On the stage, Linni was not in a hurry to enter the box. He looked a little helpless as he glanced at everyone.
"Forget it, forget it. I can tell from your expressions that you don't trust me. Let's practice first."
"Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight. Come on, repeat it."
The crowd below the stage responded in unison:
"Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight—"
"Yes, yes, that's the speed. Keep it up. Okay, after the countdown is over, we'll meet at the box across the stage."
After saying that, Linni entered the box.
Offstage, Paimon shouted excitedly,
"Fifty-four, fifty-three, fifty-two!"
"Then, Mr. Wriothesley, Fu Ning, won't you count together?"
Wriothesley refused.
"I'll just count in my head. It's already loud enough here. This is also due to my position, don't worry about me—focus on the performance."
Fu Ning also declined.
"My voice is a bit too loud. I'm afraid I might scare everyone."
Then Wriothesley ruthlessly teased,
"If the person on stage were not Mr. Linni but Lady Furina, I'm sure Fu Ning would be shouting more happily than anyone."
Fu Ning nodded approvingly.
Wriothesley was speechless.
(Do you think I was praising you?)
Paimon scratched her head.
"Well, you looked so serious… I thought you weren't used to this kind of thing."
"Forty, thirty-nine, thirty-eight—"
Everyone continued to count down excitedly.
"Mr. Linni, are you still there? Are you ready?" asked the assistant beside the stage box.
"No hurry, no hurry. I'm still confirming the direction of the magic. If I get transported somewhere strange—like falling from the top of the audience seats—it would turn into a performance accident," Linni's voice echoed from the box.
Paimon looked confused.
"Having said that, it doesn't seem like Linni is in any hurry at all."
Lumine thought for a moment.
"I think it's all part of the show."
Bang——
A loud noise came from below, but the excited crowd paid no attention.
Fu Ning guessed that the loud noise was likely made when the boxes were being moved.
Paimon was startled.
"Huh? What was that sound? Did you hear it?"
Lumine nodded thoughtfully.
"A distraction technique?"
Paimon frowned.
"I don't know… Never mind, no one else seems to care anyway."
"Twenty-five, twenty-four, twenty-three—"
"What's going on? Mr. Linni, you still seem to be in the box. I heard movement," the assistant said, sounding a bit nervous.
"I accidentally knocked off part of the decoration. I'm trying to put it back. It's pitch-black inside, and I can't tell front from back, or left from right."
Linni's voice came from inside the box, a little tense, as if worried the trick might fail.
The assistant sighed.
"There's no time left. The decoration's minor. The performance is more important."
Linni insisted.
"No, I won't allow any flaws in my performance. Don't worry, there are still twenty seconds left."
The assistant spread his hands, clearly helpless.
"Nineteen, eighteen, seventeen—"
"Oops, too many mishaps. Sorry, everyone. And although I feel like you're counting faster and faster, it doesn't matter. Counting down one by one is quite tiring."
"A dozen seconds is more than enough," Linni said, his voice now filled with confidence.
…
"Ten, nine, eight—"
"Preparations are almost complete. Ah, it really is a big project to exchange two people."
"Even a skilled magician like myself can't guarantee success on the first try…"
"Hey, hey, am I behind you?"
"The insides of the boxes are identical. You can't tell."
The assistant knocked on the box.
"What? It failed again?"
"I'll try again…" Linni's voice now sounded very anxious.
Everyone laughed, though time was ticking.
"Seven, six—"
"Wait for me, please."
"Five, four, three—"
Pah.
The box opened and Linni walked out from the one on stage, looking extremely surprised.
The assistant quickly shut the door behind him.
"Oh no, oh no, this time doesn't count!"
"Two, one, zero—"
All the spotlights turned toward the box above the audience seats, drawing everyone's attention.
The door slowly opened, and white smoke billowed out.
Everyone looked toward the box in astonishment.
Furina stood up from the VIP seat, eyes fixed on the box with anticipation.
Linni emerged and swung his arms outward. Fireworks exploded into the air.
Thump, thump—
"Wow!"
The audience erupted into deafening applause.
Fu Ning nodded, silently expressing approval of the magic.
Linni smiled and pointed toward the box on the stage.
Fireworks burst forth again…
…
…
Bang!
From high above, a huge water tank fell and smashed into the box.
The tank shattered, spilling water all over the stage.
