Yes, Lady Funina!

"What's the difference between this and when I was in the Prophecy Machine?" Fukalos put on a sullen face.

Richard stopped his work, carefully considered Fucaros's words, and said, "The administrative expenses have increased a bit, after all, you're not always in the Prophecy Machine these days."

"So there are only downsides, huh!" Fukalos retorted.

“It’s not a bad thing; administrative expenses must have their reasons for existing.” Richard corrected Fucarus’s wrong view. How could administrative expenses be considered a bad thing?

After all, civil servants' salaries, afternoon tea, and various subsidies and benefits are all included in administrative expenses.

Could these be bad things?

Even if you are the Water God, you can't just say such things. These are the rewards they deserve for their hard work and dedication to Fontaine.

In fact, the administrative expenses given to Fukalos were not paid in vain; Fontaine also gained a lot from Fukalos.

In concrete terms, this is embodied in the Cardinal of the Proclamation and Judgment at the Opiclad Opera House. This divine creation, which combines energy supply and impartial judgment, plays a role in Fontaine that cannot be measured in monetary terms alone.

Compared to the imperial edicts, the administrative expenses were negligible.

Even the emotional value that Funina provided to the people of Fontaine far exceeded her administrative expenses.

Fukaros wasn't actually unaware of these principles; rather, she felt that besides acting as a mascot, she could still do something for Fontaine.

After listening to Fukaros's request, Richard felt that the scene before him was somewhat familiar.

It seems... that's what Fulina told him when she first took office.

“Why not ask Navislet? The fair-minded Mr. Navislet should be able to make the most appropriate arrangements.” Richard decided to pass this trouble to Navislet.

"So he sent me to find you," Fukalos said, indicating that Navelette had passed the buck to him.

Richard was speechless, only feeling that the world was going to the dogs and that the emperor's heart was no longer what it used to be.

That guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, Villette, has actually learned to shift blame and play the game of tai chi. Does the power of water come with the characteristic of shifting blame?

"What does the Water God intend to do?" Richard asked.

"I don't know," Fukaros answered honestly. To be honest, her impression of Fontaine was still from five hundred years ago. Although she had been conducting trials in the Prophecy Machine over the years, what she had learned through the trials was ultimately limited and outdated.

Otherwise, she, the dignified Water Goddess of Fontainebleau, wouldn't have needed to consult Richard about her future career plans.

Of course, besides these things, what she had seen and heard in Fontainebleau these past few days was also the reason that prompted her to come to Richard's office today...

“Lord Fucarus, would you like to try your hand at the job of an inquisitor?” Lynette suggested from the side.

After all, Fucarus had been involved in trials for just as long as Navilette.

Those seemingly divine pronouncements were actually the will of Fucarus.

Therefore, becoming a judge is a good fit for Fukalos's profession.

After hearing Lynette's suggestion, Fukaros thought about it and felt that it was indeed feasible.

She clapped her hands and made a decision immediately: before figuring out what to do, she would just act as a judge for now.

But if Fukaros wants to be the judge, then... what about Mr. Navelette, the Perfect Dragon?

The Water God is nominally the supreme ruler of Fontaine, while the Supreme Judge Navelette is the de facto supreme ruler of Fontaine.

Now that Fukaros is going to become a judge, doesn't that mean she'll be working under the Supreme Judge Navelette?

This is clearly not in accordance with legal principles.

Does this mean Navelette should step down and relinquish her position?

It's time for me, Fu, to take the seat of the highest judge!

What, the Divine Child Fuka?

However, it's not impossible that such a possibility exists...

However, Fucarus did not intend to take away Navelette's position, but rather to create a new one.

In fact, due to Richard's intervention and Frynn's influence, the City Hall has now become the second largest department in the Mo Mang Palace, and its powers and responsibilities are too broad. It can get involved in almost everything except the Court of Justice.

While this expanded Richard's power, it was not a good thing for the operation of the Fontaine government.

After all, the most taboo thing for a political system is an unclear division of powers, and this is precisely the problem between the City Hall and other departments of the Palace of Momo.

In other words, after several rounds of development, the City Hall has now grown into a behemoth, becoming an unwieldy department for the Mo Mang Palace.

Now that Fontaine has gained another water god, it's like everyone suddenly has another leader out of nowhere, making Fontaine's administrative system even more complicated.

If Fontaine hadn't been primarily focused on post-disaster reconstruction, the situation would likely have been even more unpredictable.

Even for the sake of a peaceful and stable life ahead, Richard should start thinking about how to balance the current situation.

