Focalors readily agreed to the same mode.
If "Random Fate" could enhance the enjoyment, why not choose it?
"These are the Fate Check Cards. Draw one whenever you need to make a Skill check," Clorinde said, producing a deck of cards and shuffling them briskly.
Luna thought dice would be more convenient than cards.
After all, the GI TCG used dice—why not just use those?
Cards felt awkward.
But since these cards were standard equipment for the Tabletop Troupe, she saw no need to bring it up.
"Alright, let's begin officially."
"You awaken in a wagon being transported to the fortress."
"'Hey, you're finally awake,' a man says to you. Your minds are still hazy, but as you glance around, you see each other."
"Now, introduce yourselves... I mean, your game characters."
"After all, your character sheets don't specify any relationships between you."
Navia smiled warmly. "My name is Navia, and I'm a magic girl!"
Pfft...
Furina and Focalors couldn't suppress their laughter, but this only made Navia's smile widen.
Games are best when everyone's laughing and having fun! Happiness is what truly matters.
Of course, she hadn't written this identity solely for that reason.
She was quite serious about it. Recent films had featured stories about these so-called "magic girls," and she'd become rather fond of the concept.
Since she couldn't be one in real life, she'd certainly be one in the virtual world!
"Don't laugh! I'm actually quite strong!"
Luna asked curiously, "What's your Charm stat?"
"Uh... 6?"
Such an ugly magic girl!
Navia chuckled. "Aiya, isn't this just trading looks for power? You know, power often comes at a price..."
I'm more afraid of what you'll do with that Charm 6 face, Clorinde thought.
"Alright, your turn to introduce yourselves."
Luna pressed her fingertip against the bridge of her nose, striking a classic detective pose. "My name is Conan. I may be small and my mind... well, it's not the sharpest, but I'm still a perfect detective!"
"Sounds like a detective who only has a face to rely on," Chiori remarked.
"I know you like my face."
"Not interested."
Luna pouted. "Host, I want to use my Charm on Chiori!"
Here we go...
Clorinde sighed inwardly. She had known this would happen. Normally, she could dismiss such a pointless check request outright.
But seeing Furina and Focalors so intrigued, she humored them with a question:
"How do you plan to use it?"
"I'm going to knock her down and make Chiori fall head over heels for me!"
Clorinde nodded. "This script doesn't have a willpower stat. Let's start with a strength contest check."
Chiori grinned. "How could a character who only invested in charm possibly defeat me?"
Draw!
Chiori gripped the card, flipped it over, and stared in disbelief.
1!
"Ah..."
Luna beamed. "Looks like you critically failed! As for me..."
Draw!
Also a 1!
Clorinde: "..."
Navia: "Whoa....."
Chiori and Luna locked eyes for a long moment.
Furina blinked. A critical failure means something even worse will happen, right? What will happen between these two characters now?
Clorinde facepalmed. "Alright... You two suddenly start grappling, but the carriage's jolting throws you off balance, and you both tumble out."
"Though you scramble back in quickly, you still sustain some injuries, losing 1 HP."
"Injured right from the start!" Focalors exclaimed in surprise. "How intriguing!"
"It's all your fault," Chiori muttered.
"Why did you resist?" Luna retorted, annoyed.
"My character isn't familiar with yours. Anyway, I've introduced myself and stated that I'm a ninja."
How concise!
So this is what it's like when you don't have to act, Furina realized, enlightened.
Focalors pressed a hand to her chest. "My name is Focalors. You may have seen me on posters—yes, I am the rising star of this nation, the solo dancer on stage."
"My stage name is... is... Silver Cat!"
She definitely just made that up.
Silver Cat? Why a cat...? Navia wondered.
Finally, it was Furina's turn.
"You're up," Luna whispered.
"Ah... ahem..."
Furina cleared her throat. "I'm Furina. Please be kind to me... Is that okay?"
Luna nodded. "Of course."
"Mm, just be casual! We're all acquaintances here anyway!" Navia encouraged with a smile.
Clorinde, rarely one for smiles, offered a rare hint of one. "Perfect."
"See? It's going well," Chiori remarked.
"Furina... what a lovely name!" Focalors nodded enthusiastically.
Didn't you give her/me that name? Luna and Furina thought in unison.
The Tabletop Troupe officially began, with Clorinde serving as the Host. One heroic and tragic adventure after another unfolded...
Navia raised her hand. "Host, I want to use Persuasion on the bridge!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Roll. If you get a critical success, the bridge will respond."
"20—I got it! What does the bridge say?"
Clorinde: "..."
"Oh no! Miss Focalors failed her theft attempt and got thrown into the tower! Miss Chiori, you're a ninja, right? Can you sneak in?" Navia asked urgently.
"No."
"Huh? Then what can you do?"
"Make tea. So I'll use my sleep-inducing tea on the tower guards."
Clorinde: "....."
"Furina, your attack missed completely, and because you lost your balance, you knocked Luna, who's small, light, and delicate, flying!"
"Ah, I'm so sorry! But I have healing skills! I'll heal Luna!"
