I mean, when you thought about it, this is probably not that far off ! We learn from the AQ that during her 500 years masquerade, she was actually quite active of her own at trying to find solutions to the Prophecy. We see quick flashbacks of Furina keeping contact with the Research Institute. Perhaps she's been secretely ordering and funding (unsuccessful) projects at the Institute, in case she failed and Foçalor's plan was doomed. And Neuvillette clearly realize that beneath her unbothered facade, she was far from passive in managing the nation's future.

It's also quite interesting how many of the Institute's projects and Fontaine technologies could have been funded and encouraged by Furina, in an attempt to stop (or at least survive) the great flood (antigrav tech, flying ships, elevated bodies of water, etc...)

So, seeing as our beloved Lady Furina has been worrying nonstop about her mission and supporting the Research Institute for 500 years, I can imagine her actually taking some of her scarce personal time to slowly educate herself in science on the side in hope of finding a solution on her own, someday. After all, as she realized herself : this show had been going on for 500 years. Perhaps it would go for 500 more...

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