So battles are planned, others are unexpected—but a true Champion embraces them all. Consider this bonus Chapter one of those surprises.
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anwhile, at the Palais rmonia
After wrapping up his dayti duties and taking a brief stroll, Neuvillette returned to his office, ready to dive into his evening workload.
As he stepped through the door, an unusual scent lingered in the air, imdiately catching his attention.
His brows furrowed slightly. Glancing toward Sedna, the receptionist stationed in the main hall, he asked, "Sedna, did anyone enter my office while I was out?"
"No, Lord Neuvillette. Since you left earlier, no one has co to see you," Sedna replied with a shake of her head. As a lusine receptionist, it was her duty to screen all visitors, and today, no one had requested an audience.
"Is that so..."
Neuvillette cast a pensive glance toward his desk before stepping inside.
Sitting down, he imdiately noticed an unfamiliar docunt wrapped in parchnt lying on the surface.
Turning his gaze toward the window, he spotted a small gap in the intricately carved tal fra, allowing a faint breeze to waft through the room.
So, they ca in through the window...
Neuvillette picked up the docunt with a hint of wariness.
Breaking into the office of Fontaine's highest judge was a blatant affront to the nation's laws—punishable by a long stint in the Fortress of ropide if caught.
Moreover, the dense traces of Anemo lingering in the room suggested the intruder was a master of stealth and elental manipulation.
After a brief pause, Neuvillette tore open the parchnt, revealing a dossier.
Inside was an identity profile, its first page dominated by a photograph of a familiar face—Luo Qing.
Next to the photo, the dossier prominently displayed his alias:
"Brighella – Twelfth Harbinger of the Fatui, The Trickster."
The docunt ticulously detailed Luo Qing's actions across Teyvat, from orchestrating Osial's release in Liyue to collaborating with the Kanjou Commission in Inazuma to establish a Delusion factory and incite war between the resistance and the Shogunate. It even chronicled his involvent in Suru, where he aided the Akademiya's God-Creation Plan.
In short, the dossier painted Luo Qing as a highly dangerous individual, deeply entangled in the crises of multiple nations.
Furthermore, it included profiles of Luo Qing's subordinates, identifying their roles and potential connections.
"Fatui..."
Neuvillette murmured to himself, deep in thought.
Fontaine and Suru shared frequent diplomatic exchanges. The Akademiya's emissaries to Fontaine, including one scholar who had resided there for years, had always seed legitimate.
If Luo Qing had successfully operated under the guise of a Suru envoy, it ant one of two things: either Suru had colluded with him, or he had infiltrated their ranks through other ans.
Clearly, the individual who delivered this dossier sought to use Neuvillette as a tool to complicate Luo Qing's position.
"So, you wish to manipulate ..."
Neuvillette placed the dossier aside and resud his work without further reaction.
To him, Luo Qing's alleged Fatui affiliation was irrelevant. As long as Luo Qing abided by Fontaine's laws, he would be treated no differently than any other resident.
Even if Luo Qing was a Harbinger, it mattered little.
Conversely, should Luo Qing violate Fontaine's laws, Neuvillette would personally ensure he faced judgnt, regardless of his rank or allegiance.
After so ti, Neuvillette suddenly looked up.
"Sedna."
"Yes, Lord Neuvillette?" Sedna appeared promptly.
"It's late. Has she returned yet?"
Sedna shook her head. "The Hydro Archon has not co back yet."
"I see..."
Neuvillette nodded slightly. "That's all. You may go."
"Understood, my Lord."
Sedna bowed and exited, her small footsteps tapping lightly as she left.
Once alone, Neuvillette's gaze drifted back to the dossier on his desk.
For the first ti in a long while, his usually composed mind was unsettled.
Why does she keep seeking him out...?
Every morning, Furina returned with the distinct scent of Luo Qing lingering on her.
What exactly is she doing?
Perhaps... I should tell her about his true identity.
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At the Bouffartique Mansion
Having changed back into her usual formal attire, Lynette took a mont to compose herself before entering her master's room.
"Is it in place?"
Arlecchino sat at the head of the room, Luo Qing's photograph in her hand. Her tone was calm, almost indifferent.
"Yes, my Lord. Lord Neuvillette should see it as soon as he enters," Lynette replied.
"Good. Thank you, Lynette. You may rest now."
Lynette hesitated briefly, then nodded. As she turned to leave, she paused at the door.
"My Lord, may I ask you sothing?"
"Speak."
"Exposing Lord Brighella's identity to Lord Neuvillette... aren't you worried he might arrest him and send him to the Fortress of ropide?"
In Fontaine, Neuvillette's power was second only to Furina's. Even Arlecchino herself would struggle in a direct confrontation with him.
To Lynette, revealing Luo Qing's identity seed tantamount to sentencing him to imprisonnt.
Her hesitation stemd from her complicated feelings about Luo Qing. He had once been part of the House of the Hearth, after all. Competing with him for the Gnosis was one thing, but this felt dangerously close to betrayal.
"Lynette, you misunderstand Neuvillette," Arlecchino said with a faint shake of her head, her gaze almost pitying.
"To him, there is only justice, impartiality, cri, and judgnt. He would never view soone as a threat based on their Fatui affiliation alone."
She scoffed softly. "He only punishes those who commit cris—not those who might. It's been his way for years."
"Then why reveal Lord Brighella's identity?"
Arlecchino's lips curved into a faint smirk as she recalled Furina's increasingly frequent visits to Luo Qing's residence.
"I rely want to see how a certain soone reacts."
To obtain the Gnosis, there were only two viable approaches: collaboration or force.
The forr was akin to what the Lady attempted in Liyue. However, with Furina's temperant and worldview, Arlecchino saw no realistic path to cooperation. From the outset, she had positioned herself in opposition to the Hydro Archon.
Yet Luo Qing's recent closeness with Furina had sparked a twinge of unease in her heart.
Luo Qing, with his gift for persuasion and emotional manipulation, could easily sway even the most stubborn minds.
And Furina?
She was nothing short of a fool.
It wasn't impossible to imagine...
---
A true Champion knows that every battle, every choice, and every unexpected twist shapes the path to mastery. Consider this bonus Chapter a rare encounter—one that wouldn't be possible without the right support.
That's why you should support WiseTL at /WiseTL]—where every pledge helps bring more high-quality translations to life, staying true to the original while flowing naturally in English. After all, excellence is in the details.
Now, if you'll excuse , I have more to prepare for. But you? You should take this opportunity—you never know what rare finds await.
—Cynthia
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