Genshin Impact, all those behind-the-scenes big shots are me

"OK then."

Su Chen nodded without saying much. Things had to come to this point eventually. Although this was not in line with his usual style, Fu Ningna's ability to maintain her position as the Water Goddess for five hundred years meant that there must be some unknown miracle about her.

...

Notification Regarding the Construction of an Opera House on Iriye Island

The next day, when the news spread from the Privy Council, the entire city of Fontaine was in an uproar.

"Have you heard? Lady Funina is going to build a new opera house!"

"I saw the notice. It says that the opera house will be much larger than the original one, and there will also be a decree to adjudicate the cardinals to assist in the trial."

"None of that matters. The notice says that the decree has ruled that the cardinals can collect something called 'law compensation energy' to use as an energy source."

"Is that amazing? Really?"

"It should be true, after all, Lady Funina is the water goddess."

"A water god? Ha! Fontaine only has one water god, Lady Ergolia!"

The Water God's infrastructure projects will not have a significant impact on ordinary citizens. In fact, according to the announcement, this will be an unprecedented mega-project in Fontaine's history, providing jobs for many people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Good thing!

But there are always people who won't like it. Just as Su Chen had predicted, the news came from the Privy Council, but the project report submitted by Mo Mang Palace showed that the approval of the funding was handled by the Logistics Department, and he personally signed it. So that afternoon, people started coming to chat with him one after another.

The reason it was in the afternoon was because everyone was observing in the morning, and no one wanted to be the first to act when it involved matters concerning the gods.

But the first to be unable to resist now is the Academy of Sciences.

The opera house project is conservatively estimated to cost tens of billions of mora. Where will all that money come from?

Judging from the current funding usage of various institutions, the Academy of Sciences is the first to be affected, and the current president, Arya, couldn't hold back any longer.

"Lord Ryder, do you really agree to Lady Frinina building an opera house? I mean... we already have a trial theater, is there any need to build a new one?" The dean of the Academy of Sciences, a woman with long brown hair, about thirty years old, fair-skinned and beautiful, was a representative of the Cuthbert family, a noble family in Fontainebleau.

She prides herself on being a scientist, but in reality, her greatest achievement after becoming the dean was consolidating the Academy's position through various transactions.

"Just like the Academy of Sciences applies for projects for the sake of science and technology and progress, everything has a time for innovation, isn't that exactly the philosophy you uphold?" Su Chen shook his head slightly, "Besides, how could I dare to object to Lady Funina's decision?"

Arya said unhappily, "Lord Ryder, we are all intelligent people, why do you have to beat around the bush?"

Everyone knows that Ryder holds absolute power in the Privy Council. As for Funina, the newly appointed Water Goddess, it's hard to say whether she's truly powerful or not. Although it's rumored that Ryder is a loyal supporter of Lady Funina, she knows that it's just a means to climb the social ladder.

Being a pretty boy is great.

Arya thought to herself that only pretty boys would be favored by the water god, while beautiful women would only attract jealousy.

"Alright, to put it bluntly, all the pressure is on me. What can I do?" Su Chen spread his hands and said, "You can all rest easy, but what about me? Miss Arya, you should also understand how difficult it is for me."

"Hehe~ I see, I understand now." Arya smiled slightly. "Indeed, it was my oversight. Lady Frinina is, after all, the Goddess of Water, and Lord Ryder couldn't directly refuse her request. But I think that even if a proposal is put forward by the Goddess of Water, the various administrative bodies have the right to question unreasonable solutions, right?"

“That’s the truth.”

“I understand. I will propose, on behalf of Cuthbert, that a noble council be held. Since Fontaine is a land of justice, and also full of drama, our new water goddess seems to particularly enjoy creating surprises with dramatic twists. In that case, how about we create a surprise for her too?”

Su Chen replied calmly, "What surprise?"

Arya smiled and said, "For example, send the water god to the court of judgment."

