Descargar la aplicación
10.18% Genshin: The Serenity System / Chapter 11: The Ludex's Speculations

Capítulo 11: The Ludex's Speculations

A day after the grand plan of Isaac, Fontaine soon erupted into a buzz.

Everyone was talking about the spreading news that the Dame des Eaux was stolen.

The Steambird, the most popular publication company in Fontaine, was the first to publish in the crack of dawn.

As soon as a Garde insider responded to last night's situation, they quickly reported it to Steambird.

As such, be it young or old, all of the people's discussion is centered around the stolen painting symbolizing their Goddess.

"He disappeared?" On the scene where Isaac was last seen, a tall man with waist-length hair. His elegant and charming voice reverberated around the scene. "Are you sure?"

"That's right, Ludex." A Melusine wearing a Garde replied beside him. Their size difference made them look quite comical. "According to the Gardes that saw the man, he just disappeared in the shadows— leaving no trace."

That's right. The man standing with the Melusine right now is none other than Fontaine's Ludex and the Head of the Marechaussee Phantom, Monsieur Neuvillette.

"And the Marechaussee Phantom hasn't found anything since then?" His voice carried a sense of authority as he spoke.

"We-We apologize, Ludex." The Melusine quickly apologized at the words of Neuvillette. "We will work ourselves to the bone if we must to find the culprit! We swear!"

The Marechaussee Phantom, formerly known as the Marechaussee Hunters, had been in operation for hundreds of years now. And the occasions when they fail or can't find anything about a case rarely happen.

This is because the Marechaussee Phantom is mostly made of the Melusines. They have exceptional perception and senses compared to humans, as such, they excel in espionage and investigation.

However, what just happened last night left them perplexed. This is because they can't find anything!

Neuvillette shook his head at the words of the Melusine. "No, I know you're all doing your best. You need not to push yourselves too hard."

"Th-Thank you, Ludex." The Melusine quickly thanked him for his words.

Neuvillette nodded lightly before looking at the back entrance where Isaac exited and stared in silence. "..."

Just then...

"Captain! We found nothing special about this!" A Melusine carrying a ziplock bag approached them. "Our best forensics already searched it. However, it's just a simple card. There isn't even any trace of fingerprints."

"And this is?" Neuvillette looked at the ziplock bag the Melusine was carrying and saw the card they described.

"It was found right in front of where the painting vanished, Ludex." The Melusine with the rank of Captain replied. "It seems like the culprit intentionally left it there for us."

"..." Neuvillette became silent when he heard this. He then started pondering about something. 'A thief that leaves behind items... Hmm... Odd.'

"Would you let me see it?" Neuvillette extended his hand to the Melusine.

"Yes, of course. Here, Ludex." The Melusone nodded and gave the ziplock bag without any questions.

Neuvillette took it and looked at the card that was inside. On the card, a naked person hovers or dances above the earth holding a staff in each hand, surrounded by a green wreath, being watched by various creatures.

'A tarot card?' Neuvillette, who was familiar with such a thing, thought.

Tarot Cards started becoming famous a few hundred years ago when Alice, a famous witch, and adventurer, claimed that they helped with connecting with interpreting a person's fate.

It became popular in Sumeru due to scholars claiming that it helped them connect to Irminsul. However, only a few of them did connect. The majority went insane because they couldn't properly handle Irminsul's lingering Forbidden Knowledge...

'The World... It represents an ending to a cycle of life, a pause in life before the next big cycle beginning with The Fool.' Neuvillette pondered to himself as he recollected some information about the card. 'It is an indicator of a major and inexorable change, of tectonic breadth.'

'Is the culprit trying to relay a message with this?' Neuvillette speculated. 'Perhaps they're trying to say that this is only the start and there are more to come...'

He then turned the card and saw two letters present.

'J. M...' Neuvillette grasped his chin as he thought of the two letters. ' It's obviously an acronym of someone's name... Is it the culprit's?'

'But why would someone deliberately leave their initials on their crime scene?' He then started looking around and saw someone familiar.

"Ha! Mark my words! I, Focalors, will find that audacious thief and make sure to drag him to the Fortress of Meropide and sentence him to life!" The familiar white-haired Archon declared to a group of reporters.

