Faced with Paimon's instinctive question, Luna replied concisely:
"We're dating."
"What?!" Paimon exclaimed in shock.
Furina's first act after stepping down as Hydro Archon was to start dating Luna?
"That's not true!" Furina hurriedly denied.
Though... it's true we've done everything that couples usually do...?
No, no, no! There's still one last thing we haven't done. As long as we don't cross that line, it shouldn't count as dating...
Right?
Furina changed the subject: "We're living together. Now, it's your turn to answer my question—what do you want with her?"
Luna chuckled. "Jealous?"
"...No."
Furina spoke casually.
Paimon and Lumine exchanged glances, genuinely surprised by this unexpected turn of events.
But they had come here on official business.
"We're looking for Miss Luna because..."
"A theater job?" Luna deduced.
What other reason could there be?
"Wow! You guessed it right away! That's pretty much it, though technically it's a quest from the Adventurer's Guild," Paimon explained.
The situation was straightforward: the Adventurer's Guild had an urgent quest posted by a member of a small theater troupe. Their lead actress had contracted a strange illness that left her completely debilitated during flare-ups, making her unable to perform in their final show. The troupe member was desperate to find a replacement.
However, they were an obscure group with dwindling funds, so...
"You want me to participate in a charity performance?" Luna asked.
"If you're willing..." Paimon rubbed her hands together nervously.
"If all else fails, we can pay for them," Lumine suggested.
The Traveler can't just stand by when people are in trouble, she thought, especially not when they're marked with an exclamation point over their heads.
Paimon nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly, exactly!"
"--Deduct it from Paimon's food budget for the next six months."
"Mhm, mhm..."
Huh? Paimon whipped around. "Ah!?"
Does that mean I'll be starving for months?!
But I can't just ignore people in need!
After some agonizing deliberation, Paimon gritted her teeth and declared, "It's fine! There are plenty of wild vegetables to eat in the wilderness anyway..."
Deducting it from the food budget? Could they really save enough to afford Luna's fee that way? Furina wondered, puzzled.
If that's the case, just how much does this little one eat?
"I'm not interested in money right now," Luna said with a smile. "If a project sparks my interest, I'd accept it even as a charity performance. Conversely, no amount of Mora could sway me if it doesn't capture my heart."
"Then..." Lumine blinked.
"Let me take a look first. Of course, Lady Furina should join us too."
Furina, who was about to retreat to her chambers for a nap, froze at the mention of her name.
"Me?"
This has nothing to do with me, Furina thought to herself. They're not looking for me anyway.
Luna took Furina's hand. "Come on, then?"
"...Since you insist."
Furina glanced uneasily at Lumine and Paimon, their faces alight with curiosity. If I let Luna spend time alone with Lumine...
Forget it. Just think of it as a stroll! Staying cooped up at home all day is boring anyway, Furina nodded slightly.
Besides, if Luna really does perform onstage, it'll be a feast for the eyes.
"Oh my, everyone's here!"
A familiar voice approached from afar.
Luna looked slightly surprised. "Lady Focalors?"
Focalors approached with a smile.
"'Lady'... Hmm, that title feels rather formal. Greetings, everyone! It seems I've arrived just in time to witness something interesting."
Furina couldn't help but ask, "Are you joining us too?"
"Of course! How could I miss Luna's performance? Though I must say, I also adore your performances, Furina."
"Uh... thank you?"
Furina didn't know how to respond.
Is she really just here for the spectacle?
Focalors clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone, let's get going!"
How effortlessly she inserts herself into the conversation! Furina marveled inwardly.
"Lady Focalors has some free time?" Luna asked with a smile.
"Neuvillette is here, after all."
Of course, he had no objections.
And so, the group arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. But before they even got close, they saw two figures arguing heatedly off to the side.
"I can act! Stop taking matters into your own hands!"
Furina hummed. "Looks like Luna, you won't need to step in after all."
"Perhaps."
Luna observed the woman arguing with the man.
Her posture was unsteady, her aura forceful yet her breathing ragged—clearly she had just recovered from an illness.
"Lauwick! We brought reinforcements, though it seems you might not need them after all!"
The man called Lauwick replied gratefully, "It's no trouble at all. In fact, I'm the one who should be thanking you—"
Before he could finish, he and the woman caught sight of Luna.
"Miss Luna?!"
"And Lady Furina and Lady Focalors?!"
What prominent figures have we attracted here?!
Focalors shrugged. "Am I always mentioned last?"
"We can't exactly rattle off 'Luna Furina Focalors' in one breath, can we?" Furina retorted.
