Hello I'm back, thy leg is healed but I don't have molars anymore.
===BREAK===
"She just left like that? What an inscrutable Archon… and we didn't even get the chance to ask anything. Victor Wang left with her too…"
"This isn't the right atmosphere or occasion to discuss personal matters."
Turning around, Lumine first thanked Lyney, then asked, "It seems like you already anticipated what was going to happen?"
Lyney explained, "I just happened to remember that particular law, so when we greeted each other, I made a few preparations for you. I didn't expect it would actually come in handy."
"Oh, right, right! So, when we greeted each other, you didn't shake my hand because you were pulling something behind my back? As expected of a master magician—I didn't notice a thing!"
Paimon didn't think much of it, but Lumine pressed further. "But if we're being precise, you only learned that we wanted to request an audience with the Hydro Archon after the handshake, right? And no one else would've thought of Paimon as a flying object, so there was no need to prepare against them… Your actions were so precise, it's almost as if you already knew we would be meeting the Hydro Archon very soon."
Hearing that, even Paimon finally caught on. She puffed up angrily. "Hey, yeah, Lyney! You're performing at the Opera Épiclèse too, right? Don't tell me today's whole show was something you planned together with the Hydro Archon just to mess with us?!"
Lyney gave a troubled smile. "Oh my, the golden-haired Traveler truly is as clever as the rumors say… I'm sorry, I did keep something from you, but it's definitely not what you think. Please, allow me to explain. We can't let such a small misunderstanding ruin the friendship between new friends."
"Go on, we're listening." Paimon crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly.
"Like everyone else in Romaritime Harbor, I've heard of the title 'Blonde Traveler.' So, once I learned your names, I realized who you were—the famous duo. That's what I kept to myself. I felt that whether I'd heard of you before or not, our first meeting should be genuine. I didn't expect it to cause a misunderstanding."
"That really doesn't sound like a big deal… but is that really all?" Paimon narrowed one eye and glanced sideways at Lyney.
"If you're saying I colluded with Lady Furina, that would truly be unjust. Knowing what you've accomplished in other nations, it's only natural to assume you'd want to meet Lady Furina. And considering her personality, it wouldn't be surprising for her to use that law to challenge you. So I merely made a few preparations in advance."
Lyney's attitude was sincere, and Lynette added, "So that's why Lyney never mentioned that he knew who you were. When I came back from picking Romaritime Flowers, I was quite curious how he suddenly recognized you two big stars."
"Big stars…? We're big stars?"
Lynette nodded. "Perhaps 'public figures' would be more accurate."
Paimon was instantly won over. "After hearing your explanation, it really does sound like just a harmless misunderstanding! And it was all thanks to Lyney carefully guessing both our intentions and the Hydro Archon's that he helped us out of her tricky situation!"
Lyney smiled. "Perhaps it comes with the profession. Psychology is a crucial part of magic. Reading and grasping the audience's thoughts is a required skill for any magician."
Even if some doubts remained, this wasn't the time to press further. Lumine finally relaxed her tone. "Sorry. We've run into quite a few people who pretended to help at first, only to stab us in the back later. We had to be cautious."
Lyney responded with his usual gentle smile. "That's understandable. Your journey must have been quite extraordinary."
And so, this 'misunderstanding' was 'resolved.'
"By the way," Paimon asked, "I only just found out that you're going to perform magic at that opera house?"
Lyney replied, "You've come at just the right time. It's also our first time stepping onto Fontaine's grandest stage—the Opera Épiclèse. Since the timing is so perfect, Lumine, Paimon, may I invite you two new friends to watch my performance?"
"Of course! We were planning to go to the opera house anyway!"
"If you don't mind, why don't we continue together? I can show you the way… although I still have a few things to take care of at the moment."
"What kind of things? Maybe we can help?" Paimon asked curiously.
"I need to distribute Magic Pouches. I brought quite a few and hope to give them all away."
"No problem, no problem! You're really kind! And that unpredictable Hydro Archon too… Even though she's certainly full of personality, she's quite earnest when it comes to facing the prophecy."
"Earnest…" Lyney repeated the word thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Paimon explained. "The underwater breathing potions keep people from drowning, and the Magic Pouches protect their property from being submerged. Though I do wonder why the Hydro Archon doesn't just stop the flooding altogether. Maybe a flood covering all of Fontaine is just too massive."
"More than that. Our Archon has even arranged escape boats for every household… When the prophecy arrives, as long as people endure the first wave with the underwater breathing potion, they can use the boats to float to the surface and rest easy."
"There are boats too? Wow, she really thought of everything!"
Lyney gave a self-deprecating smile. "But how she intends to deal with the most crucial part—'dissolution'—that remains impossible to predict."
"Dissolution?"
"Oh? You haven't heard the complete Fontaine prophecy yet? It's said that every person in Fontaine is born bearing 'sin.' No matter how they are judged, it cannot be absolved. One day, when the sea level rises, those burdened with sin will be submerged… All will dissolve into the sea, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping alone upon her throne. Only then will the sins of Fontaine be washed away."
"Fontaine people are born with 'sin'? What does that even mean?"
Paimon asked again, and Lyney answered, "There have been many speculations among the people. Some say Fontaine's ancestors stole the power of the sea, angering it. Others say they defied the previous Hydro Archon's counsel and offended the gods of Celestia. In any case, Lady Furina has already taken countermeasures—which suggests the prophecy truly will come to pass."
"In that case, everything the Hydro Archon is doing is really just responding to an ordinary flood. But maybe it also means she has the power to prevent 'dissolution,' or perhaps 'dissolution' won't happen at all? I mean… normal humans dissolving or something—it sounds so far-fetched."
Lyney smiled at himself again. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. But for hundreds of years, she remained indifferent to Fontaine's rising waters… Then, just a few months ago, she suddenly seemed like a completely different person. No matter how you look at it, it all feels too rushed…"
Lynette spoke up rarely. "I believe this means she has accurately grasped the timing of the prophecy and is responding calmly. Although Lady Furina has been… well, quite distinctive for centuries, at heart she is reasonable. I think you should have more faith in her, Brother."
"Heh… Sorry. I didn't mean to dwell too much on negative feelings. Sorry, Lynette. Sorry, Paimon. And sorry, Lumine."
Lumine fell into thought.
Paimon said, "That's understandable! It's a matter of life and death, after all. Before coming to Fontaine, we thought many people would be anxious, but everyone seems to treat the prophecy like no big deal. Maybe Lyney's reaction is actually the normal one?"
"Let's drop the subject. We should go distribute the Magic Pouches."
===BREAK===
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