Everyone at the Opera Epiclese was embroiled in combat, and the battle unfolding before them was being broadcast live to other cities across Fontaine.
"Damn it! The sea level is already rising!"
"Everyone, get to higher ground immediately!"
The Primordial Sea Water wasn't surging from just one point, which left Neuvillette feeling utterly helpless.
Even as he exerted every ounce of his strength to seal the breach at the Opera Epiclese, numerous other fissures continued to pour the primordial waters into the sea.
"Get to safety now! What are you still doing here?!"
A Maison Gardiennage officer, seeing the crowd still gathered in the square, shouted urgently.
"What's there to be afraid of? A small rise is nothing to run from, and a big one we can't escape anyway!"
"Exactly! If you're scared, go hide yourself. We're enjoying the show too much!"
Hearing these replies, the Maison Gardiennage officer was stunned, then utterly speechless.
You people have nerves of steel!
He shook his head and continued guiding other evacuees to safety.
Under normal circumstances, he would have insisted they leave. But with the crisis at its peak and so many people still needing to reach safety, he simply didn't have time to argue with this stubborn group.
This scene played out across nearly every city in Fontaine, with many stubbornly refusing to seek higher ground, determined to watch the livestream to the end.
For people from other nations, such behavior might be baffling. But remembering these were Fontainians, it suddenly made perfect sense.
The vast majority of these viewers weren't simply hoping for Neuvillette's victory. Instead, they yearned for Dark Furina to usurp him as Fontaine's new guardian and replace Furina as the Hydro Archon.
Everyone had heard Ron's testimony during the Judgment, which ignited an unprecedented wave of intense animosity toward Neuvillette.
When they compared their recent experiences with those of the newly independent cities, it became clear just how much suffering they had endured.
First came the omens of the Prophecy. Waters mixed with Primordial Sea Water surged across Fontaine, causing heavy casualties in their region, while the cities under Dark Furina's rule suffered no losses whatsoever.
It's worth remembering that at the time, Dark Furina's power was still weaker than Neuvillette's. Yet she had perfectly protected all her subjects, a feat neither the stronger Neuvillette nor the Hydro Archon Furina could match.
Next, the treasonous actions of the nobles extinguished Fontaine's Spark, resulting in the loss of a generation of the nation's most brilliant minds.
Although Neuvillette later abolished the nobility entirely, partially restoring public trust, the lives of those lost talents could never be recovered.
Then came Neuvillette's miscalculation, releasing the Shadow Dragon, which wreaked havoc and slaughter across Fontaine.
Though everyone was eventually rescued thanks to tireless efforts, the destroyed infrastructure and facilities could not be rebuilt in the short term.
When most people were forced to live in incredibly crude tents, struggling even for basic necessities like food and water, it was only natural that their feelings toward Neuvillette grew increasingly hostile.
After all, they had once lived in prosperity, free from worries about food and clothing, and enjoying leisurely afternoon tea every day.
Now, their lives were a living hell.
If this misery had spread across all of Fontaine, it might have been bearable. But Fontaine itself, along with the cities governed by Dark Furina, remained largely unscathed.
Fontaine's resilience stemmed from its status as the core city of Fontaine, boasting ample defenses. Moreover, the Shadow Dragon, while formidable, wasn't overwhelmingly powerful; holding out briefly until reinforcements arrived proved manageable.
As for the cities under Dark Furina's jurisdiction, though Shadow Dragons had briefly appeared, she swiftly eliminated them upon their emergence, creating a stark contrast to the devastation in other cities. This made it difficult for Fontainians to believe that Neuvillette and Furina were truly doing their utmost to address the crisis.
As the residents of other cities mocked, seduced, or persuaded them, the hearts of those who had lost their homelands were inevitably in turmoil.
If Neuvillette hadn't tacitly approved Ron's accusations against him, even more cities would have broken away from Fontaine's official governance.
Then, during the Judgment, they learned that Neuvillette had used them as bait to lure out the Cult of No. 6...
This revelation struck at the core of their deepest resentment. Neuvillette, who had sworn to protect them, had betrayed them at a moment's notice, while Hydro Archon Furina, faced with such treachery, stood firmly by his side, refusing to bring his crimes to Judgment.
Reflecting on Furina's past neglect of her duties, their resentment toward her only intensified.
Thus, when most people saw Dark Furina appear, their hearts surged with elation.
They had suffered long enough under Neuvillette and Furina; it was time to welcome their new Archon!
Besides, the thought that Dark Furina might be Furina's elder sister made their shift in allegiance even easier to justify.
Although Furina had repeatedly insisted there was no connection between her and Dark Furina, claiming the latter was not her sister, the people were neither fools nor blind. The two looked virtually identical, and no amount of denial would change their minds.
As the people's faith gradually shifted, Focalors felt the change most acutely.
The Hydro Archon's authority functioned like a receiver. Because Furina lacked any divine authority, no matter how fervently the people worshipped her, she couldn't receive their faith. All of it was ultimately absorbed by the Gnosis.
But Dark Furina's situation was different. She possessed the potential to become a true Archon, so when the people's faith turned toward her, she could capture that power. This explained why Dark Furina was growing increasingly powerful; her followers were multiplying by the day.
Focalors had originally believed Neuvillette would seize the opportunity to consolidate the people's faith in him. However, the outcome surprised her. She could sense her authority being steadily eroded by Dark Furina. Had it not been for the Gnosis still in her possession, Dark Furina would likely have already become Fontaine's new Archon.
Focalors had never particularly valued the position of Archon. She had been thrust into the role by the previous Hydro Archon, who had left her with a mountain of messes to clean up.
Yet, to save all of Fontaine, she had been forced to cling tightly to this authority, intending to return it to Neuvillette at the opportune moment.
