Inside the Palais Mermonia.
Furina sat upright in her chair, watching the video. As time passed, she watched the disaster in Poisson unfold, yet she herself had not even shown her face.
If this continued, would the people still believe in their Hydro Archon? Could she keep holding on until the day the prophecy came to pass?
On the screen, Paimon was feeling rather pleased with herself for having said something so philosophical.
Then an unfamiliar voice rang out.
"It's been a while. Your eloquence really has improved!"
The newcomer had long black-and-white hair, predominantly white, and red cross-shaped patterns reflected in her black pupils. She was tall and exuded an imposing presence.
Paimon said in surprise, "The Knave, what are you doing here?"
[Tartaglia: Arlecchino?]
[Lisa: This appears to be the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers, codenamed The Knave!]
[Arlecchino: Indeed, that is me!]
[Yelan: The Fatui, showing up here? Are you planning to take advantage of the disaster?]
[Keqing: Maybe she's the sinner!]
[Hu Tao: Makes sense. There's not a single good person in the Fatui!]
[Lyney: Don't say that about Father. Father is a good person!]
[Lynette: I believe Father would never be that sort of person!]
[Kaeya: You Fatui have been getting a little out of line in Mondstadt lately.]
[Rosalyne: A nation like Mondstadt, with a god as useless as the Anemo Archon, naturally deserves to be taken over by us Fatui.]
[Tartaglia: Rosalyne, you're here too? Why weren't any of you talking before?]
[Rosaly: Do you think everyone talks as much as you? Just watch your video!]
Unlike Paimon's shock,
Navia was clearly unsurprised. Instead, she even greeted her warmly. "Hello. Did everything go smoothly?"
Arlecchino said, "Yes. Our people have evacuated all the residents of Poisson as you requested. You needn't worry about supplies either, miss. We've prepared everything!"
Navia said, "I really don't know how to thank you!"
Seeing Paimon's puzzled expression as she looked from Navia to The Knave,
Navia explained to her, "Hmm... under normal circumstances, I suppose you'd call it a chance acquaintance? But that doesn't quite apply this time... because I never imagined that Arlecchino of the Fatui would come looking for me."
"Thanks to Arlecchino, the Fatui have greatly relieved the pressure on the Spina di Rosula's relief efforts. Otherwise, I'm afraid we still wouldn't have finished the relief work and evacuation!"
Arlecchino said, "It was nothing. I am not merely a member of the Fatui, but also the director of the House of the Hearth. Besides, I would very much like to establish a friendship with Miss Navia. This was only a small matter!"
"Still, Miss Navia, you're considerably shrewder than you claim. You know what I mean!"
Navia gave a laugh. "Testing the waters before cooperating was unavoidable. Please be understanding. After all, this was our first time working together. I'm sure you understand!"
"My subordinates have also told us that the people you brought worked very hard, Miss Arlecchino. They were every bit as diligent as our people in the Spina di Rosula!"
Arlecchino merely smiled faintly at that, then said, "With you here as a witness to the facts, I have neither the intention nor the need to boast. That is simply how it is. A powerful organization's ability to act remains unchanged, whether it is doing good or evil."
She then turned to Lumine and Paimon, saying that they had long known of her intention to prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.
"I only hope that someday, when I need Miss Navia, she will lend me a hand as well!"
Navia nodded and said firmly, "Of course. Without your help, I wouldn't have known what to do. I will never forget this kindness."
Arlecchino continued, "Also, my condolences. Perhaps things would have been different if we'd arrived a little sooner!"
Navia shook her head. "Don't think that way. As Paimon just said, this wasn't your duty. I'm already more than grateful that you came to help us!"
"Besides, I really shouldn't keep grieving over this. Silver and Melus certainly wouldn't want to see me like this!"
Arlecchino said, "It's best that you can think that way! Though the prophecy has already been set down, I believe there is always something we can do before it comes to pass!"
Navia said, "You're not the type to sit and wait for death, are you?"
Arlecchino said, "Of course not. Next, I'm going to..."
[Silver: Miss, it's wonderful that you can think that way!]
[Wriothesley: The Knave has a good point. I believe there is always something we can do before the prophecy comes to pass!]
[Lyney: See? I told you Father wasn't the sort to take advantage of a disaster.]
[Lynette: Exactly. Father runs an orphanage. How could she be that kind of person?]
[Arataki Itto: Wait, there's something I don't get. Isn't The Knave in the video a woman? Why do you two call him Father? Is he actually a man, just some pervert who likes dressing as a woman?]
[Arlecchino: ...]
[Tartaglia: Hahahahaha, maybe. The Knave has always looked like this.]
[Sandrone: That makes sense.]
[Lyney: Oh dear, let me explain. Father founded the House of the Hearth and gave many homeless children a place to stay, sheltering us from the wind and rain. That's why we call her Father.]
