[Ningguang: A god, actually backing down from a human's challenge? Shouldn't gods be omnipotent?]
[Arataki Itto: She actually... SURRENDERED!!!!]
[Eula: That goes against the chivalric code. When faced with a challenge, one should meet it head-on.]
[Keqing: Clorinde must have been under a lot of pressure too! After all, she was challenging a god.]
[Zhongli: Perhaps Furina had further considerations.]
[Venti: Hahaha, if someone challenged me, I'd probably also raise both hands!]
[Jean: Lord Barbatos!]
[Charlotte: Did Lady Furina worry about accidentally hurting someone with her divine power?]
[Lyney: That possibility can't be ruled out.]
[Furina: Charlotte understands me. Why would I use my divine power to harm my own people?]
[Kaedehara Kazuha: I also think the Hydro Archon didn't want to hurt her people. My friend once challenged the Raiden Shogun, but he couldn't even block a single strike before falling. That Musou no Hitotachi still lingers in my mind to this day. The power of gods far surpasses that of mortals.]
[The Knave: Am I the only one who feels that Furina herself believed she couldn't defeat Clorinde? I once secretly probed Furina's power, and her strength was so weak it shocked me.]
[Furina: Knave, you are a Fontainian. I simply didn't want to hurt you. Otherwise, you would have been erased by my power. A god's decisions need no explanation to humans.]
In the video.
Furina solemnly explained: "It seems you've misunderstood me somewhat. Raising both hands doesn't always signify surrender..."
Furina stepped forward and declared with fervor: "This time, I raise both hands to signify that I am prepared to face this trial. There's no need for any duel."
"I admit, all this time I've been running away from certain things. I'm sorry to everyone. I failed to protect the residents of Poisson. I ought to stand trial."
"In truth, not only you, but even I am deeply disappointed in myself."
"But now, as the Hydro Archon, it's time for me to summon my courage and resolve!"
"I, Furina, shall in this trial manifest true justice!"
[Charlotte: Lady Furina's speech is so inspiring!]
[Sigewinne: Full of confidence, as expected of the Hydro Archon.]
[Ningguang: Actually, I too occasionally lack the courage to face reality.]
[Navia: If the Hydro Archon had stopped running away sooner, could the people of Poisson have... (Neuvillette comforts her)]
[Neuvillette: Mm. Furina has changed a great deal.]
[Furina: Neuvillette, I am your superior. Please do not speak in the tone of my elderly father.]
...
In the video.
Furina silently resolved: "I will definitely protect you all."
Furina spread her arms wide, delivering a theatrical opening address accompanied by dramatic gestures. "Rejoice! Cheer! Behold this wondrous turn of events that no one in this opera house would even dare to dream of!"
"A bold and stirring stroke upon Fontaine's stage—the trial of the god Focalors... is about to begin!"
The audience, stirred by Furina's speech, erupted into vigorous applause.
Paimon was puzzled: "How did the initiative suddenly fall into Furina's hands? She was forced into this trial..."
"Though her performance is still somewhat flamboyant, this time... Furina is serious, right?"
[Keqing: As expected of the God of Justice. She seized the rhythm of the stage and became its center.]
[Mona: The Anemo Archon doesn't have that kind of skill. He lived in seclusion in Mondstadt for countless years without anyone discovering him.]
[Venti: Hahaha, not being discovered just shows how good my disguise is!]
[Diluc: When it comes to enjoying a drink, I believe the Anemo Archon is definitely not pretending. (Venti scratches his head)]
[Venti: Hahahaha, the wine from Dawn Winery is excellent.]
[Jean: Lord Barbatos, would it be possible for you to return to the Knights of Favonius? I could assist you in handling Knightly affairs.]
[Venti: Ah, that, uh, that kind of setting isn't suited for me. I still hope you can keep my secret from the ordinary folk of Mondstadt. Hmm, I can probably get free wine from Dawn Winery from now on.]
[Venti: Let's just watch the video!]
Furina turned to look at Neuvillette. "Then my opponent shall be?"
Lumine stepped forward: "It's me."
Furina froze for a second, then quickly brightened again: "Is that so? Very well. You are the accuser, the Witness, and my fated opponent."
The two stood at the center of the stage, facing each other, their eyes meeting.
Lumine thought it was a great pity. Just a moment ago, Furina had been on the verge of revealing her secret. She never imagined things would end up like this.
Still, as long as they won in court, there would still be a chance to learn everything.
Lumine and Furina parted ways, each walking to their respective stand—the accuser's seat and the defendant's seat.
[Ganyu: It feels so sad. A god betrayed by her own people and friends. Furina must be hurting so much inside right now.]
[Keqing: Actually, the Traveler and the others had no choice. Furina was their only lead.]
[Ningguang: I wonder if Furina regrets hesitating so long in that tunnel and ultimately not speaking up.]
[Nahida: Lady Furina must feel so lonely inside. Behind her, there's no one.]
Furina stood alone at the defendant's stand, arms crossed before her chest: "Before the trial begins, allow me to ask, just how much preparation did it take to place me in this position?"
Paimon stammered out an answer: "Ever since your argument with Neuvillette... yes, we've been preparing for quite a while."
"Our Spina di Rosula had the simplest task. Allow me to speak first." Navia's voice rang out from the audience.
"Those who stirred up trouble at the Opera House this morning were mostly members of the Spina di Rosula."
"After disguising themselves, they came as ordinary audience members, looking for a chance to incite people to denounce you."
"And based on our understanding and analysis of you, when something like this happens, your most likely choice would be to escape alone, secretly heading to Poisson."
"So we stationed a second group there to wait for the right moment..."
[Ningguang: The one who devised this plan is formidable. Furina's psyche was thoroughly seen through.]
[Keqing: Those who made the plan were all people close to Furina—the ones she knows best.]
[The Knave: Regardless, Lady Furina still hasn't revealed her hidden secret. We truly wish to help shoulder the burden and save Fontaine.]
[Furina: I'm sorry, Knave. In this matter, no one can help me.]
In the video, Furina's expression was calm: "So those people were also arranged by you."
Lyney stood up to add: "The Spina di Rosula friends' goal was to force you into a giant magic box, and I was responsible for transporting the entire box from Poisson to the judge's stand."
"To get you here, the House of the Hearth expended massive manpower and resources, digging tunnels and opening waterways to move the entire house."
Furina mused, "So that shaking I felt in the room wasn't an earthquake, but the whole house being moved underground."
Paimon added: "That's right, it wasn't any disaster."
Lumine: "I'm sorry for deceiving you."