Since we are in Liyue, we have to prepare some local specialties.
The space inside Fu Ning's black hole isn't very large. It's a cylindrical dimension with a radius of 15 meters and a height of 6 meters.
So, in order to make room for the gifts Fu Ning prepared for Fu Fu, he handed over all the cookies, cakes, kitchen utensils, and similar items—which had nearly filled the entire black hole space—to Tartaglia.
After all, these weren't things Lady Furina particularly liked, so it was better to clear the inventory and let Tartaglia have them.
Tartaglia (also known as Childe) was very pleased. He even took down a treasure chest from the second floor of the Northland Bank—one containing 200,000 Mora—and gave it directly to Fu Ning.
Fu Ning accepted it without hesitation.
I found Zhongli, a native of Liyue, and asked him to recommend some local specialties.
Zhongli selected a few renowned local delicacies for Fu Ning and even gave him a small ornamental rock.
Fu Ning had once gifted him a lock as a symbol of their friendship.
Therefore, Zhongli gifted Fu Ning the rock ornament to express his own gratitude.
Fu Ning gladly accepted it.
***
Fontaine.
Momang Palace.
Fu Ning returned to the Momang Palace but didn't see Furina. He went downstairs and casually greeted a blue Melusine: "Hi, Xiao Lan, have you seen Lady Furina?"
Fu Ning couldn't remember the names of the Melusines very well, so he usually addressed them by the color of their scales.
The Melusines didn't seem to mind—in fact, they liked Fu Ning's friendly and affectionate way of speaking to them.
After all, Master Fu Ning always gave them candy.
Xiao Lan turned around, looked at Fu Ning, and took a while to process things.
This Melusine was clearly a bit absent-minded.
"Yes… yes… it's Master Fu Ning! Master Fu Ning, you're back!"
"Uh… let me think how to put this… Oh! Right! Master Fu Ning, are you okay?"
Fu Ning smiled and said, "I'm fine. How about you?"
"I'm doing fine too, Master Fu Ning." Xiao Lan smiled innocently.
"Oh, yes! Lady Furina, Lady Clorinde, and Lady Neuvillette are at… at… the
Opéra Épiclèsé!" Xiao Lan was excited to see Fu Ning and quickly told him where Furina had gone.
"The Opéra Épiclese… is there a trial going on today? Whose case is it?" Fu Ning asked casually.
"Hmm… I'm not sure, but I heard it's something about Mr. Cares—the president of the Thorned Rose Society in Baisong Town." Xiao Lan scratched her head and tried to recall.
"Cares?" Fu Ning frowned. "I remember him. He was a decent man. Why would he be on trial?"
Xiao Lan tilted her head in thought. "Hmm… I'm not sure. I usually work near the Momang Palace, so I've never been to the Opéra Épiclese."
"I heard it's really beautiful though. Which one's better—the Opéra Épiclese or the Momang Palace?"
Fu Ning nodded, pulled a candy bar from his black hole space, and tossed it to Xiao Lan.
"They're both great places. And next time, Xiao Lan, I'll give you even more candy."
Xiao Lan was momentarily stunned. The candy bounced off her and hit the ground. It took her a second to respond.
"Ah! Thank you, Master Fu Ning. I love candy!"
Since there wasn't anything urgent, Fu Ning decided to take a track patrol ship to Yiliel Island.
Flying might be faster, but sometimes, it's important to take things slow and relax.
The track patrol ship was a marvel of Fontainean engineering.
After waiting a short while, Fu Ning spotted one of the patrol ships pulling up. He jumped aboard and saw a pink Melusine standing on the bow.
The pink Melusine looked a little surprised to see him. "Hello, Master Fu Ning. Please wait a moment—the patrol ship will depart shortly."
It was rare for Fu Ning to ride these ships.
He nodded and found a spot to sit.
After a brief wait, with only three other passengers on board, the patrol ship started moving toward Yiliel Island.
The three passengers were visibly excited to see Fu Ning, but they were clearly introverts. They sat in their seats without saying a word.
"Welcome aboard the Navia Line. I'm Ophelia," said the Melusine in charge.
"The track patrol ship is about to depart. Please do not stick your head, hands, or other body parts outside the ship. The operator assumes no responsibility for injuries or accidents."
