Childe: "Ugh, you can't even wait for me to finish speaking? Fine, Northland Bank told me not to lay a hand on clients... but if you're going to make the first move, then I can defend myself."
After Childe's 'self-defense,' all the guild members except Tou Ang 'fell asleep.'
Tou Ang: "Ugh... damn it, who are you, kid? You're way too strong! Northland Bank of Snezhnaya... Could it be you are!"
Childe: "It's meaningless to realize it now. Just remember that Northland Bank is not someone you can afford to offend..."
Just then, Childe's weapon inexplicably vanished.
Childe: "Huh?"
Tou Ang: "Now's my chance!"
Tou Ang took advantage of Childe's weapon disappearing and launched a flying punch, only to be knocked out by Childe's spinning kick.
Qixuan: "When you reach middle age, you can't help it. Why do you sleep more than young people?"
Qixuan looked at Lumine.
Lumine: "...I feel somewhat offended, thank you."
Paimon: "Were you not feeling well just now?"
Childe: "I don't know either. The moment I was about to make my move, my Hydro element seemed to suddenly lose control. Could there be a problem with my Vision?"
Lumine: "First time I've heard of that."
Childe: "Never mind, it doesn't matter. Relying too much on a Vision's element makes one less sharp. Besides, I still have my Delusion to use."
Lumine: "It's probably best to use that kind of thing sparingly..."
Paimon: "So why exactly did Childe come to Fontaine? It can't really be just to work for Northland Bank, can it?"
Childe: "Well... I've been in a bit of a bad mood lately."
Paimon: "What kind of reason is that? Can Childe even get this gloomy?"
Childe: "Haha, maybe I don't understand myself that well. Lately, there seems to be a restless power inside me, and for some reason, my mood occasionally dips."
Paimon: "Maybe the problem with your Vision just now is related to this power you're talking about?"
Childe: "That's certainly a possibility."
Lumine: "Do you have any idea?"
Childe: "Hmm... I don't remember if I ever told you about falling into an unknown abyss when I was 14..."
"I learned almost all my skills during that time, and the master who taught them to me was named Skirk."
"She was quiet and very mysterious. No one knew where she came from or what she had been through. When teaching combat techniques, she was always very serious, but once when I asked her why she was willing to take me as a disciple, she answered me, something like: 'Because you awakened it, and its traces are left on you. In the future, you will find these combat techniques useful.'"
Paimon: "What did you awaken?"
Childe: "My master didn't say, but I suspect it's related to the dream I had when I first fell into the abyss. In the dream, it was the boundless depths of the ocean, and before me was a suffocatingly large whale."
Qixuan: "Maybe Paimon would like to eat it."
Paimon: "It's more likely to eat me..."
Lumine: "Have you tried to find your master?"
Childe: "Easier said than done. Ever since that incident, I haven't stopped searching for Master Skirk and that abyss, but so many years have passed, and I've found nothing. The place where I remember falling into the unknown abyss now has no trace left."
Paimon: "Ah... it sounds like a ghost story."
Qixuan: "Perhaps your master thinks the time isn't right yet, who knows."
Childe: "Hmm... that makes some sense, but I won't give up searching."
Lumine: "I have another question."
Childe: "Please ask."
Lumine: "Since you're not here on a mission, I'd like to know, this visit to Fontaine..."
Childe: "Hmm... I don't mind telling you. She is very powerful. I am the lowest ranked, and she is the Fourth of the Eleven Harbingers, code name: 'The Knave,' Arlecchino."
Lumine: "Thank you."
Childe: "We're friends, right? Alright, we've chatted for so long, I suddenly remembered I have an appointment. Let's stop here for today."
Paimon: "Is it Northland Bank work?"
Childe: "No, it's a personal matter. When I'm bored lately, I often arrange sparring matches with a few of Fontaine's official 'Duel Arbitrators.'"
Paimon: "Duel... Arbitrators? Is that a profession too?"
Qixuan: "Paimon, that's also a 'special feature' of Fontaine."
Paimon: "Uh... sounds like they help people fight?"
