undoubtedly be just as delighted."

Aramuhukunda floated beside Themis, watching the interactions between the Aranara and Oceanids.

For some reason, he couldn't help but feel that Idyia, the self-proclaimed gravekeeper, might not be entirely dependable.

Compared to the Aranara, these oceanids in the Tunigi Hollow appeared noticeably more docile and less attuned to their conversations.

However, this wasn't a significant concern, as they shared the same motherly origin.

Moreover, the oceanids were Egeria's sole treated kindred.

Plus, Oceanids are incredibly beautiful. Under the watchful gaze and mediation of Aramuhukunda and Themis, the Aranara saw no need to ostracize them.

Wait a minute! Themis realized with a jolt of understanding. If Oceanids are Egeria's familiars, then doesn't that mean every single inhabitant of Fontaine is essentially a familiar of the old Hydro Archon?

This revelation left Themis momentarily stunned, realizing the implications of such a vast network of familiars.

Just as she was coming to terms with this newfound knowledge, she spotted a familiar pair at the edge of town—a Blonde-haired Traveler Lady, accompanied by her trusty companion Paimon. They had arrived to welcome Klee and Kaeya on their desert vacation.

Recalling the recent turmoil, she remembered how Traveler Lumine had, with the help of Aranara and Oceanids, restored peace to the Tunigi Hollow after resolving the main issue in the world quest. Together, they had honored their sacred duty, safeguarding the resting place of the revered Lady Egeria.

-

In the real world...

The moment Fontaine's "Big Update" was released, CatCatEatsNoMedicine wasted no time. She quickly opened her computer and began downloading the major patch.

As she waited for the update to finish, she chatted with the viewers.

"If you've done the Tunigi Hollow's world quest yourself, you'd learn from Aramuhukunda and those silly pure Oceanids that they're guarding the tomb of Egeria, the ex-Hydro Archon whom Themis deemed worthy. Uh, can you even call Oceanids 'tomb guards'?"

[Ay, don't get too caught up in that - they're guardians of the tomb... um, guardians of the remains].

"I never expected Tunigi Hollow to actually be the body of the Hydro Archon Egeria! When I first heard, it blew my mind for a century! I was just admiring how beautiful the water looked, wondering if I could take a sip."

[Wowsers! You gotta be kidding me! Don't you know those Oceanids are stalking you?]

[Bro, your imagination is wild! You'd be melding with the ex-Hydro Archon herself in every sense of the word!]

[If it were possible, taking a few bottles as souvenirs and selling them for a premium would be even better!]

[Think outside the box! You could open up a whole new way to make money!]

[The remains of the former Hydro Archon Egeria! Not 998, not 998, just 98 - take 'em home right away!]

[Are you treating the Hydro Archons's remains like cabbages?! You know Teyvat's prices - even for a bottle of Archon's remains at auction, you'd start seeing at least five digits!]

[Don't forget, Archon's remains don't just shrink like a magic lamp! It's not like you can store them in a small bottle when it's time to sell!]

[Can I act as a shady merchant? By adding some water to the remains.]

[Oh no, could he actually be a genius?!]

"You friend, your idea is quite bold! The Oceanids are watching you."

CatCatEatsNoMedicine was amused by this daring suggestion from the viewer.

"How many steps to prepare the Hydro Archon's remains before auction?"

["Three!"]

["Take out the bottle, water down the remains, then put it up for auction!"]

["Ending up wanted across all of Fontaine, the Traveler lands in jail, enjoying a lifetime of prison meals, right?"]

It could only be said that netizens' ideas were surprisingly outlandish. Even CatCatEatsNoMedicine, who always followed rules and laws, couldn't help but seriously consider: How much Mora could be made this way?

The answer was: a massive haul! The income from just one sale would be enough for several lifetimes of luxury!

CatCatEatsNoMedicine inwardly reprimanded herself: Dammit, have I actually become so depraved? These are the Hydro Archon's remains!

Having sternly condemned herself, her conscience ached a little.

"Cough, cough, let's continue."

"When heading to Tunigi Hollow to resolve the quest, players can learn from the Aranara Aramuhukunda that Idyia, Captain of the Oceanid Tomb Guard—a powerful Oceanid capable of human form—couldn't resolve the crisis alone and sought help from other strong Oceanids."

"Good grief, Idyia, Captain of the Tomb Guardian Corps and Oceanid? You're killing me with laughter!"

"I originally thought she was this utterly badass Oceanid, but who knew? After the theme park scenario, Idyia's powerful Oceanid image instantly shattered."

"Oceanid Rhodeia, the ancient newbie village's final boss, struck fear into many a Traveler's hearts."

"And now you're telling me, Idyia and she are sisters?!"

"Before the theme park scenario, my impression of Idyia was somewhat weak but incredibly responsible—an elder Oceanid."

"After the theme park scenario, my impression of Idyia became: What kind of mascot for the Tomb Guardian Corps is she?!"

["Humble: Although I'm quite useless, it's truly great to see how effective each of you are!"]

["Confident: What's that? Only forty times? I'm still pretty amazing, don't you think?"]

["Determined: Fine, I'll cry! Watch me break down right this minute!"]

["Diligent: A mascot? So it's a cozy role where I don't have to do anything, just let others handle everything?"]

["Collaborative: I'll go outside and energize you all with a dance."]

["Sociable: I'll hide inside the Mirage Core. Out of sight, out of mind!"]

