Chapter 170. The Price of Information
What was that just now?
Futsu Mitama and Lumine both saw it: that terrifyingly huge Whale and the mysterious shadowy figure emanating a terrifying aura.
The other party seemed to know that Futsu Mitama and Lumine were watching him through Mona's consciousness.
And… those eyes, he was definitely not human.
Futsu Mitama had thought that after reaching the Demon God Realm, he could walk freely across the continent of Teyvat, but he never expected that this time, linking with Mona's consciousness, he would see two beings no less powerful than Archons.
Although it was a glimpse from afar, Futsu Mitama knew that with his current strength, it would still be a bit difficult to take down that mysterious shadowy figure and that terrifyingly large Whale.
"Wow?! Mona?! Are you okay?!"
Paimon saw Mona collapse on the table, rolling her eyes, and at this moment, she didn't even have time to finish her food, flying quickly to her side.
Although Paimon usually bickered with Mona, she was still kind-hearted.
"She saw something she shouldn't have seen and suffered a backlash; she's fainted."
Arlecchino looked at Mona with some surprise, clearly not expecting the other party to actually have such ability.
Because the Astrologist she had requested didn't even suffer a backlash, as she hadn't divined anything, so naturally there was no backlash.
But now, Arlecchino looked at Mona with a hint of expectation, feeling that the other party must have seen some crucial information.
And… Arlecchino looked at Futsu Mitama and Lumine, who were frowning, and for the first time, she felt her luck was so good.
She suddenly felt that it was good that Signora died; if she hadn't died, she wouldn't have been able to interfere in Liyue's affairs.
If she hadn't interfered in Liyue's affairs, she wouldn't have received guidance from Rex Lapis, nor would she have met Futsu Mitama, Lumine, and Mona.
"Do you need my help?"
Although Arlecchino really wanted to ask Futsu Mitama and Lumine what they had seen, at the moment, she suppressed her excitement and patiently asked if they needed help.
"No need."
Futsu Mitama shook his head, refusing Arlecchino; he extended his hand, and emerald green energy surged from his hand, entering Mona's body.
Mona, who had been rolling her eyes and almost drooling earlier, now, after the emerald green energy entered her body.
Mona's expression became much more relaxed, and she no longer rolled her eyes, but closed them, as if she had fallen asleep.
"The Maha Rukkhadevata's legacy is indeed miraculous."
Arlecchino was not surprised that Futsu Mitama possessed the Maha Rukkhadevata's legacy.
Because the Fatui's intelligence network was not to be underestimated; in Sumeru, Futsu Mitama had not hidden the fact that he possessed the Maha Rukkhadevata's legacy.
This was also why, after Futsu Mitama became the Acting Dendro Archon, there was not much opposition from the people of Sumeru.
In addition to the Akademiya's approval, the common people were also grateful and recognized Futsu Mitama.
"Every Archon has their own shining points."
Futsu Mitama also said at this moment, looking at Arlecchino.
"Although I have not met the Hydro Archon Focalors. But given the current situation in Fontaine, I think she should be doing her best to change the prophecy."
Judging from that scene just now, the situation in Fontaine was terrifying: two Demon Gods-level beings.
The Whale and the mysterious entity seen through Mona's perspective were clearly much more terrifying than Scaramouche and Dottore, who had entered the Demon God Realm.
Were they friends or foes? And why was Mona's Vision affected?
To be honest, Futsu Mitama suddenly felt that the fact that he could control elemental power without a Vision was simply too amazing.
When Mona's Vision dimmed just now, even if Futsu Mitama hadn't mastered Hydro elemental power, he could still sense that Mona's control over Hydro elements had invisibly decreased significantly.
In other words, either that Whale or that mysterious shadowy figure possessed the ability to interfere with Visions.
Although the specific situation was not yet clear, he would probably need to ask the members of the Chat Group later.
Zhongli and the others would definitely know some secret information.
But for now, Futsu Mitama and Arlecchino would engage in a bit of back-and-forth, to see what she thought of the Hydro Archon Focalors..
As a Fatui Harbinger and a Fontainian, Futsu Mitama felt that she probably knew a little about the Hydro Archon Focalors's state.
Because of that Whale and the mysterious shadowy figure, Futsu Mitama was even wondering if the Hydro Archon Focalors had been marginalized, or if she was directly imprisoned, just like Nahida.
"Is that so?"
Arlecchino heard Futsu Mitama's words, and she smiled noncommittally, slowly saying.
"Perhaps she truly has a way to solve the prophecy, but according to my own eyes and the intelligence I've gathered—"
"She doesn't seem like a true Archon. Although her people trust her greatly, and she has always displayed a 'divine demeanor,' I once thought, perhaps this is what a divine demeanor is."