Clorinde glanced at the card. "Critical failure. Your hasty healing punch knocks Luna into a deeper coma."
Furina's face paled. "How could this happen?!"
"I want to give Furina one last smile before I pass out..." Luna whispered softly.
"Luna?!"
To be honest, the entire game session had been utter chaos.
First, Navia's persuasive arguments on the bridge. Then, the disastrous jailbreak attempt that devolved into an unspeakably brutal free-for-all.
Script? What script? Is it edible?
Clorinde had revised the plot countless times in her mind, but she could never keep up with their antics.
Normally, when introducing newcomers to a game like this, you'd guide them along the main story arc as much as possible, helping them familiarize themselves with the rules while grasping the game's essence: roleplaying.
Not kicking down doors, getting into brawls, and pulling pranks everywhere.
But these were all acquaintances, so it didn't matter. You couldn't act like this in other groups, though.
Most importantly: Furina and Focalors were having a blast.
That was all that mattered.
Their previous trial of Furina had undoubtedly caused her harm.
This wasn't about making amends, but simply seeing Furina happy was enough. The same went for Focalors.
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.
"It's evening already!" Navia said, stretching.
"We could play a bit longer, but since the dinner we ordered just arrived, let's take a break first," Clorinde suggested.
They cleared the table, set out the gourmet dishes, and paired them with prepared wines and beverages.
Furina's eyes sparkled. "It looks like there are so many delicious treats!"
After a night and an entire afternoon spent playing together, Furina had shed her initial reserve.
Though she still occasionally hesitated, she was gradually integrating into this corner of the world beyond the stage. Luna felt deeply gratified.
Furina needed not only someone to keep her company, but also friends.
"Hmm? Luna, why are you staring at me like that?" Furina asked, her voice muffled by the macaron stuffed in her mouth as she held one dessert in her hand and reached for another.
"It's nothing," Luna replied.
"Oh? Is that so..."
Despite her curiosity, her hands and mouth didn't stop moving.
Furina's expression radiated contentment.
This was undoubtedly the most enjoyable day of her life.
Luna stayed by her side without wandering off, there were endless pastries to indulge in, and they had played such novel and amusing games with everyone.
It really is better to be human!
As this thought crossed her mind, Furina murmured, "But if I hadn't accepted..."
If she hadn't accepted Focalors' request to play the Hydro Archon, she would never have met Luna, let alone experienced this feeling today.
...Fate truly was a tangled web.
Furina couldn't help but glance at Luna. Their eyes met briefly before Furina blushed and quickly looked away.
"I want a drink," she said, raising her glass.
"Alright, go ahead," Navia replied with a smile, picking up the bottle.
Luna's wine was low in alcohol, more like a lightly alcoholic beverage. Even those with a low tolerance could drink it without feeling much of an effect.
At least, that's how it was supposed to be.
Thump! A muffled thud shook the table, and everyone turned to see what had happened.
"Furina?" Luna exclaimed in surprise.
"Ugh..."
Furina's cheeks were flushed crimson, her eyes glazed over with a dreamy haze, her gaze wandering aimlessly. Her swaying, unsteady posture revealed the undeniable truth:
She was drunk!
Chiori gasped in shock. "Just two glasses?"
And small glasses at that! How could she get drunk so easily?
Focalors, who had been about to take a sip, froze at the sight of Furina's condition. After staring at her glass for a few seconds, she reluctantly pushed it back with a grimace.
She couldn't be sure she wouldn't react the same way.
"Feeling unwell?" Luna leaned in to ask.
"Uh... no... actually, I feel completely refreshed now... But enough about that, Luna!" Furina suddenly exclaimed loudly.
Luna jumped slightly, startled. "What is it?"
Furina lowered her head. "I want a head pat..."
"Now?"
"Now!"
That's way too sudden.
To avoid making Furina dizzy, Luna simply raised her hand and gently patted her head a few times.
"Ugh... Honestly, do you even know what your biggest flaw is?" Furina slapped Luna's thigh with force.
She's completely letting loose.
"What is it?" Luna asked gently.
"Making decisions without consulting me! You did it last time, and the time before that too! You never consider my feelings... Even if it's necessary, you should at least tell me beforehand!"
Furina raised her fist and lightly tapped Luna's chest.
"You... you bad cat..."
As if venting pent-up frustrations, Furina repeatedly punched Luna with soft, feeble fists before suddenly falling silent.
"...Don't make me go back to being alone again," she murmured, burying her face in Luna's chest.
"Regretting it now won't change anything..." Her voice trailed off until only soft, even breaths escaped her lips.
She had fallen asleep.
Focalors murmured, "I never imagined Furina would become like this after just two drinks."
"Me neither," Navia replied. "I thought she'd have a normal person's tolerance. So what do we do now? We can't just wake her up and keep going, can we?"
Though she was deeply intrigued by what Furina had just said.
Bad cat?
Why a cat?
Chiori stood up. "What else can we do? Let's call it a night. We've been playing for ages. I bet Clorinde's throat is practically smoking by now."
