Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart! (Genshin Impact)

The warm sea breeze ruffled Luna's golden hair as she lay on the ground, gazing up at the sky.

"I prefer the starlit night sky to the bright blue one. What about you?"

Footsteps approached, then stopped.

Neuvillette paused before speaking. "You've deceived everyone again. You were never truly dead."

"Is that so strange?" Luna closed her eyes. "Given the choice between being crushed to death by that terrifyingly large Great Sword, its impact leaving me in excruciating pain, and dying at 'Father's' hands, I'd still choose the latter."

"It's just a pity..." she murmured, "that dear Miss Captain can no longer catch me."

"You planned all of this from the start," Neuvillette stated.

In response to Neuvillette's question, Luna simply shrugged.

"Not entirely. Half of it was just improvising and adapting to the situation as it unfolded."

"No one can anticipate everything perfectly, not even Miss God, who orchestrated this five-hundred-year scheme. Even she failed to foresee how things would turn out, didn't she?"

She designed the final stage, yet never imagined someone would steal her starring role.

Neuvillette fell silent for a few moments before speaking again. "But you understood the consequences of your choices."

"Of course," Luna replied.

"Do you regret it?"

"If I did, I wouldn't have done it."

Think thrice before acting. A decision made after careful deliberation leaves no room for regret.

Neuvillette continued, "I've revealed the 'truth' you fabricated to the world. You're now known as the most notorious and heinous Phantom Thief in Fontaine's history."

"I don't mind."

In fact, I couldn't care less.

She would never be constrained by such trivial matters.

Realizing this, Neuvillette said softly, "Thanks to your actions, no one questions this 'truth.'"

First kidnapping, then murder, and now the usurpation of an Archon's power.

"I told you, the truth has never been the most important thing."

"I see that now," Neuvillette replied.

Luna smiled. "Besides, they'll never know who I truly am."

Even if Focalors hadn't deliberately leaked information, Neuvillette doubted he would have discovered her true identity.

"Speaking of which, where is Focalors?" Luna asked.

"...In truth, the Focalors we encountered was merely her 'Godhood' separated from her original body and spirit."

Not her complete form.

"By harnessing the full Authority of the Ancient Dragons, I helped her achieve her wish. She became human, just like the other Oceanids."

"Of course, but she's no ordinary person."

After all, before becoming the Hydro Archon, Focalors had been a retainer of Egeria.

"She's currently at Palais Mermonia," Neuvillette added, choosing not to reveal to Focalors that Luna was still alive. In fact, he had only just discovered Luna's presence there himself.

"Long ago, she entrusted everything to Furina, lodging her consciousness and Gnosis within the Oratrice."

"When she conceived the plan, she had already resolved to sacrifice herself, leaving no path for retreat."

Furina had chosen to play the role of a God in mortal form for five centuries to save the Fontainians. Focalors, on the other hand, had spent those same five centuries preparing for her own self-sacrifice.

For five hundred years, she had honed her blade, all for the sole purpose of killing herself and saving her people.

Neuvillette stated plainly, "If you wish, you can visit her at Palais Mermonia. I imagine she has much she wants to say to you."

"There's no need for that."

"...What about Furina?" Neuvillette abruptly changed the subject.

"Furina has relinquished her position as Hydro Archon and left Palais Mermonia."

His gaze settled on Luna's face, searching for any sign of surprise or discomfort. But Luna showed no significant reaction to the news, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

After all, Furina was exhausted.

Staying in Palais Mermonia would only continue to awaken the memories of everything she had endured over the past five centuries—the dull, painful, and powerless recollections. She needed rest.

"Focalors explained everything to her, but she seems utterly lifeless," Neuvillette said.

"I think you should go see her and tell her the truth."

In this state? Luna thought.

Although she appeared fine on the outside, Luna knew the true condition of her body.

[Nine-Lives Cat (LV: 1/9): When you die, you will resurrect once in an extremely weakened state at a random location near your death point.]

[Each level up grants an additional resurrection chance. The first level costs 5,000 Points, the second 50,000 Points, and so on—MAN! Winning the resurrection round comes at a steep price!]

