"This power..."
At that mont, whether it was Furina, Focalors, or the other powerful individuals hiding in ambush on the island, their expressions changed drastically. The gray-white blade of light soaring into the sky told them that sothing had gone wrong
Soon, alarms blared, and the ambushes set up in various areas across the island were activated.
"Have the people from that mysterious faction finally lost their patience?"
Focalors' expression turned grim. Although this outco was within their expectations, the reality of it happening still made her undeniably nervous. After all, Fontaine knew better than anyone how powerful that faction was. Even with such thorough preparations, their hearts remained uneasy.
"Focalors, it seems it's not..."
Just then, Furina received a ssage from an unknown source, and her face instantly darkened.
"It's not the faction that appeared. It's No. 2... he's recovered his power."
"Damn it! I knew No. 2 wouldn't be so easy to capture. He's been playing along with us this whole ti!"
"I never thought No. 2 was so cunning. We need to raise his threat level."
After hearing Furina's explanation, Focalors was perplexed.
"Neuvillette tested Fontaine's latest research, the sealing handcuffs. How could they have failed against No. 2?"
"This isn't the ti to dwell on that! We need to stop him, now!"
"We've already paid such a heavy price. We absolutely cannot let No. 2 escape, or even more people will die in the future!"
Furina imdiately relayed her orders, and the scattered personnel began converging on the Opera Epiclese.
anwhile, Lumine, after wiping out all the Gardeks, glanced at the law enforcent officers who had dropped to their knees in awe of her sword strike. She had no intention of harming them. After calling Paimon over, she prepared to rescue Enjou so they could leave together.
However, to Lumine's surprise, she had barely taken two steps when she sensed a lethal threat from behind. She dodged sideways just as an elental bullet grazed her shoulder and flew past.
Lumine was furious. She had kindly helped, only to be treated like a criminal, then bound like a rice dumpling and humiliated in front of her own brother. It was already an act of rcy that she hadn't struck them down. Yet these people kept testing her patience. Did they really think she wouldn't dare to fight back?
However, when Lumine turned to look, she suddenly froze, for she saw frenzied hatred and desperate resolve on the faces of the law enforcent officers.
Even Lumine felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of their bloodshot eyes.
Only then did Lumine realize just how deeply hated No. 2, the man who had frad her, was in Fontaine.
She had felt deeply uncomfortable just hearing Neuvillette describe so of the mysterious faction's actions, but for the victims, those deeds were far more unbearable.
Lumine sighed softly and raised her hand toward the officers. Countless tough vines shot out, binding their bodies tightly and immobilizing them.
Having done only this, Lumine stopped. In the end, she couldn't bring herself to harm them. They were pitiful people too.
Thinking that she hadn't been seriously injured during this ti, just suffered a bit of humiliation, she decided to let it go.
"Traveler, let's hurry and find Enjou!"
Hearing Paimon's urging, Lumine nodded, and the two of them headed in the direction Enjou had gone earlier.
But soon, Lumine and Paimon were intercepted by another squad of law enforcent officers.
"Seize them!"
With a command, the law enforcent officers, coordinating with the Gardeks, launched a fierce attack on Lumine!
Needless to say, another battle broke out.
After quickly resolving the battle and binding the officers' bodies, Lumine and Paimon hurried on their way again.
This ti, however, Lumine encountered another squad of officers even sooner. After considerable effort dealing with them, she looked up to find herself completely surrounded!
Seriously, how many people did you deploy this ti?!
Lumine was speechless. How were the enemies multiplying?!
Moreover, to avoid using excessive force, Lumine fought with restraint, not even daring to use the Power of Void again. Yet most of the officers charged at her as if they had a blood feud, willing to take a bite out of her even if it ant facing her blade, which made things even more troubleso.
I can't drag this out any longer!
Lumine fused all five Elental Powers, preparing to unleash a massive burst.
But just then, Furina finally arrived on the battlefield.
Hydro and Anemo elents rged into a waterspout, hurtling toward Lumine.
"Traveler, watch out!"
Seeing this, Paimon cried out in worry.
Lumine felt a sense of danger and raised her hand to block, shattering the ferocious waterspout. However, the impact forced her back a step.
Huh?!
Lumine stared at Furina in bewildernt. Never mind how you can wield two Elental Powers at once... For crying out loud, you're the Hydro Archon! Can't you show so respect for your own profession? Isn't borrowing Barbatos's power a bit much?!
