Poisson.
Navia knelt weakly on the ground, her silk stockings stained with mud. Her eyes were vacant, their corners still wet with tears. She hadn't yet recovered from the scene that had unfolded before her eyes...
From Fidelle's sudden appearance to the surge of Primordial Sea water, and then to Fidelle dissolving into the Primordial Sea to save others—it had all happened in barely ten minutes!
The entire town of Poisson was submerged in Primordial Sea water, leaving only a few isolated rooftops exposed in the rising tide.
"Young Miss, it's still not safe here. We must move higher!" Melus gently patted Navia's shoulder. The Primordial Sea water continued to rise, and they hadn't yet escaped the low-lying areas of Poisson. At this rate, the water would engulf them within another ten minutes.
"Fidelle... she... dissolved..." Navia choked out a sob, her voice thick with grief. She had rushed to Poisson to save everyone, and without Fidelle, with everyone caught completely off guard, Navia couldn't believe how many people would have survived!
Even she herself might have perished in this catastrophe.
It was Fidelle who had saved them, who had saved the entire town. Yet she...
Navia watched Fidelle dissolve before her very eyes, even smiling at the little girl she had saved in her final moments.
Melus and Silver forcibly pulled Navia away from the scene, bringing her to the outskirts of Poisson.
The escaped residents of Poisson had gathered together. Some were relieved to be alive, others wept over lost loved ones, and still others groaned from injuries sustained during their escape.
The little girl Fidelle had saved had already returned to her mother's side, the two embracing and weeping together.
Navia turned her head to look back at Poisson.
"Young Miss, the Primordial Sea water is receding!"
Navia stood up and rushed to higher ground.
Though the retreat was slow, the Primordial Sea water was indeed receding!
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Navia addressed Melus and Silver beside her:
"After the water recedes, no one is allowed to return. Quickly tally the number of people dissolved. We're... going to Fontaine to find Neuvillette!"
"As you command, Young Miss!"
Once the Primordial Sea water retreated, it was certain that pockets of it would remain in certain areas. Allowing people to return at that time would inevitably lead to further unnecessary casualties.
Moreover, no one could guarantee that the Primordial Sea water wouldn't surge again!
-
Meanwhile, Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi emerged from the Fortress of Meropide and encountered Neuvillette, who seemed to have sensed something and was hurrying toward them.
"Neuvillette?! What are you doing here?"
Neuvillette didn't answer directly but instead urgently requested Lumine's assistance. "Traveler, you must go to the Opera House immediately. Furina will be meeting with The Knave there shortly. Please protect her and ensure she doesn't remain alone with The Knave for too long."
"Isn't Fidelle with Furina?" Lumine asked.
"Fidelle left Fontaine two days ago to investigate clues related to the Prophecy," Neuvillette explained. "Furina is currently alone at the Opera House."
"Understood. Explain everything later," Lumine replied.
"Certainly. My sincere gratitude," Neuvillette said.
Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi raced to the Opera House's main entrance. The area was swarming with Fatui and Palais Mermonia personnel, indicating the Fatui had already arrived.
As the trio approached, a Melusine receptionist confirmed their identities and led them inside.
Inside the Opera House, in a private salon:
Furina sat across from The Knave. The Knave lounged with one leg crossed over the other, while Furina sat stiffly, her legs pressed together, silent, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
As Lumine and her companions entered, Furina immediately rose to her feet.
Arlecchino: "Ah, so these are the esteemed guests Lady Furina mentioned."
Furina: "Of course, of course! How could this gathering be complete without them? My dessert table must always have at least two guests, or it would be far too lonely, quite unbecoming of my status."
Arlecchino: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Traveler and Miss Chu Xi. Allow me to formally introduce myself: I am Arlecchino, the Fatui Harbinger known as 'The Knave.' Please, have a seat."
Lumine and Chu Xi settled into their chairs.
After exchanging pleasantries, The Knave began to press them about Childe's disappearance.
Lumine and her companions had brought some clues, but a considerable amount of time had passed since Childe vanished. If he hadn't left the Fortress of Meropide through the main gate, the only remaining exit would be via the waterway.
Arlecchino: "Have you found any evidence of his safe departure from the sea?"
Lumine: "...Not yet, but neither have we found any proof of misfortune."
Arlecchino nodded slightly. "Ah, that's good to hear. His sister Tonia recently sent a letter to Fontaine, but he was away, so I received it on his behalf.
"Tell me, how does he usually sign his letters? Something like... 'Dearest Tonia, I hope this letter finds you well. I'm currently admiring the street scene in front of the Opera House,' is that about right?"
The Knave exuded a formidable aura, looking very difficult to deal with.
She kept applying pressure, and Lumine felt she might not be able to outargue her, but at least she could redirect the pressure aimed at Furina toward herself.
Lumine: "This is the correct way to write it."
Furina: "Letters are just a few fixed formats. As long as the content is accurate, how it's written, what wording is used... Hmm?"
Furina suddenly stopped, her pupils contracting sharply.
Before her, the water in her teacup trembled... Something seemed to be happening on the surface of Fontaine...
The Knave lowered her crossed leg and stared at the teacup. "Surely this is some kind of omen, Lady Furina."
"Hmm? Ah, I'm not quite sure why you'd say that..."
Seeing Furina still evading the issue, the Knave bluntly stated: "Has the Prophecy entered its next phase?"
Furina fell silent. She did not look at the Knave, but turned her gaze toward the window.
In her heart, she had a very bad premonition, telling her that something major must have happened outside!
Furina did not want to continue this meeting; she wanted to go outside and investigate what had occurred. But with the Knave right before her, she could only persist and see this meeting through to the end.
-
Beneath the Fortress of Meropide, in the Forbidden Zone, Neuvillette approached Wriothesley and Clorinde, who were struggling to hold back the Primordial Sea water.
"Thank you for your efforts. I'll take over from here," Neuvillette said.
Clorinde and Wriothesley exchanged glances. "Are you sure you don't need any help?"
"I'm fine," Neuvillette replied.
Wriothesley let out a sigh. "Haah~ So you can handle this situation after all, probably because..."
Neuvillette gently closed his eyes. Wriothesley chuckled and changed the subject. "Who knows? Maybe it's just because you're so responsible."
Wriothesley left first.
"That makes sense," Clorinde remarked before following him out.
[Live Stream]
[ Hmm, what does that mean? ]
[ You're definitely the true Hydro Archon! ]
[ No, no, no, I think he's more like the Hydro Dragon—the one who makes it rain buckets in Fontaine whenever he cries!]
[ Actually, I was thinking the same thing. Even Neuvillette seems confused by the Hydro Archon's actions. Look at those two strands of blue hair behind his head—don't they look like a dragon's horns? ]