Player World.
After Lumine and Paimon escorted Fidelle home, the quest concerning her, Unceasing Thunder, came to an end.
When the Quest Complete notification flashed across the game screen, players erupted in joyous celebration.
[ "Finished! This game quest is finally over!" ]
[ "Nice! I've been worried sick until this was resolved." ]
[ "Fidelle survived! Yay!" ]
[ "I can't even imagine how devastated Furina and Focalors would have been if Fidelle had left again!" ]
[ "Mihoyo, I won't scold you this time." ]
[ "This is fantastic! I love these heartwarming stories. Games need these sweet moments to heal us..." ]
This marked the first time a Pure Soul had survived, signaling Teyvat's first successful resistance against the Abyss!
Previously, players had almost resigned themselves to the fate that every Pure Soul in each nation would be killed by the Abyss. This unexpected outcome shattered their expectations, making its significance undeniable.
The survival of one Pure Soul suggested that their fates weren't predetermined by the plot. Could Angie and Ishkab, the remaining Pure Souls, also be spared?
In any case, this success fueled greater anticipation for the future.
Carrying this anticipation into Natlan, players would soon discover that... well, Mihoyo still deserved a good scolding.
-
Fontaine.
Two days later, Fidelle went out to shop for ingredients.
Today, she planned to purchase some Liyue ingredients, as there were now two Lady Fufus at home to care for.
Under Lady Furina's influence, Lady Focalors had also developed a fondness for small cakes.
And because Fidelle's small cakes were so delicious, their daily portions were often insufficient.
Eating too many small cakes wasn't good for their health, so it was essential to supplement them with other ingredients for a balanced diet.
Fortunately, Fidelle had obtained several recipes from other nations from Lumine, so she decided to prepare a Liyue meal today.
Arriving at Fontaine's specialized ingredient market, Fidelle purchased several large bags of ingredients. As she left, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following her.
Ignoring it, she walked to a less crowded area, set the bags down, and turned around.
Behind a corner of a slate building, Freminet leaned against the wall, carefully concealing himself.
When he felt enough time had passed, he cautiously peeked out.
Only several large bags of ingredients remained where Fidelle had stood moments before. Fidelle herself had vanished without a trace.
Freminet's wariness surged to its peak. Sensing something amiss behind him, he whipped around.
Fidelle stood with one hand braced against the wall, her sharp gaze fixed on Freminet.
"Why are you following me?"
"Uh... I..."
Caught red-handed, Freminet's discomfort was palpable, his expression stiff and unnatural as he lowered his head slightly.
Fidelle: "If I remember correctly, this isn't the first time you've tailed me, is it? You're from the House of the Hearth too, aren't you? Lyney and Lynette seem to be quite close to you... So tell me, why are you following me?"
If she hadn't sensed Freminet harbored no malice, Fidelle wouldn't have been so accommodating.
"..."
As Freminet remained silent, Lyney and Lynette rushed over. Seeing Fidelle cornering Freminet against the wall, Lyney's heart clenched.
"Freminet!"
Lyney first checked Freminet for injuries before turning to Fidelle. "My apologies, Lady Fidelle. Freminet meant no harm... Freminet, tell her quickly! Why were you following Lady Fidelle?"
Fidelle wasn't typically gentle with anyone but Furina. As Furina's bodyguard and protector, maintaining a dignified and authoritative presence was essential for her role.
In Lyney and Lynette's minds, Fidelle had never seemed particularly approachable, despite their never having interacted with her directly.
Freminet hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
"I... I feel like you're very warm and familiar. In my memories, I had a sister. I think you..."
Freminet didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear enough.
Lyney and Lynette exchanged astonished glances with Fidelle before turning back to Freminet.
He's been keeping this hidden all along? they wondered. He's never mentioned having a sister before, only that Fidelle felt familiar.
Freminet: "I've always remembered that I had a sister, but she probably doesn't remember having a younger brother..."
Fidelle: "..."
A younger brother?
This persona had been wandering Fontaine since its consciousness awakened, raised on the kindness of strangers. Even Jiang Mumu didn't know about this younger brother.
Hmm... wait, just because he claims it doesn't make it true.
Fidelle: "I'm an orphan. I don't have a brother."
"My instincts are usually spot-on. I'm not lying—I genuinely feel you're my sister," Freminet insisted urgently, eager to explain himself.
If he hadn't truly felt that Fidelle was his sister, he would never have followed her so many times. He, Freminet, wasn't some kind of creep.
"..."
Fidelle fell silent, having instantly discerned Freminet's character. Someone like him wouldn't lie; if he did, he'd show obvious signs of discomfort.
"I... I'll investigate this thoroughly," she said.
Fidelle took the matter seriously. Having grown up an orphan, her longing for family bonds far surpassed that of ordinary people. If she really did have a younger brother...
"Really? How will you investigate? Can I help?" Freminet's eyes lit up, his voice tinged with urgency.
"I'll let you know if I need your help. For now, go home. Next time, just tell me directly—don't stalk girls like this," Fidelle said sternly. Though she wasn't yet sure if Freminet was her brother, that didn't stop her from scolding him.
"Understood," Freminet murmured obediently, lowering his head.
Fidelle gave him one last deep look before returning to the roadside, picking up the groceries she had bought earlier, and leaving the trio.
After Fidelle left, Lyney turned to Freminet with a helpless look.
"Why didn't you consult us first?"
"I just happened to run into her. There wasn't time..."
Lynette: "It's a good thing Fidelle is a kind person who doesn't mind such things."
Lyney: "Speaking of which, Freminet, do you really think Fidelle is your sister?"
Freminet: "Lyney, if you ran into Lynette on the street, wouldn't you feel the same way?"
Lyney: "..."
The analogy wasn't quite right. He and Lynette were already siblings—twins, in fact. Of course they'd recognize each other on the street.
"Alright, let's head back for now. Since Lady Fidelle said she'll investigate, we just need to wait for news."