"What a delightful evening! You must come again next time!" Furina said to each guest.
Neuvillette gave Lumine and Paimon a slight nod. "Thank you for your performance. It was truly impressive."
Clorinde also nodded in acknowledgment.
Arlecchino had already slipped away quietly, taking her small cake with her.
Lyney and Lynette waved goodbye to everyone.
Wriothesley and Sigewinne left together, still seemingly discussing the "secret stash" issue.
Chevreuse and Chiori departed as a pair.
Gradually, the lively terrace quieted down, leaving only Lumine, Paimon, Furina, and Focalors, who were directing the tiny hydro creatures helping with cleanup.
Moonlight streamed down like liquid, gently bathing the terrace and illuminating the lingering sweet fragrance and the warmth of shared laughter.
Paimon fluttered beside Lumine, still excitedly reliving the performance, gesturing wildly with her small hands.
"Traveler, did you see Neuvillette clapping? And 'The Knave'! She seemed to be listening for ages!"
"Mm, I saw."
"Hehe, don't you think Paimon has a natural talent for singing?"
"Of course, Paimon! The best bard ever!"
"Then let's go sing in other countries next time! Paimon wants to rewrite even more lyrics!"
"...Let's think about that one a little longer."
Their quiet conversation drifted into the gentle Fontaine night, growing fainter with each step.
This night had become infinitely precious and complete, filled with the joy of reunions, exquisite cuisine, captivating performances, and that unspoken, shared warmth.
-
For a long time after the party, nothing particularly noteworthy happened. Lumine and Paimon remained in Fontaine during this time.
One day, Lumine and Paimon sought out Furina to ask for her help with a favor.
While wandering around Fontaine, they had accepted a quest: a struggling theater troupe on the verge of collapse was seeking a lead actress for their final performance—someone willing to work without pay.
Furina initially declined, but after glancing at Focalors, she decided she needed something to do and agreed to at least take a look.
Furina, Focalors, and Fidelle visited the theater troupe, causing the entire troupe to erupt in excitement. They had never imagined that a casually posted quest—one they considered unlikely to be accepted—would not only be taken on by the Traveler but would also bring them Fontaine's most renowned figures: Lady Furina and Lady Focalors!
"Lady Furina... Madam Furina, Lady Focalors... are you... are you truly willing to help us?"
The troupe members were so overwhelmed they could barely string coherent sentences together.
Furina remained noncommittal, observing the theater with a discerning eye, deciding to assess the situation first.
Upon learning of the hardships and passion of her devoted fans, Lauwick and Dulphy, and then discovering that their Grand Master was involved in the Serial Disappearance Case, Furina felt a deep sense of guilt.
Ultimately, driven by her understanding of the troupe and her genuine love for art, Furina decided to join as a mentor, helping them complete their farewell performance.
Together, they traveled to Poisson to find the playwright Pauleau. Impressed by the troupe's now-lavish lineup, Pauleau put aside his past grievances and immediately joined.
Next, they sought out another crucial member, Vilmant, who quickly agreed to join as well.
It could be said that no Fontainian who had witnessed the actions of Furina and Focalors could possibly refuse their request!
Under Focalors' guidance, Vilmant gradually came to terms with his past.
To flesh out the backstory, the group visited Palais Mermonia to retrieve items and records left behind by the deceased former Grand Master, uncovering the leader's true intentions and past deeds.
Furina requested use of the Opera Epiclese for an afternoon from Neuvillette, who granted her request almost without hesitation.
The final steps involved finalizing the script and rehearsing the performance. Throughout the process, Furina provided expert guidance, showcasing her remarkable abilities.
In terms of performance expertise, Furina was truly the best of the best!
On the day of the performance, as expected, the unexpected happened. Dulphy, the female lead, suddenly fell ill. She was clearly unwell and in poor condition, making it highly likely that forcing her to perform would result in a disastrous mishap.
Dulphy herself understood that she couldn't take the stage.
At this critical moment, Furina stepped forward. Having guided the rehearsals for so long, she had long since memorized the female lead's lines and decided to take on the role herself.
Upon hearing this news, Focalors and Fidelle rushed to the side of the Opera House to watch Furina's performance from there.
"Um, Lady Focalors, when you watch Lady Furina perform, do you ever feel like you're watching yourself?"
Focalors smiled faintly. "Of course, I do. After all, Furina and I were originally one being. However... the feeling isn't as strong now. We've become two separate beings. Furina is like my sister."
Fidelle nodded, her curiosity piqued.
For some time now, Lady Furina and Lady Focalors had been wearing nearly identical outfits. Fidelle could distinguish them from the front, but from behind, they were indistinguishable. Furina seemed to know this and often teased her with the trick.
-
The Opera Epiclese was packed to the rafters, every eye fixed on the stage.
Backstage, Furina took a deep breath and strode gracefully onto the stage.
The lights in the Opera House gradually dimmed, leaving only a soft blue spotlight illuminating the center of the stage.
"That's... that's Lady Furina!"
"It's really her! Lady Furina is back on stage! Wonderful!"
"Quiet! Shhh! Shhh!"
The initial clamor of the audience gradually subsided, and all eyes focused on the pool of light, their gazes gleaming with anticipation.
As the first note flowed from the orchestra, Furina gently closed her eyes, took another deep breath, and began to sing.
Furina's voice was clear and penetrating, each note seemingly imbued with life as it soared and danced beneath the Opera House's domed ceiling.
The melody of Focalors was beautiful, tinged with a delicate blend of sorrow and hope.
The lyrics told a story of water, life, and legacy—a subtle metaphor for Furina's own journey. Once the "Regina of All Waters, All Lands, All Peoples, and All Laws," she now stood as an ordinary woman, continuing to safeguard those she loved through her song.
Furina's performance was flawless, her emotions both genuine and restrained.
Gone was the flamboyant theatricality she had displayed when playing the Hydro Archon. Now, every glance and gesture flowed naturally, imbued with the resilience and tenderness accumulated over five centuries.
The audience was completely captivated by her song, many with tears shimmering in their eyes, though whether these tears were born of the music's emotional power or from personal memories remained uncertain.
As the final notes faded into the air, Furina clasped her hands together, preparing to take her bow. Suddenly, a Hydro Vision, glowing with a blue light, materialized before her eyes.
The Vision descended slowly from above, eventually coming to rest gently in front of her.