MTLNOVEL Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Eight Years Later
The fragrant flowers of spring, the falling leaves of autumn, the scorching heat of summer, and the frosty chill of winter – eight years have unknowingly slipped by.
In these long yet fleeting eight years, the world's turmoil and changes have turned like the pages of a book, one by one, with some events gradually fading from people's memories.
Take, for example, the once-sensational serial killings of young girls, and the West Factory Director's massacre of the Marechaussee Phantom and nobles.
These events have now become distant and blurred in the minds of the public, like stories from a long time ago.
In a very inconspicuous corner of the Steambird newspaper, a brief news item was published: Lady Furina has pardoned a certain prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment, granting him freedom.
If one weren't specifically looking for it, it would easily be drowned out by the sea of information.
Even if a reader's gaze happened to pass over it, they might fail to grasp its true significance due to its concise wording.
This is because, in the past two years, Furina has often pardoned prisoners of good character.
Therefore, this news item didn't attract much attention. Only a very few people who were paying attention noticed this news, and when they saw it, their faces showed excitement and joy.
Because that man is coming back!
…
The Opera Epiclese.
Furina sat in a box on the second floor, intently watching the opera "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" being performed.
This opera, adapted from a suspenseful detective novel, was undoubtedly a bold attempt, but the difficulty of adapting it was also evident.
Although the actors on stage did their best to showcase the charm of the novel through the form of opera, the overall effect was not satisfactory.
The elements of suspense and detective work seemed somewhat out of place in the operatic performance style, making it difficult to fully integrate them.
After the performance, the audience's reaction was somewhat lukewarm, and some even booed.
They felt that the performance had not successfully captured the essence of the novel, but rather had somewhat ruined this classic work.
Faced with the audience's feedback, the actors on stage felt extremely sad.
They had put in a great deal of effort, but the result had not met expectations.
Despite this, they maintained their professionalism, held back their tears, and bowed deeply to the audience in apology.
Just then, a loud round of applause rang out.
They looked up in surprise, searching for the source of the applause, and saw Furina standing in the second-floor box, clapping enthusiastically with a smile on her face.
She said in a loud and infectious voice: "Dear actors, although tonight's performance did not fully reach our expectations in terms of adaptation and execution, I saw the dedication and effort that each of you put into it on stage.
Remember, hard work is always the foundation of success. Regardless of the outcome, you all deserve respect."
Her words were like a spring breeze, warming the hearts of every actor.
Tears glistened in the actors' eyes as they felt Furina's sincerity and encouragement. The frustration and sadness in their hearts were dispelled by the sunshine at that moment.
They regained their confidence and fighting spirit.
"Thank you, Lady Furina!" the actors shouted in unison, their voices filled with gratitude and respect.
This scene also moved the other audience members present, and many began to applaud, cheering for the actors' efforts and admiring Furina's generous encouragement.
Furina nodded in satisfaction, then turned and left the Opera Epiclese with elegant steps.
After about a ten-minute walk, she arrived at the Aquabus station. Seeing this magnificent building, she couldn't help but feel a sense of mixed feelings.
On the day Lin Yi entered the Fortress of Meropide, the President of the Spina di Rosula, Callas, publicly announced that the Spina di Rosula would join the West Factory.
This news was like a bombshell, instantly causing a huge uproar in Fontaine.
Its direct impact was that the construction progress of the Aquabus system in Fontaine advanced by leaps and bounds, and no one dared to come and obstruct or cause trouble.
In addition, the Furina Foundation strongly funded this project.
The Aquabus system in Fontaine was able to be wider than originally planned, and its navigation capacity was greatly improved.
Most gratifyingly, the usage fee for the Aquabus is only one hundred Mora, and free policies are implemented for special groups such as children, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant women.
This is definitely the greatest welfare and livelihood project on the entire Teyvat continent.
After boarding the Aquabus, she found a seat near the side of the boat, sat down quietly, and prepared to fully enjoy the constantly changing scenery along the way.
As the Aquabus slowly started, she was immersed in the beautiful scenery along the way, with rippling water and boundless scenery.
In less than half an hour, the Aquabus arrived at its final destination – the bustling Court of Fontaine.
Furina slowly walked off the Aquabus with the crowd, and a busy and orderly scene immediately unfolded before her eyes.
The crowds of people came and went, their faces filled with unprecedented brilliance.
The kind of widespread anxiety and unease that had existed in the past had disappeared without a trace, replaced by people's hopeful and positive expressions.
Since the aristocratic class was completely eradicated, the entire society has been rejuvenated with unprecedented vitality.
Fontaine, this ancient country, has ushered in its golden age of development.
Furina walked lightly out of the bustling Aquabus station, crossed the clean and spacious streets of the Court of Fontaine, and her destination was a villa with a slightly simple appearance.
Although this villa is not ostentatious, it reveals a different kind of tranquility and warmth.
Seeing Furina's arrival, Old Dirk, who was trimming the flowers and plants at the door, immediately put down the gardening tools in his hand and greeted her with his somewhat old body.
"Lady Furina, you're here, please come in." he said very respectfully.
"Dirk, you're too polite, no need to stand on ceremony." Furina waved her hand with a smile, "Are Lyney and Lynette home?"
"Master Lyney is currently busy at the West Factory, and Miss Lynette has gone out to inspect a commercial investment project of the Foundation." Old Dirk replied truthfully.
Now the West Factory's office location has been changed to a new one, the place is the former Marechaussee Phantom building.
Furina stopped and asked, "When will they be back?"
"They should be back soon. Master Lyney and Miss Lynette will always come back on time for dinner, no matter how busy they are." Old Dirk replied affirmatively.
Furina nodded, "Then I'll wait here."