Chapter 164. The Knave Evaluates Hydro Archon; Focalors
As Arlecchino spoke, Futsu Mitama nodded slightly.
"Please do. But we have no more chairs here."
He glanced at the two Electro Cicin Mages behind her—tense, hostile, radiating fear so thick it was almost tangible.
"And… you need to control your subordinates. It's dinnertime now."
Futsu wasn't afraid. He was quite annoyed. He'd just returned to Liyue Harbor. He wanted gourmet food, not a Fatui standoff.
To their credit, the Cicin Mages didn't back down despite their terror. Futsu almost admired that. Snezhnayans were stubborn like that.
"Yes." Arlecchino didn't even look at them. "You two go out first. I'll call you if I need anything."
"But… Lord Knave—"
One Cicin Mage stepped forward, voice trembling.
The previous Boss was killed by this man. Dottore's segments were killed by this man. Leaving you here alone is dereliction of duty!
"No 'buts.' This is an order."
Arlecchino's tone was calm. But the edge underneath made both Cicin Mages flinch.
They bowed quickly and exited, closing the door behind them.
A Harbinger's command was absolute.
—
Arlecchino turned back to the room, smile pleasant but strained.
"Everyone, let me reintroduce myself."
She bowed slightly.
"I am a Fontainian. Currently the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers—The Knave, Arlecchino. My purpose in coming here was to find Mr. Zhongli. I didn't expect to meet all of you."
There it is.
Futsu, Aila, Black Aila, and Lumine exchanged glances.
Arlecchino had wanted to claim she was here for Black Aila—show off Fatui intelligence—but her Cicin Mages had panicked at the sight of Futsu Now her real target was exposed.
"Looking for me?" Zhongli looked up, expression serene. "I am but a humble Wangshu Funeral Parlor Consultant. I never expected a Fatui Harbinger from Snezhnaya to personally seek me out. This truly flatters me."
You, the mighty Rex Lapis! What are you pretending for?!
Everyone who knew Zhongli's true identity had the same thought.
"Haha… Mr. Zhongli, there's no need to be nervous."
Arlecchino's smile didn't waver.
"Through Tartaglia, I already know that Mr. Zhongli is widely knowledgeable. I have come here to seek a solution for my homeland's prophecy."
Mona's eyes widened.
"Fontaine's Prophecy? Does that refer to the prophecy that all Fontainians bear sin, and will eventually perish, leaving only the Hydro Archon?"
As an Astrologist, she'd heard whispers from the Old Hag.
An unsolvable matter. Issued by an existence no one in Teyvat could contend with.
"Strictly speaking, dissolving into the seawater."
Arlecchino glanced at Mona.
"Fontainians are born with sin. One day, the sea will engulf those who bear sin, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne. I've heard this prophecy since childhood. I don't know why we are born with sin, but I want to solve this problem. So I joined Snezhnaya. Became a Fatui Harbinger."
"Now that I've come to Liyue, I'm naturally also looking for a way to break the situation."
Her words were sincere. No lies. This was her ultimate goal.
If Zhongli—the Wangshu Funeral Parlor Consultant—didn't know how to solve this—
Then perhaps Rex Lapis would. The oldest Archon. He must know something.
That's why Arlecchino had dutily taken on Signora's mess and come to Liyue.
Sangonomiya Kokomi tilted her head.
"But every nation has its own deity, right? Since it's Fontaine's Prophecy, why not seek out Fontaine's Hydro Archon?"
Kuki Shinobu frowned. What did Fontaine's prophecy have to do with Liyue?
"Yeah, yeah! Why not ask the Hydro Archon? You Fatui are so cunning—your lies are exposed right away!"
Paimon huffed.
In her eyes, all Fatui Harbingers were bad guys. Tartaglia was the only tolerable one.
Signora? Dead. Scaramouche? Nearly reformatted. Dottore? Unforgivable.
And this Arlecchino? Not trustworthy either.
"A deity? Hydro Archon Focalors?"
Arlecchino's smile turned sharp. Sarcastic.
