Chapter 169. Talk and Divination
The Knave Arlecchino appeared with two Electro Cicin Mages.
"What a coincidence, I didn't expect us to meet here."
Arlecchino appeared with a smile.
"Hey, hey, hey, no matter how you look at it, you guys didn't just 'happen' to come by, did you?"
Even Paimon could tell that Arlecchino clearly hadn't just 'happened' to come by.
How could it be such a coincidence! Just when they were about to eat! She just happened to show up! They must be trying to freeload!
The clever Paimon felt she had seen through everything; this Fatui Harbinger named The Knave must be trying to freeload.
Twice she appeared, both times at mealtime; who would believe she wasn't trying to freeload!
"Is there something you need?"
Futsu Mitama was very calm, because he had already sensed a scrutinizing gaze back in Liyue Harbor.
He knew that in Liyue Harbor, the only faction that would monitor him was the Fatui. Liyue officials were aware of his existence and wouldn't be foolish enough to monitor him.
Tartaglia hadn't come to monitor him again since the incident in The Chasm.
So, from the moment he left the city, Futsu Mitama knew he was being watched by Arlecchino.
However, he didn't mind. Besides his confidence in his strength, Futsu Mitama also wanted to learn more about Fontaine through Arlecchino.
"Can we talk while we eat? I haven't had lunch."
Arlecchino asked with a light laugh, but she remained in place, showing no disrespect.
Although Futsu Mitama showed no hostility, Arlecchino still held him in great respect.
Because he was an existence who had reached the Demon God Realm as a human. That guy Dottore had suffered a great loss at Futsu Mitama's hands.
Arlecchino believed that even if she gained the Tsaritsa's authority and had a short burst of power, she could contend with an Archon.
But contending with an Archon didn't mean having the capital to defeat an Archon, and Futsu Mitama had solid battle achievements.
Scaramouche, who reached the Demon God Realm, and Dottore, who had been in the Demon God Realm for many years—these were all Futsu Mitama's achievements.
Coupled with his identity as the next Electro Archon and her needing something from him, Arlecchino maintained a very proper attitude, not daring to show much disrespect.
"I can't make that decision."
Futsu Mitama neither agreed nor refused. He turned his gaze to Lumine and said.
"Let Lumine decide whether you sit down and eat."
Futsu Mitama gave the choice to Lumine, because no matter what, she was the one who took on the Wangshu Inn's quest.
Although the owner and shopkeeper of Wangshu Inn were hosting him, Futsu Mitama kept his identity in check.
If this were Inazuma, Futsu Mitama would make the decision himself whether to let Arlecchino sit down and eat with them.
But for now, he'd let Lumine worry about it.
"I choose?"
Lumine's mouth fell open, her expression quite shocked. She clearly hadn't expected Futsu Mitama to throw the choice to her.
As a Traveler who had traversed multiple worlds and experienced many things, Lumine quickly calmed down after her initial shock.
Lumine looked at Arlecchino, who was standing to the side. She brainstormed briefly and finally nodded, saying.
"Okay, no problem."
"Thank you." Arlecchino revealed an even brighter smile. She nodded to Lumine with gratitude, and her impression of her improved significantly.
Just as the intelligence reports said, this Lumine was truly warm-hearted. Although she was a blood relative of the Abyss Order's "Prince."
But people are different, and this Lumine didn't form a bad impression of her because of the Fatui.
Therefore, she naturally wouldn't be hostile towards her because of this "small matter."
The two Electro Cicin Mages also quickly brought a chair so that The Knave could sit down.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Arlecchino sat next to Futsu Mitama.
—
"Before we eat, let me reintroduce myself again."
Arlecchino knew that time was precious. She looked at Futsu Mitama and Lumine and continued.
"My name is Arlecchino, a Fatui Harbinger from Snezhnaya. I came to Liyue for a certain matter. As for what it is, I cannot say for now, but you should know about it afterwards."
"The specific information I can reveal concerns Rex Lapis."
Here, Arlecchino's gaze turned to Futsu Mitama. She felt that at Futsu Mitama's level, he should know some inside information.
But Futsu Mitama remained very calm, showing no emotional fluctuations.
Conversely, a glimmer of light flashed in Lumine's eyes, because she had already suspected that Arlecchino was here for a specific matter.
