Power beyond the gods?
The moment Aerin took out that strange potion, all of Teyvat erupted.
The Abyss Order
Aether and Abyss Herald (Pyro) stared at each other in silence.
A single potion.
Drink it—and gain power surpassing the gods?
Even Aether, of all people, felt his worldview cracking.
"If that were true," the Abyss Herald muttered,
"then what are we even doing all this for?"
Aether's mouth twitched.
"You're right. If drinking a potion could grant power beyond the gods…
then the Abyss Order would just be a joke."
Deep Within the Abyss
Rhinedottir stared at the potion in Aerin's hand, her eyes lighting up.
"Could this be the true cause behind the hilichurl mutations?"
"Do those mutated hilichurls really possess power beyond the gods?"
She was skeptical.
But—what if it was real?
If that potion truly held such power, then whatever force it came from far surpassed the Abyss itself.
"That would be insane…"
Her gaze burned with anticipation as she looked at the confused Amber on the screen.
"Drink it, Amber."
"Let's see the truth."
Teyvat — Surface World
Skirk, who had just set foot back in Teyvat, froze.
"If what the Fifth Descender says is true… then how terrifying is he, really?"
She recalled Surtalogi's order.
Her head buzzed.
This mission… I might actually die here.
Snezhnaya — The Tsaritsa's Palace
The Cryo Archon sat in silence, her expression dark.
"Hmph."
She scoffed coldly.
"Granting a random girl power beyond the Seven with a single potion?"
"If that were possible, everything I've done all these years would be a farce."
Her conclusion was clear.
Aerin was deceiving Amber.
Once she drank it, she would surely become another mutated monster.
Chat Group
[Furina]: "A single potion that surpasses the gods? Ridiculous."
[Furina]: "I'd sooner believe an assassin could storm the Palais Mermonia than that nonsense."
[Collei]: "Amber, don't listen to him! Remember what I went through—this can't be good!"
[Collei]: "Amber? Why aren't you replying? I'm scared…"
[Varka]: "Amber, I won't hide it anymore—your grandfather is alive."
[Amber]: "Grand Master… really? You're not lying to me?"
[Varka]: "He's alive. He returned to Liyue and lives in seclusion."
[Ningguang]: "A Liyue man who once worked in Mondstadt and used a Wind Glider?"
[Ningguang]: "Yes. Liyue recorded such a person years ago—so elusive even his old friends had to post missing notices."
[Eula]: "Amber, that must be your grandfather. Please—don't believe the Fifth Descender."
[Amber]: "That's… that's wonderful. He's alive…"
[Collei]: "Then you don't need to worry anymore…"
[Paimon]: "But the Amber in the future looks really confused…"
[Paimon]: "What if she actually drinks it?"
[Paimon]: "She'll definitely turn into a mutated hilichurl!"
This was exactly why Aerin's emotion value was skyrocketing.
The future projections stirred fear.
The chat discussions amplified it.
Amber hadn't even recovered from the relief of learning her grandfather was alive—
—and Paimon's words plunged Mondstadt straight back into despair.
If Amber drank that potion…
She would become one of them.
She would raise her weapon against Mondstadt.
"No… future me, please don't…"
Amber stared at the screen, on the verge of tears.
"Why did it have to be me?"
Future Projection
[Amber stared blankly at the potion in Aerin's hand.]
["…If I drink it, I'll gain transcendent power?"]
["…Power beyond the gods?"]
Aerin nodded calmly.
["Is this how the Abyss Order made those hilichurls so strong?"]
["If I drink it… will I become like them?"]
Aerin released her chin and stepped back several meters.
[He laughed softly—filled with disdain.]
["The Abyss Order?"]
Aether: Is this bastard mocking us?
["Don't lump me together with them."]
Aerin spread his arms.
Boom.
The ground twisted.
Two spiraling black vortices opened on either side.
From them rose two colossal white figures, each over five meters tall.
[Mutated Hilichurl Kings.]
Their bodies were pure white, accented with violet on one side and yellow on the other.
One—Stonehide Hilichurl King.
The other—Thunderhelm Hilichurl King.
They stood motionless, like royal guards.
Amber's body trembled as their massive shadows swallowed her whole.
Even one mutated hilichurl berserker had nearly broken the Knights.
If these things attacked Mondstadt…
The outcome was unthinkable.
And yet—
Aerin's expression held nothing but disdain.
["Summoning such creatures doesn't require much skill."]
["They lack individual consciousness."]
["They only move through my collective mind issuing commands."]
["Compared to Valkyries created by Stigmata serum…"]
["These things aren't even worth being called leftovers."]
Aerin looked down at Amber.
["I think you understand now, don't you?"]
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