The morning.
Fontaine.
The streets after the heavy rain were clean and fresh.
A cool breeze brushed against the skin, bringing a comfortable, icy chill.
In the air, mechanical airships and steam cars occasionally appeared, roaring past.
At a street corner, a figure raised his head, gazing at the futuristic city driven by mechanics and steam, and sighed softly.
"As expected of Teyvat's most developed city, full of technological flair."
He walked slowly along the street.
As the morning sun grew brighter, more and more pedestrians appeared.
"Ah, it's been so long since I've seen such good weather."
"Look at this sky, this water, how clear it is!"
A passerby, clearly dressed as an artist, exclaimed excitedly.
"Alas... have you forgotten the torrential rain Fontaine endured these past few days when the Hydro Archon fought with that person?"
A passerby dressed as a merchant sighed, his expression dejected.
His newly arrived goods were going to be a total loss!
"But why would that person raise their weapon against the current Hydro Archon? I heard it also involved the Court of Justice...?"
"Hush, don't ask what you shouldn't."
The passerby's face changed, and he quickly fell silent.
That day.
Rain poured down like a deluge, shrouding Fontaine in darkness.
Some said that the darkness that loomed over Fontaine City was identical to the calamity of Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago.
Why would the First Hydro Archon, who sacrificed herself to suppress the calamity, attack the current Hydro Archon?
This question was tacitly buried in everyone's hearts.
"Even the clearest water can be polluted."
"Since your soul has long since fallen into the abyss, controlled by Ishtaroth, you should accept the punishment of judgment."
Beneath the darkness, Furina, the god of Fontaine, sneered, her hair flying wildly in the storm.
The execution of justice required absolute violence.
Since no one could stand each other, they might as well let their swords do the talking.
"Furina—"
"Only the Heavenly Principles are worthy of being opposed."
The two generations of Hydro Archons had fundamentally different stances.
Furina was born to despise this false Heaven whose fate was already sealed.
She harbored no goodwill towards the Heavenly Principles of the Teyvat world, which, after its demise, left behind shattered laws and could only slowly perish.
"Is that all? Not even as good as the men I find outside."
Miss Furina glanced at Qin Yu.
You can be the Heavenly Principles.
"How dare you betray me!"
The First Hydro Archon, on the other hand, was a god who steadfastly upheld the Heavenly Principles.
This obsession also led her to be deceived by Ishtaroth when she was deeply eroded by the abyss five hundred years ago, deviating from her original intentions.
She wanted to be resurrected.
She altered the laws, forcing the populace to atone for baseless "sins of birth," and used the collected wealth to develop technological devices to aid her resurrection.
Concurrently, she granted the Court of Justice unprecedented power, targeting Furina.
Secretly accumulating soul power, she intended to seize the body.
Her actions had long since strayed from justice.
The conflict, brewing for centuries, finally reached an irreversible point.
The war had begun.
The duel between the two generations of Hydro Archons was also the moment Qin Yu and Ishtaroth clashed once more.
As for the outcome.
Qin Yu standing here as if nothing had happened was the best answer.
"Speaking of which, where was that shop again?"
He adjusted his stylishly Fontaine-esque men's hat, looking a little out of place.
Today, he was the guest.
What he wore, how he wore it, all had to be according to the lady who invited him to the rendezvous.
After all, a goddess who called herself elegant and beautiful always became obsessive when it came to topics of aesthetics and art.
Moreover...
"This is a victory celebration date, my Judge."
"Remember to dress handsomely and arrive on time~"
"Only us."
Qin Yu raised his luxurious and exquisite cane, his expression solemn.
Hmph, a mere date with the Hydro Archon of Fontaine.
It's not like he'd break the law and be hunted down by the Court of Justice, what was there to worry about?
What kind of situation hadn't Qin someone experienced?
This should have been his resolute declaration.
But reality...
A chilling sensation concentrated on his lower back.
"..."
A look of helplessness and weariness flashed across Qin Yu's face, and he sighed lightly.
He subconsciously looked into the distance.
Outside the flower shop, which had just opened, meticulously pruned fresh flowers were displayed on wooden racks.
