Looking at Arlecchino, who had a faint smile on her lips, Lumine's expression gradually turned serious.
As the adventurer who most frequently dealt with the Fatui on Teyvat, Lumine, of course, knew how dangerous the woman in front of her was.
The Fatui's top three Harbingers possessed the power to confront Gods directly, so if Arlecchino, the Fourth Seat, wanted to do something to her here...
She truly couldn't resist.
Looking at Arlecchino, who still had a polite smile on her lips, Lumine frowned and said loudly:
"The Knave, this isn't part of our deal!"
Under the pouring rain, Lumine's voice was almost completely drowned out by the pattering rain; most people could only see her mouth moving but couldn't hear her voice.
However, Arlecchino, who came from the House of the Hearth, didn't find this to be a difficult matter.
Her black eyes with blood-red markings playfully watched the wary young girl in front of her, and she said with a light chuckle:
"This is indeed not part of our deal, but rather my 'gratitude.'"
Arlecchino didn't open her mouth; her voice seemed to directly enter Lumine's mind, lingering in her ears.
"Gratitude?"
Lumine slightly frowned, seemingly not understanding what Arlecchino was talking about.
Her relationship with the Fatui was limited to the Vanguard Tartaglia and the three children from the House of the Hearth; the rest were basically hostile relationships.
Even her cooperation with Tartaglia and the three children was for mutual benefit, and had nothing to do with 'gratitude.'
"What is she... planning now?"
Lumine was momentarily confused about Arlecchino's true intentions.
Seemingly understanding the source of Lumine's wariness, Arlecchino shook her head and continued:
"Last time in Meropide, you helped the children of the House of the Hearth. As their Father, I should express my thanks to you."
Hearing this, Lumine was momentarily stunned.
Wait? Did I hear that right?
The Fourth Seat of the Fatui wants to express her thanks to me?
Huh?
If Lumine had something like a chat bubble above her head right now... a big question mark should have appeared above her head.
Looking at Lumine, who was shocked and a little incredulous, Arlecchino smiled and shook her head.
"Never mind, let's just consider it small talk. I want to ask you first..."
"What do you think of these three in Palais Mermonia—oh, that is, Furina, Neuvillette, and Yuto? How do you feel about them?"
Hearing Arlecchino's seemingly nonsensical question, Lumine's brow furrowed slightly, as if she was thinking, or perhaps hesitating whether to tell the truth.
"You are outside of the conflict, the most free and mobile person in all of Fontaine. Let me tell you what kind of people these three are from my perspective."
After saying that, Arlecchino paused slightly, then shrugged and said:
"Consider it my 'information exchange.'"
"Furina is more like a celebrity than a God... When I arrived in Fontaine a few days ago... I tested her."
"Hehe... Although this kind of 'test' similar to 'assassination' doesn't fit my style of doing things, it was indeed the most efficient method."
"When Furina was attacked by me, I read true fear in her eyes; she was very afraid of her own death."
"That night, I clearly perceived that the god's heart was not on her, and... she carried some kind of curse."
At this point, Arlecchino paused slightly, a helpless smile appearing on her face.
"Originally, I thought... the informants I had placed in Palais Mermonia wouldn't be discovered,
But when I went to inquire about the news, I found that they had already been eliminated by the Chief Justice."
"And... since that day, the taxes paid by Northland Bank to Palais Mermonia have been increased by 8%."
Arlecchino shook her head helplessly, then continued:
"However, her reaction that night and the fact that I can now stand before the two of you are enough to prove my point."
"At that time, I even suspected... that Assistant Administrator Yuto or Chief Justice Neuvillette was the Water God, but after meeting them a few times recently, I found that they both have shortcomings."
"Neuvillette... he lacks a basic understanding of emotions, which is completely contrary to the definition of a Demon God."
"As for Yuto... he is too gentle, and his power is somewhat weak. An Immortal Spirit Holder of unknown race, who doesn't even use water element power, is naturally not the Water God."
"I follow the Ice Queen and know what a God should be like, and they... truly don't resemble a God."
At this point, Arlecchino paused slightly, then spoke:
"Alright, that's my 'information exchange.' If you have any other opinions... I think we can still talk."
With that, Arlecchino turned around quite decisively, and that snow-white shadow slowly disappeared into the rain curtain.
Lumine watched the gradually receding figure, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.
She had to admit that Arlecchino's words made sense, and they also brought up some of her previous conjectures about Furina.
"However... if 'flamboyance' is the inherent personality a God should have, then all those previous conjectures make sense."
"Moreover, the person who just said this was from the Fatui. What does she want to do? Is it to make me feel rebellious and question the God?"
Lumine frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought.
...
On a nearby hillside, Arlecchino still stood quietly, holding her black umbrella.
Her black eyes with scarlet markings seemed to be able to see through the dense rain curtain, as if she could see the golden-haired girl deep in thought.
Whoosh—
As a swift wind blew, a 'Wind Servant' suddenly appeared out of thin air beside Arlecchino.
"Father, the matter that Miss Columbina assigned—"
Before the Wind Servant could finish speaking, Arlecchino gently waved her hand, signaling her not to continue.
The Wind Servant, seeing this, quickly lowered her head, as if awaiting punishment from Arlecchino.
"Tell Columbina that I have always kept her assigned matter in mind, but... as of now, I cannot see a single characteristic related to an Immortal Spirit on him."
"I will do this, but not now."
With that, Arlecchino slightly closed her eyes, seemingly contemplating something, and after a long while, she slowly said:
"Go, that's all."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing Arlecchino dismiss her, the Wind Servant immediately transformed into a cyan stream of light and disappeared into the rain curtain.
Arlecchino, meanwhile, turned her head slightly and looked in the direction of Palais Mermonia, muttering softly:
"Immortal Spirit... Is this why you haven't obtained a Vision for four hundred years?"
After saying this, Arlecchino immediately shook her head, as if denying her own thoughts.
"Never mind, the information is not sufficient yet. I will discuss this matter once I have the necessary information."
With that, Arlecchino's figure also disappeared into the rain curtain, only the slightly concave grass on the hillside indicating her previous presence.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"