"What about 'Furina Luna Focalors'? It sounds a bit smoother, don't you think?" Focalors suggested.
Why do they keep saying it like I'm the one with two people on my arms?! Furina thought, exasperated.
"I don't mind," Luna said with a gentle smile.
"At least pretend to mind a little!"
-
The two introduced themselves.
Lauwick: "My name is Lauwick."
The woman smiled politely. "I'm Dulphy, the troupe's lead actress. I apologize for the trouble we've caused. Lauwick has taken it upon himself to assume I can no longer perform."
"But you are indeed afflicted with illness, aren't you?" Luna asked.
Dulphy nodded solemnly, then suddenly straightened up with conviction. "But I have a miracle cure! I can definitely make it through the final performance!"
"After all, this is our troupe's final performance. We'll disband afterward," she added with a sigh.
Furina perked up. "Disband?"
The two nodded, their faces filled with reluctance and sadness.
"Since the troupe leader left, the troupe has lost its foundation," they explained. "We've been declining steadily. We don't know how to manage or create; we only know how to perform."
Thus, disbandment was the inevitable conclusion.
"Left? Do you mean she left, or...?" Luna pressed.
"She was one of the victims in the Serial Disappearance Case, her name was Aurelie. The troupe leader was a devoted fan of Lady Furina, and your performances inspired her to pursue a career in musical theater."
Vacher was indeed dead, but the lives he had taken could never be restored.
Ultimately, all those he had harmed were left with indelible pain.
"So that's how it is..." Furina murmured.
"She persuaded many homeless or disillusioned people to join the Troupe, personally performing, writing scripts, and guiding each of us," Dulphy explained.
Homeless, huh... Luna mused, a pang of sympathy striking her.
She must have been a truly admirable person.
"But now the Troupe can no longer sustain itself. Rather than let our cherished memories crumble, we'd rather end it ourselves," Dulphy said with a sigh.
"That must be a difficult decision," Luna said, nodding.
She turned to Furina, a smile gracing her lips. "What do you think, Furina?"
"That expression... it's like you've read my mind and are deliberately asking me this. Really..." Furina said helplessly.
Well, what can I do?
Furina snapped her fingers. "Let's give you a hand, then!"
She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep at night if she ignored such a situation.
"I don't possess any special power to defeat formidable enemies, nor do I plan to play any particular role. But I'm intimately familiar with every aspect of the stage."
Lighting, props, actors... she knew exactly what it took to stage a successful musical.
"I want to help people in need, to the best of my ability," Furina said softly.
She couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Besides, the cat beside her was just such a person—someone who had helped her before, supporting her through her final trial.
Luna chuckled. "Furina still loves saying cool things."
"Ahem, I'm just stating the truth!"
"You also desperately tried to protect me earlier, though you only managed to stay cool for about a minute before your legs gave out."
Furina's eyes widened, her face flushing. "Why do you still remember that?! Don't expose me like that! Besides, it was only because I woke up and couldn't find you anywhere... Ah..."
She suddenly noticed the many people present.
Focalors wore a serene smile, as if deeply gratified.
Paimon's cheeks flushed slightly. "I... I didn't hear anything~"
Dulphy and Lauwick turned their backs, signaling they wouldn't eavesdrop.
"Aaaah! Enough! Hurry up and go to your troupe! If you don't start moving in three seconds, I'm leaving!" Furina declared, her face crimson.
"I'm just complimenting Furina," Luna said again.
"You're exaggerating," Furina complained.
"I really do think Furina is so cool, though."
Furina's blush deepened, her heart pounding as she muttered, "Can't you compliment me later? I can't handle this."
But it still feels pretty good, she thought.
Though I'd never admit it, she thought. Luna would just take it as permission to double down, pinning me down while showering me with praise—she definitely would.
Focalors pointed at herself. "What about me?"
"Lady Focalors is amazing too!" Luna exclaimed.
After all, she was willing to sacrifice herself from the start.
"Indeed, I accept your praise with satisfaction," Focalors said, nodding contentedly.
At that moment, a piercing gaze stabbed into Luna's skin.
She turned to see Furina glaring at her with folded arms, her expression dark.
"Your compliments are so cheap," Furina huffed, puffing out her cheeks.
"Then I can tell Furina I love her as many times as I want!"
"W-wah?! Don't say things like that here!" Furina panicked.
Dulphy and Lauwick: "..."
They decided to pretend they hadn't heard anything.
Paimon whispered, "Wow, they're so clingy and lovey-dovey..."
"Where did you learn such expressions?" Lumine sighed.