Ophelia was clearly experienced with her job.
"Also, please consider buying the Steam Bird newspaper. Although, I don't read it myself…"
"Our destination is Yiliel Island. Sites worth visiting include Lujing Spring and the Opéra Épiclese."
"To the left of our current route, you'll see the famous Fontaine Institute of Natural Philosophy, currently suspended in the sky. Thanks to an experimental accident, it's now become a landmark. Human ingenuity truly knows no bounds."
"It's worth mentioning that Master Fu Ning also contributed to the construction of the airborne campus. And today, Master Fu Ning is riding with us."
"Thank you, Master Fu Ning, for your contributions to Fontaine's tourism industry."
Fu Ning's mouth twitched slightly.
He decided not to give Ophelia any more candy.
Just then, a small bird flew down and landed on Fu Ning's shoulder, pecking at him.
"Ah, little bird." Fu Ning shook his shoulder, trying to shoo it away.
But the bird had taken a liking to him and kept pecking at his clothes.
Fu Ning had no choice but to reach out and gently nudge it off.
After a while, the patrol ship approached the station.
"We're about to arrive. Please remember to take your belongings with you," Ophelia announced.
"Although I do bring lost items to the lost-and-found office, writing up the paperwork is troublesome… Melusine hands aren't great for holding pens, after all."
"Please disembark carefully. It was my honor to serve as your guide. Thank you."
The ship came to a stop at the dock. Fu Ning considered for a moment, then tossed a candy to Ophelia.
"Here, have some candy, Ophelia."
Her typically expressionless face curved into a faint smile. "Thank you, Master Fu Ning. But I'm still on duty."
"Eat it anyway. If anyone gives you trouble, just come to me. I'll deal with them," Fu Ning replied offhandedly.
Given his status, he was certainly qualified to say that.
Fu Ning stretched, feeling completely at ease.
"Ah… The Opéra Épiclese is still a bit of a walk."
Although technically, it's forbidden to enter the Opéra Épiclese during trials or performances…
That restriction only applies to ordinary citizens.
For Fu Ning, the rule might as well not exist.
Because according to Fontaine's laws, Fu Ning's entry into the Opéra Épiclese during a trial or performance does not constitute a criminal act.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Who knows why Fontaine's laws are so bizarre.
***
"What the hell, they really went to the Duel Arena. I'm honestly impressed," Fu Ning muttered with a frown.
When he arrived at the Opéra Épiclèsé, he learned that Carès had chosen trial by combat to defend his innocence. Naturally, they had all gone to the Duel Arena in Fontaine.
As expected, Furina and Clorinde had followed.
But Neuvillette hadn't. He had returned to Palais Mermonia to deal with official duties.
Fu Ning couldn't help but admire the commitment. He had just traveled from Palais Mermonia to the opera house, and now he had to go from the opera house to the Duel Arena again.
Still—he wanted to see his Fu Fu right away.
Duel Arena.
"…Someone actually died?"
"Why did Mr. Carès insist on a duel…"
"Exactly. Now he's dead for nothing."
"Everyone knows Lady Clorinde takes duels seriously. What was he thinking?"
"Carès must've done something unforgivable. Was he that scared of facing the trial?"
"Has to be. Who in Fontaine doesn't know how deadly Lady Clorinde is in a duel?"
Clorinde stood silently on the field. The blade in her hand still dripped blood.
Lying in front of her was the corpse of Carès, president of the Thornrose Society from Bésson Town.
Furina stood stiffly on the spectator platform, shrinking into herself. Even though there had been rare cases where accused individuals lost their lives during a duel, it was far from common.
"Fu Ning… why aren't you back yet… I'm scared…"
"I heard the Geo Archon of Liyue… perished… Are you safe?"
"You should be fine, right? After all, Fu Ning is so powerful…"
Furina had already begun to regret sending Fu Ning to Liyue.
If only… she hadn't made him go. Maybe everything now would be different.
The one who tried to assassinate her earlier… maybe…
No, no—don't think about it anymore. It's too terrifying.
At that moment, Fu Ning finally arrived at the Duel Arena. Without hesitation, he leapt into the venue. Looking around at the confused scene, he asked,
"Uh… can anyone tell me what just happened?"
