Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train-Chapter 137

As Furina's voice fell, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale emitted a soft blue glow that enveloped her, pulling her consciousness into a mysterious space.

Furina opened her eyes and found herself in a theater.

However, this theater was different—it was brightly lit, unlike the often dim Opéra Epiclese.

Looking around, Furina noticed someone not far away who looked exactly like her—except for the hair.

"Hi! Mirror girl! Long time no see!"

Furina waved and jogged over to Forcalos.

Focalors smiled gently and reached out to tidy Furina's messy hair.

"Long time no see, Furina."

Furina grabbed both of Focalors's hands excitedly.

"I have great news—we don't have to worry about the prophecy anymore! Fontaine is about to move out of Teyvat!"

Focalors was stunned by Furina's words.

"Move out of Teyvat? What do you mean?"

In response, Furina told her everything that had happened recently.

After listening, Focalors looked completely shocked—and very moved.

If everything was as Furina said, then she wouldn't need to carry out her original plan anymore.

She glanced at the great sword suspended above her. That thing was no longer needed.

To further convince her, Furina mentioned Calestia.

"If you don't believe me, I can take you to meet Lady Calestia. She's in Liyue Harbor now, working as a guest consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Focalors nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

At that moment, Furina remembered something.

"By the way, after all this time, I still don't know your name. What's your name? And why do we look so much alike?"

Focalors answered:

"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Focalors, the Hydro Archon.

As for why we look alike, it's because we are the same person.

You are my human side; I am your divine side. Back then, to counter the prophecy, I—"

Focalors proceeded to tell Furina everything—her entire plan, including her intention to ultimately die and return her authority to Neuvillette.

Upon hearing that, Furina immediately shouted that Lancelot should dismantle that "stupid sword" right away.

Deeply moved, Focalors held her back gently.

"Alright, we'll dismantle it soon. Let's leave this place first."

Focalors led Furina out of the conscious realm.

Back in the real world, inside the Opéra Epiclese—

Furina's consciousness returned to her body. She looked around but didn't see Furcalos.

"Focalors? Are you there?" Furina called out a few times.

Then, Focalors's voice echoed in her mind.

"Furina, I'm inside your body. I'm the divine part, so I don't have a body. I'll just borrow yours for now~"

Hearing that, Furina relaxed and patted her chest.

"Live here as long as you want!"

Just then, Lancelot approached.

"My lady, we've received intelligence that Mr. Ye Yun and his companions have arrived in Fontaine and are currently strolling around the city."

Furina brightened.

"Ohoho~ Finally! They've come to Fontaine. Let's go, Lancelot! Let's find them and have some fun!"

Lancelot accepted the order and had a carriage prepared to return to the city.

Focalors's voice sounded again.

"Furina, who is this? I've never seen him before, but his power is incredible."

Furina proudly put her hands on her hips.

"Hmph~ That's Lancelot, my knight captain~ He's great! I'll have him chat with you another day."

Focalors was slightly surprised.

"Sounds good~"

Furina climbed into the carriage heading back to the city and chatted with Focalors all the way.

In Fontaine City:

Stelle, Lumine, March 7th, and Liuying had their attention caught by a certain girl.

Stelle stroked her chin with interest.

"Wow! This cat girl—she's so cute!"

March 7th, holding her starry camera, eagerly asked:

"Hey kitty lady~ Can I take a picture with you?"

Firefly also stared curiously at the catgirl.

"Kitty... very cute."

Lumine, meanwhile, fixated on the catgirl's tail.

"Can I touch your tail?"

That's right—the catgirl was Lynette.

Lynette was speechless. She was just having a quiet tea at a café, only to be surrounded and stared at.

"Photos are fine. But if you try to touch my tail, I'm calling the guards."

Hearing that, March 7th quickly posed with Lynette for a photo.

Stelle and Firefly also squeezed in.

Lumine looked disappointed. Sigh—she just wanted to pet the tail. Was that really a crime?

Shaking her head, she joined the group for a five-person photo.

After the photo, March 7th asked:

"Hi, what's your name? I'm March 7th."

Lynette took a sip of her tea calmly.

"Lynette."

March 7th continued:

"Lynette, are you a local?"

Lynette nodded.

"Sort of. You folks from out of town?"

March 7th nodded.

"Yeah. Could you recommend some famous sights? It's our first time here, and we don't know what's fun."

Lynette replied:

"First, you have to visit the Opéra Epiclese. They often have performances, and you might even see the Hydro Archon Furina herself perform.

Second, try the little cakes in Fontaine—they're delicious.

Third, head southwest from the city to Seafoam Village. It's home to a unique Fontaine race, the Melusines. Worth a visit.

Also, there's an underground street worth exploring."

March 7th responded gratefully:

"Thanks, Lynette!

Oh, do you know how to get to the Mermonia Palace?"

Lynette pointed to the tallest building in Fontaine.

"That's the one. Head to the transit hub—there's an elevator to the top."

With that, March 7th and the group waved goodbye and headed toward the transit hub.

As she walked away, Lumine gave Lynette's swaying tail one last longing look.

That tail... isn't it just teasing me?!

Meanwhile, in Neuvillette's office:

He was working when Clorinde entered.

"Neuvillette, Lady Furina needs your help with something."

Neuvillette put down his documents.

"What is it?"

Clorinde explained:

"Lady Furina's friends have come to Fontaine for a visit. She's on her way back and asked you to greet them first."

Neuvillette nodded in understanding.

"Understood."

Just then, Neuvillette's little secretary—a cheerful Melusine—bounced into the office.

"Lord Neuvillette! There are some people at the door asking for Lady Furina!"

***

"Speak of the devil," Neuvillette said.

"Please escort them to the reception room and serve some refreshments. I'll be there shortly."

