Yes, Lady Funina!

Richard looked at the oracle, which was accumulating a vast amount of compensatory energy. Although it was sealed by the power of the Ice God, this power would eventually disappear. At that time, the oracle would mobilize all the compensatory energy to bring judgment upon the water god Fucarus.

He might manage to save the person, only to have them die on the very 'execution machine' he created.

"I can handle this."

As the creator of the Cardinal Decree, no one understood the rules of the Decree's operation better than Fucarus. Moreover, although the power of water had been separated from the throne, some of its abilities were still retained.

One of these is mobilizing the power of the law; without the power, the oracle would naturally be unable to bring judgment upon Fucarus.

After a series of maneuvers by Fucaros, the death sentence was rejected on the grounds that the procedure was not in compliance with regulations.

Thus, the doomsday prophecy crisis in Fontaine finally came to an end.

Chapter 167 Rewarding Merit is the Only Right Thing

Because Fukaros's identity needs to be kept secret for the time being, today's meeting was held at the Water God's residence on the top floor of the Momang Palace, which is also the bedroom where Funina has lived for five hundred years.

Interestingly, although the top floor of the Mo Mang Palace has always been the residence of the water god, the water god has never actually lived there. Fu Ningna was at most half a water god. Now, the arrival of Fu Kalos has truly filled this gap.

Inside the living room, the three sat on separate sofas, with Richard in the middle and Funina and Fukaros on his left and right, respectively, forming a semi-circle.

In front of the three of them was a tea table, with a small tea seat next to each of them for placing tea, snacks, and other items.

Fukaros's damaged divine armor, ripped open by Richard, had long since healed itself. Now, the water goddess sat elegantly on the Fontaine classic leather sofa, her long legs pressed tightly together, revealing only her fair calves and delicate bare feet beneath her pure white skirt.

The most irresistible thing is that she was wearing a gold anklet on her right foot. This is already a delicacy, and it comes with exquisite packaging. Who could resist that?

On the other side, Funina was equally impressive. She had taken off her black leather boots, revealing white socks and light blue slippers on her feet, giving her a cute, homey look.

In terms of attributes, it can be said to be comparable to Fukaros's bare feet and anklets, each with its own merits.

After all, the two look exactly alike; even twins couldn't possibly look like Funina and Fucarus.

It is impossible for two leaves in the world to be exactly the same, but they can be divided in two, one named Fryna and the other named Fucarus.

Although the two are exactly the same in terms of physique, appearance, height, and even the color and shape of their pupils, Richard can still tell them apart very quickly.

There are many methods, including clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, the location of the covenant seal, and intuition from the soul.

The last one might sound a bit far-fetched, but it's true. After all, Fucarus's soul had already been shaped into Richard's form.

Some gods may appear sacred and inviolable, but in reality, even the depths of their souls have been left with traces of human activity.

"Are you alright?" Funina looked at Fukalos, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

After all, Richard had just said that to take back the power of water, one must tear apart the soul and shatter the throne deep within it in order to separate divine power from the divine authority.

Although Funina didn't know what a divine throne was, just hearing about tearing apart souls made her think it must be very painful.

Funina was terrified of pain. Once, she got out of bed without slippers for convenience and accidentally bumped her toes on the bed frame. Since then, Funina has developed the habit of wearing slippers even at home, and they have to be the kind that are fully enclosed.

Tearing your soul apart must hurt much more than hitting your toe, right?

“Richard’s technique is excellent. Although it still hurts a little, it felt better afterward,” Fukalos said.

Funina:?

Why does it feel like what you're saying isn't anything serious?

Fukaros noticed Funina's little expression, so he picked up his teacup and took a small sip. After drinking the tea, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up high.

Funina is so much fun.

Richard coughed lightly, signaling to Fukalos not to go too far.

Fukalos pretended not to hear.

Previously, in another dimension, she was alone with her husband, a weak woman, and no one could help her. Now, in the Fontainebleau Palace, in the palace of the Water God, does she, the dignified Water God, have to put up with the attitude of a mere Municipal Government Secretary-General?

joke!

