Die?
Upon hearing Caelus's words, the arrogance that had just risen in many people's hearts was instantly extinguished.
If they were asked to fight Abyss monsters, they wouldn't fear death.
But to lose their lives in a contest against the Pyro Archon—that seemed a bit… unworthy.
"I'll do it!"
Just then, a white-haired girl jumped down from the audience stands.
"Caelus, I am very angry right now."
Mualani pointed at him and said, "I'm definitely going to beat you until you're picking your teeth up off the ground, and then I'll listen to your explanation for why you're shutting down the Sacred Night of the Return of Flame."
In all of Natlan, Mualani was probably the only one who dared to speak to Caelus in such a tone.
"Mualani, she—she—why did she just go down there?"
Kachina had only just understood the situation when Mualani had already jumped down with her weapon.
"I can feel it. Mualani really is furious right now."
Kinich said as he summoned his weapon into his hand.
Kachina was startled upon seeing this. "Kinich, are you going too?"
"Yeah. Even if it might not change anything, I don't want to just sit here and wait for death."
Kinich said.
"Then I'll go too…"
Seeing her two good friends join in, Kachina also wanted to enter the arena.
"Kachina, you don't have to force yourself."
After saying that, Kinich leaped down and landed in the arena as well.
At the same time, Iansan from the Land of the Impetuous, Chasca from the Flower-Feather Clan, and other warriors of Natlan also stepped into the arena.
"The people of Natlan truly don't fear battle."
"Even if the opponent is a god, it's the same."
When Caelus saw so many people willing to fight him, instead of anger, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.
This was the Natlan he remembered.
Caelus checked the system's emotion points; they had already surpassed 3,000 and were approaching 3,500.
If he could defeat Mavuika and the others with overwhelming dominance in this battle, the emotion points might even exceed 4,000.
"The starting time is up to you. If you want to discuss tactics, do it now."
After speaking, Caelus crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"He really is composed."
Mualani curled her lip. "Even though Caelus has always liked to show off, this is the first time I can't bring myself to smile."
"After all, he is now the Pyro Archon. Dealing with us might not be any harder than crushing ants," Kinich said. "What should we do?"
"If we need to last two seconds against the Pyro Archon, I suggest everyone run in different directions."
"That way, there's a high chance at least one person can last two seconds."
"A good strategy." Mavuika nodded. "However, to a Pyro Archon, our speed is still too slow."
"I propose that one person faces the Pyro Archon head-on while the others run as far as possible."
"As for who will face him, I'll do it."
Mavuika patted her chest.
"That's too dangerous."
"The Pyro Archon might only need a little force, and you could be crushed."
Kinich said.
"Even if it's dangerous, I must go."
Mavuika clenched her fist. "Besides, I don't think Caelus would actually kill us."
"I don't sense any killing intent from him."
"…Alright." Kinich had no choice but to agree to Mavuika's plan.
"I want to fight Caelus too," Mualani said, hands on her hips. "Just watch me teach him a lesson."
"Then I'll fight the Pyro Archon as well."
Iansan and Chasca spoke at the same time.
"Running away isn't really our style," Iansan said, scratching her head with a sheepish grin.
She was small in stature, but her courage was unquestionable.
Kinich sighed softly. "Sigh… the two fastest runners are actually staying behind to fight."
Chasca wielded a weapon that allowed her to fly, and Iansan of the Land of the Impetuous was exceptionally fast on foot.
The fact that both chose frontal confrontation instead of retreat made Kinich feel the outlook was bleak.
The group quickly finalized their plan.
Mavuika, Mualani, Iansan, and Chasca would confront Caelus head-on.
Kinich and the other warriors would do everything possible to run and survive for two seconds.
"Lord Pyro Archon, we're ready!"
The moment Mavuika finished speaking, she raised her greatsword and slashed at Caelus.
Having once been the Pyro Archon herself, she knew he would certainly react.
Pyro energy ignited her green greatsword, turning it red-hot and filling it with destructive force.
Even a powerful Abyss Herald would struggle to escape being cut in half by such an attack.
However, Caelus paid no attention to Mavuika's slash.
The moment she declared the start, he opened his eyes and made a drawing motion—though he held neither bow nor arrow.
In the next instant, flames gathered in his hand, forming a bow.
His other hand held an arrow condensed from fire.
"Never miss a shot."
As he released the arrow, Caelus recalled Mondstadt's strongest Pyro archer and casually used that person's burst voice line.
Mavuika with her greatsword, Mualani attacking from the side, and Iansan and Chasca close behind—
Along with Kinich and the others who had already turned to flee—
In an instant, all of them were pierced by flaming arrows shot by Caelus, their movements frozen as if time itself had stopped.
Thud.
Thud.
One by one, the warriors fell to the ground.
In the end, even Mavuika could no longer stand.
Just before collapsing, she used her last bit of strength to thrust her greatsword into the ground to support herself.
"Mavuika, you've already lost."
Caelus said calmly.
"Yes… I've lost."
Mavuika smiled, though her face was pale. "To think that you've only just obtained the Gnosis and can already control elemental power so skillfully."
"I caused quite a lot of trouble back then…"
Before she could finish, her eyelids drooped shut, and she fell like the others.
Everyone who challenged the Pyro Archon had been defeated.
The Pyro Archon had used only a single move to defeat all of Natlan's top combatants at once.
"How are we supposed to fight someone like that?"
"Even Mavuika and the others couldn't last a second. Even if we all attacked together, it wouldn't matter."
The people of Natlan in the arena completely abandoned any thoughts of opposing the Pyro Archon.
Asking them to fight the Pyro Archon was worse than asking them to fight the Abyss.
"Take them to the infirmary."
"I'll cover the medical expenses."
After saying this, Caelus turned into flames once more and vanished from sight.