"To be honest, I don't think she deserves to be an Archon. As an Archon, she does nothing all day. More than the title of an Archon, she is more suited to be an 'idol' like those in Mondstadt. Honestly, I have no respect for her. Whether in childhood or now, it's all the same."
The room went still.
Ganyu's eyes widened.
"You disrespect the deity of your own nation so much?!"
As a Liyue citizen, Ganyu revered Rex Lapis from the bottom of her heart. That reverence was why she'd served as Secretary of the Qixing for centuries.
Liyue citizens, the Adeptus, even neighboring nations—they all respected their deities. Even abroad, that reverence didn't fade.
But Arlecchino? A Fontainian speaking of her own Archon like this?
Calling her an 'idol'? A celebrity?
That was an insult.
Keqing studied Arlecchino, confused. From their previous interactions, Arlecchino seemed rational. An irrational person wouldn't make Ningguang so wary.
But now? This sounded like reckless talk.
"Aren't you afraid of divine punishment?"
Futsu Mitama asked curiously.
He didn't know what was happening in Fontaine—the map had only opened to Sumeru when he transmigrated. But he'd learned one thing in Teyvat:
Any Archon who sat on the throne of The Seven was no simple character.
Lesser Lord Kusanali's combat power seemed low because she'd been trapped for 500 years, learning only through Akasha. Once freed, she studied with Maha Rukkhadevata in the Irminsul. Her power doubled. Her grasp of situations sharpened.
Even after Futsu left Sumeru, she found replacements for his group in record time.
And there was the crucial point.
Daring to utter an Archon's name invited their gaze.
Nahida had "Buer." Raiden Ei heard "Beelzebub." Morax knew when his name was spoken.
These Archons reacted.
Curse an Archon, and divine punishment could descend.
For ordinary people, maybe a few secret curses went unnoticed. But Arlecchino? Strength second only to an Archon? Speaking of Hydro Archon Focalors like this?
"She wouldn't do that."
Arlecchino shook her head, disappointed.
"Sometimes, I actually wish she would respond to me. If she were a true Archon, she should have brought down divine punishment on me years ago. If she did, I would be very happy. Because I would use that opportunity to ask her about the prophecy. Why she has been playing 'house' all these years."
"As long as I know that the Archon hasn't abandoned Fontaine, nor ignored the lives of the people of Fontaine, then even if I die, I will have no fear."
She spoke casually. Like she was discussing the weather.
She didn't care about divine punishment. She wanted it.
Because the prophecy was inevitable.
She needed information.
She needed a way to prevent it.
And Hydro Archon Focalors' inaction made her furious.
Even in front of outsiders, she showed no intention of preserving her Archon's reputation.
Sangonomiya Kokomi pursed her lips, unsure what to say.
Everyone was stunned.
Arlecchino didn't just disrespect Hydro Archon Focalors. She denied she was a true Archon.
Futsu Mitama was silent for a moment.
He didn't believe her. From the four Archons he'd met, even in crisis, they left contingency plans. Even if no plan existed, Archons found ways to overcome disaster.
But Arlecchino's desire for divine punishment—to verify her own theories?
She's a bit crazy.
Calm, collected, but underneath? Mad.
Still— her description of Fontaine's situation sparked Futsu's curiosity.
What kind of Archon makes Arlecchino disparage her so much?
—
Zhongli silently took a sip of warm tea.
"I apologize. Regarding Fontaine's Prophecy, I am merely a Wangshu Funeral Parlor Consultant and do not know how to resolve it. If I learn how to resolve Fontaine's Prophecy in the future, I will find a way to inform you."
Arlecchino smiled just showed a little reaction. She nodded slightly.
"Then, please excuse me. I shall take my leave first. I hope that when we meet next time, we can still maintain such a harmonious atmosphere."
She opened the private room door.
A waiter was approaching with dishes.
"What a pity."
Arlecchino shook her head, seemingly regretting something, then walked out without another word.
The waiter stared after her, confused, then quickly placed the freshly cooked dishes on the table.
"Chef Mao says the other dishes have begun preparation. They'll be served immediately if you wait patiently."
He bowed and retreated quickly. He knew who was dining here. Lingering was against the rules.
After the waiter left, the private room fell into a brief silence.