It would be best to start reforming Fontaine's political system now, while everyone's energy is focused on reconstruction. Otherwise, once everyone has some free time, it will only create more resistance.

Li noticed that Fukaros hadn't said it earlier or later, but precisely at this particular moment, that he told him, "I want to make a big splash." It's hard not to wonder if Fukaros did it on purpose.

"Does Lord Fucarus intend to succeed Mr. Navelette as the Supreme Judge?" Richard asked.

Fucarus shook his head, rubbing the rim of his glass with his fingertips, and said meaningfully, "Villet has done a great job over the years. Even if I were more confident, I don't think I could do better than him."

"So, you become his subordinate?"

“I don’t really care, but… if both water gods become subordinates of Navelette, wouldn’t that make the gods of other kingdoms think too much?”

Richard wasn't sure if the other gods would have any ulterior motives, but he was certain that if the "Heavenly Principles" of Sky Island were to awaken and see that the ruling god he had placed on Earth had become a subordinate of the Elemental Dragon King, and had even relinquished the power over water, he would probably be quite unhappy.

Fukaros probably meant the same thing, which is why she took a step back and asked him if there was a more 'appropriate' arrangement.

I almost wanted to tell Richard directly: How can we balance the interests of the various factions in Fontaine under the current conditions? Please teach me, Father Prime Minister.

In fact, whether it was Fucarus, Navelette, or Funina, they didn't really care about power.

More than anything, it's their position that forces them to consider the issue of 'power'.

For Fukaros, the stability of Fontaine is obviously much more important than power struggles. Having finally saved Fontaine from the prophecy of destruction, he couldn't let it be destroyed by the selfish desires of a few people, could he?

“That is indeed a problem, and I need some time to think about it.” To be on the safe side, Richard did not say it directly, but instead planned to ask for other people’s opinions before making a decision.

"Okay." Seeing that Richard understood her meaning, Fukaros nodded readily, a serene smile appearing on her face. "I'll be waiting for your good news."

After saying that, Fukaros left Richard's office, while Lynette stepped forward to help Richard put away the documents he had already reviewed. As she put the documents away, she said, "Lady Fukaros probably doesn't really want to be a judge."

It's obvious that with Fucarus's intelligence and status, if she really wanted to be a judge, she wouldn't need to come to Richard's side. Moreover, we can also tell from the conversation just now that Fucarus had already been able to contact Navelette.

What they talked about is unknown, but it certainly wasn't the judge's business.

As for the judge, with Navelette's abilities, she could probably handle Fucaros very quickly. Even if the water goddess couldn't conveniently be subordinate to the supreme judge, she could be given a special judge position to supervise and check the supreme judge.

After all, Navelette doesn't need supervision or checks and balances, so adding such a position won't have any impact.

"She was thinking about how to quell the many impacts that the sudden appearance of a water god had on Fontaine. Moreover, she should have also realized that the City Hall's authority was expanding and had become an uncontrollable behemoth..." Richard said.

Lynette paused in her work, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion. "She's planning to target City Hall?"

Lady Fryna is still here! Given Fryna's attitude towards her, and considering Richard's relationship with her, there's no way she would dare to attack the city hall, right?

“Not only that, she doesn’t just want to target the City Hall, she even wants to carry out a sweeping reform of the entire Momang Palace.” Richard tapped the table lightly with his hand. He could actually guess some of what Fukalos was thinking.

“Reform…” Lynette remembered Richard saying that reform was not a good thing.

It means turmoil, and it also means a surge in workload. And is it really okay to make reforms at this critical juncture, when the flood crisis has just passed?

“There’s really no major problem. Fontaine does need a transformation to reshuffle things up, and I’ve actually considered that as well.” Richard paused for a moment, then added, “But before that, I’d like to ask for your opinion.”

“My opinion?” Lynette was surprised. What opinion could a mere private secretary possibly have?

"Well, after all, you can't be my secretary forever, can you?"

“It’s not that it’s impossible…” Lynette muttered to herself.

She quite enjoys being Richard's personal secretary, and she wouldn't get tired of it even if she continued doing it.

It's definitely better than being a magician's assistant.

Linnie: Love can disappear, right?

“That won’t do. From the very beginning, I’ve considered you my personal secretary.” Richard shook his head. With Lynette’s abilities, it would be a waste to have her as his personal secretary.

"So what do you intend for me to do?"

"Are you interested in becoming the Executive Secretary-General?"

"?"

