Chapter 106: The Hydro Archon Appears
At that moment, those inside the game were completely oblivious to the unfolding situation in the outside world.
After settling into the sleek game pods, they experienced a brief, enveloping moment of darkness. When their vision cleared, they found themselves standing together in a wide, open clearing.
Then, they heard Noah's Ark's chilling declaration. Yet, Conan felt no fear. On the contrary, a familiar spark of determination ignited within him; he was already eager to take on the AI's challenge.
Once the initial shock subsided, the group waited for Noah's Ark to introduce the rules of the game.
To everyone's surprise, especially Conan's, the AI offered no such introduction. Instead, it stated a single, cryptic condition for victory: solve the prophecy and resolve the crisis in the nation of Fontaine.
While Conan was still puzzling over the name 'Fontaine,' their vision plunged into blackness once more. An instant later, they reappeared, standing before a tall, impossibly grand building.
Conan's sharp eyes immediately began scanning his surroundings. He realized at once that Noah's Ark had completely altered the game's content. The weather here was bright and clear, the visibility perfect—this was most certainly not the smog-filled London of the late 19th century., the city was built around a network of highly developed waterways, with small, elegant boats serving as a primary mode of transportation. It reminded him vaguely of Venice, yet the architectural style was entirely different, more ornate and theatrical. For a moment, Conan was at a loss, unable to identify which city Noah's Ark had used as a template for this virtual world.
Since his original goal of finding clues for the real-world case was now likely impossible, Conan recalled the AI's declaration. He pushed aside his own objectives and decided to focus on clearing the game. Saving everyone was the absolute priority.
While Conan was assessing the situation, the other players who had been transported to this area began to gather. They were all in the same boat now, and it was a time for cooperation.
, the players still naturally fell into two distinct groups, with those who knew each other sticking together.
It seemed the players had been divided based on their positions in the initial clearing. The group consisted of Mouri Ran, Natsume, the children of the Detective Boys, and the four boys they had clashed with earlier: Moroboshi, Kikukawa, Emori, and Takizawa.
"I think," Conan began, his voice cutting through the uncertainty and giving them their first objective, "based on the condition Noah's Ark gave us, we should first find out what this 'prophecy' is." He looked pointedly toward Moroboshi and the others, a silent plea for unity. This concerned everyone's survival.
Moroboshi, Kikukawa, Emori, and Takizawa exchanged glances. Though a flicker of resentment remained over the soccer ball Natsume had kicked at them, they knew Conan was right. Their lives were on the line; this was no time for petty grudges.
With a new purpose, the group prepared to split up and question the local passersby.
It didn't take long for them to reassemble in the same spot, their faces etched with a mixture of discovery and confusion.
"That was... surprisingly easy," Ran said, nodding in agreement with the sentiment. She had thought they would need to ask dozens of people, but the very first person she approached knew all about it. "And this prophecy seems to be several hundred years old."
Moroboshi stepped forward, taking on the role of spokesman for his group. "I've confirmed it with Kikukawa, Emori, and Takizawa. The stories we heard are all the same. The game's prophecy must be this: it says the people of Fontaine are born with sin. Because of this, the sea levels will one day rise and submerge everyone. The people will dissolve into the water, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her Divine Throne."
"Also, we found out the Hydro Archon's name!" Genta announced, eager to share the Detective Boys'findings. "The Hydro Archon's name is Focalors!"'Focalors?'Conan's mind raced.'One of the seventy-two pillars of Solomon's Ars Goetia?'His gaze shifted searchingly to Natsume. The title'Hydro Archon'sounded remarkably similar to'Anemo Archon Barbatos.' There had to be a connection. Were today's events somehow related to Ningguang's organization? And more, what did Natsume know?
Mitsuhiko then added his own finding. "And this Hydro Archon seems to be really famous in Fontaine. Everyone knows her."
"Yeah, yeah!" Ayumi nodded enthusiastically. "She's just like a big superstar!"
Haibara, ever the pragmatist, offered a quiet correction. "Less a superstar, more like a mascot. She's the nominal ruler of Fontaine, but from what I gathered, the people have far more respect for Neuvillette, the Chief Justice."
Having gained a basic understanding of Fontaine's predicament, the group was about to venture deeper into the city when a familiar voice suddenly boomed from the sky itself.
"Hey, Conan, can you hear me?"
Everyone started, then their faces lit up with joyous relief. It was Dr. Agasa! If they could hear voices from the outside world, then perhaps there was a way to rescue them.
But the doctor's next words crushed their burgeoning hopes. He couldn't get them out—not yet. He could, however, provide clues for clearing the game.
"You should be in the game world set in 19th-century London, right?" Dr. Agasa asked.
Their hopes, which had just flared, were immediately doused by confusion. This place looked nothing like London.
Conan quickly explained the situation. Only then did Dr. Agasa realize that Noah's Ark had reconstructed the game's scenery, rendering all the clues he had prepared completely useless.
Just as the doctor tried to say a few more words, the AI detected the intrusion. The connection between Dr. Agasa and the players was forcibly severed.
, as if in punishment for their attempt to cheat, the game world began to change.
A squad of uniformed guards materialized before the players, quickly surrounding them. Fearing the guards might mean them harm, Ran and Natsume instinctively moved to shield the children. As the only two adults present, they felt the heavy weight of responsibility.
While the children panicked, wondering if Noah's Ark was about to have the guards attack them, a figure appeared on a high platform of the grand building before them. It was a girl, not much older than them, dressed in ornate, almost theatrical clothing and carrying herself with a flamboyant air.
Amidst the synchronized movements of the surrounding guards and the sudden, roaring cheers of a gathering crowd, the children learned the shocking truth: this girl who had just appeared was none other than the Hydro Archon, Furina.
Unbeknownst to them, Noah's Ark had subtly altered their appearances within the game, removing any trace of their real-world selves and ensuring they blended in with the citizens of Fontaine.
Conan found it hard to believe. He had anticipated a long, difficult investigation, a painstaking process of gathering clues to even find the Hydro Archon's location. He had never expected her to simply appear before them on the first day.
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