This wasn't a near-death experience; she had truly died once.

She had simply won the resurrection round.

The Masked Puppet couldn't use any abilities, making it impossible for her to steal the Hydro Authority and Divine Throne. Luna had to do it herself.

To restore the Authority of the Ancient Dragons, the Hydro Archon's Divine Throne had to be destroyed.

Only the Hydro Archon's death could save Fontaine.

"We'll discuss this later," she said.

Could the Phantom Thief White Cat really drag her battered body to Furina?

Please allow her a few days to rest.

Furina needed rest, and so did she. Once she had recovered sufficiently, she would bid farewell to Furina with perfect grace.

"The Phantom Thief White Cat is dead, Monsieur Neuvillette," she stated.

"...Are you retiring?"

Retiring? That sounded nice.

Luna smiled faintly. "Perhaps I'll change my mind later. Won't the Chief Justice judge my crimes?"

Neuvillette shook his head. "This time, you're innocent."

Luna closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Thank you very much. If there's nothing else, please leave. I dislike being disturbed when I want to rest alone."

"I apologize, but I do have one more question."

"This Dragon Sovereign is truly incorruptible," Luna remarked casually.

"So?" she prompted.

"Why did you weave lies for Furina?"

"Your questions are as unimaginative as ever." Luna lifted her hand, idly twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

"Even if we must reopen old wounds, I'd prefer it not inflict undue pain on Lady Furina, causing further trauma."

"Would you rather brutally tear away her facade and expose her to the world,"

"Or first conceal the truth with a small lie, blinding the masses, before allowing her to step onto the stage in her true form?"

"Which would you choose?"

Neuvillette fell silent.

Luna smiled gently. "The outcome may be inevitable, but we have many paths to reach it, don't we?"

"Every Phantom Thief should have their own aesthetic."

"Mine is to cherish beautiful treasures and claim them whole. It would be unbecoming of me to mistreat Fontaine's greatest treasure."

"And I won't allow you to do so either."

Neuvillette remained silent for a long moment.

Finally, he said, "I have already arranged for Furina's food, clothing, and shelter, ensuring her every need is met."

"That's good."

Neuvillette turned to leave. "Farewell, White Cat. But Luna, if you continue performing, I'll try to make time to watch."

"Of course, you're always welcome."

After Neuvillette left, Luna lay still for a moment before finally getting up.

She needed to hurry home.

The flood had submerged all of Fontaine, which meant her house was no exception!

Luna changed back into her usual clothes and returned to her doorstep.

"Back already?" Chiori leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her expression dark.

Just as I expected.

Luna casually averted her gaze. "Hey, Chiori, shouldn't you check on your shop? With such a massive flood, your clothes might be ruined."

"I can always make more. What about you..."

Chiori stomped closer, glaring fiercely at Luna.

Luna's eyes darted nervously. "What about me? I'm fine."

"...Go lie down. I'll clean up for you."

"Huh?"

Chiori pressed her lips together and looked away. "The grand finale's over. Happy now?"

"So-so."

"I'm in a terrible mood right now, but I'll wait until you wake up to punish you. Be prepared," Chiori said with a forced smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Luna was about to respond when a shout grew louder in the distance.

"Lulu—!"

A golden blur slammed into Luna!

"Oof—!"

Navia grabbed Luna by the shoulders, relief washing over her. "It really is you, Lulu! I knew I wasn't mistaken! Thank goodness you're safe... I couldn't find you anywhere and was worried sick."

Her anxiety had peaked after hearing rumors of Phantom Thief White Cat's death.

But now everything seemed to be fine!

Chiori glanced at Lynette, Lyney, and Freminet, who were peeking from nearby, then watched Clorinde approach at a leisurely pace. Finally, she looked down at Luna, sprawled on the ground.

"She was fine just now, but she's definitely not fine now."

"Huh? Waaah!? Lulu! Wake up, Lulu!"

If I told anyone Phantom Thief White Cat was knocked unconscious by a golden retriever, no one would believe me, Chiori thought absently.-