Paimon: "Oh right, Mona, why did you come to Fontaine again?"
Mona: "A while back, Charlotte from The Steambird invited me to Fontaine for a panel discussion. It was mainly to use my identity as an astrologer to offer some perspectives on the prophecy rumors."
[Charlotte: So I was the one who invited her?]
[Sigewinne: As expected of a reporter. You really do know so many people!]
[Wriothesley: An astrologist from Mondstadt. Perhaps she can bring a new turning point for Fontaine.]
[Neuvillette: Divination is not my area of expertise. It is a fine thing for Fontaine to receive an astrologist's aid.]
"That invitation came a long time ago. At the time, no one imagined that Fontaine would face such hardship, that the prophecy would turn into reality step by step."
Paimon: "What do you think about the prophecy?"
Mona: "I'm merely an astrologist. This prophecy concerns the fate of Fontaine, and even the fate of the entire world. My skill level isn't enough to grasp it."
"In other words, the one who left behind this prophecy is far more powerful than I am—a truly formidable prophet. Its contents concern the fate of the whole world. Such a prophecy cannot be taken lightly."
Paimon: "A prophet? That sounds amazing! Does someone so incredible really exist in this world?"
Mona nodded: "My master is a prophet herself. Among her circle—the Hexenzirkel—there should also be those who can foresee the fate of the entire world."
"Could you contact your master for us?" Lumine put forward the request.
Mona recoiled a step at these words, assuming a defensive posture: "Are you sure?"
"I can try to reach the old hag. If I manage to contact her, I'll inform you immediately."
Paimon: "Thank you! Mona really is so dependable."
Mona: "This is something only I can do. Come now, praise me with everything you've got!"
[Mona: Aaaah, I've been publicly humiliated again.]
[Paimon: It's fine. There'll be a third time.]
[Lumine: You really do know how to comfort people.]
[Ganyu: I don't have any embarrassing famous scenes too, do I...? This reminds me of my master...]
[Cloud Retainer: Speaking of Ganyu, when she was a child...]
[Ganyu: Master!!!!!]
In the footage, Paimon's praise was completely unrestrained. "Greatest of all astrologers, Miss Mona! Of everyone we know, you're the one who understands the stars best!"
Mona nodded happily: "Yes, yes! Just like that!"
...
After waking, Lumine and Paimon went to the Palais Mermonia to find Neuvillette, and happened upon Furina and Neuvillette in the middle of an argument.
The two stood on opposite sides, locked in confrontation.
Furina: "I've already made myself perfectly clear. What more do you want?"
Neuvillette: "The matter has yet to be substantially resolved. Any pretense between us at this point is meaningless."
"I mean no offense, but you should understand your position by now. You are Focalors, the Hydro Archon. Look at this—this is the list of casualties from the Poisson disaster."
Furina reached out to examine it, her pupils dilating. "These people... all of these people..."
Neuvillette: "We failed to prevent it this time, but I will not permit a next time. I will repeat myself once more—you must tell me everything you know."
"Yesterday, I found three stone tablets in an ancient ruin near Poisson. Regarding this matter, do you have any knowledge?"
Furina put her hands on her hips: "What's this! Suddenly questioning me in an interrogative tone... I know nothing about this whatsoever."
"However, did you just say you found them in an ancient ruin?"
Neuvillette nodded: "That is correct. This is also what prompted me to ask you. There should have been four tablets. The first has gone missing. The images on the other three are related to the prophecy."
Furina's pupils quaked: "The prophecy."
Neuvillette: "The image on the second tablet depicts the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, facing Celestia, as though confessing to a crime. Do you know nothing of this either?"
Furina shook her head: "I don't know. I've never seen these tablets before."
[The Knave: Why do I get the feeling our Hydro Archon seems to know nothing at all?]
[Furina: Even gods are not omniscient and omnipotent. Who said gods must know everything?]
[Ei: Indeed. Gods cannot know all things. Omniscience and omnipotence are not within our authority.]
[Yae Miko: As expected, you've been watching the broadcast as well. My old friend, won't you come out and take a look?]
[Ei: I remain within the Plane of Euthymia, steadfast in my eternity. The broadcast appeared directly within my consciousness and cannot be closed.]
[Yae Miko: It's so good to be able to speak with you. I have so many things I want to say...]
The comments in the live broadcast room were inexplicably flooded by Yae Miko alone. The Knave persisted in her questioning, but Furina immediately played dead. Receiving no response, the Knave gradually fell silent.
Neuvillette was visibly angered. "I ask you once more—do you truly possess no information whatsoever concerning the previous Hydro Archon?"
"The information I gleaned from the tablets is that the Hydro Archon, Egeria, once apologized or confessed to a crime. You, of all people, should be the one who knows about this."
Furina firmly refused: "Every god may have their own secrets. The previous Archon is the previous Archon, and I am I. It's perfectly normal for her to have told me nothing, is it not?"
"I understand your urgency, but I'm sorry. I truly have nothing I can disclose."
Neuvillette drew a deep breath: "Lady Furina, I have long known that you have employed various forces to secretly investigate matters of this nature."
"Countless signs indicate that you have been covertly investigating matters related to the prophecy all along."
"As the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, your investigation is not strange. But for you to claim ignorance of Egeria's secrets, and to have taken no action even after your investigations—that is exceedingly strange."
[The Knave: Precisely. In our investigations, Lady Furina has never taken any action whatsoever. It is as though the prophecy does not exist at all. I have even begun to suspect that Lady Furina is not the Hydro Archon at all.]
[Furina: How could that be? If I am not the Hydro Archon, then who is? I have lived since five hundred years ago to the present day. Aside from a god, who else could possess such a long lifespan?]
[Neuvillette: Regardless, Furina is surrounded by suspicious points.]
[Ningguang: Perhaps you need a true detective. Lady Yelan would be an excellent choice. Her investigative abilities are the ones I trust most.]
[Yelan: Business travel. There needs to be overtime pay.]
[Neuvillette: That would be wonderful. When the prophecy's signs manifest, I hope we can count on Liyue's aid.]
[Hu Tao: Bring Zhongli along! Zhongli is so knowledgeable, there's nothing he doesn't know. (winking)]
[Zhongli: Director, I would still rather stay home, listen to opera, and drink tea.]
In the footage, Neuvillette offered his assessment of Furina: "Lady Furina, you have never been as shallow as you present yourself, nor are you a foolish person. Yet your actions are profoundly inconsistent."
"Haha... hahahaha." Furina laughed loudly: "So you've been watching me that closely all along? Neuvillette, I never took you for that type."