Wangshu Inn, Liyue.
As he watched the changes unfold on the light screen, Zhongli's hand suddenly trembled.
"The Vision… shattered."
He forced down the surge of fear rising in his chest, his eyes quivering as he spoke.
A Vision, as humanity's external conduit for elemental power, converts the elemental energy of Teyvat into usable strength.
Unless its bearer dies—
causing the Vision to fade and become a masterless relic—
A Vision cannot be destroyed.
It symbolizes Celestia's authority, one of the most direct manifestations of its dominion over Teyvat.
The shattering of the Vision at Eula's shoulder meant only one thing—
She had transcended Celestia's authority.
She was no longer bound by its rules.
"I see… the power born from the Stigmata Serum has completely replaced the Vision."
"The Stigmata brand on her back has taken its place."
"That Spindrift Knight of Mondstadt… has truly become Aerin's."
"She no longer belongs to Celestia."
Zhongli muttered to himself, seemingly oblivious to the Adepti gathered around him.
"To think such power exists… powerful enough to break the rules themselves."
The Adepti exchanged glances, stunned.
So this was the Stigmata Serum's power?
Something capable of overturning Celestia's order?
The Fifth Descender…
Were they destined to face an enemy even greater than the gods of the sky?
Even Cloud Retainer, normally sharp-tongued and proud, was left utterly speechless.
Even if we burned our lives away… it would amount to nothing.
Snezhnaya — Fatui Harbinger Conference Chamber.
Every Harbinger sat frozen in disbelief.
The fate ordained by the Heavenly Principles—
had been shattered outright.
So this was the power the Fifth Descender had brought into Teyvat.
So tyrannical. So absolute.
The Fatui gathered talents from every nation to serve one goal—
To help the Tsaritsa overthrow the rule of the Heavenly Principles and rebuild the world under a new order.
They had even created Delusions, imitations of Visions, refining them through countless experiments to prepare for that future.
And yet—
The Stigmata in Aerin's hands had directly shattered Celestia's system.
Now those efforts felt laughable.
"I finally understand why the light screen didn't place us among the three contenders," Pierro said with a bitter smile.
"Our Lady Tsaritsa sought to build a new order… yet in the end…"
Arlecchino let out a heavy sigh.
The truth was brutal.
It wasn't that the Tsaritsa refused to compete—
It was that she wasn't qualified to.
And by extension, neither were the Harbingers.
"Hmph."
Scaramouche snorted softly, falling silent.
Yet deep down, he couldn't help but look forward to the day Aerin set foot in Inazuma.
Snezhnaya — the Tsaritsa's chambers.
The Cryo Archon clenched her teeth, fury and bitterness mixing together.
"Clowns… all of it."
"Centuries of preparation, reduced to a joke."
"So this is the Fifth Descender…"
Natlan.
The Pyro Archon Mavuika stared unblinkingly at the light screen, at Eula Lawrence, who had already risen to her feet.
"Like rebirth in blazing fire…"
Mavuika watched every change with rapt attention.
A god who adored passion and aesthetics, she found herself captivated by Eula's transformation.
"The Stigmata mark is a little bold on her back… but not unpleasant."
"There's a distinct kind of beauty to it."
She studied Eula's exposed back for a long moment, then her eyes flickered.
"…This pattern resembles an ancient variant of Liyue script."
"An artistic transformation?"
"The overall shape… looks a lot like Aerin's name."
[Seeing Eula stand again, Benares grew bored and lay back down.]
["How does it feel?"]
["Strange… but wonderful,"] Eula replied, staring at her hands as she clenched and unclenched them.
["A kind of power I've never felt before."]
She stood tall before Benares' massive head.
Her golden eyes shimmered faintly.
Her once short, pale-blue hair now flowed all the way down to her calves, fading gradually from blue to white at the tips.
Soft armored boots encased her long legs.
Her chest was wrapped in white light armor.
Her bodysuit now carried a short skirt, a long swallowtail draping behind her waist.
["My hair's a bit long,"] she muttered.
["But it doesn't get in the way."]
She brushed it aside, testing her limbs.
Though the Valkyrie armor was metallic, it felt no heavier than cloth—
offering protection without restricting movement.
["That's a phenomenon of Stigmata power,"] Benares explained.
["When you withdraw the power, you can choose whether your hair reverts or not."]
["It won't interfere with your daily life."]
Eula glanced at Benares and realized—
Since drinking the serum, the dragon's attitude toward her had grown noticeably gentler.
Is this… favoritism toward one of their own?
She smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Benares."
["While absorbing the serum, I felt… Lord Aerin's thoughts."]
When she had been curled on the ground, memories not her own had flowed into her mind.
They were Aerin's ideals.
["Competing with Celestia and the Abyss for control over Teyvat…]
[He wants the world to progress through that struggle."]
She looked at Benares.
["…Is that right?"]
She hadn't expected such an ambitious goal.
["You already know the answer,"] Benares replied calmly.
["The Stigmata Serum carries the information my master left for his Valkyries."]
["Of course, you're free to reject his ideals."]
["Even opposing him is allowed."]
["He values free will above all."]
Benares spoke without hesitation.
Eula rolled her eyes hard.
["At this point, those words are meaningless."]
["Is there any benefit to opposing him?"]
["No,"] Benares answered immediately.
["Then why say it?"]
Eula stuck out her tongue.
"You're terrible, Benares."
One knight.
One dragon.
They both laughed.
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