Quite the scene transition
When Pierro saw Peruere agree in a low voice, he gave a slight nod behind his mask and said nothing more.
"Come with me."
He turned and walked through the deep, long stone corridor, his heavy black robes sweeping over the cold floor tiles. The brand-new Harbinger cloak still lay across Peruere's shoulders, its weight constantly reminding her of her change in status.
The avenger once named Peruere had been left behind in the prison. From this day forward, the world would know only "The Knave," Arlecchino.
Rosalyne was the first to notice the two entering. Her golden eyes settled on Peruere, and the faintest smile flickered across her lips.
The others turned their gazes toward her one after another, their eyes carrying a mixture of emotions: scrutiny, curiosity, indifference, and undisguised wariness.
Pierro stopped in the center of the hall, his steady voice ringing through it.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce the lady before you, who has inherited the name of 'The Knave'-Arlecchino."
As his words fell, a faint stir passed through the hall.
"With Crucabena dead, the House of the Hearth lacks a powerful leader. The Tsaritsa has personally appointed her to take over everything." Pierro briefly explained the circumstances. "Past disputes end here. From now on, Arlecchino will lead the House of the Hearth and cultivate new blood for the Tsaritsa."
Peruere straightened her back, facing the gazes converging on her from all directions. She could feel each assessing look. Some were wary of the ruthlessness with which she had personally slain the previous administrator; others were curious about what sort of person could leap from an unknown prisoner to a Harbinger's seat.
...Why was one of them asleep?
Peruere slowly bowed her head, following Harbinger etiquette.
"'The Knave,' Arlecchino. Greetings, my colleagues."
The Doctor folded his arms and looked her up and down with interest, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Interesting. You climbed over your predecessor's corpse to take this seat. I hope you have a better grasp of the circumstances than Crucabena did."
The Marionette stood quietly without speaking, silently studying this new Harbinger.
The Rooster's shrewd eyes darted about, as though considering what benefits the new Harbinger might bring him.
Pantalone sat upright to one side, raising his wineglass and watching quietly, in no hurry to express an opinion.
Scaramouche merely glanced at his new colleague a few times before turning away, looking distracted.
The Damselette seemed to have woken up. She raised her head to look(?) over, her thoughts beneath the blindfold unknown.
Rosalyne took half a step forward, breaking the delicate impasse as she looked at Peruere. "Congratulations."
Peruere briefly met her eyes, a trace of warmth passing through her heart, though none of it showed on her face. From now on, she would stand at the center of the maelstrom. She could not reveal her emotions so easily.
Pierro raised a hand, signaling the end of the day's meeting.
"Attend to your duties, and do not forget the Tsaritsa's grand ambition." He looked at Peruere. "Arlecchino, stay behind for now."
The expression of "The Jester," the director, remained hidden behind his half-mask. Only the two of them remained in the vast space.
"I know you still harbor dissatisfaction and doubts. For that reason, I am willing to answer five questions for you, about the world... or about yourself."
"Then I should also make it clear that I will not accept deliberately cryptic or evasive answers, nor any word games or lies."
"Very cautious. Then let me answer the first question on your mind."
(In case you accuse me of padding the word count, see Arlecchino's Character Story 5 for the details. Basically, The Jester introduced Arlecchino to her origins and her work.)
"Arlecchino."
As she was leaving, "The Jester" called to her from behind. She turned her head.
"Rather than what the world is like, you should now consider where it ought to go."
She turned back and continued forward, her receding footsteps her only reply.
Hurried footsteps drew closer and closer.
Xingsu was bent over a long reading table, leafing through Amurta books on Ley Lines, his fingertips brushing lightly over the densely packed words on the pages.
Sensing that the footsteps seemed to be coming for him, Xingsu looked up at the approaching person.
Tighnari hurried into the reading area, his fox ears taut, an unshakable anxiety lingering between his brows. His gaze searched swiftly and immediately found Xingsu at the table.
He strode over in a few quick steps, dispensing with pleasantries.
"Xingsu, this is urgent. Please come with me. The Eleazar in Collei's body has suddenly become unstable, and the medicine I usually prepare is having very little effect. You may be the only one who can stabilize her condition."
Xingsu closed the book, his expression instantly turning serious, and stood at once. "Take me to Collei."
Sunlight spilled across the stone-paved path leading out of Sumeru City. Tighnari walked hurriedly, with Xingsu close beside him. The two left the House of Daena and headed toward Avidya Forest.
Outside the city gates, the fresh, damp scent of vegetation greeted them, layers of rainforest growth stretching into the distance. A thin mist hung over Avidya Forest year-round, with birdsong weaving through it. As they hurried along, Tighnari briefly explained the situation, his expression tense.
"This morning, Collei suddenly became bedridden, and her Eleazar symptoms flared up again. I tried treating her with the previous prescription, but the herbs that normally offer at least some relief have had very little effect today. That was why I thought of you. I hope you can help treat Collei."
Xingsu listened quietly, looking toward the depths of the rainforest. "Understood. I'll do my best to help."
The two quickened their pace, passing tangled roots and low bushes, and soon reached the Forest Rangers' woodland camp.
Inside the room, Collei lay curled up on the bed, her face pale. Faint black mist lingered around her, and black scales lay on her arms, looking as though her condition might worsen at any moment.
Tighnari gently pushed open the door and turned to Xingsu.
"Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Xingsu."
His eyes were calm as he took a deep breath. Tiny flecks of light flowed from his fingertips. The once-frenzied black mist seemed to have found its only destination, peeling away from Collei's body bit by bit and slowly flowing into his palm.
The instant he absorbed it, countless unfamiliar sensations of searing pain, terror, and despair suddenly flooded his mind. Yet Xingsu's expression did not change. He simply gathered all the black mist steadily, taking it in and isolating it.
Within moments, the haze surrounding Collei had completely dispersed.
Her tense brows slowly relaxed, her rapid breathing gradually steadied, and a hint of color quietly returned to her pale cheeks. The agitation and pain that had tormented her for so long receded entirely, and she sank into peaceful sleep.
Tighnari hurried forward and checked Collei's pulse. His shoulders and back, tense all morning, suddenly relaxed, and the anxiety in his eyes vanished.
"She's stable... The Eleazar flare-up has completely subsided."
Where no one else could see, Xingsu's previously calm eyes wavered slightly. Countless fragmented, sharp negative memories, filled with sickness, pain, and despair, were battering his consciousness.
Outwardly, he remained standing steadily, but his lips unconsciously pressed together, and an almost imperceptible pallor appeared on his face. Waves of mild dizziness washed over him.
Tighnari keenly caught his fleeting pallor and slightly unsteady breathing, and immediately frowned.
"Mr. Xingsu, are you all right!?"
"I'm fine." Xingsu gently shook his head and caught his breath, his voice soft. "I just... took in too much pain all at once."
He raised a hand and gently rubbed between his brows. A momentary trace of weariness passed through his eyes, but he still looked gently at the sleeping Collei.