(POV: Charles)
I awoke as the morning sun pierced through the window of this inn room.
It was already morning...
Slowly, I pushed back the thin blanket wrapped around me and rose from the bed.
I scanned this simple room to ensure none of my belongings were left behind.
For a moment, I paused, wondering if Furina... was already awake or not.
I strained my hearing, trying to detect any sounds from beyond the walls.
The stillness that met my ears allowed me to exhale with relief.
Quietly, I opened the chamber door and stepped out into the narrow hallway.
Upon reaching the front entrance, I drew a deep breath. The crisp morning air greeted me, accompanied by the lively bustle of Fontaine's residents already starting their day.
I sharpened my gaze, observing the narrow streets gradually filling with pedestrians and merchants setting up their stalls.
Amidst the crowd, I spotted a familiar figure – Charlotte, her sweet face now radiant in the morning sunlight.
Her shoulder-length coral tresses glistened, adorned by the golden rays of the rising sun.
Her brilliant teal eyes seemed to emanate a vibrant, shining vitality. Her crimson lips curved into a warm smile upon noticing my presence.
With a light-footed gait, Charlotte approached while waving in greeting.
"You're up awfully early. Heading out already?" she called out affably.
I responded to Charlotte's greeting with a half-joking tone, "You're pretty early yourself, showing up here."
My remark widened her smile even further.
Tilting my head inquisitively, I posed a question, "So what's the task this time? Don't tell me it's apprehending criminals, or did you want to capture... that experiment's perpetrator, who was it? Mr. Gloomy-Face? You looking to nab him?"
I shook my head slowly. "Remember, we're not law enforcement, Charlotte...Charlotte..."
Charlotte rapidly shook her head in turn. "I know! Don't state the obvious. I already informed the authorities."
She narrowed her eyes, regarding me with a scrutinizing gaze. "Why does it seem like you're staying in this area? It's quite rare... did you just move accommodations?"
I felt a jolt of surprise at how accurately she had deduced my situation... I had indeed just moved inns with Furina to this neighborhood.
Her intuition was remarkably sharp!
However, rather than answering honestly, I countered with a teasing tone, "Guess!"
Charlotte immediately narrowed her eyes further.
"You're as insufferable as ever," she grumbled while turning her face away.
We weren't even that well acquainted to be considered friends.
Before long, Charlotte began walking down the street once more.
I followed behind her at a distance of several meters.
As I walked, I glanced back briefly over my shoulder.
From the corner of my eye, I caught the silhouette of a young woman – my neighbor, or should I simply call her...
Furina.
In her trademark disguise attire, she peeked out at us from behind the inn's walls.
I could only exhale a long sigh witnessing her absurdly foolish behavior.
Clearly foolish... I muttered under my breath.
***
I continued placing one foot in front of the other, keeping pace alongside Charlotte who seemed headed to some destination.
Now and then, I tilted my head quizzically, puzzled by her chosen path. As usual, she neglected to inform me of her objective!
Just where was she leading me?
While walking, I turned to glance behind us several times, catching sight of Furina in her trademark disguise – sunglasses and clothing covering nearly her entire frame – trailing us from a distance.
Slowly, I slowed my pace until the girl drew somewhat nearer. Then abruptly, I spun around and quickened my stride towards her.
Furina seemed startled by my sudden approach.
She flinched, nearly turning to flee. But thanks to my high Agility stat, I reached her first and firmly gripped her shoulder.
A sly smirk tugged at my lips as I spoke, "Good... allow me to ask, my Lady. What are you doing out here?"
Furina gradually turned her head towards me, regarding me with a clear look of trepidation in her trembling eyes.
I feigned contemplation for a moment before nodding, as if understanding her reasons.
"You're bored of this disguise, aren't you?" My smirk widened once more. "You want the citizens to know you're the Archon? How amusing!"
"No...No...No!!!" Furina cried out in a harsh whisper, struggling to keep her voice down.
She then leaned in, whispering urgently to me, "Did you reveal my identity to her?"
Furina pointed a finger towards Charlotte.
I exhaled a long sigh, "Oh... so you think I would divulge all your secrets to a mere reporter? How utterly untrustworthy of me."
Well, it was understandable for her to worry I might expose her true identity to Charlotte.
I approached closer and murmured reassuringly, "Relax. Your secret is safe with me."
I tried to tease her with a mischievous grin.
"Why do I not believe you?" she countered, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
At that very moment, a tap landed on my shoulder. Charlotte had apparently approached us.
"What's going on?" she asked, tilting her head as she tried to glimpse the figure conversing with me.
Instantly, Furina whirled around, shielding herself as she concealed her face behind the dark sunglasses obscuring her identity.
I'm conversing with your Archon... I muttered inwardly.
Charlotte squinted her eyes, studying Furina's disguised form with an utterly inquisitive expression.
Her mannerisms betrayed the burning curiosity roiling within her about this enigmatic girl.
I couldn't help but inwardly chuckle... Poor, poor Furina, her identity might be exposed at this rate.
"Hey Charlotte," I called out.
Charlotte snapped her gaze towards me with a perplexed look at my abrupt addressing of her.
I offered her a subtle smile. "To be honest, I've been quite curious... just where is your destination? If you're only leading me to some strange place like that experiment from before, it's truly nauseating."
Rather than answering, Charlotte straightened up and regarded me silently for a moment. Then, she turned and resumed walking down the street without a single word to me.
She completely ignored my query!
This woman is maddening, being deliberately mysterious or what?!
I continued watching her retreating back while whispering to Furina, "Is she usually this standoffish?"
"I'm not too sure..." Furina responded softly.
"To be frank, the information I have on Charlotte is quite limited despite her renowned status as a Fontaine reporter. I mean, I'm an Archon. I don't concern myself with such trivial matters!
"But from what little I've gathered, this aloofness doesn't seem typical of her character."
I turned towards Furina. "So then, what business brings you out here?"
Furina fell silent, offering no further reply.
With a resigned sigh, I pivoted to follow Charlotte's trail from behind.
It didn't take long before Furina rejoined, walking alongside me while whispering, "I still don't trust you, you know."
She paused briefly, seeming to ponder something, before adding, "You're just an outsider after all."
After traversing a considerable distance, we gradually approached a secluded alleyway that appeared deserted and eerily quiet.
I scanned our surroundings, then my gaze settled on Charlotte.
This situation... Huh.. I exhaled heavily. Suddenly, I allowed my Electro vision to flare, enveloping my form in shimmering violet lightning.
Furina recoiled in fright at the sight, backing away step-by-step. Yet her retreat halted as her mouth slowly fell open.
"Don't move! If you move, you'll die. Come closer to me...
"You're just an...
"Ordinary human after all..." I turned towards Furina.
Then, I shifted my gaze back towards Charlotte.
That girl, or should I simply call her...
The false Charlotte?
She turned to face me, her expression utterly inscrutable.
***
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