["Cheerful: I'll just step aside for a bit. You guys can chat first!"]

["Optimistic: I... I've lost the courage to live!"]

CatCatEatsNoMedicine read these comments and laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

"What 'eight great virtues of employees,' passed down through the ages!"

"What's the most crucial part? It's that when we went to ask Rhodeia for help, her scary tone made tears fall right out. They got hidden away in a bottle, only coming out again once we followed Klee inside."

"When you talk to Aramuhukunda, you'll find that Rhodeia agreed to let Idyia ask for help if there were any difficulties, then went back to Qingce Village."

[Although by the time we returned with external assistance to the Tunigi Hollow, the crisis had already been resolved by this group of Yellow-hair Travelers, Rhodeia really does spoil Idyia.]

[Sister pairings are always the best!]

[Despite how much Rhodeia complained, she still reluctantly followed her dumb sister to the Tunigi Hollow to help.]

[Even though it was a wasted trip, it's good she told Idyia to just ask for help directly when she's in trouble.]

"Yes, that's right. Even though Rhodeia is very mean to Endora, when faced with her own sister, she's relatively amiable."

["Amiable" means scaring Idyia so much that tears fall out.]

["Laughing so hard I'm dying," you must have some misunderstanding about the word "amiable."]

"Ahem, let's put this aside for now."

"Let's change the topic."

"For example, if you're strolling around the amusement park, you'll find a paper on one of the tables."

"This paper can be accessed and viewed from your inventory."

"It reads something like this—'Appointment document from Fontaine, personally signed by Regent Themis Von Fontaine.'

"No need to question its legal validity."

"Here, for the second time, we encounter Themis and learn her full name."

"In short, just as expected from my wife—even her name sounds enchanting!"

[Bullshit! This is clearly my wife!]

[You two can chat all you want. Themis just woke up, and I need to help her get dressed!]

[Hey, second poster, are you thinking about peaches?]

[Out of my way! I'm gonna get her riled up for real!]

"We can also gather information from the artwork and description of the Little Dendro Archon."

"Fontaine also has a Chief Justice named Neuvillette."

"The newly appointed Hydro Archon is a rather goofy archon."

"However, from the Oceanids in the Tunigi Hollow, we learn that it was this very unpredictable god who had Themis bring them back to protect the Tunigi Hollow and guard the remains of the previous Hydro Archon."

"Goofy, yet it doesn't hinder her from fulfilling her duties faithfully."

"I suddenly became curious about the Hydro Archon my wife is so devoted to. What kind of deity can make my wife tirelessly run errands for her across all the nations of Teyvat?"

[Well, it must be a god of love, after all, Teyvat is full of divine love for its people.]

[Exactly, exactly! Just look at the first few cases. Even when Rukkhadevata's daughter was imprisoned for five hundred years, the Great Sage who offended the gods only received a punishment of planting trees in the desert.]

[From previous events, we can see that Fontaine has advanced technology and a very complex approval process. Their legal system is probably also very complete.]

"You mean the guy who was driven to the brink by Fontaine's constantly updated laws? He failed the exam seven times and came to Liyue harbor to change his mindset. He wants to learn from Yanfei before returning to Fontaine to rebuild its legal system and change the nation!"

[What ambition! I haven't even met him! Ah, now I understand why my daily quest is in Mondstadt, the beginner's village. I'll VOTE FOR YOU 50 times to help me pass the civil service exam in Fontaine. Let's share the grand endeavor together.]

"In short, we're about to head for Fontaine! We can ascertain this based on the previous gods' characteristics."

"The Hydro Archon of Fontaine must also have an unknown side!"

"By the way, does she even have any Mora?"

CatCatEatsNoMedicine genuinely wanted to know: could Fontaine's Hydro Archon actually afford a group meal during their gathering?

[With money, you can be stripped of divinity; without money, you can't even join the water cult.]

[Hydro Archon: *It's tough! It's really tough!]

[Hydro Archon: *Is there any chance, is there any possibility at all, that I don't need these things in the first place?]

-

In the world of Genshin Impact—

Seated in her office at Palais Mermonia, Themis read the comments from CatCatEatsNoMedicine's live stream broadcast. She finally pieced together the sequence of events.

"I never expected to get exposed in the Tunigi Hollow update?"

Chin resting on her hand, Themis felt a strange sense of unease.

What on earth had happened to Mihoyo? Did they really need to create an entire subplot just for this forum to dive through?

Could it be that this forum dive directly linked Earth and the Teyvat world she inhabited actually shared some kind of interconnected relationship?

Her thoughts raced, turning into a tangled knot of confusion.

Deciding to set aside this unanswerable question, Themis focused on something more within her control: the guilt she felt towards those Oceanids protecting Lady Egeria's body in the Tunigi Hollow.

They're so innocent! Themis thought, feeling a twinge of guilt for deceiving these pure-hearted Oceanids.

However, she hadn't anticipated Idyia being frightened into shedding tears by Rhodeia's antics.

No wonder, during those days observing them from Fontaine, Themis couldn't reach Idyia no matter how she tried.

So she was hiding away, clutching her pillow and crying her heart out.

As expected of a Oceanid close to the Hydro Archon—when she cried, it was just like Furina.

Alone, silently weeping, unwilling to let anyone see her vulnerability.

But there was a difference: Idyia had someone to comfort her and listen to her feelings.

In contrast, Lady Furina at home could only embrace herself silently, her emotions swelling within her, unable to find voice or release.