"I don't understand," Clorinde said frankly. "What good would doing whatever I please with you do?"
Luna crossed her legs and swung her foot.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled. "You don't believe my words, do you?"
"In that case, why waste time talking? Bite me, slash me, stab me—do anything you can think of that would convince you."
Clorinde placed a hand on her hip. "I have no such fetishes or interests."
"Then it seems we're at an impasse."
"...I can listen to your story first."
If Luna had been the Phantom Thief from the very beginning...
Did that mean the Luna who comforted her on stage, the Luna who slept beside her... were all fake? Clorinde didn't think so. She could still remember the reassuring feeling of Luna's fingers brushing through her hair.
Even now, the memory made her lips curl into a faint smile.
Luna wasn't surprised. "What do you want to hear?"
"You stole a god's power and died again—"
"It's true," Luna said with a gentle smile. "Death doesn't frighten me. Besides, I'm a Cat with Nine-Lives. As long as the conditions are right, I can die a total of nine times."
Cat with Nine-Lives? Clorinde thought, finding it a bit beyond reason.
But the Phantom Thief White Cat was already an existence beyond reason. No one knew the source of her power; in the blink of an eye, she had become an unrivaled force.
Even when the gods intervened, she could escape unscathed.
"Why did you do it?"
Luna raised her index finger. "Curious? Lean in a little closer. We wouldn't want the wind to carry this secret away. After all, it concerns all of Teyvat."
This secret is far too heavy, Clorinde thought.
But as she looked into Luna's sparkling eyes, another thought surfaced: If I don't understand why she did this, I'll never be able to face her properly again.
A Champion Duelist wasn't responsible for apprehending criminals—that was the job of the Special Task Force and the Maison Gardiennage.
Yet, a Champion Duelist was also a representative of "Justice."
In terms of their roles, she and the Phantom Thief were natural adversaries. But as "Clorinde," the individual... her feelings grew complicated.
"Alright."
Clorinde moved closer to Luna.
"Have a seat."
Luna patted the ground beside her.
Clorinde sat down, hugging her knees.
As a gentle breeze swept past, Luna began to tell her story—about Furina, and about herself.
Since she had already explained everything to Navia without any issues, telling Clorinde should be fine as well.
As long as only a select few knew, it would be alright.
Clorinde listened in silence, her eyes flickering with emotion.
"You... The couple from that trial... they were your enemies?"
"More or less," Luna replied, smiling as she rested her chin on her hand.
Clorinde stared at her. "May I see that sword?"
"Of course."
Without hesitation, Luna summoned The Azure Radiance of Hydrell. Clorinde took it with both hands and examined it meticulously.
Ornate yet not ostentatious, its edge was so sharp that merely looking at it felt like being cut. This sword had surely slain countless monsters, yet it bore no trace of malevolence.
In Luna's hands, its flowing light had been gentle and bright.
"This is a blade capable of vanquishing any evil," Clorinde said in admiration.
"Well, my ancestors were knights, after all."
"...I believe you."
With that, Clorinde returned the sword to Luna.
Luna looked slightly surprised. "You believe me just like that?"
"You can tell a person's character by their weapon. The sword of an upright person is always sharp and will never break. The sword of a petty person shatters at the slightest touch, for they lack the courage and conviction to wield it."
Clorinde stood and drew her own sword, holding it upright.
"...I offer you my respect."
Luna's cheeks flushed slightly. Oh dear, someone actually made me feel a twinge of shame.
She averted her gaze. "What are you doing?"
"You are a person worthy of respect."
"But I'm the Phantom Thief White Cat, destined for eternal infamy, aren't I?"
Clorinde shook her head. "You saved Furina and Focalors, you rescued the Wilger couple, and you upheld the honor of the Court of Justice..."
"Admittedly, you've also committed numerous crimes that would warrant the death penalty. But I still wish to offer you my respect in my capacity as 'Clorinde.'"
Luna sighed. "Why don't you become a knight instead?"
"Actually, someone once called me a 'knight' too."
"What kind of knight?" Luna asked, intrigued.
"A 'Sinner Knight.' Because my merciless dueling style seemed to discriminate against sinners."
Not that kind of knight!
Clorinde noticed the subtle expression on Luna's face and felt a twinge of embarrassment.
"...My apologies. It seems my sense of humor isn't quite up to par. After you shared so many heavy truths, I thought I should lighten the mood."
"There's no need to lighten the mood. I don't dwell on these things anyway."
Because they no longer matter.
Luna touched her necklace. Her past held no regrets, and her future would hold none either.
She didn't worry about being abandoned. In fact, she had a more pressing concern—Are there too many obsessive women in my life?
Though no massive showdowns had erupted yet...
If one did, the black-hole-like gravitational pull between these intense women might just tear her remaining eight lives to shreds.
"Anyway, back to the point," Luna said, twirling a lock of hair. "If I answer your question now, you'll believe me, right?"
The question was: What does our friendship mean to you?
Clorinde nodded.
"I'll believe you."
Luna smiled. "The answer is—a treasure."
"..."
"Why the silence?"
"I expected something else."
"Like what?" Luna asked, curious.
Clorinde opened her mouth, but found she couldn't articulate what she'd been expecting.
A treasure... The Phantom Thief White Cat's definition of treasure had always been peculiar. She'd kick priceless artifacts aside without a second thought, yet she'd admire the actions of others, treating their intentions and souls as shining treasures.
"I see..."
Our friendship is a treasure.
She's serious about being a Phantom Thief, and she's serious about our relationship.
Clorinde's expression softened. Unconsciously, her mind drifted back to her first "morally ambiguous duel."
Back then, in her youth, she had been momentarily lost.
—The verdict was set, the evidence undeniable.
—But everyone insisted he was a good man.
It turned out to be nothing but lies—a man disguising himself as good, twisting logic, and blurring the lines between right and wrong. He was just a wolf in sheep's clothing.
But Luna was different.
She disdained pretense.
—The verdict had not yet been set, but everyone believed her crimes were monstrous, that she was a vicious, irredeemable sinner who deserved death.
—But in reality, everything she did was for the sake of the girl who played God.
One committed evil while claiming it was good; the other committed good while being condemned as evil.
Clorinde looked at Luna again.
"I also..."
On this one point, Clorinde could say the exact same thing.
"I also see it as a treasure. Thank you for being my friend. I'm very happy."
Clorinde extended her hand.
Luna blinked, then gently took it.
"You can kiss my cheek to show your gratitude, you know," she said with a smile.
Clorinde considered this. Expressing gratitude through action... It's a good idea. A little embarrassing, though.
With that thought, she leaned down and cupped Luna's face.
Then, she left a kiss—and a faint lipstick mark—on her cheek.
Clorinde met the surprised Luna's gaze, then sat back down as if nothing had happened, hugging her knees again. But the slight, inexplicable quickening of her heart disrupted her thoughts.
Luna touched her cheek.
She actually kissed me... A smile spread across her face.
Being kissed was certainly nice, but she hoped Clorinde wouldn't turn into a Champion Kiss-list...
Wait, no, a Champion Duelist.
-
Spy- Join the discord! Join the Eternal Holy City! https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS