Ei, because of her sister's death, has never trusted her own people. But look at the people of Liyue. Is this all-out effort really useless? No, it's not! Even the weakest citizens are a part of Liyue, and they are all working hard to protect it.
Jean:If only this could be made into a movie. I would also like to show the people of Mondstadt what is the most important thing for a country. It's not Mora, nor is it so-called "freedom." It is an incomparably firm sense of unity.
Lisa:This is simply astonishing. I never thought that anyone could withstand three of an Archon's attacks. This is simply a miracle.
Although the Vortex Archon hadn't even moved from the Guyun Stone Forest, his terrifying attacks were not something ordinary people could block. At the very least, she believed that if the people of Mondstadt had encountered this situation, they would have probably just run away.
Kamisato Ayaka:Lady Yae Miko, this is too astonishing. I never thought people could fight against an Archon like this.
She had been working hard for Inazuma all this time, but her country was still plagued by difficulties. Now, seeing Liyue, she finally understood why they had been able to progress so rapidly in just over a month. It was that terrifying sense of unity.
Yae Miko:Sigh, tell me about it. It's a pity our Raiden Shogun is still hiding in her Plane of Euthymia, being a shut-in. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.
To face a problem and only think of running away, versus a nation united from top to bottom to fight an Archon—the gap was just too large.
In Liyue Harbor, the citizens, seeing the Archon's attack being blocked once again, all walked out of their homes and began to help the Millelith. Even if it was just moving elemental cannonballs, they were willing to offer their own small bit of strength!
The originally dark night sky was illuminated by the thousands of lanterns, lighting up the entire Liyue Harbor.
"These elemental cannons can only temporarily stop the waves; they absolutely cannot hold for too long."
Under the rain, Keqing made an accurate judgment. The number of cannonballs they had produced was very limited. It was very likely that they would have to evacuate the coastal area in a bit.
Sucrose nodded. "According to my precise calculations, we can hold out for another ten minutes at most. After ten minutes, the cannonballs will be completely exhausted. After that, it will be up to Ningguang and the others."
The ammunition was limited. Obstructing the Archon's power was just a stalling tactic.
"Mm. Let's have the citizens retreat in an orderly manner. They have been brave enough. We can't let these people get hurt," Keqing said with a rare smile. Although the situation was urgent, seeing the citizens also working hard made her heart happy.
At that very moment, a violent explosion occurred at a distant cannon emplacement.
Keqing looked in that direction and saw that a Fatui Harbinger had actually come out to cause trouble.
"You want to resist the power of an Archon? Don't make me laugh! Kill them all! Destroy these things!"
Scaramouche, leading a group of Fatui, had actually used the chaos to sneak near the cannon emplacements.
Keqing gritted her teeth. "Damn it! It's these guys again! Sucrose, you take command. I'll go and stop him."
"Okay! You be careful!"
Sucrose took over the command and continued to suppress the waves.
In the distance, because of Scaramouche's appearance, at least twenty cannon emplacements had been destroyed.
With a flash of lightning, Keqing appeared in front of him.
"Black Blade unit, all members! Fight to the death!"
"Yo, isn't this the Liyue Qixing? You don't really think you can challenge me, do you?"
Looking at the delicate young woman blocking his path, Scaramouche's eyes were full of contempt. He simultaneously launched an attack.
Lightning and lightning continuously collided.
He was shocked to find that Keqing had actually managed to block his attack.
"What? Are you surprised? Did you think our Liyue was something you could just bully as you please? I'm sorry, but I will not allow anyone to harm Liyue!"
As she spoke, one after another, flower-clones appeared around Scaramouche and began to attack. Four figures unleashed Starward Sword.
"My sword is as a flash of light, purging all that is worldly!"
"Mere swordplay, how can you contend with me?! Shatter! Anyone who stands in the way of the Fatui, I will tear them all apart!"
Scaramouche activated the power of his Delusion. The terrifying power directly shattered Keqing's clones.
But her real body, enduring the shockwave, stabbed her sword into his body.
Keqing was bleeding, but her gaze was incomparably resolute. Even if it meant trading injuries, she could not let this Harbinger destroy any more of the cannons.
"You crazy woman! To think you would use such a method to stall me!" Scaramouche was furious. To stop him, she was willing to throw away her own life. What kind of madness was this?
But just as he was about to cut off Keqing's arm, a frost-laden arrow interrupted his attack.
Ganyu had recovered her strength and was providing support from a distant mountaintop.
