After being warned by Focalors not to speak of what she had told them, Nolan and his companions left the Opera Epiclese.
As for resolving Fontaine's prophetic crisis—perhaps it was a problem too difficult for Teyvat to solve, but in the vast galaxy filled with endless possibilities, there might just be an answer somewhere.
Nolan decided that later, he would head to the Space Station and log onto the Interastral Peace Network to look up any related data—who knows, maybe he'd find something useful.
Meanwhile, the Sword God of Lumine—the avatar following Furina and Clorinde—had already returned with them to the Palais Mermonia.
Once back inside, Furina slumped onto her sofa, looking distressed, clearly still troubled by what had just happened.
"Clorinde, bring me the strawberry shortcake."
After pondering for a long while, Furina leaned back and decided not to think about it anymore.
She had realized that she truly couldn't use the Oratrice Mécanique d'Analyse Cardinale's compensatory energy at all—much less harness it to cooperate with Nolan and the others.
Since that was the case, next time they came to her with their proposal, she'd just find some excuse to turn them down.
After all, having sat upon Fontaine's divine seat for centuries, Furina was painfully aware of her own limits.
If she couldn't do something, she couldn't do it—even if their cooperation might benefit Fontaine greatly.
So she might as well enjoy her little cake instead of worrying over things she couldn't change.
Holding the delicate shortcake Clorinde handed her, Furina took a small bite—and immediately her mood brightened.
Watching all this through the "Sword God's" shared vision, Nolan felt a black line form across his forehead.
Forget it—he'd already accidentally discovered the real Hydro Archon back at the Opera House, so there was no need to continue tailing her for now.
However, since Focalors had mentioned that the Primordial Sea was sealed beneath a place called Fortress of Meropide, he'd probably need Furina's help to investigate.
After all, the Fortress of Meropide was Fontaine's prison—it would be nearly impossible to enter without a reason. But if they had an official decree from Furina herself, that would be a different story.
As the Hydro Archon, despite her eccentricity, she still held Fontaine's highest authority. Granting permission for an investigation would be effortless for her.
But for now, it was already noon—no need to rush. They could deal with Furina later; first, it was time for lunch.
Naturally, Lumine and Paimon didn't object—especially Paimon, whose eyes lit up.
"Let's go to the Café Lucerne! The food there is delicious, and there are performances too!" she said, twirling happily in midair.
"Then let's go with Paimon's suggestion," Nolan said with a smile.
"Hehe, yay!"
Paimon cheered in delight.
To save time, they used spatial travel to head directly to the Café Lucerne, since taking a clockwork boat all the way from the Court of Fontaine would've taken far too long.
When they entered, they found that the main hall already had performers on stage—not magicians this time, but a duet violin concert.
Since the first floor was full, a waiter led them upstairs to the second floor, where they found an empty table with a clear view of the musicians below.
Bathed in the flowing melody of the violins, they enjoyed a leisurely lunch. When they finally approached the counter to pay, however, the clerk smiled and told them—
"Oh, your bill has already been settled by someone else."
"Oh? Someone paid for us?" Nolan asked curiously. "Who was it?"
"It was none other than the famous magicians, Lyney and Lynette."
The receptionist smiled warmly.
"Huh? Them? Are they here at the Café too? And why would they pay for us?" Paimon looked around, but saw no sign of the twins.
"Because," came a familiar voice, "we have something we'd like to ask of you."
As Nolan and the others turned, two familiar figures stepped through the café doors—it was indeed Lyney and Lynette.
"Hey, Lyney! Lynette!" Paimon waved excitedly, and both Nolan and Lumine nodded in greeting.
"Could we trouble you to step outside for a bit?" Lyney asked politely. "There's a favor we'd like to ask."
"Of course, no problem," Lumine replied with a nod.
Even aside from them paying the bill, they were already friends. Listening to a request was the least they could do.
So the group followed Lyney and Lynette out onto the street, where Lyney began to explain,
"Lynette and I are members of the House of the Hearth—it's an orphanage that takes in children from all over the world. Our 'Father' heard that you arrived in Fontaine, and she would like to invite you to our home."
"An orphanage?" Nolan mused, nodding. "So this 'Father' of yours must be the headmistress, then."
