Yes, Lady Funina!

Funina said irritably, "Alright, alright, I was wrong, okay? Seriously... what's wrong with letting me win this once!"

Although Funina appeared unhappy on the surface, she actually enjoyed this way of getting along with her friends.

This was a very novel experience for Fulina, after all, she had very few friends and no one had ever joked with her like that before.

Richard was the first.

The first time is always special. Although Funina wore a thick mask, she did not reject this kind of friendship.

"By the way, Lady Frynn, I need to ask for some time off." Richard was still a little worried, so he had to go to Mondstadt to check on things.

If the problem can't be resolved in a short time, he'll probably bring Klee to Fontainebleau to stay for a while.

A question mark appeared above Funina's head.

No, she just used a little trick. Was it really necessary for her to ask for leave directly?

“There are other matters. Lynette will take over the work recently. She can handle everything, so don’t worry,” Richard explained.

"It's not that problem. Why would you suddenly need to take leave?" Fu Ningna didn't think Richard was feeling unwell.

Suddenly, she remembered Richard's reaction when he heard about the Dragon's Disaster in Mondstadt, and a guess formed in her mind.

"Could it be because of the dragon scourge in Mondstadt?"

"Yes, my sister is in Mondstadt, and I'm really worried about her." Richard didn't really have anything to hide; after all, having a sister wasn't something to be ashamed of.

On the contrary, he was proud of his younger sister, who knew how to fry fish at such a young age, just like Alice, and whose future was definitely limitless!

"This is the first time I've heard that you have a younger sister, a biological sister?" Funina asked curiously.

“No, she’s my aunt’s daughter, but I treat her like my own sister,” Richard replied.

Such a comparison is also inappropriate, because Richard and Claire are quite far apart in age, so Richard is more like half a daughter than a sister.

In short, it's very important.

Having learned this, Funina naturally had no reason to refuse and immediately approved the vacation.

"Speaking of which... Richard, you grew up in Mondstadt, didn't you?"

Now that the important business has been discussed, it's time to wait for the end of the workday. Funina doesn't mind using this time to get to know her friend better.

"Yes, ever since I can remember, I've lived with Alice in Mondstadt. Compared to my parents, whom I've never met and don't even know if they exist, Alice is like a mother to me."

Richard had never met his parents, but Alice claimed to be his aunt, and Richard believed her.

He has never considered searching for his biological parents; there's no need. He feels he's doing well now, had a happy childhood, and has no regrets.

"I see..." 4

Upon hearing that Richard also didn't know his parents, Funina felt a strange sense of kinship, because she, too, had no parents.

So it seems they actually have a lot in common. 3

"What's Mondstadt like? Is it really as magical as the books say, that it has never rained in the city for thousands of years?"

"Yes, it's said that due to the protection of the wind god, Mondstadt often experiences the strange phenomenon of continuous rain outside the city while the sky remains clear inside," Richard confirmed. Seven.

"It's so nice to be a city that doesn't get rained on..." Funina sighed subconsciously. Since it doesn't rain, it probably won't flood either...

"?" Now it was Richard's turn to be questioning. "Do you want to hear what you're saying? You're the God of Water!"

As a water god, why envy Mondstadt for its rainless climate? Isn't that a bit...o

Noticing Richard's gaze, Funina coughed lightly and explained, "I just think sunny days are much more convenient than rainy days. Whether it's outdoor performances or people on the street, there are far more people than on rainy days. You know, I just love a lively atmosphere."

"I see." Richard nodded. Since you've said so, let's accept it that way.

Then Richard suddenly spoke up: "Since you're so curious about Mondstadt, why don't you come with me to Mondstadt? Let's see for ourselves what Mondstadt is really like."

Volume 1: Chapter 37 Did you fall for it?

Going to Mondstadt... This idea never crossed Frynn's mind.

Since the individual named 'Frinna' awoke, she has spent most of her time shuttling between the Opiclie Opera House and the Moman Palace.

The farthest she had ever been was probably the outskirts of Fontainebleau, where at least she no longer had to deal with people, no longer had to be stared at by false gazes, and had a little space to breathe outside of her own room, as well as puffy beast friends who could tolerate her capricious nature.