Scaramouche cursed inwardly and had to give up the idea of seriously injuring Keqing, because the arrows were continuously shooting from the sky. If he tried to attack, he would be shot into a sieve in the next moment. The Qilin's power was still a threat to him.
"Damn it! How did that woman recover so quickly?!" Scaramouche cursed and could only temporarily retreat.
But at this moment, he discovered that the Fatui he had brought with him had all been held up by Liyue's Black Blade unit. Not a single cannon had been destroyed.
He glanced into the distance and sneered. "So what if you stalled me? Your defensive line already has a gap! Hahahaha!"
Scaramouche disappeared into the darkness.
And just as he had said, because there was now a gap in the cannon fire, the defensive line, which could have held for another ten minutes, now only lasted for five before it completely collapsed.
Looking at the rolling waves rushing straight for Liyue Harbor, Osial, who had been blocked time and time again, was now enraged.
A giant water bomb flew over the sea, heading for Liyue Harbor. If this one blow landed, a large part of the harbor would be destroyed.
Ganyu was unable to unleash her explosive power from before, and Shenhe was also exhausted. The cannonballs had no effect on the giant water bomb.
The eyes of the people were filled with despair.
"Who can stop it now?!"
"Please, save us! Just like the Stove Archon did in the past! Please buy a little more time for the heroes who are fighting!"
"We beg you! Is there anyone who can stop this attack?!"
The common people were out of options and could only pray continuously, hoping that their faith could reach the adepti or the Geo Archon.
In the stories that had been spread not long ago, there was a Stove Archon who had blocked disaster and disease. Now, they knew that the heroes on the front lines had already done their best. Now, they could only rely on those deities to make a move.
Xiao, wearing his mask, was already prepared for battle. The three adepti also wanted to step in and block this attack. Even if the Lord Emperor would blame them later, they could not let such a thing land in Liyue Harbor.
At this very moment, in the midst of the thousands of lanterns in Liyue Harbor, a fiery red light began to glow.
From the darkness, Xiangling's companion, Guoba, walked out.
Once, countless people had also worshiped and believed in me like this.
Once, they had loved me, just as I loved them.
Once, other Archons would always ask me why I loved humans so much.
At that time, Marchosius had replied: "Because humans are the most passionate of all creatures."
A thousand lanterns, a thousand points of faith, all converged within its body.
"Osial! Don't even think about destroying what I love!"
An angry roar echoed through the sky.
At that moment, Zhongli paused his teacup. The three adepti were all stunned. The Conqueror of Demons was dumbfounded.
And Madame Ping's eyes were filled with tears. This voice… could it be that he has returned?
Liyue was not just protected by one deity, but by countless. It was just that Rex Lapis had lived the longest.
At this special time today, another deity had entered the stage!
A scorching flame rose from the outskirts of Liyue Harbor. The raging waves were turned into a giant cloud of steam in the face of the flames.
Amidst the steam, the people saw a giant figure, standing in front of LDiyue Harbor.
An unimaginably large flame had neutralized Osial's attack, and the nearby wind and waves were also suppressed.
"It's you… Marchosius!"
"You're not dead!"
"You still dare to protect Liyue?!" Osial roared in anger.
At the same time, the people understood who had just made a move.
The Stove Archon, Marchosius! He had protected Liyue once again.
However, he had only appeared for an instant before vanishing. His divine power was just a flash in the pan, appearing only because of the people's prayers, not truly recovered.
But this one scene made the people of Liyue understand: the Stove Archon had not abandoned them. His divine power was just exhausted.
People began to weep. It was always at the most difficult of times that the gentle Stove Archon would stand up and block everything.
They had discovered the Stove Archon's state, and the Vortex Archon, Osial, naturally discovered it as well.
So the attack just now had been his last gasp.
"Marchosius! You fool! You've dedicated everything to your believers, but what's the use? Without your power, you're just a piece of trash! And I will devour you to completely restore my former strength!"
The Vortex Archon laughed maniacally, and his body gradually began to unfurl. The power of the seal had made him very uncomfortable. Now, he just had to hope that Morax wouldn't appear. As for those little things in Liyue Harbor, he could kill them with ease.
Adepti? Heh, before me, they are just toys. The opponent of an Archon will always be an Archon. This is the gap between our levels.
And at this very moment, a streak of rainbow-colored light flew in from the distance, finally stopping between the Jade Chamber and the Vortex Archon.
"Hah… finally made it!"
Su Han looked at the unharmed Liyue and let out a breath of relief.
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