Ahhhh!
Everyone stared at the stage in shock, trying to understand what had just happened.
"What just happened?" Fu Ning asked.
Wriothesley remained silent, his gaze fixed on the wreckage of the water tank.
Paimon was terrified.
"W-What's going on?!"
A corpse…
Fu Ning narrowed his eyes.
Linni stood frozen among the audience, staring at the scene in disbelief.
Furina took a step back, visibly shaken.
The crowd, still caught in the spectacle, hadn't realized what was happening.
"Is this… is this also part of the magic?"
"Mr. Linni, are you going to restore the stage now?"
Linni's lips trembled.
"How could this happen…"
Paimon looked at the stunned Linni, her fear growing.
"Could it be… could it really be an accident? There was someone else in that box… wasn't there?"
In a flash, Fu Ning appeared beside Linni and grabbed his arm. His face was cold and stern.
"Seal off the entire venue! No one leaves until this is fully investigated. Anyone who attempts to flee before the truth is found is defying the laws of Fontaine!"
"Defensive technique—Sequence Seven!"
Fu Ning sealed off every exit of the Opéra Épiclese.
No one could leave!
He stared at Linni.
"Don't even think about resisting."
Linni was shaken.
"Y-Yes, Master Fu Ning… but I really don't know what happened."
It was intriguing—how bold the murderer must be to strike in front of Furina, Fu Ning, and Wriothesley.
Wriothesley's face turned grim. He shouted,
"The performance is over! Medical staff, follow me. Security, secure the area!"
The security team moved quickly, cordoning off the stage and audience area.
Furina stood tall and declared,
"Yes, you're right! If it was an accident, we must uncover the cause. But if it wasn't… then it cannot escape the judgment of the God of Justice!"
Wriothesley turned to look at Lumine and Paimon.
"Don't panic. We'll get to the bottom of this very soon."
***
Neuvillette stood solemnly on the stage.
"The person inside the magic box has unfortunately died. The deceased, Cowell, was one of the assistant performers in Linny's magic troupe," Neuvillette said.
"The fireworks on stage ignited the rope above the water tank. That was the direct cause of the tank's fall."
"As for why the person inside the box was Cowell instead of the previously selected audience member—that remains unclear for now."
"However, following a thorough search, the security team confirmed that the chosen girl has gone missing. This situation can no longer be considered a simple stage accident—it bears several key similarities to the recent serial disappearances of young girls."
Fu Ning stood beside Furina on the platform, his expression growing colder by the second.
Good. Very good. Right in front of me…
"Missing girl case?!"
The audience erupted in shock.
Paimon hovered anxiously.
"The serial disappearances of young girls… That's the case Fu Ning was investigating before!"
Lumine frowned.
"But… how could something like this happen right in front of so many people?"
Furina rose from her seat on the platform, a knowing glint in her eyes. She looked ready to act. She had pieced it all together.
"Hahaha… Hahahaha! I get it now. I see what this is—are you mocking us by ending with a mystery so obvious it solves itself?"
Fu Ning's heart dropped.
It's over—Fu Fu's going to stir up trouble!
Furina's voice rang out, loud and clear.
"Isn't Mr. Linny—the so-called great magician with impeccable skill and boundless ability—the true culprit behind the serial disappearances of young girls?"
Fu Ning's expression twisted. Those words are out in the open now. All I can do is protect her.
Linny's eyes widened in panic.
"Why me?! That was a complete accident!"
Furina responded with a sharp sneer.
"The entire incident occurred during your magic show. The girl you selected vanished. The person who died was your assistant."
"Now that I think about it, your opening line—'from existence to nothing, and from nothing to existence'—sounds more like a deliberate taunt."
Paimon gasped.
"Wait, no way! Could it really be Linny?! He was talking to us from the box the whole time!"
"And when we met him before, didn't he say something like, 'you can't catch the real culprit directly'?"
Lumine frowned more deeply.
"At most… he's suspicious. But that's not proof."
Wriothesley stepped forward calmly.
"Let's pause the speculation. Lady Furina, should I take your earlier remarks as a formal accusation against Mr. Linny and his troupe?"
Furina blinked in surprise.
"Huh? I just said that I think he—well, isn't it a bit premature to call it an accusation…?"
She's rattled. But still kind of adorable.
Yet the people of Fontaine began whispering among themselves.
