Episode 174.5: Bell's Skill: A Wet, Slimy Sensation, Unpleasant Memories
『 This time, although the attack power became more intense, it seemed to sacrifice the flexibility of the body.
It was this subtle oversight that allowed Lumine to seize the opportunity and defeat the current Childe in one fell swoop.
As Childe was defeated, the armor he wore quietly disintegrated with the wind...
Without the armor, Childe also thought a lot...
Among them, the decision that Lumine took to take the Gnosis, as he thought, was completely wrong.
Paimon fully agreed with this point; she was always surprisingly serious when facing accusations.
However, after a conversation about friendship,
Childe seemed to have regained some strength, slowly stood up, and began to ponder the Gnosis problem again.
He began to believe that if the Gnosis was not taken away by someone, then it might not have existed in the Exuvia in the first place.
Or rather, Morax, that guy, was faking his death.
This thought also quietly sprouted in Lumine and Paimon's hearts.
But the two still had doubts, after all, that giant dragon fell before their eyes.
Childe, however, disregarded these; once he determined that Morax might be faking his death, he prepared to activate Plan B.
This backup plan was one Childe was reluctant to use, as it would bring disaster to civilians.
But in the current situation, it became his only option.
Under Lumine's repeated questioning, Childe slowly revealed the contents of Plan B: Releasing theOverlord of the Vortex, Osial, sleeping beneath Guyun Stone Forest.
He was suppressed in the seabed by the Geo Archon Morax with Geo spears hundreds of years ago.
If such a god were to attack Liyue, which had already lost its deity, would the possibly living Morax make a move? 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Daigo (Ultraman): "What?" ]
[ Daigo (Ultraman): "For such a reason, you're going to release a god?" ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "What reason? This is the fastest way to make a god appear." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "You guy." ]
[ Cloud Retainer (Genshin Impact): "No wonder you made so many Sigils of Permission before." ]
[ Cloud Retainer (Genshin Impact): "Although they don't have the power of the genuine ones, with enough quantity, they can still create a gap in a seal." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "God, Osial." ]
[ .....]
『 Regarding these thoughts, Tartaglia showed his anticipation without reservation.
Then, his mind shifted, and a large number of talismans appeared around him.
The moment Paimon saw those things, she immediately recognized their name—Sigil of Permission. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Madame Ping (Genshin Impact): "It's almost time, the seal of the god." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Damn it, I'm going to catch this guy right now." ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "I'm innocent! I haven't done anything yet." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Hmph, you've already completed this plan in the future. It's only right for you now to take the blame for your future self." ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "Ah, this..." ]
[ Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan): "Although I don't agree with this pre-emptive arrest method, what he does in the future is indeed too hateful." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Oh? That's not like you, great detective." ]
[ Ran Mouri (Detective Conan): "Great detective?" ]
[ Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan): "What detective? I just like detectives, like Shinichi Nii-san." ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "Mhm." ]
[ .....]
『 Now, the reason why the Fatui copied so many Sigils of Permission also had an answer.
It turned out to be for this moment.
Childe even frankly stated that what he had given to the two earlier was also a replica.
The numerous Sigils of Permission scattered around, coupled with the power granted to the Harbinger by the Cryo Archon, although unable to completely unseal Guyun Stone Forest, could still loosen it a bit temporarily.
Thinking of creating an opportunity for Morax and Lumine to act, a satisfied smile involuntarily spread across Childe's face.
"Let's wait and see if this land, stripped of divine protection, can withstand the invasion of ancient malice," Tartaglia said as he walked, the Sigils of Permission swirling around him like shadows, emitting waves of energy that shot straight into the sky.
After the matter was settled, Childe immediately prepared to retreat.
Before leaving, he asked Lumine with a playful look: "If you really want to go to the underworld with the Contracted, then you must have fun~."
With that, he quickly disappeared from sight. At this moment, Lumine suddenly felt a bad premonition.
She hurriedly got up and left the Golden House, only to find that outside, it had become stormy at some unknown time. Suddenly, something in the air caught Paimon's attention.
"Traveler, look! What is that thing?"
Their eyes followed to see a massive object flying towards the sea. That building was all too familiar to them—
It was the Jade Chamber, the vehicle of Tianquan Ningguang of Liyue Harbor, which they had visited not long ago.
At the same time, on the sea level of Liyue Harbor, a massive figure slowly revealed its true form... 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece) "Wow! So big, is it delicious?" ]
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Earlier it was said this is a god, so it shouldn't be edible, right?" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "The feeling of seafood is quite unpleasant." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "Zhongli, you still hate seafood so much. What do you think when you see this scene?" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "If possible, stay away from it." ]
[ .....]
〜Honkai: Star Rail World〜
Jarilo-VI, Belobog—
In the Great Guardian's Office.
