It wasn't just happening in Inazuma.
At the same time, in other nations across the continent of Teyvat, people were also beginning to notice anomalies in the ley lines, as well as strange new anchor points appearing in the teleportation functions of the Statues of The Seven.
In Fontaine.
Neuvillette stood alone before one of the Statues of The Seven, his gaze fixed on it as a map of Teyvat formed in his mind.
The map displayed the locations of the statues across the other nations, along with a number of teleportation anchors.
Though he was not the Hydro Archon, as the Water Dragon Sovereign who had inherited the authority of an ancient dragon, Neuvillette's current status was nearly indistinguishable from that of a true Archon. These statues, too, fell under his domain.
His gaze drifted toward the lower part of the map, where two newly appeared Geo-elemental Statues of The Seven were marked. His eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Even now, new Statues of The Seven are appearing…"
It was important to remember: the Statues of The Seven weren't created by the Seven Archons themselves. Rather, they were made by Celestia after the Archon War, as a reward for the Seven's contributions during that time.
Beyond that, not even the Archons—or new-generation beings like Neuvillette—had the power to create new statues.
But now, with Celestia silent and its influence waning, it clearly couldn't have been them.
Both of these new statues were Geo-aligned. The only possibility was that the ancient and enigmatic Geo Archon had somehow created them.
"How did he manage it? And where exactly is this newly emerged territory of Liyue?"
In his younger years, Neuvillette had traveled all across Teyvat. He distinctly remembered that the location of those two statues had once been open sea—not even a reef, let alone an island.
As Neuvillette stood there deep in thought, a dazzlingly dressed girl approached him from behind, glowing like a star.
It was none other than the former Hydro Archon, Furina.
"Neuvillette, what are you doing here? Admiring the majestic form of the Hydro Archon?"
Neuvillette shook his head. "I've noticed some irregularities in Teyvat. The ley lines, the geography—everything's shifting."
He proceeded to tell Furina everything he had discovered so far.
Not that it made much difference. Furina was now a mortal—she didn't understand the ley lines or what such geographic changes could mean for Teyvat as a whole.
Even so, she was clearly surprised.
"You're saying that Liyue's Geo Archon has expanded his territory again? He's a archon too—how is he so powerful?"
Neuvillette said nothing.
Furina went on, "Neuvillette, we should learn from Liyue. When I visited there, I saw the outside world—and realized Fontaine is actually the smallest of the nations…"
Neuvillette took a deep breath. "I'm trying to figure out what's going on in Liyue."
He suspected these changes in the ley lines were somehow connected to Liyue.
Furina smiled. "Stop overthinking. Just go there and see for yourself. If you're too busy, I'll go in your place."
Neuvillette hesitated, then shook his head. "No. I'll go myself."
Until he confirmed the nature of this new region, he wasn't about to let Furina take that risk.
Furina nodded. "Fine, I'm not the Hydro Archon anymore anyway. None of this concerns me."
Not that it ever truly did, even when she was the Hydro Archon.
Neuvillette said quietly, "Let's head back."
Furina nodded. "Alright. Oh, I have a performance at the Opera House today—want to come watch?"
Neuvillette hesitated, then shook his head again. "Sorry, I've been swamped lately. But I promise I'll catch the next one."
Furina sighed. "Alright…"
Watching Neuvillette walk away, burdened and solemn, a flicker of guilt stirred in Furina's heart.
Ever since she stepped down as Hydro Archon, all of Fontaine's responsibilities had fallen on Neuvillette's shoulders. Lately, he didn't even have time for something as simple as attending a performance.
She wanted to ease that burden, even just a little.
Looking back at the statue behind her, a plan began to take shape in her mind.
Going to Liyue to investigate—something that simple? Even as a mortal, she could still handle it.
And if she couldn't, taking Clorinde with her would definitely make it possible.
With that thought, Furina smiled and hurried to catch up.
"Neuvillette, there's so much going on in Fontaine right now. You can't handle everything yourself. You need to start assigning the right tasks to the right people. That's something I've learned over the past five hundred years…"
Neuvillette nodded. "Thank you for your insight."
Furina grinned. "No need to thank me. As long as it helps you, that's enough."
Neuvillette: "…"
…
Back in Fontaine City.
That very afternoon, Furina sought out Clorinde and laid out her plan to "go to Liyue on Neuvillette's behalf." She wanted Clorinde to come with her.
As for why she didn't want to go alone… Of course it wasn't because she was afraid.
It was just that… well, it didn't matter. Furina didn't feel like wasting time thinking about something so trivial.
After hearing her out, Clorinde hesitated. "Lady Furina, does Lord Neuvillette know about this?"
Furina answered matter-of-factly, "Of course not. If he knew, he'd definitely stop me. He'd start going on about how it's too far, too dangerous—I've heard that speech a hundred times already. I've been to Liyue before, there's nothing dangerous about it…"
Clorinde stayed silent.
In many ways, going to Liyue wasn't dangerous at all.
But she hadn't received orders from Neuvillette.
Seeing Clorinde hesitate, Furina kept pressing. "Clorinde, don't overthink it. Just look at Neuvillette—he's buried in work every day, practically working himself to death."
Clorinde: "…"
Furina sighed. "If you won't come, I'll just have to go alone. And if I run into Hilichurls out there…"
Clorinde: "…"
Of course she knew Furina was trying to manipulate her.
But Clorinde's duty was to protect Lady Furina—always had been, and still was.
For Furina's safety, she would go with her.
Clorinde said seriously, "Before we leave, we must report this to Chief Justice Neuvillette."
Furina feigned annoyance. "Then I guess I'll just go on my own…"
If Neuvillette found out, he'd definitely forbid her from going.
Clorinde looked at her and sighed. "Furina, you're as stubborn as ever."