Lynette slowly typed out a question mark. If she was to be the Executive Secretary... what about Richard?

Are they planning to run away?

Richard has too many such past offenses, so it's impossible for Lynette not to overthink things.

“It’s not the permanent secretary-general of the city hall, but someone from another department,” Richard explained.

Richard planned to establish a separation of powers in Fontaine, dividing the Palace of Mo Mang into three separate legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

These three departments correspond to Fukalos, Navilette, and Furina.

This would not only solve the problem of the city hall becoming too powerful, but also effectively balance the interests of all parties involved.

It can be said to be the most suitable administrative system for the constitution of the Fontainebleau baby at this stage.

Even if the three of them wanted to quit in the future, they wouldn't have to fake their deaths to escape like the old man next door.

Richard's suggestion to make Lynette the permanent secretary-general was actually a ploy to get her to help Fukaros.

If Richard's plan is implemented as intended, neither Violet nor Funina will need to worry, as there will definitely be enough manpower.

On the contrary, Fukaros, who was 'new to the area', was lacking in this aspect, and Lynette was able to fill this gap perfectly, which was a 'success in one step' for Lynette.

After all, once Mo Mang Palace is divided into three departments, it is equivalent to dividing the power of the Chief Secretary of Mo Mang Palace into three parts, and the powers of the Executive Secretary within the department are equivalent to those of the former Chief Secretary of Mo Mang Palace.

Lynette's promotion from Secretary General to one-third of the Principal Secretary General—isn't that a meteoric rise?

In one go, he covered a distance that others might not be able to cover in a lifetime.

As for Richard, he will continue to serve as Furlinna's permanent secretary, while Clarinde, lacking sufficient qualifications, will remain Furlinna's private secretary and bodyguard.

The only one who might feel a little uncomfortable is Vilette, as he is the only one among the three departments who has been 'weakened'.

However, given Villette's personality, she wouldn't care about such things.

And to be honest, Fontaine's power was indeed too concentrated before, with Navelette alone controlling the judicial, legislative, and executive branches, which means that Navelette had no personal interests.

If it were anyone else, they would have already said, "I don't eat beef anymore."

Chapter 171 Cook Funina

"Wait, you mean I'm getting a promotion?" Funina was a little confused, looking at Richard in front of her with a puzzled expression.

She's only been working for a few days, how come she's getting promoted?

Most importantly, judging from Richard's words, this position seems to be quite high, equivalent to one-third of a Supreme Court judge.

Although Frynn is the Water Goddess, she is well aware that she is only in name, holding the title but without any real power, and is no match for Inazuma's Thunder God or Liyue's Geo God.

Even after Fucarus became the water god, he didn't actually have any real power; he was more of a mascot.

"To be precise, it's not a promotion, but a reasonable reassignment based on the current situation in Fontaine," Richard explained.

The city hall's powers are already quite extensive; if you really want to count them, they almost encompass all administrative powers, equivalent to one-third of a supreme judge.

The only difference was that the power to appoint personnel was not in their own hands, but rather in Naviette's.

If the three powers are separated now, it means taking this power of personnel appointment from Navilette and completely breaking away from the Moman Palace to become an independent department.

No matter how extensive the city hall's authority was or how much power it held, it was merely a subordinate department of the Mo Mang Palace when it did not have the power to appoint personnel.

Only when a department can independently appoint officials and manage promotions within the city hall can it be considered an independent department. Otherwise, no matter how much power you have, if someone removes your subordinates or takes your position, it will all be for nothing.

Of course, neither Funina nor Richard need to worry about being dismissed from their posts.

Frynn is a water goddess because she is one, while Richard doesn't care; it's Fontaine who needs him, not the other way around.

The reason he stayed in Fontaine after completely completing his own power was that he had been everywhere and was no longer willing to cause trouble. In addition, he was worried about Funina, so he simply stayed.

“Reasonable allocation…” Fu Ningna was thinking about what kind of reasonable allocation could be used to allocate resources to the Three-Point Mo Mang Palace.

Fortunately, Navigette valued the power she held; otherwise, Richard's actions would have been labeled as treason anywhere.

"Of course, this matter hasn't been finalized yet, I'm just letting you know in advance, don't spread it around." Richard said, looking at Clarinde who was obediently peeking at him from the side, "Do you understand, Clarinde?"

“…Oh.” A helpless expression appeared on Clarinde’s cold and pretty face. Even if she really wanted Richard, she couldn’t help but mutter a few words of complaint to herself.