He couldn't quite understand why the director of an orphanage wanted to meet them. Could it be a difficult commission?
After all, that's usually why adventurers were called upon.
"That's right," Lyney confirmed. "But our 'Father' is quite well-known—you might recognize her by another title."
"Another… identity?"
Paimon blinked, puzzled.
"The Fourth of the Fatui HarbingersArlecchino, the Knave. She's the 'Father' of everyone at the House of the Hearth."
Lynette, who had been quiet until now, spoke gently, parting her soft lips.
Before coming here, their "Father" had told them not to hide her identity. She trusted that the Traveler's group wouldn't turn her away because of it.
"The Fatui Harbinger?!"
Paimon gasped, covering her mouth.
That was one of the most infamous titles in all of Teyvat! Who would've thought that the kind-looking Lyney and Lynette had been raised by a Fatui Harbinger!
"Oh? A Harbinger wants to meet us?" Nolan stroked his chin. "Now that's interesting."
"Please don't misunderstand," Lynette said quickly. "Our Father isn't a bad person. We usually just handle intelligence-gathering missions."
"I see," Nolan said after a moment's thought. "In that case, take us to her. I'd like to meet this Harbinger in person."
With his current strength, defeating a Fatui Harbinger would be trivial. If Arlecchino tried anything underhanded, he could simply do as he had with Rosalyne, the Doctor, and Scaramouche—and bind her with a Command Seal.
"Thank you for trusting us," Lyney said, visibly relieved.
Lynette, too, seemed quietly pleased.
[Lynette Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 360 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (60/400)]
Since Nolan had agreed, Lumine and Paimon naturally had no objections.
And so, together with Lyney and Lynette, they made their way toward the House of the Hearth.
The "Knave," Arlecchino, was there waiting.
Fontaine — Bufati Manor.
The House of the Hearth was currently located inside Bufati Manor, a rather large estate—unsurprising, given that it housed so many orphans under its care.
As they approached the main entrance, Lyney and Lynette opened the doors and stood on either side, gesturing politely for Nolan and his companions to enter first.
Sensing no immediate danger, Nolan and the others walked into the parlor with calm confidence.
Seated at a round table within was a woman already awaiting them. She had short, chin-length hair streaked in black and white, and a fair face marked by a cold, distant expression—like an unapproachable iceberg.
Behind her stood a blond boy with freckles—likely another child of the Bufati Manor, just like Lyney and Lynette.
"Welcome, travelers. I've long been expecting to meet you," said the woman, crossing her legs as her sharp eyes settled upon them.
[Arlecchino Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 300 Affection Points. Current Favorability Level: Lv.3 (0/300)]
"So you're… the 'Knave'?" Lumine asked from beside Nolan.
Seeing the affection prompt appear in his vision, Nolan was mildly surprised—her tone didn't sound deceptive at all; she seemed genuinely welcoming.
"Yes," Arlecchino replied with a slight nod. "I'm often occupied with official duties, but after hearing from my children yesterday that they'd met you at the restaurant, I asked them to invite you here on my behalf."
Nolan spread his hands. "As one of the Fatui Harbingers, you must know that our relationship with some of your colleagues… hasn't exactly been pleasant. Don't you find it strange to invite us here so suddenly?"
"Each Harbinger has their own way of doing things," Arlecchino replied calmly as she rose from her seat. "It's true that some of their actions are… disagreeable. But I'd like to think that I am not the same as them."
She walked over, pulling out a few chairs around the round table, gesturing courteously for them to sit.
"Not the same? Don't all of you have your eyes on the Gnoses anyway?"
Paimon floated behind Lumine, crossing her arms with a skeptical look.
"Heh," Arlecchino gave a faint smile. "You're right—many of my colleagues have done some rather detestable things. No wonder only Rosalyne has managed to return with a Gnosis; the rest must have earned your… displeasure.
"Allow me, then, to apologize on behalf of my incompetent peers."
She poured several cups of tea and slid them gently toward Nolan's group.
Indeed, considering how long it had been since "the Doctor" and "the Balladeer" had failed to retrieve a Gnosis, Nolan wouldn't be surprised if those two had been beaten so badly they were too embarrassed to show their faces.
"Let's skip the small talk," Nolan said, getting straight to the point. "Lyney and Lynette mentioned you had something you wanted to discuss. Mind telling us what it is?"
