It was Clorinde's first ti in New Eridu, and unfamiliar with the local laws and customs, she imdiately refused to comply with the sheriff's arrest.
Just as tensions were about to escalate, Nicole quickly stepped forward and shielded Clorinde behind her.
"Uh... ahem. Clorinde didn't an it like that. She just needs soone to accompany her. I'll go with her to the Public Security Bureau. I'm friends with Captain Zhu Yuan..."
At the sa ti, Nicole frantically gestured at Clorinde, signaling her not to resist—that it was okay to go with them.
Though still a bit reluctant, Clorinde glanced at Nicole, then at Furina, and finally nodded in agreent.
Before leaving, Nicole reassured them,
"Furina, don't worry. You all head to Hare's House first—I'll bring Clorinde back soon."
Furina nodded.
"Alright... but please make sure she stays safe."
...
After parting ways, the rest of the group headed to Hare's House, with Billy driving.
As soon as they arrived, Billy flopped onto the couch, casually flipped on the TV, and tuned into his favorite show...
Nekomata darted off to her room like she had sothing urgent to do...
Anby sat down and started scrolling through her phone...
Everyone went about their own business—everyone except Furina, who wandered around, curiously inspecting everything. Everything she saw felt new and exciting.
After walking a lap around the place, Furina reached a startling conclusion.
This city called New Eridu... might actually be more advanced than Fontaine.
Take the television, for example. Furina had assud it was so kind of precious treasure of Hare's House.
But Billy had told her that every household had one, and that this thing was so common, even second-hand ones were dirt cheap.
With just a few hundred Mora—like the ones she carried—she could buy a brand-new TV.
Furina was stunned.
"That cheap?"
Billy replied matter-of-factly,
"Of course. It's not like it's so kind of ancient lost tech."
Furina: "..."
Just like Arataki Itto when he first arrived in New Eridu, she went from baffled to increasingly shocked as she learned more.
She wasn't just amazed by this world's level of technology...
She was also shocked by Liyue itself. A city this developed, hidden away in the nation of Liyue—and she had only discovered it now.
People always said Liyue was the strongest nation on the continent of Teyvat.
Back when she still held the seat of Hydro Archon, Furina never believed it. She had always thought Fontaine was superior.
But now she understood—Liyue's strength was truly terrifying.
And its ability to keep all this under wraps... even more so.
...
After wandering around a bit, Furina slumped onto the sofa with a sigh.
"Billy, Anby... when do you think Nicole will bring Clorinde back?"
She was still a bit worried.
From what she knew, Liyue's laws were extrely strict. If Clorinde was found guilty over today's incident, things could get complicated.
Seeing her anxiety, Anby reassured her,
"Relax. They'll be fine."
Billy grinned.
"I bet Nicole will be back with Clorinde in under an hour. Anby, Nekomata, Sam Li, Soldier 11—you guys in?"
Nekomata imdiately shook her head.
"No way. Not falling for that—I'm not giving up my allowance."
Anby shook her head too.
"Sa here. I already spent mine on burgers."
Sam Li also declined.
"I'm out."
Billy blinked.
"Why?"
Sam Li turned to the door.
"Because Nicole and Clorinde are already back."
Billy froze.
"????"
He rushed to the door—but saw no one outside. Looked like Sam Li was wrong this ti.
But then...
A patrol car pulled up and screeched to a stop in front of Hare's House.
Seconds later, Nicole and Clorinde stepped out together.
Billy stared in surprise.
"Nicole! That was fast!"
Nicole frowned slightly.
"What, you think the Public Security Bureau should've arrested too?"
Billy quickly waved his hands.
"No, no! I'm just surprised, that's all!"
He hadn't expected them back so soon—it hadn't even been an hour.
His confusion didn't last long.
A mont later, soone else stepped out of the patrol car—Qingyi, the patrol officer they'd t several tis before. She had given Nicole and Clorinde a ride back.
Qingyi looked at Clorinde with interest.
"If you're going to drive, you'd better get a license. Also, if you don't want to be arrested again, you'll need to get an urban ID too."
It was their first ti eting, but Qingyi had taken a liking to Clorinde. She sensed a distinct Electro aura and could tell Clorinde was an exceptional fighter.
However...
Qingyi also noticed sothing strange—the Electro aura around Clorinde was unusually pure and powerful. Even sitting next to her, it was palpable.
...
After Qingyi left, Clorinde stared after the patrol car and muttered,
"That's a strange kind of Electro... not quite pure, but very strong..."
At that mont, Furina ran over, excited.
"Clorinde! You're finally back! Look—Nekomata gave this little mouse toy. If you touch it, it squeaks and begs for rcy!"
Clorinde: "..."
Like Furina, she was deeply impressed by the science and technology of this world.
At the sa ti, a sense of unease lingered.
She reminded Furina again,
"Lady Furina, we've already been here two days. Lord Neuvillette is surely worried by now..."
That brought a shadow over Furina's face.
"If I'd known, I would've brought Neuvillette with us."
She had originally wanted to spend a few days exploring...
But they had only just arrived in New Eridu when Clorinde already suggested returning to Fontaine.
Seeing how serious she was, Furina gave a light cough and smiled.
"Alright, alright—we'll head back tomorrow. One day in New Eridu, that's fair, right?"
Clorinde nodded in agreent.
...
That afternoon, Nicole, Nekomata, and Anby took Furina and Clorinde out shopping.
Furina was amazed by how cheap everything was. With just a 500-Mora coin, she could buy loads of items.
She even bought cellphones for herself and Clorinde.
Then she added Nicole, Sam Li, Anby, and Nekomata as friends on the KnockKnock chat app.
"You can talk through this thing? That's so convenient! If the Traveler and Paimon had phones like these, I could just ask how they're doing in Natlan!"
"I've heard of the Traveler—Brother Arataki ntioned them. But who's Paimon?"
"Paimon is Paimon. The Traveler's partner and unofficial guide."
"Oh, her! I rember Brother Arataki talking about her... didn't he call her Short lon?"
"????"
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