Chapter 128: Before the Execution
The Hydro Archon's voice, though ethereal, carried the weight of centuries. "You all still remember the prophecy, do you not? Everyone will dissolve into the waters, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne…"
She paused, letting the grim words settle in the grand, empty space. "A prophecy is the history of the future. It is a fate that is bound to happen."
"Therefore," she continued, her gaze distant, "I thought for a very, very long time. And at last, I found a way to deceive 'fate' itself. A way to save everyone at the very moment the prophecy is fulfilled…"
"To do this, I cursed Focalors. So long as I exist, she can never die. She would take the Opera Epiclese as her stage and become its leading lady, forever playing the role of the Hydro Archon from the prophecy so that, to the world, it would appear to be fulfilled."
"Immortality… is a curse…" Haibara Ai murmured, her expression growing impossibly complex. She thought of the Organization, of their obsessive, single-minded goal, and a cold knot formed in her stomach.
'Some research should never have existed in the first place,'she thought bitterly.'It's like Pandora's Box. Once opened, it only brings disaster.'
"So Focalors has been pretending to be the Hydro Archon… all by herself… for five hundred years," Mouri Ran said, her voice soft with dawning horror. "Such a long time… She must have been in so much pain."
"Indeed," Haibara agreed, her gaze fixed on the divine being before them.
But Kikukawa saw it from a different angle. "Isn't living for that long a good thing, though? My grandfather has been racking his brains, trying every method he can find to extend his lifespan. Focalors might find it a bit troublesome when she's acting, but from what we've seen, besides us, no one would ever suspect her identity, right? So why would it be painful?"
Emori nodded in agreement. "That's right. Most people would want to live a little longer, wouldn't they? The elders in my family spend a fortune just on maintaining their health. Don't you guys want to live longer?"
"I do, but…" Genta heard their words and felt that something was deeply wrong with their logic, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what.
"Living a long time and being happy are two completely different things," Mitsuhiko countered, his brow furrowed in thought. "Focalors is carrying the mental pressure of the entire prophecy. There must be times when she's sad. And in all those five hundred years, she hasn't had a single person to confide in. There's no way she could be happy."
"That's right," the Hydro Archon affirmed, her voice softening. "Even with a long life, she is ultimately just human. And being human means there will be times of exhaustion and sadness. But even when she was exhausted, even when she was overcome with sorrow, she could never let it show. For five hundred years, she has been utterly and completely alone…"
"These five hundred years… for her, they have been an incredibly long, incredibly lonely opera." A faint, proud smile touched her lips. "She is truly strong. For five hundred years, she has never once slacked off in her role."
Her smile faded, replaced by a wistful sigh. "Hmm… If there is still a chance, I must properly apologize to her… and thank her."
"If there is a chance? What does that mean?" Haibara's eyes narrowed, catching the ominous implication. "You…"
"You're quite sharp, little girl." The Hydro Archon chuckled, a sound devoid of mirth. She looked up toward the ceiling of the vast stage before turning her gaze back to the children. "Heh, the meaning is simple. I… am about to disappear."
She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, dear. It really isn't good to let children see this kind of scene, but I have no way to let you leave now. Sigh, I suppose this is the only way…"
"What do you mean by 'disappear'?" Neuvillette's voice cut through the air, sharp and strained. He had realized something. "Is it the death sentence from before?"
"That's right," the Hydro Archon confirmed. "Didn't the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale pass its judgment earlier? The Hydro Archon, death penalty. All these years, I haven't just been watching Focalors work alone. I hid my consciousness within the Oratrice, became one with it, and have been accumulating indemnity for the moment that would finally arrive."
Her expression turned grave. "The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale is not just a machine that executes justice. It is, more, a machine that will kill the God of Justice. To be more precise… it is a machine that will destroy the throne of the God of Justice, along with her."
"What?!" Neuvillette's eyes widened, his stoic composure shattering into disbelief.
"Wait, I don't understand," Mouri Ran spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Why does solving Fontaine's prophecy require killing the Hydro Archon? Isn't there any other way?"
"Sigh… there is indeed no other way," the Hydro Archon replied gently. "The prophecy will happen. The sea level, mixed with the waters of the Primordial Sea, will rise until it completely submerges Fontaine. That cannot be changed. I do not have the ability to save them… but Neuvillette does."
"Why?" Ran still couldn't grasp it. "It's a good thing that Mr. Neuvillette can save everyone, so why must you be killed?"
"Is it because… only by killing the Hydro Archon and destroying her divine throne can Mr. Neuvillette truly possess that ability?" Haibara asked, her gaze piercing and direct.
The Hydro Archon was stunned for a moment before a genuine smile bloomed on her face. "I was right before. You truly are a sharp child."
She looked at the children, then at Neuvillette, who was staring at her with an expression of deep sorrow. Her own expression was one of gentle helplessness. "What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that? This is my own choice. Although I am a bit reluctant, and a bit afraid, I do not regret it. I hope you can respect my choice, okay?"
"How can this be…? Is there really no other way?" Ayumi looked at this kind big sister, whom she had only just met, and the realization that she was about to sacrifice herself sent tears streaming down her face.
"That's why I said, children really shouldn't have to witness this kind of situation." The Hydro Archon walked over to Ayumi, gently stroking her head. "There's no need to be so sad," she comforted. "I am actually feeling quite pleased with myself right now. My plan is about to be completed, and I will soon deceive 'fate' itself."
Then, she walked up to Neuvillette, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Neuvillette, why do you also have such a sad expression? At least set an example for the children."
Neuvillette lowered his eyes, his silence a heavier burden than any words.
The Hydro Archon's expression was one of helpless affection. "Water dragon, water dragon… don't cry."
"Huh?! Mr. Neuvillette is a water dragon?" Though Genta was also sad, hearing the Hydro Archon's unique name for Neuvillette made him exclaim in shock.
The other children, and even Ran, turned to look at the Iudex, their eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.
"Pfft—" The Hydro Archon was amused into a genuine laugh, the sound echoing lightly in the somber chamber. "Yes. It seems you didn't know. Now that you do, you must keep it a secret from now on." She briefly explained the ancient relationship between the Dragon Sovereigns and the gods, then held a slender index finger to her lips, signaling for them to keep her secret.
The children immediately covered their mouths and nodded repeatedly, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Happy times are indeed very short." The Hydro Archon put her hands behind her back, facing them all, her tone turning downcast once more. "Children, thank you. Chatting with you was very pleasant, but…"
A deep stillness fell over the stage.
"The time for the execution is almost here."
She looked at Neuvillette one last time, her gaze filled with five hundred years of shared purpose and silent understanding.
"Neuvillette… I hope you enjoyed the part that was yours over these five hundred years."
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