Lumine's eyes widened like two frozen stars, glittering with disbelief.
Her face was a blend of shock and disappointment.
Her lips trembled slightly. The words that escaped her mouth quivered, but each one carried a powerful weight.
"Huh?! Why?"
Her voice brimmed with confusion and sadness—every syllable felt torn from the depths of her heart, steeped in helplessness and loss.
Shajin was visibly stirred by the look on her face. Her sorrow struck a chord in him.
But he knew he bore a greater responsibility. His gaze was resolute, his voice firm with an unshakable determination.
"My comrade ran into trouble in Fontaine—trouble that could tip the balance of everything. I have to deal with it."
His tone struck like a hammer against stone—unyielding, full of responsibility and resolve.
"And besides, you can't rely on me forever. You have your own strength, your own courage. I believe you'll be able to handle whatever Sumeru throws at you."
His words were filled with encouragement and hope—like a mentor passing on the flame to the next generation.
Though Lumine still felt a pang of loss, she understood he was right.
She gave a nod, her eyes rekindled with a determined spark, like the brightest star in the night sky, lighting the path ahead.
"Alright. I'll be careful."
Her voice rang with conviction, each word like a polished gem—sharp, resilient, brimming with courage.
Paimon watched the exchange, a shadow of concern etched across her tiny face.
Her brows were tightly knit, eyes glimmering with unease.
"Then we really need to be careful in Sumeru. That Doctor guy sounds super scary…"
Her voice wavered ever so slightly.
Yae Miko smiled gently. Her smile was like spring sunlight—warm, soothing, sweeping away all gloom. Her tone was full of warmth and trust, her sincerity radiating through every word.
"No need to worry. You each have your own destiny, your own path. I believe you'll find the answers you seek in Sumeru."
Her voice was like a guiding light—gentle yet firm, a sage's blessing for wandering souls.
With that, Yae Miko turned and left, her graceful figure gradually fading from view.
A soft breeze passed, lifting her long hair behind her—as if sending her off, and also offering blessings to Lumine and Paimon for the journey ahead.
"Well then, this is where we part ways."
Shajin said his goodbyes to the group, then turned into a streak of golden light that shot toward the horizon.
He vanished in an instant like a meteor, leaving behind only a glowing golden trail across the sky.
"Safe travels!"
Lumine shouted, her voice echoing across the open sky—strong enough to reach even the distant golden light.
Paimon patted her chest, pumping herself up.
"Alrighty then, let's go! Sumeru, here we come!"
Her tone was bubbling with anticipation and excitement, as if she could already see the wonders and surprises awaiting them.
Lumine and Paimon looked down at the charms in their hands, hearts filled with emotion. These small omamori weren't just souvenirs—they were blessings, symbols of hope.
They felt like tiny seeds, planting courage and strength deep within their hearts.
They knew Sumeru would be filled with challenges and dangers. But they also knew—as long as they pressed forward without fear, they'd overcome anything.
Lumine gripped her charm tightly, feeling the warmth and strength it carried.
Her eyes shone with determination, silently telling herself: no matter what happens, I will face it head-on.
Paimon clutched hers as well, eyes full of anticipation and excitement.
She knew—this journey through Sumeru would be a true adventure, one filled with obstacles and surprises. And she couldn't wait to begin.
A gentle breeze brushed past them, lifting their hair like a whispered farewell.
And so, Lumine and Paimon set out toward Sumeru, their hearts full of resolve and hope.
...
Fontaine.
The one nation whose technology rivaled that of Snezhnaya.
At its heart stood the Palais Mermonia, a grand and ancient structure, the very symbol of Fontaine's pride and power.
And deep within this palace, Chief Justice Neuvillette sat behind his desk, meticulously reviewing one weighty case after another—each tied to justice and order across the land.
Neuvillette.
A name that every citizen of Fontaine knew by heart.
Not just the highest judicial authority in the Palais Mermonia, but the living embodiment of law and justice in the city.
His very presence gave people comfort. As long as Neuvillette stood watch, fairness would never falter.
He wore a flowing cloak of deep blue—not just a symbol of his authority, but a veil of mystery that seemed to follow wherever he walked.
Beneath it, a perfectly tailored tailcoat, every stitch exuding precision, discipline, and nobility—just like the man himself: unquestionable, untouchable.
His waistcoat and custom ascot glinted with embedded gemstones, gleaming under the light. Their brilliance gave Neuvillette a sharp, cold elegance.
These weren't mere ornaments—they were symbols of insight and judgment. Just like his rulings: dazzling, unwavering, absolute.
Neuvillette's eyes were slit pupils—sharp, penetrating, with a gaze that seemed to cut through facades and lay bare the truth beneath.
He radiated a pressure so solemn that no one dared act carelessly in his presence.
And yet, even such a figure found himself vexed, staring at a file in silence.
"The Fatui's Twelfth Harbinger—The Gambler, is it…"
His voice was low and steady, each word carefully weighed. His eyes flickered with something deeper—skepticism, calculation, perhaps concern.
He knew full well: this so-called Gambler's arrival might be far more complicated than it appeared.
It could affect not only Fontaine—but the entire continent's future.
He couldn't afford mistakes. Every decision from here on would ripple outward, touching countless lives.
After all, the recent rumors swirling around The Gambler… were anything but quiet.
_
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