"You've taken a good step forward."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled at Nahida as she spoke.
"Thank you."
Nahida expressed her gratitude to the Greater Lord. Without her guidance, she might still be trapped in her own world, unable to break free.
"Next, we must reclaim Irminsul from Dr. Edward."
Nahida nodded firmly.
"We will stop him. The countless people of Sumeru stand behind us!"
"By uniting everyone's wisdom, we will surely win this battle!"
Nahida clenched her small fists. With millions of lives at stake, she absolutely could not afford to lose!
"I will fight alongside you, Nahida."
Seeing Nahida seemingly reborn, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's smile deepened.
"Although I have little power left, I am still more familiar with Wisdom and Intelligence."
"I can help you organize your Wisdom and Intelligence in advance, allowing you to unleash even greater power."
Hearing this, joy once again lit up Nahida's face. This would give her much more confidence for the challenges ahead.
Just then, Neuvillette also spoke up.
"I can grant you more Power of Faith, Lady Nahida."
"Monsieur Neuvillette, you've already helped Sumeru so much..."
It wasn't that Nahida didn't want the power; she just felt guilty constantly taking from others.
"It's no trouble. Irminsul's fate is tied to the entire continent of Teyvat. While I don't believe Dr. Edward has the strength to completely corrupt Irminsul, even a slight alteration of fate would be a catastrophic disaster for all of Teyvat."
"I was born in this world; protecting Irminsul is also my responsibility."
Hearing Neuvillette's words, Nahida no longer refused.
Soon, Neuvillette transferred over eighty percent of his remaining Power of Faith to Nahida. Feeling this immense surge of power, Nahida was so moved she nearly cried.
She'd never fought a battle this well-funded before!
Thinking back to how she used to agonize over every tiny bit of faith, scrimping and saving, she couldn't help but feel how miserable her past had been!
"With Monsieur Neuvillette's help, I'm even more confident!"
"I want to help too!"
Paimon, feeling ignored, quickly flew over to make her presence known.
"I... I can cheer you on!"
"Nahida, you can do it! I believe in you!"
Seeing Paimon's adorable display, Nahida couldn't help but smile brightly once more.
She didn't know when it had started, but she now had so many people supporting her. She would never be alone like before.
Suppressing the tremor in her heart, Nahida nodded to everyone present, then fully immersed her consciousness into the Akasha.
Immediately after, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata also closed her eyes and followed Nahida into the Akasha.
Neuvillette looked at the two motionless figures and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Despite his immense power, he couldn't join this battle. I hope they can thwart the mysterious faction's plot, he thought.
Finally, Neuvillette put on the Akasha Terminal Nahida had given him. He then left the Ship of Dreams once more, heading toward Irminsul.
They had already discussed their plan. Nahida had decided to broadcast the events through the Akasha, allowing everyone to unite and overcome this crisis together.
If Nahida failed, Neuvillette would have no choice but to resort to more extreme measures.
Watching Neuvillette's departing figure and then glancing at the two figures standing motionless on the deck, Paimon suddenly realized she was alone again.
"Traveler, where are you now?" she murmured. "Nahida's been saved... Please come back soon..."
-
A massive stream of information flooded Scaramouche's mind. Even with his significantly strengthened mental fortitude, he felt as if his soul was about to be torn apart.
As he absorbed more information, this knowledge transformed into power, mending his fractured soul. But as his soul healed and grew stronger, the influx of information intensified, stretching it to its limits once more.
Scaramouche found himself trapped in an endless cycle of agony. The pain inflicted upon his soul far surpassed any suffering he had endured in his past pursuits of power.
Yet, Scaramouche endured. His heart burned with the flames of vengeance—a hatred so profound it could drag him into the Abyss itself. This unwavering conviction kept his will firm, even in the most desperate of circumstances.
It was precisely because of this quality that Dr. Edward had chosen him as the most suitable link in his plan.
