"Long time no see, Ms. Furina. Although this might be the first time you've seen me, it's certainly not the first time I've seen you."
The white-haired woman spoke softly, a formulaic smile lingering on her lips.
"Hello, The Knave, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Furina returned the smile. Although Neuvillette was not accompanying her to this meeting, she felt no tension at all. After all — someone was watching nearby.
Looking at the woman in front of her, whose eyes narrowed slightly, Furina quickly recalled her identity.
The Fourth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers— The Knave, Arlecchino.
Furina knew a little about this Harbinger. She had grown up in Fontaine before leaving for Snezhnaya, and later established the "House of the Hearth," a charitable orphanage within Fontaine.
However… the Fatui's reputation throughout Teyvat was far from good. So, Furina remained cautious of the woman before her.
"There's no need for such formality, Ms. Furina. You can simply call me Arlecchino."
"Then… Ms. Arlecchino, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"The same to you, Ms. Furina."
The Knave smiled again, silently observing her.
She doesn't seem like a god at all…
As one of the Harbingers, Arlecchino knew better than most what a true god should be like. Her thoughts drifted briefly to the figure enthroned in the Snezhnaya Palace — majestic, awe-inspiring, a presence that commanded reverence without effort.
But Furina? She looked like nothing more than an ordinary girl. The only remarkable thing was her fearless confidence in the face of danger.
Deciding to test her suspicion, Arlecchino carefully extended her spirit toward Furina. Yet, in the very next moment, her spirit slammed against a solid wall.
And then, the wall shifted — sprouting countless sharp spikes that pierced into her probing will.
Arlecchino's expression barely changed, though her hands beneath the table curled into tight fists, fingernails nearly drawing blood from her palms. That sensation of being instantly pierced was excruciating. Only the strength of her spirit, and the fact that she had only probed lightly, kept her from losing composure in front of Furina.
Why… why is this happening?
The last time she had tried to sense Furina, during a public speech, she had felt nothing. Back then, she thought it was simply because of distance. But now…
Her gaze grew sharper. Suppressing the spiritual sting, she spoke calmly:
"My apologies, Ms. Furina. Due to the unique nature of my work, that probing just now was an unconscious action. I am truly sorry."
"Eh? Probing… oh. I see." Furina blinked, caught off guard, before quickly waving her hand. "It's fine, it's fine. You didn't sense anything anyway, right? So it's alright."
But the quick glance she cast to the side betrayed her.
Liu Yuan stood there quietly.
"She carries malice," Liu Yuan whispered, her voice only for Furina, "but not much. She was merely testing you."
Relief washed over Furina. With Liu Yuan watching her back, she felt completely safe.
After a beat, Furina straightened, her tone turning unexpectedly serious.
"Still, Ms. Arlecchino… it's best not to probe others so casually. Otherwise, it might not end with just a simple lesson."
The sudden contrast from her usual playful demeanor lent weight to her words, making them all the more believable.
Arlecchino said nothing — only gave a small nod.
The room fell into a short silence. Furina, unsure how to continue after such an exchange, fidgeted slightly. Fortunately, Arlecchino spoke first.
"Lady Furina, have you heard of that Prophecy?"
"The Prophecy?"
Furina stiffened, her expression faltering.
"Are you talking about… that prophecy?"
Arlecchino nodded slowly.
"'All will dissolve into the sea, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne.' I heard it when I was very young. What do you think of it, Ms. Furina?"
Even as she suppressed the lingering sting in her spirit, she kept her voice calm. Her purpose here was clear — to see whether Furina knew anything about it.
Furina waved a hand, scoffing lightly.
"So-called prophecies are mostly lies, aren't they? Take this one— 'All will dissolve into the sea.' How could people dissolve? Isn't that ridiculous? Clearly, it's nothing more than nonsense."
She spoke casually, as though she believed every word.
Arlecchino narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing every flicker of expression. Yet Furina's performance was flawless — too flawless.
A lie.
The Knave was certain. She knew through Fatui intelligence that Fontaine's Academy of Sciences submitted monthly reports to Furina — data on rising sea levels, and peculiar components in the waters.
This Hydro Archon was not as indifferent as she pretended to be.
"I see… Ms. Furina's words do make sense," Arlecchino said smoothly. "Besides, even if it were to happen, surely Fontaine would be saved by you— the Hydro Archon."
"Of course!" Furina lifted her chin proudly. "That goes without saying. After all, I am the Hydro Archon!"
Arlecchino smiled faintly, but her mind was working quickly.
This risk had been worth it. It proved Furina was not simple.
But was it truly her power? Or someone else's protection? Neuvillette wasn't present today…
Her gaze flickered briefly toward Liu Yuan's direction.
Either way, one thing was clear. Furina knew something important about the Prophecy.
Her fingers brushed against the ice crystal dangling from her bracelet beneath the table as she considered her next move.
Should I probe her again? The protection of Her Majesty should be enough for me to escape… right?
.
.
.
_