Genshin Impact World.
"A Fatui Harbinger attacked you directly?"
After hearing Caelus recount the events, Mavuika frowned, her expression turning grave.
"He must have come to seize the Gnosis, just like what happened with the bard before," Paimon said confidently, crossing her arms.
Back then, they had just stepped out of the cathedral when they were ambushed by La Signora, and Venti's Gnosis was taken.
Unexpectedly, a similar situation had almost unfolded in Natlan.
"The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya is certainly capable of such actions," Mavuika nodded slightly.
The ambitions of the Fatui were no secret.
Even ordinary citizens knew that the Fatui did not lack the boldness to act against the gods of other nations.
"I do not believe he came under the Tsaritsa's direct orders," Caelus said with a faint chuckle, his gaze shifting thoughtfully toward the red-haired woman. "He may have been targeting the plan you are currently organizing."
"My plan?" Mavuika's pupils contracted slightly, surprise flashing across her face.
"Mavuika's plan?" Paimon's mouth fell open. "Does that mean…"
"Paimon, quiet." Lumine raised a finger to her lips. "That is not something we can speak about openly."
"Oh, right." Paimon hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
That did not stop others from voicing their confusion.
"A Fatui Harbinger… how would he know about Mavuika's plan?" Kinich crossed his arms, lowering his head in thought. "That does not add up. He was not present back then."
As one of the awakened Six Heroes, Kinich possessed fragments of memories from five hundred years ago.
Within those memories, there was no indication that Mavuika's plan had ever been exposed to a Fatui Harbinger.
"Huh? What are you all talking about?"
Mualani blinked her bright red eyes, looking around in bewilderment. "Even Paimon knows about Mavuika's plan, but I have never heard of it. What is it?"
"It is a secret that cannot be disclosed," Caelus replied with a smile.
"Oh, just tell me. Being the only one left in the dark is making me anxious." Mualani's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Before, only Caelus kept things from her. Now an entire group was doing the same.
Even Paimon, who usually seemed a bit absent-minded, knew about the plan, yet she did not. That was far too frustrating.
"Your Excellency, something terrible has happened."
At that moment, several Natlan warriors rushed in urgently.
"What is it?" Caelus's expression sharpened at once.
"If you are referring to the Fatui Harbinger attacking the Pyro Archon, then there is no need for concern," Paimon said cheerfully, waving her fists. "He was already driven away."
"That is not the issue." The warrior shook his head, his expression tense. "A moment ago, Abyssal monsters suddenly attacked the champions of the Pilgrimage of the Blazing Return. Iansan and Kaiulani were both targeted."
"Iansan successfully repelled the monsters and was not severely injured."
"But Kaiulani…"
The warrior lowered his head. His voice grew heavy, sorrow clouding his face.
"What happened to Aunt Kaiulani?"
Sensing the change in tone, Mualani immediately asked, her voice trembling.
She and Kaiulani were both from the People of the Springs and shared a close bond.
The moment she heard Kaiulani had been attacked, her first thought was for her safety.
"Kaiulani sacrificed herself," the warrior said quietly. "She used her life to shield her companions who did not bear Ancient Names, and she fell beneath the claws of the Abyss."
"How could that be…"
Mualani's face turned pale, disbelief filling her expression.
The others also fell silent, their expressions darkening.
"Judging by the timing, this occurred while I was confronting Il Capitano," Caelus murmured, his voice calm and cold. "They chose their moment well."
The Abyss had acted with precision.
Knowing that Mavuika, Mualani, and the others were gathered at the Sacred Flame Arena, they deliberately targeted those who had already departed.
They even chose the exact moment Caelus was occupied in battle, when his attention could not extend outward.
"Your Excellency, in this situation, can we still perform the Ode of Resurrection to bring Kaiulani back?"
After the warrior spoke, nearly everyone present turned their eyes toward Caelus with hope.
They did not realize that, given the current condition of the Night Kingdom, even the Ode of Resurrection would fail to restore her.
Of course, Caelus could personally enter the Night Kingdom and retrieve Kaiulani himself.
It was just that he had other intentions.
"Recall those who have not yet gone far from the Sacred Flame Arena and prepare to perform the Ode of Resurrection."
"I have urgent matters to attend to. From this point onward, follow Mavuika's arrangements."
After entrusting the task to Mavuika, Caelus was suddenly enveloped in blazing light and vanished from sight.
Even Mavuika, Kinich, and the Traveler, the strongest present, could not clearly perceive how he departed.
"Everyone, do as His Excellency instructed," Mavuika said firmly.
Though she did not know what Caelus intended to do, he had placed his trust in her. She would fulfill her duty.
"Yes."
Accustomed to Mavuika's leadership, the people of Natlan quickly began gathering at the Sacred Flame Arena.
Meanwhile.
The Night Kingdom.
Caelus found Kaiulani surrounded by Rifthounds.
Without hesitation, he released several arrows of condensed Pyro Element. The beasts were instantly reduced to ashes, dissipating within the Night Kingdom.
"Caelus? Why are you here already?"
Kaiulani looked surprised. "Have they finished performing the Ode of Resurrection?"
Although she had not fought in many Night Warden Wars, she had witnessed numerous resurrection rites.
Logically, it should not have been this quick.
"Not yet." Caelus shook his head. "The condition of the Night Kingdom is deteriorating. The power of the Ode of Resurrection can no longer restore you."
"Ah… I see." A trace of disappointment flickered across her eyes. "So I cannot return?"
The disappointment was brief. She quickly composed herself and smiled faintly. "Then consider it as having fought a true Night Warden War."
"By that logic, if you cannot return, then you lost the war," Caelus replied with a raised brow.
"I am already dead. Could you not say something kinder?" Kaiulani shot him an exasperated look.
"I would not joke about the deceased," Caelus said with a small smile. "In truth, I can take you away even without relying on the Ode of Resurrection."
"Really?" Hope returned to her gaze.
For the people of Natlan, dying to protect comrades was a noble end.
Still, living to see that honor was always preferable.
"It is possible, but not now. I will bring you back at the proper time." Caelus's tone grew serious. "This concerns a plan established by the Pyro Archon five hundred years ago to save Natlan. I will explain everything later."
"The Pyro Archon from five hundred years ago?" Kaiulani blinked in surprise. She had not imagined that her fate would intertwine with such a distant plan.
"Before I explain, I have something to ask," Caelus continued. "After receiving upgraded equipment, your team's combat capability should have increased significantly. There should not have been casualties."
If the Abyss had deployed a large force, he would have sensed it.
The number of monsters involved had been limited.
Logically, with enhanced firepower, they should have suppressed them easily.
Kaiulani gave an awkward smile. "It is embarrassing to admit."
"After the Individual Competition concluded and we learned there would be no more Night Warden War, we were… discouraged. So we decided to drink."
"At that time, we were so drunk we could barely walk straight, yet we still insisted on returning to the Tribe before nightfall. That was when the Abyssal monsters appeared."
As she spoke, she could not help but wince slightly.
Had they remained sober, they would have eliminated the monsters effortlessly with their upgraded equipment.
Drinking truly does lead to trouble.
...
This fanfiction is completed on p@treon
[email protected]/guilt_free_daoist
Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.