Childe: "Actually, Paimon is half right. In Fontaine, all suspects have one chance to 'defend their honor' before going to court. They can challenge an official Duel Arbitrator to a duel."
"Because Duel Arbitrators are the strongest fighters handpicked from across the entire nation, and there's no 'stop at the point' rule in duels, this act is also seen as a symbol of defending one's honor to the death. If you win, you can be exempt from trial; if you lose, you still have to obediently face the court..."
"And the worst outcome is to die in the duel. Although there are rumors of the death penalty in Fontaine, it seems no one has actually been sentenced to death. So unless one faces truly unacceptable injustice, or values honor above all else, they wouldn't choose to apply for a duel. Otherwise, there's no need to risk your life."
Paimon: "That's a very special 'rule.'"
Childe: "Those Duel Arbitrators are no pushovers. That's why I couldn't wait to spar with them as soon as I arrived in Fontaine."
"Today, Miss Clorinde, who is said to be the strongest among those Duel Arbitrators, finally agreed to spar with me today after I provoked him for a long time."
Paimon: "Sounds familiar..."
Qixuan: "It was the person who brought the soldiers when we first met the Hydro Archon."
Lumine: "Oh, right."
Childe: "Then I'll leave it with you for now."
Childe tossed his Vision over, and Lumine immediately caught it.
Paimon: "Eh! Your Vision! That's way too casual, just handing it over to someone else?"
Childe: "I'm just worried this Vision might have the same issue as before and affect the duel, which would be a letdown. It's better not to have it on me. Besides, we're friends, aren't we? There's that much trust."
Qixuan: "Don't worry, a Vision won't stay away from its owner for too long. It will automatically return when the time is up."
Lumine: "Is that so? Alright, leave it to me. I'll take good care of it."
Childe: "Hahahaha, then farewell for now. I'll contact you later."
Childe left.
Paimon: "There's nothing to do for now, right? Before Lyney's performance, let's explore this city properly!"
Lumine: "Okay."
Qixuan: "I know a few more fun places."
Led by Paimon, they explored almost all of Fontaine...
At a magazine stall, Paimon was complaining about a novel on display, a little too loudly.
Lumine: "Paimon, lower your voice..."
Qixuan walked over, eating an ice cream, and brought one for Paimon and Lumine too.
Qixuan: "In Fontaine, disturbing the peace can lead to a fine, Paimon."
Paimon: "Ah... I'm sorry, I was just too surprised and didn't think about it, but the mystery novels here are really good."
Lumine: "I never thought you'd enjoy reading so much."
Paimon: "Fontaine's mystery novels are very different from Yae Publishing House's light novels. Each has its own merits, but for me, the novels here might be more novel. Of course, the story of the 'Thirteen Flame-Chasing Heroes' that Qixuan-jie told is also great!"
"Why don't we buy some to read later?"
Lumine: "Hmm?"
Paimon: "Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be more careful in the future..."
Qixuan: "Hahahaha."
Paimon: "Ah... um, isn't it time to go to the Opera Epiclese to see Lyney's performance? It seems like it's almost time, let's hurry!"
Qixuan: "Then let's go."
.........
Paimon: "Wow, what a magnificent place, the Opera Epiclese! It's really impressive to perform here, no wonder Lyney and them were so excited..."
"Hmm? That fountain ahead seems to have a lot of people."
They saw many people praying at the central fountain in the distance.
Paimon: "Is this some custom of Fontaine?"
Lumine shook her head, indicating 'don't ask me,' as she wasn't a local. Just then, a voice echoed in Lumine's mind, "Vacher..."
Paimon: "Hmm? Lumine, what's wrong?"
Lumine initially thought Qixuan-jie was playing a prank, as she often wandered in her consciousness before sleeping, until Qixuan shook her head, and the voice in her mind sounded again.
Lumine: "Did you hear anything?"
Paimon: "No, did you hear something?"
Lumine: "Then who was talking in my head just now?"
Paimon: "Huh?"
Qixuan: "Was the voice very close?"
Lumine: "It seems clearer the closer I get to the fountain..."
Just then, Lynette suddenly appeared.
