That afternoon, in the reception hall of Palais Mermonia, Furina, Neuvillette, and Arlecchino sat around a table, engaged in casual conversation.
After serving the final dish, Fidelle stood behind Furina.
"Miss Fidelle, won't you join us? You prepared all this, and it would be far less enjoyable without your company," Arlecchino said, crossing her legs and resting her clasped hands on her thigh.
Furina chimed in, "Exactly! Fidelle, please sit down."
"As you wish."
Arlecchino didn't immediately get to the point, instead praising the dishes on the table.
"I've long heard of Miss Fidelle, the Hydro Archon's guardian, whose culinary skills surpass even those of Hotel Debord's current head chef. The rumors were indeed true."
Neuvillette, unwilling to prolong the small talk, cut straight to the point.
"You're here about Childe, aren't you?"
Arlecchino smiled. "It seems the ever-busy Chief Justice Neuvillette dislikes idle chatter and prefers to cut to the chase."
"While my visit is indeed related to Childe, he is not the sole reason for my presence here."
Arlecchino proposed to Neuvillette and Furina that she participate in the Childe case as his "proxy." Neuvillette refused, citing that the trial had already concluded.
Faced with Neuvillette's refusal, Arlecchino retreated slightly, requesting confirmation of Childe's current condition.
Neuvillette explained that the Fortress of Meropide operated under a high degree of autonomy, making it difficult even for him to intervene. However, if "The Knave" insisted on verifying Childe's status, he could propose a solution.
His proposal was to send someone into the Fortress of Meropide to investigate Childe's condition and then report back to Arlecchino.
Arlecchino wasn't satisfied with this arrangement but ultimately accepted the proposal.
"Since this is the final concession the Chief Justice is willing to make, I will accept it. Let us wait for the report before discussing this further."
Furina: "You mentioned you came for more than just Childe. What's your other purpose?"
Arlecchino: "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Lady Furina. We still lack sufficient evidence regarding that matter, so we'll need to wait for the report to be released before discussing it further."
"In that case," Neuvillette said, "this meeting can now conclude."
"Thank you for Miss Fidelle's generosity," Arlecchino replied. "It's rare to encounter such a lavish feast. Naturally, I'll enjoy it to the fullest before departing."
A dozen minutes later, Arlecchino excused herself and left. Neuvillette also rose to attend to his duties, leaving only Furina still nibbling on the petit cakes on her plate.
Seated at the same table as the Knave, Furina had been unable to truly relax and indulge, even with Neuvillette and Fidelle present. Now that Arlecchino and Neuvillette were gone, the entire spread of delicacies was hers alone—no one to compete with.
Just as Furina prepared to slice a second petit cake, Fidelle suddenly appeared behind her, her voice taking on an eerie tone.
"Lady Furina, you've already exceeded your quota for petit cakes today. Consuming excessive sugar will negatively impact your health."
Furina's small hand paused mid-slice. Yet she still sliced the cake onto her plate. Turning around, she gazed at Fidelle with her large, sparkling eyes, blinking innocently.
Fidelle's heart felt like it had been struck, softening completely in that instant.
"L-Lady Furina, just... one more piece..."
-
Meanwhile, Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi traveled to Poisson, where they stayed as guests for several days.
They tried Navia's macarons, Paimon bought the newly published detective novel, and Chu Xi obtained several large bottles of her "black beverage"—as she preferred to call her skincare solution.
One day, the trio visited the Spina di Rosula headquarters in Fontaine, where they encountered an official from the Fontaine authorities.
The official relayed a request from Neuvillette, asking Lumine and her companions to meet him at Palais Mermonia.
Thus, the three arrived at Neuvillette's office.
Neuvillette explained the current situation: "Childe" had mysteriously disappeared within the Fortress of Meropide, and the Fatui were pressuring him for answers.
Knowing that "Childe" and the Traveler were friends, and considering the highly peculiar circumstances of his disappearance, Neuvillette believed Lumine and Paimon might uncover unique clues. He asked for their assistance.
Of course, this wouldn't be unpaid work. Neuvillette promised them compensation commensurate with Fontaine's highest-ranking civil servants.
Upon noticing Chu Xi with them, Neuvillette amended his request, asking all three for help.
Sensing that "Childe's" Hydro Vision was still within her dimensional space, Lumine agreed.
Before heading to the Fortress of Meropide, Paimon insisted on visiting Hotel Debord to stock up on her "treasures."
As the little companion put it, no matter how tough things got, one couldn't let their stomach suffer.
-
Next, Neuvillette explained the situation at the Fortress of Meropide to Lumine and her companions.
Duke Wriothesley was the supreme leader of the Fortress of Meropide, and it was best to avoid direct conflict with him.
Neuvillette would arrange for them to be charged with minor offenses, ensuring they could gain entry to the Fortress of Meropide without facing overly severe consequences.
Once they were ready, Neuvillette personally escorted them to the rear of the Opera House, from where they could access the Fortress of Meropide.
"Traveler, Paimon, Miss Chu Xi," Neuvillette said. "I will await good news from you here."
Paimon leaned in close to Lumine's ear. "Lumine, even though we aren't wanted in Fontaine, it's like we're running into prison ourselves! Hehe, now we're wanted criminals in five nations!"
Lumine stared at Paimon, speechless, wondering what the little creature was so proud of.
-
After Lumine and her companions entered the Fortress of Meropide, at Palais Mermonia.
Fidelle calculated the timing; it was around the same time that the Primordial Sea had leaked into the Fortress of Meropide that a similar incident had occurred in Poisson.
Thanks to Neuvillette's seal beneath the Fortress of Meropide, the impact there had been minimal. But Poisson was a different story.
The suddenness of the event, combined with the lack of awareness, had led to catastrophic casualties.
Even Navia's two most trusted aides, Melus and Silver, had also been dissolved because they helped others.
This tragedy immediately thrust Lady Furina into the eye of the storm.
Not only for Lady Furina's sake, but also for Navia and the residents of Poisson, relying on her foreknowledge, she, Fidelle, must get involved.
Unexpected complications might arise. For now, she would stay by Lady Furina's side, cooking delicious meals for her, taking her out for fun, and helping her unwind.
-
Inside the Fortress of Meropide, Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi finally met Duke Wriothesley after navigating a series of procedures.
The ill-tempered guard who had escorted them in underwent a complete 180-degree change in demeanor upon encountering Wriothesley.
Naturally, his attitude problem cost him the promotion he should have received.
Wriothesley proved far less difficult to approach than the trio had anticipated; in fact, he was quite approachable.
He personally guided them on a tour of the Fortress of Meropide's various production zones, preparing them for their upcoming lives within the fortress.