"So… it's about that prophecy. Quite troublesome, right?"
"Everyone dissolves, Fontaine is flooded…"
"When the previous Hydro Archon before me—Egeria—entrusted that prophecy to me, I also thought… isn't this way too difficult?"
"She knew very clearly that the scene in the prophecy would inevitably happen."
"As one of the Seven Archons, she also understood that Celestia cannot be opposed."
"So this was basically an unsolvable problem, right?"
"I dived alone into the depths of the sea and thought about it for a long time. So long that the clams around me started blowing bubbles…"
"And only then did I come up with the one and only answer."
"The only way to save everyone while allowing the prophecy to occur…"
"…was to deceive Celestia."
"Mm. I really am a genius. That must be why Egeria chose me as her successor."
"Come to think of it, she passed everything to me in one go—the task of saving the nation, the responsibilities of the Hydro Archon, and even the original sin of creating humans."
"Sigh… well, it can't be helped. After all, I used to be one of her many Lochfolk familiars."
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
The entire group had fallen silent.
Ever since the moment the trial of Furina began, almost no one had spoken. Everyone had been quietly waiting for the truth.
And now the truth was gradually surfacing—yet it was something no one had anticipated.
The Hydro Archon Focalors had once been one of Egeria's Lochfolk servants, and eventually became the successor to her throne.
Despite the playful smile and light tone in Focalors' voice, the secrets she revealed left everyone deeply uneasy about what would come next.
Focalors' Plan
After becoming a god, Focalors separated her divinity from her body and spirit.
What remained was only a newly created human self.
The one standing before Neuvillette now was Focalors' divine authority, while the person he had known for centuries was the human—Furina.
To execute her plan to deceive Celestia, Focalors placed a curse on Furina.
To make the prophecy appear fulfilled, she invited Furina—the human—to play the role of the Hydro Archon in the prophecy.
Because of the curse:
As long as Focalors' divinity existed
Furina would never die
But she would also never enjoy the happiness of a normal human life.
She was forced to treat the Opera Epiclese as her stage, becoming its true leading actress—continuously performing the role of a god so the prophecy would appear real.
"Now you understand why your court is called the Opera Epiclese, don't you?" Focalors said.
Neuvillette fell silent for a moment.
"But… that Furina is still human, isn't she?"
"Even if she has a long life, her mental strength is still human. For her… that must be an unimaginable torment."
"Yes," Focalors replied softly.
"Even though Furina is the human part of myself… if I ever had the chance, I would want to sincerely apologize to 'myself.'"
"These five hundred years for her…"
"…have been an unbearably long, lonely, and painful opera."
Furina's Inner World
In another space—
This was Furina's mental realm.
Furina sat alone on a stage.
The entire audience was empty except for Lumine, sitting in a single seat.
Realizing this was Furina's mind, Lumine decided to try talking to her.
"Oh? Who allowed you onto this stage?"
"As the divine Focalors, I understand your admiration, but please don't disrupt the performance."
"It's me, Furina."
"Well, I won't punish you, so you don't need to introduce yourself. Now go—don't delay my show."
Furina's face remained calm.
But her inner voice leaked out.
(Stop looking at me… please stop looking at me…)
"But… there's no audience here," Lumine said.
"Hmph, don't be ridiculous. Can't you feel them?"
(Even for just a moment… let the stage go dark… let the spotlight disappear…)
"I am Focalors, the Hydro Archon. Countless eyes in Fontaine are watching me. I must always display the most elegant and noble posture."
(Then maybe… I could return to being 'myself'…)
Lumine realized something was wrong.
Even within her own heart, Furina was still acting as the Hydro Archon.
She had built a psychological defense so strong that communication was almost impossible.
Lumine looked around and turned off all the spotlights.
Perhaps, in Furina's mind, those lights symbolized the gaze of the people.
Suddenly Lumine found a ticket.
Perhaps…
The performance was about to begin.
Act 1 — Before the Mirror
"Furina… Furina…?"
A voice called out in the empty space.
Furina looked confused.
"Don't be nervous. Don't be afraid. I'm right in front of you."
Before her stood a full-length mirror.
The reflection—her own image—was speaking.
Furina called it "the person in the mirror."
The mirror told her about the prophecy, terrifying her.
She was afraid of dissolving too.
But the mirror reassured her:
"The miracles of this world exist precisely to create turning points."
"I will tell you a way to save everyone… but you might have to endure some pain."
"So there is hope?" Furina said with relief.
"As for pain… well…"
"My first thought was honestly 'why does it have to be me?'"
"But if the prophecy happens, I'll die anyway."
"And besides… this miracle chose me."
She gradually steadied herself.
"If there's a scale…"
"One side holds the lives of all Fontaine's people."
"The other side holds my own suffering."
"You don't even need to think about which side the scale will tip toward, right?"
The mirror explained the plan.
Fontaine had just lost its god.
Furina must pretend to be the Hydro Archon.
"No one can ever suspect your identity."
"If you succeed, I will have a way to counter the prophecy."
"But if you are exposed, the last hope disappears."
"Remember: your challenge isn't discovering divinity."
"It's resisting humanity."