Of course, being stared at with false gazes was something Fulina had long anticipated. The moment she put on the mask, people would only focus on the mask and not see the truth beneath it.

Naturally, she didn't receive genuine attention, since everyone was looking at the water goddess Funyna, not Funyna herself.

Of course, if her true self were seen before the final judgment, her first reaction would probably not be happiness, but fear, right?

Because that would mean she messed everything up, and no one would be saved.

For this reason, Funina, who had never left Fontaine, learned about the other six countries mainly from the books and materials in the Fontaine Library and from the adventurers and multinational merchants who came to see her.

Therefore, despite not having given a clear answer yet, Frynn had already rejected the idea of ​​going to Mondstadt from the bottom of her heart when faced with Richard's proposal.

But even though I've already rejected it, why can't my mind still keep recalling the descriptions of Mondstadt in the book, imagining its architecture, its flora and fauna, its natural landscapes...?

But in a short time, all her thoughts coalesced into one intense idea that she could hardly contain—how wonderful it would be to go to Mondstadt.

Even if it's just for a few days...

She had never had such thoughts before; even when someone invited her to other countries, she would just laugh it off. But why this time…?

Funina opened her mouth several times, intending to refuse Richard's invitation, but each time the words were about to come out, her vocal cords seemed to be stuck, and she could not make a sound no matter what she did.

“Furina?” Richard noticed Furina’s unusual behavior.

It's like a cat that craves meat strips but is worried they're poisonous, hesitating yet unwilling to give up.

It's just a simple thing, a trip to Mondstadt, a few days, it's not like I'm never coming back.

Even someone as busy as the Supreme Inquisitor Navelette should be able to find the time for this, right?

Not to mention that there wasn't actually that much to deal with, and Furness even had time to go to the Opiclie Opera to watch the trial and participate in the opera performance.

After careful consideration, Richard was surprised to discover that this water god seemed to have never visited any other countries, or rather, never set foot in Fontainebleau, since taking office five hundred years ago.

Over these nearly five hundred years, Funina's actions have been clear and predictable.

If you were to visualize it, the route she took could fill the entire Fontainebleau, yet she never drew a line that formed a circle called 'Fontainebleau'.

Of course, there are gods who haven't visited a country for hundreds of years. Take Shadow, whom he knows best, for example. She hasn't left Inazuma since she returned from Kanria five hundred years ago.

Richard knew that the reason Inazuma had never appeared was partly because the damage caused by that disaster was still healing, and partly because of her personality, which was completely different from Funina's current situation.

After spending some time together, Richard came to a deep understanding of just how unconventional, flamboyant, and capricious Furness was.

Yet this very water god, who acts on a whim, has never left Fontainebleau.

Is it because they're not interested?

Richard observed Fryna's expression and, recalling the question she had just asked him about Mondstadt, already had the answer in his mind.

If she really wasn't interested, why would she ask herself these questions?

Having figured this out, another question arises: if Funina wants to go, what is stopping her?

Or rather... what is she worried about?

Considering Funina's various unusual behaviors, Li realized that things were starting to get interesting.

"Sorry, let's talk about this later. Give me some time to think about it... You see, the water god visiting another country is a big deal. We need to consider it carefully. Yes, we need to think about it carefully."

When Funina heard Richard calling her name, she became even more flustered and had no choice but to stall for time to postpone the issue.

Perhaps once I get back to my room and calm down, I'll be able to say what I need to say?

Funina left work early, preoccupied, and practically fled the office.

She didn't even notice Clarinde walking in; she passed by without a word of greeting.

"You didn't fall for it?" This was the only explanation Clarinde could come up with.

Richard looked at Claurind with an unfriendly expression, as if to say, "You knew all along that Frynn was plotting against you, why didn't you tell me beforehand? Whose side are you on?"

“I am Funina’s personal secretary,” Claurind reminded her.

“Yes, of course, but I’m the one who writes your annual report, Secretary Clarin,” Secretary Richard reminded her with a smile.

