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Dim sum... Is that some kind of Liyue term for snacks or desserts?
It's alright, Monsieur Neuvillette. Given their confidence, I expect they've found the crucial evidence.
No, not at all... Look, I am the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, Focalors. The God of Justice, who is loved and adored by many...
(If I remember correctly, he's already several thousands of years old...)
(If you let this opportunity slip through your fingers, it might never come by again.)
It can't be... It's happening again...?
There's no point questioning or suspecting me. You're the Iudex, but you're still my subordinate — you should be following my lead.
Afterward, Lyney passed the unconscious Halsey to his accomplice through the magic box in the audience stands, before operating the devices such that Cowell's death would be ruled an accident.
...
I was scared of someone recognizing me for who I truly was, and exposing the secret I swore to protect.
Yeah... I can tell people are watching me.
Trust me. When have I ever been wrong about something like this?
Understood. Keep monitoring. Keep me informed should anything come up at the Institute.
Oh... Uh, yes?
I have my ways, and I've been working on them for all this time... Even if you look down upon me, you have no right to judge me!
I... I can't believe... You...
Ah! Someone help me!
Oh?
...And cut!
I would like to officially announce that our entry to the Festival, "The Two Musketeers," has now concluded filming!
When the flatbed trolley passed, he opened the box and got into an altercation with Halsey, which caused the loud thud.
But in any case, it sounds like the issue has already been resolved?
They say that people who have lost their sense of joy are like withered flowers.
Do join me for afternoon tea. I'll have Mademoiselle Crabaletta serve us cakes.
No need to be so formal, I'm just a regular person like everyone else now. Oh! Is this Fontinalia Mousse? It's one of my favorites!
I'm sure this is what the troupe would have hoped to hear as well.
Hmm... How should I put this... That was pretty good, for an beginner.
I say that our powerful magician, Mr. Lyney, is now the prime suspect for the serial disappearances case.
Hey, no need to mention the official name!
I used to have a much wider range of choices when it came to food, but now, I'm finding that simple, traditional home cooking can be quite delicious too.
Huh? M—My reasoning?
Woah, woah, woah. It's not like that, Paimon!
If I make an exception to the rule now, I'm just leaving a backdoor for myself. Which would be the same as not having a boundary in the first place.
Why, of course I do. Allow me to take the first shot and break this case wide open. Mr. Lyney is clearly lying.
I have a question for you, Miss Chevreuse. Would you be willing to play the role of a musketeer?
Whew, I'm getting sleepy myself. See you tomorrow. Remember to wake me up on time...
I'm... sorry to hear that. I wish there was something I could do...
The first scene takes place when our two main characters are still living at the baron's estate. They've been ostracized and verbally abused by others in the household, but they still have no idea why. We want to capture how naive and innocent they are, despite their pain.
Tsk, tsk, that's against the rules! I can't let them get their way!
So think hard about what that means. And then think again about what you hope to achieve by arguing with each other.
Well, good thing I followed the Traveler here. After hearing this tragic tale, I can no longer stand by and do nothing.
*sigh* Alright, I'll humor you and try a few more different poses.
Come on, Neuvillette. There's no need to repeat all the unimportant legalese.
W—Well then! If it wasn't Lyney who committed the crimes, then who was it?
We've had to fight every step of the way for this opportunity, but we now have all of the ingredients necessary to stage a truly spectacular performance:
It's pouring out here! Wait, the water levels aren't rising, are they?
Ah, the one from Chioriya Boutique! Hello, hello.
*sigh* This must be the overflow of Hydro from my person! Well, can't quite help being the god whose dominion is the waters, can I?
I don't believe anybody could be more committed to bringing this story to life on the stage than they are now.
Share my burden...
Of course, of course! How could they not attend a meeting such as this? I must always have two or more guests at my dessert table, otherwise the occasion would be too lonely and unbecoming of my station.
Morning... Can someone fetch me a cup of coffee? More milk, hold the sugar.
Chevreuse will be playing the role of the older sister, Tulipe, and Ayaka will be the younger sister, Iris. Be sure to get close-ups of the main characters at the right moment.
Ah. You're saying that he wasn't...
Of course, I have armed myself to do far more than smash your alibi. Confidence cannot go unfounded, and my foundations are rock-solid.
Not bad... The actors' emotions were all on point, let's keep that take.
