Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
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"Victor, come back quickly…"
"Why aren't you going out?"
"Didn't you see? I didn't expect the back entrance to be swarming with reporters too…"
"We're already disguised, aren't we? No one will recognize you."
"No, no… Even if they can't recognize me, those reporters can recognize this outfit. They're far too experienced… Damn it!"
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Seeing Furina's distressed expression, Victor Wang deliberately asked, "You didn't even consider that the back entrance might be surrounded as well, and just rushed into disguising yourself like this?"
"Hmph… No matter what, I have to get out today. If the back entrance won't work, we'll use the secret passage. Follow me!"
…
"Why are there reporters outside the secret passage too?!"
"Don't look at me—I didn't even know there was a shortcut here. Honestly, the Palais Mermonia has been standing for how many years now? Did you really think a 'secret passage' would still remain secret?"
"But the last time I snuck out through here, it was completely quiet…"
Victor Wang questioned her reasonably, "When was that? Was there something as major as 'the prophecy is about to happen' back then?"
"I'm already unlucky enough being trapped inside the Palais Mermonia, and you… you keep mocking me on top of that…"
"Mocking you? That's a bit much. I'm just stating facts."
Furina flared up. "Subordinates are not allowed to talk back to their superiors!"
"When it's just the two of us, it's equivalent to stepping off the stage. That means we're not in a superior–subordinate relationship. Besides, didn't you say this outing required hiding your identity?"
"I—"
Furina bit her lip, then angrily swung her fists in the air twice, completely at a loss for words.
Victor Wang continued observing, "This passage is called a secret passage, but it's surprisingly clean. There's hardly any dust on the ground. Someone must pass through here often—at least as far as cleaning is concerned—"
"I know!" Furina cut in. "Someone in the Palais Mermonia must have been using this route for convenience when commuting, and after walking it so often, it got discovered… So annoying, so annoying, so annoying!"
Victor Wang shook his head helplessly. "So, what do we do now?"
"There's no other choice… We'll go out through this exit. There are reporters outside too, but it looks like there are fewer than at the other exits… Phew, I just hope they don't recognize me."
"But have you considered this?" Victor Wang said. "Anyone who managed to learn about the secret passage must be a top-tier reporter. On the other hand, the ones crowding the main entrance every day might actually be greener. It's crowded there—much easier to slip out unnoticed."
Furina halted, thought it over carefully, and realized it made some sense. That only made her angrier. "Y-You—why didn't you say that earlier? Were you just waiting to see me embarrass myself? I was even planning to compliment you, saying you look much brighter without the cloak and mask, but now—!"
Victor Wang was silent for two seconds before replying, "I just wanted to see how you would handle things on your own… if I weren't here."
"What are you talking about! Don't flatter yourself—even without you… I could still ask Clorinde for help."
"And if Clorinde didn't help you?"
"Then I'd ask Neuvillette!"
"And if Neuvillette didn't help you either?"
"Th-That's impossible!" Furina shook her head vigorously. "They're all my subordinates. They wouldn't be as disobedient as you."
"I'm saying if. If they all stood against you, would you be sad?"
Furina actually tried to imagine it—and froze. A few seconds later, she retorted weakly, "Why are you suddenly asking such weird questions? I have plenty of friends! Even if they didn't help me, I'd still have other friends! Besides, you're here right now, and you haven't helped much either!"
"Who says I can't help?"
"You have a solution?"
"Of course. I was originally planning to let you experience Liyue adeptal arts—but this works just as well—"
Under Furina's puzzled gaze, Victor Wang took out Alice's cloak again.
"What does that mean?"
"Put this cloak on. Ordinary people won't notice you."
"You're serious?"
"Just step outside and see for yourself."
"Alright…"
Tightening the cloak adorned with cute patterns, Furina followed Victor out of the secret passage with lingering doubts. The moment she was exposed to sunlight, almost all the reporters looked over at once, startling her so badly that she instinctively wanted to retreat back inside. But their gazes only converged on Victor.
Looking around and realizing that absolutely no one was paying her any attention, Furina felt a surge of joy. Then, without noticing, she bumped straight into Victor, who had suddenly stopped.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
Touching the headband on his forehead and glancing up at the sunlight—which seemed brighter than usual—Victor sighed. "Without the cloak and mask, being stared at by so many people feels… uncomfortable."
"Really? I couldn't tell. Are you actually someone who lacks a sense of security inside?"
"…I'm just not used to the change in attire. How did that turn into insecurity?"
"That's simple—think about it. What normal person needs to wear a mask and cloak all day long?"
"…You're right. I'm not normal."
"Uh… that's not what I meant…"
"Let's go."
Victor Wang led the way, with Furina sneaking along behind him.
Even when they brushed past the reporters, from the reporters' perspective, it was just an unfamiliar face and a… well, someone with hardly any presence at all. No one connected them to the person they had been waiting for.
Before long, the two successfully passed through the layers of reporters.
"So? Do you believe in the power of this cloak now?"
"It's amazing!"
"But you have to give it back to me. It holds special meaning for me."
"I never said I wouldn't…"
After taking back the cloak, Victor asked, "So where are we going now?"
Furina pinched her chin and thought for a moment. "Even though I have lots of things I want to do after being cooped up for eight days, since it's still early, let's go to Romaritime Harbor first."
…
They arrived at the Fontaine Court Aquabus hub and waited on the second level for a while. An almost empty aquabus pulled in.
Seeing Victor, the Melusine guide Aeval greeted him warmly. "Oh! You're here to ride the Clémentine Line again, sir! How have you been enjoying Fontaine these past few days?"
Being recognized so easily despite the change in appearance was unexpected, yet understandable—after all, she was a Melusine. Victor Wang replied, "I've been doing quite well."
"That's great! And Lady Furina too—how rare! I never expected you to take this aquabus, and all by yourself, no less?"
"Huh? Shh—!"
Furina was startled and quickly made a shushing gesture.
"I know Melusines have extraordinary vision. It seems this little disguise really couldn't fool you. But with the prophecy lately, some people are overly worried and keep trying to confirm things with me. To avoid their pestering, I had no choice but to disguise myself and stay out of sight. So please help me keep this a secret for now."
"I see… Sorry, sorry! Actually, Lady Furina looks no different from usual in my eyes. If you hadn't mentioned it, I might really have let the secret slip—ah! Has this passenger over here already heard it?"
"Don't worry. He's my guard. There's no need to keep secrets from him."
"Phew… that's a relief. Ahem, then please take your seats, dear passengers—we're preparing to depart!"
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