Chapter 173: Ninianne Of The Lake

"How… how do I look…" Furina turned her face slightly, trying to sound composed, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed the nervous flutter in her heart.

She fiddled unconsciously with the hem of her clothes, stealing glances at Shajin as if eagerly awaiting his judgment.

Shajin, on the other hand, was studying her with clear interest, his gaze filled with undisguised admiration.

The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile as he nodded slightly and said:

"Mhm. It suits you, Fufu~"

Those few simple words carried a kind of magic. Furina's cheeks instantly bloomed with a rosy flush like the evening sky. She lowered her head shyly and replied in a voice as soft as a whispering breeze.

"Really…? T-then I'm glad…"

Standing quietly nearby, Chiori maintained a composed expression on the surface, but internally, waves of shock were crashing against the walls of her mind.

She stared wide-eyed at the two in front of her, her thoughts racing.

No way… Could it be that the "Gambler" and Lady Furina have some kind of special relationship?

The thought struck her like lightning. She felt as if the juiciest piece of gossip in all of Teyvat had just landed right in front of her.

After Shajin cheerfully paid the bill, he casually draped an arm over Furina's shoulder, then turned to Chiori with a smile and gave her a friendly wave.

"Your store's clothes are top-notch. I'll definitely be back often~"

Chiori could only nod blankly, still in a daze.

Shajin tilted his head, but didn't mind. He simply shrugged and vanished with Furina in a shimmer of golden light.

...

The radiant golden glow gradually condensed, forming two clear silhouettes that descended steadily onto a quiet stretch of beach near Fontaine's capital.

Furina glanced around quickly, then tugged Shajin over to a nearby lakeside.

Shajin was still wondering why she had brought him here when—

Her delicate pink cheeks puffed up like a ripe apple, lips pursed, puffed-up face radiating indignation. With her soft, tiny hand, she pointed accusingly at a floating figure bathed in blue light.

It wasn't just any Hydro elemental lifeform—it was one of the most infamous local legends of the Fontaine region: Ninianne of the Lakeside.

Right now, Ninianne hovered peacefully above the lake, eyes shut, looking as though nothing in the world could disturb its serenity. But the moment it heard their approach, it slowly opened its eyes.

The moment It saw who had arrived, it lazily tossed a sparkling water orb their way.

Just as the orb was about to strike Furina, Shajin snapped his right hand out with lightning speed and smacked the water sphere into a burst of scattered droplets.

Water sprayed like a silver blossom—beautiful and fleeting.

Seeing its casual attack so easily deflected, Ninianne instantly dropped its languid demeanor and grew alert.

Its pale blue eyes widened, locking onto the stranger before it—clearly powerful and unknown. Wariness and scrutiny burned in its gaze.

Meanwhile, Furina had already leapt behind Shajin in fright, her expression pale, clutching his back like a startled bunny.

Peeking out timidly, she murmured, "Shajin… that's the one who always used to bully me…"

Her voice held a hint of grievance.

Hearing this, Ninianne's eyes grew even wider.

What the—she brought backup? And someone this strong? Shameless!

Furina tugged at Shajin's sleeve.

"Shajin, hurry up and teach it a lesson!"

Shajin rolled his eyes. But he could tell the so-called "legend" didn't mean real harm—it seemed more like it was teasing Furina than anything else.

Well then… a little lesson wouldn't hurt…

...

"Hahahaha…"

Furina stood triumphantly, poking a motionless and thoroughly defeated Ninianne on the ground with a stick.

"That's what you get for bullying me! That's what you get!"

Ninianne: "..."

...

By now, the sun had dipped low on the horizon, its golden light stretching across the land like a warm velvet blanket. The once-busy beach had fallen into an unusual stillness. Aside from the pair of them, not another soul remained.

A gentle sea breeze carried the salty tang of the ocean, caressing their faces with a soothing chill.

Above, the sky burned with the hues of a fiery sunset—orange and crimson igniting the clouds, their edges outlined in dazzling gold, drifting slowly across the wide, tranquil heavens.

The distant sea mirrored the sky like an enormous, glass-smooth canvas, reflecting its brilliance in a breathtaking blend of orange, red, purple, and blue—an awe-inspiring, dreamlike painting come to life.

Amid this beautiful scene, the two of them sat side by side on a large rock by the shore.

Furina, graceful as ever, slipped off her shoes and stockings, dipping her pale, delicate feet into the cool seawater.

She playfully kicked at the waves, sending splashes flying with each motion. The soft splash splash echoed gently in the quiet.

She turned to Shajin with a grin.

"You know… it's been five hundred years, and I've never really had a proper look around Fontaine~"

Shajin's eyes twinkled with an idea.

"Well then—easy fix!"

Furina blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

Then, a sudden rush of vertigo swept over her.

Wrapped in radiant golden light, Furina shot upward—soaring toward the skies.

Eyes tightly shut in panic, she heard Shajin's voice ring in her ears.

"Fufu, open your eyes!"

Swallowing nervously, she cracked her eyes open just a sliver.

"Eh…?"

Bathed in the soft glow, she looked down—and saw the entirety of Fontaine beneath her.

Shajin was already beside her somehow, extending his hand like a proper gentleman.

"Well? Fufu? For now, set aside your role as 'the Hydro Archon.' Come with me—not as a god, but as 'Furina.' What do you say?"

Furina hesitated for a moment… then smiled and placed her hand in his.

"Then I suppose I'll graciously accept your offer~"

_

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