Taking the Bait

As Felina expected, the information passed to the House of the Hearth triggered an immediate reaction.

"In Furina's room, they found a blue-glowing piece?"

"Clorinde will be escorting the Gnosis to Fortress of Meropide tonight to calm the unrest of the Primordial Sea?"

The House of the Hearth fell into silence, though within, everyone's thoughts churned restlessly.

The Gnosis—something the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya needed, and a mission personally assigned by the Father.

They had been searching for intel on the Gnosis for quite some time, never expecting it would surface this way.

"What should we do, Lyney?" asked the shy young boy, Freminet, looking to him for guidance.

"After the appearance of the Primordial Seawater, we investigated and found strong indications that the Primordial Sea lies beneath Fortress of Meropide. With the recent Primordial Seawater spills threatening Fontaine's safety, it's reasonable for Furina to use the Gnosis to suppress it," Lyney replied.

"Should we notify Father?" Lynette asked.

"There's no time," Lyney answered gravely. "The report says Clorinde will be transporting the Gnosis to Fortress of Meropide tonight, but what time exactly—8 p.m., 9 p.m., or perhaps 11 p.m.—who can say?"

"The Gnosis is something we absolutely must obtain. It's already 7:30 p.m., and no one knows exactly what time they'll make the move. We don't have much time."

"This is Father's mission. Get ready; we must seize the Gnosis at all costs!"

That night, the House of the Hearth's operatives mobilized in full to snatch the Gnosis. Little did they know they were heading straight into a carefully laid trap.

9 p.m.

As planned, Clorinde departed from Palais Mermonia, heading toward Elynas Island.

And from the moment she left, she was already under the House of the Hearth's surveillance.

The road to Elynas Island was lined with members of the House of the Hearth, hidden in the shadows and tracking her every movement.

Finally, Clorinde reached a secluded area on Elynas Island.

"Well?"

"Using Elemental Vision, I confirmed that Clorinde's coat pocket is emanating a very concentrated Hydro element. Clorinde's Vision is Electro, so anything giving off such a powerful Hydro aura can only be the Gnosis!"

This was the ideal place to strike. With the Gnosis confirmed to be on her, there was no reason to hesitate.

"Move in!" Lyney commanded, drawing his longbow and firing a flame-imbued arrow directly at Clorinde.

Simultaneously, Lynette and Freminet charged from both sides, initiating their assault on Clorinde!

Cautious by nature and the strongest Duelist, Clorinde had already been briefed on the plan by Felina and was aware that this spot would likely be the ambush site.

When she reached this location, she was fully alert. Their small surprise attack couldn't take her by surprise.

With a swift sidestep, she dodged Lyney's arrow, then flicked her sword upward to parry Lynette's Wind-infused blade.

A quick step sideways allowed her to evade Freminet's sweeping greatsword.

Clorinde backflipped to put distance between herself and her attackers, gripping her sword in one hand while drawing her gun with the other. She fired several shots into the bushes, successfully forcing Lyney out.

Surrounded by crackling lightning, Clorinde released the full power of the strongest Duelist.

She rode the lightning, her speed reaching astonishing levels, as she launched a fierce assault on Freminet and Lynette!

Childe, the Fatui Harbinger, even mentioned in the Fontaine storyline that Clorinde held back in their duel. Though Childe didn't have a Hydro Vision on him at the time and hadn't used his Foul Legacy, Clorinde's skill would still allow her to give Childe a solid challenge.

If she could hold her ground against a Harbinger, what chance did the children of the House of the Hearth have?

Sword in one hand and gun in the other, Clorinde used her blade to engage Freminet and Lynette up close, while her firearm kept Lyney at bay from a distance.

With a powerful horizontal sweep, Clorinde's Electro-charged sword crashed into Lynette's blade, the immense force numbing Lynette's grip until her sword slipped from her hands.

Sensing her advantage, Clorinde didn't waste the opportunity—she spun and delivered a sweeping kick to Lynette's side, sending her flying!

"Sister!"