And judging by the others' expressions, this seed to be a common sight...
Lumine's composure began to crack. Fontaine now seed utterly bizarre to her. If she could start over, she would have detoured to Natlan rather than co to Fontaine!
Even if she had to co, she would have thoroughly investigated Fontaine's current situation with Neuvillette first!
Suddenly, Lumine froze. She had thought of a way to break the stalemate!
If she took the Hydro Archon hostage, she could force the others to lead her to Enjou.
As for offending a nation's God... Heh, with things already this bad, did she really care?
If she truly cared, she wouldn't have dared to raise her weapon against the Raiden Shogun back then.
Lumine had only felt this suffocated in Suru. Speaking of which, as expected of nations ravaged by that mysterious faction, her circumstances were strikingly similar.
Lumine shook her head, montarily silencing the chaotic thoughts in her mind. Then, fluctuations of the Power of Void once again emanated from her.
At this mont, Focalors finally arrived at the scene. She and Furina stood frozen in place, staring blankly.
In their vision, a Black Sun appeared behind Lumine. An utterly irresistible aura radiated from her, even striking a sliver of fear into the hearts of everyone present—an awe born from facing a higher-level power.
Lumine moved, her speed so great that only a faint afterimage remained in the air.
Yet even this incredible speed was captured and locked onto by the Gardeks.
"Fire!"
Soone shouted, and the Gardeks simultaneously shouldered their cannons, emptying their magazines in an instant!
But just then, countless vines erupted from the ground, intercepting many of the shells mid-flight and causing them to detonate prematurely. Lumine easily dealt with the rest, leaving the others at the scene looking rather disheveled from the attack.
Countless stray shells grazed past Lumine's body. Though every shot was aid directly at her, she managed to dodge each one perfectly.
Amidst the sky-filling barrage, Lumine's body moved as nimbly as if she were dancing, appearing utterly leisurely and at ease.
With her special combat experience, Lumine, now unleashing her full power, moved like a phantom on the battlefield, striking terror into countless hearts.
Is this No. 2's true strength?!
They had thought that even if Fontaine couldn't capture him, they could at least cause him significant trouble. Now, it seed they had been far too naive.
Furina bit her lip, the pain finally snapping her back to her senses. Realizing Lumine's target was her, Furina unleashed her full power.
Emily, help again!
As if hearing Furina's call, the Anemo Vision on her body erupted with an even more brilliant light. The surrounding air currents began to converge rapidly, ultimately forming a terrifying vortex of wind.
As the gale raged, Lumine inwardly cursed that slacker Barbatos for lending Furina so much power, while simultaneously causing the Power of Void in her hand to detonate explosively.
In an instant, everything fell silent.
When everyone present regained control of their bodies, they saw Furina standing utterly rigid and motionless, a one-handed sword ford from the Geo Elent pressed against her neck.
Everyone present imdiately panicked, shocked that Furina had been taken hostage by Lumine.
In truth, Lumine had hesitated between Furina and Focalors, but she felt Focalors's power was far too weak, so she ultimately chose Furina.
However, this didn't lessen her doubts about Furina, because in her eyes, Furina was also far from possessing the power expected of a god.
What is going on here?
Could it be that because the Hydro Archon split into two, her power has diminished?
But this is too much of a drop, isn't it?!
Lumine found Fontaine increasingly incomprehensible; the entire nation was steeped in strangeness!
"Lady Furina!"
With Furina held hostage by Lumine, the others hesitated, afraid to act rashly. They exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.
"Ignore , keep attacking!"
"Even if I have to sacrifice myself here today, we cannot let No. 2 escape!"
"Just stall a little longer; reinforcents will arrive soon!"
Lumine didn't doubt the truth of Furina's words. More and more people were gathering around, and so of the weaker ones had already retreated, leaving the battlefield to the stronger fighters, since the area was so small.
This was precisely why Lumine had resorted to taking Furina hostage; otherwise, the battle would have dragged on endlessly.
"But Lady Furina..."
"No buts! I'm not your Hydro Archon. Attack without hesitation!"
Furina threw caution to the wind. Though she was terrified of death—she still hadn't fulfilled her promise to find Emily—she was even more worried that letting No. 2 escape now would lead to more slaughter across Teyvat.
"Fire at !"
Lumine was stunned. Furina isn't the Hydro Archon?
