"Weren't you here to negotiate terms? Then let me see what kind of terms would make you give up a Gnosis."
For Scaramouche, the Gnosis was important. But for Ei and Lucian, it truly wasn't—in fact, not having the Gnosis might even be more advantageous.
For one, without the Gnosis, Snezhnaya would no longer have its eyes on you, saving a lot of trouble.
Moreover, the fact that the Fatui could seize the Gnosis might very well be part of Celestia's so-called "fate."
Even if it wasn't, ensuring the plot followed the path Lucian was familiar with wouldn't bring him any harm.
"My condition is this: in future operations, as well as actions related to Fontaine, your Fatui will follow my arrangements," Lucian stated.
Lucian planned to "stage a play" in Fontaine—one orchestrated for the sake of "fate."
This play wasn't just for Celestia's sake but also for Neuvillette.
"Impossible," Signora refused outright.
Leaving aside the fact that the Fatui would never willingly obey anyone other than the Tsaritsa, even if they were willing, it still wouldn't work.
After all, their operations in Fontaine concerned the Hydro Archon's Gnosis. They couldn't possibly abandon the Hydro Gnosis just for the Electro Gnosis.
"Don't worry. If you obey, you'll still obtain the Hydro Archon's Gnosis in the future," Lucian reassured.
"Lady Signora, you wouldn't want your refusal to cost the Tsaritsa both the Electro and Hydro Gnoses, would you?"
Signora fell silent. The words of a prophet about the future undeniably carried weight.
"Think carefully. If you refuse, we'll have no choice but to resort to force." Lucian pocketed the Gnosis, openly threatening her.
"...I will consult Her Majesty," Rosalyne replied.
Neither of them had the authority to make such a decision. Ultimately, it would be up to the Tsaritsa or Pierro to decide.
But no matter what, seizing the Gnosis here was impossible. With just the two of them, there was no way they could defeat the opposing lineup.
The Fatui had plenty of soldiers, but fighting to a stalemate while still failing to secure the Gnosis would be a losing proposition.
"That's more like it. Leaving Inazuma now might just save your life," Lucian said with a smile.
Rosalyne understood—if she stayed in Inazuma, she would likely die. In a way, Lucian was saving her.
But her pride made it hard for her to accept such words from him. Driven by her ego, she retorted,
"Hmph, I don't need your pity. Death has never been something I feared."
Lucian nodded. For Rosalyne, death might indeed be a form of liberation. But the fear that came with facing death was hardly pleasant.
"I never expected to cooperate with you..." Scaramouche muttered.
"I didn't either! I thought Lucian would definitely set all of you on fire!" Even while being held by Lucian, Paimon continued her verbal assault.
"Annoying little toy," Scaramouche glared at Paimon.
Paimon, emboldened by Lucian's grip, shot back, "Who are you calling a toy, you... you... big plate-head!"
Scaramouche ignored her and turned his gaze to Kujou Sara, who still radiated hostility.
Kujou Sara frowned. Emotionally, she didn't want to let the Fatui go. They should all be captured and brought before the Shogun for judgment.
But rationally, she knew Lucian's approach wasn't without merit. With the Fatui out of the picture, Inazuma could focus on resolving its internal issues.
She glanced at Yae Miko, who stood to the side, watching as if it had nothing to do with her.
Kujou Sara sheathed her sword and stepped back to stand beside Lucian and the others.
Since the Delusion Factory hadn't yet begun mass-producing delusions, ordinary people like Teppei hadn't been affected. That was why they could negotiate peacefully here.
As for the other tragedies, to be honest, the primary responsibility lay with Ei. As the Archon, she held the authority and thus bore the responsibility.
The secondary blame fell on the two corrupt commissions that withheld information. Without them, none of this would have escalated so badly.
If they hadn't blocked the Yashiro Commission's reports, even the reclusive Ei would have known about events beyond her "eternity."
Poor Ei thought she knew everything, unaware that what she knew was only what others wanted her to know.
She didn't even realize the perpetual storm surrounding Inazuma's waters. Truly, she had secluded herself to the point of being oblivious to the outside world.
When she finally learned the truth, her tears fell—eternity wasn't something you could just wish for.
In the end, she went into "seclusion," even forbidding the Raiden Shogun from using force or handling political affairs to prevent similar incidents.
Clearly, she had recognized her mistakes.
Back to the matter at hand, Lucian and the Fatui had reached a temporary agreement, and neither side intended to fight further.
The Gnosis remained in Lucian's possession, not yet handed over to the Fatui.
When the group emerged from the dungeon, Kujou Takayuki was stunned.
What was going on? The two sides spent all that time inside, only to walk out "hand in hand"?
Their unharmed exit made his ambush here seem utterly foolish.
This... this can't be right. Who's trying to frame me today? Kujou Sara! Are you trying to frame me?
Wait, why is Guuji Yae here too? What in the world is happening?
Kujou Takayuki suddenly felt like he'd fallen behind the times. He had anticipated the Yashiro Commission sending people and Kujou Sara's possible return, but he never expected Yae Miko to be here.
That was Yae Miko—the only one who could whisper into the Raiden Shogun's ear during her seclusion.
According to intelligence, the Guuji was still at the Grand Narukami Shrine. How did she get to his family's dungeon so quickly? He hadn't received any reports along the way—how was this possible?
He had no way of knowing that Lucian, as a noble mage, could open "portals."
Fortunately, this was the Kujou Clan's territory. In Kujou Takayuki's eyes, they still held an overwhelming numerical advantage.
"You—you all!" Kujou Takayuki roared. "This is a betrayal of Her Excellency the Shogun!"
"..." Yae Miko's smile vanished. Her violet eyes locked onto him, a flash of coldness passing through them.
This man dared to accuse her of betraying Ei!
Kujou Takayuki shuddered. He hadn't expected the usually smiling Guuji to have such a terrifying gaze.
Only now did he truly realize that beyond her role as the Guuji, she was also a powerful youkai.
Kujou Sara stepped forward. "Head of the Clan, why must you persist in your delusions? Where is your loyalty?"
"Hmph, when have I ever been disloyal? I merely made a profitable deal."
Scaramouche sneered. "Tch, as I said—he's not even worthy of being called a traitor. Just trash."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Signora: About Lucian · Meeting in Inazuma
"He grew stronger so quickly... Tch, I didn't even get the chance to burn him to ashes."