text
stringlengths
0
839
Everyone rose to their responsibilities. And I finally regained my freedom...
I suspect the reason they're dragging their feet is that they have their doubts about whether the show will really go ahead, considering all the issues you've been facing.
But then the flood waters finally came. And the "Hydro Archon" did nothing.
(The day's finally over. I haven't had a moment to breathe this whole time...)
(Phew. The Maison Cardinalice has announced my accession, but this is my first time facing the people...)
I used to be terrified of the gaze of other people, especially when they had suspicion or resentment in their eyes.
Good work, everyone! We're looking to wrap with our two main ladies today. I can already smell our success, hehe!
Alright, Kameras will start rolling as soon as the set is ready! Let's make a film that'll make some serious waves in Fontaine!
Huh? Who's that? Who's calling me? Where are you?
*sigh* Alright, yes, I should rein in my spending habits a little... Starting from next month!
Now, I was wondering — if some weak puppet were to one day come onto the stage and claim ownership of this opera house, would the children of Fontaine follow them?
It's always easiest to just run away from your problems. But that never fixes anything. You can't get around the obstacles without facing them.
Well, that's certainly true!
According to Fontaine law, no one is permitted to release any flying objects within Fontaine city limits during the first three days of each month. You are clearly guilty of violating this law, no?
(All I can do is keep heart. I must maintain this act. It is the only way to save Fontaine. Please, "Mirror-me." You have to succeed...)
You rather sealed my fate there, with your "special thanks" at the end of the show.
Wait. What did she just say? I didn't get dissolved! Shouldn't that be enough to prove my innocence?
Okay, now move the Kamera slowly.
#Uh, you sure are getting better at rolling with the situation, Paimon. Hmm, I do wish to see how skilled {NICKNAME} really is with a Kamera.
Quiet on set! Places, everyone! Lights, Kamera, action!
Wh—What? Why?
Not at all. As long as you have different kinds of sauces in, you can have macaroni and tomato sauce one week, macaroni and bolognese the next...
Indeed, my dear, loyal citizen, this joyous moment is an honor for us both!
If you wish to drop the case, I can promise you, as the God of Justice, that you will not have to face trial for making a false accusation. We will treat everything that's happened as a dramatic spectacle, and move on with our lives. What do you say to that?
Me? Hmm... if this was before, I could have simply asked Clorinde. But it's already been some time since I last talked to her.
Come on. We'll need to get the go-ahead from Neuvillette — I know just where to find him.
Sure. You can come back once you've reviewed the basics of film composition and feel ready.
I...
I am Focalors. The eyes of countless Fontainians are upon me. I must, at all times, display the utmost elegance and nobility.
Good afternoon! Where's my cake? What? I just had cake for breakfast? Well, I think it's been long enough!
(Huh? Does that mean Hu Tao also knows...!)
Excuse my interruption, dear opponents, but do you not see that the crowd is growing impatient? There is no greater sin in this opera house than an awkward delay in the performance.
Oh, actually...
Well, frankly, I think a return to obscurity is no longer an option for me. I'm sure a slew of consultancy requests will hound me wherever I go, until I finally acquiesce.
Huh? No, no no no, there's no need... It's so embarrassing...
Also, please allow me to ask, as the final question before the trial begins...
So, you were saying — "The Little Oceanid"...?
Hey! I just gave a very moving speech! Is that all you can say!?
So this is all Aurelie left behind... Just whatever she was carrying on her person, and this tattered old notebook.
No one likes regrets, myself included.
All in all, he was only here for half a day. I'm pretty sure he's the only one who would consider that to be a vacation...
Besides, I'm sure I could master dishes like "La Lettre a Focalors" or "Blubber Profiteroles" in no time. If I felt so inclined.
It seems the gods have really smiled upon you, Xavier... And that certainly doesn't include me, mind you.
...
Yes, the story is the reason I agreed to join. I can't bear to even imagine what this film would look like without the very best director.
Ah, no, I mean, I nearly gave in to the sheer enthusiasm they displayed... Hahaha...
I'm sure he didn't get lost. Even I was able to find my way to this place without any trouble.
Ahem... Mr. Xavier, if, hypothetically speaking, I agree to be the director... how much freedom would I have in terms of script revisions and creative interpretation?
It is true that I did not know why the Oratrice gave out a guilty verdict that day.
Uh... I—I mean, what choice do I have...? There are so many lovely and fascinating things in the world, one simply has to have them...