Su Chen was slightly surprised. He knew that Arya must have consulted with other nobles before coming and was confident in her ability to persuade him, the 'messenger of the water god'. But he didn't expect Arya to say something like "judging the water god".

While it's true that such a thing could happen in Fontainebleau, and anything permitted by law is permissible, it is, after all, the water god.

"Did they choose a noble group that they can't be shaken by uniting together...?" Su Chen said in surprise, "Arya, aren't you being too bold? Even if you succeed, aren't you worried about the Water God settling scores later?"

Arya said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? Where in the entire Upper District haven't we made contributions? Take my Academy of Sciences, for example. For many years, we've been trying to find new energy materials for Fontaine and providing the most advanced production technology. Without us, most of Fontaine would collapse."

"No matter how powerful the Water Goddess is, she can't support Fontaine on her own, can she? Besides, judging from her appearance, she probably never intended to get involved in governing Fontaine. Maybe this opera house is just a whim."

"I see." Su Chen stroked his chin, thinking to himself, "You still have the nerve to say that? You got so much funding and every time you said you were working on new energy sources, what happened? From charcoal technology to coal briquette technology, huh?"

However, he also knew why Arya was in such a hurry. It wasn't just about the opera house, but also about the ability of the Cardinals of the Proclamation to generate legal compensation. Once this was achieved, the Academy of Sciences' funding would have to be cut by at least half.

Otherwise, Arya wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

Simply having Su Chen cancel the funding approval is not enough. This proposal has already received a lot of support from the people of Fontainebleau, so the only way to reject it is through the court of law, in a more just manner.

"Okay, I understand the situation, but the question is why should I do this? You guys don't suffer any losses, but I'm doomed. If I side with you, I definitely won't be able to continue as the envoy... No, no, it's still a huge loss." Su Chen shook his head and refused.

Arya chuckled, not surprised by Su Chen's answer. After all, based on her understanding of him, he was the kind of person who never suffered a loss.

"Sir Ryder, tell us your conditions. We will do our best to meet them."

"Well..." Su Chen hesitated, "You know, someone in my position isn't exactly short of money."

"Is that power and women?"

Arya smiled alluringly, "If Lord Ryder is willing, I can..."

Su Chen's lips twitched: "Miss Arya, you've misunderstood. To be honest, I want Fontaine's legislative power."

"Legislative power?" Arya asked, puzzled. "What do you need that for?"

Although legislation sounds impressive, it requires a process of approval and is not something that can be decided by just anyone.

Moreover, the law applies to the entire Fontaine and affects the collective, making it difficult to seek personal gain.

For example, if the law you want to make is clearly in your or your family's best interest, it is obviously impossible for it to pass.

These things require time and accumulation to see results.

Arya couldn't understand why Su Chen wanted legislative power.

"It's nothing, just playing around." Su Chen chuckled. "I've been studying the law lately, so just consider this a whim of mine. If you agree, I'll immediately withdraw the funding approval."

“Hmm…” Arya pondered for a moment, “I need to go back and discuss this with someone else.”

"No problem, then I'll wait for Miss Arya's good news."

"Hehe~ But I think it shouldn't be a big problem."

Arya smiled. It didn't matter if Su Chen took the position of head of the legislature, because legislation required a vote to pass a plan, and those who voted were all from the major noble forces. In the end, Su Chen would just be an empty shell.

"And Lord Ryder, are you really not going to consider it? I have a lot of confidence in my skills." Arya winked at Su Chen.

Su Chen opened the office door and called out, "Aina, see the guest out."

Arya rolled her eyes, displeased with Su Chen's lack of romantic understanding. However, she believed that there was plenty of time, and she was confident that she could win over this pretty boy. Then, the Academy of Sciences would have no shortage of funding.

After Arya left the office.

Su Chen opened the rule list and glanced at the activated rule options—

[Confidant: Everyone who joins the Logistics Department will have their trust in Ryder unconditionally increased by 20%.]

