Everyone turned around and saw Arlecchino standing in the distance, looking straight at Clervie, her eyes seemingly less cold.
"Lyney: Father, she..."
Lyney was interrupted by Arlecchino before he could finish his sentence.
"Arlecchino: I have already asked the Hydro Archon about the cause of the matter on the way here, so there is no need to explain."
Then, looking at Qixuan, she said, "Miss Qixuan, I don't know what I can do to repay you, but please accept this token."
Arlecchino took out a crimson token with a special metallic luster, bearing the emblem of The Knave. Qixuan accepted the token.
"Qixuan: Thanks."
"Arlecchino: This is what I should do. With this token, Miss Qixuan can command any Fatui under my command. Of course, it will also be effective with other Fatui Harbingers, except for the Doctor."
"Paimon: Wow, then isn't this... what do they call it in Liyue?"
"Lumine: A military tally."
"Paimon: Oh, right, the kind that can mobilize armies."
"Arlecchino: Of course, but too large a display would inevitably reach the Empress."
"Paimon: Hehe... I was just saying."
Arlecchino looked at Clervie and said, "You're still the same."
"Clervie: You're no different, still so cold-faced. Hmph, I'll punish you... Hmm, by having you accompany me on a stroll through Fontaine."
Arlecchino did not refuse, and her tone softened a bit.
"Arlecchino: Alright, I'll accompany you. Lyney, there are still some things to deal with at the House of the Hearth. I'll leave it to you."
"Lyney: Alright, Father, just leave it to me."
Clervie took Arlecchino's hand and walked towards Fontaine, just like when they played together as children.
...
"Lyney: Ah, at least this matter is over. Everyone, we'll head back first. After we're done, I'll treat you at Hotel Debord. You must come!"
"Lynette: Silly brother, let's go!"
"Freminet: Then we'll head back first."
"Paimon: Okay! We'll definitely come. Goodbye, Lyney, Lynette, Freminet."
"Lumine: Goodbye."
"Qixuan: Then we should head back first too. Once Lyney and the others send word, we'll go to the hotel."
"Lumine and Paimon: Okay."
...
Fontaine...
Now, a scene unfolded on the main street: Clervie was buying everything in sight, while Arlecchino followed behind, paying and carrying the items. Anything she couldn't carry was placed in her Vision. It's worth noting that many shopkeepers, seeing that The Knave was a Fatui, out of fear, refused to accept money. However, Arlecchino stated that she never took things for free.
In front of a flower stall, Clervie picked up a Lumidouce Bell.
"Arlecchino: Do you want to buy it?"
Clervie nodded, and Arlecchino paid. Then Clervie hung the Lumidouce Bell in Arlecchino's chest pouch.
"Clervie: Do you remember? The Lumidouce Bells we planted together back then. You weren't good at taking care of them and killed so many."
"Arlecchino: You told me then that they symbolized separation and reunion. At that time, we separated; now, we reunite."
Clervie smiled gently and said, "You've also become a very good King, haven't you? It's not in vain that I died once. Let's go, let's go, I'm hungry. Oh, by the way, which restaurant here is the best?"
"Arlecchino: If possible, let's go to Hotel Debord."
"Clervie: Okay! Then let's go!"
Clervie sped forward, but apparently, she didn't know where Hotel Debord was.
Arlecchino watched Clervie's retreating figure and murmured to herself, "I won't let you get hurt again. No one can..."
...
Inside Hotel Debord, in a luxurious private room, Focalors and Furina sat closely together. Qixuan sat next to Lumine, and Paimon was already eating pre-meal snacks.
"Lyney: Why would the Hydro Archon be here?"
"Lumine: Did she push all her work onto Neuvillette?"
"Focalors: Hehe, sorry, sorry. It's just dinner time, and Furina called me. Then I heard the guests downstairs discussing you, so I knew you were here to eat too. Don't worry, we'll pay ourselves."
"Lyney: No, no, Hydro Archon, I didn't mean that. This meal must be on me."
"Furina: Hey! Paimon, that's my small cake."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen... hearing that the Hydro Archon had also come to eat, everyone put in their utmost effort. Escofier's spatula and pot were practically smoking.
Just then, the room door suddenly opened again, and Clervie and Arlecchino walked in.
"Clervie: So you really are here."
"Paimon: Clervie? And... The Knave! How did you two end up here?"
"Lyney: Father."
"Arlecchino: I just brought your Mother to eat. Chef Escofier's dishes at Hotel Debord are delicious."
"Clervie: Mm-hmm, when we came in, I asked the front desk if there were any private rooms available, and then I heard some familiar voices coming from this private room."
Then, the waiters brought a variety of dishes to the table, including Cream of Mushroom Soup, Black Pudding, Crystal Shrimp, Debord Cake, Confit de Canard, and Terrine of the Countryside, among others.
Looking at the table full of delicious food, Paimon's mouth watered non-stop.
"Lyney: Everyone, let's eat!"
"Paimon: Hehe, then I won't be polite."
Paimon rapidly devoured the food, her mouth almost too full to chew.
"Lumine: No one's snatching it from you. Eat slowly."
"Clervie: Pepe, you try this too."
Clervie served Arlecchino many dishes.
"Arlecchino: Okay."
"Lyney: Uh... Pepe?"
"Lynette: Silly brother, shut up!"
Lyney realized something was amiss and immediately shut his mouth to eat.
Everyone enjoyed their meal very much, and then returned to their respective residences.
The next day...
"Paimon: I don't even want to leave this place."
"Lumine: Then let's leave Paimon here and go."
"Paimon: Eh! You've wanted to abandon me for a long time, haven't you! Hmph."
Paimon and Lumine's daily routine.
"Qixuan: Alright, let's go find Focalors first and ask her for some information about Natlan."
"Lumine: Okay."
MoMang Palace...
Focalors was slumped in a large pile of documents.
"Neuvillette: Hydro Archon, these are the documents to be approved today."
Focalors looked up and saw Neuvillette holding another large pile of documents. She felt as if the sky had fallen and wished she had died. Being a god requires hands-on involvement, said to be learning from the god of Natlan—those were Neuvillette's exact words.
"Focalors: I... I understand. Put them down."
After Neuvillette put down the documents, Paimon's voice came from the doorway.
"Paimon: Hydro Archon, we're here to see you!"
"Focalors: (My savior has arrived), Neuvillette, you handle things first. The Traveler and her friends must have something urgent to discuss with me."
With that, Focalors ran off, leaving a bewildered Neuvillette behind.
...