"Lady Furina's logic makes perfect sense!"
"She's about to bring divine justice right here on the spot!"
"The hidden crimes behind the magic were revealed by the Hydro Archon herself!"
Fu Ning frowned at the gossipers.
Seriously…
Hearing the chatter, Furina straightened her posture.
"Ahem! I mean—of course, everyone. I simply feel that this… opponent in front of me excites me more than most!"
She turned toward Linny and grinned.
"Hey, Traveler, you'll help him out, won't you? Linny did you a big favor once, didn't he?"
Lumine nodded firmly.
"I believe in Linny."
Furina grinned.
"Haha! Excellent! Ladies and gentlemen, the Traveler and I actually dueled once when we first met."
"And I didn't expect she'd be able to fight me to a standstill with Linny's help!"
"Now, I can sense the Traveler is still unsatisfied with that draw."
"So, how about it? Another duel, then? I'll make sure you lose fair and square this time!"
Paimon sighed.
"She clearly only won because Fu Ning helped her last time… and she lost later anyway…"
Neuvillette nodded thoughtfully.
"Understood."
Fu Ning shot a glare at Neuvillette.
You smug jerk.
"There are accusations on the table, and where there are accusations, there must be a trial."
"Lumine, since Lady Furina has treated you as an opponent, we will disregard her dramatic flair and only ask your opinion…"
"Will you stand on Mr. Linny's side, defend him, and serve as his representative?"
Lumine nodded again.
"I will."
Fu Ning took two steps forward.
"As the loyal retainer and protector of Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, I hereby join her in accusing Mr. Linny."
If Fu Fu insists on raising a storm, I'll stand right by her side.
Paimon sighed dramatically.
"Geez… Fu Ning really can't help but be wherever Furina is."
Neuvillette nodded.
"Understood. Mr. Fu Ning's petition is accepted."
"The trial will be held here at the Opera Epiclese in one day's time. Both parties are free to investigate and uncover the truth."
"Linny and his magic troupe must remain confined to the opera house during this period."
"All remaining audience members may leave in an orderly fashion after being cleared by the security team."
"The investigation and security will be supervised by Fontaine's top enforcement officer—Mr. Fu Ning."
Fu Ning nodded calmly.
"Leave it to me."
I'll hand things over to Clorinde.
Furina smiled proudly.
As expected of my knight. Always shielding me so reliably.
"One day isn't long at all. Let's see what kind of storm you can stir up, oh 'famous magician.' I'm looking forward to it."
After the adjournment, the audience gradually dispersed. Fu Ning and Furina left together.
"Fu Fu, Linny and Linnet are connected to the Fatui," Fu Ning said quietly.
Now that formal charges had been issued, there was no point in hesitation—only strategy remained.
Furina raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh? Tell me more."
She hadn't looked into them deeply yet—there hadn't been time for a proper investigation.
Fu Ning continued.
"Linny and Linnet were adopted by Arlecchino, the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers."
"They were placed in the House of the Hearth as part of her… 'reserve forces' for the Fatui."
"And interestingly, Arlecchino herself was originally from Fontaine."
Furina pouted, annoyed.
"Ugh! A Fontainian who turns her back on the Hydro Archon to serve the Fatui?! How disgraceful!"
"When I see that servant, I'll make sure she gets what she deserves! You'll help me, right, Fu Ning?"
Fu Ning chuckled.
"Of course. Anyone who won't serve Fu Fu is bound to live a meaningless life."
"As Furina's knight, how could I not support you?"
Furina suddenly hesitated, then asked:
"By the way… I heard the top three Fatui Harbingers have power on par with gods. What about the fourth seat?"
Fu Ning gave a dismissive snort.
"Power comparable to gods? That's just Fatui propaganda."
"As you always say, Fu Fu—there are strong gods, and there are weak gods. It's the same with people."
***
Author's Note
Power Scaling (Setting for the Story):
Level 8: Fu Ning is the strongest mortal in Teyvat, surpassed only by Phanes, Nibelungen, the Four Shades, the original Seven Dragon Sovereigns, and the Third Descender.
Level 9: Reserved for beings embodying abstract concepts—primordial, fair, and beyond mortal reach.
(In this story's lore, the Fatui's leader is "The Jester" (Pierro), who does not attend meetings. The Captain holds the First Seat.)