After devouring several oranges, Furina slumped to the ground, her belly slightly swollen.
Fidelle watched the scene with satisfaction. Furina had eaten a remarkable amount of fruit today, considering her usual reluctance.
Fidelle stayed with Furina for a while, watching the white clouds drift across the sky. Estimating the time was right, she decided to broach the matter she needed to discuss.
"Lady Furina," Fidelle said, her tone turning serious, signaling the importance of what she was about to say.
"Hmm... What is it, Fidelle?"
"Lady Furina... do you... trust me?"
Furina nodded swiftly. If she couldn't trust Fidelle, then there was no one left in all of Fontaine she could rely on.
"Lady Furina, do you remember when you asked me to investigate the 'Prophecy'?"
"Yes."
"Now, I've uncovered everything—the Prophecy's origins, its final timeline, and the ultimate solution!"
Furina's breath quickened. Fidelle would never deceive her; if Fidelle said she had uncovered the truth, then it must be true!
Furina quickly scrambled to her feet, her abrupt movement causing her to accidentally let out a burp that smelled faintly of oranges.
In the past, Furina would have frantically concocted excuses for such an uncouth sound. But things were different now—not just because she was facing Fidelle, but because of the Prophecy!
Furina's face flushed with excitement, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Fidelle, waiting for her to continue.
Fidelle didn't keep her in suspense. "Lady Furina," she said, "I told you before that I was saved by a God. That God... you know her too. She looks exactly like you."
A glint flashed in Furina's eyes. "It's..."
Fidelle quickly pressed her right index finger gently to Furina's lips. "Lady Furina, knowing is enough for now. Just listen."
Furina covered her mouth and nodded softly, signaling her understanding.
"In just a few days, the Prophecy will end. Everyone in Fontaine, including you, will be saved. But before that happens, there's one thing you need to do."
"W-what is it?" Furina stammered, suddenly nervous, worried she might fail and become a burden.
"Don't worry, Lady Furina. You're excellent at this. All you need to do is accept the people's Trial, act a little heartbroken and defeated, and then sit on the Divine Throne and weep."
Fidelle continued, "Fontaine's Prophecy must be fulfilled, but only superficially. In the God's blind spot, all the plans have been finalized. Everything will be all right."
Fidelle meticulously explained to Furina exactly how to act, detailing which emotions to display in specific situations.
Furina understood these emotional performances well. She might feel nervous facing reality, but as long as she remembered she was acting, she could master her emotions perfectly.
In this area, she was a true expert!
Still, Furina listened attentively to Fidelle's instructions until she finished. Only then did she ask:
"Fidelle, you didn't really need to tell me all this. If what you say is true—that simply facing the Trial will end the Prophecy—I would have done exactly as you said even without knowing any of this."
Furina couldn't quite grasp why Fidelle had chosen to share these details. Sharing the information might introduce unnecessary risks that could have been completely avoided.
"Lady Furina, I believe you have the right to know. I'm telling you this so you understand that over these past five hundred years, you've given everything for Fontaine. It was through your dedication and efforts that the Plan to counter the Prophecy was able to be executed."
"Even if you must face trial, you shouldn't be subjected to public scorn. Remember, the purpose of the trial is the success of the Plan. Don't carry any guilt. I'll be by your side throughout the trial, and I'll help you!"
Furina's lips parted slightly, deeply moved.
Just to spare me the heartbreak during the trial?
Then I won't betray your trust, Fidelle!
"Lady Furina, I will witness your greatest performance yet—the most brilliant act you've ever delivered, all to save Fontaine!"
Furina nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with newfound confidence.
Fidelle smiled. As long as Furina maintained control of the trial, no matter how intense the proceedings or how sharp the accusations, she wouldn't suffer the same sorrow and anguish as in the original game.
Rest assured, Lady Furina. After everything is over, Lady Focalors will be with you too...
-
Fontaine, Fleuve Cendre.
Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi learned a shocking piece of news from Auditor Isadora.
"The incident occurred this morning at the Opera House," Isadora explained. "The Marechaussee Phantoms have classified it as a small-scale riot."
"A riot?!"
"Well, I don't think it was that serious," Isadora continued. "Lady Furina was watching a performance at the Opera House when, during the intermission, someone suddenly confronted her, loudly accusing her of inaction regarding the Prophecy Crisis."
"Before Lady Furina could respond, several others joined in, their voices rising in heated accusations. Soon, more and more people joined the chorus, turning the Opera House into a full-blown denunciation of the Hydro Archon."
"But just then, Miss Fidelle, who had supposedly been dissolved in the Primordial Sea, reappeared. She rebuked the accusers, punished a few of the most aggressive ones, and then left the Opera House with Lady Furina..."
Lumine, Paimon, and Chu Xi exchanged quick glances before turning back to Isadora.
"Wait! You said Fidelle! She's back?!"
"Yes," Isadora confirmed. "I was outside the Opera House at the time and saw Lady Furina and Miss Fidelle walk out together with my own eyes."
"Where are they now?" Lumine pressed.
"Because Miss Fidelle is always by Lady Furina's side, no one dares to follow them," Isadora replied.
After bidding farewell to Isadora, the trio set out to find Furina and Fidelle.
Lumine felt a burning urgency. Knowing Fidelle possessed a Pure Soul and was now by Furina's side, she had to find them quickly!
-
The next day, Poisson.
Furina and Fidelle appeared in the town. Any foolhardy "rioters" who dared show their faces along the way were met with Fidelle's merciless punishment.
Of course, Fidelle never struck a fatal blow. Her methods were designed to inflict excruciating pain while ensuring her victims retained the ability to swim during Fontaine's imminent flooding, thus avoiding drowning.
After all, perspective mattered. Lacking the divine perspective, their actions, though reprehensible, were not ultimately fatal.
"Lady Furina, the plan is about to begin. I'll go prepare now. Don't worry, I'll return as quickly as possible."
"Mm-hmm."