"Impossible! What you're saying isn't true!"
Furina refused to believe that everything was Emily's scheme. If her ultimate goal was to destroy Fontaine, why would she have saved Furina and the others in the Fortress of Meropide?
This made no sense at all!
At that moment, Navia and Charlotte, standing beside her, also spoke up to comfort Furina.
"Lady Furina, Amos must be deliberately trying to provoke you. He wants to see you doubting Miss Emily. We mustn't let him have his way!"
"While I do enjoy watching such reactions, I assure you, I haven't lied about a thing," Amos replied, turning his head and narrowing his eyes at them.
"If you want to delude yourselves into thinking this power is mine, I have no objection. But for now, let's quietly savor Fontaine's final, desperate spectacle!"
Just as Amos finished speaking, Dark Furina finally stirred.
The aura surrounding Dark Furina had reached its peak, radiating a power far surpassing even Neuvillette's—a force that inspired both fear and reverence.
As Amos used his abilities to twist the perception of everyone present, completing the final group of followers, the Hydro Authority finally transferred from the Hydro Archon Focalors to Dark Furina.
Inside the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, Focalors quietly watched her authority drain away, bit by bit, without reaction or resistance. She merely used the Indemnitium to conceal her presence even more thoroughly.
"Bravo! This is the true Hydro Archon Fontaine deserves!"
Seeing Dark Furina's haughty, cold, and domineering presence on the live broadcast, countless viewers clapped and cheered.
"Furina? What kind of Hydro Archon was she anyway? Just an actress!"
"Haha, you're right, but watch out for Furina's fan club coming after you."
"You mean those people? Look, the camera's on them—they're already kneeling before the new Lady Focalors. How could they possibly bother me now?"
"Give it a few days, and they'll probably join Focalors' fan club too."
"Hahahahaha!"
The crowd chattered and joked casually, the air thick with jovial laughter.
Just then, Dark Furina turned to face the live broadcast camera and spoke coldly.
"Today, in the name of the Hydro Archon, I pronounce Judgment upon Neuvillette, and upon the sins that weigh upon every Fontainian!"
"Ha?!"
The live broadcast viewers were stunned by Dark Furina's words.
Those who had already declared their defection from the Fontaine authorities to join Dark Furina's side were particularly bewildered.
What did we just hear?
Our Archon, Lady Focalors, is judging the sins of all of us?!
On screen, Dark Furina spoke again, her voice plunging countless hearts into icy despair.
"You are all guilty."
"Death is the greatest mercy I can grant you!"
As Furina's words faded, Primordial Sea Water surged onto the island. Though the Primordial Sea Suppression Ray prevented the water from advancing far, it still swept away over a hundred people.
The moment they touched the Primordial Sea Water, they dissolved into the sea, a scene Dark Furina watched with cold indifference.
The other cities fell into a brief, deathly silence before erupting into piercing screams.
On screen, Dark Furina raised her hand again. Instantly, colossal rifts spanning thousands of meters tore open in the sky, and torrents of Primordial Sea Water poured into the sea.
At that moment, many realized that the spatial rifts continuously spewing Primordial Sea Water seemed to be the work of Dark Furina!
The very protector they had believed in had transformed into a death-dealing demon.
They had been wrong all along. Her previous acts were nothing but a facade, a performance staged for their benefit—a cruel illusion!
The irony was bitter: they had swallowed her lies whole, while showering Neuvillette and Furina—those who genuinely sought to protect them—with vicious scorn.
"Those people... they're members of the Cult of No. 6!"
"I've seen that man before! He's Amos, the Cult Leader!"
Amidst the chaos of the battle, no one had realized that the Cult of No. 6 was clashing with the Fontaine authorities.
Later, as the situation calmed, most attention had shifted to Dark Furina and Neuvillette, leaving the ordinary citizens unnoticed.
Now, someone had finally recognized the group fighting the Fontaine authorities as the notorious Cult of No. 6. Even their most enigmatic leader, Amos, had appeared on the battlefield, standing not far from Furina and her companions.
"That's Lady Furina and Monsieur Neuvillette!"
Seeing Furina, Neuvillette, and Focalors in such dire straits, the Fontainians' hearts clenched with fear.
"Hang in there, Lady Furina! Get up quickly!"
"Monsieur Neuvillette, please save us! We were wrong! Save Fontaine!"
The people were genuinely terrified. Yet it was clear to everyone that neither Neuvillette nor Furina, nor anyone else for that matter, could even save themselves, let alone rescue others.
"Wait, why are those law enforcement officers still kneeling before that Evil God?!"
Countless people suddenly noticed another disturbing detail. The fanatical expressions on the faces in the footage sent a chill down their spines.
Their expressions were identical to those of the Cult of No. 6 members!
"I... I have to leave Fontaine! Fontaine is too terrifying! I'll never come back!"
One man, his courage broken, boarded his private airship and ascended, flying toward Fontaine's border.
But just as he was about to cross the boundary line, a barrage of projectiles erupted from below, tearing the airship to pieces.
Seeing this, many who had harbored similar thoughts abandoned their plans, collapsing to the ground in utter despair.
Just then, a fleet of unofficial vessels emerged from the distant sea, their dazzling red banners flapping in the wind. As soon as the ships reached the city, they immediately began rescue operations.
The sea, now mixed with Primordial Sea Water, seemed to possess its own consciousness, surging up the hulls and onto the decks. This was precisely why Wriothesley had initially designed the Wingalet as an airship.
By contrast, these ships were far more rudimentary in construction and lacked the ability to take flight.
However, just as the Primordial Sea Water threatened to engulf the vessels, Primordial Sea Suppression Rays shot down from the decks, preventing the encroaching water from flooding the vessels.
