From afar, Venti saw what was happening and laughed. He fired more arrows, knocking down every last Hilichurl, then focused entirely on the two Abyss Mages in front of him.
Lora gazed at the Abyss Herald and spoke slowly.
"According to Fontaine law, I should judge your crimes before the people of Fontaine. But this is not the Court of Fontaine Region, you are not a Fontaine citizen, nor even a Teyvatian. I see no need to base my judgment on Fontaine law, so… you shall receive the death penalty directly."
At this point, Lora even seemed slightly excited.
"This is the first time I've ever passed a sentence not based on Fontaine law—and it's a death sentence. You're quite lucky!"
She might feel sympathy for the Hilichurl and refrain from eliminating them unless absolutely necessary. But for members of the Abyss Order, she had no such compassion.
The Abyss Herald desperately wanted to curse, Do you even want this luck? He had only come to probe the situation—how had he ended up sentenced to death outright? Was this woman truly the Hydro Archon Egeria? Who passed death sentences with such excitement? She seemed more like an evil god!
But whether she was evil or divine could wait. If he didn't flee now, he truly would die.
Though the Abyss Order constantly chanted about toppling divine thrones and overturning heavenly order, he knew his own limits. Facing weaker archons was one thing, but against an elite like Egeria, his power offered no chance of resistance.
The Abyss Herald spun to flee.
Water blades erupted from Lora's side, ripping through space itself and blocking his escape.
Facing the barrage, the Abyss Herald tried to shatter them with cryo power. Yet every time he froze one blade, a new one instantly formed beside it. At the same time, the frozen blades rapidly thawed. With each exchange, the number of water blades surrounding him multiplied severalfold.
The blades severed the cryo ring suspended behind him, then coalesced into shackles that bound his limbs.
"Apologies," Lora said as she dragged the "Judgment of the Raging Sea" toward him, smiling while calmly explaining Fontaine law. "Fontaine's laws stipulate that those who refuse to submit face an additional charge."
Aggravated punishment?
A surge of old blood lodged in the Abyss Herald's chest, neither swallowable nor spit out. He was already facing execution—what difference did an added charge make?
Lora stepped up before him, grinning as she raised the "Judgment of the Raging Sea," a weapon utterly mismatched to her slender frame.
"It's been five hundred years since the 'Judgment of the Raging Sea' was last used. Would you mind testing whether it's still sharp? Don't forget to leave a good review, dear."
Lora was beautiful, and her smile was even more captivating—but in the Abyss Herald's eyes, she now looked like a demon.
A gentle-looking girl wielding a sword half her size, hacking you down while cheerfully asking for a good review.
That was really hard to rate.
As the "Judgment of the Raging Sea" was about to cleave down, the Abyss Herald—unable to flee or fight back—screamed at the top of his lungs.
"S-save me! Prince!!"
The instant the cry left his mouth, the descending "Judgment of the Raging Sea" was blocked by another sword.
Following the blade, Lora saw a blond youth standing nearby, bearing a striking resemblance to Lumine. He had intercepted her strike.
Lora immediately retreated. Her smile vanished as she drove the "Judgment of the Raging Sea" into the ground beside her and fixed her gaze on the young man.
"You are Lumine's brother—the 'Prince' of the Abyss Order, Aether, correct?"
Venti, who had still been entangled with the two Abyss Mages, noticed Aether's appearance. He swiftly fired two arrows, forcing the mages back, then moved to Lora's side.
Staring at Aether beside the Abyss Herald, he said in amazement, "The 'Prince' of the Abyss? Did something this incredible really happen during my five-hundred-year slumber?"
"So it is you, Egeria."
Aether sheathed his sword and looked at Lora. Her appearance, along with the "Judgment of the Raging Sea" in her hand, left no doubt—she was the Hydro Archon who had died in the Khaenri'ah War five hundred years ago.
Even after confirming her resurrection, Aether showed no concern over how she had returned.
The two Abyss Mages knocked back by Venti returned to Aether's side, watching Lora and Venti warily.
Lora gripped the hilt of the "Judgment of the Raging Sea" and stared at Aether.
"Prince of the Abyss, you sent your subordinates to drive these Hilichurl toward Mondstadt. Are you planning to declare war on us?"
Aether shook his head.
"Do not misunderstand. I merely came to greet you and see what a resurrected Archon looks like. Hydro Archon, you no longer sit upon the divine throne, so you are not my enemy. My enemy is 'Heavenly Principles'. I still have an unfinished war with it."
"Then how do you explain what you did to Dvalin?" Lora demanded.
Aether's expression remained unchanged.
"I require the power of the Elemental Dragon Sovereigns. Though its strength has not reached its peak and its authority is incomplete, as a newly born Wind Dragon Sovereign, it still serves a purpose to me."
Hearing this, Venti frowned. His gaze turned cold as he spoke in a low voice.
"If not for the Abyss, Dvalin would not be suffering like this… and now you still dare to covet its power."
The wind around them sharpened, slicing through Aether's bangs.
Sensing the killing intent carried on the wind, Aether continued calmly.
"God of Wind, are you prepared to reclaim your crown for this dragon?"
"Venti, calm down."
Lora pressed a hand against Venti's shoulder, her gaze fixed on Aether, full of vigilance.
She was familiar with Lumine as a traveler, but knew almost nothing about Aether as the Abyss's "Prince." Facing the unknown, she understood she could neither act rashly nor lower her guard.
Venti gripped the "Skyward Harp" tightly, staring at Aether and the Abyss Herald behind him. After a long moment, he loosened his grip, suppressing the urge to strike.
He forced a smile.
"Truly befitting His Highness, the 'Prince' of the Abyss."
Aether smiled faintly.
"Now that we've met, we'll take our leave."
A fissure opened behind him. Abyss Mages and Abyss Heralds bowed respectfully, parting to clear a path.
Lora watched Aether and the Abyss Herald beside him. Her hand tightened slightly around the "Judgment of the Raging Sea."
Above the Abyss Herald, a colossal blade—formed from surging Hydro power and Lora's divine might—materialized in midair and slashed downward.