"Then who do you think… I am?"
Lora laughed, took a sip of water, and turned the question back on him.
"A deity's favored servant… or a god outright." Neuvillette spoke slowly, his tone carrying no trace of speculation—he was certain it was one of the two.
Lora applauded lightly. "As expected of the Chief Justice. Sharp as ever."
"But even a god's attendant couldn't possibly wield Hydro with greater mastery than those two sea gods. And combined with the sense of familiarity you give me…"
Neuvillette continued, his voice growing solemn.
"You should be the former Hydro Archon—the heart created by the invader from beyond the firmament, the one that usurped the Primordial Sea, shouldn't you?"
He paused, then said gravely, "Perhaps I should call you… Egeria."
Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Lora laughed. "What, are you thinking of fighting me?"
Neuvillette shook his head.
"Of course not. I simply want to know why you have returned to life. Although you were a manifestation shaped by an invader, you were still acknowledged by the Primordial Sea. Yet… had you truly survived, I could never have come into being. The Primordial Sea does not give rise to two such manifestations."
The Primordial Sea has no need for a second anchor of existence. As long as Egeria, the one once acknowledged as its embodiment, remained, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign could never be born.
"How should I explain this…"
Lora looked at Neuvillette.
After a moment's thought, she decided to reveal a little more. "During the Khaenri'ah war five hundred years ago, I did indeed die. My divine body turned into the purest water and was buried in the deserts of Sumeru.
"Even now, I wouldn't call this a resurrection of Egeria. I am a new Hydro god—one who merely inherited Egeria's power, her name, and all of her memories. You can think of me as a new god who possesses the authority of the Primordial Sea."
She continued calmly, "Strictly speaking, I do not belong to this starry sky."
"Not belonging to this starry sky?"
Neuvillette's expression grew even more grave. He stared at Lora, as if trying to read something from her face, but she met his gaze with perfect composure, leaving him faintly self-conscious instead.
After a long silence, Neuvillette finally spoke again.
"Then… I have one more question. As the newly born you, bearing the name Egeria—have you returned to Fontaine to reclaim Fontaine's divine authority?"
Lora froze for a moment, then said, "Weren't you the one who called me back? If it weren't for the Melusine you sent finding me and telling me about you, I'd probably still be freeloading at the Jade Chamber."
"…"
Neuvillette cleared his throat softly. "My apologies… I didn't think it through."
Seeing his reaction, Lora suddenly felt the urge to tease him. "What if I said I intend to once again rule Fontaine as the Hydro Archon, presiding over justice and the authority of hydro? What would you do then?"
"I think… I would lay down my duties as Chief Justice and leave the Court of Fontaine."
After a brief moment of thought, Neuvillette gave his answer.
His response caught Lora off guard.
"Why? From your perspective, I'm one of the Seven Archons under the rules of the Heavenly Principles—a usurper who seized the authority of the ancient dragons. You'd really give up Fontaine's power so easily and hand it over to me?"
Neuvillette shook his head. "No. Strictly speaking, you cannot be considered a complete usurper. After all, you are also the heart of the Primordial Sea."
"That's true enough. Still, your answer surprises me. I thought you'd be unwilling to part with Fontaine." Lora nodded.
"I'm only leaving the Court of Fontaine," Neuvillette said. "I won't be leaving Fontaine itself."
Lora looked at him and asked, "Can you really bear to part with the new Fontaine you've built with your own hands over more than four hundred years? And are you truly at ease leaving Furina to handle things?"
Neuvillette fell silent for a long time. Only after draining the water in his cup did he finally reply, "Indeed… you're right. I can't put either of them out of my mind."
Lora laughed.
"Exactly. So regardless of whether I ever rule Fontaine again— even if I truly return as the Hydro Archon and reclaim full authority—you still can't abandon your role as Chief Justice."
A subordinate like Neuvillette was practically impossible to find even once in several centuries. If he left, wouldn't all of Fontaine's affairs pile up at once?
In Lora's view, a truly capable leader delegated work to those below.
Neuvillette looked at her and nodded slightly.
"I will fulfill my duties. Since I accepted Focalors' invitation to serve as Chief Justice of Fontaine, I will not set that responsibility aside lightly."
Lora nodded in satisfaction. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"You're leaving Fontaine again?" Neuvillette asked, momentarily startled.
"Of course. I still have things I need to do. But… I'll stay in Fontaine for a while. I want to see this nation that disappeared from my memories five hundred years ago." Lora nodded as she stood up, stretching lazily.
"I still have many questions for you," Neuvillette said as he rose to his feet, watching her closely. "About the prophecy, and about the Primordial Sea waters beneath the Fortress of Meropide…"
"Fontaine's affairs are full of uncertainties," Lora said slowly as she looked at him. "But one thing is certain—the prophecy is real. 'All will dissolve into water, and only the Hydro Archon will weep upon the divine throne.' All of that… is true."
She paused. "As for everything else, I'm sorry. I can't tell you yet."
"I need a reason," Neuvillette said, meeting her gaze.
"Because… the Heavenly Principles," Lora answered.
At the mention of the Heavenly Principles, Neuvillette's expression darkened. Lora continued, "The Heavenly Principles have their own way of operating. Any prophecy they deliver is destined to come true—it is an outcome written into fate. No matter what is done, everything will ultimately lead there."
"I know that ending, and I know the path that leads to it. That's why I need the process to remain within my control. The more people who know, the more uncontrollable that process becomes."
"But that ending is drawing closer," Neuvillette said quietly. "And the people of Fontaine are growing more and more afraid."
Lora let out a soft sigh.
"I know. But there's nothing I can do. This is something that must be endured… The root of all the sins borne by the people of Fontaine lies with me. And I will make amends for all of it."