Hmm, what sauce should I pick for my macaroni tonight?
Could you please get off my case!? I don't know what's gotten into you today. I'm making an effort here, you could at least try to do the same.
The stage is already set, so there's no reason to disappoint the audience. Let's see this trial through to the very end!
Nope.
...Remarkable. And a very worthwhile artistic endeavor, exploring a character with no lines or facial expressions, who can only communicate how they feel through their movement...
I'm glad you appreciate my point of view. That tells me that you're an interesting person as well.
That place? Don't be silly! For an extraordinary show, we need an extraordinary stage... By which I of course mean, the Opera Epiclese.
Well, since you know about my secret investigations, then you should know I'm actually working to take care of it.
(Maybe this is fine. I just need to keep going, and everyone will be saved...)
...It's her pure heart.
Oh, was she whisked away by work already? I was just about to tell her how great she did.
But with Lyney's help, our little duel ended in a draw! Hehe... But draws really are the most boring possible outcome...
The strength gained through my own hard work is truly fulfilling. Hehe, thanks for your support.
This scene is when our two characters return home only to discover their mother has been murdered. Ready? Lights, Kamera, action!
I'm sorry, Paimon.
Maybe it's because I've finally become an ordinary person, and gained my freedom, that I've developed a great sense of curiosity about their lives.
If you really hate each other, and can't reconcile your differences, then you could just call it quits now. Why bother with a final performance if the group is already fractured?
(I just... don't know when these days will end...)
He was already getting ready to leave by the time I arrived. He just wanted to ask someone about the quickest way to get back to Fontaine.
I plead not guilty. How can I be guilty?
*cough* Ahem, uh... I mean... of course, my dear people! But what excites me even more than the obvious truth before our eyes... is the opponent I'll be facing.
So much energy... Seriously, what's her secret?
#({F#She}{M#He}'s right. I could confide in {F#her}{M#him}, couldn't I?)
...Now, having said that, although I hate to leave things hanging in suspense, it is now time for this performance to end. As the lead actress, I shall be the first to take my leave. Toodle-oo~
So no more draws! Between the two of us, there must be a clear winner and loser. And what better place to hold such a riveting showdown and decide the true victor than here, on the grandest of stages, the Opera Epiclese!
Thanks to my eloquent and impassioned speech, Monsieur Neuvillette was moved to provide us with a fitting stage for this special performance.
Hmm? What's wrong? Just adjust the focal length a bit.
So long as I, the Archon Focalors, stand within the Opera Epiclese... so long as I stand before the Oratrice... I shall even judge the gods of this world!
(I've spent a lot of time out of the spotlight, and they didn't use my name during the curtain call either. Hopefully, not too many people recognized me...)
Mark my words — this shall be one of the most exhilarating and brilliant shows ever to grace the stage of Fontaine! The trial of the Hydro Archon, Focalors, will now begin!
*inhale*... *exhale*...
In truth, I know little about becoming a nation's new god, but it will be my honor to guide you all.
Precisely! Heh... And I'm not even the Hydro Archon anymore, so all my power is gone anyway.
My turn to take the spotlight!
Then I'll leave that to you. Macaroni's on sale today, so I've got to go. You can just tell me how things went when we discuss tomorrow's plan later.
Ooh, I know! I saw a pretty decent opera the other day. Why don't we practise a few scenes together? C'mon, I'll do your makeup, we'll make it a dress rehearsal!
Very well, we'll end it here.
(Hundreds of years must have passed by now. Perhaps this show must go on for hundreds more...)
Play as... a god?
Of course, it is only natural for humans to struggle to understand the actions of a god. However, you will need more than that to convict me of a crime...
Whew... You scared me for a moment there. I nearly thought we had lost everything...
Once the ancient prophecy came to an end and everything was over, I fell into low spirits for a very long time. People who stand on the stage basking in the adulation of their audience must also bear the pressures of being in the public eye and living up to everyone's expectations. But I knew very well my person wouldn't be enough, and that putting on the act of a god would be able the only way to satisfy their adoration... And at the end of the day, all I ever experienced was loneliness. So there came a point when I loathed the very thought of acting and locked myself in my room. It wasn't until the moment I stood on stage and faced the audience again that I realized the anxiety in my heart had dissipated. The reason I can now stand before the crowd's watchful gaze is perhaps because... I have finally started to act as myself.