Yes, Lady Funina!

"Even those Seven Stars find it difficult to see that Emperor, don't they?"

Richard revealed a mysterious smile. Just because the Seven Stars couldn't see the Rock God didn't mean he couldn't see him.

It should be noted that the Emperor and even Liyue owed him a great debt a hundred years ago, and now it is time for them to repay it.

Seeing Richard's expression, Lynette knew that he must have already made a plan, and based on her speculation, he probably had a way to directly contact the God of Contracts.

And he was so sure the other party would agree to his request, could Richard's relationship with Liyue be like that of Inazuma?

Corinne heard that the Emperor of Liyue always appears in male form. Surely even the Geo Archon is no match for her?

Richard had no idea what Lynette was thinking. If he did, he'd probably give her a good rub on the head with a dark expression.

Richard's contact with Liyue was indeed not much; his stay there was quite short, only about ten years.

He did make quite a few friends over the past ten years, but most of his friends were human. If you count the time, the grass on his grave must be three feet tall by now.

Besides that, he also met some immortals, but he didn't know how they were doing after all these years.

"Is it worth it to risk the Rock God's favor for a secret?" Lynette asked.

To be honest, she was a little jealous and didn't understand why Richard was able to go to such lengths for Funina.

“What’s the point of whether it’s worth it or not? Frynn is the key to dealing with the prophecy of Fontaine’s doom. You don’t want your home to be submerged by the sea, do you?” Richard noticed Lynette’s unusual behavior. “It’s not just for Frynn, it’s also for you and all the people of Fontaine.”

Lynette pursed her lips. What did she mean by "for her"? It was just empty words.

Although that's what Lynette thought, you could see that the kitten's expression and even its tail showed a joyful posture.

—It's clear she really falls for this.

"Besides, if we don't use this favor now, we may never have the chance to use it again."

"why?"

Richard smiled but remained silent. He couldn't very well tell Lynette that the Geo Archon of Liyue was also planning to follow the example of the Anemo Archon and quit, could he?

Even the Heart of the Rock God will be delivered to the Winter Queen through a transaction.

Just like Richard entrusted the Heart of the Wind God to Lynette to be handed over to the [servant].

"Alright, that's a long way off. Let's deal with the immediate matters first. Is there any news from the Hearth House regarding the 'launch experiment' at the Fontaine Academy of Sciences?"

"The experiment's director is Edwin Eastinghouse, a senior researcher at the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, and the most likely candidate to become the next director."

"Do you have any more specific information about this experiment?" Richard asked.

Because of her previous handing over of the Heart of the Wind God, Lynette's status in the House of Hearths has been greatly elevated. In fact, Lynette was in a very awkward position in the House of Hearths before.

After all, many members of the Hearth House viewed the act of becoming Richard's secretary as a form of 'betrayal'.

Fortunately, this voice disappeared after Lynette handed the Heart of the Wind God to her servant, Arecino, and the level of information she could access also increased significantly.

As is widely known, the information Lynette knows is equivalent to the information Richard knows.

These intelligence reports were supposedly for Lynette, but in reality, they were for Richard. Both Lynette and the servant knew this.

"This experiment aims to use the power of the Primordial Mine to lift the entire Fontaine Academy into the air in order to cope with the flood crisis. Based on the current situation, this idea does indeed have the potential to be realized."

"However, the general consensus within the House of Hearths is that this 'launch experiment' is too radical. They believe that moving too fast is not always a good thing, especially in the field of science."

“Is that so?” Richard said noncommittally. The assessment from the House of Hearths was similar to his own; neither of them believed that the other party’s experiment would be successful.

Even if he fails, Edwin's position in the Fontaine Academy should not be greatly affected.

For scientists, failure is the norm; they've long been accustomed to it.

Unless this experiment causes extremely serious consequences, such as blowing up the entire Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, it will be difficult for other factions within the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences to bring it down.

However, if the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences really explodes, then discussing whether or not to bring it down will be meaningless.

"Hopefully we'll get some good news," Richard said.

Success is naturally a good thing, but failure doesn't matter to him.

He never places his hopes on others.

Soon the day of the 'launch experiment' arrived, and Funina and Richard, along with reporter Charlotte, arrived at the agreed-upon viewing location early in the morning.