Arlecchino nodded slightly, taking a sip of her tea. "Tell me, have you heard about Fontaine's Prophecy Crisis?"
That took them by surprise—they had just heard about it from Focalors not long ago, and now Arlecchino was bringing it up again.
Nolan thought for a moment, then said,
"I've heard a bit. They say the sea will rise and drown everything—that all of Fontaine's people will perish, leaving only the Hydro Archon to weep alone. Are you saying you believe this prophecy is real?"
Arlecchino intertwined her fingers, resting her elbows on the table, and nodded.
"When I was young, I dismissed it as a fairytale. But after joining the Fatui and becoming a Harbinger, I began to uncover the truth.
"This prophecy isn't some rumor whispered on the streets. I asked Her Majesty the Tsaritsa directly, and she confirmed it—the prophecy will come true one day.
"As a Fontainean myself, I believe I have an obligation to save my homeland. But I cannot do it alone. That's why I need allies.
"Traveler—you and your companions have saved more than one nation already. I can think of no better people to turn to."
Nolan silently took a sip of tea, then asked,
"Then may I ask—what's your plan?"
"The Tsaritsa has granted me permission to use a Gnosis—once I obtain it—to avert Fontaine's crisis. I believe only such divine power could restrain the rising waters."
Arlecchino spoke plainly, making no attempt to hide that she sought the Hydro Gnosis.
"So you are after a Gnosis," Paimon huffed, glaring at her. "You Fatui never quit, huh?"
Nolan leaned back slightly, his tone calm but firm. "If the Gnosis can truly solve the problem, then there's no reason for us to cooperate with you to seize it.
"After all, it already resides with the Hydro Archon—she can wield its power herself. There's no need for me to provoke a god just to do the same."
Having met Focalors, Nolan knew the Gnosis alone couldn't possibly be the solution—otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to hide for centuries, quietly scheming in secret.
"If you've met the Hydro Archon," Arlecchino said, her crimson cross-shaped pupils flickering with unease, "then you wouldn't be saying that."
Her voice turned cold, tinged with frustration.
"Furina—the so-called God of Justice—ignores all affairs of the Palais Mermonia. She spends her days indulging in performances, vain and frivolous as a child.
"I've seen no sign that she's preparing for the prophecy. I refuse to believe she's truly ignorant of it.
"For centuries, she's never once displayed her divine authority. If not for her unaging appearance, I would suspect she's not the real Hydro Archon at all.
"Her behavior is far too abnormal. Whether she's secretly scheming something, or has simply resigned herself to fate—these are things that must be investigated.
"For example, that Oratrice at the Opera House—it somehow produces enough compensatory energy to power all of Fontaine. And deep within the Fortress of Meropide, there's something sealed away…"
She was… surprisingly close to the truth.
In reality, Furina had no authority at all—she was only the nominal Hydro Archon. The true divine power of Water and Justice lay within Focalors.
The energy powering Fontaine came from Focalors herself, not the Oratrice. But Nolan still didn't know why she chose to do this.
Was it really just to sustain the nation's infrastructure?
And as for Meropide—it indeed housed the Primordial Sea, the direct source of the prophecy's crisis. The fact that Arlecchino had already traced the clues that far showed she'd been investigating deeply.
She's done her homework, Nolan thought to himself.
But he couldn't reveal the truth—doing so might expose Focalors, and it would be difficult to explain how he'd learned so much in just a few days.
So he simply shook his head and said,
"We've already met the Hydro Archon at the Opera House. You're not entirely wrong in your assessment—but we have no intention of opposing her. If cooperating with you means turning against the Hydro Archon, then we'll have to decline."
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: Yeah… I totally fucked up my upload scheduling 😅 So as an apology, here's an extra chapter to make it up to you guys ✨
Super sorry for not replying to comments regularly 🙇♂️ I usually catch up during the weekends lol 😭
Big shout-out to Daniel Budde for sliding into my Patreon Chat 💌— seriously dude, you're a lifesaver 🔥
If anything like this happens again (or any other chaos unfolds 😆😅), you can always reach me faster on Patreon (even as a free member) or on Discord — I'm mostly alive there 🤓
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Sayonara~ 👋😎