The crowd turned toward him.
Furina's eyes lit up the moment she saw him. Fu Ning was back. She finally felt a wave of relief.
Phew. As long as Fu Ning was here, there was nothing she couldn't get through.
"Hey! Master Fu Ning is back!"
"Yeah, I didn't think he'd been in Liyue for this long!"
"It's a blessing to have him return. Especially with what's happened to the Archons…"
"Shh! Master Fu Ning's right there. Watch what you say!"
Clorinde turned to Fu Ning, her expression distant, but she still managed a polite reply. "Ah… Master… Hello."
"Mr. Carès had been accused of murdering his friend. The charges were confirmed, and so the trial was scheduled for today."
"Mr. Carès chose to defend his reputation through a duel. I acted as his champion…"
She hesitated.
"…and I killed Mr. Carès."
Fu Ning: "…"
He was speechless. What the hell… things really never went easy for him.
The last person to die in a duel had been Aidas, and that had been years ago!
But Aidas hadn't died on the spot. He'd succumbed to injuries later. This… this was much worse.
With a heavy sigh, Fu Ning noticed the growing unrest among the spectators. He knew he had to act.
"Everyone! Keep quiet!" Fu Ning's commanding voice rang through the arena.
The chaotic murmurs halted instantly.
"Guards, escort the audience out in an orderly fashion," Fu Ning ordered firmly.
Then he turned to address the crowd once more. "Everyone, please listen! As for Mr. Carès's case, the Fontaine authorities will continue investigating. Please avoid rumors and speculation. Official announcements will be released soon."
He added with deliberate weight: "Chief Justice Neuvillette will personally oversee the investigation. Please take note."
In truth, Fu Ning still didn't know the full story behind Carès. He had only just returned. But given his own standing, invoking Neuvillette was the wisest course.
The guards followed his orders and began ushering people out in an orderly manner.
Fu Ning turned toward Clorinde and narrowed his eyes.
"What happened? You actually killed someone."
Clorinde stood silent for a moment. "Mr. Carès… even though he was badly wounded, he refused to yield. He launched a final attack. As his appointed duel opponent, I had no choice but to strike him down."
Fu Ning was quiet. Then he exhaled. "…You… uh… this…"
"You're the strongest human in Fontaine. Couldn't you have just knocked him out? What—don't tell me you didn't have the skill to hold back?"
"I… I understand," he sighed. "Forget it. It's already happened. Just… be more careful next time."
Clorinde nodded, lowering her head. She looked somber.
"Before the duel, Mr. Carès asked me to take good care of his daughter—Navia. He even asked if you, Master, might look after her as well."
"I didn't understand what he meant at the time… but now, looking back… perhaps he knew he wasn't going to survive."
Fu Ning shook his head. "It's too late to guess what was in his heart. And as for Navia… his daughter? Sure, she's pitiful—but she has nothing to do with me. If you want to help her, go ahead."
"That said, in respect for the Thornrose Society, the government will provide financial and policy support to Bésson Town. I'll bring it up with Neuvillette when I get back."
He turned his gaze toward Furina, who was staring at him with sparkling eyes.
In a blur, Fu Ning vanished from his spot and appeared beside her.
"Fu Fu, I'm back," he said softly, taking her delicate hand in his.
There were still too many people around, so Fu Ning suppressed the darker, less appropriate urges stirring in his mind.
"Mission complete. I'll tell you everything once we're back at Palais Mermonia."
"For now, let's take care of Carès's aftermath."
Furina nodded. "Okay. I'll listen to you, Fu Ning."
"Carès was the head of the Thornrose Society in Bésson Town. He kept things so well organized… And now he's just… dead. I still can't believe it."
With Fu Ning finally at her side, Furina felt a solid sense of security return.
Fu Ning furrowed his brows. "By the way—Carès was accused of killing his friend? Fu Fu, do you know what actually happened?"
Furina nodded slightly. "He was accused of being the murderer, yes… but I have my doubts."
"It's strange. Carès insisted on trial by combat… and then died."
"I feel like he must've had some… deeper reason."
Fu Ning sighed. "Let's not dwell on it now. Fu Fu—let's go back to Palais Mermonia."
"I saw some very… interesting things in Liyue."