After everything concluded, everyone planned to stay in Fontaine for a while.
“Paimon: I heard there’s a strange rumor going around Poisson lately.”
“Lumine: Are you going to the newspaper stands in Fontaine to read mystery novels again?”
“Qixuan: That’s so Paimon.”
“Paimon: Oh, this isn’t a novel this time, it’s real! Charlotte told me.”
“Lumine: What rumor?”
“Paimon: Ahem!”
Paimon’s tone suddenly changed, and he tried to sound spooky as he said, “I heard that every night, someone sees a child running around somewhere, and when someone goes to check… they find out… it’s not a person at all!”
“Lumine: …………”
“Qixuan: Hmm… that’s interesting.”
“Paimon: Hey, hey! What kind of reaction is that from you two! Shouldn’t you be startled?”
“Lumine: What if you couldn’t eat delicious food every day?”
“Paimon: Whoa, I don’t want that, I don’t want that, that’s too scary.”
“Qixuan: Hahaha, but since Paimon said so, let’s go take a look. (Hmm… it must be Clervie.)”
“Paimon: Hehe, alright, Ghost-Hunting Squad, let’s go!”
“Lumine: The Hall Master should really like it.”
………………
Poisson…………
“Paimon: Eh? Is that? Lyney.”
“Lumine: It really is Lyney.”
“Paimon: Lyney! Over here.”
Lyney saw Paimon and them and hurried over.
“Lyney: What a surprise, you actually came to Poisson.”
“Paimon: We’re the ones who are surprised! Why are you in Poisson?”
“Qixuan: He’s probably helping The Knave with something.”
“Lyney: Uh… pretty much, hehe, we ran into a small problem, and Father temporarily settled us in Poisson.”
“Paimon: Are Lynette and Freminet here too?”
“Lyney: Yes, almost half of the House of the Hearth has moved here. You must have noticed, right? There are a lot more people in Poisson.”
“Paimon: So many people moving to Poisson doesn’t look like a ‘small problem.’ What exactly happened?”
“Lyney: Well…”
Just then, The Knave’s voice came from behind Paimon, soft and unannounced.
“Arlecchino: If you are curious, I can answer your questions.”
“Paimon: Whoa—you scared me!”
“Lyney: Father, you’re here.”
“Paimon: Um… we didn’t mean to pry into the House of the Hearth’s affairs, it’s just…”
“Qixuan: Alright, alright, Paimon, don’t be so nervous. The Knave won’t eat you.”
“Paimon: Uh…”
“Arlecchino: Heh heh, Miss Qixuan is right, no need to be nervous. I can sense your concern, and I understand that with so many Fatui moving into town, it’s hard not to suspect ‘ulterior motives.’”
“Lumine: I think you’re different from the other Fatui Harbingers.”
“Arlecchino: Oh?”
“Lumine: La Signora was too arrogant, Childe plotted against us, Balladeer… uh, let’s not mention him, and Dottore is the one we detest the most.”
“Arlecchino: Heh, it seems your views on the Harbingers are quite unique. However… you are right about one thing: Dottore is indeed very annoying. Of course, for friends with whom we have cooperated closely, the House of the Hearth is willing to show more sincerity.”
“In this matter, we truly have no hidden secrets. Frankly speaking, ‘everything originated from a rumor within the House of the Hearth, it’s our internal affair.’”
“Paimon: Hmm… what kind of rumor?”
“Arlecchino: Within the House of the Hearth… there is an ‘non-existent child.’”
Lumine and Paimon shivered.
“Lumine: Did Paimon actually get it right? Is there a ghost?”
“Qixuan: You’ve fought Gods, and you’re afraid of this?”
“Lumine: It seems… you’re right.”
“Paimon: Hmm… ugh, it still sounds a bit scary. I didn’t expect what Charlotte told me to be true. I just thought it was a ghost story at the time.”
“Arlecchino: A soul that should no longer exist, wandering in the shadows of the House of the Hearth. So I brought the children to Poisson first, and then I’ll slowly investigate. I expect to find it very soon, and then I’ll just dispose of it. It won’t cause any trouble.”
“Qixuan: Maybe this soul doesn’t want to leave.”
“Arlecchino: Hmm… well, if you are curious, or have any lingering concerns, you are welcome to stay here for a few more days. The children will surely be happy to have guests.”
“Lyney, the task of entertaining the guests is yours. I still have some things to do, so I’ll be going now.”
“Lyney: Alright, Father.”
The Knave left.
“Paimon: So much pressure.”
“Lumine: It’s alright (Lumine, who has undergone elbow strike training).”
“Lyney: Hehe, your reputation is quite well-known in the House of the Hearth too, especially after the prophecy of the crisis. Many people are talking about you. If you don’t mind, why don’t you stay and chat?”
“Paimon: Alright, we don’t have anything else to do anyway. We can also investigate the situation with the ‘non-existent child.’ We’re very curious too, but can we fill our stomachs first, hehe.”
“Lyney: Haha, of course. We’re staying here, and we help the people here go fishing every day. We get a lot of catch every day. I’ll cook personally. Let’s go, and I’ll introduce you to the members of the House of the Hearth.”
“Paimon: Okay!”
………………
“Lyney: It’s right here.”
In the distance, there were many children, and on the other side, adults were organizing items.
“Shapoor: Lyney, you’re finally here. Today’s supplies…”
Shapoor suddenly froze, as if he had seen something incredible.
“Lyney: Huh? What’s wrong? Are you stunned?”
“Shapoor: Traveler! Paimon! And the white-haired immortal who can defeat a God with one punch!”
“Qixuan: What? Why does Focalors say everything? (I’ll be embarrassed.)”
“Foltz: It’s true!”
“Eloise: Everyone, come quickly, the heroes who saved Fontaine are here!”
The crowd swarmed forward.
“Lyney: Hey, hey, don’t crowd around so much.”
“Paimon: It’s okay. Are we that famous? Hehe.”
“Foltz: Of course! Father and Brother Lyney often mention you!”
“Eloise: I also heard that this white-haired big sister can smash a mountain with one punch!”
“Foltz: Sister Lumine can too!”
“Qixuan: …………”
“Lumine: …………”
“Paimon: What about me? What about me?”
“Eloise: As for Paimon, he can eat all the food in Fontaine!”
“Foltz: Paimon is definitely the eating champion of Fontaine.”
“Paimon: Wait a minute! Why isn’t my legend cool at all?!”
Seeing that Paimon was a bit unhappy, these children immediately took out things like poison, assassination, and stealth, wanting to teach them to Paimon and them, saying they were gifts.
“Lyney: Oh, alright, Foltz, Eloise, the most important thing about entertaining guests is sincerity. Your enthusiasm has already been conveyed. You don’t need to give tangible gifts to make guests happy. If you keep bothering them, they might get annoyed.”
“Foltz: Alright then, if you need anything, just tell us anytime!”
“Lyney: Alright, go play.”
“Eloise: Okay, goodbye Brother Lyney.”
“Lyney: Goodbye.”
………………