Lynette: "This fountain is called the 'Fountain of Lucine,' and it's the convergence point of all water flows in Fontaine. Newlywed couples in Fontaine have a custom of coming here to pray for children."
Paimon: "Ah! Lynette, when did you get here?"
Lynette: "Brother said I should wait for you at the fountain plaza, don't you remember?"
Paimon: "Oh, right."
Lumine: "I think I faintly heard someone speaking..."
Lynette: "There are indeed many people here. What do you mean?"
Lumine: "The voice seems to be coming from the fountain water."
Paimon: "Eh, eh! Lumine, you, you don't scare me. In broad daylight, how could something so eerie happen..."
Qixuan: "Oh? Paimon is afraid of this? Then why weren't you scared at all when you went exploring in Wuwang Hill with Hu Tao in Liyue last time?"
Paimon: "That's because Hu Tao was there..."
Qixuan: "Are you saying Lumine and I are weak?"
Paimon: "No, no, it's just that this is genuinely eerie."
Lynette: "Is that so? I do have some information I can share with you, which might answer your confusion. It might not be a hallucination. It's caused by your overly strong perception of the Hydro element. Our family has also had people with similar situations to yours."
Paimon: "Hydro element? What does that have to do with the element?"
Lynette: "When do you shed tears?"
Paimon: "Hmm... when I'm very sad? Uh... it seems I also do when I'm very happy, or very scared?"
Lynette: "Then you should understand. Tears contain your strongest emotions. I just said that the Fountain of Lucine is the convergence point of all water flows in Fontaine. Tears that fall on the ground will eventually gather here."
"Perhaps the voice you heard comes from the strong emotions within someone's tears."
Lumine: "There's such a saying."
Paimon: "Then, what did Lumine hear?"
Lumine: "It seemed to be calling someone's name."
Paimon: "Hmm... if that's really the case, what did that person go through?"
Qixuan: "It must have been something sad."
Lumine: "Indeed, I can feel a sense of sadness in that voice."
Lynette: "Instead of worrying about that person, you should worry about my brother first. Don't let his calm demeanor fool you; he always gets very nervous before a performance. Talking with you might help him relax."
Paimon: "Hehe, then it's my turn to shine! Let's go!"
.........
Lyney: "You really didn't stand me up! It's good to see you."
Paimon: "Hehe, how could we miss your performance? I've been looking forward to it for ages."
Lyney: "Haha, I knew it when I saw you arrive so early. It's a rare opportunity since the audience hasn't really arrived yet. I'll arrange the best seats for you. Wait, I'll go get the tickets."
Soon, Lyney came back with the performance tickets and distributed them to everyone.
Lyney: "The Opera Epiclese always has reserved seats that need to be registered in advance. I've already registered, these are your tickets."
Qixuan: "Good seats, thank you."
Paimon: "Oh~~! They look like front-row seats! Thank you, Lyney!"
Lyney: "It's nothing, don't be so polite."
Just then, someone suddenly darted out from the side and called out to Lyney, saying there was a problem with the setup.
Lyney: "Everyone, there seems to be a problem with the stage prop setup over there. My assistant, Mr. Cowell, is calling me. I'll go help him check it out first..."
Lumine: "You go ahead and be busy."
Paimon: "Okay, we'll go to our seats first. We're looking forward to your performance, Lyney."
Lyney: "Alright, don't worry, it'll be done quickly."
Everyone went to the seats Lyney had given them and sat down. However, there was a person with an extremely strong presence next to them, making Paimon and Lumine feel a bit constrained.
Paimon: "Hmm..."
Lumine: "........."
Qixuan: "What's wrong with you two?"
Then Qixuan thought, could they be intimidated by Neuvillette next to them? Isn't Paimon a social butterfly?
Paimon: "Uh... shouldn't we talk to the person next to us? It's so awkward sitting so close when there's hardly anyone else around... (whispering)."
Qixuan: "Hehe, isn't Paimon a social expert? Paimon should do it."
Lumine: "Yes, I believe in you, Paimon."
Paimon: "You... you two, I knew it."
Just then, Neuvillette, who was sitting next to them, spoke.
.........