"…I don't fully understand," Furina admitted nervously.
"But I'll try."
"Then… when will this performance end?"
The mirror answered:
"You may live for a very long time."
"You will not age until the final day."
"And I promise you…"
"It will all end in a grand trial—like a magnificent play."
"Everyone will be saved."
"A trial… how exciting," Furina whispered.
Fontaine Watching
Across Fontaine, people watched the scene in silence.
Many were already crying.
Others struggled to hold back tears.
To the people of Fontaine, Furina had always been like a celebrity.
Few truly knew what she had done.
But now they were seeing the truth.
She was just a human girl.
Yet she took on a burden that could save an entire nation.
She didn't even know how long she would have to perform.
And still—
She accepted it.
A human doing something greater than a god.
Act 2 — The Inaugural Speech
Although the Court had announced Furina as the new Hydro Archon, this was her first time facing the public.
She was nervous.
She began her speech politely, saying she might lack experience but would do her best to guide Fontaine.
She thought it went well.
But the crowd didn't buy it.
Some mocked her.
Some doubted her.
Some suspected she was just a puppet placed on the throne.
Furina panicked inside.
She could not be exposed—or everyone would die.
In Fontaine City, people watching the memory grew angry.
"How could they treat her like that?!"
"What were our ancestors thinking?!"
Others tried to reason:
"At the time, Fontaine had just lost its god. Everyone was terrified…"
"But still…"
"Why did Lady Furina have to suffer like that…"
Furina forced herself to calm down.
She realized something.
To silence doubt, she had to become someone bold, powerful, unforgettable.
So she transformed her persona.
She performed a dramatic, charismatic, flamboyant god.
The audience was captivated.
Their attitude flipped completely.
Being sincere invited doubt.
So Furina exaggerated everything.
"There is no problem in this world that cannot be solved through judgment!"
"My people!"
"As long as you believe firmly in justice!"
"Within this Opera Epiclese, before the Oratrice!"
"I, Focalors, can even judge the gods themselves!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
The new Hydro Archon had restored their confidence.
Endless Acts
Days passed.
Then years.
Then centuries.
Act 4 — Opera House — Furina
Act 5 — Opera House — Furina
Act 6 — Opera House — Furina
…
Act 182,375 — Opera House — Furina
A visitor spoke with her excitedly.
But suddenly asked:
"Lady Furina… are you crying?"
"…Ah?"
Furina froze briefly, then smiled casually.
"Oh dear, my Hydro energy must be overflowing again."
"What can I say? I am the god of water."
Her True Thoughts
"So long… so lonely…"
"How much longer…"
"Centuries have already passed…"
"This performance might continue for centuries more…"
"I never imagined it would hurt this much…"
"Maybe I've already reached my limit…"
"No… I probably reached it long ago."
"Today I didn't even realize I was crying."
"I wish I could talk to someone… even just one person…"
"But if I did… everything would be ruined."
"For hundreds of years I investigated the prophecy…"
"And found no solution."
"So the only thing I can do…"
"…is keep believing."
"As long as I keep playing the Hydro Archon…"
"…Fontaine can still be saved."
"Please succeed…"
"…the me inside the mirror…"
Act 182,376 — Furina and…
Lumine spoke.
"You don't have to carry this alone anymore."
"Your people would gladly share the burden."
Furina hesitated.
"I'm just a witness," Lumine said.
"You can confide in me."
Furina's thoughts wavered.
(If it's her… maybe it's okay…)
(But if things go wrong, all of Fontaine will suffer…)
(No… Furina, don't be selfish…)
(But what if it really doesn't matter?)
(You've endured this for so long… maybe it's okay to be a little selfish…)
(You just want to talk… that's not too much…)
(If you miss this chance… there might never be another…)
(Think carefully…)
Five hundred years of loneliness twisted inside her heart.
Like someone lost in endless darkness finally seeing a faint ray of light.
Yet—
She gave it up.
"It's nothing."
"I have nothing to say."
"I am Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon."
"Everything will turn out fine."
"As an audience member… just watch until the curtain falls."
Knock knock!
"Lady Furina! Something has happened outside! We need you to come immediately!"
Furina snapped back to reality.
Outside, the noise of countless voices roared like boiling water.
She hurried to the window.
The streets outside the Palais Mermonia were packed with people.
The Gardes struggled to maintain order.
Every street was full.
People were shouting her name.
Many were crying.
Their eyes were filled with reverence.
Some had even climbed onto rooftops, waving at her.
Furina stared at them in shock.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Her voice trembled.
"Y-you all…"
Someone carefully approached across the rooftops.
"Lady Furina!"
"This time, you're not alone."
"The people of Fontaine stand with you."
Furina stamped her foot in panic.
"That's dangerous! Be careful! Hold on tight!"
"Hehe, Lady Furina!"
"My balance is great! Everyone asked me to deliver your favorite cake!"
He handed her a beautifully wrapped box.
Inside—
It was her favorite little cake.
Furina opened it slowly.
Under the hopeful gaze of the crowd, she scooped a bite with a spoon and tasted it.
Her tears fell into it.
Tears were salty.
But the cake—
Mixed with those tears—
Tasted unbelievably sweet.
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