Genshin Impact: Fontaine's Regent, driving players crazy.

Themis took Furina to the beach where she saw talking cats and talking dogs, and she made some animal friends.

Furina was very happy, and her whole being was filled with joy.

However...

A minor hitch occurred on the way back.

Themis frowned, feeling utterly helpless.

Furina's blue friends had a strong desire to kill. If not for Themis restraining them, the surrounding area would have been nearly wiped out.

"This isn't good," Themis thought.

Looking at the seafood trio, Themis understood their eagerness to protect their master. After all, her beloved Furina was so delicate and vulnerable. But now that Themis clearly comprehended their intentions, she found herself in a difficult position.

"Can't we be a bit more polite?" Themis suggested. "For example... could you give me a heads-up before you start attacking? It would give me time to prepare."

In her reasoned plea, filled with emotion, Themis tried to negotiate. However, the three remained unswayed, fully committed to acting as Furina's impenetrable defenders.

I know you're right, but I won't listen! All who pose a threat to Furina must be eliminated without exception!

Standing at the mountain's summit, Themis cradled Furina, who had grown weary from play. She watched as Mademoiselle Crabaletta and the others chased the blonde traveler around. Themis brought her hands to her head.

Help... I've been completely surrounded by these extremists...

Lumine's distress call echoed from afar.

"Themis, save me—!"

Lumine desperately needed help—not because she couldn't defeat these three little sea creatures,

but because one had to consider whose subordinates these sea creatures were!

They belonged to none other than the Hydro Archon Furina!

Attacking them would be equivalent to attacking Furina herself!

She had no desire to be targeted by divine retribution and imprisoned over such a ridiculous pretext!

"Lumine, quick! Turn left!"

Paimon shouted directions from above. Lumine obediently swerved left, narrowly avoiding a dead end.

Paimon hovered tightly above the Traveler, trembling with fear.

Themis, cradling Furina in her arms, sighed deeply and walked over.

When Themis reached Lumine, the Traveler was surrounded by the three Sea creatures, clutching Paimon in a pitiful, helpless state.

Stepping protectively in front of Lumine and Paimon, Themis murmured, "Furina is tired. We should return now."

Surintendante Chevalmarin glared fixedly at the two behind Themis. Though visibly reluctant, he finally suppressed his aggressive impulses—for the sea creatures, Furina's well-being took precedence.

As the seafood trio disappeared, Lumine and Paimon both sighed with relief, expecting to be chased through ten streets, but it ended so quickly and unexpectedly.

"Yay, we're finally not being chased."

Paimon gasped and collapsed onto Lumine, then noticed Furina sleeping in Themis' arms and covered her mouth.

"Uh, Themis... it's a real coincidence, huh, we meet again."

"Yes, quite a coincidence." Themis nodded gently, a bit puzzled. "But what were you two doing just now?"

"Huh? We didn't do anything!" Lumine and Paimon blinked and shook their heads at the same time, both looking confused.

"We just saw you pass by and were curious about what you were doing, so we came to take a look."

"Then, when we saw you and Furina playing happily, we were just watching nearby."

"Suddenly, those three showed up and started chasing and attacking me and Traveler."

As Paimon and Lumine explained, they felt a bit wronged—they really hadn't done anything this time!

Themis understood, her eyes softening with some apology.

"I'm very sorry, it's probably because they mistook you for obsessive fans of Furina."

"Recently, in these years, Furina's fans have become more and more fanatical, and there have been some people who risked their lives to break into Palais Mermonia just to meet Furina or jumped out of the palace windows to peek at her..."

"Uh..." Themis' tone grew more complex as she continued, "In short, they didn't mean any harm... probably."

The members of the Salon Solitaire just wanted to protect Furina. What bad intentions could they have?

"People from Fontaine are really fanatic. It seems like serving the Hydro Archon isn't an easy task."

Paimon complained, and Lumine nodded in agreement.

"Compared to Nahida, Furina's experience is like night and day."

Thinking about Nahida made Lumine remember the poor little Dendro Archon, Nahida, who was not treated well and was ignored or even belittled by her people.

Meanwhile, Furina had received countless praises and admiration during her travels in Fontaine.

Lumine, with a complex expression, asked Themis, "Why do the people treat these two second-generation gods so differently?"

After asking the question, Lumine quickly realized something. The World Tree had altered the world's records, and no one in Teyvat knew that Nahida was a second-generation god.

So, under Themis's gaze, she changed her question. "I once read a story about gods."

"After an all-knowing god passes, her successor is brought in…"

Hearing these words, Themis understood what Lumine meant, "But she and Furina are different. Nahida didn't gain the love and reverence of the people. Instead, she was treated poorly. You want to know the reason behind the stark contrast, right?"