Lynette was Lyney's greatest weakness. Seeing her injured, he lost control of his emotions and prepared to attack Clorinde with reckless desperation, drawing his bow once again.

But he didn't realize how exposed his stance made him to Clorinde's trained eye.

Blocking Freminet's attack, Clorinde fired a shot directly at Lyney's shoulder, disrupting his ability to draw his bow.

The House of the Hearth might have been well-trained, but they were still young and far less composed than the seasoned Duelist before them.

With Lyney and Lynette incapacitated, Freminet's focus shattered. Clorinde delivered an Electro-infused punch to his abdomen, causing his vision to blur as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"Is this all you've got?" Clorinde muttered, flicking her sword with indifference, standing over the fallen forms of Freminet and Lynette.

"Damn it!" Lyney cursed through gritted teeth.

A Vision wasn't something just anyone could obtain, and even in the House of the Hearth, only a few had received one.

Hoping to avoid excessive attention, they had attempted to retrieve the Gnosis using only the three of them. But Clorinde's power had far exceeded their expectations; even the combined strength of himself, Lynette, and Freminet couldn't prevail.

"If that's the case, we'll have to resort to Plan B!" Lyney growled. "Ready?"

At his command, dozens of children from the House of the Hearth emerged from elevated positions at various vantage points.

High ground in the east, south, west, and north were all secured by members of the House of the Hearth. Each of them held specially crafted Snezhnayan firearms, primed and ready. A single coordinated volley would spell certain death for even someone as skilled as Clorinde.

"Ms. Clorinde, we don't want to kill you. Hand over the item in your pocket, and we'll let you go. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to end this here."

"Hmph. If you think you're capable, go ahead and try!" Clorinde gripped her sword tightly, exuding an unwavering resolve.

"Fine, then don't blame us for what comes next!"

They had to obtain the Gnosis, no matter what. If Clorinde refused to comply, they would have to take it by force.

A deadly glint appeared in Lyney's eyes. "Fire!"

With that command, the sound of movement echoed from all directions as the snipers on the high ground tightened their grips on their weapons, aiming at Clorinde's vitals.

But just as they were about to pull their triggers—

"That's enough!"

A commanding voice rang out with authority.

The Chief Justice, Neuvillette, descended from above, landing with regal presence at the scene.

At that crucial moment, a towering man suddenly appeared.

The instant he arrived, an invisible authority blanketed the entire area.

"It's the Chief Justice, Neuvillette!"

"Why is he here?!"

All the members of the House of the Hearth on the scene widened their eyes in shock, paralyzed by Neuvillette's powerful aura.

Neuvillette had no intention of answering their questions.

Suspended in midair, his expression stern, Neuvillette tapped his staff on the air, sending ripples across the void. In that instant, the Dragon Sovereign's pressure exploded outward!

The terrifying aura washed over them, and every member of the House of the Hearth, including Lyney, felt as if they were crushed under the depths of a ten-thousand-meter sea.

The earth itself trembled under the Dragon's might, and within moments, everyone from the House of the Hearth was subdued, collapsing into unconsciousness.

"I could've handled the situation myself," Clorinde commented, gazing impassively at Neuvillette as he descended.

"My apologies for intruding," he replied. "I simply didn't want you to get hurt."

"What shall we do with them now?" she asked.

Neuvillette replied, "Let the Garde detain them temporarily. The rest will be handled by her."

The news of the House of the Hearth's ambush on Clorinde and their complete defeat quickly reached Palais Mermonia.

As Felina received the report, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

"Order the Tribunal to proceed to the House of the Hearth and arrest everyone inside!"

That very night, the Court of Fontaine deployed a massive force, supported by a thousand Gardemeks, to surround the House of the Hearth!

In one sweeping operation, every member of the House of the Hearth was apprehended and transferred to Fortress of Meropide.

While citizens struggled to make sense of what was happening, Fontaine's government issued an official announcement.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

[Recently, with the agitation of the Primordial Sea causing seawater spillage, Lady Furina, our esteemed Hydro Archon, planned to quell the unrest with a divine artifact to safeguard the lives of Fontaine's people.

