"I'm actually quite curious,"
Il Dottore said lazily, eyeing Xier.
"How exactly did you break free of your restraints?"
"Come—tell me. How did you escape my control?"
He showed no concern whatsoever that she might flee.
Xier glared at him, lips tightly pressed together.
She refused to speak.
"Hm. That's fine," Dottore chuckled.
"You'll become obedient soon enough."
He smiled as he slowly advanced.
Tears welled in Xier's eyes as she staggered backward.
"Damn it… I walked straight into a trap…"
"This is it… am I really going back to that hell again?! No—!"
"I won't accept it!!"
"Bronya is still waiting for me!"
"Lord Agarest hasn't rewarded me yet!"
"Director Hu Tao still owes me ten Mora!!"
"HU TAO—PAY ME BACK—!!"
...
...
Dragonspine
[Detected: Intense wish]
[Target: Xier]
[Authorize Vision distribution?]
Cael froze.
The system notification nearly made him jump.
"…Xier?"
Her wish—strong enough to trigger allocation?
"System. Can I distribute it now?"
[Yes.]
"Do it immediately," Cael said without hesitation.
"She's probably in danger."
Nearby, Fischl tilted her head.
"Why halt thou here, mine retainer?"
Cael shook his head calmly.
"It's nothing."
Then he continued the investigation as if nothing had happened.
...
...
At the very brink of despair—
A Vision appeared before Xier.
Dottore paused.
"…Hm?"
Even he hadn't expected this.
Before Xier floated not one of the Seven—but a pitch-black Vision, like a living shadow.
A Dark Element Vision.
"…This is…"
"…Lord Agarest's recognition!!"
Joy and strength surged through her body all at once.
Xier equipped the Vision.
When she looked back at Dottore—
He was still calm.
So what if she just awakened a Vision?
A fledgling means nothing.
Then—
A scythe appeared at his throat.
"What—?!"
Dottore barely dodged in time.
Had he been a fraction slower—
He'd already be dead.
"Interesting," Dottore said coolly.
"I admit—you have some skill."
"But only some."
This was merely one of his segments, yet its power was still formidable.
Xier struck again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Dottore blocked, searching for an opening.
Xier moved fluidly, dark energy flooding her body, wrapping her like armor.
Dottore's eyes lit up with madness.
"Beautiful… such impure darkness…"
"That Vision—Dark Element, isn't it?"
"Does that mean the Dark Demon God still lives?!"
"How marvelous!"
"You possess two worlds' power."
"I must dissect you."
Before he finished—
Xier's hair shifted.
From blue-black—
To black streaked with crimson.
Her presence changed completely.
"…Haah…"
"…A brand-new power."
"Subarashii."
She twirled the scythe and laughed.
"You're Dottore, right?"
"So you enjoy bullying people?"
"Hahaha—then please…"
"Die."
Slash.
A crimson arc flashed.
Dottore froze.
Cold.
Then—
His arms fell to the ground.
He wasn't afraid.
Only ecstatic.
"Magnificent! Is this the fusion of two worlds?!"
Xier—now Dark Xier—looked at him with disdain.
"…Is this guy insane?"
She didn't hesitate.
The scythe fell again.
Darkness detonated.
Dottore's legs were erased instantly.
"Not enough," she laughed wildly.
"This doesn't even excite me!"
Her scythe became a blur.
Dottore's body was reduced to pieces.
A true dismemberment.
Standing amid the blood, she declared:
"I am Seele·Fleur-É—the twin born beyond the veil!"
"Remember it, if you can!"
Her hair reverted.
The madness vanished.
Xier collapsed, barely staying upright.
She looked at the carnage below and gagged.
"…That was too much…"
She fled the scene.
Clutching her Vision, she pinned it over her heart—
beside a small rabbit charm.
"Thank you… Lord Agarest."
"You saved me again."
...
...
Far away—
Cael paused.
"…My Origin Power is increasing?"
Warmth flowed through his body.
So it's Xier…
Her growth was accelerating his recovery.
...
...
From a distant ridge, Zhongli observed quietly.
Had Xier truly reached the point of death—
He would have intervened.
"…Distributing Visions already…"
"A blessing—or a calamity?"
He sighed softly.
"Had I known then… I would have shared osmanthus wine with you again."
"When will we meet once more, old friend?"
He turned and left.
...
...
Xier returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao rushed over, alarmed.
"What happened?! Why are you covered in blood?!"
She carefully cleaned Xier's face—
then noticed the Vision.
"…Huh?"
"Xier, you got a Vision?"
"But this one…"
"I've never seen anything like it."
Only seven elements existed.
This one—didn't belong to any of them.
Xier remembered Cael's warning.
She shook her head quickly.
"It's just a toy I bought on the street."
Hu Tao didn't doubt it for a second.
"Ohhh, makes sense!"
"With the Rite of Descension coming up, vendors are getting creative."
"Dark Element Vision—great atmosphere!"
After all, the Rite didn't only honor Rex Lapis—
It also commemorated the fallen Dark Demon God, Agarest.
Liyue's prosperity owed him much.
Many still mourned him.
At that moment, Zhongli entered.
He froze.
A sudden thought struck him.
When my own retirement comes…
When the Rite of Parting is held…
Will Agarest attend his own memorial?
He smiled faintly.
"…Heh."
What brothers we are.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/ShikamaruNara