As expected, it didn't take long for the Fatui to send someone for negotiations.
The envoy for this meeting was none other than Arlecchino, the Knave, a Harbinger who was well-acquainted with Fontaine and had dealt with Focalors several times before.
"Long time no see, Lady Furina."
In the office, Arlecchino sat with her legs crossed, her expression calm.
"I presume you already understand the purpose of my visit."
"I've heard that you paid some price to trade with other Archons in order to acquire the Gnoses."
"You should know that Gnoses are of utmost importance to the Fatui. Since you regard them as tradable, I propose we conduct a transaction between you and the Fatui."
"We are willing to pay some price to obtain the Gnoses."
"Some price?"
Felina responded with a cold chuckle, emphasizing the words "some price."
"I've never seen someone bring weapons to block another's door while proposing a transaction."
"You just said you're willing to pay 'some' price, not a 'substantial' price. Coupled with your recent actions of amassing troops along Fontaine's borders..."
Felina's eyes gleamed with cold light as she stared at Arlecchino.
"Ms. Arlecchino, should I interpret this as the Fatui wanting to obtain the Gnoses but being unwilling to pay a higher price, resorting instead to coercion with a show of force?"
Felina's sharp words made Arlecchino's brow furrow slightly.
In truth, Arlecchino held a pessimistic view of these negotiations. She didn't believe this meeting would succeed.
Having dealt with Felina several times, Arlecchino had a certain understanding of her personality. Felina was assertive and unapologetically direct.
In Arlecchino's judgment, gathering troops at the border to pressure Fontaine would not gain the Fatui any bargaining chips. On the contrary, it would likely provoke Felina's defiance, further hindering negotiations.
Although Arlecchino disagreed with this strategy, her position as a Harbinger made her duty-bound to serve the Fatui.
She was also keenly aware that, given the Fatui's current situation, they had no bargaining chips equivalent to the four Gnoses.
Thus, war was likely the only option.
"Your questions are pointed, Lady Furina."
Arlecchino spoke, her voice calm.
"If you believe that the Fatui's actions are intended to pressure you, I won't deny your interpretation."
"Hmph, the Fatui's methods are always the same—arrogant and overbearing."
Felina let out a disdainful snort.
"Let's dispense with unnecessary probing."
"I'll state my position clearly: the Gnoses are of immense importance to Fontaine. Under no circumstances will I hand them over."
"I understand your response."
Arlecchino fell silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
She looked somewhat weary as she slowly raised her head to meet Felina's gaze.
"Representing Snezhnaya and the Fatui, the diplomatic phase of this meeting is now concluded. What follows, however, is a personal reminder—or perhaps advice—from a... friend."
"Prices can take many forms."
"In a certain sense, the Fatui indeed cannot offer anything equivalent to the value of four Gnoses."
"But in another sense, we absolutely can."
"For example, a large number of lives."
At these words, Arlecchino stopped speaking.
Felina's brows furrowed slightly as she grasped the implications of Arlecchino's words.
The Fatui couldn't offer her tempting trade terms for the Gnoses. However, the troops amassed at the border were also a bargaining chip.
A war with Fontaine, costing countless Snezhnayan soldiers' lives, was a price that the Fatui leadership might consider acceptable if it meant securing the Gnoses.
"In the end, prices are just about trade-offs."
Arlecchino continued.
"Personally, I don't favor using lives as currency. But I cannot deny that many in Snezhnaya's leadership find this cost acceptable."
"Thank you for the warning."
Felina nodded.
"Negotiations are over. My stance remains unchanged. You may leave."
Seeing that Felina's attitude was resolute, Arlecchino realized the futility of further discussion. Without another word, she turned and left.
With Arlecchino gone, the office was left silent, save for Felina's presence.
In that empty room, Felina's gaze grew sharper and colder, a trace of ferocity flickering in her eyes.
Perhaps the Fatui believed that by making her possession of the Gnoses public, Felina was merely seeking greater benefits.
Or perhaps they thought that war could coerce her into surrendering the Gnoses.
What they didn't know was that Felina was the one most eager to ignite a war with Snezhnaya.
Why was she so intent on waging war against Snezhnaya?
Because she desired Snezhnaya's Cryo Gnosis. She knew full well how crucial the Gnoses were to Snezhnaya and that no method outside of war could ever allow her to obtain it.
And because of Aishi.
The girl who once betrayed Furina but later swore her loyalty and atoned with her life.
Felina could still vividly recall the night she scattered the sand, soaked with Aishi's lifeless blood, into Fontaine's ocean.
It wasn't just grief and regret for Aishi's death. It was also anger at her own inability to avenge her, to bestow upon her the honor she deserved as a hero.
As Aishi's sovereign and liege, Felina could do nothing when Aishi was killed by a Fatui Harbinger during a covert mission in the desert.
Because Aishi had been sent to perform tasks too unspeakable to acknowledge, Felina couldn't even seek justice on the diplomatic stage, nor demand that Snezhnaya pay the price.
Wars between nations require justifications—causes that rally public opinion, making the populace believe they are on the side of righteousness. Without such causes, the people might turn against their leaders at the slightest provocation, incited by external forces.
For the Cryo Gnosis and for revenge, Felina began scheming to bring about a war with Snezhnaya from that very moment.
Why had she announced her possession of four Gnoses?
Because only then would the Fatui lose control of their restraint and move against Fontaine.
And only if Snezhnaya made the first move could Felina rouse her people's fervor, unite the will of all Fontaine, and launch a war against Snezhnaya without violating the Seven Nations' pact of non-aggression.
After leaving the Palais Mermonia, Arlecchino didn't return to her lodging.
Her feelings about Fontaine were deeply conflicted.
On one hand, she had grown up there. Her only trusted friend lived there. She had once called this land her "home." Her former family still resided there.
Fontaine had shaped nearly two-thirds of her life.
And now, this country was about to be engulfed in the flames of war.
The Gnoses were non-negotiable for the Fatui, so this war was inevitable.
With a heavy heart, Arlecchino made her way toward the former House of the Hearth.
Now officially under Fontaine's administration, the building had been converted into a state-run orphanage and no longer bore its former name.
From a high vantage point, she gazed at the distant orphanage.
In the months she had been away, many new "family members" had joined the orphanage. Unlike before, these children no longer had to study espionage, poison, or assassination techniques.
She saw Lyney and Lynette performing a new magic act for the children in the courtyard.
When arriving earlier, she'd heard that the two siblings had secured a performance slot at the Opera Epiclese.
Knowing them as she did, she surmised that they were likely rehearsing for their show by entertaining the children.
From her distant perch, she watched their performance until the end.
"Heh, long time no see. Lyney and Lynette's skills have improved greatly—I could barely catch the tricks this time."
She chuckled softly, offering silent praise.
How she wished she could step forward, just as she used to, and commend Lyney and Lynette directly.
But now, the children of the former House of the Hearth were ordinary citizens of Fontaine, while she was an enemy of Fontaine.
She was no longer their father, and they no longer recognized her.
Before long, she saw Freminet returning from diving, bringing back beautiful shells and corals as gifts for the others.
A crowd of children gathered around him, cheering as they picked their favorite shells.
Freminet stood by, scratching his head and grinning as he watched the jubilant children. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Watching this scene unfold, Arlecchino couldn't help but let a faint smile appear on her face.
As she silently observed, a voice sounded behind her.
"If you miss them so much, why not visit the orphanage?"
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