Scaramouche had witnessed many of Teyvat's secrets, and the Forbidden Knowledge hidden within Irminsul had inevitably begun to corrupt his will. Yet, in the next instant, an even deeper darkness completely enveloped his consciousness. All the corruption from the Forbidden Knowledge was devoured by this new force and assimilated into itself.
Scaramouche never imagined this power could be so immense—it could even consume the Abyss Power.
Moreover, its aura was strikingly similar to the Abyss, as if it were a force cultivated from the Abyss Power itself, designed specifically to counter it.
If his suspicions were correct, the faction Dr. Edward belonged to was far more terrifying than he had ever imagined.
The Abyss Power already operated beyond Teyvat's existing laws, yet this new force surpassed even that.
But Scaramouche quickly came to terms with it. Whatever the mysterious faction's goals were, however dangerous they might be, none of it concerned him.
Even if the world were to be destroyed, so what? As long as he could achieve his revenge, he was willing to sacrifice everything!
The stronger this power grew, the better. It would only increase his chances of vengeance.
Driven by this realization, Scaramouche began to actively seek out information tainted by Forbidden Knowledge, deliberately feeding the dark power within him to make it grow stronger.
As if pleased with Scaramouche's offerings, the pitch-black power revealed its name to him: Void.
More shocking than learning the power's true name was the discovery that it possessed its own will—a will that was remarkably clear and distinct.
Scaramouche had learned some details about the Abyss from Dottore, including the fact that the Abyss itself had a will. However, that will was simple and primal: to devour everything it encountered.
The power of Void was different. Not only could it clearly express its intentions, but it could also convey emotions. How could Scaramouche not be stunned by this?
He quickly regained his composure, continuing to endure the soul-rending agony as he strengthened both his spirit and his power.
This pain is nothing compared to the agony of being betrayed three times!
At that thought, Scaramouche suddenly felt an urge to search Irminsul for the truth about what happened after the Tatarasuna incident.
The first and third betrayals were one thing, but the second... that traitor had fled out of guilt.
Niwa, the betrayer who taught him everything only to personally destroy it all!
Scaramouche didn't know what had become of that disgusting traitor, or if he had left behind any descendants. He had investigated before, but the man's methods had been too clever, leaving no trail for him to follow.
But now, with the power of Irminsul, he was certain he could find that traitor!
Even if the man was already dead, Scaramouche would exact his revenge upon his descendants. He would make that traitor regret his betrayal even from the depths of hell!
Soon, Scaramouche located the memory.
His heart consumed by boundless rage and hatred, he absorbed the memory without hesitation. But as he finished viewing it, he froze, utterly stunned.
The information he received from the memory was completely different from what he had been told.
Niwa had not betrayed him. In fact, Dottore had torn out Niwa's heart and placed it inside Scaramouche's chest.
And centuries ago, believing that a heart given by the hypocrite Dottore must be tainted, Scaramouche had casually discarded it...
"DOT—TO—RE!"
At this moment, Scaramouche was like a demon clawing its way out of hell. His reason was drowned by boundless hatred, his eyes bloodshot, his teeth grinding as he roared the name of the man he wished he could kill a thousand times, slaughter ten thousand times, and still not find satisfaction.
Niwa hadn't betrayed him. The realization that he had personally discarded his friend's still-beating heart drove Scaramouche to the brink of madness.
"YOU—DESERVE—TO—DIE!"
Revenge against the Raiden Shogun no longer mattered. Dottore had become the sole object of his hatred. All he wanted was to find Dottore and subject him to death by a thousand cuts!
And everyone associated with Dottore—he would slaughter them all!
Scaramouche wanted to pinpoint Dottore's location immediately and storm his doorstep, but he quickly realized his current strength was insufficient for such a revenge.
After all, the immense power he had previously displayed was almost entirely dependent on the Shouki no Kami.