Looking at the shocking scene on the live stream screen, Bronya blinked her big eyes and turned to Cocolia behind her, asking curiously:
"A god? Is that huge thing in the water a god? So much water, it's amazing!"
In a world perpetually frozen and covered in snow, having never witnessed such a vast amount of water resources, Bronya was filled with novelty.
Not to mention the giant monster in the water.
Cocolia, who had some knowledge of Belobog's history before the Ice Age, also said with great interest:
"All this water, could it be the legendary sea?"
Although Cocolia had never seen the sea with her own eyes, the scene displayed in the video was undoubtedly almost identical to the legendary sea.
Just as vast and boundless as before the snow and ice covered Belobog.
The spirited Bronya's eyes sparkled with curiosity upon hearing this.
"Guardian-sama, have you seen these?"
"No, our world has been locked by ice and snow for too long; these have all become unknown... "
Cocolia said here, seemingly recalling something, and then turned to Bronya:
"Alright, you go slowly watch the live stream, I'm a bit tired."
Although she didn't understand why her mother wanted her to leave, long-formed habits made Bronya not object in the slightest.
"Yes, Guardian-sama!"
With that, she turned neatly and left the Great Guardian's office. When Cocolia was the only one left in the office, she once again gazed at the scene in the live stream, her expression becoming heavy.
"This thing, it's best not to become an unstable factor..."
"Hehehe...."
She chuckled softly, but her heart was in turmoil.
—
『 The scene shifted. After overcoming countless difficulties, the two finally set foot in the magnificent Jade Chamber.
Paimon joked that if they hadn't happened to look up and see the Jade Chamber leisurely passing overhead, they really wouldn't have known where to go.
Fortunately, they arrived at a good time—the giant demon rampant in the sea, the Vortex God, was still trapped in the waves and had not yet reached the borders of Liyue Harbor.
In other words, at this moment, they still held the opportunity firmly in their hands.
Just as the two were resting, a familiar voice echoed behind them, slowly entering their ears.
"You two, why are you here?"
Upon hearing this, Paimon turned around suspiciously, only to see the Adepti they had met earlier, as well as Ningguang, Ganyu, and Keqing, standing quietly behind them at some unknown time.
"Eh? So it's the Adepti. Why are you all in the Jade Chamber? Also, I heard there were some disputes between you and the Qixing. Have you already buried the hatchet?" Paimon's words were filled with confusion before she even finished speaking.
Ningguang smiled and was the first to explain: "At such a critical juncture, the Qixing and we Adepti all believe that disputes should be temporarily set aside, and we should work together to fight against external enemies." 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Thank you all Adepti for your understanding and support." ]
[ Cloud Retainer (Genshin Impact): "Hmph, this is not for anything else, but for our Archon's Liyue. We cannot let Osial run rampant." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Ugh, getting a closer look, this god is truly disgusting." ]
[ Ganyu (Genshin Impact): "Indeed, after that great battle back then, even Rex Lapis felt quite uncomfortable, and it seems he never touched seafood again afterwards." ]
[ Venti (Genshin Impact): "Hmm, the old man did quit seafood, but... hehehe." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "What are you up to again?" ]
[ Venti (Genshin Impact): "I'm not doing anything~" ]
[ Aqua (KonoSuba) "This monster is really ugly. With so many Adepti, hurry up and deal with it." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "Although this guy seems tricky, with us Qixing, the Millelith, and all the Adepti, we will definitely protect every inch of Liyue's land!" ]
[ .....]
『 Upon hearing this, Cloud Retainer hummed unhappily, clearly still feeling resentful.
"Oh~ I see. So what good strategy do you have to repel the enemy?" Paimon's expression was subtle.
"Just that Vortex God under the sea, I felt uncomfortable all over just by looking at it from afar."
Regarding this, a certain Mr. Zhong, who had personally experienced a similar battle many years ago, deeply empathized. That experience still made him avoid seafood to this day, mentioning that it filled him with discomfort.
In the ranks of the Millelith, the recruits were swaying one after another, clearly on the verge of collapsing. The lingering prestige of this ancient god was indeed well-deserved.
After Keqing's exclamation, her eyes became exceptionally firm: "Precisely because of this, we absolutely cannot let such a monster approach our Liyue Harbor by even a single step!"
Looking at the exhausted Millelith soldiers around, Paimon's face was also filled with anxiety: "This is truly terrifying. Is this what the Archon War two thousand years ago was like? Such an enemy is truly daunting."
At this moment, she couldn't help but question, they could really defeat such an enemy?
"So, relying on the Qixing present, the Millelith, and all the Adepti, can we deal with the threat in the sea?" Paimon finished speaking, eagerly awaiting a positive answer.
After all, that monster was truly terrifying.
However, Ningguang's answer almost sent Paimon's heart plummeting.
"The Adepti already have a plan in mind. The outcome of this battle..." Paimon looked at Ningguang with anticipation, who slowly uttered two words: "Hard to predict."
