Zhongli and several adepti—currently in human form—had reserved a private room.
Cloud Retainer took a sharp breath, cold air rushing into her lungs.
Hilichurl Kings were on a completely different level from ordinary hilichurls.
Their size, strength, defense, and overall combat capability were worlds apart.
More terrifying still—Hilichurl Kings wield elemental power, capable of unleashing devastating elemental attacks.
A single mutated hilichurl berserker had already thrown the Knights of Favonius into chaos.
If even one mutated Hilichurl King attacked—
Mondstadt would be slaughtered.
Those were no longer hilichurls.
They were demon gods wearing hilichurl skins.
And yet, Aerin had summoned two of them casually—
and regarded them as nothing more than trash.
So how strong was the Fifth Descender, truly?
Cloud Retainer couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhongli.
Seeing his tightly furrowed brows and somber expression, her heart sank.
This was the first time she had ever seen the Geo Archon look so burdened.
Even during the Archon War, Zhongli had never appeared this troubled.
Cloud Retainer quickly looked away, her gaze falling instead on the exquisite vial in Aerin's hand.
Stigmata Potion.
Whether it would turn Amber into a mutated monster—
or grant her power rivaling the gods—
depended entirely on Amber's choice.
Knights of Favonius Headquarters, Mondstadt
Amber shut her eyes tightly and prayed.
She prayed that her future self would not listen to Aerin.
That she would not drink the so-called Stigmata Potion.
She wasn't afraid of becoming a monster.
She didn't care whether she could become a Valkyrie or rival the gods.
But drinking that potion meant standing with Aerin.
It meant betraying Mondstadt—the city that raised her.
That was something she could never accept.
Future Projection
[The atmosphere fell into dead silence.]
[Seeing Amber's fear, Aerin recalled the Hilichurl Kings.]
["Take it with both hands. Drink it."]
["You'll gain power beyond imagination."]
[His voice echoed in her mind like a devil's whisper.]
Amber raised her head, exhaustion etched into her face.
Before her floated a delicate vial.
The potion inside shimmered with every color imaginable.
Sunlight refracted through it, creating an illusionary glow.
Amber closed her eyes briefly, then smiled faintly.
She stood.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was firm.
["Thank you for your offer."]
["And thank you for telling me about my grandfather."]
["But Mondstadt is no longer what it once was."]
["It is now led by Acting Grand Master Jean Gunnhildr."]
["She is someone who loves Mondstadt with all her heart."]
["Someone diligent, responsible, and devoted."]
["Under her leadership, Mondstadt will only grow better."]
["I will not betray Grand Master Jean."]
["And I will not betray Mondstadt."]
Aerin fell silent.
The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by gloom.
He stared at Amber with restrained anger.
Amber knew she couldn't escape.
So she stood still, closed her eyes once more, and calmly awaited death.
["Hmph. So this is your choice."]
["Unexpected."]
["What a waste of my effort."]
["Very well."]
["If you choose death over power, I'll grant you that."]
A gun-form Judgement of Shamash appeared in Aerin's hand.
The pitch-black barrel aligned with Amber's forehead.
Knights of Favonius Headquarters — Present
Amber finally exhaled in relief.
"At least… at least I didn't betray Mondstadt."
"What are you saying?! You're about to be killed!" Paimon panicked, flying in circles.
She couldn't believe it.
That friendly chef… was this terrifying?
"At least future me didn't betray my comrades," Amber said softly.
"But I still failed to bring the information back…"
Jean's heart clenched painfully.
This wasn't Amber's fault.
If anyone had failed, it was her—the Acting Grand Master.
If she hadn't sent Amber to investigate, none of this would have happened.
Hearing Amber place such faith in her nearly broke Jean.
"Amber, you did everything right," Jean said gently.
"This is my failure."
Sumeru
Collei collapsed to the ground.
"She's going to die… she's really going to die… someone save her…"
Tighnari shook his head.
"With Aerin's power, even if someone arrived, they couldn't stop him."
"Only Mondstadt's god could save her now."
Future Projection
["Farewell, Outrider of Mondstadt."]
["After your death, I'll personally deal with Jean Gunnhildr."]
Aerin's finger tightened on the trigger—
Then he froze.
His expression sharpened as he looked up.
A deep blue streak of light hurtled toward his head.
[BOOM!]
A massive greatsword slammed into the ground where he had stood moments earlier.
Aerin was forced several steps back.
["Amber, are you alright?"]
["Sorry I'm late."]
Aerin raised his gaze.
Before him stood a knight shielding Amber.
She wore an elegant yet battle-ready knight's outfit—
a sleek black bodysuit with a lighter fabric strip down the center,
a short white jacket secured by chest straps,
blue hair tipped with white and tied by black lace,
thigh-high heeled boots reinforced with black straps—
Her build was full, powerful, and strikingly sensual.
["E-Eula!"]
Amber's eyes flew open, joy and relief flashing across her face.
"Eula, run! He's Aerin—the one controlling the mutated hilichurls!"
"He can even summon mutated Hilichurl Kings!"
"Take this information back to Mondstadt!"
Eula frowned, pulling her icy blue greatsword from the ground and raising it defensively.
"Amber, you're the Outrider."
"You're Mondstadt's fastest flyer."
"You take the information back."
"I'll hold him here."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito