Fontaine Court — Palais Mermonia.
Office of the Chief Justice.
When Neuvillette saw Furina's latest message in the group chat, he immediately knew—
The Hydro Archon was about to make another outrageous claim.
The last time she'd spoken with that same level of confidence, she'd accused the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor of assassinating the Geo Archon.
And, in a bizarrely abstract way… she had sort of been right.
So now—what wild theory was she about to throw out this time?
[Extraordinary Assembly Group Chat]
[Heizou]: Lady Furina, do you have another deduction for us? (curious)
[Hu Tao]: I swear, this time it's definitely not the Funeral Parlor's fault! (Hu Tao·panic)
[Lisa]: The cutie's background is looking more mysterious by the minute. Perhaps Lady Furina could offer us some insight?
[Furina]: Hmph-hmph! (Paimon·smug)
[Furina]: Everyone, listen well! The following theory is based on my keen observation of the unfolding story!
[Gu Chen]: Front row ready—please, go ahead!
[Dori]: Front-row seats! Selling peanuts and mineral water~
[Lumine]: (Shenhe·stare)
[Furina]: First of all, we need to establish one thing:
Aether and Lumine have been separated for years, at the very least. Because Aether said, "I've already taken one journey." That's solid proof.
[Furina]: From his words, we can infer his goal—he wants Lumine to travel through all seven nations, to grow and gather experiences just like he did.
Did anyone notice the change in their clothing?
[Lumine]: You mean… how our accessories' colors change depending on which element we're using?
[Furina]: Exactly!
[Furina]: I've observed that Aether's outfit is white. Among Teyvat's seven known elements, none are white.
Therefore, Aether must have mastered all seven elements!
He's either transcended them—or mutated beyond them! Either way, he's become immensely powerful.
[Furina]: So! His true goal seems clear—he wants Lumine to do the same: regain her powers and update him on each nation's current state.
Right now, the Anemo Archon is weak, the Geo Archon has fallen…
So by the time Lumine finishes her seven-nation journey, that's when the Abyss Order will strike, destroying all seven nations in one sweep!
[Furina]: Lumine's relationships with the people of each nation are close, yes? That means she knows far more than most.
Therefore—I suspect that, unknowingly, Lumine has become Aether's agent within Teyvat!
[Lumine]: Huh?!
[Paimon]: HUH?!
[Venti]: That's… an absurd—no, wait… that's actually kinda logical?! (nods)
[Zhongli]: From a purely rational perspective… as ridiculous as it sounds, it does contain a kernel of truth. (thinking)
[Heizou]: My mind has officially been blown! (shocked)
[Neuvillette]: Please, do not believe Lady Furina's nonsense.
[Furina]: "Nonsense"?!
Think about it! The more nations Lumine visits, the deeper her understanding of them becomes, yes? She grows stronger, yes?
Her brother, the Abyss Prince, wouldn't want to fight her.
Even if Lumine herself says nothing, Aether could easily learn everything through her experiences!
Then, when the seven nations are at their weakest—boom! He delivers the finishing blow!
[Abyss Prince]: Brilliant idea! (applause)
Abyss Order Headquarters.
Aether's eyes lit up at the Hydro Archon's theory.
"Who was it that said the Hydro Archon was a fool?"
"Because this sounds pretty smart to me!"
He glanced at the surrounding Abyss Heralds, who all looked bewildered.
They had never heard of Furina being intelligent before.
But the light screen's messages couldn't lie, and the tone was unmistakably hers.
"It's an abstract idea," Aether mused, chuckling, "but… not a bad one."
He shook his head, though.
"Shame it's already public knowledge. It'd be pointless to actually try it now."
[Paimon]: Wait, so that's how it is?! (Paimon·panic)
[Lumine]:Nonsense! @[Furina] I'll sue you for slander!! (Layla·crying broke)
[Furina]: I understand, you're emotional. After all, you've been unknowingly used by your brother.
It's fine—I forgive your outburst~ (Paimon·smug)
[Tartaglia]: @[Lumine] Hey, come on down here to prison! You'll have great sparring partners! (photo of prison meal)
[Lumine]: Who'd want to be in jail with you?! (disgusted)
[Kokomi]: So Venti's words finally make sense—
If the one in the shadows who guides disaster is Aether, then the one who stands in the light to become a hero must be Miss Lumine.
[Lumine]: See? This is a reasonable theory! (applause)
[Venti]: (Hu Tao·grin)
[Kaeya]: Honorary Knight, you're under arrest! (Hu Tao·grin)
[Lumine]: I object!
[Lumine]: Like Gu Chen said—"If you walk upright, you fear no shadows." I haven't done anything, so don't pin this on me! (Xinyan·furious)
While the group was teasing Lumine, Aether was deep in thought.
Why hadn't his past self simply killed Gu Chen?
It was a question that bothered him greatly.
"Was I not strong enough?"
"No… that doesn't make sense."
He could only conclude that, perhaps, because Gu Chen was not native to Teyvat either,
his former self had assumed Gu Chen wouldn't side with the Archons.
"Your Highness, they're talking about you in the chat again," an Abyss Herald said.
"Hmm?"
Aether opened the group chat.
[Gu Chen]: Everyone, I've got a theory!
[Furina]: Let's hear it!
[Gu Chen]: Aether is the Abyss Prince—and we've got someone called "Abyss Prince" in this chat.
Isn't it possible… they're the same person?
[Lumine]: ?
[Lumine]: My brother isn't that ugly! Besides, you've seen the photo from before—how could that brat possibly be him?
[Abyss Prince]: Hmph! He's not even half as handsome as me! (smug)
[Gu Chen]: You'd be trying very hard to hide your identity, then. (sarcastic)
[Dainsleif]: No need to doubt it—it's almost certainly Aether himself.
That "photo" could've been anyone. Easy to fake.
[Abyss Prince]: Why are you all assuming I'm not me but her brother instead?! (Xinyan·furious)
[Hu Tao]: Selfie or it didn't happen!
Aether turned to one of the nearby Abyss Heralds.
The Herald looked uneasy.
"Your Highness… that person we used for the photo—we, uh… let him go."
Aether: "…"
[Venti]: @[Aether] Why so quiet, huh? Say something!
[Abyss Prince]: ...
[Heizou]: Case closed. It's definitely him!
[Kaeya]: So tell us, brother-in-law—when are you planning to lick Gu Chen's shoes clean? (Nahida·confused)
[Venti]: Harsh! Not leaving him a shred of dignity! My advice? Gu Chen should put his shoes in a red envelope, send them over, and only take them back once they're spotless! (sarcastic)
[Gu Chen]: Really? (smirk)
[Abyss Prince]:Just you wait! I'm going to kill every single one of you! (furious)
[Collei]: Oh, I know this one—that's what we call losing composure, right?
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