Under the sunlight, water droplets on the petals were crystal clear, reflecting shimmering light like gemstones.
But even such beautiful flowers seemed a little dim and overshadowed at this moment, serving only as a backdrop.
The reason for this...
"Hehe, what beautiful flowers, I like them very much."
A gentle woman, wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat, a pure white long dress, and with flowing long hair, held a bouquet and smiled warmly.
Bathing in the sunlight, she exuded the aura of a mature lady.
Apart from the Dendro Archon of Sumeru, who else could it be?
Of course, the lineup was far from just these.
"They're so beautiful, they'll suit Mother very well."
Nahida, dressed in an exquisite little dress, her legs clad in delicate white stockings and small leather shoes, a small travel backpack slung over her shoulder, was incredibly cute.
She blinked her curious large eyes, her face flushed red.
"Good daughter, would you like to pick a bouquet for yourself?"
The Queen Mother leaned down and gently stroked Nahida's head with a smile.
"Hmm, I seem to have forgotten my money."
Nahida shyly stuck out her pink tongue and looked expectantly at the Great Tree King.
Mom, pocket money.
"...Did you bring money?"
The Queen Mother's smile froze, and she instinctively looked at the cold and elegant woman beside her.
"No."
The Cryo Archon glanced at her and replied succinctly.
In the morning, she was dressed casually, her smooth, silver-gray long hair cascading down, the ends naturally curled.
Her loose, ice-blue dress did little to conceal her voluptuous figure, which was practically spilling out.
"Then where did the gaming console gift box in your hand come from?"
Ei, dressed in a plain white kimono with flowing purple hair, came closer, her tone suspicious.
She held Ei's small hand in her right, as if afraid she would fall.
"Sister, where can I buy sweet pastries?"
Ei, eating a mochi, quietly followed behind Makoto.
A gentle breeze rustled her light purple kimono, subtly outlining the curve of her slightly bulging abdomen.
She was becoming more and more like a married woman.
"Just put it on the Northland Bank's tab."
The Tsaritsa silently put away the gaming console and snorted.
As a god, who would carry Mora around?
Besides, even without Mora, wasn't there still...
The women's hearts were in sync, and they all looked into the distance simultaneously.
Stare—
"Ahem, what a coincidence."
Qin Yu's lips twitched.
Why were so many gods trailing him on his date with Miss Furina!
Could this be a honey trap, preparing to catch him red-handed?
...
Outside the flower shop, a hurried shop assistant's eyes lit up.
"Beautiful ladies, welcome, what can I get for you?"
Several peerlessly beautiful women appeared at once.
Heavens, was this a dream?
"Do you have any recommendations? I want to buy a gift for my husband."
Ei, examining the fragrant flowers, said softly.
Her calm purple eyes swept over the other women whose smiles slowly disappeared.
Do you understand the value of a principal wife?
"I see—! Your husband is truly the happiest man in the world!"
The shop assistant exclaimed enviously and was about to make recommendations.
However, several shadows converged upon her.
"You beautiful ladies, what are you...?"
"I want to pick one for my husband too."
The women said in unison.
"Your husbands... are the same person?" the shop assistant was surprised.
"Just a group of wives on a tour."
Outside the flower shop, the ladies gathered, forming the most beautiful scenery on the entire street.
Passersby were amazed, sighing involuntarily.
Truly a sight of unparalleled beauty in this world.
"What are you looking at, go do what you should be doing."
Qin Yu couldn't help but curve his lips into a smug arc.
"What, only you can look?" a passerby chuckled.
"My wives, of course I can look."
Qin someone said righteously.
"Come on, is every beautiful woman your wife?"
The passerby didn't take him seriously and gradually dispersed.
Only Qin Yu remained, looking at the women in the distance, who were quarreling over a few Mora and looking distressed.
The simple scene was ordinary yet warm.
A sense of satisfaction, called happiness, filled his heart.
"Nowadays, no one believes the truth."
Qin Yu shook his head and turned towards the alley.
He hoped that under the supervision of the wives' group, his date with Miss Furina wouldn't have any mishaps.
Probably.