The Melusine who had come to report left.
Neuvillette took out his custom equipment device and summoned a projection.
The "Wandering Sky Mirror" was a magical tool capable of monitoring the entire world, but Neuvillette had not extended its surveillance beyond Fontaine's borders.
Not only because doing so could easily provoke diplomatic disputes, but also because Neuvillette believed matters outside Fontaine were none of his concern.
However, within Fontaine's borders, Neuvillette had set up a warning system.
Anyone who stepped into Fontaine would be detected by the Wandering Sky Mirror.
Neuvillette had no intention of infringing upon other nations, but he was vigilant against potential threats. Thus, whenever danger approached, the Wandering Sky Mirror would issue a warning and begin tracking.
This was how he ensured Fontaine's stability.
Like now.
The projection before Neuvillette displayed Fontaine's border.
The inside of the border was illuminated, while the outside was shrouded in mist. Yet, within that mist, two powerful auras were approaching Fontaine at high speed—so strong that the Wandering Sky Mirror couldn't possibly miss them.
If any powerful individuals happened to be near the border, they, too, would sense the approaching presences, let alone the Wandering Sky Mirror.
"Coming from Snezhnaya's direction?"
Neuvillette pondered.
He was well aware of the Fatui's reputation.
However, Neuvillette did not share the average person's instinctive dislike for them. He wouldn't assume the Fatui were evil just because of their name—he demanded objective evidence.
This was why Neuvillette could uphold justice impartially.
Because he adhered strictly to the rules and never judged based on common biases.
"At least two Harbingers."
Neuvillette marked them as high-priority.
As long as they didn't break the law, the Wandering Sky Mirror wouldn't react. But the moment they violated Fontaine's statutes, the mirror would respond immediately.
After completing these preparations, Neuvillette forwarded the control logs to Furina.
...
At the card shop.
"Coming from Snezhnaya? Likely two Fatui Harbingers?"
Furina read the message on her equipment device and saw Neuvillette's handling of the situation.
She had no objections—as long as those two Harbingers didn't cause trouble.
If they did... the Wandering Sky Mirror could eliminate any being below the fifth tier without harming civilians.
So, this wasn't as concerning as one might think.
"Let's focus on drawing cards first."
Furina rubbed her hands together, her face full of anticipation.
"Go ahead."
Lu Heng nodded, though his mind was elsewhere.
Two Harbingers?
Arlecchino was almost certainly one of them.
Who would the other be?
Lu Heng wasn't worried about the Fatui causing trouble here—he was just curious about who was coming.
But he didn't dwell on it, turning his attention back to Furina.
Furina had already completed her top-up, and her account now held 50,000 draws.
She removed her gloves, clasped her fair hands together in prayer, her expression devout.
Whether this actually worked, Lu Heng couldn't say.
That was the nature of mysticism.
Haaah—
Furina exhaled deeply, opening her eyes.
Her small face was tense as she swiftly tapped the screen—10,000 draws in one go.
No golden light. For Furina, that meant nothing had happened.
Human nature was like this.
Before obtaining a gold card, even a good purple card could bring joy.
But after getting a gold card, the desire for more and better gold cards inevitably grew.
This was a common mindset, perfectly normal.
"You can take the purple cards back and appraise them yourself," Lu Heng said with a smile.
"Mhm."
Furina nodded.
She took another deep breath and drew again.
Still nothing.
"This isn't right!"
Furina paced back and forth, her expression grave.
"I even started believing in mysticism—why isn't it working?"
She frowned.
"Was I not devout enough?"
"Was my posture wrong earlier?"
"Is someone stealing my luck?!"
She racked her brain.
Then, suddenly, her eyes lit up.
Just as Lu Heng thought she might give up on mysticism, she declared with absolute confidence:
"I get it now! Those two draws were just pity builders!"
"…Huh?"
Lu Heng was stunned.
Even the concept of pity had made its way into her strategy. He was certain now—Furina was fully 'addicted.'
Still, Lu Heng had to admit he'd gone through this phase too. Sometimes, this logic did seem to work.
"Let me build another 2,000 pity!"
Furina quickly tapped twice—1,000 draws each.
Still no gold light, but instead of disappointment, she grew even more confident.
"Could it be…?"
Lu Heng's expression turned serious.
"Want to bet that my next 10,000 draws will give me at least one gold card?" Furina challenged.
Lu Heng rubbed his chin. "Hard to say. Why not try?"
"Watch this!"
Furina tapped instantly.
Under the gaze of both, golden light erupted—growing brighter and more intense.
In midair, it split into two, descending like falling stars.
On the counter, two gold cards and three purple cards materialized.
"See that?!"
Furina beamed, her face flushed with excitement.
"I knew it!"
"No one understands mysticism better than me!"
"Two gold cards after 22,000 pity!"
Her small face was practically glowing. She blinked eagerly. "Don't just stand there—help me check them!"
"Alright, let's see what we've got."
Lu Heng picked up the first one.
The card's surface, initially a blurry depiction of a seat, sharpened into focus after appraisal, colors filling in vividly.
[Throne of the Ancient Gods]
Tier: 5★ (Gold)
Type: [Equipment Card]
Traits: [Amplification] [Weapon] [Will of the King]
Description: In the legends of another world, the throne of the ancient gods held the power to rule the world. For countless years, countless ambitious souls sought it, hoping to dominate the world with its might.
The throne was exquisitely carved, adorned with dragons and phoenixes so lifelike they seemed ready to leap off.
The armrests were shaped like dragon and phoenix heads, while the backrest was etched with a landscape of mountains and rivers, the sun and moon presiding above.
"The suppression effect here is a bit overpowered," Lu Heng remarked.
"How so?" Furina asked.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"When you use it, it amplifies your power. You can also wield it as a weapon—smashing people with it would probably work wonders."
Furina made a face. "It's a throne though. Feels weird to just throw it at someone."
"But the real highlight is the Will of the King."
Lu Heng's expression turned serious. "What do you think a king is?"
Furina thought for a moment. "An indomitable will and power?"
"Exactly."
"When you use this card, the greater the gap between you and your opponent, the stronger the suppression effect!"
"Even against someone of the same tier, there's still a noticeable impact."
"You can think of it as an all-encompassing suppression skill."
Furina's eyes sparkled with understanding. "If the opponent is way weaker than me, and I order their execution—what happens?"
"If the king wills your death, then death it is. If they don't die, isn't that rebellion?" Lu Heng spread his hands.
"Ooooh~"
Furina's eyes curved into delighted crescents, her entire face alight with glee.
She got it now!
If someone could actually challenge her, they'd have the power to rebel—so the Will of the King might not be as effective.
But if they couldn't fight her?
Then they couldn't rebel!
And if they couldn't rebel, then the king's word was absolute!
She tilted her chin up slightly, a smug, almost arrogant smirk playing on her lips as she equipped the card.
Hmph!
Who dares question me, Furina?!
If I, Furina, sentence you to death, you'll drop dead on the spot!
Lu Heng glanced at her expression and knew she was deep in her fantasy.
But he understood.
This card was strong—not just because of the Will of the King, but also because of its amplification effects.
Her confidence had just skyrocketed!
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T/N:
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