Then, her visit to Zhongli was probably not because of his identity as a Wangshu Funeral Parlor Consultant, but because of his other identity, Geo Archon Morax.
"Wait!"
But at this moment, Mona also realized something. She stared at Arlecchino and said.
"Yesterday, you specifically came over, was it also because—"
"Yes." Arlecchino smiled, looking at Mona and slowly saying. "As an Astrologist, even without using astrology, your intuition is truly powerful."
Mona's expression changed slightly, because with just one sentence from Arlecchino, she roughly understood why the other party had been present at dinner yesterday.
It turned out she was there for Rex Lapis.
"What? What are you talking about?"
Paimon was utterly confused, completely unaware of what was happening.
What are you two discussing? Why do you keep being so cryptic????
"Get to the point."
Futsu Mitama said. He was also quite curious as to why Arlecchino had specifically come to find them.
But that didn't mean he wanted to hear idle talk. If they continued chatting like this, Arlecchino wouldn't get to any important points.
Moreover, a whole night had passed since yesterday, which was enough time for Arlecchino to finish her conversation with Zhongli.
Arlecchino certainly couldn't reveal the specific details, because doing so would mean breaking a contract.
So he decisively interrupted the conversation, telling Arlecchino to get to the point.
"My apologies." Arlecchino also knew this. She looked at Futsu Mitama and Lumine and said. "Actually, the topic goes back to the Fontaine's Prophecy I mentioned yesterday."
"Fontaine's situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. I implore you to lend Fontaine a hand."
Arlecchino said this, then stood up again and bowed to Futsu Mitama, Lumine, Mona, and Paimon.
This caused the two Electro Cicin Mages' faces to change drastically. They even wanted to speak up, asking,
Lady Knave, with your esteemed status, why would you bow to these people?
Well, actually, bowing to Futsu Mitama was fine, because even if he was detestable, he was still the next Electro Archon of Inazuma.
But what were the identities and statuses of the other three? A blonde Lumine from who-knows-where, an unknown flying object, and an Astrologist with some ability.
By what right could they receive such a bow?
"Ah?! You?!"
Paimon was also shocked, because the Fatui Harbingers she had encountered and seen never had such an attitude.
Like Tartaglia, although he seemed kind and easy to talk to, Paimon felt he was always harboring some ill intentions.
As for La Signora, no need to mention her; that woman was a madwoman. Even now, Paimon couldn't understand her actions and style.
Scaramouche, he was toyed with by the Fatui his entire life, true, but his crimes and his malicious personality made people uncomfortable.
Dottore… no need to say it, a pure villain!!! The kind that's evil to the core!!!
But Arlecchino's bow completely bewildered Paimon. It was the first time she had seen such a polite Fatui Harbinger.
This was completely different from her previous understanding.
Futsu Mitama and Lumine were also quite surprised, not expecting Arlecchino to make such a gesture.
Mona, however, said cautiously.
"What do you mean by this? Are you trying to morally blackmail us?"
Although Mona was still new to the world, she had heard many stories from the Old Hag, such as how even if others were miserable, she could not use Astrology to change their fate.
Changing fate for a moment of satisfaction would lead to abandonment by the starry sky, and the unseen karma and retribution were more than she could bear.
For this, the Old Hag also told several stories she had witnessed firsthand: there were once several Astrologists who thought they had seen the future and believed they could change tragedies.
In the end, after all their calculations, they ultimately caused even greater disasters and trapped themselves in the process.
Therefore, when Mona saw Arlecchino's attitude, she immediately became wary, indicating that she would not be morally blackmailed by the other party.
"No, it's not moral blackmail, but a sincere plea."
Arlecchino looked at everyone, she sat down again and said seriously.
"Fontaine's Prophecy, I have confirmed it through Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and Rex Lapis. That is, the prophecy cannot be changed; Fontaine will be submerged by water, and all Fontainians will be dissolved in the sea."
As a true Fontainian, Arlecchino recounted everything about Fontaine's Prophecy and the current crisis of rising water levels in Fontaine.
According to the intelligence gathered by her "children." Fontaine's Prophecy would come true within five years.
While Arlecchino was speaking, one gourmet food after another prepared by Yan Xiao was served.
Futsu Mitama and the others, who had been hungry for a long time, had already started eating the gourmet food.