Lumine hesitated for a mont, then her figure flickered, and the sword was pressed against Focalors's neck.
Just as Furina closed her eyes, wondering if dying with No. 2 would improve her reputation, she felt herself being released and imdiately opened her eyes in confusion.
Furina glanced down and saw that the sword at her neck was gone, a surge of joy welling up inside her.
Who really wants to die if they can live?
However, when Furina looked up again, she saw a missile, its tail blazing, hurtling straight toward her face.
Boom!
A few seconds later, a soot-covered Furina erged from the smoke, her face contorted with rage.
"Who fired that cannon?!"
A mber of the Special Task Force awkwardly scratched the back of his head and averted his gaze.
It was just a slip of the hand, wasn't it?
Witnessing this, Lumine's mouth twitched. They actually attacked. It seems Furina really isn't the Hydro Archon. Good thing I switched hostages.
It makes sense, she thought. How could soone who wields both Hydro and Anemo energy be Fontaine's Hydro Archon?
So you must be Fontaine's Hydro Archon...
Lumine turned to Focalors, only to find her trying to stifle a laugh.
Hey, hey! Show so respect for your role as a hostage, will you?!
Annoyed, Lumine tapped Focalors's cheek with the flat of her blade. But Focalors simply spoke up.
"Go ahead and do it. I'm not the Hydro Archon anymore, anyway."
"Besides, shouldn't you already know this? Did no one tell you? Seems you're not very popular there."
Focalors remained completely unfazed. Her soul was strong enough; even if this body died, she could just ask Rene to make her a new one.
Lumine was dumbfounded again. You're not the Hydro Archon either? Then who is?!
Lumine didn't want to believe them so easily, but capturing her had been far too simple. Even if the Hydro Archon was completely useless, she should still be stronger than the Dendro Archon, right?
No matter. Even if they weren't the Hydro Archon, their status couldn't be too low. Fontaine would surely agree to exchange them for Enjou.
Thinking this, Lumine imdiately signaled to Paimon, who was hiding in the distance.
"If you don't want anything to happen to her, bring Enjou here at once."
"As long as you do as we say, we won't harm her!"
Hearing that Lumine only demanded the release of the Abyss Monster, the crowd hesitated.
Soon, Furina made her decision. She imdiately signaled the others to bring Enjou, while subtly reminding them to move slowly and stall for as much ti as possible.
In the current situation, the longer Fontaine could delay, the better. The enemy wouldn't be able to escape then!
Furina knew that the Fortress of ropide had produced several powerful Clockwork kas. Wriothesley had brought them along this ti, but because they had initially assud the attackers were invading from outside, it would take so ti to bring them back to the island.
"Don't be rash! We've already sent soone to bring that Abyss Monster!"
After hearing Furina's words, Lumine knew the negotiation had succeeded.
Although she knew they were intentionally stalling for ti, Lumine didn't care.
At least for now, these combatants were completely outmatched. If she hadn't held back, many of them would have already been dead.
Besides, she could never abandon Enjou. The whole reason she fought back was to save him.
"We don't want to make things too difficult either. Just release Enjou, and we'll release Lady Focalors."
Paimon tried her best to look intimidating, but it was still too difficult for her.
"The Traveler really isn't No. 2! You've got the wrong person!"
"We believe you, we really do!"
Seeing the dismissive expressions on everyone's faces, Paimon spoke angrily.
"If the Traveler were No. 2, how could she have been so restrained? At most, she only injured your people!"
Just as Paimon finished speaking, soone rushed over.
"Lady Furina, a soldier has died from their severe injuries!"
The atmosphere suddenly turned strange. Then, everyone turned to stare at Paimon, their eyes filled with the fury of being deceived.
"Is this what you call 'restrained'?!"
Paimon was also dumbfounded and turned to look at Lumine.
Lumine insisted she had already been gentle enough; she never expected soone to be so fragile!
Just then, a terrifying fluctuation erupted in the distance. One after another, heads erged from the sea, their massive bodies churning up colossal waves. The oppressive aura of a god descended upon everyone.
Upon seeing that figure, everyone's pupils constricted sharply, especially Lumine and Paimon, who were utterly shocked.
Overlord of the Vortex, Osial!
Impossible! How could Osial appear in Fontaine? And wasn't he supposed to be sealed by the Jade Chamber?!
