Chapter 445: Focalors Extends an Olive Branch to the Knave

Chapter 445: Chapter 445: Focalors Extends an Olive Branch to the Knave

Compared with other orphanages, the House of the Hearth was considerably stricter.

Every child in the House had their own duties.

Even those who hadn’t yet reached adulthood were no exception.

However, unlike other orphanages, there was one principle in the House of the Hearth that absolutely could not be ignored.

Betrayal was forbidden.

Those who betrayed the House would be executed.

Father Arlecchino’s stern attitude also made the children of the House fear betrayal even more.

After all, the Fifth Seat of the Fatui Harbingers was no pushover.

Her predecessor had been an existence comparable to a god.

And Arlecchino herself was now the Harbinger closest to that level.

But today, the House of the Hearth had two guests.

Focalors and Navia.

The Hydro Archon had come to the House of the Hearth.

That alone was enough to make everyone surprised.

After all, there really weren’t many people who liked the Fatui.

Apart from Snezhnayans and those who had business dealings with the Fatui, almost everyone else viewed them with suspicion.

Inside the House of the Hearth, the three little ones stared at Focalors in shock.

"Open up~"

"Ah~"

A spoonful of cake was placed into Focalors’ mouth.

Lynette, Lyney, and Freminet all stood there with their mouths hanging open.

What was going on between Lady Furina and the Genius?

Their relationship seemed far more unusual than they had expected.

All three were utterly stunned.

Even Navia was rather surprised.

So this was what feeding a pet looked like?

Su Ran was quite satisfied.

Although Focalors wasn’t as lively as Furina, she was just as adorable.

Having a little Furina to raise really wasn’t a bad idea.

Why was Lady Furina here, though?

Lynette was feeling rather depressed.

Not long ago, she and her brother had thought that getting Lady Furina to meet the Genius would be an incredibly difficult task.

It would have been easier to just let him pet her head.

But now?

Lady Furina was behaving just like a pet, obediently accepting food from him.

Wasn’t this a little too ridiculous?

Lynette felt as though she’d been tricked.

Was this what the adult world was like?

How sinister!

"Why have you come to see me?"

"Were you really that eager to come?"

After feeding Focalors all the cake on the plate, Su Ran finally asked about her purpose.

People generally didn’t visit without a reason.

Although Focalors had already acknowledged her status as his pet, Su Ran wasn’t in any particular hurry to take her away.

"Neuvillette asked me to bring you some gifts."

With a casual gesture, Su Ran had directly fulfilled three people’s wishes.

Neuvillette’s wish to reclaim his authority.

Focalors’ wish to avoid death.

And Furina’s wish to save Fontaine.

He was practically a wish-granting ambassador!

"Gifts? This much?"

Looking at the mountain of gift boxes piled across the floor, Su Ran felt that simply unpacking them would probably take the entire night.

"Those are for the children here."

"Yours are these."

Focalors pointed at the two gift boxes on the table.

"You’re quite thoughtful."

Su Ran accepted the two gifts.

"Little three, come here."

Su Ran beckoned to Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet.

"Distribute all these."

"Yes, Lord Genius!"

That enormous mountain of gift boxes should be enough to prepare something for every younger brother and sister in the House of the Hearth, right?

They hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise.

The three happily began carrying the gifts away.

Although, judging by the size of the pile, it was hard to say how long it would take them.

Not long afterward, Arlecchino emerged after taking a shower.

She had changed into fresh clothes.

But they were still the same style as the ones she’d been wearing when she got soaked earlier.

"Don’t you have any new clothes?"

"How about I buy you a few sets sometime?"

Looking at Arlecchino, who was once again wrapped up from head to toe, Su Ran couldn’t help teasing her.

"How thoughtful."

She didn’t refuse the offer.

After all, there was no reason to turn down free clothes.

The House of the Hearth had guests today, so as its head, she naturally had to show herself.

As for Su Ran...

He was a guest too.

After all, Arlecchino was the only parent figure in the House of the Hearth.

Except that this particular guest, Su Ran, showed absolutely no awareness of being a guest.

He had completely started acting like the owner instead.

"Lady Furina, Miss Navia, welcome to the House of the Hearth."

Seeing Focalors’ clothing, Arlecchino immediately recognized her identity.

That was Furina’s other self.

The relatively reserved Hydro Archon.

"Where’s Little Arlecchino?"

Focalors wasn’t particularly familiar with this version of the Knave.

She was much more interested in seeing the little one.

"I’m here..."

Little Arlecchino slowly walked out as well.

She looked at the Hydro Archon with an expression of utter speechlessness.

Did Focalors really care about her that much?

The moment she arrived, she’d immediately asked where she was.

"Come here and let Big Sister give you a hug~"

And just like that, a completely lifeless-looking Little Arlecchino ended up in Focalors’ arms.

Navia was astonished.

At first, she’d thought Little Arlecchino was adorable too.

But because of the presence of the older Arlecchino, she’d always assumed the little one was just as serious.

She hadn’t expected this tiny version of the Knave to provide this kind of service as well.

She wanted a hug too!

"Speaking of which, Arlecchino also grew up in Fontaine."

"So she must consider Fontaine her home as well."

"No wonder she cares so much about this place."

Focalors understood quite well how the House of the Hearth operated.

It was essentially a place where the Fatui cultivated new recruits.

Its management style was largely military in nature.

Strict, certainly, but the children were also raised and trained very well.

At least during their childhood, there was no shortage of care.

Compared with other orphanages in Fontaine, the children here were less likely to develop psychological trauma.

The head of the House would guide each child toward their own path, making the best possible use of their talents.

"Lady Furina is right."

"To me, Fontaine is my home."

"Although I serve the Tsaritsa, I still love this place."

Snezhnaya was merely the nation she served.

Fontaine, however, was where she had grown up.

Arlecchino naturally understood the distinction.

"Then have you ever considered joining Fontaine’s official government?"

Focalors extended an olive branch.

Arlecchino: "???"

"Lady Furina, I’m a Fatui Harbinger."

"I know."

"Isn’t the Genius one as well?"

Focalors didn’t care about that distinction at all.

"But it seems that his contributions aren’t limited to Snezhnaya."

"Didn’t Liyue and Inazuma both receive his assistance?"

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