Having achieved their objectives in Liyue, Ningguang's invitation arrived as scheduled after several days of preparation. A magnificent stage had already been erected on the Jade Chamber—Furina herself had even participated in the construction as an advisor.
Though not as extravagant as the Opera Epiclese, the stage was still befitting Furina and Luna's status.
Luna was in charge of the script, and the cast consisted solely of the two of them.
After all, they hadn't brought their troupe, and the Blubberbeast Troupe's theater was still under renovation. They couldn't very well ask Chiori, Navia, or Lynette to cram and rehearse with them at the last minute.
Still, maybe we'll have a chance to perform together sometime, Luna thought absentmindedly.
"Furina, don't you think it would be fun if we all performed together?" Luna asked as she was being made up.
"Who do you mean by 'all'? No need to tell me—I can already guess the gist of it..."
It's obviously Navia and the others.
Luna counted them off on her fingers: Navia, Clorinde, Lynette, Chiori, herself, Luna, and perhaps even Focalors and Chevreuse...
Maybe even Arlecchino—she likes wearing masks anyway. We could have her play a masked woman who only speaks in cryptic riddles.
Nine people!
Luna smiled. "I've already thought of the script. Let's call it Starlight."
"Sigh, more chaotic than interesting. But for a single performance, it could work."
But all of that would have to wait until we return to Fontaine.
With her makeup complete, Luna raised her hand in invitation. "Then, My Precious Lady, would you accompany me onto the stage?"
Furina placed her hand in Luna's, her confidence radiating. "Let the people of Liyue witness the prowess of Fontaine!"
The moment they stepped onto the stage, the lights shone accordingly.
Even with only two actors, by limiting the story's setting, they could perfectly command the entire stage.
Beneath the masks that shifted between sorrow and fervor, their passion and confidence overflowed. Every detail was flawlessly executed, every performance perfectly delivered, leaving the audience in awe.
"This opera is quite captivating, isn't it?"
"To think two people could perform so magnificently! No wonder their fame has spread across the world..."
"Miss Luna's appearance carries a certain charm reminiscent of Liyue's people."
Navia rested her chin in her hands, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she watched the performance unfold on stage.
"Looks like Lulu's doing much better now," she murmured.
Chiori, still savoring her tea, replied, "She'll be fine. No matter how deep her emotions run, she'll never succumb to despair." Her unwavering determination to grow stronger offered a glimpse into her resilience.
Lynette twitched her cat ears, saying nothing, simply relishing Luna's exquisite singing.
So beautiful, she thought.
Arlecchino, too, sat sipping tea and listening intently. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ningguang, the Tianquan; Keqing, the Yuheng; Hu Tao, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; Shenhe, an Adeptus disciple; Ganyu, Secretary of the Qixing; Yanfei, a half-adeptus legal expert; and a young secretary girl all seated at another table.
As the song ended and the play concluded, Luna and Furina bowed together, eliciting thunderous applause.
"We hope you'll continue to support the Blubberbeast Troupe in the future!" Furina called out.
Blubberbeast Troupe? The audience blinked in surprise.
Chiori's expression turned wry. God, I wish I could leave right now.
Shenhe nodded slightly. "A rather... charming name," she remarked.
-
The day after their overwhelmingly successful performance, Luna and her group immediately began preparations to depart for Mondstadt.
Traveling overland from Liyue to Mondstadt was straightforward; a carriage ride would get them there in short order.
Their main route would take them north through Dihua Marsh, following the main road past Dawn Winery until they reached Mondstadt.
"Last night's performance was truly magnificent. You all deserve this," Ningguang said as she instructed her secretary to present gifts to Luna and the others.
The gifts included fabrics of the finest quality, cleverly crafted Liyue mechanical devices, and an assortment of sweet and delectable pastries—everything one could wish for.
Furina chuckled. "Thanks! Come visit us in Fontaine next time, and we'll give you free tickets to our show."
"Of course," Ningguang replied.
Under Ningguang's watchful gaze, the group departed the Jade Chamber. The carriage, also provided by Ningguang, glided smoothly without the slightest bump, its shock absorption both luxurious and efficient.
Navia closed the novel she had purchased in Liyue, sighing wistfully. "Liyue is so much fun! But living there must be exhausting, always so busy."
"That's probably just Liyue Harbor," Lynette murmured.
"Indeed," Chiori agreed. "The people there are always bustling about, but when it's time to celebrate, they do it with extraordinary fervor."
Furina struck a defiant pose, hands on her hips. "Fontaine's just as impressive, you know!"
"Why are you suddenly so competitive...?" Chiori murmured.
Furina exclaimed in awe, "Speaking of which, that white-haired Adeptus disciple is unbelievably strong! I asked her to move something, and she effortlessly lifted the weight of ten people—no, probably even a hundred!"
"Adeptus disciples are always exceptional," Lynette remarked.
Next stop: Mondstadt?
As Luna listened to Furina and the others chatting, she instinctively touched her golden hair.
Since I'm a distant relative of the Gunnhildr Clan, what should I call Jean Gunnhildr and her sister when I meet them?
Knights of Favonius... Luna mused absently. If I'd been born in Mondstadt, I probably wouldn't have become one either.
Unless the Knights of Favonius also had a Special Task Force.
A Reconnaissance Squad? That's not quite the same.
I wonder how Chevreuse is doing now... Luna's thoughts drifted back to Miss Captain, who was far away in Fontaine.
-
Meanwhile, at the Special Task Force Headquarters:
Turenna lay sprawled on her desk, sighing heavily. "Ugh... there's been way too many major cases lately. I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in days."
"If you're having trouble sleeping, you could try taking some medication to help," Chevreuse suggested casually.
"It's not just insomnia, Captain... What have you been poring over these past few days? More case files related to Phantom Thief White Cat?"
Chevreuse nodded. "Something like that."
"Wow..."
Chevreuse raised an eyebrow. "What's with that 'wow'?"
"N-nothing! It's definitely not because I think Captain's head is filled with Phantom Thief White Cat all day long!"
Chevreuse sighed, unable to deny the truth in that. When she had moments of downtime, Luna's image inevitably surfaced in her thoughts.
But she knew the real reason: she was anxious about how Luna would react once she learned the truth.
Don't betray our agreement, Chevreuse murmured to herself.
She touched her lips.
"..."
What is that White Cat up to right now?