It would seem that there has been a misunderstanding. To be clear, the raising of both hands is not always an indication of surrender...
Ugh, there'll be no need for that. I've seen them already. There's no need to go back over scenes I've witnessed in person before!
C'est la vie indeed! Alas, I am forced to watch on helplessly as a more brave and seasoned adventurer than I swoops in to save the day.
...The tea party turned out to be even more difficult than I'd imagined...
Mmm... Heh... There are probably as many things that I want to do right now as there are stars in the sky.
I'm very grateful to Neuvillette for all the hard work he's done for Fontaine in the past few centuries. It seems he doesn't intend to investigate my crimes of deceiving the people. Anyway, we're no longer working in tandem, and it's been a long time since I've been to the Palais Mermonia. I imagine that this is good for both of us, right?
You gathered a crowd, prepared a stage, and made sure that the Champion Duelist would be immediately ready for a fight...
And of course, for every performance, there is a script. Everything has unfolded exactly as I expected from the very beginning. As the embodiment of the very concept of justice, the Oratrice shall never render an arbitrary judgment!
#{NICKNAME}, what do you think of this cake?
Also, I've seen you instructing Ayaka. That cold and dignified personality is exactly what we need for the older musketeer.
...
Ahem! Aah~ Aah Aah Aaah~~~
There is no way that I, Focalors, otherwise known as Furina de Fontaine, a member of The Seven, and the Regina of All Waters, Kindreds, Peoples and Laws of Fontaine, could be anything other than your true Archon.
Once we start, just follow my lead and you'll be fine. Don't worry — I'm the brightest star in all of Fontaine. You're in good hands.
But if the prophecy will come true, I'll also die anyway, right? So if I've already met you as my magical meeting in this world...
Hey, look at that! Looks like I guessed right.
Erm... Y—You don't need to go that far...
Waaaaaah!
Think about it. How can you conclusively prove that an Archon can't also be affected by the Primordial Seawater?
As for the suffering... Well, I will admit that the first thing that came to mind was, "Why do I have to be the one to suffer?"...
In the past, we sat in our high chairs in the court, giving our opinions on isolated cases, all while knowing very little about the human stories behind each and every one.
We have heard it said that this nation's sins can no longer be washed away. Well, I say that justice is most fragrant when it blooms amid sin!
Well, Clorinde, I must commend you for your courage. Only the most outstanding Champion Duelist in all of Fontaine would accept a duel with an Archon without flinching.
Also, if our clapper loader could avoid shouting at the start of the scene next time...
Hmm... What kind of dessert should I try next?
I still... couldn't do it...
Oh, um, I... I don't think that will be necessary...
Let the world come alive, hehe!
Surely you've had that before too? You know, where you really wanna say something profound that makes everyone go: "Wow. That was deep."
Is... is that how humans feel about it as well?
(Think about it long and hard...)
...*sigh* From the sublime to the ridiculous... After all that, everything's come full circle.
As the countdown began, he entered the tunnel.
Must we, really? I should think that of anyone, your friend Lyney already knows this truth very well...
...Seriously? You're questioning me like this is a court case now. I don't know anything about that.
Ugh! What, are you reading my mind now!?
(I thought I might stammer, but thankfully, I was able to convey my thoughts just fine. Okay, and next...)
At first, I just felt bad about rejecting them, so I wanted to learn a little bit more about their situation. But one thing led to another, and... Well, here we are.
I see, but when the count reached thirty seconds or so, there was a thud — one so loud that I believe practically everyone heard it.
Who are you? A—And wh—what are you trying to do? Please don't kill me, I'm begging you, please...
Oh, that's right! Mr. Zhongli was telling me about some great sight-seeing spots in the area.
From a director's point of view, I also felt like the relationship between the two musketeers in the original story could be improved.
Hey, how did you... I—I was just passing by because... I realized I forgot a couple of items on my shopping list!
And one last thing, Miss Ayaka. Your acting skills today were immaculate as always. Are you sure you won't consider taking up full-time acting? See, I just happen to know this great troupe that's still looking for a lead actress...
Well, if you insist... Alright, I understand.
Of course I do. If he had been in the magic box the whole time, how could he have not heard that sound? Why do you ask?
But all my efforts proved to be futile in the end. Really, the truth has been clear to me for a very long time...
You know... how much you're willing to pay me to be the director? The pay is also an important factor for me to consider, you know!
Well, don't start celebrating too early now. Even if I have been carrying a curse like you said, how does that prove that I am merely a human being?