Chapter 85 The Era of Great Prophecies Begins!

"The Prophecy of Fontaine?"
"She actually spoke it out so plainly."
The servant couldn't help but feel a little surprised, but soon she was at ease again.
The being who delivered prophecies from the heights above likely cared little for the reactions of mortals. Even if Furina laid bare the prophecy in such a glaring manner, that one would remain unmoved.
Just as the Tsaritsa of Ice had openly raised the banner of rebellion against the heavenly order, and ordered her Fatui Harbingers to collect the Gnosis from other nations without facing any sanction, it was clear that the heavenly being cared nothing for the world's response—even open defiance meant nothing.
Seen from this angle, perhaps Furina's directness truly would cause no trouble.
Perhaps, to that being, the process mattered little; only the outcome was important. The realization of the prophecy of Fontaine was all that mattered. As long as the prophecy came to pass, there would be no reaction—because the system set in place had not malfunctioned, and all followed its destined course.
Besides, the heavenly order now slumbered; its state might be far from well.
Some proposed that, in the great war of vengeance against the Second Throne, Nibelung, the heavenly order suffered grave wounds, its authority and function damaged, no longer able to suppress the world with its absolute power, hence the need to collaborate with successors to transform Nibelung's remains into the Gnosis.
Yet, all that aside—
"To have the courage to turn thought into action, and truly speak these words within the Opera House—Furina's daring and valor deserve praise. As expected of the Hydro Archon. Her courage and decisiveness inspire my respect."
The servant's gaze toward Furina changed subtly. Though she loathed this god who delighted in theatrics and toyed with her like a pawn on stage, there was no denying Furina's formidable presence. Only those who recognized this could perceive her distinct charm.
Beside her, Lynette watched his father, whose lips curved in a faint smile of approval, with confused eyes. He had no idea what his father had suddenly figured out, but—since he acted this way, there must be a reason, right? Surely... right?
Ah, there is so much I still do not understand.
"She truly brought it up?"
Neuvillette glanced at Furina, his draconic pupils clouded with thought. Outwardly the stern Chief Justice, he was in fact deeply concerned with the people of Fontaine, and with Furina's daily affairs.
Though he never said so, he knew well that Furina had long conducted covert investigations into such matters through various channels. She was familiar with the stories surrounding the prophecy of Fontaine.
That was only natural; as the Hydro Archon, her concern for the prophecy made perfect sense.
But—
The trouble was, after her investigations, she had never acted. She had sent people to inquire, and that was all. This struck Neuvillette as odd; he could not guess her intentions.
If Furina did not care for the people or the prophecy, she would not have investigated. If she did care, why take no further action?
Though puzzled, Neuvillette suppressed his doubts. He surmised that perhaps Furina had learned something extraordinary, had her own concerns and calculations, and so refrained from acting. If he acted rashly, it might disrupt her designs.
After all, Neuvillette knew her well. She was never as shallow as she appeared on stage, nor truly foolish. If she had not responded before the true danger threatened Fontaine, it was likely because she was thinking, preparing.
Now, it seemed she indeed had her reasons.
As for Furina herself, the protagonist, she did have her own considerations—though not many.
"Lumine, they're all looking at me. I feel a little anxious."
"Come on, you're the biggest of them all!"
"Yes, I'm the biggest of them all!"
"..."
From afar, Lumine watched in silence, thinking to himself: It seems she truly is nervous.
The trial was underway, and Furina had little time or energy to spare for Lumine. She swiftly organized her thoughts, then turned and smiled naturally as she spoke:
"It is said that every Fontainian is born bearing sin. No matter how just the nation, no matter how relentless the judgment, these sins cannot be washed away. Until, one day, the sea around Fontaine will begin to rise, and all those burdened with sin will be drowned. In the end... everyone will dissolve into the sea, leaving me alone on my throne, weeping."
As she spoke, sorrow gradually clouded Furina's face. She bowed her head slightly, her eyes heavy with restrained tears.
Under this mood, the audience below fell silent. With the Hydro Archon herself showing such emotion, the ordinary people of Fontaine could not help but feel oppressed and fearful.
Heads lowered, glances exchanged, fear began to ripple through the crowd.
Until—
"Lady Furina, is this true?" Neuvillette tapped his staff on the ground, looking at her with grave seriousness.
"That's what she told me; you should ask her if it's true or not!" Furina instantly shifted her demeanor, pointing at the servant beside her.
