Several days later...
Furina surveyed the plush toys scattered across the bed, pondering for a moment.
"Let's bring this one and this one!"
Luna casually remarked, "We're going to Liyue, you know. Do we really need to bring so many plush toys?"
"I might not sleep well in Liyue's beds. Bringing a few plush toys might help me sleep sounder."
"Isn't having me enough?" Luna teased with a smile.
Furina laughed. "What, are you jealous of the plushies too?"
"Well, if Furina wants, I can be your plushie too."
"Hmph, 'plushie' indeed..."
Furina's cheeks flushed crimson. Always teasing me like this. Is it really that amusing?
If she fell for Luna's tricks, she'd be devoured whole and left unable to get out of bed.
She picked up the paper. "Clothes packed, cup and toothbrush packed, towel packed... Hmm, fully prepared. When do we leave?"
"We can leave now."
Furina nodded. "Then let's go!"
First Liyue, then Mondstadt.
It would have been perfect if it were just the two of us... she thought wistfully. But there are several other women coming along.
Still, this trip had a special purpose, so it couldn't be helped. They could always have a proper vacation next time.
After all, they had plenty of time.
Luna had also invited Clorinde and Focalors, but Clorinde said she hadn't accumulated enough vacation days, and Focalors said she couldn't be away for too long.
"Furina, thank you for coming with me," Luna said suddenly.
"Hmm? What's this all of a sudden?"
"I couldn't help myself."
Furina smiled calmly. "Between you and me, there's no need for thanks. Besides, I was the one who suggested finding your biological parents together, so naturally, I'll see it through to the end."
With that, she gently pulled Luna's face closer and kissed her deeply for a long moment.
Though her cheeks still flushed, Furina had grown accustomed to this habit of kissing each other casually, whether for no reason or for a special occasion.
And if they didn't kiss now, they might not get another chance once their journey began. After all, there would always be other women around, especially Chiori.
Luna hugged Furina. "So, the Furina who couldn't sleep all night after her first kiss... she's gone, it seems."
"Hmph, that was all because of you back then..." Furina retorted, returning the hug.
After lingering in this affectionate embrace for a while, the two finally left home and arrived at the docks.
"You're here," Arlecchino said softly.
Furina's expression was slightly awkward as she shifted behind Luna. "Ahem, good morning."
"Good morning, Lady Furina," Arlecchino replied with a faint smile, unfazed by Furina's reaction.
Navia, Chiori, and Lynette had already arrived and were chatting among themselves.
"Ah, Lulu! You finally made it! Look at this!" Navia exclaimed, gesturing grandly with both hands. "Ta-da! This is the Spina di Rosula's newly customized ship!"
The ship docked nearby bore the Spina di Rosula's emblem, its color scheme as vibrant and dazzling as Navia's own attire.
"Good thing you didn't hang some ten-meter-tall hat up there," Chiori remarked.
Navia laughed. "I actually considered it, but the wind would blow it away!"
"You actually considered that...?" Lynette said, her tone subtle.
Luna asked curiously, "So we're taking Nana's ship?" She had assumed they would be traveling on Arlecchino's vessel.
Considering Furina's strained relationship with Arlecchino, forcing her to travel on a Fatui ship would likely be unbearable. The Spina di Rosula's ship, however, presented no such issue.
Arlecchino stated calmly, "Since our destination is Liyue, we must consider all factors. The Fatui's previous actions in Liyue Harbor have made the Qixing wary of any Fatui movements."
After all, Tartaglia had directly awakened the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial.
Chiori scoffed: "I've heard about your exploits in Inazuma too."
Lynette: "..."
Arlecchino stated succinctly: "Different Harbingers have different styles."
What La Signora and Childe did was their own business. The Harbingers acted solely toward a common goal.
Arlecchino wouldn't criticize them—at least in Fontaine, she could ensure maintaining good relations with all parties without compromising her own interests.
Lynette added: "'The Rooster,' 'The Doctor'—the House of the Hearth despises them too. Besides, Lulu was harmed by the Doctor himself."
"Harmed?" Navia asked, puzzled.
She knew Luna had used a Delusion, but hadn't that been in a desperate situation?
"...The Doctor exposed our location, putting us in extreme danger. That's why Lulu had to use the special Delusion he made—which, ironically, fulfilled his very purpose."
Chiori clicked her tongue. "Your Fatui certainly have a 'talent pool'..."
"So that's how it was..." Navia murmured.
Furina glanced at Luna, who remained silent, tacitly confirming Lynette's account.
Lynette clutched her arm. "...So don't compare us to the other Harbingers—"
"Lynette," Arlecchino interrupted softly.
"Apologies." She shouldn't have said so much.
Arlecchino continued quietly, "Is everyone here? Then I'll trouble Miss Navia to set sail. We'll head southeast, making our first stop at Yilong Wharf in Liyue."
From there, they would follow the main road to Qingce Village, then travel south through Dihua Marsh and Guili Plains, finally reaching Liyue Harbor.
"Liyue is governed by the Qixing," Arlecchino explained. "Since the passing of Rex Lapis, it has become an age of mortals."
"Among them, the Tianquan Ningguang and the Yuheng Keqing are particularly noteworthy."
"We need to find Tianquan Ningguang," Arlecchino said.
Navia nodded, familiar with the name. "I know of her. I've heard she has eyes and ears everywhere, and knows everything?"
"That's a bit of an exaggeration, but her intelligence network does span all of Liyue. Though she holds a high position, she started as a merchant and won't refuse our trade request."
"Of course, given my status, she might try to extract more benefits."
"But considering Lady Furina and Luna's reputations, she likely won't demand too much—after all, you two are the brightest stars of Fontaine's art and culture, and one of you is even the former Hydro Archon."
"In her eyes, your value undoubtedly far surpasses mine as a mere Harbinger."
Despite this, Arlecchino would still handle the negotiations.
Furina asked, puzzled, "You must know everything about Luna's parents, right? Why not just give us a hint? Why bother contacting the Tianquan?"
"Because this is Luna's wish," Arlecchino replied.
Luna nodded slightly in agreement.
Fine, then I have no objections. Furina shrugged.
"Alright, let's get going! Everyone aboard! The Blubberbeast is about to set sail!"
Navia's cheerful tone shifted the atmosphere as she boarded the ship.
The ship wasn't large, but it was self-sufficient, requiring no additional crew.
Chiori's expression turned puzzled. "Why call it that?"
"Because it's cute."
Lynette whispered, "I suddenly don't feel like getting on this ship anymore."
Departure: The Blubberbeast sets sail.
Arrival: The Blubberbeast arrives.
Luna chuckled, "How about renaming it the 'Ultimate Supreme Overlord Blubberbeast'?"
Lynette shook her head vigorously.
As they stepped onto the ship's deck, Navia raised her hand.
"Blubberbeast, activate!"
She pressed the activation button.
The propulsion system roared to life. Navia gripped the helm, maneuvering the ship away from the harbor. On the stern deck, Luna gazed back at the receding skyline of Fontaine.
She faintly glimpsed a flash of purple.
Chevreuse watched the departing ship from the harbor, her expression unreadable. Through her rifle's scope, she clearly saw Luna waving.
A faint smile touched the corners of Chevreuse's lips.
"Wow, the Captain's actually smiling while holding her gun..."
"What's wrong with that ship? Is it illegal or something?"
Chevreuse suppressed her smile. "Just checking the situation through the scope."
Meanwhile, on the ship...
Furina narrowed her eyes. "Hey, Luna, isn't someone over there aiming a rifle at us?"
Blink... blink...
Luna smiled faintly. "Yes, we can't afford to be slow."