However, during last night's transport of this artifact, an unidentified organization attempted to seize it.

Duelist Clorinde courageously defended the artifact, engaging the attackers, and with the aid of the Chief Justice, Neuvillette, successfully subdued the entire group.

Upon investigation, we confirmed that the assailants were none other than members of the House of the Hearth—a faction of the Fatui from Snezhnaya operating within Fontaine.

In response, the Court of Fontaine immediately intervened, sealing the House of the Hearth and detaining all members.

Let it be stated clearly: The Primordial Sea concerns the safety of all Fontaine citizens!

Snezhnaya's attempt to seize the artifact and hinder our efforts to calm the sea is not only a blatant disregard for the safety of our people but also a severe affront to Fontaine!

Such actions constitute a gross violation of the peace and cooperation treaty between Fontaine and Snezhnaya and have grievously damaged the longstanding ties between our nations.

In response, Lady Furina has issued the following decree:

It has been uncovered that Northland Bank covertly funded the House of the Hearth's infiltration in Fontaine. Effective immediately, we are freezing all assets of Northland Bank's Fontaine branch.The peace and cooperation treaty with Snezhnaya is nullified. All Fatui forces are hereby given a ten-day deadline to leave Fontaine's borders. Failure to comply will be considered an act of invasion by Snezhnaya.]

This announcement sent shockwaves across nations!

Though Fontaine's national strength was solid, Snezhnaya's surpassed it by far. Yet Fontaine had chosen to sever diplomatic ties, freeze Northland Bank's assets, and expel the Fatui troops—a declaration of hostility against Snezhnaya.

People in other countries buzzed with questions and concerns. But within Fontaine, public sentiment reached unprecedented unity.

The people of Fontaine, born incomplete, viewed the Primordial Seawater as their greatest nightmare. For Lady Furina to use a divine artifact to protect the nation was a gesture of her commitment to her citizens' safety.

But the Fatui had attempted to seize this artifact, threatening the Sea's quelling?

What were they trying to do? Wipe out Fontaine?

Felina's decisive action to close Northland Bank and expel the Fatui garnered immense support from the Fontaine public.

To the people, Snezhnaya's interference had escalated to a matter of survival, even to the point of national enmity!

Though other countries worried that Fontaine had provoked Snezhnaya, the people of Fontaine were anything but concerned.

They saw Snezhnaya as a force planning their extermination, with hatred reaching the level of genocide. In such a case, there was nothing left to care about anymore—when life is threatened, all laws and principles are cast aside. Even if Snezhnaya was stronger, they didn't mind dragging them down to perish together.

In fact, if Felina were to rally troops for a confrontation with Snezhnaya, she might amass tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, in mere days.

"I thought you might object or at least question whether I've gone too far," Felina said, seated on the sofa, looking at Neuvillette across the desk.

"You've overthought it."

Neuvillette replied, "As an old Liyue saying goes, 'One cannot allow others to snore beside one's bed.' Fontaine is a sovereign nation, and the existence of another country's forces within its borders is fundamentally unjust."

"So rather than questioning your decision, you should know I've always disapproved of the Fatui's presence within Fontaine."

Neuvillette sipped his water.

"And although you purposefully set up this scheme against them, it's also proven that, given the opportunity, the Fatui will certainly commit acts that severely endanger Fontaine's security."

"They had even placed spies beside you. Naturally, I support your decisions regarding Snezhnaya."

"Do you?" Felina nodded, smiling in appreciation.

"You are Fontaine's highest authority. As Chief Justice, it's my duty to uphold your decisions. There's no need for thanks."

Neuvillette's character remained steadfast and straightforward.

Seeing this, Felina chose to say nothing more.

"By the way, have you decided how to handle the maid?" Neuvillette asked.

Felina nodded.

"Very well, then I won't press further."

After a few more minutes in his office, Felina took her leave.

The Guardian Points from this incident had already been credited—and in generous amount!

She had to get back to her room to review the rewards this time.

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