With the increase in Su Chen's influence and the upgrade of the rule level, the effect of [Intimate Friend] has doubled.

Arya was completely off guard with him just now, partly due to her own attitude, but also because of the added advantage of this rule.

However, he had absolutely no interest in those buses.

"Judgment...the water god?"

Su Chen smiled slightly. These commoners really do have some ideas.

...

Arya acted swiftly, visiting Su Chen again the day after their conversation to inform him of the nobles' agreement—they had agreed to hand over the legislative power of Fontaine to Su Chen.

However, Su Chen is already an administrative officer in the logistics department, and theoretically, he is not allowed to obtain legislative power at the same time.

How can one person hold two positions?

Therefore, Su Chen proposed merging the legislative body into the Privy Council.

In fact, the Privy Council was similar to the Liyue General Affairs Department, responsible for coordinating various aspects, including legislation. Later, due to the increase in miscellaneous matters, the legislative part was separated and became an independent institution of Fontaine, standing alongside the Court of Justice.

The proposal to merge now seems plausible.

As for Su Chen's proposal, the legislators expressed their full support. They had long wanted to extend their reach into the Privy Council. As long as they could infiltrate the Privy Council and dismantle Su Chen's absolute power from within, and then attack the Logistics Department, they would be able to take as much money as they wanted.

And so, what was originally an unlikely major event was reached at lightning speed with both parties' willingness. After the senior officials of Fontaine went through the process, it was symbolically handed over to Lady Funina for a look, and that was how the matter was settled.

The legislative body's office environment remained unchanged, but it was part of the Privy Council in terms of administrative planning. Su Chen then naturally appointed Aina as the head of the legislative body, as his representative.

The nobles had no objection to this.

They were even studying how to turn Aina to their side and use her as a mole to infiltrate the logistics department.

"It's terrifying that the legislature has been merged into the Privy Council just like that."

"So why did it suddenly have to be like this?"

"Who knows? Maybe those big shots are playing some games themselves. I'm more concerned about the construction of the Opiclie Opera House than that. Have you heard about that decree decreing the Cardinal?"

"Of course I've heard about it. Lady Frinina even openly stated yesterday that once the opera house is built, the energy generated under the impartial judgment of the cardinal will propel the entire Fontaine forward! Wow~ I can't help but feel excited every time I hear Lady Frinina speak."

“Me too! Furina’s language, her laughter, every gesture of hers is full of charm. She truly deserves to be called the water goddess of Fontaine.”

Because this major event had little to do with ordinary citizens, and because of the construction of the opera house, it didn't cause much of a stir.

But soon, another event swept through Fontainebleau.

Momang Palace.

In Funina's room.

"...That's how it is. Ryder is a really great guy. The funds from the logistics department will be allocated right away. When the opera house starts construction, those who can't afford to eat will have jobs!" Furina said excitedly, standing in front of the mirror.

In the mirror, there was naturally someone who looked just like her, but this figure was not exactly the same as her. Apart from their similar appearances, the difference in their temperaments was immediately apparent.

"I'm relieved to see you so happy, because I've been feeling really down lately," said Funina in the mirror. Her voice was gentle and ethereal, radiating a divine glow.

"Well, that's because..." Furina scratched her head, "It is indeed a bit sad, because playing a god is really tiring, but I feel like I can keep going now. With Ryder around, I'll be fine even if it takes ten or a hundred years!"

As she spoke, Fu Ningna began to laugh.

In ten or a hundred years, when her mission is accomplished, whether she becomes a god or not is not important, as long as everyone can be saved.

When that time comes, she can tell Ryder everything without reservation, and then be shocked—Wow! You never knew I was the great hero who saved all of Fontainebleau!

"...Hmm, that's really impressive."

For some reason, a look of heartache appeared in the eyes of the person in the mirror.

But she quickly put on a gentle smile.