"Don't be nervous."
"This is just a little game to let you understand the most elegant and beautiful deity in this world more deeply."
Seeing Qin Yu fall into silence, Furina chuckled.
She hummed the soothing melody of the music from before, not in a hurry.
For the Hydro Archon, observing Qin Yu's reaction seemed like an interesting thing to do.
"...It sounds good, very familiar."
Qin Yu suddenly spoke.
"That was quite the unchanged answer."
Furina stopped humming and said softly.
But... familiar?
She became interested and waited quietly for Qin Yu to explain.
"I've heard a lot of music from Fontaine at the Yashiro Commission."
"It's completely different from the tune you composed."
"They sing praises of the Court of Justice that washes away people's sins... and the righteousness of the Hydro Archon."
Seeing the Hydro Archon fall silent, Qin Yu smiled.
This Hydro Archon was naturally the previous one.
But... can the Court of Justice truly represent divinity and justice?
He hadn't been to Fontaine, so he couldn't say for sure.
But there was one thing he knew very well.
"The Court of Justice proclaims that humans are born with sins against the gods?"
"Heh... If life is going well, where do sins come from?"
"Hypocritical justice that is all the same is quite boring."
...
The air fell silent for a moment.
"Sins... boring... pfft."
Qin Yu's words, clearly laced with disdain, made the deity laugh.
Furina seemed to have heard a funny joke and laughed freely, even patting the table ungracefully.
Qin Yu's face darkened. Was it that funny?
"Ah... among the long trials, this is the most interesting answer."
"I am glad to have found someone who understands my ideals!"
Furina finally stopped laughing, her beautiful voice filled with excitement and satisfaction.
"..."
Qin Yu's heart stirred.
This Hydro Archon's attitude towards the Court of Justice and the previous Hydro Archon was quite subtle.
"I quite like you. Would you like to be my subordinate?"
"If you take on the position of Grand Judge, you can even judge me."
Furina said expectantly after calming her emotions.
She made no secret of her desire to whisk Qin Yu away in front of all the gods.
At worst, she would start a new Archon War, version 3.0.
"You must be joking."
Qin Yu twitched the corner of his mouth. Judge a god?
Can I bring a whip?
Bah, what was he thinking!
The incident where he messed up playing games with the little angel Nahida last time was still vivid.
He didn't want to be kicked out of bed by the "wife" again.
If he wanted to get back into bed, he'd have to coax her for a long time.
Just kidding.
Qin Yu understood the Hydro Archon's hint.
To become the Grand Judge?
That would mean dismantling the entire current Court of Justice in Fontaine.
It seemed this elegant and dignified Hydro Archon was not to be trifled with either.
But... why not use absolute power to suppress them directly?
Qin Yu recalled the soothing music and understood something.
For the citizens of a nation, the Court of Justice, representing the faction of the first Hydro Archon, had a deeper influence on their thoughts than the second generation of Archons.
Power and thought, the two sides maintained a delicate balance.
Therefore, the Hydro Archon needed a helper, a helper who could liberate the minds of Fontaine's people.
Clearly, Mr. Qin had caught the lady's eye.
"Eh... what are you hesitating about?"
"The companion of the Electro Archon, the confidant of the Dendro Archon, the guardian knight of the Cryo Archon, the sworn companion of the Flora Archon."
"One more judge for the Hydro Archon wouldn't be much, would it?"
Furina listed Qin Yu's various "crimes" with a playful tone.
So many gods, and other girls...
You're breaking the law, you know?
Open up, the Fontaine Court of Justice is here to deliver warmth!
"Ahem, I don't understand."
Qin Yu's face was slightly unnatural as he stubbornly said.
Was "getting close" considered breaking the law?
That was giving the girls a warm home!
Although that home also needed to be expanded...
"I'm done. A lady's patience is limited."
Seeing Qin Yu's refusal, Furina's tone gradually became less friendly.
She didn't mind doing something "ungentlemanly" to Qin Yu right now.
"Let me think about how much salary I should ask for in the future."
Qin Yu smiled and said softly.
By the way, does Furina have any Mora?
As everyone knows, there's a mysterious law in Teyvat.
With money, you can abdicate from godhood; without money, you can't abdicate from Hydro Archon status.
So, as the Hydro Archon...?
