"I heard this Luna is a true powerhouse, deeply favored by Lady Furina."
"The script for this production seems to be hers too."
"What a ridiculously long name!"
"Putting a story like this on the Opera House stage?"
"You look down on light novels, don't you?"
The chatter, reminiscent of a bustling market, continued unabated.
Yet when the lights dimmed completely, signaling the performance's commencement, the noise swiftly subsided into absolute silence.
Maintaining quiet was the basic etiquette of watching a play.
Failure to comply meant risking a "correction punch" from the surrounding crowd.
And what should a stage worthy of the Archon look like? The answer was obvious—grandiose, resplendent... presented with overwhelming majesty.
The orchestra erupted into a majestic overture as spotlights illuminated a corner of the stage.
Accompanied by a sorrowful yet melodious voice, Furina's bewildered figure danced before the audience's eyes.
In this moment, she had fully transformed into the drama's protagonist.
Gone was her usual exaggerated tone, vanished any trace of divine authority... though truth be told, such authority had been largely absent to begin with.
Yet now, her every gesture exuded fragility, as if her very soul had shattered.
This is it!
Only Lady Furina could embody the role with such perfection!
The audience craned their necks, their gazes fixed on the stage.
"Where are you, Romeo? Have you truly become the sinner everyone speaks of? No, I know you're not like that..."
Wait, isn't this supposed to be a comedy?
Why does this feel so... off?
Furina collapsed to the ground, a single tear tracing down her cheek. The audience's chests tightened in unison.
A voice-over intoned: "Many years later, Romeo would undoubtedly recall his first formal meeting with Juliet. This occurred not long after she became the 'sinner'."
The spotlight focused, then faded. Darkness gave way to a new scene.
Light-hearted music lifted the audience's heavy moods. A dazzling figure materialized on stage.
"How could this be?! I've become the infamous fallen heiress from the story... She committed countless crimes in the original tale!"
A powerful symphony erupted, its classical notes resonating through the theater.
The stage machinery whirred to life. Backdrops rose as the ensemble cast took the stage, their movements and songs vividly depicting the fallen heiress's wicked deeds from the original narrative.
At times brimming with fury, at others cruel to the extreme, and occasionally lonely and desolate...
They had thought Furina was the pinnacle of acting, but who is this?
Those who hadn't seen Luna's performance wore expressions of shock.
Yes, that's exactly it!
Those who had witnessed Luna's acting looked satisfied. This was precisely what they'd wanted to see!
And now the question arose—since two actors of such peerless skill stood upon the same stage, then... who shone brighter?
Who performed more brilliantly?
After the show, Charlotte conducted an interview:
"Who do you think was the most dazzling performer on stage?"
"Hmm? Probably Furina."
"It depends on the situation, but I'd say Luna."
"Furina, perhaps? But including Luna changes everything."
In response, both Furina and Luna gave remarkably similar answers.
"Obviously me." "What a pointless question. Of course I'm the most dazzling!"
The same answer, the same demeanor, the same intensity of brilliance they displayed.
Whether it was Luna or Furina, both were impossible to look away from on the stage.
Having only one pair of eyes was truly agonizing.
Why couldn't I grow an extra pair to observe their expressions separately?
"Please stay by my side. Don't refuse me again."
Yet for some inexplicable reason, the more they watched, the more the audience's smiles grew uncontrollable.
Emotional outbursts? So delicious!
Twisted friendships? Bring on more!
Yes, this was indeed a comedy.
For they had never before wanted to laugh so desperately. The more the characters became entangled, the more this bloodthirsty desire to laugh surged within them!
Below the stage, it was one experience; above, another entirely.
Heat seared the skin, sweat trickling down the jawline.
Furina had once said that though they were both leads—co-performers sharing the stage—theirs was no collaborative partnership.
Instead, the stage's center existed for only one. Those whose radiance was obscured or stolen had no place at this focal point.
Yet once standing here to perform, one ceased noticing such things.
The body moved of its own accord, words flowing naturally, emotions overflowing. These weren't her own feelings, but those meant for the story's character.
"Why did you leave without saying goodbye?!"
More precisely, these were emotions Furina had transmitted to her.
Passion. The stage lights' heat seeped into her skin, making her blood boil.
"You should be a bird unbound by chains."
Furina pressed a hand to her chest, grief etched across her face. "Then why did you do everything for me before?"
Blinding. The radiance emanating from Furina now far surpassed the stage lights in intensity.
Any ordinary person would have been overwhelmed by this brilliance, utterly subdued. Merely gazing upon it could have blinded them, let alone touching it. Yet Luna refused to yield to its will.
The stage's center could belong to none but her.
Luna's heart raced, a fiery heat coursing through her entire being as if every fiber of her flesh had been ignited by Furina's passion.
Without question, she too had become completely immersed in this performance.
"Of course, it's for the promise I made!"
"That answer... I won't accept it! If you're taking something away, then take me along too!"
Their voices rose again, each line carrying the raw cry of their hearts.
Anger and serenity, pleading and confusion, yearning and silence—until finally, a calm outpouring. Every conflicting emotion found expression in this song of clashing forces.
Tears fell.
The audience sat speechless, having been completely absorbed in the stage's unfolding drama without realizing it.
When the two women exchanged vows of lifelong companionship, the lights dimmed. Thunderous applause erupted.
"Brilliant!"
"Perfect! This is the greatest performance in history!"
"...Wait. Is this really just friendship?"
"It doesn't matter anymore!" Navia wiped the tears from her eyes and rose to applaud.
Chiori smiled. "How was it? Not too bad for an occasional performance, right?"
Chevreuse chuckled. "Indeed..."
"Can we take pictures now? I'm ready!"
The lights came on fully as all actors gathered on stage to bow together. The constant click of cameras and flashes filled the air—tomorrow's headlines would undoubtedly feature Furina and Luna once again.
Furina panted heavily, her collar soaked with sweat. Yet despite her exhaustion, she felt exhilarated. A perfect performance!
"Lady Furina."
"Hm?"
Luna smiled. "Your passion truly inspired me. I've never found acting so fulfilling before."
Even now, as the curtain fell, she felt a sense of loss. If only the performance could continue forever, the stage never closing... But that was impossible. Still, there would always be another show.
Furina patted her chest. "That's because I'm your co-star! Anyone else would have failed to spark your interest."
The absolute mastery of a true artist, the detachment born of it—these had kindled her performance's fire...
"You're right," Luna agreed. "Only you could do that, Lady Furina." She took Furina's hand. "So I hope we can perform together again, my archon."
Furina gazed at Luna, then smiled.
"Well, that depends on my mood!"
At that moment, several eyes turned their way.
Navia: "..."
Chiori: "..."
Lynette: "..."
Clorinde noticed their intertwined hands. "Oh?"
Now there would be more new material for the headlines.
Meanwhile, two figures entered Fontaine's territory.
"Wow, is this the Hydro nation of Fontaine? There's water everywhere! I bet there's tons of seafood here too! Heh heh!"
"You're always thinking about food..." the blonde girl sighed.
"I know, I know. We're looking for this nation's Archon, but we don't need to rush. Filling our stomachs comes first. Let's go, Lumine."
The traveler was about to reach Fountaine.