Clorinde silently raised her sword into a ready stance.
Their eyes met, and then—a clash of gleaming blades! The force that jolted up her arm and the shower of sparks made it clear: neither was holding back.
Nor did they need to.
"You're much faster than before," Luna commented.
Clorinde's voice was steady. "Because I refuse to stagnate. With stronger 'sinners' appearing in Fontaine, as the Champion Duelist, I can't afford to fall behind. I must become stronger."
"Justice without power is nothing but a hollow cry."
With a flick of her wrist, Clorinde's blade flowed like water, erasing the trajectory of Luna's sword.
Neutralize the force, shift the angle, seize the opening... Clorinde's gaze sharpened as she thrust forward! The blade's edge flashed like light. Against any other opponent, this strike would have sliced through flesh, perhaps even felling them in a single blow.
But Luna merely shifted her stance, and a flick of her own blade deflected the attack.
Clang—! The shimmering light reflecting off Luna's sword filled Clorinde's vision.
So, even without Elemental Power, Luna is still this strong.
And stronger than last time.
"You won't hit me like that, Clorinde," Luna said. "Unless you're as fast as 'Father,' you won't be able to catch me."
Clorinde smiled faintly. "I know."
Inhale, exhale... The moment their eyes met again, blades clashed in a shower of sparks!
Clorinde's swordsmanship was sharp and unadorned, devoid of any flashy moves. Each strike was delivered with astonishing speed, swift enough to startle.
Luna's swordsmanship, though seemingly ornate, always intercepted her opponent's trajectory. She would unleash an explosive strike, then abruptly slow down, her movements flowing seamlessly like a dance.
Unbreakable.
Not a single opening.
Clorinde spoke softly, "As expected, your sword is more resilient than any sinner's I've ever faced."
"And beautiful?" Luna added.
"And beautiful. I like it very much, though I would never use such an ornate style myself."
Luna lowered her stance, sweeping her sword horizontally across the ground!
Is that Liyuean swordsmanship? The well-traveled Clorinde recognized the move. She leaped into the air, landing behind Luna and slashing downward!
Luna circled her sword back to parry. Clang! Clorinde's blade was stopped cold, unable to advance another inch.
"It seems you learned quite a bit during your trip to Liyue."
Luna turned her head slightly, chuckling. "I know some of the Knights of Favonius' techniques too, though they're not very useful. It's a shame you couldn't come with us back then, Clorinde. It would have been much more lively."
Clorinde nodded gently. "I agree. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any time off."
"Ugh, work," Luna sighed, shaking her head.
"Yes, work."
Luna sprang into the air, a flurry of strikes forcing Clorinde back. She then created distance and raised her sword tip in a challenge.
Clorinde regulated her breathing, flicking her blade to send out a flash of light. "I'm warmed up now."
"Me too."
Dueling purely with swordsmanship like this is actually quite fun.
A drop of sweat trickled past Clorinde's ear. She exhaled a steamy breath and slowly raised her sword. Her figure vanished, replaced by a streak of deep blue closing in from her blind spot.
Luna didn't retreat. Instead, she surged forward to meet the attack.
The instant their blades clashed, the air filled with a dizzying flurry of sword shadows.
In the sweltering heat, only the ceaseless clang of steel and the ragged gasps of the duelists could be heard. A bead of sweat landed on a blade, slid along its length, and shattered into mist as the swords resonated against each other.
Their eyes met again. Luna swung her sword, and Clorinde instantly parried.
Clang—
Both swords were sent flying.
Was that intentional?
The question flashed through Clorinde's mind, but there was no time to hesitate. Even without their weapons, the duel wasn't over until one of them fell.
How would they fight now? With their bodies, of course.
Clorinde threw a punch, but Luna easily sidestepped, catching her wrist and wrapping an arm around her waist.
A kiss, light as a bird's peck, landed on Clorinde's cheek.
"...Luna?" Clorinde gasped, bewildered.
"Intermission," Luna whispered. "Let's dance."
A smile touched Clorinde's lips. "Alright."
Luna raised her hand, and the music flowing through the Golden Theatre softened, becoming light and cheerful, completely dispelling the intense atmosphere of their duel.
"Thirsty?"
Luna stepped forward.
Clorinde matched her steps, moving backward. "A little. Do you have water?"
"Of course."
With a sudden burst of strength, Luna pulled Clorinde into a spin, reversing their positions as she leaned back. Clorinde reacted instantly, bending low to catch Luna, holding her close.
Now with a free hand, Luna traced a circle in the air and retrieved a bottle of water from her storage space.
"I'll drink first. I'm thirsty too, after all."
"Mm."
Unscrewing the cap with one hand, Luna took several gulps. The column of her throat moved with each swallow.
Clorinde watched quietly as sweat from her own temples dripped onto Luna's skin. Neither of them paid it any mind, their senses filled only with the other's scent.
"Hah..."
Luna exhaled and shook the half-empty bottle.
"The rest is for you. But before that—"
She wrapped an arm around Clorinde's neck and tilted her chin up. "Could you wipe my lips for me? I drank too quickly and spilled a little."
Clorinde's chest still rose and fell with the lingering exertion of the duel—a duel that wasn't even over. But now, her pounding heart was stirred by something else entirely.
She slowly wiped the glistening water from the corner of Luna's mouth with her thumb.
A dull ache—a fleeting sting shot through her fingertip.
Clorinde's eyes widened slightly, but Luna simply kissed her fingertip, as if in triumph. Even through the glove, she could faintly feel the softness of Luna's lips.
"Does it hurt?"
"...A little."
Luna smiled, straightened up, and stood steady.
"Here."
Clorinde nodded, about to take the water bottle. But Luna suddenly pulled it back.
A prank?
"Here," Luna said with a smile. "No need to use your hands. I'll feed you, Clorinde."
So it's not... or perhaps it's just Luna's unique brand of mischief. She often teased other girls back when she was the Phantom Thief White Cat. Does she find it amusing?
Clorinde could easily snatch the bottle away, but if Luna wanted to play this game, she didn't mind trying... just trying.
Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Clorinde tilted her face up and parted her lips slightly.
Luna raised the bottle, its rim touching Clorinde's soft lips. Clorinde suddenly remembered that Luna's lips had just been pressed against that same spot. Which meant...
Clorinde averted her gaze, feeling a flush of embarrassment.
Gulp, gulp... The cool water slid down her throat. Clorinde exhaled.
"Now it's my turn."
"Hm?"
Luna leaned close to Clorinde's face and licked away the glistening water from the corner of her mouth.
"..."
Clorinde met her with silence.
She's getting more and more audacious, Clorinde thought. She could feel Luna testing her boundaries, pushing them little by little. Was Luna trying to see how far she could go, or was this just simple teasing?
Whatever the reason, Clorinde only felt her ears grow hotter.
"Clorinde."
"Mm."
Luna took Clorinde's hand. "Let's continue."
"...Mm."
But Luna's actions didn't displease her.