Paimon scratched her head, somewhat confused.
"Divine demeanor? What kind?"
Because when it came to Archons, Paimon couldn't help but think of the few in the Chat Group.
The completely drunk Anemo Archon Barbatos.
Raiden Ei, who appeared majestic but was actually already enjoying the assistance of her older sister, the Shogun, and Futsu Mitama.
And Nahida, the God of Wisdom, who was imprisoned for five hundred years, and after being unsealed, neither Signora, Scaramouche, nor Dottore could she handle.
In the Chat Group, the only ones who truly had a divine demeanor, in Paimon's opinion, were Raiden Makoto and Maha Rukkhadevata.
These two were truly "omniscient and omnipotent" in every sense, and their tone of voice was very gentle, and they were particularly reliable in their actions.
"Divine demeanor, you can understand it as the inherent temperament of an Archon."
Arlecchino narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing at the calm-faced Futsu Mitama, and said very seriously.
"Just like Futsu Mitama, Rex Lapis, and Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, whom I serve."
"Me?"
Futsu Mitama was slightly taken aback; what divine temperament did he have? He was just a human.
Although he had reached the Demon God Realm, Futsu Mitama was still a human at heart; though not ordinary, there was still some gap compared to a true Archon.
Lumine didn't speak; she glanced at Futsu Mitama and nodded slightly, as if agreeing with Arlecchino's words.
Others might not be able to tell, but as a Traveler from beyond Teyvat, she could see at a glance that Futsu Mitama was distinctly different from others.
Whether before or after breaking through to the Demon God Realm, he carried a unique temperament.
How unique it was, Lumine could only say that she didn't know; it was just a temperament where his mere presence was enough to attract others' attention.
"Mm."
Arlecchino nodded, and continued.
"Although my description might be somewhat offensive to her, in my opinion, the Hydro Archon Focalors—"
"She doesn't possess the temperament an Archon should have. Although her performance is very good, and she has lived for five hundred years, my intuition tells me—she is not a true Archon."
"She resembles one, but she isn't, and her actions prevent me from recognizing her as an Archon."
At this point, Arlecchino paused for a moment, then she said with an apologetic smile.
"Actually, this also includes my personal feelings. If you just wander around Fontaine… You will find that the people of Fontaine actually hold the Hydro Archon Focalors in great respect and love, just as the citizens of other nations treat their own Archons."
"I don't claim to possess the [truth], but I do feel that the actions of the Hydro Archon Focalors are not worthy of my respect."
Futsu Mitama fell into a brief contemplation, as Arlecchino's words revealed a lot of information.
Firstly, the Hydro Archon Focalors is respected in Fontaine; her status there is the same as other Archons.
But in Arlecchino's view, Focalors lacks what an Archon should have, such as a certain temperament?
Coupled with the things Focalors has done, Arlecchino has strong opinions about her, as if she, as an Archon, does nothing.
Just like The Fair Lady, who hated Venti back then, didn't she constantly criticize Venti?
But compared to the frantic The Fair Lady, Arlecchino seemed calmer. She even stated that she did not possess the [truth], and was only making such a judgment based on her personal feelings.
"And also…" Arlecchino suddenly remembered something and looked at Futsu Mitama, saying. "There's one more thing that makes me doubt the Hydro Archon Focalors even more."
"That is, in Fontaine, all matters, big or small, are handled by the Chief Justice "Iudex" Neuvillette. He intervenes to resolve issues an exceptionally large number of times. Conversely, the Hydro Archon Focalors, apart from observing one trial after another from the judgment seat, has done nothing else. No divine miracles, no interventions, and she hasn't even taken the Fontaine's Prophecy to heart."
Futsu Mitama grasped the key points: no divine miracles, no interventions.
Had something happened to the Hydro Archon Focalors?
Because no matter which Archon it was, they would inevitably display divine miracles over five hundred years. It's not that an Archon must display divine miracles.
Rather, as Archons, they all have their own duties, and they instinctively do things for their citizens.
And those actions would bring a touch of divine awe to ordinary people.
For example, Venti changed Mondstadt's inherently harsh environment even maintained that.
There's no need to mention Zhongli; any storyteller next door is recounting his legendary tales.
Raiden Ei even used Musou no Hitotachi to show the world the pinnacle of Raiden Shogun's martial arts; look at the Gorge and Orobashi's Skeleton.
Even Nahida, who was imprisoned, once guided many lost souls at night and made significant contributions to the people of the Desert.
All Archons have performed divine miracles. They themselves might consider them trivial, but in the eyes of the populace, these were not trivial matters.
"It seems you understand what I mean."