Arlecchino, however, did not touch her chopsticks; she continued to talk about information regarding Fontaine, and at the same time, she also revealed the attitudes of Her Majesty and the Geo Archon towards the prophecy.
That is, the prophecy cannot be changed; even Archons cannot prevent the prophecy from happening.
"…"
Mona's expression changed slightly upon hearing this; she put down her chopsticks and temporarily stopped eating the gourmet food.
"What's wrong?"
Paimon, who was busy eating, was a bit confused when she saw Mona put down her chopsticks, not understanding why she wasn't continuing to eat.
Although Paimon was quite wary of Arlecchino, the other party's eloquence was indeed excellent!
The Fontaine's Prophecy crisis and the personal intelligence she gathered were like telling a story, which whetted Paimon's appetite!
Of course, it could also be that the gourmet food made by Yan Xiao was too delicious; Paimon simply couldn't stop eating.
"Although I don't want to divine, to be honest… I'm interested."
Mona had originally planned to help Arlecchino, but the things the other party said—
All made Mona want to explore Fontaine's future; simply put, she felt an itch to predict the future.
"Useless."
Arlecchino shook her head, indicating that Mona's efforts would be futile.
This made Mona a bit unhappy.
How could she speak like that?! She was the greatest Astrologist!!! The one acknowledged by the Old Hag!
She could divine ninety-five percent of the events on the continent of Teyvat.
Otherwise, the Old Hag would not have let her out.
"No offense."
Arlecchino seemed to notice Mona's displeasure; she slowly explained.
"To foresee the future using divination, I also have my own connections. She might not be as excellent as you, but she won't be too far off."
Yes, Arlecchino felt that Mona definitely wouldn't be able to divine anything; although she was very good, it was too difficult for her to peek into the future without having entered the Demon God Realm.
But Mona also had her pride; provoked by Arlecchino like this, she immediately extended her hand, and a water mirror appeared in her palm.
Not only for her own curiosity, but also to uphold the dignity of an Astrologist, she had to prove it to the other party!
"Fate! Manifest here!"
Mona said very seriously, using her power to see what the starry sky foretold for Fontaine's future.
Futsu Mitama, Lumine, Paimon, and Arlecchino watched Mona from the side.
"This?! What is this?!!!!"
But Mona's face changed drastically; she seemed to have seen some terrifying creature, her small face turning pale, and at the same time, the water mirror in her hand shattered.
Yes, the water mirror Mona had condensed with her elemental power began to crack, as if it would completely shatter in the next second.
"Hmm?!"
Futsu Mitama was more perceptive; he looked at the Hydro Vision on Mona's back and noticed that her originally sparkling Vision had now become dim.
It was as if the Vision was affected, which made Futsu Mitama's expression a little surprised.
It should be known that a Vision is Teyvat's external elemental magic organ, used to channel elemental power.
Now that her Vision had become so dim, had Mona divined something terrifying that caused her Vision to be affected?!
Lumine also realized this, and her expression changed slightly.
"Pardon me!"
Futsu Mitama said, placing his hand on Mona's shoulder; although he didn't know what Mona had seen.
But he had never seen a Vision go from sparkling to so dim, so he decisively acted, wanting to protect Mona with his own power and also see the world through her eyes.
"Buzz—!"
Dendro elemental power surged from Futsu Mitama, and mental power flowed out from him, linking with Mona's mind.
Lumine also placed her hand on Mona, using her unique perception to link with Mona's mind.
The next second, both Futsu Mitama and Lumine saw a Vision: a colossal Whale moving slowly in the boundless ocean.
Its size was so immense that Futsu Mitama felt that even the Primo Geovishap and Beisht he had seen before were not as large.
Perhaps only the sealed Azhdaha could surpass it in size.
But the entity Mona saw was not just the Whale; there was also a shadowy figure emanating immense pressure, watching them.
Futsu Mitama looked at this shadowy figure and immediately realized that the reason Mona's Vision had become so dim was because of him.
"Who are you? Why do you use her power to peek at me?"
The shadowy figure spoke; he seemed to realize something, and his silver eyes, unlike those of a human, looked towards Mona.
No, not at Mona, but at Futsu Mitama through Mona.
Futsu Mitama also wanted to say something, but the link was interrupted the next second, and his consciousness was forcibly repelled.
Back in reality, Mona had rolled her eyes and collapsed onto the table, clearly having lost consciousness.