Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
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"If you want to investigate a case, just request leave. I'll approve it… No, actually, let's investigate together. I'm also quite curious about the 'Serial Disappearance of Young Women' and Callas' case."
Victor Wang said bluntly, "I know who the culprit is."
"Huh?"
"The so-called 'duties to fulfill' was just an excuse to stall for time."
"Then why not tell Navia? Are we just going to let the criminal continue roaming free?"
"If we drag him out now, the pace would be too fast. Our preparations aren't finished yet, are they?"
"You mean… the culprit is connected to the prophecy?!"
"What's tied to him will reveal the truth behind the 'dissolution' mentioned in the prophecy."
"!" In an instant, a layer of fear spread across Furina's face. "Fontainians… will really be dissolved…? But those are living, breathing people… How could they be dissolved?"
"It's time I told you a few things." Victor Wang revealed, "The substance capable of dissolving Fontainians is called the 'Water of the Primordial Sea'. Any Fontainian who comes into contact with the waters of the Primordial Sea will lose their physical form and turn into a pool of water."
Having never seen it with her own eyes, Furina could only imagine the eerie scene. Her brows knit tightly. "If… if the culprit truly controls something that dangerous, then I think we should arrest him immediately."
"Don't worry. I've already asked some friends to keep him under surveillance. Before the time of judgment arrives, he won't have another opportunity to commit evil."
Only then did Furina nod hesitantly. She then asked curiously, "What exactly is this Primordial Sea? How can it turn people into water?"
"The Primordial Sea, as the name suggests, is the sea of origin. As for what it truly is… there's no need to dig too deeply for now. You only need to know that its location lies beneath Fontaine—far below even the seabed of the Fontaine High Sea."
"The seabed… the seabed… The Fortress of Meropide is built under the sea. It shouldn't be in danger… right?"
Faced with Furina's naive question, Victor Wang tried to guess her reasoning. "How did you conclude that the Fortress of Meropide isn't in danger? Don't tell me you're thinking that precisely because it's built underwater, its sealing must be extremely secure, so the Primordial Sea wouldn't be able to invade it?"
"Exactly." Furina nodded lightly. "I've always felt that if the prophecy ever truly arrived, the Fortress of Meropide would be the safest place in Fontaine."
"But unfortunately, the Fortress of Meropide will be one of the first passages through which the Primordial Sea rises."
"How could that be…?!"
"Do you know why the Fortress of Meropide was built under the sea?" Victor Wang asked in return.
"It was already there when I arrived… Could it have been intentionally arranged by the former Hydro Archon, Egeria?"
"That's right."
"But why would she do that? Why place a facility meant for exiled citizens in such a dangerous location? Never mind… relocation! We need to relocate the people in the Fortress of Meropide as soon as possible!!"
"There's no need for relocation. Duke Wriothesley, who manages the Fortress of Meropide, should already have preparations in place. However, paying him a visit is still very necessary."
…
Fontaine's earliest punishments were primarily exile, and even to this day, that tradition remained. As the destination for exile, the Fortress of Meropide could not simply be defined as a 'prison.' Its essence was closer to a 'settlement for the exiled.'
For that reason, the Fortress of Meropide was nominally not subordinate to Fontaine's judicial system. It had long operated as a self-governed community of exiles. Its current administrator was named Wriothesley.
Of course, some would reform during exile, and some were only sent there temporarily for rehabilitation before one day returning to Fontaine. As such, most of the people there still believed in the Hydro Archon, and she still acknowledged them as her people.
The Court of Fontaine continued to dispatch guards to the Fortress of Meropide to oversee and assist in maintaining order. Naturally, there were established channels of communication and travel between the Court and the Fortress.
Although the Fortress of Meropide was located in the deep sea of the Liffey Region at Fontaine's northernmost edge, its surface entrance was situated in the Erinnyes Forest area in central-eastern Fontaine—directly behind the Opera Epiclese.
The distance between the Fortress of Meropide and the Opera Epiclese was far from short. Perhaps to facilitate the swift exile of criminals, the Court of Fontaine had expended tremendous effort constructing an underwater canal between the two locations. By descending the elevator behind the Opera Epiclese to the seabed and completing the 'intake registration' handled by the staff there, one could leisurely sail along the long underwater canal straight to the Fortress of Meropide.
Thanks to Furina, even without completing the 'intake registration,' Victor Wang boarded a vessel bound for the Fortress of Meropide—and upon disembarking, he was personally received by its administrator.
"Good morning, Lady Furina." Wriothesley greeted her alongside several subordinates and members of the Gardes. "Though down here, whether morning or night, we never see the sun. If you wished to discuss matters, you could have summoned me to the surface—the environment would certainly be better."
"No matter. What we need to discuss concerns the Fortress of Meropide itself, so it's better to speak here."
"Oh?" Wriothesley arched a brow slightly. "Does it have something to do with the prophecy?"
"So, you've received word as well—the prophecy that Fontaine will be submerged is drawing closer."
"Yes. I also heard that Poisson, being at lower elevation, has already begun relocating residents under your orders. The Fortress of Meropide sits even lower… Heh, just a joke. To be honest, as a special location already 'submerged' beneath the sea, we're not particularly sensitive to flooding. What concerns us more is the part about 'everyone being dissolved.'"
"Dissolution… Don't worry, I won't let you be dissolved. But I'll need a little assistance…" As she followed Wriothesley deeper into the Fortress, Furina suddenly changed the subject and observed, "This place hasn't changed much since the last time I came."
"You've been here before?"
"Of course. Was it one hundred twenty years ago? Or one hundred nineteen? I can't quite remember."
"Haha, that must be the sort of trouble only a god would have." Wriothesley chuckled and shook his head. "But you mentioned needing help—what can the Fortress of Meropide do for you?"
"…I'd like to take a thorough look around the Fortress of Meropide. Ideally, I don't want to miss a single corner."
"That… is certainly possible. In that case, allow me to personally show you around."
Though surprised, Wriothesley gave a few instructions and dismissed the other personnel back to their posts, remaining alone to serve as their guide.
Furina secretly shot a glare at Victor Wang, who stood on her other side.
It's all because of this guy… she fumed inwardly. Talking about 'maintaining the authenticity of the performance' and only revealing so much, leaving the rest for me to uncover myself…
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