Ever since learning that Lynette had joined the Troupe, the children of the House of the Hearth had been clamoring for her to perform on stage as well—primarily at Lyney's urging.
"Don't you want to make beautiful memories with Luna?" Lyney asked.
Lynette fell silent at her brother's words.
She did want that.
The memories shared between childhood friends were unique, belonging solely to them.
But those were memories from many years ago. She didn't want her and Luna's shared history to be limited to the past.
So, after some hesitation, she agreed to participate in the performance.
Furina had no objections. Lynette was remarkably agile and could perform challenging acrobatic feats on stage.
But when she reviewed the cast list, her eyes widened:
Herself, Focalors, Chiori, Navia, Clorinde, Chevreuse, Lynette, and even Arlecchino!
Eight out of the nine main actors were connected to Luna!
There's no point even trying to complain, Furina thought, shaking her head. But having everyone leave behind memories like this isn't bad either...
Even with that woman still around.
Navia cleared her throat. "Ahem! I'm going to start singing now! Clorinde, please listen carefully and let me know if anything sounds off."
"Understood," Clorinde replied.
Chiori sighed. "Why do I have to say things like 'Bananas are great'?"
Focalors boomed, "Let me take care of you forever!—This line is surprisingly heavy. Why do all of Luna's scripts feature such heavy, serious women?"
Clorinde quipped, "If it's not heavy, it's not worth watching."
"That makes sense," Chevreuse agreed.
Chiori scoffed. "I bet she's just drawing inspiration from reality."
"Like you, for example," Chevreuse teased.
"Are you kidding me?" Chiori retorted, exasperated. Since when have I been so obsessed with women?
As the performance date drew closer, the atmosphere within the Troupe grew increasingly tense.
They had no true rivals—or rather, their only real opponent was themselves.
Moreover, Furina and Luna were determined to make this performance ten times, even nine times, more spectacular than the last!
If they succeeded, it would undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the history of art.
Lyney: "I never imagined my role would be a... uh..."
Lynette: "A giraffe. Specifically, the narrator. I don't even know what that animal is, but Lulu insists it's the heart and soul of the play—absolutely indispensable."
Furina nodded, her hands on her hips.
Everyone's working so hard! It's such a heartwarming sight!
As for Luna's whereabouts, she had claimed she needed to settle things with her "Father," insisting on resuming their previous Duel and settling the score once and for all.
Furina sighed. "I'll never understand that mother-daughter pair."
They were either fighting or on their way to fight.
But Luna had assured her she was confident of victory, and Furina found herself reassured—Luna never lied about such matters.
-
Meanwhile, Luna arrived at the House of the Hearth.
She went straight to Arlecchino's office, pushed open the door, and tightly embraced Arlecchino from behind as the latter stood by the window.
"Welcome back, Luna," Arlecchino said with a faint smile.
"Yes, I'm back, but I think you know why I've come."
For a duel.
Arlecchino knew this perfectly well and asked, "Are you prepared?"
"Yes. I'm confident I'll win this time. And when that happens..." Luna trailed off, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
Arlecchino smiled. "And when that happens, you can claim me as your own. I have no intention of breaking our agreement."
"Rest assured, if you can defeat me—the 'King'—and surpass me, you'll undoubtedly obtain everything you desire."
"I never doubted that," Luna replied.
Because that was the rule of the House.
And the rule applied equally to Arlecchino, the 'King'.
Arlecchino gently pressed Luna's hand. "Then let's head to the Duel Arena now. I'm eager to witness your growth and progress."
"You'll be pleasantly surprised," Luna said, brimming with confidence.
After all, she had invested all her remaining Points.
Nearly 90,000 Points had been exchanged for this single, max-level Skill. This was the ultimate source of her confidence in defeating Arlecchino.
And her Azure Radiance of Hydrell was S-rank rarity!
In other words, she could use this Skill to fully stack every buff, transforming herself into the ultimate "stat monster." Against Arlecchino, any flashy tricks would be useless.
Only pure, unadulterated strength could defeat her.
Purity. Only purity.
Last time, we fought to a standstill. This time, I'll definitely win.
I will win!
The two left the House of the Hearth together and headed to the Duel Arena.
Seeing Luna's brimming confidence, Arlecchino's lips curled into a faint smile. A duel was just a duel, nothing more.
But if it allowed her to witness Luna's growth, she would naturally feel gratified.
Effort deserved reward.
If Luna truly managed to win this duel... Arlecchino wouldn't mind offering herself as the prize, letting Luna do as she pleased.
"Come, Luna. There's no need for words between us. Draw your sword."
Luna drew her longsword. With a pistol in one hand and her sword in the other, the Radiant Mask materialized around her, shimmering with iridescent light. Her aura was sharp and imposing, yet her lips held a composed smile.
That pistol... Arlecchino's gaze flickered toward it.
It was a new-model pistol issued only to the Special Task Force, different from the one Clorinde carried.
Did she steal it from the Special Task Force, or did someone give it to her? Arlecchino withdrew her gaze, flames coiling around her body as her form shifted in an instant.
There was no need for probing or restraint; she could unleash her full power from the start.
Arlecchino vanished in a flash, reappearing before Luna and swinging her scythe!
Useless!
Luna parried with her sword, pressing forward. The force transmitted through her arm made Arlecchino raise an eyebrow.
Strength...
She swung her twin scythes, weaving an impenetrable web of slashing light, yet Luna precisely countered each strike with lightning-fast reflexes.
Speed...
Bang! A sudden burst of hurricane-force winds slammed into Arlecchino's scythes, forcing her to leap backward, neutralizing the overwhelming Anemo Elemental Power.
Elemental Power...
"You've enhanced everything, haven't you?" Arlecchino remarked.
"Indeed. So, please prepare yourself for defeat," Luna replied, pointing her Sword at Arlecchino.
"Today is the day I surpass you!"
Arlecchino smiled faintly, pleased. "Then let me see just how high and far you can fly. Continue, my daughter. Hold nothing back; unleash your full strength."
"Of course, my 'Father'. But—"
In the blink of an eye, Luna surged toward Arlecchino.
A flash of sword light!
Arlecchino dodged the blade, but caught a glimpse of several white strands of hair fluttering through the air. She hadn't completely evaded Luna's strike.
"This might sting a little," Luna said with a smile.
Arlecchino chuckled softly. "Then let me savor the pain you inflict, carve yourself into my very flesh. As the victor, surpass the 'father' and claim everything you desire."
"Don't disappoint me, Luna."