Volume 1, Chapter 1: Making Headlines

[ Hydro Archon Focalors Inaugurated as Administrative Minister; Fontaine City Hall Extends Warm Welcome ] — Steam Bird Press

Standing before the mirror, Richard meticulously adjusted his attire. His suit was impeccably tailored, and the white collar and cuffs of his shirt were pristine, without a single speck of dirt.

His eyes shone brightly, clear as water, sparkling with genuine sincerity. Confidence radiated from his brow, and a composed smile graced his cheeks, effortlessly drawing people toward him.

Richard was a half-elf, inheriting all the virtues of his elven parentage: longevity, strength, striking beauty, and those distinctive pointed ears.

"Lord Richard, the Hydro Archon has arrived at City Hall and is being escorted to her office by staff," Lynette announced from behind him.

"Understood," Richard replied, giving his collar a final adjustment.

Fontaine now faced crises far surpassing those of any other nation in Teyvat: internal strife, external threats, and the ever-looming Doomsday Prophecy hanging over their heads like a Sword of Damocles.

Moreover, Richard possessed the Fontaine Bloodline, and no one knew what impact Fontaine's Doomsday Prophecy might have on this half-elf. He dared not take that risk.

Following the advice of his "aunt-in-name-only," Ms. Alice, Richard resigned from his position in Snezhnaya and relocated to Fontaine. Thanks to his connections, he quickly rose to become the second-in-command at City Hall.

Just as he was beginning to address the city's problems, the Hydro Archon unexpectedly descended as his direct supervisor, disrupting all his carefully laid plans.

Richard couldn't help but wonder if the Goddess had discovered something.

Yet, if his deductions about Fontaine's situation were correct, everything he had done was aimed at helping the nation survive the Doomsday Prophecy. In essence, his actions should align with the Hydro Archon's own schemes.

Hydro Archon Focalors sought to amass vast quantities of Indemnitium by absorbing the Fontainians' faith in law and judgment. This accumulated energy would then be used to confront Fontaine's impending doom.

It was precisely this understanding that had led Richard to subtly manipulate the previous Administrative Minister into enacting a series of seemingly innocuous policies that secretly incentivized criminal activity.

Richard had turned a blind eye to various corrupt practices, indulging his subordinates in embezzlement to buy their loyalty. Once he had used them, he would personally deliver them to the Hydro Archon for her amusement, completing a self-serving cycle.

This process left many loose ends that would require time to clean up. Had the Hydro Archon not unexpectedly descended as the Administrative Minister, Richard was confident he could have secured the ministerial position within three years without leaving any incriminating evidence.

Unfortunately, the Hydro Archon's arrival forced Richard to confront the possibility of his schemes being exposed. He couldn't rely on her understanding or trust if the truth came to light, so he had to revert to his old tactics: deceiving his superiors and manipulating his subordinates.

Though he formed cliques, concealed information, undermined the previous minister, and wielded absolute authority, Richard considered himself a loyal subject.

According to the renowned theory: "If it isn't discovered, it isn't a crime."

Richard simply needed to suppress these matters, preventing them from reaching the Hydro Archon's notice, while simultaneously demonstrating his competence to gain her trust. Only then would his mission be complete.

Richard reasoned that the Hydro Archon's appointment as Administrative Minister was likely a temporary, impulsive decision made in a fit of pique, and she wouldn't remain in the position for long.

Ironically, he only had himself to blame. Why had he stirred up public opinion in the first place? Now, the Hydro Archon, unable to withstand the pressure, had rushed in to become his superior.

If he could turn back time, he would never have written an article like "The Great Doomsday Crisis and the Hydro Archon Focalors' Afternoon Tea," let alone thoughtfully paired it with a cheeky illustration of a flooded Fontaine landscape alongside a photo of Furina enjoying afternoon tea—a blatant attempt to manipulate public sentiment and provoke the Hydro Archon.

His original intention had been to spur the Hydro Archon into taking more proactive measures against the prophecy, not to force her into personally taking up the mantle of Administrative Minister to prove herself.

Lost in these thoughts, Richard pushed open the door to the Administrative Minister's office.

There she was: the Hydro Archon, seated at her desk, wearing a blue top hat and a modified blue swallowtail coat.

However, her jaw was clenched, her teeth gritted, and her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at the newspaper in her hands.

Richard blinked. If he remembered correctly, that was the very newspaper he had manipulated to amplify his public opinion campaign.

