Early morning.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
Furina's long-standing biological clock woke her up.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she yawned and felt the soft, furry texture beneath her cheek, letting out a sigh of relief.
Tugging at the blanket that had somehow been draped over her, Furina curled her lips into a smile, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she let out a couple of silly giggles.
"Still half-asleep?"
Lu Heng teased.
"Nope~"
How could he possibly understand how she felt?
Furina had been terrified that this was all just a beautiful dream.
But thankfully, everything was real!
"It's seven o'clock. There are already people from Fontaine lining up outside," Lu Heng reminded her.
Furina stiffened, glanced at the still-closed door, and relaxed slightly.
She quickly got up, folded the blanket neatly, and placed it aside, then suddenly felt a little nervous.
But then she spotted the big white bear plushie beside her and remembered—
Her [Swift Cape] had a stealth function!
Instantly, her unease vanished.
She flopped back onto the sofa like a boneless sloth.
"You don't open until nine anyway~"
Furina wanted to laze around a little longer.
"But the Palais Mermonia starts work at eight," Lu Heng said.
"Ugh!"
Furina's mood instantly soured.
She loved sleeping in, but the Melusines would always come to wake her.
In the past, she could just mumble something and go back to sleep, but if she didn't respond today, the Melusines would definitely get worried and check on her.
Then they'd realize the Hydro Archon hadn't returned to the Palais Mermonia all night.
And then they'd start a frantic search.
"Ahhh—"
Furina groaned. "Why do the Melusines have to be so dutiful…"
"That just sounds like you don't know how good you have it," Lu Heng chuckled.
"Sigh."
Furina exhaled dramatically.
Then she said, "Can you open the door for me? If I open it myself, it'll look suspicious. I need to get back to the Palais Mermonia for more sleep."
"Sure."
By the time Lu Heng reached the door, Furina had already activated her cape's stealth effect, her figure gradually turning transparent until even her outline disappeared.
Lu Heng opened the door.
The person at the front of the line blinked in surprise, then felt a gust of wind brush past, as if someone had just run by.
Just as they were about to speak, Lu Heng pointed at the notice board beside the door.
The person nodded in understanding.
Though they weren't sure why Lu Heng had opened the door just to peek outside, it was clear that card pulls wouldn't be available before nine.
——
Furina dashed all the way to the entrance of the Palais Mermonia.
A tall figure was approaching from a distance.
Neuvillette.
The first floor of the Palais Mermonia was the administrative area. Neuvillette had his own office and resting quarters, and given his busy schedule, he usually slept in his private room.
If he was outside the Palais Mermonia at this hour, it was likely because he didn't want to trouble the Melusines and had gone out to buy breakfast himself.
His breakfast was simple—just water.
"Lady Furina?"
Neuvillette paused mid-step, looking at Furina with mild surprise.
Furina froze.
The [Swift Cape] only provided basic stealth, and for someone as perceptive as Neuvillette, that "stealth" might as well not exist.
Just how strong was Neuvillette, anyway?
Curious, Furina used [Eye of Insight] on him.
[Neuvillette (Surname)]
[Race]: Ancient Dragon
[Age]: 577
[Equipment]: None
[Description]: The new Hydro Sovereign, born with incomplete draconic authority for unknown reasons, manifested in human form. When sorrowful, his power affects the surrounding environment, causing rain to fall as an outward reflection of his emotions. Enjoys sampling water from various regions.
Huh?!
He was the Water Dragon from the nursery rhymes?!
This was the first time Furina had learned Neuvillette's true identity and the extent of his authority.
Oh-ho-ho!
So all those sudden, inexplicable rain showers were just him being sad?!
"Is something the matter, Lady Furina?"
Neuvillette looked puzzled.
"N-Nothing."
Since Neuvillette hadn't disclosed this himself, Furina decided not to bring it up.
"I see."
Neuvillette didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "You seem to be in a hurry. Did you just return from outside?"
Furina immediately put on an exaggerated expression, gasping in mock surprise. "Who told you I pulled a gold card?!"
"?"
Wait, that's not what I asked?!
A question mark practically materialized above Neuvillette's head.
"Oh my!"
Furina beamed. "What?! You even know I pulled an incredibly powerful purple card too?!"
Neuvillette: "…"
Honestly, there were times when Furina's behavior was utterly baffling.
It was impossible to predict her next move—because every move she made was confusing in its own right.
"Tsk tsk~"
"Who would've thought that just because I was hungry and went out to grab a bite, I happened to pass by the card shop? And even though it wasn't business hours, the shopkeeper still welcomed me so warmly! Well, I guess it makes sense—my popularity is just that good for publicity~!"
Furina chattered away, thoroughly pleased with herself.
She had effortlessly fed Neuvillette all the necessary information.
TL;DR: Furina had gone out early because she was hungry, passed by the card shop, and decided to pull some cards.
As for why she didn't just eat at the Palais Mermonia—Neuvillette figured there was no need to overthink it. She probably just felt like it.
More and more people were arriving for work.
Furina proudly displayed the cards equipped on her device.
"Look!"
"[Eye of Insight]! [Super Fluffy Bear]! And this wearable [Swift Cape]!"
"I'm the first in all of Fontaine to pull a gold card! I've already tested it for our citizens—it really does grant godlike power! No false advertising here!"
On her way back, Furina had thought it over carefully.
Instead of hiding things, it was better to flaunt them openly.
She'd just keep the [Elemental Resonance] card a secret.
As for why she had gone to pull cards outside business hours, or why Lu Heng had accommodated her—Furina felt no need to explain.
If she had to carefully justify everything even after gaining power, then what was the point of having power in the first place?!
What gives you the right to question the Hydro Archon's business?!
There was another reason, too.
By showcasing her cards at the Palais Mermonia—the heart of Fontaine's government—she was giving Lu Heng free advertising. Not that he probably needed it, given how packed his shop already was.
"In that case, we should expedite the official procurement process," Neuvillette said calmly.
He wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, he'd already braced himself for this yesterday.
But for the average person, this was nothing short of a thunderbolt out of the blue!
"You should go check it out yourself," Furina suggested.
She trusted Neuvillette implicitly—his fairness and integrity had been proven time and again.
Aside from his duties as the Chief Justice, Neuvillette handled most of Fontaine's administrative affairs. She, on the other hand, was more of a mascot.
So, the stronger Neuvillette became, the more stable Fontaine would be.
And the more stable Fontaine was, the less she'd have to do—perfect!
"I understand."
Neuvillette nodded. He'd been planning to do just that.
----------
T/N:
Access 30 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/furinaimpact