"Heh, men."
"Alright, I'll give you time to think it over."
Furina was quite satisfied with this outcome and returned to her elegant and languid state.
After this interaction, both sides understood each other's hints.
The Hydro Archon needed Qin Yu's help to deal with the Court of Justice.
And Qin Yu, naturally, needed more time to consider the matter.
"Well, thank you again, Hydro Archon."
Qin Yu smiled and said earnestly.
Although the Hydro Archon's appearance in the Archon War was unexpected, the understanding reached with the Tsaritsa was good in the end.
No one was hurt.
Except for Qingce Island, which was pierced through.
"The Cryo Archon? Hmph... that stubborn woman."
"She's trapped in the vortex of fate, someone has to help pull her out."
"Resistance, in the end, is not something an individual can achieve."
"Even as a god... there are times when one feels powerless."
Furina murmured.
She seemed to be recalling something, her voice wistful.
As if speaking to herself.
"Hydro Archon..."
Qin Yu was stunned.
In that moment, he felt a different, somber emotion from this elegant and lively deity.
Was the Hydro Archon secretly helping the Cryo Archon?
It seemed to have triggered some mysterious bond.
Just as he was about to instinctively ask for more information.
"Oh right, I don't like the title 'Hydro Archon'. Let's change it."
"Then, Miss Furina?"
"Hmm... passable, my future judge."
"?"
Qin Yu felt strange. Miss Furina seemed dissatisfied.
Did he sound too distant?
"Alright, this pleasant meeting is now over."
"You may leave. The Cryo Archon still needs your care."
Furina's voice echoed in his ears, elegant and charming.
"Oh, right. The Tsaritsa hasn't woken up. Do you know why?"
Qin Yu quickly asked.
He didn't want to have caused any problems for her.
"Ice sometimes seals itself."
"Just wake her up with warmth."
Furina pondered for a moment before offering advice.
"Warmth?"
"Silly, give her a kiss."
The lively deity, who enjoyed watching the fun, whispered like a demon.
The future Grand Judge, kissing the proud Tsaritsa.
It sounded exciting, didn't it?
After all, no one else would know.
???
Qin Yu fell into thought.
Encouraging someone to take advantage of another's vulnerability... As the Archon of Justice, was this truly acceptable?
He was a decent person!
"Bye-bye~ Remember to keep this brooch safe."
"When you're ready, come find me in Fontaine with this."
"At that time, come witness the trial of the Hydro Archon with me."
Furina smiled, her voice gradually fading.
The mental world began to dissipate.
In the real world.
"!"
Qin Yu's wide eyes gradually regained focus.
All around, rain pattered and echoed.
His consciousness returned, and time resumed its normal flow.
Qin Yu reacted and looked at the beauty in his arms.
"..."
The Tsaritsa, still drenched by the rain, leaned in Qin Yu's embrace, her hair disheveled.
Qin Yu admired her stunning sleeping face and recalled Furina's words.
Was kissing her really reliable?
"Ahem, if you don't wake up soon, I'm going to... you know."
Qin Yu helped the Tsaritsa to take shelter under a tree and called out.
"..."
The Tsaritsa remained motionless.
"..."
If the Tsaritsa wouldn't move, then Qin Yu had to.
He honestly reached out and took her soft, fair hand.
It was very soft and cool to the touch.
"The Knight beside the Tsaritsa."
Qin Yu murmured, unable to help but a smile crept onto his face.
He slowly lowered his head, as if a guardian knight pledging loyalty to the Tsaritsa.
The Tsaritsa's hand was like the most perfect work of art in the world, only to be admired from afar.
But unfortunately.
Mr. Qin was someone who cherished beauty.
So...
"Mwah."
Qin Yu closed his eyes and gently kissed the Cryo Archon's hand.
It was fragrant and soft.
Thank you for the treat.
"..."
Qin Yu smiled and slowly raised his head.
Surely, there would be some reaction now?
He thought this as he met her terrifyingly cold, silver-grey eyes.
"?"
The most dreaded thing was the sudden silence.
The Cryo Archon glared fiercely at Qin Yu, her proud chest heaving deeply.
"You're awake?"
Qin Yu forced a smile.
I'm done.
Miss Furina...
You never said that kissing her would make her open her eyes on the spot!