Richard guessed the headlines likely read: "Hydro Archon Focalors Attends Trial, Defends Accused, Resulting in Ten-Year Sentence Increase" and "Hydro Archon Focalors Appointed Administrative Minister; Fontaine's Destruction May Be Accelerated."

Why did he know so much? He chuckled inwardly. Who else would know better than the one who wrote the damn articles himself?

"Lady Furina, Secretary-General Richard has arrived," Clorinde, the Hydro Archon's guard, announced.

Furina set down the newspaper, her face still flushed with anger, but managed a strained smile. "Monsieur Richard, you're here."

Richard suspected that if the young girl before him realized the man who had manipulated public opinion against her was standing right in front of her, she would immediately order his arrest and exile him to the Fortress of Meropide.

"Greetings, Hydro Archon," Richard said with a smile, observing her closely.

"Monsieur Richard, what are your thoughts on the contents of this newspaper?" Furina flipped the paper and slid it across the table toward him.

Richard's mind raced, considering various possibilities before he finally accepted the newspaper.

"Fontaine's Sea Levels Rise as Doomsday Prophecies Come True—Hydro Archon Focalors Continues Her Charade!" Richard read the headline aloud involuntarily.

His first thought was, "I didn't write this." His second was, "The Fontainians are remarkably perceptive; they're already extrapolating."

Seeing Furina's face darken, Richard silently folded the newspaper. "This is utter nonsense!" he declared earnestly. "The author of this article has malicious intent, and the newspaper's decision to circulate it despite knowing their ill motives is unforgivable!"

As the saying goes, "Those who falsely accuse you know better than you yourself how innocent you truly are."

"Lady Furina, I suggest we immediately sue the Steam Bird and imprison its editor-in-chief in the Fortress of Meropide."

Richard only mentioned the editor-in-chief, omitting the article's author. After all, what could a poor journalist possibly know? This was all the work of those black-hearted newspaper executives!

Furina blinked. While the suggestion was satisfying, it seemed a bit extreme. Fontaine was a society governed by the rule of law, and people shouldn't be punished for their words.

She had considered such measures before, but Neuvillette had sternly rejected them.

Tsk... This Secretary-General, on the other hand, was truly after her own heart! He clearly had the makings of a loyal retainer.

"Ahem, Monsieur Richard, isn't this going a bit too far?" Furina asked with a satisfied smile. She wanted to appear magnanimous, but her subordinate couldn't afford to hold back.

Richard, ever observant, noticed this immediately. He knew Furina's earlier question had been a test of his unwavering loyalty. Based on his experience, dealing with these Gods was always precarious; one could never be too cautious.

Despite the Hydro Archon's frequent public displays of... performance art that defied ordinary comprehension, the Fontainians seemed to enjoy it.

The public genuinely appreciated the Hydro Archon's theatrical performances.

To sway public opinion through such means, she must either be revealing her true nature or deliberately playing the fool—a testament to her profound cunning.

Richard suspected the latter was more likely. After all, no God was ever truly simple.

"How about sending a lawyer's letter as a warning instead?"

"That's acceptable," Furina nodded, finding the idea satisfactory. It would serve as a warning without making her, the Hydro Archon, appear petty.

After reaffirming his loyalty to the Hydro Archon, Richard began contemplating how to shift her focus outward, away from the trivial matters at City Hall.

His plan was to find a task for her to undertake. Once she had resolved internal affairs and closed all the loopholes, he could then invite her back.

With this in mind, Richard said, "Lady Furina, if you were to achieve some concrete results, I believe the rumors circulating in the city would collapse on their own."

"After all, nothing is more persuasive than tangible accomplishments."

"Exactly! That's precisely what I intend to do!" Furina's gaze softened as she looked at Richard.

"Then, my Permanent Secretary, what should our top priority be?"

Richard produced a pre-prepared proposal and placed it before Furina: "Measures Required to Address the Further Tightening of Inazuma's Isolationist Edict."

"What does Inazuma's isolationist policy have to do with us?" Furina's first thought upon seeing the title.

Richard, believing this was a test of his professional competence, immediately replied, "The trend toward economic integration across Teyvat is becoming increasingly clear. Trade between the Seven Nations is growing more frequent, creating a complex web of interdependence and mutual constraint, where each nation's interests are intertwined with the others."