"...Sigh."
Neuvillette fell silent, sighing helplessly, feeling a slight headache.
With his sigh, the heavy atmosphere in the Opera House began to shift. Those not yet fully overcome by oppression looked up at Furina, and at the servant on trial.
"So, the news is from the servant, and Lady Furina is merely relaying it—the truth remains uncertain?"
"Yet, to convey her message, the servant even tried to assassinate the Hydro Archon as proof. This suggests the news could indeed be true. Perhaps... Fontaine truly faces a great crisis."
"But then, it might not be true, right?"
"Still, hasn't the sea level around Fontaine actually been rising lately? Maybe it's true."
"...This is bad! I heard recently, the Traveler is coming to Fontaine! Sumeru's next stop is our Fontaine—it's over, something bad is sure to happen!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Why? Think carefully! Mondstadt was fine until the Traveler arrived—then suddenly, they were wanted across the city, and the dragon disaster struck, which the Traveler resolved. Liyue was peaceful until the Traveler came—then they were wanted, and the seal on Osial was broken, leading to the resurrection of the Archon disaster, which the Traveler resolved..."
"By the logic that wherever the Traveler appears, great events follow, when they come to Fontaine, something extraordinary will happen here as well. And perhaps this prophecy is the root of it!"
"But it's not so bad, is it? Didn't the Traveler resolve every crisis? If they come, maybe our crisis will be averted too?"
"Don't be too optimistic. Resolving a crisis doesn't mean there were no casualties. The prophecy says we will be dissolved by the sea. What if a few unlucky people are swept away before they can be saved?"
"Yikes, you're right. In that case, I'd better protect Miss Navia."
"Me too!"
"Oh, I'll protect myself just fine!"
"Well then, Lady Arlecchino, can you confirm the truth of the report you just gave?" Neuvillette turned to her.
"Sorry, I can't."
The servant refused without hesitation. She wanted nothing to do with cleaning up such a mess. She even thought, if only she could rest peacefully in Meropide Fortress prison right now—how wonderful would that be?
Her mind drifted to Lumine, who always dragged her into dreams. She sighed again. Because of him, she hadn't slept well for days. Even on nights when he didn't pull her into dreams—
Knowing that someone could pull her into a dream at any moment, how could she ever sleep soundly?
At some point...
Sleep had become a luxury.
Sigh...
After a brief lament, the servant noticed movement behind her. She turned to see Lynette waving cheerfully to someone in the distance, carrying a chair.
It was an ordinary chair, the same style as the one from the night before, but not a bench. She felt a surge of irritation, but the chair's presence was not quite enough to make her lose her composure.
"This is...?"
"The staff said that the next act is no longer your trial, so you should have your own seat in the Opera House. Though Lady Furina had already prepared a seat for you, you didn't seem to accept it earlier..."
"..."
The servant stared at the chair, then at Lynette, who was still smiling. Suddenly, she felt less inclined to protect the Hearth House children.
But soon, her mind spun further—
A chair was a symbol of a seat. The staff had twice brought her a chair, emphasizing it was at Furina's request. Was Furina hinting for her to take her seat onstage? Agitating her was just a side effect?
Given Furina's cunning, perhaps this was the truth. She had underestimated things before.
"Hoo..."
The servant sighed, slowly sitting down—on a chair of the same kind as in her dreams, as if taking the place Furina had arranged for her in advance. She felt like a chess piece, rigidly placed on Furina's board, ready to be moved at her whim.
How difficult this was.
Sigh... Now, I have become but a pawn on the board. My desire to obtain the Hydro Archon's Gnosis seems ever more out of reach. It seems I will disappoint Her Majesty's expectations.
However, if she is Fontaine's god, if she sits on that throne as the Hydro Archon, perhaps Fontaine's fate will not be so grim.
Furina de Fontaine—she may be the worst person to me, but to Fontaine, a water god as shrewd as she is might just be the best ruler. With her on the throne, the people will be safer.
Yet, the servant felt a burning ache upon sitting, as if her seat stung her with phantom pain.
"Sigh..."
Lynette watched the servant's changing expression, and his father's shifting demeanor, increasingly unable to understand what crucial secret was hidden in all this. He could only clench his fists and think, pondering how best to help his father.
How difficult this is...
"Hmm."
From the high platform, Neuvillette gave a helpless sound. Neither Furina nor Arlecchino could confirm the truth of the prophecy, yet they had chosen to air it in such an important setting. This struck him as odd, as if two actors, not quite in collusion but sharing a touch of unspoken understanding, were improvising onstage.
