Chapter 15 Who Was Brigella?
Lumine's POV

Childe and I had returned to Snezhnaya and were now showing his siblings what we had gotten them from Mondstadt.

"Wow", Teucer said in awe. "These Mondstadt toys are so cool!"

"I'm glad that you like them, Teucer", Childe said.

"These flowers are so pretty, Traveller", Tonia said as she looked through the bouquet of flowers Childe had gotten me. "I know! Can I press the flowers?"

"Press the flowers", Paimon asked. "How come?"

"Flowers wilt away over time", Tonia pointed out. "But if you press them, they can last pretty much forever! Plus, you can use them in arts and crafts!"

"Really", Paimon asked. "That sounds cool!"

"You're more than welcome to press the flowers, Tonia", I said.

"Yay", Tonia said happily. "Thank you, Traveller!"

"You're welcome", I said.

"Anyway, Childe started, changing the subject. "We should probably head off to work, traveler."

"What", Teucer exclaimed sadly. "But you guys just got back!"

"I know, buddy", Childe said as he kneeled down and rubbed his brother's head. "But we've gotta report our findings to our boss."

"Okay", Teucer said with a pout on his face. "But, promise that you'll play with us as soon as your done, okay?"

"It's a promise, Teucer", Childe said, before looking at me. "Come on, Traveler. The boss awaits."

…

We were now at the Zapolyarny Palace, standing in front of the Jester.

"So, were you able to find the information I asked you for", he asked.

"I was", I replied. "The true culprit behind the Black Fire incident, is actually Diluc Ragnvindr."

"Is that so", the Jester asked. "How do you know this?"

"He told me himself", I replied.

"And how were you able to get him to tell you", the Jester asked.

"When he heard that I was back in Mondstadt, he invited me to catch up. While we were chatting, I told him that there was a harbinger in town looking for information on the Black Fire incident."

After I said this, Paimon took over.

"And then, Paimon said 'I wonder who the real culprit is?' And Diluc was like 'would you like to know?' And Paimon was like 'Wait, do you know who the true culprit was, Diluc?!' And then he told us."

"I see", the Jester said. "I'm surprised that he just told you like that. But then again, you have a way of getting people to trust you, Traveler."

I was nervous that the Jester may have been on to me, but I managed to be my outward composure.

"Well then. I would say that your first mission was a success, Brigella."

After he said this, the Jester rose from his seat.

"You may rest for now", he said. "I shall summon you when I have another mission for you. Tartaglia, please come with me. I've something I would like to discuss with you."

"Got it", Childe said, before looking at me. "See you later, comrade."

With that, Childe and the Jester left. Once they were out of ear shot, both Paimon and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness", she said. "We managed to make it through that."

"We owe a lot to Diluc", I said. "Let's repay him by keeping up our end of the deal."

"Right", Paimon said. "But, how are we gonna find out what he wants us to know anyway?"

"I've been thinking about that, and I have an idea on who we can go talk to first."

…

With the help of a Fatui agent, I found the person I was looking for. She was sitting by a table, having cake and tea.

"Traveller, Paimon. You're returned", she said. "Why don't you two join me for some cake and tea?"

"You don't have to ask Paimon twice", she replied, before rushing up to the table. "Thanks, Arlecchino!"

"You're welcome", Arlecchino said as I sat down as well. "I heard that your first mission was a success. Well done."

"Thank you", I said, before changing the subject. "Arlecchino, can I ask you something?"

"What is it", Arlecchino asked.

"Do you know who the previous Brigella was", I asked.

"Why do you ask that", Arlecchino asked.

""I'm just curious, that's all", I lied.

"Is that so", Arlecchino asked. "Well, I'm afraid that the only thing I know about the previous Brigella is that they once existed."

"What", Paimon exclaimed in shock. "But, you're a Fatui Harbinger! And a highly ranked one too! Paimon thought that you'd know more about them."

"Whoever the original Brigella was, they were long gone by the time I became a Fatui Harbinger", Arlecchino revealed.

"Well great", Paimon exclaimed. "If even no.4 of the Fatui Harbingers can't help us, then what are we gonna do?!"

"Help you? Didn't you say you wanted to know who the previous Brigella simply out of curiosity?"

When Arlecchino asked this, Paimon and I looked at each other nervously.

"Fear not", she reassured. "I will not pry any further. However, if there is any other way I can assist you, please let me know."

"Really", Paimon asked. "You'd help us? How come?"

"My children are quite fond of you", Arlecchino stated. "Plus, if I assist you, I can ask you to return the favour for me if the situation ever arises in the future."

"Oh, Paimon gets it now", Paimon said. "But, thanks anyway, Arlecchino."

"You're welcome", Arlecchino replied. "I hope that you find the answers you are looking for."

…

Childe and I were now walking home.

"You okay, comrade? You look like you're deep in thought."

After Childe asked this, I decided to take a chance at asking him something as well.

"Childe, do you know who the previous Brigella was", I asked.

"Why are you asking that", Childe asked.

"I'm just curious", I lied. "So, do you know?"

"I don't", Childe replied. "As the lowest ranked Harbinger, I'm afraid that the higher ups tend to keep a lot of stuff from me."

"But, Arlecchino's rank 4, and she doesn't know either", Paimon revealed in frustration.

"You even asked Arlecchino about it", Childe asked in shock.

"Yeah", Paimon said nervously. "She invited us to catch up over some tea and cake, and we ended up asking her about it."

"I see", Childe said. "Well, if even she can't tell you, then I don't know who can."

That Night

Paimon and I were talking in Tonia's room while she was taking a bath.

"What are we gonna do, Traveler? If even Arlecchino doesn't know who the previous Brigella was, then how the heck are we gonna find that out?!"

After Paimon asked this, I began thinking, and soon got an idea.

"I've got it", I exclaimed suddenly. "I know someone we can ask who may know!"

"Really? Who is it", Paimon asked.

I then gave my answer.

"Oh, that guy", she said. "He could know! But, how can we talk to him about it? Should we go take a trip to Sumeru?"

"That's not a good idea", I stated. "If I request to take leave and travel somewhere, the Jester will probably get suspicious."

"Oh, yeah", Paimon said. "You have a point. Then, what else should we do?"

"I'll send him a letter", I replied. "It may take a while to get a response, but it's probably the safest way to go about this."