"Yes, I want to know how the Hydro Archon did it."

Changing people's beliefs is a difficult task, as seen with the followers of the Salt God Havria and the snake god Orobashi.

"The reason is simple..." Themis's expression was neutral, as if simply stating a fact.

"First: The people are ungrateful and have never faced true hardship."

"Second: The new god better aligns with their fantasies and imaginations."

When Themis stopped after saying these two points, Lumine was left speechless. She hadn't expected the answer to be so straightforward.

"That's it?"

"Of course."

Seeing Lumine's confused look, Themis started to doubt her understanding. How had she become so dense? She had been fine before.

Still, to accommodate them, Themis simplified her explanation.

"In short, it's two words: 'Ungrateful scoundrels.' A bunch of unruly people. Why pamper them?"

At this, Themis couldn't help but smile with pride. "I'm different. I never pamper anyone."

"Except Furina, of course."

Lumine and Paimon exchanged knowing glances as they looked at Furina in Themis's arms.

It was clear to them that, despite the sea salon chase, Themis's affection for Furina was real.

After chatting briefly with Lumine, Themis made her way back to Fontaine city, carrying Furina through the streets. The sight of them sparked a sense of intense happiness in the people of Fontaine, almost to the point of passing out from joy.

After five hundred years of Focalors cultivation of the shipping mentality, it showed its true strength in this moment.

The people instinctively made way for them, snapping photos with their mysterious recording devices.

It was just a photo of them with their friends, facing away from Themis and Furina, but who said they were spying?!

The crowd, eager to capture this historic moment, practically blinded Themis with flashes coming from the pockets of the citizens.

Unable to endure the brightness, Themis hurriedly moved away, leaving the crowd behind.

As Themis and Furina's figures disappeared from the public eye, the makeshift photo team huddled together, whispering to one another.

"So, is that romance novel really written by Themis?"

"A romance novel, updated monthly, with detailed descriptions, lasting for five hundred years…"

"It's so obvious, why even ask?!"

"It definitely has to be written by Themis! I'll jump into the sea if I'm wrong!"

"Then why not say it's Furina who wrote it? She's the one involved!"

"Impossible! No way! You know how pure our Furina is!"

"And you know how pure Themis is too!"

Suddenly, a passionate supporter of the Regent popped up, voicing their opinion.

"Why can't it be Furina who has fantasies about our Themis?!"

Furina's fans didn't like this and a heated argument broke out.

Soon, a brawl ensued, and by the time the guards arrived, they were all arrested, each receiving a seven-day vacation.

Lumine, passing by, couldn't help but shake her head.

"Looks like we should avoid talking about Furina and Themis in front of the people of Fontaine. It feels like it could turn dangerous at any moment."

Paimon suggested, and Lumine couldn't find any reason to disagree.

In a city where every citizen is obsessed with shipping, she definitely didn't want to badmouth one god in front of the fans of the other. She could end up being surrounded by the whole city, shot seven times in the back, and accused of causing a weapon mishap, all because of a simple comment.

Carrying the almost Sleeping Beauty-like Furina back to her room, Themis found herself in a bit of a dilemma.

Furina had played for a long time today and walked a lot. Clearly, she couldn't just be laid down to sleep immediately.

Themis, holding the peacefully sleeping Furina, sat on the bed, about to remove her clothes for cleaning.

"Lady Furina... wake up..."

Furina curled up in a ball, hugging the blanket, looking much like she had in the morning.

But this time, Themis didn't let her continue sleeping.

Dinner hadn't been eaten yet, and after playing outside with the cats and dogs, she had worked up a sweat. Strands of fur from the animals had unknowingly stuck to her hair and clothes.

No matter what, she needed to get cleaned up properly. Otherwise, Themis could already picture Furina waking up tomorrow, distressed over the state of her appearance.

Under Themis's soft and gentle calls, Furina groggily opened her eyes.

"Lady Furina, it's time for a bath."

The drowsy blue-and-white kitten-like girl seemed to have a head full of mush. She yawned, her sleep-clouded mind barely registering the words "bath," and instinctively reacted—facing Themis, she stretched out her arms.

"Themis, carry me... I'm too tired to move..."

Themis lifted the light blanket that had just been covering Furina and obediently scooped her into her arms.

The sudden loss of warmth made Furina shiver slightly, but as soon as Themis held her close again, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Themis's neck, pressing tightly against her. She rubbed against Themis's shoulder, her furrowed brows relaxing just a little.

Carrying Furina into the bathroom, Themis's gaze darkened slightly.

Though this wasn't the first time she had personally bathed Furina, every time it happened, Themis couldn't help but think—seizing the opportunity back then to become Furina's regent had to be the best decision she had ever made in her life!