Melusine responded and bounced off on her short legs, leaving Neuvillette's office.

Neuvillette quickly finished reviewing the documents on his desk, then got up and walked toward the reception room with Clorinde.

Inside the Palais Mermonia reception room.

Stelle, March 7th, and Sparkle arrived at a reception room under Melusine's guidance.

Melusine served them several cups of black tea and some snacks.

"Please rest for a bit. Lord Neuvillette will be here shortly to receive you."

Lumine asked in confusion:

"Neuvillette? We came to see Furina."

Melusine explained:

"Lady Furina went to the Opéra Epiclese today. She's on her way back but may take a while. Lord Neuvillette is receiving you on her behalf for now."

Just as Melusine finished speaking, the door to the reception room opened, and Neuvillette and Clorinde walked in.

Stelle immediately greeted Clorinde.

"Clorinde! Long time no see. Weren't you Furina's bodyguard? Why aren't you with her?"

Clorinde was initially happy to see Stelle and the others—they had met during the Lantern Rite Festival in Liyue and knew each other.

But upon hearing the latter part of the question, her mood darkened.

Furina's security was now entirely under the control of the Knights of Lancelot, and Clorinde had been excluded.

Recently, she had been working with the city guard, helping handle various cases.

Sigh... Furina's safety used to be her responsibility.

But now, she stood no chance. Any one of those knights could easily defeat her.

She had challenged them before—they not only had powerful sword techniques but also a bizarre ability.

Every time they launched a "thrust" attack, her own attacks would become ineffective.

That was the true strength of the Knights of Lancelot: one second of invincibility during a thrust.

Lancelot had once used that very move to defeat a Harbinger unscathed.

"Stelle, March... I didn't expect it to be you."

Neuvillette saw how familiar Clorinde was with them and asked:

"And these guests are?"

Clorinde snapped back to attention and explained:

"Let me introduce you—this is Neuvillette, Chief Justice of Fontaine, responsible for adjudicating cases and assisting Lady Furina in governing."

Then she continued:

"Neuvillette, these are friends Lady Furina met in Liyue Harbor."

Neuvillette nodded slightly and studied them carefully, then asked:

"You're not from Teyvat, are you?"

Stelle nodded, owning up to it.

"That's right. You have a sharp eye—we're indeed not from Teyvat."

Neuvillette, having confirmed his suspicions, asked:

"I have a question. How did you manage to bypass The Heavenly Principles's surveillance and enter Teyvat?"

March 7th casually dropped a bombshell:

"The Heavenly Principles? Who's that?"

Lumine downed her tea in one gulp.

"She means Calestia's former boss—the one who turned herself into the False Sky to protect Teyvat."

March 7th recalled:

"Oh! Right, right! I remember Calestia mentioning her.

She's dead now, isn't she? Why would she still try to stop us?

Besides, we're friends with Calestia. We're all on the same side—why would they stop us?"

Neuvillette's face finally revealed a rare trace of shock.

"The Heavenly Principles... is dead?"

Stelle added:

"Well, not completely. The False Sky is still up there, right? Maybe Ye Yun has something that could revive her."

Neuvillette turned to Clorinde.

"Clorinde, please take good care of our esteemed guests. I have something I need to attend to."

With that, Neuvillette left the reception room, needing time to process the news.

His mortal enemy—the one who once single-handedly suppressed the dragon clans of Teyvat—was dead.

And according to what he just heard, she died willingly, to protect Teyvat.

And Calestia—if memory served, that was the Heavenly Sovereign of Space, one of the rulers of Teyvat.

Neuvillette decided that once Furina returned, he'd talk to her in detail. These people had come for Furina, so she must know more than he did.

Back in the reception room.

After resting for over an hour, the door opened again, and Furina burst in cheerfully.

"Ta-da! I'm back! Sorry for keeping you waiting~"

Everyone lit up upon seeing her.

"Furina, finally! I've already had six pots of tea!"

Furina replied:

"Aiya, I had important business to take care of. Oh right—where's Ye Yun? Didn't he come with you?"

Firefly responded:

"Ye Yun took a few of the kids to the beach. Do you need him for something?"

Furina nodded enthusiastically.

"Mhm! I've got urgent business with him. Let's go find him! I'll take you to the sea while we're at it.

Let me tell you—Fontaine's underwater scenery is absolutely gorgeous~"

Furina led the group out of the Palais Mermonia and found a yacht to head out in search of Ye Yun.

After more than an hour of searching, they found him on a beach near Meropide Bay.

Ye Yun was playing in the shallows with six little ones.

Klee dived into the water, quickly grabbed a fish, and held it up high.

"Yay~ Klee caught a fish~ Heeheehee!"

As they got closer, the group noticed something strange.

Klee and the others could actually breathe underwater!

Stelle ran to Ye Yun and tugged on his sleeve.

"Ye Yun, how are Klee and the others breathing underwater?"

Lying on a beach chair, Ye Yun glanced at her and tossed over a few pearls.

"These are Water Repelling Pearls. Wear one, and you can breathe underwater. Go have fun."

Stelle beamed as she accepted them—this thing was great!

She handed one out to each person, and they all put one on.

At that moment—

Furina walked over to Ye Yun, slapping a stack of Star Coins in her hand.

"Ye Yun! I want to buy something. Can you make a body? The kind that can hold a soul."

Ye Yun looked at Furina, sensing the anomaly—there was another soul inside her.

If he wasn't mistaken, it was Focalors.

"Yeah, I've got them. It's for the other soul inside you, right?

There are three models:

Puppet version—30,000. Can host a soul.

Realistic version—80,000. Can host and stabilize a soul.

Human version—100,000. Indistinguishable from a real person. Customizable appearance."