Filliol and the other children were eventually led away by their peers. Their immediate fate would be the burning agony within their bodies, followed by the erasure of their memories, paving the way for entirely new lives.
As they departed, they repeatedly thanked and apologized to Arlecchino.
But Arlecchino responded only with silence.
Lynette rushed over with a medical kit to bandage and treat Luna's wounds.
"Thank you," Luna murmured, touching the bandage. I can't let Furina find out when I get back, or it'll be a mess.
Lynette shook her head. "This is all I can do... I should be the one thanking you... for Father's injuries—"
Arlecchino sat on the rubble, legs crossed. "It's nothing. You and Lyney should head back now. I have some things to discuss with Luna."
Lynette hesitated, but ultimately nodded and followed Lyney and the others down the path home. Their figures gradually faded into the distance until they vanished completely.
Luna retrieved medical supplies from her Storage Space.
"Let me treat you," she offered.
Arlecchino nodded slightly.
Luna skillfully unfastened Arlecchino's outer garment, pulled up the hem of her inner shirt, and applied bandages and ointment.
Before long, the treatment was complete.
Truth be told, Arlecchino didn't really need it; her regenerative abilities were quite robust now. But since Luna wanted to do it, she let her.
In both strength and spirit, Luna had long outgrown the label of "child."
The only reason that word still clung to her was because it formed the foundation and essence of their relationship.
"Thank you," Arlecchino said simply.
"It's a pity I couldn't defeat you."
"You're getting close."
Perhaps next time, Arlecchino would finally be defeated.
Alright, then... Arlecchino turned to Clervie, who was deep in thought.
"Clervie."
"Peppy, am I dead?" Clervie asked, looking down at her hands. Either I'm dead, or I've somehow traveled to the future. How else could Peppy have grown so big?
Arlecchino didn't hesitate. "Yes. I killed you."
Clervie nodded slowly. "...I see. So I lost the Duel?"
"You actively sought death. Ten years from now, you'll realize you can neither resist nor escape, and you'll choose death as your only release." Arlecchino's tone remained flat, as if she were recounting someone else's story.
"You always fought against Fate. You tried to persuade others to unite, but no one believed you. You tried to flee, but 'Mother' always dragged you back for further torment."
"Whether it was being dragged into the House of the Hearth or being recaptured after escape attempts, all were merely tools for 'Mother' to prove her 'fairness' and 'authority.' She made an example of you, warning others of the consequences of defiance."
"You tried countless times, but in the end, you wearily told me:"
"'In my sixteen years of life, I've always sought freedom. Now I realize the only freedom I truly possess is the freedom to choose my own death.'"
Clervie nodded slowly, understanding dawning.
If her future self would indeed make such a choice, she could never bring herself to harm her family, even in despair.
If anyone were to become "King," it certainly wouldn't be her. Peruere would be far better suited.
Clervie: "Then 'Mother'—"
"I killed her too, and became the new 'Knave.' Anything consumed by my flames leaves behind an 'Echo' in this world."
The Clervie standing before her was that very Echo.
In most cases, Echoes don't develop self-awareness. Clervie was clearly an exception.
Echoes cannot learn new knowledge, cannot grow, and their memories reset to the moment they gained self-awareness after a certain time, causing them to repeat the information they had understood.
"You once asked me, 'What is a true home?' Even now, I haven't found the answer. I also completely fail to grasp the freedom you seek."
"But I will give my children the opportunity to choose their own fates—though of course, everything comes with a price."
"Only by striving with their own will can they taste the sweetest fruits, making them cherish their desires and wishes all the more."
Clervie beamed. "That's wonderful, Peppy! You're already a worthy 'King' and a worthy 'Father'."
Arlecchino nodded slightly. If that's the case, nothing could be better.
Having relinquished the title of "Mother" to embrace that of "Father," she was unlike the superficially sweet and gentle but fundamentally cruel "Mother." The "Father," though seemingly cold and heartless, possessed a unique tenderness... Their strictness and severity were meant to help their children survive.
Fate never favors those unwilling to pay any price.
If you want something, you must strive to earn it.
Clervie added, "Actually, I didn't know the answer to this question before, but Luna explained it to me."
"Oh? Really?" Arlecchino cast an intrigued glance.
Luna smiled faintly. "But that's just my answer."
"I know, but it suddenly feels like everything has become clear."
"But your memories will reset with each sunrise and sunset," Arlecchino reminded her.
Such was the nature of an Echo.
"Then..."
Clervie moved her lips.
"So I had planned to release you today, but Luna and I fought to a draw, which means your execution will be postponed. What happens next depends on her."
Arlecchino said calmly.
What is Luna thinking?
Clervie looked at Luna curiously. If her memory resets every day, everything she saw and heard today would vanish.
By morning, she would revert to being that fearful girl, terrified of her "home" and "Mother," spreading tales of the family's "darkness" to the other children and urging them to leave.
What else can she do?
Luna said plainly, "If I forget, I'll just write it down."
"Even writing it down can't change the objective facts," Arlecchino said.
"Of course, I know that perfectly well. But Clervie, have you ever seen an opera?"
Clervie shook her head.
To ensure the children's "purity," the former Knave had forbidden them from leaving the House of the Hearth until the final "King" was chosen.
Thus, even the heart of Fontaine's culture remained unexplored by them.
"Mother" would read them picture books, but they were... dark versions.
Stories about Alice going mad and slaughtering her way through Fairyland—hardly child-friendly!
Luna smiled sweetly. "Then let's wait two weeks. It won't be too late to end this then."
"In the meantime, I'll come home every day to help Clervie remember what happened today. Is that alright, 'Father'?"
Since there was a solution, Arlecchino naturally wouldn't object.
She had already guessed Luna's true intentions:
To make Clervie her audience.