"Phew, Fontaine's opera is quite impressive!"
In Fontaine, the Traveler, Lumine and Paimon strolled through the streets.
Lumine remarked with interest, "The performers are incredibly professional. I've also heard Fontaine's ciné-films are excellent. We should check one out when we get the chance."
"Yay! It would be even better if we could sneak snacks inside!"
A man approached, carrying a stack of newspapers. "Miss, and you there, adorable child—would you like to buy a paper?"
"Who are you calling a child?!" Paimon huffed, kicking the air indignantly.
The man scratched his head. Given her petite size and ability to fly, mistaking her for a child seemed reasonable.
"Never mind. I won't hold it against you. I'll take a paper. It'll be good to catch up on recent events. It would be even better if Miss Luna found some free time."
Thanks to Luna's arrangements, Lumine was finally able to meet the Hydro Archon, Furina.
Paimon hadn't forgotten Lumine's goal of finding her family.
However, every time they tried to contact Luna, they received the same response: "Miss Luna is busy."
What exactly is she so busy with?
Paimon complained that she was thirsty, and Lumine pulled out a bottle of juice and handed it to her.
"Hehe, how did you know I wanted this?" Paimon giggled.
Lumine crossed her arms. "Do you think I don't know you by now?"
After paying for the newspaper, Lumine unfolded it and suddenly raised an eyebrow, her expression subtly shifting.
"What's wrong? You're making a weird face. What does the newspaper say? Let me see..." Paimon leaned closer to read.
"Fatui Harbinger 'Childe' Found Guilty—Oratrice and Chief Justice Disagree?!" Paimon sputtered, spitting out her drink.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Tartaglia, the Fatui Harbinger known as Childe, had actually been thrown into the Fortress of Meropide?
"That guy has definitely done some bad things, but didn't he just arrive in Fontaine recently? He even entrusted us with his Vision a few days ago. How did he end up in jail so quickly?"
Lumine could only shake her head.
If you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask?
All she could glean from the newspaper was this:
During yesterday's trial, the defense attorneys and prosecutors had engaged in fierce arguments. In the end, Tartaglia's lawyer secured a victory.
Chief Justice Neuvillette declared, "Monsieur Tartaglia is innocent."
However, the Oratrice's verdict directly contradicted this.
"Guilty," the Oratrice declared.
In theory, the Oratrice could indeed render a different judgment than the Chief Justice. But after so many years, this was the first time such a stark contradiction had ever occurred.
Tartaglia, refusing to accept the verdict, resorted to force, bringing the farce to an end only when Neuvillette intervened.
In response, Furina proclaimed, "The Oratrice is the embodiment of justice! It would never deliver an unfounded judgment! Everything he has done is unforgivable, beyond redemption!"
Though doubts lingered among the crowd, they reluctantly accepted this explanation given the Fatui's notorious reputation.
Paimon stroked her chin thoughtfully. "He definitely did some bad things, but wasn't this case about a philanthropist billionaire being assassinated? And then a shocking scandal surfaced after his death..."
It just doesn't feel like something he'd do.
Lumine nodded. "But the problem lies with the Oratrice."
Why would the Oratrice find him guilty when his defense had succeeded?
-
Inside Palais Mermonia, Clorinde stood with her hands clasped behind her back, glancing sideways at Furina. The previous day's Judgment seemed to have no effect on her; she continued to savor her desserts with a contented smile.
As the Champion Duelist, Clorinde desperately wanted to understand what had happened with the Oratrice yesterday. What exactly went wrong with the machine?
Clorinde closed her eyes, but remained silent. She had a premonition that even if she questioned Furina, she wouldn't receive any useful answers.
"Clorinde, what were you doing in Lulu's bed?"
The sudden memory of yesterday's awkward situation made Clorinde tug at her hat. She had quickly clarified that it was just a sleepover—nothing more than sleeping in the same bed. There was no way she could develop a relationship beyond friendship with Luna. Still, Navia's expression had been strangely nuanced.
Fortunately, Navia had eventually accepted her explanation. It's wonderful when people can understand each other... Or perhaps Navia simply possessed an exceptional character.
Clorinde glanced at Furina again. With the conclusion of yesterday's Judgment, voices of doubt had begun to surface.
Some questioned, "Does the Hydro Archon even understand her own device? How could she make such a mistake?"
Others wondered, "If the Oratrice malfunctioned, does that mean all past Judgments are flawed? Can we really trust this system?"
Clorinde refused to heed the voices of doubt. Such questioning could warp one's judgment, diverting their gaze from the truth. She wouldn't allow others' opinions to supplant her own.
As Furina's subordinate and constant protector, Clorinde believed she had a clear understanding of her mistress's inner state—or at least, she desperately hoped so.
"Clorinde, you may withdraw for now."
