As a Harbinger of the Fatui, "Childe" had demonstrated his remarkable prowess even within the Fortress of Meropide. These three individuals were new subordinates he had recruited, drawn to him by his charismatic personality.
The alleged noises and cannibalistic rumors were fabrications concocted by the trio to deter others from approaching.
Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi followed the three into the pipeline's interior, only to discover that the formerly passable areas were now flooded with deep water.
To continue tracing Childe's trail, they would need to dive into the submerged passages. This immediately brought one person to Lumine's mind:
Freminet... he was an expert diver.
-
A few more days passed.
The moment the trio woke up, they found a small card from Lyney on the table by the bed. They also learned that today was the Fortress of Meropide's monthly Freedom Day, and Lyney had arranged to meet them in the Production Zone.
When they arrived at the Production Zone, they found Lyney waiting. Lumine shared the information they had gathered:
The area where Childe had disappeared was now flooded, requiring someone skilled in diving to search it.
Lyney said he would personally inform Freminet and arranged to meet them here again in nine days.
While the investigation into Childe was simply a matter of waiting for news, the clues about the Forbidden Zone remained murky. Lynette was still gathering information about the Forbidden Zone elsewhere, and Lyney asked Lumine to help investigate the matter.
The investigation location was the Head Nurse's Office, a place frequently visited by senior Fontaine researchers.
Ultimately, Lumine decided to feign illness, with Paimon and Chu Xi escorting her into the medical room to investigate.
As they approached the medical room, Lumine immediately switched into acting mode, her small face contorting into a grimace.
"Someone help! She suddenly fainted!" Paimon cried out.
Chu Xi also wore a worried expression.
The trio successfully entered the medical room. After a brief examination, Head Nurse Sigewinne diagnosed Lumine with a stomach upset.
Meanwhile, Lumine noticed Lourvine and Jurieu, dressed in distinctly different attire from the other patients.
As Lourvine and Jurieu conversed, Lumine spotted a hidden panel nearby.
Unfortunately, she didn't get a chance to investigate further.
After Lumine took a nap in the sickbed, the trio returned to their quarters.
Over the next few days, they worked while discreetly writing down their observations. During a chance encounter, they carefully passed the collected information to Lynette.
The day arrived for their rendezvous with Lyney.
The group met up in the Production Zone. Freminet had already headed to the abandoned pipes two days prior, while Lynette had feigned illness the previous night to gain access to the infirmary.
Before Freminet returned, they decided to check on Lynette at the infirmary first.
During the half-hour before lunch each day, Head Nurse Sigewinne was typically absent from the infirmary. Lyney believed Lynette had already obtained what she needed.
Visiting at this time would raise no suspicion, and as her brother, showing concern for his sister was perfectly normal.
Upon arriving at the infirmary, the four found no sign of Lynette. Investigation revealed that the Head Nurse hadn't returned since leaving the previous night.
The partition blocking their path seemed deliberately placed.
Something seemed to strike Lyney, causing him to grow visibly tense.
Paimon discovered a note tucked in a corner: Given your habits, let's use cards and notes as our means of communication. Consider this a greeting.
Lyney: "This is...!"
Lyney flipped the note over and saw another sentence. He crouched down to examine it, his eyes widening in shock at the words. He stood up abruptly.
Paimon glanced at the note, which read: Care to guess where Miss Lynette is right now?
Paimon gasped. "How could this be... Could it be... she's already...?"
Lyney muttered, "...Wriothesley... Did he deliberately leave the infirmary unguarded to lure us into a trap?"
The more Lyney thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Wriothesley wouldn't act without a purpose. The reason the Traveler and her companions hadn't encountered any danger was because Wriothesley had never intended to target them in the first place!
Their identities were different. The Traveler and her companions were assisting Neuvillette, while they... were Fatui...
Lyney: "Wriothesley... He knew all along. So... Freminet's smooth escape from the Fortress of Meropide—was that also Wriothesley's doing?"
Lumine: "I understand now. He wants Lynette and Freminet to disappear..."
Lyney's breathing quickened, his words tumbling out faster and faster. His mind was in complete turmoil.
"Damn it! I should never have let Freminet go out there! It took us quite some effort to find a gap in the guards and sneak him through the pipes that day. We thought we were lucky..."
"If Wriothesley deliberately let Freminet escape... then he's in grave danger now."
Lyney's demeanor was completely off; he had become agitated and frantic.
If—if what he's thinking is true, then Lynette and Freminet are already...
No! Don't even think that!
"Lyney, calm down!" Lumine urged.
Paimon chimed in, "Don't be like this, Lyney! You only let Freminet go because we told you about Childe. You... you can blame us."
"No, I was the one in charge of this operation. I'm the team captain... I failed to protect them!"
Lyney's voice trembled with suppressed tears, before hardening into a resolute, furious tone:
"I'm going to see Wriothesley! I can't let Lynette be taken again!"
With that, Lyney bolted out of the room. Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi immediately followed.
-
Inside Wriothesley's office.
"Wriothesley! Come out!"
Wriothesley stood on the steps. "This is an office, after all. Please refrain from shouting."
"What have you done to Lynette?!"
"I encountered Miss Lynette in the infirmary. Hearing about her migraines, I invited her for tea. I have a blend here known for its headache-relieving properties."
Lumine and Paimon arrived to find Lyney interrogating Wriothesley, who remained remarkably calm and composed.
Wriothesley had sealed the Fortress of Meropide's outer gates, trapping Freminet in the sea. Now, with Lynette in his custody, and having heard of Lyney's desire to meet the fortress's lord, he had finally come.
"I won't interfere with your investigation into Childe's whereabouts, but spying on the Forbidden Zone's secrets is unacceptable."
"Miss Lynette came here of her own accord as a guest, and Mr. Freminet ventured out voluntarily. By any measure, the responsibility for these situations does not fall on me."
Though Lumine had only met Wriothesley a few times, she didn't believe he would harm Lynette. Moreover, Wriothesley had repeatedly emphasized that Lynette was merely drinking tea with him. The only one currently in danger was likely Freminet.
Wriothesley demanded that The Knave come to the Fortress of Meropide for a meeting. Only then would he release Lynette and Freminet.
Lyney hesitated, torn between his loyalty to The Knave and his desire to save his siblings.
"3... 2... 1..."
As the countdown ended and Wriothesley turned to leave, Lumine called out to him, wanting to plead for mercy on behalf of Lyney and his siblings.