"Additionally, the Tsaritsa's envoy is now aware of Tartaglia's disappearance," Neuvillette continued, his voice calm but heavy with meaning.
"She has requested another meeting with you to discuss the matter."
"Eh?!" Furina's face twisted in disbelief. "Another meeting? Why does she keep doing this?"
"We never provided a satisfactory explanation for Tartaglia's arrest," Neuvillette explained. "Now that he's missing, she naturally sees this as an opportunity to apply diplomatic pressure."
"..." Furina slumped.
"Can't you go on your own? Just tell her I'm in a bad mood and don't want to see anyone. Or maybe... say I'm investigating Tartaglia's disappearance myself at Meropide Fortress. I could hide out there for a while!"
"..." Neuvillette stared at her, his face as impassive as ever. Are you truly interested in investigating Tartaglia's disappearance, or are you just looking for an excuse to see Luo Qing again?
"Even if we ignore the fact that Meropide Fortress operates independently of Fontaine's jurisdiction, your personal involvement would cause a significant stir," Neuvillette replied. "Furthermore, avoiding the envoy outright could provoke stronger diplomatic pressure from Snezhnaya, potentially destabilizing Fontaine's economy."
"..." Furina pouted weakly. "Then you'll have to come with me, right? I can't do it alone."
"If my schedule permits, yes."
"Good!" Furina finally relaxed, her usual confidence creeping back into her expression. "Alright, it's settled. If there's nothing else, I'm going to bed."
Neuvillette sighed quietly and left the room without another word.
---
Meropide Fortress – Duke's Office
Luo Qing sat at Wriothesley's desk, flipping through documents with an air of nonchalance.
Across from him, Wriothesley stood rigidly, his expression complicated.
Luo Qing had commandeered his chair, rifled through his private files, and yet Wriothesley could do nothing.
Every word Luo Qing spoke carried a strange power, compelling him to obey.
"Impressive," Luo Qing said, setting the papers down. He looked up at Wriothesley, a hint of admiration in his tone.
"Your mental fortitude is stronger than most people I've met. Don't worry, I won't make this harder than it needs to be. There's no point resisting my control."
Luo Qing's control over Lyney and Lynette had lasted weeks with a single suggestion, but with Wriothesley, it barely lasted half a day. For a mortal, his resilience was remarkable.
But against Luo Qing, who wielded power akin to that of a higher god, even Wriothesley's strength was futile.
"Now then," Luo Qing said, locking eyes with the Duke. "Tell me—what lies beneath Meropide Fortress?"
Wriothesley's jaw clenched, his body stiff with resistance.
But Luo Qing's influence left him no choice. After a few moments of futile struggle, his body moved on its own, leading Luo Qing toward a hidden mechanism.
"Follow me," Wriothesley said tersely. "What you're looking for is below."
Wriothesley pressed a hidden switch on the wall, revealing a staircase that spiraled downward.
The two descended in silence, the journey stretching long enough to blur time. At the bottom, they entered a massive circular chamber dominated by a mechanical archway.
"Well, well, Duke Wriothesley," Luo Qing said with a smirk, surveying the space. "It seems you've been keeping quite a few secrets."
The underground chamber was vast, its scale and intricate machinery far beyond what Luo Qing had expected.
Had I known the Duke knew all this, I could've skipped all that trouble in the production zone.
Wriothesley remained silent as he approached the archway. After a few adjustments, the heavy doors creaked open, revealing a long, segmented hallway. Mechanical gates lined the corridor, poised to slam shut and seal the area at the touch of a button.
"Care to explain what I'm looking at?" Luo Qing asked.
"..."
"Have you heard of Meropide Fortress's origin?" Wriothesley asked, his tone low.
"Can't say history was my best subject."
"..."
After a pause, Wriothesley continued, his voice carrying an air of detached reverence.
"Before this fortress existed, criminals in Fontaine were exiled to the coastline, left to survive or perish as they might. The previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, decreed that some of these sinners might redeem themselves through service to her. She commanded them to descend into the depths of the sea to safeguard her secret.
"Under her guidance, these exiles banded together to construct a fortress of steel at the ocean's floor—what you now know as Meropide Fortress. For generations, they lived here, believing their servitude would absolve their sins.
"Centuries have passed since then, and few remember this story anymore."
As Wriothesley spoke, they reached the end of the corridor. The final chamber was another circular room, its floor sealed by a massive steel valve.
The valve bore a fan-shaped gauge, its needle fixed in the red zone—a silent but ominous warning.
Crossing his arms, Wriothesley turned to Luo Qing.
"I assume this is what brought you here—the thing sealed beneath."
"The Primal Sea Anima..." Luo Qing muttered, his gaze locked on the gauge.
The evidence was undeniable. Meropide Fortress sat atop the source of the enigmatic substance he sought.
"And judging by the state of that gauge," Luo Qing continued, "it looks like whatever's down there is about to break free."
"Some of it already has," Wriothesley said coldly. "A portion of the Primal Sea Anima has leaked into the ocean. If you're planning to destroy Fontaine, you could easily blow this place up. The resulting flood would wipe the nation off the map."
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Luo Qing laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm your Hydro Archon's dear friend! Do you think I'd do something like that?"
His smile widened as he added, "You might not believe me, but I'm actually here to save Fontaine."
---
T/N: ooooh see, i dont know the story of fontaine :3c