Before the Execution
The Hydro Archon continued.
“You all remember the prophecy, don't you? That everyone would dissolve, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping alone upon her divine throne...”
“A prophecy is 'the history of the future' — a fate that is certain to come to pass.”
“And so I spent a very long time searching for a way to deceive 'fate' — to fulfill the prophecy and save everyone at the very same moment...”
“That is why I cursed Focalors. For as long as I exist, she will never die. With the opera house as her stage, she became its leading lady, forever playing the role of the Hydro Archon so that the prophecy might appear to be fulfilled.”
“Eternal life... is a curse...” A complicated look crossed Haibara's face as she thought of the Organization's goal.
Some research, in other words, should never have existed in the first place. Like Pandora's box — once opened, it brings nothing but disaster.
“So Focalors has been impersonating the Hydro Archon all by herself for five hundred years. That long... she must have suffered terribly...” Ran said.
“She has,” Haibara agreed.
Kikukawa, however, had a different take. “Is living that long really such a bad thing? My grandfather goes to all kinds of lengths trying to extend his lifespan. The worst part for Focalors is that playing the Archon must be a hassle, but look at her — aside from us, who would ever suspect who she really is? So why would she be suffering?”
Emori nodded along. “Exactly. Anyone would want more time to live. My family spends a fortune on health treatments for our elders. Don't you all want to live longer too?”
“I mean, I do, but...” Genta listened to Kikukawa and Emori and felt that something was off, though he couldn't put his finger on what.
“Whether you live long and whether you live happy are two different things, aren't they?” Mitsuhiko said. “Focalors has been carrying the crushing weight of that prophecy the whole time — of course she'd have moments of despair. And in all five hundred years, she hasn't had a single soul to confide in. There's no way she could have been happy.”
“That's right,” the Hydro Archon said softly. “However long her life may be, she is still human, and humans grow weary and sad. But even exhausted, even heartbroken, she could never show it. For five hundred years, there has been no one but herself...”
“Those five hundred years have been, for her, an opera of unimaginable length and unbearable loneliness...”
“She is truly strong. In all this time, her performance has never slipped — not even a fraction.”
“Mm... if there's still a chance, I want to apologize to her properly. And to thank her, too.”
“If there's still a chance? What do you mean by that? You...” Haibara frowned and pressed her.
“My, what a sharp young lady you are. Heh. The meaning is simple enough — I... am about to disappear.” The Hydro Archon lifted her head, gazed up above the stage, and smiled faintly. Then she turned to the children. “Oh dear, I suppose it really isn't right to let little ones witness something like this. But there's no way for me to send you out now, either. Ah well... I suppose it can't be helped.”
“'Disappear'? Does that mean that death sentence from before?” Neuvillette seized on her words, his expression growing grave.
“It does. Didn't the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale deliver its verdict? The Hydro Archon — death! But these years, I haven't simply been watching Focalors bear the burden alone. I hid my consciousness within the Oratrice, merging with it, and have been storing up energy all this time for the moment that was to come.”
“The Oratrice was never merely a machine for delivering justice. It is a machine built to kill the God of Justice. To be more precise — a machine that will destroy the divine throne of justice along with her...”
“What?!” Neuvillette's eyes flew wide, disbelief written across his face.
“Wait — I don't understand. Why would resolving Fontaine's prophecy require killing the Hydro Archon? Isn't there any other way?” Ran couldn't hold back any longer.
The Hydro Archon sighed. “No... there truly is no other way. The prophecy will come to pass. The sea, laced with Primordial Seawater, will inevitably rise until it swallows Fontaine whole — that cannot be changed. I lack the power to save them. But Neuvillette does...”
“Why?” Ran still didn't understand. Neuvillette having the power to save the people of Fontaine was a good thing, wasn't it? Why did the Hydro Archon have to die for it?
“Is it because only by killing the Hydro Archon and destroying her throne does Mr. Neuvillette truly gain that power?” Haibara asked, her eyes fixed on the goddess.
The Hydro Archon blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I was right about you before. You really are a perceptive child...”
She looked at the children — even Neuvillette was watching her with sorrow written on his face — and her own expression turned helpless. “What's with those looks? This is my own choice. Yes, there is some reluctance, and yes, I'm afraid. But I do not regret it. I only ask that you respect my decision. Will you do that?”
“How can you say that? Is there really no other way at all?” Ayumi, faced with this kind older sister whom she had only just met and was already about to lose, couldn't stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks.
“See? I told you this is exactly the sort of thing children shouldn't have to witness.” She walked over to Ayumi and gently patted her head to comfort her. “There's no need to be so sad. Right now I'm actually quite pleased with myself — my plan is nearly complete, and I'm about to fool 'fate' itself.”
Then she moved to stand before Neuvillette, amusement tugging at her lips. “And you, Neuvillette — why do you look so heartbroken? The least you could do is set an example for the children.”
Neuvillette lowered his eyes. “...”
Her expression softened into resignation. “Water Dragon, Water Dragon, don't cry...”
“Huh?! Mr. Neuvillette is the Water Dragon?” Genta, sad as he was, couldn't help the startled cry that burst out of him at hearing the Hydro Archon call Neuvillette that.
The others turned to stare at Neuvillette, curiosity plainly written in their eyes.
“Pfft — yes, he is. Well, since you didn't know before, now you do. Keep it a secret, all right?” The children's reactions drew a genuine laugh out of her. She gave them a brief explanation of the relationship between the ancient dragons and the gods, then raised a finger to her lips, gesturing for their silence.
The children clapped their hands over their mouths and nodded vigorously.
...
“Happy times really are so fleeting. My little friends — thank you. Talking with all of you has made me so happy. It's only...” The Hydro Archon clasped her hands behind her back and faced them all, her voice sinking low. “The hour of the execution is nearly upon us.”
At last, she turned her gaze to Neuvillette. “Neuvillette — I hope you have enjoyed your part in this play, these five hundred years...”