Chapter Thirty-Three: The Ever-Burning Golden Eyes

The next morning.

“Lu Mingfei, I… I’m not dead… I’m not dead, I’m still alive, really… it’s so wonderful!” Furina’s tearful voice echoed once more in the boy’s mind, her melodious tone piercing straight through the most tender part of his heart.

“Mm.” The boy, on the verge of transforming fully into a dragon, replied softly. The signs of his draconic nature gradually faded, returning him to his original form. Yet, his hair, once black, had been burned to ash by his fury and could not be restored.

In that desperate night, Lu Mingfei came to a profound realization: the human side of him existed solely for Furina. If Furina were to die, he would become a black dragon, shattering the barriers between worlds with unparalleled speed, bringing blazing wrath to Teyvat.

“I’m sorry… for worrying you.” Furina’s voice was filled with remorse. From last night until now, until she was certain of her safety, she had not spoken. Though frightened, she did not want to make Lu Mingfei sad. If she gave him hope only to snatch it away, she could not imagine how heartbroken he would be in another world.

She was terrified, trembling alone in the corner of her room, so frightened that she slept in the cupboard. Yet she restrained the urge to speak with Lu Mingfei and vent her fears; she did not want to make the boy sad.

Now, with daylight, she stayed by Neuvillette’s side, and only when she was completely sure she was safe did she dare to speak with Lu Mingfei again.

“It’s all right, as long as you’re safe. Are you hurt? Is it serious? What’s the situation now?” Beneath the fierce dragon’s head, the boy’s voice remained gentle and caring as ever. Yet the hotel sofa’s armrest had been crushed to powder by his claws, betraying his unsettled mood.

Furina was alive.

But the sense of safety in his heart had died.

“I’m not hurt. That person seemed to be searching for the Heart of God in me, but I don’t have it, because I’m not the Hydro Archon… You must have guessed that already, right?”

“Mm.”

“I’m not hurt, and things are fine for now. I’ve been staying close to Neuvillette lately. With him around, I should be much safer.” Furina spoke quickly, as if afraid Lu Mingfei would worry too much. Nervously, she added, “I’m really fine, truly. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll take care of myself, so please don’t do anything foolish.”

“Mm. Who was the one who attacked you?” Lu Mingfei asked quietly. His intentions were simple: he wanted to have a heartfelt conversation with that person—of course, in the most literal sense.

“I don’t know, and I don’t dare investigate. If I send someone to look into it, they might discover I’m not the real Hydro Archon. All my efforts these years would be wasted. I don’t want that… I can’t…” As she spoke, Furina’s voice became choked with tears. She really wanted to appear strong and brave before Lu Mingfei, but now, she could only confide in him. She couldn’t find a second person to share these feelings with.

Because she was a false Hydro Archon, she had to play her role before everyone. No matter the pressure, she could not slacken. No matter how scared or terrified she was last night, today she still had to preside over the court. The risks had to be faced, the exposure endured. She had no choice but to press forward under the weight.

Because this was the responsibility she had taken on!

Even if it was not her duty…

She was born human, born to love, possessing a mortal shell and divine compassion. This was Furina—this was the human form of Focalors.

“You…” Lu Mingfei began, wanting to comfort her, but realized he was powerless. He lacked the ability; he couldn’t help Furina. He had no right to say, “It’s all right, I’m here,” or “Don’t be afraid, I’ll protect you,” those warm, reassuring words.

All he could do, like a fool, was say, “You’ve done very well. None of this is your fault.”

How useless I am…

“Mm.” Furina replied softly, as if she were sobbing. In a tiny voice, she asked, “Lu Mingfei, I’m so weak and still pretend to be the Hydro Archon before you. Do you despise me? Do you hate me?”

“No,” Lu Mingfei answered without hesitation. He gazed at the morning sun streaming through the window, reached out his human hand, feeling the warmth, and said, “If you’re not the Hydro Archon, then who could be?”

“Hm?”

“All these years, you’ve been striving for the future of Fontaine, suppressing yourself. Though you lack power, Fontaine has truly grown prosperous under your leadership. Your achievements are worthy of the title of Hydro Archon.”

“If there were another, the true Hydro Archon besides you, would they really deserve the name? They haven’t worked for Fontaine, haven’t contributed to its development. The one who has always labored for the people of Fontaine is you!”

“Furina, in my heart, you are the true Hydro Archon—the one and only, irreplaceable, and my favorite.”

“Oh… oh.” Furina was moved and shy, her tone returning to normal as she protested, “Don’t say that. Maybe the real Hydro Archon has important things to do elsewhere. I’m only the one in the spotlight—it’s nothing to be proud of. ‘Favorite’… that sounds so strange.”

“But you’ve fulfilled the duties of the Hydro Archon. You should enjoy the title and rights—it’s only right. And…” Lu Mingfei cradled the warm sunlight, looking at his reflection, as a crystalline tear slid from the corner of his eye. He continued, “I like you.”

“…Oh.” After a brief silence, Furina answered softly. Her reply was so faint it was barely audible, its meaning unclear. Yet, timid as she was, she feared chilling Lu Mingfei’s heart. She forced herself to muster courage and, trembling, said, “I… I like you too.”

Their conversation ended there, and the silence that followed became warm, invisibly comforting their hearts. Though they lived in different worlds, at this moment, their hearts were equally warmed.

…

The signs of dragon transformation had vanished, but the golden pupils in Lu Mingfei’s eyes still shone brightly. Unlike Chu Zihang, Lu Mingfei’s bloodline was stable; he could always close his golden eyes, for they were opened by his own will.

He would keep igniting his draconic blood, then suppress the transformation with his mind, maximizing and accelerating his growth. This process was agonizing, and the toll on his spirit was immense.

But no pain could compare to witnessing Furina attacked last night. He had to keep growing stronger, faster, and then…

Find Furina!

From the shadows, Lu Mingze’s face revealed a complex expression as he murmured, “Brother, you actually became a king through your own power. Unbelievable. Even ‘miracle’ cannot describe your transformation.”