"You've seen the thief, Lady Furina?" A reporter with a notepad asked.

"So the thief's a man..." Another reporter wrote down the details.

"Lady Furina, do you have any guess on who the thief could be?" Another reporter asked.

Furina listened to her people and nodded with a smirk. "That's right. Last night, I managed to get a glimpse of that thief. He even dared to bow down to me as if ending his performance."

"I say, I think this is a deliberate intimidation." A reporter said as he vigorously wrote down on his notepad. "Perhaps..."

"Lady Furina, is the man deliberately challenging you?" Another reporter asked.

Furina heard this and her ahoge swayed for a bit. With an annoyed smile, she put her hands on her waist and nodded. "That's right. Before the thief left, he even left a message to me. Do you know what he said? He said 'Catch me if you can, Lady Furina', Ha! The pure AUDACITY."

"If he wants me to catch him, then he better be prepared!' She declared with absolute confidence.

Neuvillette, who was listening nearby, slightly widened his eyes as if he had just realized something. 'Catching... Performance... Challenging...'

Connecting these words, a new idea appeared in Neuvillette's mind. He then grasped his chin. 'I see... Although it may not seem like it on the surface...'

'From the surface, it seems like just a robbery. But if you account for what the thief did and said to Furina, then...' Soon, a scene appeared in his vision. It was as if a scene was replaying in his mind. 'The thief is deliberately challenging Furina to chase after him... Leaving clues for her...'

'Is it purely just for his amusement or is there a ploy going on here?' He then crossed his arms while quietly contemplating. 'Regardless...'

A mysterious man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere stole a painting and left clues for the Archon as if he were in a performance... and an Archon who craves delightful and intriguing performances during trials...

His sharp eyes then silently looked at Furina who was not far away. '...It seems like a playmate that suits you has finally arrived, Lady Furina...'

*

*

*

Meanwhile, at Isaac's cafe.

While the whole nation was turned upside-down from the chaos he made, he was surprisingly calm.

As usual, he was cleaning the cafe in the morning and preparing for another day of work.

On the TV, a song was playing while he was cleaning.

[Pain will come with the blade]

[Pain will wake up the despondent] [Crowd in this dormant world somehow]

For someone who just stole one of the most famous paintings in the nation, he was quite laid back.

However, he has a pretty good reason to be. That was because of the reward he received after competing just first S-Rank Mission.

'Isn't this too overpowered for someone like me?' Isaac sat down and drank a glass of water. 'I mean... I get that it fits my laidback style, but still...'

He then looked at the reward he got. The system interface opened and he was introduced to it.

[New System Function.]

[Name: Teleport]

[Description: The host can place up to a maximum of two teleport points in the system map.]

'Isn't this basically the traveler's teleport waypoint?' He thought with a wry smile. However, he soon shook his shoulders. 'But, it is what it is anyway.'

'With this, I don't have to worry about transportation, moreover, it can even help me in other ways.' He nodded to himself.

Picking up his remote, he took a sigh of relief. 'With my first main mission done, I should wait for a while before doing the next one... Main quests are exhausting.'

It was true. To do a main quest, Isaac has to go out of his way and leave the cafe to do them.

'...even more so when THAT'S the next main mission...' He side-eyed the system screen.

[A-Rank Quest]

[Type: Main Quest]

[Title: Godfather]

[Objectives: Help Spina Di Rosula by exposing The Waters from the Primordial Sea.]

'...just thinking of a plan for that makes my head hurt.' Isaac sighed. However, he soon stared at it vacantly for a few seconds before curling a small smile. 'But... It seems fun...'

'It seems like the names Gehrman and Moriarty would float around Fontaine in the near future...' He smiled before standing up to go to the kitchen to brew tea.

'How fun.'


next chapter

Capítulo 12: The Quality of the Moment

Hotel Bouffes d'ete.

While the rest of the Fontanians were busy talking about the recent news, the orphans from the House of the Hearth were quietly reading the newspaper.

"Wow..." Lyney, who was reading the latest paper from the Steambird, couldn't help but be surprised. "Someone actually dares to pull off such a performance?"

Right now, the matter about Furina and Isaac had already been spread. Almost everyone has learned of what Isaac said to Furina before leaving.

