Genshin Impact is a big stage, come if you dare

Chapter 968 The Unlucky Man

Seeing the "Shadow Hunters" holding hands, some watching the story, others carefully appreciating the weapons, Clarinde took Florian aside to "discuss the script."

“Speak,” Clarinde demanded of Florian, “why did you lead us here?”

Florian, whose eyes had returned to blue, also realized that something was wrong.

"I...I don't know...I always felt like there was something inside me that didn't belong to me, making me anxious and angry...No! I can't even tell if it was my anger or not."

He truly felt injustice for the Shadow Hunter and for his father.

He was furious that no one was praising their achievements nowadays.

But this anger did not lead him to defy his father's teachings and commit a crime!

“But I don’t know when it started, this anger suddenly became uncontrollable!” Florian thought carefully, “My mind is so confused… It’s like there’s always a voice telling me to destroy the Shadow Hunters.”

"So you did it?" Clarind asked.

“So I did it,” Florian nodded.

Although she didn't know why she suddenly harbored resentment towards the Shadow Hunters, the anger in her heart spurred Florian to take action.

As the duel's proxy, Clarinde, who used the Shadow Hunter sword technique in the highly anticipated trial, is now the most high-profile Shadow Hunter.

Florian set a goal.

"I know your skills; everyone in Fontaine knows them." Florian knew he wouldn't stand a chance against him head-on, so he chose to outmaneuver him.

To achieve this goal, he painstakingly investigated and tailored this "tabletop theater game" for Clarinde based on her interests.

"Worried that the game wouldn't be fun enough to attract you, I carefully researched all the tabletop theater games on the market in Fontainebleau, absorbing their advantages and making up for their shortcomings."

"I also studied diligently to write compelling scripts and worked late into the night to research costume design... I practically wore out my sewing machine trying to make the clothes!"

Even those pastries! He gritted his teeth and bought the best ingredients when his savings were almost gone, and made them all by himself in the kitchen!

Florian couldn't help but shed tears as she recalled the days and nights she had fought for her goal.

"There were many opportunities to take action during this process, such as poisoning the food. It's so easy. Why did you choose to confront them head-on in the end?" a voice asked during the interview.

Florian closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and tried to absorb his tears.

"Actually, that voice in my head has urged me to do the same thing, but it just doesn't work!"

Florian explained the reason for her struggle, "Clorind is one thing, but the problem is that the Water God and the Knight of Destruction have also arrived!"

Clarinde, who thought, "Never mind then": ...

Florian struggled agonizingly, finally ending her ordeal by spending all her savings on expensive ingredients, leaving her with no money to buy poison.

"Then planting explosives in the cave would be a good idea. Lure them into the cave, light the fuse, and it's done in no time," the voice continued, offering suggestions.

"I already said no!" Florian frowned deeply. "My goal was to eliminate all the Shadow Hunters, not to involve the retired Water God and the Knight of Destruction!"

"Aren't you in charge of upholding justice in the courtroom? How come you're even better at doing bad things than I am?!"

Florian opened her eyes and questioned Clorinde, only to see a black-haired girl standing in front of her with her arms crossed.

"Destroy, destroy, destroy...!"

“Alright, stop bleating like a sheep,” Sue gestured for Florian to shut up. “You’re surprisingly quick-witted.”

If this cave really does have an explosive trap, she guarantees Florian will be the one who flies the farthest and dies the most horribly.

As for now... I'd say I've barely passed the test.

His instinct for survival and his respect for Funina saved his life.

Sue looked away and asked Claurind, "So what's wrong with this guy?"

Claurind analyzed, "Judging from the symptoms, it should be the legendary 'Soul-Eating Beast'."

Florian screamed, "I'm possessed by a Soul-Eating Beast?!"

Su: "Keep your voice down!" Luckily, she had set up a barrier beforehand.

Florian's expression changed several times before he finally remembered the important information.

He had heard his father talk about the legends of monsters from hundreds of years ago, and the Soul-Eating Beast was the most elusive and difficult to deal with.

Soul-devouring beasts amplify the desires and obsessions in people's hearts, then erode and bewitch them, ultimately controlling their hosts.

“Our family… has inherited the identity of Shadow Hunters for generations. Along with that, we also inherit the seal of a demon…”

Su nodded. Whether it's Fontainebleau, Liyue, or Inazuma, the approach to dealing with monsters is universal. Killing them is always the best way to eliminate them completely.

However, for those monsters that are too powerful and for which we do not have enough power to eliminate them for the time being, we can only choose to seal them away and let time wear them down, waiting for future generations to deal with them.

Florian continued, "My father instructed me to keep a close eye on the state of that seal and maintain it regularly. He said it was the most important mission of our family, passed down from ancient times."

But after his father passed away, he didn't want to stay in the place of his grief. In addition, in order to make a living, he chose to go out and work hard, ultimately neglecting the mission left by his father.

Florian finally realized, "It was probably my negligence that loosened the seal, and it possessed me when I went home..." Ha, it seems that not only his skills, but even his mind is not strong enough.

Su tossed a talisman at Florian, confirming, "What bewitched you was just a wisp of dark energy, which dissipated after you broke free. Its true form is most likely still sealed."

Clarin looked at the girl, awaiting instructions, "Shall we go and destroy it?"

“Of course.” Su raised his head. “I have experience dealing with that stuff.”

Corrupted Remurian golems are a dime a dozen in Pesha Town and the Old Sea.

"No, no!" Florian exclaimed in alarm. "If the Soul-Devouring Beast bewitches Lady Funina as a vessel... this is a heinous crime that threatens the very foundation of the nation!"

And he will definitely become Fontaine's greatest sinner, forever nailed to the pillar of shame!

Even if he dies, his remnant soul will flow into the earth's veins, and his father will definitely chase after him and beat him!

To put it in an even worse scenario, what if the Soul-Devouring Beast chose the Kingdom-Destroying Knight, and then the Kingdom-Destroying Knight went berserk and destroyed Fontaine...!

He is the eternal sinner who indirectly destroyed Fontaine! He will be cursed by everyone in Teyvat!

"Who are you looking down on?" Su rolled her eyes at him twice. "Furina's mental fortitude is far, far, far stronger than you all think!"

Florian stammered, "That's not what I meant... it's just... oh well, never mind."

Clarind: "You are the weakest and most dangerous person here. The Soul Eater will most likely still choose to possess you. But this is the perfect opportunity to eliminate it completely."

Florian was stunned, but upon closer inspection, he realized that this was indeed the best solution.

If his body could become a cage to subdue the Soul-Eating Beast, if death could atone for his mistakes...

Florian clenched her slightly trembling hands. "I'm counting on you all!"