Do you even understand what it means to say things are different now? The past is the past, and the present is the present.

“Ms. Fukaros, although the situation has stabilized, for your health, it would be best to have regular check-ups.” Richard said.

Fukalos's expression froze. What are you saying?

When Fulina heard Richard say it was for Fucarus's health, she chimed in, "Yes, health is no small matter. I've heard that the soul is the most mysterious part of the human body, and any problem concerning the soul is no small matter..."

"Wait, I think I..."

"Are you the doctor or am I the doctor?"

“Yes, Richard would never harm you,” Funina nodded earnestly.

Funina had complete trust in Richard.

Fukaros opened her mouth. Of course, she knew Richard was trustworthy; she didn't even guard her soul against him, but...

The inspection he just mentioned was just a pretext to threaten her!

Essentially, it can be translated as: Lord Fukalos, you wouldn't want your soul to be violated by me, would you?

“This…” Fukaros wanted to refuse, but when he saw the concerned look in Furina’s eyes, the words of refusal seemed to get stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t say them no matter what.

Hmm, to avoid worrying Funina, why don't we just go along with Richard?

Anyway, it doesn't hurt...

“…Alright.” Fukaros sighed, the arrogance in her eyes as she looked at Richard was gone, replaced by the 'the past is the past, the present is the present' attitude.

However, physical examinations were not the topic of today's meeting.

The reason why Funina skipped work to come find Richard and Fucarus as soon as she heard they had come out of the other dimension was that she did so immediately.

It was to discuss the 'retirement trip' with Fucarus.

Teyvat is very big, and she wanted to go see it (with Richard).

After all, now that the real person has returned, it's time for her, the stand-in actress, to bid farewell to the stage of history.

However, before Funina could speak, Fucaros brought up the matter himself.

"Furina must have come today about the 'Water God' matter, right?"

“…Hmm.” Funina nodded. The reason she agreed to play the water god for Fukalos was because of the prophecy of the crisis. Now that the crisis has been resolved and Fukalos is free, it’s time for her, the actress, to finish her role.

"So... does Funina like the position of water goddess?" Fucaros continued to ask.

"I... I don't think I like it, right?" Funina said somewhat uncertainly.

Does she like being the water goddess? To be honest, she doesn't, because she always feels that the position isn't hers, but rather something someone else has lent her.

It feels like being a dependent, very insecure, as if someone could take it all back at any moment.

Moreover, this position carries too much responsibility. Fulina knows her own limitations, and just playing the role of the water goddess has already exhausted her energy.

In her view, she was an incompetent deity.

But... why couldn't she say the word 'hate'?

Fukaros nodded after hearing Funina's words, without saying anything to persuade her to stay, and continued to ask, "So, what do you plan to do after you relinquish your duties as the water god?"

What do I plan to do?

A hint of confusion flashed in Funina's eyes. Although she had planned to have Richard take her around Teyvat, she knew that it was not a long-term solution.

And does Richard really have time to travel with her? Even if he could find the time, how long could he possibly have?

You should know that Richard doesn't just have himself; he also has Ningguang, Shenhe, Linette, and Clarinde.

Not to mention Inazuma's priest and the god of thunder, those people are still waiting.

But having lost his identity as the water god, can he really stay by Richard's side?

For a moment, Funina was somewhat confused.

"I...I don't know." Funina realized that although she had been looking forward to this day, when it finally came, she was not actually prepared.

Seeing Funina's state, Fucaros already had a plan in mind.

To be honest, Fukaros could give Fryna anything. If Fryna said she wanted the position of water god, then Fukaros could go into hiding and act as Fryna's stand-in.

Her kindness towards Funina was the kind that asked for nothing in return.

After all, in Fukaros's eyes, Furnessa was actually herself, the 'self' she longed for.

“In that case, let’s hear my thoughts,” Fukalos said with a smile.

“If the water goddess Funina doesn’t want to be the one, then we won’t be. But I also know that in addition to being the water goddess, you also hold the position of Minister of Administration.”