The crew members moved with practiced efficiency, showing no panic whatsoever, which gradually calmed the onlookers as well.
"Everyone, please don't crowd! Come one at a time! Everyone will be saved. There are many more rescue ships behind us!"
Astonished by the fleet's origins, the survivors learned upon inquiry that these were all members of the Spina di Rosula. An overwhelming sense of gratitude toward the organization filled their hearts.
Even if boarding the ship might only prolong their lives for a little while, humans are driven by the instinct to survive. Every extra moment counts, and who knows, perhaps new hope might emerge!
Back at the Opera Epiclese, Dark Furina had immobilized nearly everyone present. However, a few exceptions remained, including Arlecchino, who stood not far from her.
Arlecchino clenched her fists slightly, her tension palpable. Now everything hinged on whether her next move would succeed.
The Hydro Archon Focalors had staked the fate of Fontaine entirely on her shoulders. She couldn't bear the thought of her failure rendering all their efforts futile.
Arlecchino took a small step to the side, then another.
No!
She suddenly realized that such movements would only heighten Dark Furina's suspicion. Regaining her composure, she addressed Dark Furina:
"Our agreement has been fulfilled. I'm taking my people and leaving now."
At Arlecchino's words, Dark Furina's body twitched slightly before she slowly turned around.
"I'm afraid you can't leave either."
"You're Fontainians too."
"Just like them, you carry the repulsive original sin on your bodies."
"Hydro Archon, are you trying to break your word?!"
Whether it was Arlecchino's accusation or her use of the name "Dark Furina" that moved her, Dark Furina paused briefly before speaking again.
"You're right. A contract must be honored."
"Therefore, I grant you permission to leave Fontaine standing."
"As for them, they shall remain here forever."
Seeing Dark Furina gesture toward Lyney and Lynette, Arlecchino's expression instantly turned cold.
"It seems you're quite eager to join them."
With those words, an overwhelming force descended upon Arlecchino, threatening to crush her in an instant. The immense pressure made her feel as if she were submerged in the deepest abyss of the sea, thousands of meters below the surface.
A realization dawned on Arlecchino: the air was saturated with moisture. Amplified by Dark Furina's Authority over Water, this place might as well be an endless ocean.
Suddenly, the crushing pressure receded like a receding tide. Arlecchino hunched over, hands braced on her knees, gasping for breath.
"This is your last chance. Leave now, or you'll share their fate."
As Dark Furina spoke, she raised her hand toward Lyney and Lynette. Blue-purple liquid surged from her palm—Primordial Sea Water!
Arlecchino's pupils constricted sharply. In the next instant, a blood-red scythe materialized in her hands.
"It seems your heart has already made its choice," Dark Furina remarked.
Just as she was about to strike, Dark Furina frowned slightly and shifted her body several meters to the side. A split second later, a bolt of Electro crackled down, imbued with an aura of destruction, landing precisely where she had stood moments before.
"Hey, hey! I'm right here! Don't act like I don't exist!"
Tartaglia, still in his Foul Legacy Transformation, had been resting in hiding after escaping the Giant Whale, watching everything unfold.
Originally, Tartaglia had no intention of intervening. Helping was one thing, but throwing his life away was another matter entirely.
However, having been tricked by Arlecchino countless times before, he had learned to anticipate her moves. The moment he saw her body twitch, he knew she was up to her usual tricks—only this time, her target had shifted from him to Dark Furina.
This precise timing forced Dark Furina to abandon her plans to attack Lyney and Lynette, forcing her to reposition early.
To cover Arlecchino's retreat, Tartaglia personally intervened, directly engaging Dark Furina.
Although his strength might only allow him to hold out for a short time, that time was invaluable to Arlecchino.
Even Tartaglia himself couldn't quite explain why he'd stepped in to help Arlecchino. After a moment's thought, he chalked it up to her unbearable pretentiousness.
No way! One showoff is enough!
All eyes were on him, admiring his Foul Legacy Transformation—so cool!
Next time, no one's interrupting my transformation!
Seeing Tartaglia's intervention, Arlecchino nearly shouted "Perfect timing!" but managed to restrain herself. She gave him a deep, meaningful look, inwardly resolving to prank her muscle-brained colleague less in the future, before immediately charging toward the Chief Justice's seat.
As Tartaglia, his Foul Legacy Transformation shattered and battered, flew back, he caught sight of Arlecchino just settling into the Chief Justice's seat, a strained smile on her face.
This whole operation hinged on my carry!
Tartaglia, who had been slammed into the floor, immediately lost consciousness.
Arlecchino, having taken the Chief Justice seat, immediately activated the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. The walls of the Opera Epiclese lit up.
"Now, the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale will deliver the final judgment upon the Hydro Archon Focalors!" Arlecchino declared coldly, her gaze locking with Dark Furina's across the air. As Dark Furina raised her head and pointed a hand at Arlecchino, about to make a move, an unimaginable surge of energy erupted from beneath the Opera Epiclese floor.
This was the Indemnitium, the condensed compensatory energy the Oratrice had relentlessly gathered for five hundred years. Even a fraction of it could power Fontaine for centuries, its total magnitude staggering beyond comprehension.
The energy far surpassed even the power expected of an Archon. Despite Dark Furina's immense strength, she was completely overwhelmed by the Indemnitium's might.
Countless threads woven from Indemnitium formed a web, binding Dark Furina tightly. As the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale activated, beams of light converged from both sides, trapping her like prey awaiting the hunter.
Finally, when the light coalesced at the center, a figure emerged from the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale—a perfect replica of Dark Furina.
Holding the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale's final verdict, she solemnly declared to all present:
"The Hydro Archon Focalors is guilty. Sentence: death!"