The clamor in the core square of the Serenitea Pot was loud enough to nearly flip the barrier dome. Furina’s voice pierced through the crowd, carrying the flamboyant vibrato characteristic of a musical theater actress: "My dear Lord Chief Justice! Do stand a little straighter! You represent the dignity of the harvest!"
Neuvillette stood on the temporarily erected Fontaine mechanical stage, his entire body stiff. The ceremonial robe, studded with gold-plated corn tassels, tightly bound him, and the intricate gold threads were blindingly bright in the sunlight. He tried to move his feet, but the precision gear stage mechanism from Fontaine jammed with a single click. He staggered, nearly tossing away the prop scepter in his hand that symbolized the abundant glazed wheat tassels. A wave of good-natured laughter instantly erupted from the audience. The light-screen background flickered a few times, with blue-purple current crackling erratically, making his normally solemn face look alternately bright and dim. Furina slapped the control console in annoyance: "The mechanical heart of Fontaine, how can it go on strike at a critical moment!"
An unusual sweet fragrance drifted from the central canteen. A huge steamer basket was suddenly flung open by Xiangling, and a glowing, brilliant blue-green halo instantly overflowed, making the faces of the surrounding crowd look as though they had plunged deep underwater.
Chapter 131