When Idris arrived at the Hôtel Debord, he immediately realized—
The entire building was surrounded. Completely.
The crowd was even larger than when Furina herself performed on stage.
Multiple rings of Gardes-de-Fontaine security stood guard, including Clorinde at the front.
Upon seeing Idris and Nahida walking toward the entrance, Clorinde's expression shifted—complicated, conflicted.
She vividly remembered their last meeting in Sumeru.
Back then, things had been pleasant.
Now?
Their national stances had made them potential enemies.
Politics was strange like that.
Still, hoping today's negotiations would proceed peacefully, Clorinde stepped forward and saluted lightly.
"Lord Idris, Lady Furina has reserved the entire hotel.
She's waiting for you on the second floor.
I hope today's discussion ends well."
Idris smiled. "It will."
He summoned Frostmourne, wrapped it with Verdant-Wood energy to form a sealed scabbard, and handed it directly to Clorinde.
Clorinde froze for a moment, then understood immediately.
A clear declaration to everyone watching:
"I'm not here to fight today."
If Fontaine tried anything now, they'd be the unreasonable ones.
And of course—anyone who knew Idris' terrifying strength also knew:
He could hand over his sword only because he was confident that even unarmed, he could protect Nahida and break out of any trap.
Such courage… such confidence.
He was undoubtedly worthy of the title Grand Sage of Sumeru.
Idris then entered the hotel and headed to the second floor.
Inside the hall
Several familiar faces were already gathered.
Lyney and Sigewinne—representatives of the Fortress of Meropide.
Lyney, the Duke of the penitentiary, was undeniably powerful in his own right.
Sigewinne, an expert in medicine and drugs, was obviously necessary given that today's topic was a "pill."
Navia, the head of the Spina di Rosula—half charity organization, half underworld intelligence network. Inviting her was an obvious choice.
And of course—
Neuvillette, Chief Justice of Fontaine.
His aura was stable again; clearly, he had fully recovered from yesterday's beating.
Furina had indeed assembled a formidable team.
Nahida understood immediately.
Facing Idris' presence—his sheer pressure—Furina needed all the support she could get.
After all, Furina was technically just a cursed mortal without a Vision.
Her courage to sit across from Idris, the man who had beaten the Water Dragon King senseless, was already impressive.
Nahida remained quietly beside Idris, playing the role of a secretary today.
She wouldn't interfere.
Idris sat down calmly, smiling.
"Lady Furina, everyone—good day."
Furina forced down the tension rising in her chest.
Facing Idris felt more frightening than facing Arlecchino in the original game story.
At least the Knave didn't destroy national leaders before breakfast.
Still, as a performer of the highest caliber, Furina put on her mask and began.
"Lord Idris, it has been some time. Before negotiations begin, allow me to introduce those present…"
She listed each person one by one, using the formality as a way to settle her nerves.
After finishing the introductions, she continued:
"I invited these individuals not to pressure you… and certainly not to surround or threaten you.
They are simply here to provide professional input."
Idris nodded.
"Of course. Then, let's begin."
Furina took a deep breath.
"Lord Idris, I trust you're aware of the chaos the Bloodline Elixir has caused across Fontaine.
I won't repeat the obvious. You came here to resolve it—so we've prepared several feasible proposals."
She handed him a stack of draft papers.
"First, we propose expanding maritime routes between Fontaine and Sumeru to improve trade flow, allowing large-scale import of Bloodline Elixirs."
"Second, we wish to send roughly two thousand individuals to study alchemy in the Sumeru Akademiya under the Pill Master branch."
"Third, according to your previous words, the elixir's materials are common and its refinement is not excessively difficult.
Therefore, once production stabilizes, even ordinary citizens should be able to afford it."
Furina had expected today to be painful.
She was already preparing for Idris to make sky-high demands.
But—
Idris shook his head.
"My apologies, but I cannot accept those terms."
"At least eighty percent of your conditions are currently impossible."
Furina sighed.
She had prepared for this.
Still—
"Then… Lord Idris, what part is unacceptable?"
Idris raised a brow.
"Let's start with your 'two thousand alchemy students.'
I already know where most of them would come from—Fortress of Meropide, correct?"
Furina stiffened.
Neuvillette's brows twitched.
Lyney froze.
Because Idris was absolutely right.
Their plan had been:
Use ex-prisoners.
They were intelligent enough to learn alchemy.
They had no jobs after release.
And pulling 2,000 people from normal society would cripple Fontaine's workforce.
It was the most "efficient" solution.
But Idris had exposed it instantly.
As expected of the Grand Sage… his perception is terrifying.
Idris continued:
"Next, outsiders joining the Pill Master branch must pass examinations.
Two thousand foreign candidates will take at least ten months to fully evaluate."
"And don't even think about the recipe."
Furina flinched.
"The pill formula belongs solely to the Pill Masters.
If anyone attempts to steal or replicate it—we will hunt them to the ends of Teyvat."
He cut off her backup plan before she could even speak it aloud.
Furina felt like she was being toyed with by a cunning villain—
A powerful one whom she could not fight nor scold.
Idris continued calmly.
"As for expanding sea routes: empty words."
"The desert port closest to Fontaine is under mercenary control, not ours."
"Sumeru's northern Bayda Harbor is far smaller than Port Ormos.
It cannot handle major trade unless rebuilt entirely."
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