Lumine subconsciously dismissed it as an illusion, but the terrifying aura was undeniably real—and seemingly even stronger!
At that mont, the sky gradually darkened as an even more horrifying fluctuation brewed overhead.
This is bad!
Lumine's expression changed. She signaled to Paimon to tell the others to scatter imdiately, but Paimon was completely lost in the shock of Osial's reappearance and didn't notice her signal.
Fortunately, although Focalors had lost her Authority over Water, she still had so experience in these matters and imdiately spoke to Furina.
"Furina, have everyone scatter imdiately and activate the protective barriers!"
Furina snapped out of her daze upon hearing this, nervously relayed the order, and then shot Lumine a vicious glare.
"So this was your plan all along! No wonder you pretended to have lost your power—it was all to lure us to this island and wipe us out in one fell swoop!"
"What a brilliant sche!"
I didn't! It wasn't !
Lumine felt that the more she tried to clear her na, the more stained it beca.
What kind of rotten luck was this?!
To be fair, if Lumine were in their shoes, she would definitely suspect she'd fallen into a trap too. It was just her truly terrible luck.
But the most urgent task now was to figure out why Osial had revived, why he was stronger, and why Lumine could sense a dense Abyss Aura emanating from him.
Wait a minute!
Abyss Aura?!
Lumine couldn't help but swallow hard. No way... It can't be what I'm thinking, can it?!
Though Lumine desperately wanted to deny it, the Abyss Aura radiating from Osial was undeniably real.
You idiot brother! Are you trying to push your sister into a corner?!
Lumine's face contorted in grief. So she had been betrayed by her own brother
Of course, what Lumine didn't know was that when Aether had tried to save her earlier, he not only failed but also took a [Pneumousia Obliteration Bomb], losing all his Abyss Monsters. He was determined to settle this score in Fontaine.
Especially after Ziyu learned of his brother's death and started leading a horde of Abyss Monsters to threaten suicide in front of Aether daily, Aether felt he had no other choice.
Moreover, with Fontaine's current combat strength being so absurdly high, Aether worried sothing terrible might happen to Lumine there, so he decided to rescue her while he was at it.
By now, Aether had already implanted a portion of the [Ark]'s power core into Osial's body. This was also a chance for him to see just how much power the Overlord of the Vortex could now unleash.
Aether sensed the terrifying power brewing in the sky and nodded slightly. With this boost, the chances of his plan succeeding had grown even greater.
Just then, the constantly brewing power finally reached its peak. Countless azure water beams rained down on the island like teors, crashing violently against the raised cerulean barrier.
The barrier's energy was directly supplied by Indemnitium. Now that the [Oratrice canique d'Analyse Cardinale] no longer needed Focalors to intercept most of the Indemnitium, the amount accumulated over this period was astonishing. Yet, even this was barely enough. With each water beam striking the barrier, its color faded slightly, and soon, "kaka-kaka" cracking sounds echoed from its surface.
The people on the island watched the scene in terror. If they had known it would be this dangerous, they wouldn't have co to the site. Wouldn't watching the livestream from ho have been better?!
Seeing Focalors' anxious expression, Lumine pondered for a mont, then slowly released her restraints and took two steps back.
Once Focalors felt she was free, she gave Lumine a deep look before imdiately taking her people to maintain the barrier's operation. She also called Furina away, leaving only a few guards behind to watch Lumine.
"Does she think we can't possibly survive this crisis, which is why she's being so arrogant?!"
Before leaving, Furina glanced back at Lumine, who remained standing silently, and spoke angrily.
"No, I feel like sothing's wrong. Is she No. 2? Let's discuss it after Neuvillette gets back."
Focalors recalled how Lumine had seed to be holding back during the fight earlier. Perhaps things weren't as they seed.
"For now, let's focus on protecting the civilians. Several important figures are here today. If they die, Fontaine's developnt will stagnate for a long ti."
With that, Focalors imdiately poured her consciousness into the barrier, using her perception of the attack impact points to reinforce specific areas. This finally eased the strain on the energy supply.
But just then, one of the Overlord of the Vortex Osial's heads opened its mouth wide. A beam of light shot out, instantly crossing hundreds of thousands of ters to strike the barrier. After a brief pause, it pierced straight through, carving a massive north-south trench in the ground and vaporizing the hundreds of people who had been standing there.
In that instant, everyone gaped, speechless for a long ti.
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