As such, the case is now being referred to as "The Case of the Nocturnus Masked Clown."

To some, it may seem like just a thief provoking a God, but to people like Lyney, they instantly saw something between the lines.

Freminet, who was playing with Pers, looked at Lyney before asking. "A performance?"

"Indeed," Lyney said with an amused smile as he put down the paper. "It seems like this Masked Clown has a game set up for Lady Furina."

"How could you tell?" Lynette, who was quietly sipping a cup of tea, asked on the side.

"A matter between performers, really." Lyney scoffed while shaking his head. He then lifted his hand and pointed at his top hat. "Once you reach a certain understanding of a performance, you'll naturally deduce and try to figure out other's performances."

"As for the Masked Clown..." He then looked at the newspaper he held and a baleful glint appeared in his eyes. "For now, we still don't know his objectives. We don't know if he works alone or if there is an organization behind him, or if what he's planning will affect ours.."

"We still have to wait for "Father" to respond to the situation. Until then, we'll just watch." He calmly said before sitting down.

"Speaking of "Father"... When will she be back?" Lynette, who was blowing on her tea which was still hot, curiously asked.

Lyney sighed in dismay. "Unfortunately, it's still unclear. "Father" is still in Snezhnaya, it would take a whole for her to return..."

That's right.

The so-called "Father" that the siblings are speaking of is, surprisingly, a woman— And it was none other than the one currently in charge of the House of the Hearth— a division of the Fatui that recruits orphans and makes them do various espionage missions.

As for their "Father"...

She was one of the 11 Fatui Harbingers of Snezhnaya serving under the Tsaritsa, and is codenamed "The Knave", "Arlecchino", and "Otets(Father)".

Everyone knows the cruelty of the Fatui and doesn't welcome them in any nation without any special reason, Fontaine included.

However, unbeknownst to the people of Fontaine, the House of the Hearth had already planted themselves inside the nation— in the form of a hotel.

Although Hotel Bouffes d'ete may seem like just a place where Lyney and his siblings stay, it's actually where the current House of the Hearth of Fontaine is.

And Lyney was the one under control while their "Father" was absent— this shows just how much potential Arlecchino sees in Lyney.

"Hm?"

"What's wrong Freminet?" Just then, Lyney, who sat down and was just about to have his breakfast, looked at Freminet and asked. "You seem to be distracted as of late. Is something wrong?"

"M-Me?" Freminet, who was playing with Pers, jolted a bit before looking at Lyney. "No, it's nothing."

"I noticed it too." Lynette joined in their conversation.

"It's hard not to notice that's something in your mind." Lynette, who was having her usual tea, said at the side. "Ever since yesterday, you've been acting unusual. Did something happen?"

"Well..." Freminet knew he couldn't hide everything from his perceptive siblings. With a soft voice, he told the truth. "It's just that... I've been craving a certain coffee for a while now."

"Coffee?" Both Lyney and Lyney asked in unison. They both looked at each for a moment before looking at Freminet. Lyney was the first to ask, "I know you don't take coffee often as it doesn't sit well in your stomach when you're diving... Did your mind change?"

"No," Freminet, with his usual light shy voice, shook his head. "It's just that a few days ago, I had... Erm... The best coffee I had in a while..."

"A good coffee, you say?" Lynette said, showing interest. "I say, what kind of coffee must have it been to make our dear Freminet want more of it?"

Lynette also perked her ears. Although she was silent, she also wanted to hear about this.

Seeing his siblings' gazes, Freminet didn't know for a moment. "I... Well..."

Freminet then calmed himself down before telling his siblings what happened when he went out the other day.

Lyney and Lynette attentively listened. After all, it was rare for them to see Freminet take an interest in something other than diving.

After a few minutes...

"A hidden cafe, you say?" Lyney grasped his chin with a smile while contemplating. "One that just recently opened and hadn't garnered that much attention, eh?"

"I can see why you like that cafe so much, Freminet." Lyney lightly chuckled. "With such a setting, you can be all alone and drink in peace."

"Plus with a skilled person serving you coffee? Why, it sounds like a delightful time." He added with interest.

