Three days later...
Elliot slowly opened his eyes.
His spirit value was now completely full.
Looking up at the island high in the sky, Elliot transformed into lightning and shot toward it at incredible speed.
The closer he drew to Celestia, the more strongly he could feel the Gnosis stirring—like a child's excitement when finally returning home after wandering far away.
Sensing the Gnosis meant one thing: he had the qualifications to become a god.
No.
To be precise, he already was one.
Because the Gnosis was in his hands.
This was Baal's trust in him.
Baal knew Elliot was not the type to do anything wicked, and that the reason he had taken the Gnosis was for the sake of peace.
"Where did you get that Gnosis?"
The moment Elliot set foot on Celestia, a voice suddenly rang out from above.
Looking up, he saw five women standing atop five massive Skyfrost Nails.
Each radiated an overwhelming majesty, but especially the woman in the center—Elliot could clearly feel the terrifying, unrivaled power she possessed.
Of the five, he recognized one and found another strangely familiar.
The one he recognized was the white-haired woman who appeared first in Genshin Impact's opening animation.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
Judging from her abilities, that one should be the Ruler of Space. After all, she could conjure red cubes to teleport people away.
The familiar-looking one was Paimon, grown up. She was no longer the cute, obedient companion Elliot remembered. Now, she radiated a divine authority, like an immovable god.
She too should be one of the Sustainers of Heavenly Principles, the Ruler of Time.
By that logic, the one standing in the center must be the strongest—the Heavenly Principles themselves.
The four women at her sides were but her shadows, collectively known as the Sustainers of Heavenly Principles. Each corresponded to one of the four artifacts: the Flower of Life, the Feather of Death, the Sands of Time, and the Goblet of Emptiness—symbols of the Rulers of Life, Death, Time, and Space.
"This was given to me by Baal," Elliot answered.
"She entrusted the Gnosis to you?" Heavenly Principles asked, looking down at him.
"No. I'm only borrowing it."
"Borrowing?"
"Yes."
Hearing his reply, Heavenly Principles seemed to take some interest in him.
Elliot felt her gaze piercing straight through him, as though she could see not only his outward appearance but also his inner strength.
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze and asked, "Then tell me, what purpose brings you here?"
"I've brought you very important information," Elliot said.
"What information?" Heavenly Principles asked instinctively.
"But I have one condition." A faint smile curved at the corners of his mouth.
...
Three days earlier, on Narukami Island.
"General, we're here to play again!"
Chiyo burst through the doors of Tenshukaku with her usual energy, swaggering inside. Kitsune Saiguu followed quietly behind her.
"You're early today," Zebul said happily when she saw them arrive.
"Hehe, let's go fishing out at sea!"
"Last time Sasayuri came in first, and I'm not satisfied."
"I even asked someone really good at fishing for tips yesterday. Now I know the trick, so I'm definitely catching the most this time!"
Chiyo planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, brimming with confidence.
"What trick? Tell me! That way we can gang up on Sasayuri together."
Intrigued, Zebul eagerly pressed her for the answer.
"Hehe, I'm not telling you. I'm taking first place!" Chiyo said smugly.
"What...?"
"Looks like you want to feel the handle of my blade on your forehead again..." Zebul threatened playfully.
"No, no, no... I'll tell you, I'll tell you!" Chiyo quickly surrendered.
That move of Zebul's wasn't as simple as it looked—it wasn't just suffocating and painful, it left a real mental scar too. After all, Zebul was at least a head taller than her.
Under the pressure, Chiyo reluctantly revealed her secret.
And just like that, their excitement doubled. Zebul was now just as confident about fishing as Chiyo was.
"Speaking of which, where's Sasayuri?" Kitsune Saiguu suddenly noticed his absence.
"He's not still asleep, is he?" Chiyo asked instinctively.
"That can't be. He's always up early," Zebul frowned.
"I'll go call him."
Chiyo went straight to Elliot's room.
A short while later, she came back looking puzzled. "He's not in his room."
"Did he go out to buy something good to eat?" Zebul guessed.
"Let's go look for him."
The three of them left Tenshukaku and headed into the bustling streets of Narukami Island, searching for Elliot's figure among the crowd.