[Lynette: That's right. Father is a very kind person!]
[Jean: In that case, we really shouldn't judge people by stereotypes.]
[Ningguang: For someone like her to emerge from a pack of scoundrels is truly rare. It certainly changes my opinion.]
[Keqing: What she said made a lot of sense too. A powerful organization is powerful at whatever it does.]
[Tartaglia: Who are you calling scoundrels?]
[Yae Miko: She's rather like those light novel characters who seem to be villains on the surface, but actually possess a righteous heart!]
[Yelan: In that case, Arlecchino isn't the sinner either. Then who is it?]
[Arataki Itto: Starting an orphanage? That's one seriously cool decision. I've decided-I'm starting one too! I'll appoint Kuki Shinobu as deputy director!]
[Kuki Shinobu: Boss, you really do act on every whim that strikes you!]
[Kujou Sara: An unauthorized building. The moment you build it, I'll tear it down!]
[Arataki Itto: Whoa, you're such an annoying woman!]
Arlecchino had only walked a few steps before turning back. "Oh, Traveler, Paimon, there's one more thing."
Paimon said, "So this isn't the usual routine? Paimon thought you'd say, 'Walk me out,' and then talk about something else!"
Arlecchino said, "That is a clever and convenient conversational technique. I like to use it when necessary, but today, Miss Navia need not excuse herself!"
She then expressed her desire to cooperate with Lumine and Paimon.
"According to my latest information, there are ruins not far from Poisson, and they appear to be connected to that prophecy. No matter how you look at it, they are worth exploring."
"With the current situation so urgent, any relevant information is invaluable!"
"As it happens, I originally brought my people here to explore those ruins, only to encounter this disaster in Poisson. So I have no time to spare at present, and all my children have been assigned to relief work!"
"Therefore, I'd like to ask you to explore them!"
Lumine said, "Wouldn't our positions make this a little awkward? After all, we..."
Arlecchino shook her head. "Since I've come to you, naturally I don't mind such things. Rest assured!"
Paimon chuckled. "It really feels good to be trusted!"
[Ningguang: We're getting closer and closer to the truth!]
[Amber: Everything seems to be moving in a good direction. I wonder when our dragon crisis will be resolved!]
[Paimon: The Traveler and I are on our way to Mondstadt. We'll help too.]
[Kaeya: Really? That's wonderful!]
[Jean: I just received word that Stormterror seems to have returned to normal. How strange.]
[Hu Tao: Didn't Venti say back then that the dragon problem would be resolved soon? Maybe he knows something! @Venti]
[Venti: Didn't I tell you? I dreamed it!]
[Diluc: ...]
[Fischl: Even now, do you subjects still not understand? It was I, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, who resolved it for you!]
[Barbara: The Anemo Archon must be watching over us. I believe the people of Fontaine will also overcome their troubles with the Hydro Archon's help!]
[Venti: Hehe!]
[Furina: Now you've remembered the Hydro Archon. The Hydro Archon is very pleased!]
[Yelan: More than that, I'm quite interested in this House of the Hearth. Building an intelligence network around an orphanage is a good idea!]
For a while, everyone in the group discussed it animatedly. They all instinctively believed that things would soon be resolved, so they breathed a sigh of relief and began chatting about this and that.
On the screen.
Seeing Paimon and Lumine about to take action, Navia hurriedly said, "Uh, I'd like to explore too!"
Arlecchino said, "You want to explore with them?"
Paimon hurriedly refused. "No, no, Navia! You've only just gone through something like that. You must be exhausted right now. You'd better not go!"
Navia smiled and said, "I'm all right, really. But I genuinely have nothing to do right now, so why not go along with you? Don't underestimate me. As Arlecchino just said, there's always something we can do before the prophecy comes to pass. We absolutely can't just sit and wait for death!"
"Maybe if I keep busy, I'll be able to forget about Melus's and Silver's deaths!"
Arlecchino said, "I have no objections. Since I've already entrusted this to the Traveler, all that matters is her agreement!"
Lumine thought for a moment. Navia really did need to keep busy now to stop her thoughts from wandering, and having herself and Paimon by her side would help too, so she nodded.
Arlecchino handed Lumine a map, and Paimon excitedly flew ahead. "In that case, let's set off!"
[Navia: That's more like it. I'm not going to keep crying forever.]
[Beidou: I like that forthright personality. Why not come be a pirate with me?]
[Kaeya: I imagine all the secrets are hidden in those ruins...]
[Bennett: Seeing how fired up they are, as an adventurer, I want to join them too. Maybe I could finally get rid of my bad luck!]
[Neuvillette: Ruins in Poisson, connected to the prophecy as well. It seems we'll have to find time to take a look. @Wriothesley @Clorinde]
[Wriothesley: Understood!]
[Clorinde: Understood!]
[Ningguang: I can hardly wait to learn the truth!]