"If Funina doesn't dislike this job, then she can continue doing it. She can resign when she's ready to do something else in the future," Fukaros said.

"But if I don't become the Water God, will my staying in Mo Mang Palace affect you after you take the throne?" Funina asked worriedly.

Moreover, although she was asked by Fukalos to play the role of the water goddess, this was essentially deceiving the people of Fontainebleau.

Furina had no idea how the people of Fontaine would react once they realized they had been deceived.

They must be furious, after all, she deceived them for five hundred years.

"Impact? Not at all." Fukaros shook her head. "In fact, the reason Fontaine was able to successfully overcome the prophecy crisis was largely due to your efforts."

“My…efforts?” Funina murmured.

"Yes, these years must have been tough. Playing the role of a god in a human body, and having to keep the secret and not tell anyone."

"..." Funina pursed her lips and did not answer.

It was more than just hard work. The first few years were okay, but later on it was pure torture.

That kind of endless, mental torment was something Funina never wanted to experience again in her life.

Several times she felt like she was about to break down, until... she met Richard.

Thinking of this, Furnessa couldn't help but glance at Richard. It was this man's appearance that had irrationally rewritten her fate and pulled her back from the brink of collapse.

"In my opinion, your performance in this prophetic crisis is outstanding, even I cannot compare with you."

After all, in the end, my plan didn't seem to succeed, and I even needed someone else to save me. Compared to your strength, I'm truly an incompetent water god." Fukaros chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"No, no, that's an exaggeration..." Funina felt that what Fukalos said was really too much; she was not as strong as the other party claimed.

Fukalos said seriously, "Regardless of what others think, I don't think that this situation of merit going unrewarded should occur in Fontaine."

This is a land of 'justice'. It is clearly not 'just' and is contrary to fairness that someone who has made contributions has not received the rewards they deserve.

Therefore, I will explain to the world everything that has happened over the years, and I will not let you suffer any injustice.

If the people of Fontainebleau have any dissatisfaction or resentment, I will bear it all alone, after all, it was 'me' who made the decision to let you play the role of the water god.

Fukaros knew very well what Fryna was worried about, and she couldn't just stand by and watch that situation happen.

“I think you’re overthinking it,” Richard, who hadn’t spoken for a while, suddenly said.

“In fact, no Fontaine with a conscience would blame you, Funina and Fucaros, for such a thing.”

As for those conscienceless individuals who blame Funina and Fucarus for failing to save everyone, Lee realized that Melo Petersburg was a better place for them to live.

After all, both Furina and Fukaros have been working hard to save Fontaine.

The people of Fontainebleau, as beneficiaries of the system, should not and have no right to be angry with them.

Even if Furina and Fukaros deceived the people of Fontaine, it could only be described as a white lie.

Lies and death—which is more important? I think everyone can tell the difference.

Instead of discussing this, you should think about the reconstruction of Fontaine after the flood crisis, and your future arrangements.

Richard believes that the concerns of Furina and Fucarus could actually be resolved with a press conference.

There's no need to tell them the specifics of what happened; just tell them that thanks to everyone's efforts, Fontaine will no longer have to worry about flooding, the prophecy of the world's destruction has been passed, and everyone can just live peacefully from now on.

Sometimes, as long as the result is good, the process can be completely ignored. For Richard, things like deception are not a problem at all.

There's a saying that goes something like this: as long as you're not caught, it's not a crime.

After Richard shared his idea, Funina's expression softened considerably, clearly indicating that Richard's words of comfort had worked.

Fukaros, however, curled the corners of his mouth thoughtfully. "Judging from how skilled you are, you must have done this kind of thing quite a lot before, right?"

It's not just that he did a lot; Richard previously speculated that the trial might be related to the prophecy of the end of the world, and he even sent a lot of credit to that guy, Fucaros.

Needless to say, the methods used were far more sinister than deception or anything like that.

Of course, Richard eventually cleared all these debts. Even if Funina and the others found out now, Richard wouldn't think there was anything wrong with it; at most, it would just damage his image a bit.