"Almost," Clorinde said expressionlessly. "Add a little flammable material and it might actually ignite."
"Then why are you still drinking?"
"If I don't, I'll get a headache."
"A headache?" Navia exclaimed in surprise. "Could you be catching a cold? That won't do at all! I'll take you to get checked out right away..."
"There's no need," Clorinde said calmly.
It's simply the Host's fate, she thought.
After a brief conversation and packing their belongings, the group bid farewell to Luna. The room fell silent, leaving only Luna and Furina behind.
"Hmm... It's so quiet..."
A moment later, Furina slowly opened her eyes.
She found herself lying in bed, with Luna sitting beside her, watching over her.
"Everyone's gone home now. How are you feeling? Nauseous? Dizzy?"
"No, just a little lightheaded..."
Furina turned over, still half-asleep.
Luna nodded and prepared to get out of bed, but a weak, gentle hand gripped her wrist, rendering her completely immobile.
"Where are you going?"
"To bring your toiletries. I'll help you brush your teeth and wash your face, then we can just sleep."
Furina's face remained flushed, her consciousness not fully clear.
"No. Stay with me."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I don't believe you."
Furina murmured, "Neither I nor your 'Father' can change your mind, can we? Once you've decided to do something, you'll just go ahead and do it..."
"That's right," Luna replied softly, "and right now I've decided to help you brush your teeth, or you'll get cavities, okay?"
".....No."
This is going to be difficult.
Furina tugged at Luna's hand. "Lie down with me."
"Only if you promise you'll let me brush your teeth and wash your face in a little while."
"Hmm..."
Good enough.
With the agreement settled, Luna lay back down on the bed.
Furina shifted closer, rested her head against Luna's chest, and nuzzled her cheek.
"Every morning when I wake up, I have to look at you, afraid you'll have left behind just a note again, disappearing to do something dangerous..."
Luna wordlessly stroked Furina's hair.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that anymore."
"Huh? Why not?" Furina tilted her head up.
"Because you won't let me."
Furina's eyes widened slightly before she lowered her gaze. "You say that, but you'll probably still..."
She didn't trust Luna's words in the slightest.
Because Luna was always like this.
She would deceive others with lies, then make her own choices and act accordingly.
Even well-intentioned lies were still lies, and countless lies ultimately bred distrust.
"Then will you buy me a collar?"
"...Huh?"
A collar?
Luna tugged down her collar. "To wear around my neck—isn't that the point of a collar? To make others aware that I belong to someone?"
That was true, but wearing a collar felt too demeaning.
Furina shook her head.
"...Then how about leaving a mark on me?"
"A mark?"
Was she suggesting drawing on her with a pen? That felt equally awful.
Luna murmured softly, "You seem to misunderstand. I mean you could leave your mark on me—something that reminds me again and again that I'm being worried over, cherished, bound... by the lovely Lady Furina."
"Invisible shackles have already been placed on me; you just can't see them.
"I'm someone who breaks promises and disappoints others, but no matter what, nothing can erase everything about me. Especially my sins.
"If causing you worry and fear is a sin, then let me never forget it."
Calling it a "sin" was too much.
Furina didn't agree with Luna's sentiment.
But she did want Luna to never forget that when making her choices, she too was affected by Luna's decisions.
The moment she accepted the treasure, her fate became intertwined with it.
Her destiny was now inextricably linked, intertwined, even overlapping with the treasure's path.
Perhaps even death wouldn't sever these intertwined destinies.
But what could she do?
Leave a mark on Luna... Leaving a mark would mean harming her body, wouldn't it?
And the gentlest form of harm would probably be...
Furina still felt somewhat lightheaded, and the moment she reached this conclusion, she didn't think twice.
Under normal circumstances, she would have refused outright. But right now, she only wanted Luna to understand—you and I can never be separated.
This was the price of accepting the supreme treasure.
Warm breath drew closer to her skin, finally settling against her neck. Luna held Furina close, gently stroking her hair to reassure her as she left her mark, leaving her mark.
After a long moment, Furina finally pulled away, her breath coming in short gasps.
"T-this... This should be enough."
She glanced quickly at the red mark on Luna's neck, inexplicably feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.
"No, not yet."
"Eh?!"
Their lips parted, and Luna smiled triumphantly. "That's more like it. I wouldn't let you leave your mark on me for nothing, lovely Lady Furina."
"...You're so cunning."
Luna gently kissed Furina's cheek. "Did you enjoy yourself today?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Then I'm truly delighted. I hope Lady Furina will always be this content, her face radiant with joy. This isn't out of pity for all you've sacrificed, but a genuine wish—"
Furina interjected, "Not a wish, but a goal for you to achieve."
"And I'll strive to make that true for you as well. That's my goal too."
Furina blushed, "Well, we are living together, after all..."
But the next morning...
When Luna returned with breakfast, she found the familiar "Dumpling" curled up on the bed again.
"...What did I even do last night? This is awful! And I can't remember a thing! Isn't alcohol supposed to wipe your memory?" Furina's muffled voice came from beneath the covers.
Looks like she's completely sober now.