Arlecchino saw the change in Futsu Mitama's expression and knew that someone as intelligent as him had already understood what she wanted to convey.
It was because she had seen true Archons that Arlecchino questioned the Hydro Archon Focalors.
Moreover, the Hydro Archon Focalors, who always sat on the judgment seat, indeed had very suspicious points.
And not just one suspicious point. She hadn't noticed them before because she was just an ordinary Fontainian.
After she left Fontaine, came to Snezhnaya, met the Tsaritsa, and experienced everything, Arlecchino's suspicions grew even stronger.
"I do understand a bit."
Futsu Mitama nodded slightly, but he still wouldn't change his mind, because before meeting the Hydro Archon Focalors, he couldn't view her with prejudice.
Perhaps she couldn't display divine miracles or intervene because she was fully suppressing something? Or holding something back with all her might?
There were too many such possibilities. Arlecchino might have seen Focalors' inaction.
But Futsu Mitama, who had met so many Archons, believed more in the [wisdom of the Archons].
"Hmm…"
Just then, Mona's body trembled slightly. She opened her beautiful eyes, looking a bit dazed.
"!"
Arlecchino looked at the awakened Mona, suddenly a little excited, because she knew that Mona had already divined the crisis of the Fontaine's Prophecy.
From the attitudes of Futsu Mitama and the golden-haired Lumine, they had clearly seen something, but they chose not to speak.
It was precisely because this information was painstakingly divined by Mona, and she had suffered an unimaginable backlash.
So this information should be told by her.
"Where am I?"
Mona was still a bit dazed after waking up, not understanding what had happened. Then her expression changed slightly, as if she remembered something.
"What did you see?"
Arlecchino asked impatiently, having clearly seen that Mona had recalled something.
"Are you okay, Mona? You looked really scary just now."
Paimon, on the other hand, was very concerned about Mona, unsure what exactly had happened to her.
Although Paimon seemed silly, she still cared about others, because she had also seen how frightening Mona's condition was just now.
"I'm fine, Paimon."
Mona shook her head, seemingly trying to shake something unpleasant out of her mind.
Then Mona looked at Arlecchino with a somewhat complex expression and said.
"To be honest, I didn't expect my actions to lead to such a big impact. As for what I saw, according to the Astrologist's rules—this time, I'm afraid you'll have to pay a considerable fee."
Mona was a pure Astrologist. She couldn't abuse astrology for her own gain, otherwise she would be abandoned by the starry sky.
But this time, she wasn't using astrology for personal gain, but rather to glimpse the truth of the Fontaine's Prophecy, which led to the current situation.
She could reveal this information for free, but why should she?
The Old Hag once said that information itself is priceless, and she couldn't be too selfless, because if she were too selfless, others would devour her until there were no bones left.
Moreover, the backlash this time was quite severe. Mona would likely be unable to use astrology for divination for about a month.
This was the [price] of prying into certain existences, but Mona could accept this price, because that scene was simply something she, in her current state, could not witness.
"How much?"
Arlecchino, with a grand gesture, immediately indicated that Mona could name her price; Mora was a small matter.
Not to mention her own channels for earning Mora, the Fatui also had Regrator, the Harbinger who amassed wealth frantically. Any amount of Mora was fine.
Provided the information was worth the price.
"One billion Mora."
Mona looked at Arlecchino and said calmly.
"This is just the starting point. Next, I will need you, or Snezhnaya, to purchase a series of custom instruments for me. And also items for research, help me collect ancient books, and strange trinkets from various nations. If you can't accept, then I will…"
Before Mona could finish, Arlecchino waved her hand, directly interrupting her, and said seriously.
"No problem! Let's draft the contract now!"
Arlecchino's generosity utterly stunned Paimon.
This was what Mona meant by not abusing astrology?! Not using it at all, but when she did, she earned one billion Mora?!
And were the Fatui that rich?!!! One billion Mora, just like that?!!! And with Mona's personality! This one billion Mora was just the starting point???
Was this what they called either not opening for business, or opening for business and eating for three years?
But only Futsu Mitama and Lumine knew how extraordinary Mona's divination was this time. If she didn't charge something for it—
Then… the people who would come knocking in the future would likely be endless.
So, at this moment, Mona was partly acquiring what she needed next, and partly trying to silence Arlecchino.
Even if someone later learned from Arlecchino that this was the future she had divined, knowing the cost of having her divine a prophecy would naturally make them think twice.
"Alright."
Mona hadn't expected Arlecchino to agree so quickly, but she nodded, agreeing to draft the contract.
An Electro Cicin Mage nearby took out a parchment and a pen and handed them to Mona, so she could draft the contract.