Lyney then asked Lumine and Paimon to help distribute some magic props, each containing a sizable interior space for storing items.
Calling them magic props feels like an understatement... they're practically treasures, Paimon thought.
When Paimon asked why they were distributing these items, Lyney took the opportunity to share Fontaine's Prophecy:
"Since time immemorial, Fontaine has been haunted by this prophecy..."
"Every Fontainian is born carrying a Sin, an inherent stain that no amount of Trial, even in the righteous nation of Fontaine, can erase."
"Until one day, the sea levels will begin to rise, gradually submerging those burdened by this Sin..."
"...Eventually, all Fontainians will dissolve into the sea, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping alone upon her Divine Throne. Only then... will the sins of the Fontainians be washed away."
Paimon: "What a bleak prophecy... Why do they say Fontainians are born with Sin? What does that even mean?"
Lyney: "There have been many folk theories. Some say our ancestors stole the sea's power, infuriating the ocean... Others claim Fontainians disobeyed the first Hydro Archon's warnings, offending the gods of Celestia..."
"But in Fontaine, everything requires evidence. Since none of these claims can be proven, they remain mere speculations."
Paimon: "If even Fontainians themselves don't know what crime they committed, why not just ignore the prophecy? There's no need to feel guilty without a reason."
Lyney: "That's what people did at first. But... in recent years, Fontaine's sea level has actually begun to rise."
Lynette: "Many places have already been permanently submerged."
Lyney: "Though many still dismiss it as a 'natural phenomenon,' my family and I believe Fontainians shouldn't ignore the possibility and wait for their doom."
-
Player World.
"A prophecy?"
Chen Xiyao racked her not-so-brilliant brain. "So, Fontaine's main storyline must be about resolving this prophecy... I just wonder if Fontaine's Pure Soul will also be in danger at the same time."
According to the Travail PV, Fidelle should be Fontaine's Pure Soul. But...
She herself claimed her birthday wasn't November 11th...
Regardless, Chen Xiyao still trusted the Travail PV, convinced that Fidelle was indeed Fontaine's Pure Soul.
"This time is different from the previous times. The Traveler has three Gods with her... no, four, including Fontaine's God. And if necessary, Ei will probably return too. Five Gods! I don't see how we could possibly lose!"
[Ahem, the streamer said the same thing last time. How did that turn out?]
[You're all overlooking a crucial point: no one currently realizes Fidelle is the Pure Soul!]
[Upstairs is right! That's definitely the key!]
[To be fair, it's understandable why Lumine and the others didn't notice. Fidelle looks quite a bit older than Rola and the others.]
[Let's hope they realize it soon. That giant eyeball looming in the sky looks terrifying. If the Abyss gets their hands on another Pure Soul, the consequences will be unimaginable!]
[Speaking of which, I've written a novel where I save all the Pure Souls! It's absolutely thrilling! Check it out when you have time!]
[Title!]
[Title +1]
-
Fontaine.
After distributing the Magic Pockets, Lumine and her companions noticed a girl acting suspiciously. After observing and tailing her, they discovered she was actually a thief.
They chased her for a while, but she managed to escape.
The four of them boarded the Aquabus to Fontaine. At the last moment, Charlotte rushed aboard, slightly out of breath. After catching her breath, she exclaimed:
"The Traveler and Paimon! And Mr. Lyney, Fontaine's renowned Magician, along with his sister and assistant, Miss Lynette!"
Paimon: "Charlotte! I never expected to see you here!"
"Ha ha, I didn't expect to run into you here either! Looks like the God of News is still smiling on me!"
Charlotte was beaming. Her coverage of the Liyue Summit had earned her a hefty bonus and a promotion.
As they chatted, Charlotte brought up the Serial Disappearance Case:
"The first case occurred about twenty years ago. Since then, young girls of similar age have been disappearing at regular intervals, vanishing without a trace."
"Even more terrifying, not a single missing girl has ever been found."
"Over the years, many suspects have been arrested in connection with the Serial Disappearance Case, but the disappearances continue shortly after each arrest."
"However, since Fidelle's arrest operation three years ago, the Serial Disappearance Case hasn't recurred," Charlotte explained.
Paimon asked, puzzled, "Uh... doesn't that mean Fidelle caught the culprit?"
Charlotte shook her head. "No, Fidelle's operation didn't capture anyone. The culprit remains at large, but they might have been frightened into ceasing their crimes these past few years."
Charlotte shared all the information she knew about the Serial Disappearance Case. As they talked, they quickly reached their destination.
After saying goodbye to Charlotte, Lumine and Paimon followed Lyney to his home, where they met Freminet.
Not long after, rain suddenly began to fall in Fontaine. Paimon, hearing Freminet's explanation of a local legend, shouted at the sky:
"Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don't cry!"
The little fairy even twirled in the air as she spoke.
"Huh? It doesn't seem to be working. Maybe the Hydro Dragon can't hear me?"
Lumine: "Paimon, if the Hydro Dragon is crying, it means it's deeply saddened. Our words alone won't stop such sorrow, you know?"
Paimon scratched her head, realizing Lumine was right.
When she herself was sad and crying, it always took a long time to stop.
After agreeing to meet on the day of the performance, Lumine and Paimon began exploring Fontaine.
-
At the blacksmith's workshop, Lumine and Paimon encountered troublemakers harassing the Boss. Just as Lumine prepared to intervene, Tartaglia appeared and helped drive them away.
"Whew... that was strange..." Tartaglia said.
Lumine stepped forward. "What just happened?"
"I'm not sure either..." Tartaglia replied. "The moment I was about to strike, my Hydro Elemental Power seemed to slip out of my control. Could there be something wrong with my Vision...?"
"Can that even happen?" Paimon asked, tilting her head. "A Vision losing control... I've never heard of such a thing! How odd."
"...Forget about it. It doesn't matter much. Over-relying on a Vision's Elemental Energy can dull one's edge. Besides, I still have my Delusion." Tartaglia waved dismissively, not taking the incident seriously.
Lumine's expression turned serious. "You shouldn't use that thing too much."
"By the way, Tartaglia," Paimon asked, "if you're in Fontaine, where's Angie?"
The little pixie still remembered her friend who had given her frozen fruit.
"Angie stayed in Snezhnaya," Tartaglia explained. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa forbade her from leaving."
Hearing this, both Lumine and Paimon breathed a sigh of relief.
Angie was currently the only known surviving Pure Soul, making her exceptionally important.