Chapter 51 — Things More Terrifying Than Death
Jean: "Be careful, Mr. Kael!"
Ningguang: "As one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, La Signora wields the power of the Cryo Archon herself. Her strength should not be underestimated—it may rival that of an Adeptus."
Zhongli: "Indeed. From a rational standpoint, a Harbinger stands directly beneath the Tsaritsa's command and thus possesses power comparable to an Adeptus… However, it is truly a pity."
The chat group's mental messages flew faster than sound. Even as the conversation raged, Kael's confrontation with La Signora had only just begun.
---
The Clash of Fire and Stone
Frost erupted from La Signora's outstretched hand, her crimson nails glowing with Cryo energy as she lunged forward.
But Kael merely lifted his left hand—calmly, effortlessly—and caught her strike in midair.
Golden light radiated from his palm.
The force of her blow shattered like brittle glass.
"This… power?" La Signora's crimson eyes widened in disbelief as she tried to pull away, but Kael's grip was unyielding. "That fool Tartaglia told me you were nothing special—was he blind?!"
The density of that elemental energy… the unshakable stillness of his presence…
It was as though she had struck a mountain.
No… not a mountain—something far older.
For the briefest moment, she felt as if she were standing before Morax himself.
When had Liyue birthed another being of this magnitude?
The Fatui's intelligence reports had described Kael as a "traveler from another world," but she now doubted that entirely.
No mere traveler could wield power that bends the laws of Teyvat.
He had to be a disciple of Morax—a hidden Adeptus whose name had been erased from records. That was the only explanation that made sense.
If that were true… then everything she had heard—the gossip about Kael's affairs with Ningguang and Keqing—must have been lies.
Tartaglia had been fooled.
Again.
---
Judgment of Stone
Kael's voice carried a weight that made the air tremble.
"Since you have chosen to attack me…"
Golden light blazed around him, casting long shadows across the plaza.
"…then you will accept the consequences."
La Signora froze—not from fear, but from the pressure of his presence. It was not the heat of flame nor the cold of Cryo—it was something older, purer.
"Out of respect for the Tsaritsa, and because you once fought alongside Barbatos to defend Mondstadt during the Cataclysm," Kael said evenly, "I will not end your life. But punishment is necessary."
He lifted his hand. The golden light surged skyward.
"Be still."
The word carried divine authority.
In an instant, the cobblestones beneath La Signora's feet turned to molten gold before hardening into crystalline amber. Her body stiffened, her skin paling as stone crawled up her limbs.
"You will remain like this for three days," Kael said, his tone final. "Do not resist. If you struggle, the seal will only deepen—and next time, I will not be merciful."
The Fatui soldiers watching from a distance could only stare in horror as the feared Harbinger was frozen mid-step, her expression locked between fury and disbelief.
Within the amber's core, a faint ember pulsed—red as blood and warm as life itself.
Kael's eyes softened.
That flame… it was the last trace of Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter—the Crimson Witch of Flames.
And surrounding it was the unmistakable aura of Cryo—the Tsaritsa's divine protection, gently keeping the flame alive.
When Kael's sealing power had surged forth, that Cryo energy had momentarily resisted—testing him. But when it sensed his intent carried no malice, it had receded.
"Interesting," Kael murmured, releasing his hand. "Even the Tsaritsa's power chooses not to interfere when it knows justice is fair."
He turned to the trembling Fatui soldiers.
"Relax," he said, his voice calm yet sharp. "She will return to normal in three days. Until then—treat her well."
None of them moved.
Their faces were pale, their eyes wide. They had just witnessed a god's judgment.
Kael turned away, his coat fluttering in the wind. "Come, Barbara."
"Ah—yes!" Barbara hurried to his side, stealing one last nervous glance at the petrified Harbinger.
No one—not the Fatui, not the Knights of Favonius, not even the bystanders—dared to stop them as they walked away.
---
[Group Chat Reaction]
Keqing: "That sealing technique was… incredible. I wish I could learn it."
Ningguang: "Immortal techniques are not things that can be imitated, Yuheng. The requirements are far beyond mortal reach. Even if you could learn the form, you would lack the force."
Venti: "I'm beginning to think Kael is Morax in disguise! Zhongli, what say you?"
Zhongli: "From a technical standpoint, his sealing method achieves only about thirty percent of my refinement."
Madame Ping: "Indeed. The pattern feels familiar, but it's rough—relying more on sheer elemental dominance than structure. Still… his control is commendable."
Kael: "It's my first attempt. Extending the seal any longer might have destabilized the Cryo energy protecting her. Besides, I wasn't trying to kill her. Just… stop her."
Jean: "Mr. Kael, earlier you said La Signora once protected Mondstadt. Is that true? Please, tell me."
Kael: "She was once Rosalyne—the Crimson Witch of Flames. During the Cataclysm, she burned herself to ash to cleanse the monsters that overran the city. But when the smoke cleared, the people she saved turned on her. Their fear became hatred. She was betrayed… and lost everything."
Jean: "…"
Jean: "I see. Thank you for telling me."
Venti: "I didn't expect you to spare her!"
Zhongli: "For someone as proud as La Signora, public humiliation is far crueler than death."
Kael: "Exactly. Death is simple. But to stand before the world, powerless and exposed—to endure shame and silence—that is punishment. She can handle agony, but disgrace… that's something even Archons dread."
---
Aftermath
As Kael and Barbara walked through the streets, sunlight reflected off the golden seal still glowing faintly behind them.
Barbara glanced up at him with awe. "Mr. Kael, I didn't know you were that powerful…"
Kael smiled faintly. "Power is just a burden, Barbara. Don't look at me—or Jean—as unreachable. The moment you start idolizing someone, you stop understanding them."
Barbara blinked, then nodded slowly. "I… think I understand." Her expression softened into a bright, gentle smile. "Thank you."
Kael gave her a quiet nod.
---
Reflections Beneath the Wind
Elsewhere, Jean's sword hesitated mid-swing. The words lingered in her mind like an echo.
Rosalyne… fought for Mondstadt?
Diluc, standing a few meters away, had also fallen silent.
He remembered his own clash with La Signora in the shadows years ago—the impossible cold, the weight of her fury. Even then, he had sensed she was holding something back… something ancient and tragic.
Kael had sealed her with ease, but that didn't make her weak. It only showed just how powerful he was.
If what Zhongli said was true, and Kael's mastery represented only thirty percent of Morax's full strength…
Then what did that say about the Geo Archon himself?
Just how far above mortals did the gods truly stand?
The thought chilled Diluc more than La Signora's frost ever could.
---
End of Chapter 51 — Things More Terrifying Than Death