Clarinde parted her red lips, only then realizing who she was on her side.

This magnanimous and mature woman was now somewhat regretful; she shouldn't have asked Richard if he had been tricked in the first place.

It's hard to say whether Richard fell for it, but she's probably in for a serious mess.

But since things have come to this point, we should at least find out whether Funina succeeded or not, otherwise it would be a huge loss.

"So... you didn't fall for it?" Klorind watched as Frynn ran out with a heavy heart, guessing that she not only failed to outwit Richard, but might even have been outmaneuvered by him.

Seeing that Clarinde was so unresponsive, Richard simply ignored her question and speculated about the reason for Funina's behavior.

"Perhaps it was my need to take a break and go to Mondstadt to handle some matters that displeased Lady Frynn?"

"Unhappy? How could that be?" Clarind didn't think Frynn would be angry about something like this, unless Richard wasn't planning to go back to Fontaine.

"Of course, I also invited her to go to Mondstadt with me."

"?" Clorind still couldn't understand. What was there to be bothered about? If you wanted to go, you could go; if you didn't want to go, you could simply refuse.

“Alright, Secretary Clarin. I have a favor to ask you…” Richard paused, “Of course you can refuse, but I might not be in a good mood if I'm refused… You wouldn’t want me to be in a bad mood while writing my annual work report, would you?”

Clorinde: ...

So did Richard fall for the trick or not?

Volume 1: Chapter 38 Abundant Water Elements

Richard has most likely been fooled!

In her report at the meeting the following day, Claude received a draft of the refugee resettlement plan, which specified that the resettlement sites would be located on the unopened commercial street next to the Opiclie Opera House.

In fact, even this location was told to Frynn by Clarinde.

But when she thought about her current situation and Richard's request (coercion), she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

I should never have gotten involved in the first place. No, even if I hadn't gotten involved, I figured I still wouldn't have been able to escape given Richard's personality.

That despicable Richard.

However, citing reasons such as fire hazards, safety inspections, and aging facilities, it is recommended that the Palace of Momen temporarily suspend the use of the Opicclay Opera House for trial work and conduct a week-long closure for maintenance.

Could these reasons alone really persuade Navigette to agree to close the Opicley Opera House for repairs, postpone the trial, or move the work elsewhere?

And what is the purpose of doing this?

Claude couldn't understand it; she just felt that these office workers were all corrupt.

She began to miss the simpler days when all she had to do was ensure Frynn's safety and handle the duels.

Clarin felt that if she stayed any longer, she would probably be assimilated by Richard and the others.

Hmm... that seems pretty good too.

After the meeting, Claurind found Navelette in the Supreme Judge's office and submitted the proposal.

After carefully reading the proposal, Navigette raised the following question.

"Ms. Clorinde, may I ask who made this proposal?"

Remembering Richard's instructions, Claude quickly replied, "Yes, Secretary Richard."

Navelette nodded and said, "I see, I understand."

No, what do you understand?

Claudia felt she didn't understand, but she continued to ask, "So you mean..."

“The Opicclay Opera House does exist, as described in this proposal, and I will convene the officials in charge of the Opicclay Opera House in my name to discuss this matter,” Navilette said.

Claude was somewhat surprised. Although Navelette did not express his opinion directly, it was clear from his preparation to convene a meeting of officials for the proposal that he agreed to it.

They're really prepared to close the Opicclay Opera House for renovations, even if it's only for a week, but it's the Opicclay Opera House after all.

Throughout Fontaine's history, the Opikley Opera House has only been closed for a few periods, and these were mostly due to major events that significantly impacted the city's future. Staff shortages and the lack of entertainment options for the Fontaine population forced the temporary suspension of operations.

However, although Navelette agreed, Clarinde was still not optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.

After all, while Navigette was the Supreme Judge, it didn't mean that the Palace of Momen was his personal fiefdom; it depended on whether the officials managing the Opiclie Opera agreed to the proposal.

After all, although everyone usually respects the Supreme Judge Navelette, things can change when it comes to their own interests.

The Opiclie Opera House earns a considerable amount in a day...