Hearing this answer, Paimon paced anxiously, repeatedly confirming with everyone: "No way, you are the Adepti who protect Liyue, the supreme Qixing of Liyue. Is there really no way?"
If even these people were helpless, today might truly be ill-fated.
Just then, a woman's words rekindled Paimon's hope.
"No, there is still a way."
Paimon anxiously turned to the speaker—Cloud Retainer.
It turned out that after the Guizhong Ballista was accidentally repaired, the Millelith began a series of studies. Although the results were minimal, Cloud Retainer, the creator of the Guizhong Ballista, was right there.
She casually suggested that with a slight modification, this ancient weapon could achieve a qualitative leap, becoming incredibly powerful. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "As expected of the most inventive Adeptus, to be able to do such a thing." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "So that's how it is, that's the development process in the future." ]
[ Oyama Mihari (Onimai): "Modification, is it really in time?" ]
[ Cloud Retainer (Genshin Impact): "This Adeptus believes in her own strength." ]
[ .....]
『 "Then, let us use the modified Guizhong Ballista to fight against the god, and I ask all Adepti to lend your Adeptal power." After gaining the approval of all Adepti, Ningguang formed a hand seal: "Time waits for no one, the decisive battle begins now! Activate!"
With that, the hand seal in Ningguang's hand rapidly expanded, and the power of the Geo element slowly lifted her, pointing directly at the sky.
Immediately after, the protagonist's hands gathered surging energy, activating a magnificent array.
As the array's light flickered, one modified new Guizhong Ballista after another slowly rose. They were no longer the old crossbows, but had evolved into divine artifacts.
The three Adepti witnessed this scene and eagerly leapt onto these new Guizhong Ballista, each infusing them with Adeptal energy.
In an instant, with the influx of this sacred power, the new Guizhong Ballista seemed to come alive, launching a fierce counterattack against the distant god. With a single strike, the god retreated step by step, in disarray. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "So, so powerful! As expected of an Adeptus!" ]
[ .....]
『 Just as everyone thought this strike had been effective, several spatial rifts suddenly opened above the battle platform, and a group of uninvited enemies poured out from them.
Teleportation gates opened one after another, and Fatui soldiers surged like a tide, their target directly at the newly successful Guizhong Ballista.
At this moment, Paimon nervously tugged at Lumine's sleeve, urgently shouting: "Oh no, Lumine, the Fatui are here! They're attacking the new Guizhong Ballista!" 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "These guys are Fatui soldiers. They actually came to attack at this time." ]
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "They're really too hateful." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "The Fatui, truly despicable." ]
[ .....]
『 Facing the sudden attack, Keqing didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately led the Millelith into battle.
Lumine settled Paimon beside her, drew her sword, and resolutely joined the battlefield.
"Adepti and gods, thousands of years of tranquility are about to be broken." Cloud Retainer, while casting her spells, did not forget to provoke the distant god, "Today, let this Adeptus see what you guys are capable of!"
Seemingly sensing Cloud Retainer's challenge, the distant Vortex God Osial condensed a massive energy orb in its mouth.
Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons, observed this rapidly expanding energy orb and calmly reported to everyone: "The Vortex God, Osial."
"That is his divine power; I am very familiar with it."
After the warning, Xiao did not forget to caution: "Everyone must be careful, ready to evade at any time."
No sooner had Xiao's words fallen than Osial's fierce offensive slammed onto the platform. A series of impacts made the Millelith, who were already fiercely fighting the Fatui soldiers, even more flustered.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the Fatui soldiers seemed to smell victory. Disregarding the casualties of their comrades, they rushed at everyone even more fiercely, their offensive suddenly intensifying.
Noticing this sudden change, a Millelith soldier hastily reported in a loud voice: "The Fatui's offensive has become fiercer!"
Before he could finish speaking, he was ambushed and knocked to the ground by a stealthy Fatui soldier.
However, that ambusher's good luck was short-lived, as he was instantly engulfed by an energy orb flying from Osial, turning into nothingness.
After witnessing this scene, Keqing not only showed no sympathy but grew even angrier: "To dare to launch a sneak attack at this time."
"After we get through this, I will make those diplomats from Snezhnaya pay, especially Childe."
Ningguang, who was continuously providing support from the side, looked grave and firmly expressed her agreement, vowing to severely punish the enemy.
The battle was urgent, with Fatui soldiers pouring out of the teleportation gates like a tide. Lumine had just fought Childe, and her stamina had not fully recovered. Facing the endless enemies, she gradually felt overwhelmed.
"Children, are you feeling a bit tired?" Madame Ping seemed to notice Lumine's predicament.
"Don't give up, come, accept Grandma's power."
A notification sound also seemed to come from everyone's ears: Ding! Madame Ping sent a temporary buff: Madame Ping's Shockwave. 』
『 .....』