"Lady Egeria… are you abandoning us?"
The moment she heard Lora's words, Rhodeia panicked. She flew straight to Lora's side, her voice filled with urgency and fear.
"I know we were wrong! Leaving Fontaine was our responsibility—we admit our fault. Whether it's harsh punishment, or swearing loyalty to Focalors and becoming her followers, we'll accept it willingly! But… please—don't abandon us!"
As she spoke, her voice trembled uncontrollably.
Oceanids could accept Egeria's death.
They could accept the rise of a new Hydro Archon.
They could even accept that the new Hydro Archon was an Oceanid.
But they could never accept being abandoned by Egeria.
To be cast aside by Egeria was something no Oceanid could endure. She was not merely the first Hydro Archon—she was their mother.
To be abandoned by one's own mother was a terror beyond bearing.
Watching Rhodeia tremble as she pleaded, Lora let out a soft sigh. She raised her hand and placed it gently atop Rhodeia's head, slowly stroking it as warm, soothing Hydro elemental power flowed into her body, calming her emotions.
"Don't be afraid," Lora said gently. "I'm not abandoning you."
"Then… why won't you let us return to Fontaine?" Rhodeia asked anxiously.
Lora shook her head.
"I never forbade you from returning to Fontaine. I only said I wouldn't force you to go back. In the five hundred years since leaving Fontaine, you've lived here for a long time and grown attached to these waters. I respect your choice."
"No!" Rhodeia said immediately. "Lady Egeria! Even if we left Fontaine and now dwell in the Waters of Qingce, we will always be your followers!"
Even after five hundred years, their faith in Egeria had never wavered.
"I won't restrict your freedom," Lora said quietly. "Whether you choose to stay here or return to Fontaine—that decision is yours."
She sighed softly as she looked at the flustered Rhodeia, who kept reaffirming her loyalty.
For Oceanids, Egeria truly was an existence that governed everything.
"Then…" Rhodeia hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking, "May I follow you?"
"You want to follow me?" Lora looked at her with mild surprise, clearly not expecting the request.
"Yes," Rhodeia nodded firmly. "Since you've been resurrected, you'll surely return to Fontaine. May I accompany you? Please rest assured—whether you reclaim the position of Hydro Archon or Focalors continues to serve as one, we will accept it without objection."
Lora fell silent for a moment, then spoke after some thought.
"I don't mind you following me. But I still have things I need to do, and I won't be returning to Fontaine anytime soon. If you long for your homeland, you can go back on your own first."
"I'm willing to follow you," Rhodeia replied without hesitation. "I'll wait for you to finish what you need to do, and then follow you back to Fontaine! Lady Egeria, during the journey there will be many mundane matters—lodging, meals, and the like. I can take care of all of that for you!"
So… she planned to become her attendant?
Lora realized she had underestimated just how deep the Oceanids' reverence and devotion toward Egeria truly ran.
"Sigh… if you insist that much, then come with me," Lora said at last. She glanced at Rhodeia, who was still in her Oceanid form, and asked, "But can you take on a human appearance?"
"Yes," Rhodeia nodded. "Water has no fixed form. I can transform into many shapes, including that of a human."
Right before Lora's eyes, Rhodeia began to change. As Hydro elemental power surged, her form shifted and reshaped, transforming from a pure Oceanid into that of an adult woman.
Long blue hair flowed down her back. She wore a long dress similar to Lora's, adorned with patterns like splashing waves. Her gentle, water-like features were set off by sapphire-blue eyes that shimmered with quiet brilliance.
After completing her transformation, Rhodeia walked up to Lora, knelt on one knee, and bowed her head in reverence.
"Lady Egeria, I swear by the name of Pure Water—I will forever follow in your footsteps."
Lora watched Rhodeia step from the lake onto dry land, then glanced back at the waters behind her. Without Rhodeia's presence, the lake already seemed noticeably dimmer.
"Will the Waters of Qingce be all right after you leave?" Lora asked.
"They'll be fine," Rhodeia replied, shaking her head. "
The water quality here is excellent. Even without direct regulation by an Oceanid, it will remain clean and clear. Besides, there are still many Oceanids living in Qingce Village. They can take care of the water veins."
Though those Oceanids were not as powerful as Rhodeia and could not take human form, regulating water was an instinct etched into every Oceanid's being.
"Good," Lora nodded. "Then come with me."
She turned and left, Rhodeia following close behind.
"Lady Egeria, where are we going now?" Rhodeia asked as she walked after her.
Lora answered without slowing her pace.
"From now on, don't call me Lady Egeria. Just call me Lora."
"Lora…" Rhodeia repeated, her voice soft with emotion. "So that is the name you walk this world by now…! La—Miss Lora, where are we heading next?"
"To find someone," Lora said.
As they walked, she told Rhodeia about Qiqi—about her condition, and about how she had accepted her as a younger sister. Lora had expected Rhodeia, a devoted admirer of Egeria, to feel uncomfortable about it.
Instead, Rhodeia accepted it without the slightest resistance.
Perhaps because Lora herself was standing right in front of her.
"Please don't worry," Rhodeia said solemnly. "Since she is your sister, she is worthy of the respect of all Oceanids. I will treat her with the same reverence I show you."
"You don't need to be that serious," Lora waved a hand lightly.
"Relax a little. Don't scare her—her situation is special. She might not handle that kind of attitude very well."
"I understand. I'll adjust," Rhodeia nodded promptly.