Chapter 87: Mountains, Seas, and Stars (Part 8)

Words : 1079 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Arlecchino couldn't help but recall the first time she met the Supreme Bishop. When she was sent to the House of the Hearth in Fontaine by the Jester, the leader of the Fatui, he had said this to her—back when she was still known as Peruere, not Arlecchino. "At most, you'll probably expose yourself as a spy within seven days." "...What's the point of being a spy for only seven days?" "Even seven days can change the world if used well." "I don't understand, but I don't want to die." "If you don't want to die, then prove your worth. The Supreme Bishop of Fontaine won't care if you're a spy. He'll only care if you're useful." "Can't I hide it?" "No." "I see. In those seven days, I'll prove my worth." Peruere considered herself a cold person, but being treated so coldly as a disposable pawn still left her somewhat dissatisfied. That said, since she couldn't resist, she had no choice but to accept. As she had said, she didn't want to die. If she didn't go to the House of the Hearth, she might have been handed over to the Doctor. She wasn't as naive as some of the other children who thought the Doctor's lab was a good place. So, she had no choice but to go. Go to the House of the Hearth and do her best to survive. The Jester was right. With seven days, it wasn't impossible to change the world. —As it turned out, both she and the Jester had overthought things. It didn't even take seven days. On the very day she entered the House of the Hearth, she was completely exposed. At the time, Peruere thought she was doomed. But she wasn't executed immediately. Instead, the then-director of the House of the Hearth, Crucabena, took her to the Grand Cathedral of Fontaine to meet the legendary Supreme Bishop. Peruere's heart ignited with hope. Since she wasn't killed on the spot, that meant there was a chance to survive, right? —Exactly. After meeting Peruere, the Supreme Bishop simply looked at her, pinched her cheek, and casually said, "After all these years, Pierro still knows how to send good gifts. Crucabena, teach her well. She'll be the next 'King' of the House of the Hearth." "Yes, Your Excellency." Crucabena bowed respectfully. Peruere couldn't help but glance at her. The Jester had told her that this "Mother" of the House of the Hearth had also been a Fatui spy, but she had since become completely loyal to the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine, siding entirely with the Grand Cathedral over the Fatui. Her obedience and deference were genuine, and Peruere couldn't understand what Crucabena had gone through to become so loyal to the Supreme Bishop—but she also didn't think the same methods would work on her. Whether it was the Fatui, the Grand Cathedral, Snezhnaya, Fontaine, the Tsaritsa, or the Supreme Bishop, none of it mattered to Peruere. Peruere considered herself a cold person. At this stage, she just wanted to survive and grow stronger. Beyond that, nothing else mattered. And nothing else could matter. For now, she had no choice but to obey whatever was asked of her. But once she gained enough strength, whether it was the Supreme Bishop or the Tsaritsa, she wouldn't hesitate to draw her blade if necessary. The idea of being trained into a loyal dog like Crucabena was absolutely impossible. With these thoughts, Peruere began her life of being groomed to become the next "King." —And then something unexpected happened. Both Crucabena, the "Mother," and the Supreme Bishop taught Peruere in a completely normal way. There was none of the brainwashing or conditioning that Peruere had expected... well, none of the interesting kind of training, at least. They simply taught her martial arts, knowledge, and everything else Peruere wanted to learn. Beyond that, there was nothing. This even left Peruere stunned. One day, she blurted out a question. "Mother, did you receive the same kind of training back then?" Crucabena glanced down at Peruere. "Are you wondering why there's no brainwashing or conditioning in your training?" "..." "The Supreme Bishop prefers people with free will. While he may force someone to act according to his will, he would never force someone's will to submit to his. He doesn't like people who can't maintain their own will." Force someone to act according to his will? Force someone's will to submit to his? "What's the difference?" "The difference is that the former turns you into a loyal dog who says no in your heart but obeys with your words and actions. The latter turns you into a loyal dog who submits completely, body and soul." Crucabena said this without batting an eye: "I think the latter lets me live more comfortably, without constant fear, so I eventually became the latter. As for you... for now, keep being the former. Maybe you're stronger than me and can hold out indefinitely." At the time, Peruere didn't understand what she meant. It wasn't until she grew older and was given tasks that she finally began to understand—just how terrifying it was to harbor ulterior motives in front of the Supreme Bishop. Fear, dread, trepidation... Peruere had never imagined she could feel such emotions. She didn't want to die, but she had never feared death. And if even death didn't scare her, what in the world could possibly make her afraid? Someone who feared nothing... why was she so terrified of that man? Just by being looked at by him. A completely instinctive shudder. When faced with his commands, no matter what they were, Peruere found she couldn't muster even the slightest courage to refuse. This torment of fear was a kind of torture for her mind and soul. From that moment on, it never changed. That's why, now known as Arlecchino, she was here. Because she felt that compared to facing a deity on par with the Geo Archon, facing the Supreme Bishop was far more terrifying. So, looking at the Traveler ahead—clearly a decoy—Arlecchino's eyes darkened. Even though she knew it was a trap, in that moment... —She acted. And in the next instant, sword clashed against spear. Clang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 87: Mountains, Seas, and Stars (Part 8)

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