Now that the Shouki no Kami was destroyed, he had been reduced to his original form, having only just elevated his power to the Archon-level.
Stronger... Stronger... I must become stronger!
Like a madman, Scaramouche began absorbing information far beyond his capacity. The soul-tearing agony intensified, but he paid it no mind.
Only by enduring this agony could his bleeding heart find a sliver of relief.
Dr. Edward merely observed Scaramouche's reaction in silence.
This was all part of the plan, though it had happened slightly ahead of schedule, with Scaramouche discovering the truth on his own.
Nevertheless, Dr. Edward was quite satisfied with this reaction. The more intensely Scaramouche responded, the more valuable the upcoming test would be.
Dr. Edward—or rather, Lofan—tilted his head slightly, gazing up at the high heavens as if he could pierce through every obstacle and see the figure of the Sustainer of Teyvat's Laws.
Celestia!
This was Lofan's only remaining concern.
With his current strength, he could walk unchallenged across Teyvat; even the Seven Archons were no match for him.
However, he knew very little about Celestia. He intended to use this opportunity to probe its limits, and Scaramouche was the perfect candidate for the task.
It's just a bit cruel to Scaramouche, Lofan mused. Hopefully, the kid doesn't completely lose his mind.
Lofan felt a flicker of pity for Scaramouche. Out of the kindness of his heart, he decided he would grant Scaramouche a swift end, ensuring his suffering wouldn't last too long.
Scaramouche might be a pitiable figure, but that doesn't diminish the sins he has committed. Death is the best solace for everyone involved—and a release for himself.
Having casually decided Scaramouche's final fate, Lofan turned his attention back to Lumine, who was still struggling against four Ruin Drake: Skywatchers in Floor 11, Chamber 3. A smile like a sadistic game developer's spread across his face.
At this moment, Lofan felt he truly understood Genshin Impact's infamous developers. Watching others suffer was genuinely exhilarating!
And he could even justify it with the noble excuse of "helping them improve their skills," leaving his conscience completely clear.
Question the sadistic devs, understand the sadistic devs, become the sadistic devs!
However, Lofan wasn't satisfied with Lumine's progress.
At this rate, she might not even clear the floor by the time the story reached its finale.
Fortunately, he had already devised a solution.
Lofan closed his eyes, shifting his consciousness to No. 2. He then activated the Laws of Time, slowing the flow of time in Lumine's area to one-tenth of its original speed. That should be about right.
Now, Lumine could hone her combat skills at her leisure. He was just too considerate!
Damn, the Laws of Time are incredibly useful!
Unfortunately, No. 2's supply would be depleted after just a few more uses.
Once I have enough Points, I'll get one for myself to play with.
Lofan had already planned it out. When he finally redeemed the Laws of Time, he would definitely activate Time Stop right in front of Lumine, and then... steal all her Mora!
Just imagining Lumine's despair every time she found her Mora mysteriously vanished, Lofan was already laughing.
This will be the protection fee.
If he hadn't intervened, how could Lumine's strength have improved so quickly?
So, collecting a protection fee was perfectly reasonable!
Do you have any idea how many Points he spent to redeem the Power of Nihility?
He'd been too good to Lumine, giving her so much power for free. After all, he had chosen the female protagonist's journey through Teyvat from the start. This was what you call "loving the house for the crow on its roof"!
It was definitely not because he was too lazy to deal with the Abyss himself and decided to dump the problem on Lumine to solve!
He glanced back at Lumine one last time, just in time to see her targeted by dozens of missiles and sent tumbling through the air by the explosions. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Tsk, tsk. How tragic.
A kindhearted person like me can't bear to watch this.
Better record it on my phone first, so I can savor it later.
Lofan gave his recording equipment one final check. After confirming everything was in order, his consciousness returned to Dr. Edward's body.
It was at this moment that Lofan felt Nahida's consciousness begin to probe him. A smile couldn't help but spread across his face.
Finally... all the actors are in place.