The site is located on a hilltop north of the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, offering a panoramic view of the entire academy.

It is also the best viewing spot to witness the launch of the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, and even if any accident occurs, it will not affect their location.

After all, most of those invited to the ceremony were dignitaries and important figures in Fontainebleau, and any problem with any of them would cause quite a stir in Fontainebleau.

If anything were to happen to these people, even the Fontaine Academy of Sciences would not be able to bear the consequences.

Accompanying him were the experiment's director, Edwin Eastinghouse, and his students and followers, who would explain the many details of the experiment so that the Fontaine high command, especially the officials of the Momeng Palace, could better understand where the Academy's funding had been used over the years.

Just before the countdown to the start of the experiment, Funina suddenly tugged at Richard's sleeve and said somewhat uneasily to the person next to her:

"Richard, I have a bad feeling..."

P.S.: I sent you yesterday's PY, and I'm sending you a copy today! It's also written by a high-quality, experienced author.

Link to "Starry Sky Railway, I'm Sorry, My Time Is Running Out" (not included in word count)

Synopsis: As his life draws to a close, perhaps the diviner will recall the days when she attained enlightenment, and remember his master who was bound by fate.

She thought herself a genius, until her old friend passed away.

Even though we can see the changing of the world and the shifting of the times, we cannot withstand the passage of time or death.

Fei Guang Fei Guang, persuade you to have a glass of wine.

My first encounter with him was hundreds of years ago, yet it feels like it was just yesterday.

He was once an arrogant and unruly genius, but now he can no longer lift a sword.

He often forgets everything that happens around him because his past is so extraordinary that time seems to stand still at that moment.

The world was dark. They could hear what he could hear, but he could no longer hear what they said.

Only the voice in my heart is getting louder and louder.

As the glorious story comes to an end, people can't help but ask:

What will become of them in the future?

The girl answered:

"I suppose he will spend the rest of his life happily like this."

"And what about the rest of your life...?"

The girl didn't answer again, she just closed her eyes.

Volume 1: Chapter 73 Ascent, and then—"boom!!!"

"A bad feeling? Haha, Lady Funina, please rest assured, we have made sufficient preparations before the experiment, enough to deal with any possible situation."

Edwin, who was standing nearby, heard what Frynn said and laughed twice to indicate that with him there, there would be no surprises.

"But the experiment is about to start. As the person in charge of this experiment, are you sure it's okay if you don't go to the central laboratory to oversee it?" Funina asked, puzzled.

“No need. Everything has been arranged. Although those researchers sometimes do some stupid things, they can’t possibly make a mistake just by pressing the start button, can they?” Edwin seemed very confident, even arrogant.

In his view, the researchers under his command were all a burden and idiots. If he had enough time, he could handle all the experimental projects by himself and do them much better.

If the success rate is currently 80%, then if he were to come, it would become 99%, with the remaining 1% being due to scientific rigor.

However, on the other hand, if it weren't for Furna's sudden idea to accept the invitation from the Fontaine Academy, Edwin would be inspecting the central laboratory right now, instead of coming to the observation deck to keep her company.

While ordinary government officials like Edwin might act arrogantly, this mad scientist clearly had a sense of justice when facing the God of Water.

“I think Mr. Edwin means that everything is ready so that even if no one is there, the researchers in the central laboratory can complete the experiment according to the established plan,” Richard explained.

Standing beside Funina, Clarin Deford said to Lin Xinzhi, "Just like the administrative department can still function normally even without you, Lady Funina."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Clarind sensed something was wrong and covered her mouth with her hand.

"I mean……"

"Alright, no need to explain anymore, Clarinde. Next time you open your mouth, you'd better think about whether the department can function normally without you," Furina replied irritably.

"Yes, Lady Furina..." Clorinde glanced at Richard discreetly. If there was anyone in the department who couldn't be missing, it would probably be this guy.

Richard noticed Clarin's gaze. "You're not thinking of optimizing me too, are you?"

Clarin quickly shook her head, not daring to think that way.

Just as everyone was talking, the lights on the roof of the central laboratory building in the distance flashed. Upon receiving this message, Edwin straightened his clothes, walked to the stage at the front of the observation deck, clapped his hands, and attracted the attention of all the scholars, reporters, and dignitaries present.