"Inazuma is our primary supplier of forged machinery, while we rely on their specialized steel for manufacturing various devices, including Mechanical Hounds and Mechanical Guards. The further tightening of Inazuma's Isolationist Edict will not only disrupt cultural exchange but also severely impact our bilateral economic ties..."

Richard meticulously analyzed the repercussions of Inazuma's Seclusion Decree for the Hydro Archon, examining its impact from economic, cultural, and political perspectives.

Furina listened in a daze, captivated by the stark beauty of this "cultural desert" narrative. Finally, when he began discussing Inazuma's culture, she couldn't help but interrupt. "Why don't you just get to the point?"

"Inazuma's actions will do Fontaine more harm than good. We stand to lose a great deal."

Furina understood immediately. "In that case, let's initiate diplomatic negotiations with Inazuma!"

"This matter falls under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry," Richard reminded her.

"Then summon their representatives here!" the Hydro Archon declared imperiously.

Richard blinked. Technically, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Administrative Minister held equal rank; neither could directly command the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

But this was clearly an exception. His superior was not merely the Administrative Minister, but also Fontaine's nominal head of state—the Hydro Archon herself.

The significance of the Seven Archons in the nations of Teyvat was self-evident. In a way, the Hydro Archon's appointment as Administrative Minister represented an unprecedented consolidation of power within Fontaine's administrative structure, akin to "holding the emperor hostage to command the nobles."

At the "emperor's" summons, officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry had already assembled. Yet confusion clouded their faces, as if they couldn't fathom why the Hydro Archon had abruptly convened this meeting.

This was unprecedented, of course, just as it was unprecedented for the Hydro Archon to become the Administrative Minister.

"What's your take on Inazuma's further tightening of its isolationist policies?" Furina asked.

"What?" The Minister of Foreign Affairs looked genuinely taken aback.

Furina frowned, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing. Was he truly playing dumb, treating her like some ignorant fool?

"Inazuma's Isolationist Edict—are you unaware of it?" Furina demanded, her tone sharp.

"I know about the edict itself, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn't received any official updates from Inazuma regarding their isolationist policy," the Minister replied, sounding genuinely aggrieved.

Richard, who had been listening nearby, frowned. "This was reported in The Steam Bird days ago! As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, how could you not know?"

"The Steam Bird deliveryman fell ill today, so the paper wasn't delivered," the Minister explained sheepishly.

"The deliveryman is sick? Don't you have a diplomatic cipher?" Richard asked, puzzled.

The Minister chuckled awkwardly. "The diplomatic cipher always arrives late. I usually just read the news directly."

Richard: ...

"Then why don't you just hire another newspaper carrier?" Furina thought the Minister was remarkably dense.

Richard couldn't help but glance at Furina again. Was that really the point?

Never mind, that wasn't important now. The pressing issue was discussing how to handle this diplomatic crisis.

"Honestly, I think we should follow the usual protocol," the Minister of Foreign Affairs said. "Send a polite diplomatic note expressing our concern." His unspoken message was clear: there was no need for drastic measures.

Furina bristled. Absolutely not! She'd come here expecting change, and here they were, sticking to the same old routine. What was the point of her even coming here?

"No!" Furina declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "Endless concessions will only make Fontaine look weak and vulnerable. Today, Inazuma cuts back orders; tomorrow, Sumeru follows suit. How will Fontaine's economy possibly thrive? Where is our future?!" She spoke with righteous indignation.

"For political, economic, and cultural reasons, we must project an image of strength!" Furina couldn't recall Richard's lengthy speech verbatim, but she had memorized a few impressively high-sounding phrases.

By simply mimicking his style and leveraging her status as the Hydro Archon, she managed to pull off a surprisingly convincing bluff.

The officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nodded in agreement, assuring her, "You are the Hydro Archon. Everything you say is correct."

Thus concluded the Hydro Archon's first cabinet meeting as Administrative Minister, a resounding success.

And the results came swiftly...

-

On Monday morning, Furina walked to City Hall as usual, greeting every citizen along the way and urging them to pay attention to the day's political news. She had a major announcement coming!

Back in her office, she accepted a newspaper and a cup of red tea from Clorinde. After taking a sip, she glanced at the headline:

[Inazuma's Isolationist Edict Further Intensified! Hydro Archon Focalors Vows to Breach Inazuma's Borders and Seize the Shogun's Estate Within Three Days!]

"Pfft!"