"I don't believe that such a skilled person exists." Lynette voiced her opinion. "Brewing is an act of art. Unless one knows all the aspects of brewing can one truly master it."

Well, what Lynette said was true. In fact, Isaac hadn't even learned coffee-making for that long yet. In his past life, it was just a hobby he picked up that he would occasionally do with his family's old coffee machine, and not a full-time job.

The same goes for the tea he makes. He just watched a couple of tea-making videos online in the past and practiced through trial and error.

However, what makes them taste good?

Well, what makes them special— in Isaac's unique interpretation— is the moment and emotion.

Isaac believes that as long as you are having a good time, unbothered by pressure or stress, then anything you drink or eat will taste good.

That's why he loves and wants to keep the quiet and warm ambiance of his cafe.

It was not only to have a quiet environment for him but also for others.

"Still... Unless I try it, I won't believe that such an addictive brew exists." She added. She was a tea connoisseur, as such, she was naturally skeptical.

"Well, he seemed like someone skilled..." Freminet commented. He still remembers the taste of the Latte Isaac gave him. "Plus, he even drew Pers on top..."

"...drawing on top of the coffee?" Lyney crossed his arms while tilting his head. He then grasped his chin for a moment before smiling. "Now I'm truly interested in this cafe you speak of."

"Right, it's settled then." Lyney stood up with a smile on his face. "After we investigate The Case of the Nocturnus Masked Clown, we'll head down to this cafe Freminet speaks of."

"Wh-What?" Freminet voiced his concerns. "Wait..."

"I have no problems," Lynette said with her usual flat tone. "I also want to see the quality of this cafe— and judge if the taste is as what Freminet describes."

"Hold on... Don't you have any performances today?" Freminet added.

"Haha, there's always time for such things," Lyneu said with a laugh. "Now that you've piqued our interest, it's only natural for you to help us settle it."

"..." Freminet went silent for a second. He tried to resist, but seeing the determined faces of his siblings, he gave in. "Alright... After I return from diving, I'll lead you there."

"Now that's the spirit, Freminet." Lyney laughed as he patted Freminet on the back. He then asked, "By the way, what's the name of the cafe you speak of?"

"Oh, it's..." Freminet looked at his brother and spoke.

"Le Souffle du Silence."

*

*

*

Meanwhile, at Palais Mermonia, a crowd of people were looking at the Palais with interest as they talked amongst themselves.

Not far away from them, however, were three people who were also looking at the Palais.

"Someone suddenly vanishing..." One of them, a tall woman with light skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair spoke. "Keyword vanishing..."

"This might be connected to The Serial Disappearances Case." She muttered to herself. "Even if it doesn't, perhaps it will help us uncover more clues..."

"Should we investigate, Demoiselle?" An elderly man, who seems to be her butler based on his clothes, asked politely. "With just your words, me and Silver shall quickly start."

"I have the necessary investigation materials at the ready." Another person wearing sunglasses said with a solemn voice.

"Hm, that's right." The woman hummed and nodded her head. She then crossed her arms as she looked at Palais Mermonia with a confident smile on her face. "This time..."

"Spina Di Rosula steps in to investigate." Her blue eyes shined under the sunlight.


Load failed, please RETRY

Estado de energía semanal

Desbloqueo caps por lotes

Tabla de contenidos

Opciones de visualización

Fondo

Fuente

Tamaño

Gestión de comentarios de capítulos

Escribe una reseña Estado de lectura: C11
No se puede publicar. Por favor, inténtelo de nuevo
  • Calidad de escritura
  • Estabilidad de las actualizaciones
  • Desarrollo de la Historia
  • Diseño de Personajes
  • Antecedentes del mundo

La puntuación total 0.0

¡Reseña publicada con éxito! Leer más reseñas
Votar con Piedra de Poder
Rank 200+ Clasificación PS
Stone 31 Piedra de Poder
Denunciar contenido inapropiado
sugerencia de error

Reportar abuso

Comentarios de párrafo

Iniciar sesión

tip Comentario de párrafo

¡La función de comentarios de párrafo ya está en la Web! Mueva el mouse sobre cualquier párrafo y haga clic en el icono para agregar su comentario.

Además, siempre puedes desactivarlo en Ajustes.

ENTIENDO