Now, however, her grip on power was weakening daily. Focalors wasn't even certain if her original plan would still allow Neuvillette to fully regain his complete form.
The thought of all her past efforts being reduced to nothing weighed heavily on her heart.
She had already sacrificed herself completely, even endangering her other, non-divine self. They had toiled for five centuries. The prospect of ultimate failure was almost unbearable.
Indeed, the course of fate had shifted imperceptibly, perhaps the earliest change occurred with the sensational first suicide case that rocked all of Fontaine.
It was around that time that Fontaine inexplicably gained new organizations and people never seen or heard of before.
Past memories?
Could they be referring to their time as Oceanids?
But during that era, everyone's emotions and memories were pure, transparent, and directly accessible. As far as Focalors recalled, such complex memories had never existed before.
Yet if they were lying, how could they dissolve in Primordial Sea Water, proving they were indeed Fontainians?
Even Focalors, the Hydro Archon herself, found her mind shutting down from the mental strain.
Focalors now suspected that they existed in different dimensions.
However, she lacked the energy to ponder further, for Lyney and Lynette had already been defeated.
The outcome was hardly a surprise to anyone. After all, Arlecchino had made it clear that she had reasons that left her no room for compromise.
Even when her most esteemed subordinates, Lyney and Lynette, stepped forward to stop her, she showed no mercy.
Arlecchino sheathed her weapon, the surging aura around her gradually subsiding.
Looking at Lyney and Lynette lying unconscious on the ground, she shook her head slightly.
"Managing to raise your weapons against me... I suppose you barely pass this assessment."
"From now on, Fontaine is in your hands."
"If... Fontaine still has a future."
As she spoke these words, Arlecchino clenched her fist tightly.
If she hadn't personally delivered the Gnosis to Dark Furina, all her "children" would have been annihilated.
Dark Furina could easily accomplish this because she was merely a pawn manipulated by that man.
Amos, that damned bastard!
He had used his abilities to incite her subordinates to betray her, and even now, a significant number of spies remained hidden among them, ready to strike at the people who trusted them most.
The moment Arlecchino learned of Amos's connection to Dark Furina, everything clicked into place.
No wonder her subordinates had betrayed her. Amos possessed the means to manipulate minds, akin to hypnosis but, in her view, more akin to psychological suggestion.
His method likely involved replacing the object of her subordinates' loyalty with his own image.
Amos bore considerable responsibility for Fontaine's current state of chaos!
But even knowing this, what could she do? She couldn't sacrifice the lives of all her "children" by rejecting his demands.
Moreover, she had signed a contract with Dark Furina, and failure to fulfill it would inflict grievous wounds upon her very soul.
Besides, even if she recklessly rejected Amos, he would simply find another pawn.
Better to agree for now and make a decision based on how things unfolded.
At this point, Neuvillette was likely beyond help, and Furina was even worse off—likely struggling to protect herself, as Amos had personally gone after her.
This meant the only remaining variable was the true Hydro Archon, Focalors herself.
Arlecchino gazed toward the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, as if she could see through the thick walls to the Hydro Archon, Focalors, still sitting leisurely within, watching them struggle with malicious amusement.
Arlecchino's thoughts stemmed from Focalors' perceived irresponsibility. The Hydro Archon had abandoned her duties to a mere mortal and vanished, remaining hidden even on this day when the Prophecy was unfolding.
"Hmph," Arlecchino muttered to herself, "if even the Hydro Archon doesn't care about Fontaine's fate, there's no use in wallowing in self-pity about how things have turned out."
As she spoke, she resumed moving toward the core chamber of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale.
Meanwhile, Focalors, who had been observing everything, wore an expression of utter helplessness. She had long anticipated that her actions would be misunderstood, but the situation had spiraled far beyond her original plan.
Now, even if she wanted to remain hidden, she no longer had the opportunity.
But perhaps all hope wasn't lost. As long as Arlecchino's heart still belonged to Fontaine, there remained a chance!
With this thought, Focalors pulled Arlecchino, who was about to enter the core chamber of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, into her inner world.
Arlecchino was about to break down the door when she felt an irresistible force tugging at her consciousness.
Realizing this was the power of the Hydro Archon Focalors, Arlecchino hesitated briefly before surrendering her mind.
When Arlecchino reopened her eyes, the scene had completely transformed.
The surroundings were now those of the Opera Epiclese, though with a crucial difference: the opera house's dome appeared intact, but the entire venue radiated an unnatural brightness.
There were no spectators in the audience, and Arlecchino stood alone on the stage.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching steadily.
Arlecchino turned toward the approaching footsteps and saw a face identical to both Furina's personas.
In that moment, a new clarity dawned within her.
Clearly, Furina wasn't just an ordinary person Focalors had casually chosen; she was Focalors herself—her mortal self, stripped of divinity.
This revelation made perfect sense. Otherwise, subjecting an ordinary person to centuries of isolation would have been unspeakably cruel.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Knave," Focalors said with a smile. Arlecchino simply regarded her calmly, offering no response.
"Though this is our first meeting, I've been watching you for quite some time."
"And I know you've been searching for me."
Focalors continued, unperturbed by Arlecchino's silence.
"You seek the Gnosis not only to fulfill Snezhnaya's mission, but also to find a way to save Fontaine through it."
"What I can tell you is this: the Gnosis holds no power to save Fontaine."
"Just like you, I yearn to save the people of Fontaine. I've strived toward this goal all along."
"However, the situation has taken an unexpected turn, even altering the Prophecy itself."
Focalors paused, then fixed her gaze on Arlecchino's eyes and spoke slowly.
"So, Miss Knave,"
"Will you join me in trying a new way to save Fontaine?"