"Your Excellency the Water God, and ladies and gentlemen present, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and witness this experiment."

"Today, we gather here to witness a great moment—the launch of the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences."

"I believe everyone here understands the significance of this launch test without me having to say more. It not only demonstrates the technological achievements of the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, but also means that the shadow hanging over all Fontainebleau residents—the prophecy of the world's destruction by floods—will no longer pose a threat!"

"Of course, some people might ask, what if this experiment fails?"

"In scientific experiments, failure is the main theme. We are not afraid of failure; every failure is a stepping stone to success. Even if this experiment fails, it still has absolute historical significance..."

"Finally, I believe that as long as the Fontaine Academy of Sciences still exists, as long as everyone's strong support remains, and as long as I, Edwin, am still here, then success... is inevitable!!!"

Edwin's speech ignited the entire audience, and everyone gave the most enthusiastic applause to this passionate, energetic, and charismatic senior researcher from Fontainebleau.

This naturally included Funina, the water goddess, who seemed to be infected by the enthusiasm of the speech. After Mr. Edwin finished his speech, she was also invited to give an impromptu speech.

During the event, she specifically praised Mr. Edwin's "enterprising spirit" and stated that although she, as a deity, did not believe that mortals could solve the flood crisis with their own strength, her spirit was worth learning from.

Even if this attempt fails, she, the water goddess Fukaros, will protect Fontaine forever!

Richard watched the radiant Funina on stage from below the stage and couldn't help but shake his head. There was no reason to open the champagne halfway through the event. Successful politicians often wait until all uncertainties are eliminated before making a grand entrance to share the credit.

Instead of like Fulina, who jumped out beforehand and didn't see that the officials who were actually related to the Fontaine Academy of Sciences were just standing by and watching?

No matter how enthusiastic or earnest their speeches, these seasoned veterans couldn't shake their "no action without a sure thing" mentality. Despite the researchers trying to persuade them, they refused to reveal even a fraction of the funding allocated to the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences for the next quarter.

Everything depends on this experiment.

After speaking, Funina returned to Richard's side, proudly raising her head and asking, "How did you think of my performance just now? Were you inspired?"

Richard placed the champagne in his hand on the tea table beside him and exclaimed sincerely, "What a powerful speech!"

—It's almost as good as your speech when you first took office.

However, Funina was no longer the naive girl she once was; she knew very well that in politics, 'courage' was not a good word.

It is often associated with 'terrible' and 'stupid', implying that she seems to have messed things up again.

Funina's face turned pale, and she asked in a flustered manner, "Courage? Why? Why would you think that?"

"Lady Funina, have you considered the consequences if this experiment fails?"

"Failure? Failure is common, and didn't that Professor Ai... Professor Ai what just said that even failure has profound historical significance? I think everyone here, including you, agrees..."

Funina felt quite aggrieved. She clearly saw Richard applaud before she dared to accept the invitation to give a speech. She even stayed up all night preparing two different drafts for the speech.

One was meant to be perfunctory; if Richard didn't approve, she would gloss over the speech. The other was more radical; if Richard liked it, she would use it to win people's hearts and earn a significant bonus.

She had clearly seen Richard smiling and clapping during Edwin's speech, which indicated his approval, so she chose the 'radical' version.

But judging from Richard's words, it seems she misunderstood?

"Lady Funina, I must correct you on one point: applause does not equate to agreement." Richard, upon hearing Funina's words, indicated that he would not take the blame.

"Then why were you clapping?!" Funina exclaimed angrily.

“This is basic etiquette, Lady Funina.”

After all, if everyone else is clapping, and you're the only one not clapping, wouldn't you seem impolite and out of place?

Fu Ningna was speechless. It seemed... that was indeed the case.

"Wait, what should I do?" Funina suddenly realized this problem.

“Pray,” Richard replied immediately.

"I pray to the water god for protection so that this experiment can proceed smoothly, or at least not fail in a disgraceful way."

"I am the Water Goddess!" Funina glared at Richard, still testing him even at this moment!

What a dog!

"Then I wish you good luck," Richard said regretfully.

Funina didn't want to talk to Richard anymore. Richard's actions had affected her mental state, and now she nervously looked towards the central laboratory in the distance, constantly praying that the experiment would proceed smoothly.