They knew something of each other, could guess the other's intent, but had never rehearsed together—simply ad-libbing as the play unfolded.
So, in this case, should I end the trial outright, or keep the discussion going?
Neuvillette felt slightly troubled. If he closed the trial now, it would be a hasty, unsatisfying end. If he continued, he did not know how to proceed.
However—
Just as he struggled, Furina, ever perceptive, spoke. She looked out upon the audience, wearing a confident smile, and declared: "My beloved citizens, over all these years, there have been too many plays in this Opera House where the answers are unveiled onstage—so many that I have grown weary of them.
"Perhaps such trials are fine.
"But are such dramas truly good? Is a blunt, straightforward play truly a living work? What kind of drama can truly move the heart, stir every single soul in the audience?
"I pondered, night after night, and at last I found an answer. That answer is... life.
"Life itself is a never-ending drama, a story that even death cannot conclude. Our stories and beliefs will be passed down by our children, our friends—growing into the magnificent, resplendent Fontaine, a land that belongs to us all."
Furina slowly closed her eyes, placing one hand gently on her chest, exhaling softly, then continued with solemn grace: "On my honor as Hydro Archon, I swear—the prophecy of Fontaine is no simple thing. It involves countless events of grave importance, and you, my people, hold the right to seek the answers!
"The omen of the prophecy is already upon us. This is the gift Fontaine offers the Traveler, and my special gift to all of you. Each of you has the right to take the stage and become the brightest star. Find the decisive proof, and you will be the very heart of the play! Rejoice, cheer, for a prophecy of doom is also the harbinger of celebration!"
In the Opera House, the crowd erupted instantly. Their love of drama overwhelmed their fear of death. Judging by Furina's bearing, she cared little for the prophecy.
The prophecy was like a game, calling every Fontainian to participate—a game, a special game. The servant was the one who opened this game. Dissolution and submersion might truly happen, for only then could the prophecy be called prophecy.
But the people of Fontaine need not fear for their safety. Furina was simply too confident—so confident that, as Hydro Archon, she could turn a prophecy into a drama. How could such a leader allow her people to feel unsafe?
Precisely because it was part of the drama, and possibly even true, it became the perfect play for all Fontainians to pursue.
She truly roused the whole of Fontaine to investigate in this way. Truly worthy of Furina—such a simple, direct, yet effective plan was nothing short of brilliant. Her cunning left the servant utterly speechless.
The servant rose unconsciously, gazing with burning eyes at Furina, who sat upon her throne with an elegant, satisfied smile.
Her fingers trembled, her heart quivered—she had always known Furina was no ordinary being. Despite her flamboyant, fragile appearance, this god possessed unfathomable wisdom.
If the story had played out as before, perhaps all of Fontaine would have descended step by step into the abyss. Fear would have spread unchecked among the people. Those holding the truth of the prophecy's authenticity would have hidden it, searching in darkness for a solution, like those who dare not light a fire in a black forest.
But individual strength has its limits. And without certainty about the truth, who would believe, who would prepare? Even if there was a chance to save Fontaine, it would never achieve such results as these.
Consider a simple example: even if the sins of Fontainians were forgiven, what if someone drowned at home when the tide rose?
Danger would remain. But if they knew of the threat in advance, they could prepare—life preservers, gathering their belongings, taking all precautions. The people's losses would be kept to a minimum.
And the benefits went beyond this—there would also be manpower for the investigation, and other unquantifiable advantages.
Still—
There was one problem. If the people of Fontaine, after thoroughly uncovering the truth behind the prophecy, fell into despair ahead of time, what would Furina do then? Had she considered her next move?
"Heh."
The servant suddenly laughed, her laughter tinged with irony.
She looked down at her hands, murmuring inwardly: I actually doubted her—doubted that god, when I should understand better than anyone how terrifying her calculations can be. She must have her own solution—she must.
All I need to do now is play along, perform my role well, and step by step save Fontaine, so that the prophecy does not become reality. That is my wish as well.
Gradually, the servant seemed to change. She began to understand the Hydro Archon's allure. The deeper she analyzed this person, the more she felt her charm. Though Furina herself lacked power, her cunning and ability far surpassed any divine might.
Truly worthy to be Queen of Waters—Furina, at the art of calculation, I would name her the mightiest of all gods!
(End of chapter)