"...Understood."
Obeying Furina's command, Clorinde reluctantly departed.
Once the door closed, Furina was left alone in the room. She set down her knife and fork, lowered her head, and gazed at her reflection in the clear water of her glass. Her expression was filled with worry and unease—a vulnerability she absolutely couldn't allow anyone to witness.
"Clorinde didn't ask a single question," she murmured. "Poor thing."
It must have been difficult for her. As the Champion Duelist, representing Fontaine's Law and Justice, Clorinde couldn't possibly avoid being curious about the Oratrice's condition. Yet even if she had asked, Furina had no reliable answers to give.
"How could I have known it would pronounce him guilty...? This makes no sense!"
How could a successful defense still result in a guilty verdict? It was utterly bizarre! If the Oratrice truly had been her creation, she would have dismantled it long ago to uncover its secrets. But she was merely an ordinary person playing the role of an Archon.
Furina had lost her appetite. Her earlier pretense of enjoying the pastries had been nothing more than a facade.
"I have to act with unwavering confidence," Furina muttered, sipping her red tea and resting her chin on her hand. "Otherwise, everything I've said will be easily questioned."
"Think carefully," she continued. "The Oratrice is a construct capable of independent judgment. Under what circumstances would it render a 'guilty' verdict?"
Furina absentmindedly poked the fruit on her cake with her fork, lost in thought. But her contemplation was short-lived. She threw her hands up to her head with a groan. "How can a living person possibly understand machines?!"
It's not like a movie!
Leaning back in her chair, Furina mumbled, "Logically speaking, if someone wants to convict another, it's usually because they want them gone—"
But Tartaglia had no personal grudge against the Oratrice.
"On second thought, this action could actually be a strategic move to benefit itself."
Beneficial?
Could it be that the Oratrice judged the Fatui Harbinger guilty because it deemed it... advantageous?
The ahoge on Furina's head bobbed as she crossed her arms and pondered. "But how could that possibly be beneficial? Jailing a Fatui Harbinger would only harm Fontaine's diplomatic standing."
The Fatui Harbinger responsible for operations in Fontaine was likely the Fourth Seat, "The Knave." If she learned of Childe's fate, she might seize the opportunity to pressure Fontaine.
I just can't figure it out.
If only I knew more.
Furina felt a throbbing headache coming on and slumped onto the table.
If not for the restful sleep she'd gotten thanks to the Phantom Thief, she'd probably be shedding a good amount of "little pearls" right now.
Wait, no, that's called expelling excess Hydro Element... from my eyes!
What if The Knave demands negotiations?
Furina sighed deeply. "There's nothing for it but to brace myself and face it head-on."
Focalors can't run, can't retreat, can't be a coward... Furina mused absently, instinctively reaching for the Phantom Thief's Mask.
"White Cat..."
No, no, no! Why am I thinking about that girl?!
Furina straightened up and shook her head vigorously.
For now, she could only do what she could, whether it was investigating the Prophecy, monitoring the water levels, or anything else.
That included returning the Phantom Thief's gift.
Even if it hurt her, she couldn't allow anyone to get close to her.
"The problem is, how do I even find the Phantom Thief White Cat?"
No one knew where her hideout was.
To see her, Luna realized, she had to capture her attention and make her come of her own accord.
Attention...
"Hmm, it seems this is the only way."
The next day's newspaper featured an interview:
Praise from the Gods! The Hydro Archon's Cherished Treasures
The article was straightforward: Furina showcased the treasures she had acquired over the years.
"My most prized possession is undoubtedly the Heart of the Ocean. The gem embedded in this necklace? I discovered it during a casual stroll two centuries ago. No, perhaps it was destined to be found by me!"
"Its brilliance underwater rivals the stars—proof that it was calling out to me..."
Treasure Information Discovered: Heart of the Ocean
But Luna understood that the interview was a signal.
Come find me.
Furina's message was crystal clear.
Soon after, Furina received a gift: a box of cake with a card tucked inside.
"Miss Furina, you're truly bashful. If you simply wished it, I would come to your side at any time. But since you're willing to trade a treasure for my company, I gladly accept."
"When your longing for me grows too much to bear,I'll come to claim what's waiting there—A gift you've kept with deep emotion:The precious Heart of the Ocean.– Miss White Cat."
Furina's cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered, "What does 'When your longing for me grows too much to bear' even mean? How could such a thing ever happen?"
The note didn't specify a time at all.
When exactly would she appear? Tonight?
"I guess I'll just have to wait..."
-
Night fell.
Furina glanced at the clock and couldn't help but murmur, "Why isn't she here yet?"
She's taking so long...
-
TL/N: Should I make a Patreon? Would people be interested? I got TL buddies telling me I should do the same as them.
Just some food for thought.