Trouble… What do we do now, Lord Barbatos…
Seeing both Dvalin and Andrius openly acknowledge the girl atop the statue as the "true Anemo Archon," Diluc felt a chill in his chest.
If he hadn't witnessed the Skyward Harp incident from the beginning, he might've believed it too.
But the situation had already slipped far beyond anything he could handle—unless he could defeat that girl.
And… could he?
"See? Even they say I'm the real Anemo Archon. No objections now, right?"
Hearing both Dvalin and the big blue husky address him as the true god, Su Mo's mood soared.
"Dvalin, Andrius—what are you two doing?"
Wendy stared at them, utterly baffled. He could tell neither was under Abyssal control, and Dvalin's corruption had even been cleaned away.
Meaning… this girl healed him?
So she stole the Skyward Harp just to do that?
No. Even if that were true, Dvalin wouldn't acknowledge a stranger as Barbatos… and Andrius definitely wouldn't.
What… happened to them?
Dvalin: "…"
Andrius: "…"
They merely looked at him quietly, unable to answer—because the girl had warned them not to reveal anything. To avoid angering her, silence was the only option.
You're just going to stare at me…?
Did you really betray me…?
"Alright, you two can go. No need to make this fake Archon any more embarrassed."
Once Su Mo felt the scene was dramatic enough, she waved her hand dismissively. Dvalin and Andrius obediently withdrew.
"Wow, they actually left just like that… She really is the Archon…"
"I didn't think our Anemo Archon would be such a beautiful girl… Incredible…"
"So is she going to pass judgment on the fake one now?"
The citizens, having recovered from their panic, began murmuring in awe.
Dvalin… Andrius…
Wendy watched their retreating figures silently. He knew everything now hinged on the girl—she alone held the answers.
"I don't know who—"
"Not your turn yet."
Su Mo cut him off without hesitation. Wendy grew even more confused.
Not my turn…?
Then who is she waiting for?
"That's enough. You two can come out now—stop playing hide-and-seek.
Of course, if you want to keep hiding, that's fine… You'll just die.
Also, I know exactly what you came for. I can give you a chance."
Her eyes drifted toward two hidden corners. She had sensed them long before—she simply chose to let Dvalin and Andrius play their role first.
Two…?
And what thing do they want?
Wendy felt another wave of unease. Focused entirely on the imposter, he hadn't even noticed someone else lurking around the plaza.
How did she notice me?!
Did I underestimate this useless god?
No. Impossible.
There must've been a slip somewhere…
The woman known as "the Lady" frowned deeply—she hadn't expected to be discovered. Clearly, something had gone wrong.
What surprised her more: someone else was after the Gnosis too.
Who…?
It seems gods truly cannot be underestimated…
The Abyss Herald stepped out of a warped portal. If the true Anemo Archon was weakened, then today might be the perfect opportunity.
An Abyss Herald…
Is she connected to the Abyss…?
No. Doesn't seem like it.
"Ah… So that's the other one."
The Lady finally saw the second competitor for the Gnosis.
A troublesome opponent…
But if she defeated it first, the Gnosis would be hers.
"Mon… monster—there's a monster here!"
"Don't be afraid! The Anemo Archon is watching over us!"
"Right! She already saw through everything from the start! I bet this is all part of her plan to round up every threat to Mondstadt!"
"Yes! This must be divine providence!"
"Wind blesses Mondstadt!"
…
"Still one more.
Why not come out?
Don't tell me you're shy?"
Su Mo's smile sharpened.
Hmph. Let's see what exactly you're relying on…
The Lady slowly stepped out of the shadows.
The Lady—so she really is after…
Wendy instantly understood—"that thing" referred to the Gnosis.
"A fallen Archon who abandoned ruling Mondstadt… all you have left is a sharp tongue.
Pathetic."
Her steps were slow, deliberate.
"A sharp tongue is very important for a bard."
Wendy: "???"
"You've caused Mondstadt nothing but trouble.
Only when enough mortals die do you finally show yourself, expecting their gratitude…
Is this what you call an Archon?"
The Lady stared coldly at the face that stirred her buried hatred.
If only you were like the "other" gods…
Then that day might have ended differently.
But that world was gone.
"So… you remember.
Then you must hate me."
Su Mo's voice was calm.
"Whether I hate or not doesn't matter anymore.
I only want your Gnosis.
I will offer it to Her."
She extended her hand.
"Hand it over yourself—or I'll take it. You won't like the alternative."
Wendy froze.
Why does she know… that?
Is she connected to Khaenri'ah…?
"The Gnosis?
Oh—you want this.
Fine. It's right here. I won't stop you.
Whoever's faster gets to take it.
That is… if you can withstand it~."
Su Mo pointed at the "core" inside her chest and spread her arms.
Worth the risk.
The Abyss Herald instantly teleported to her.
Even if it cost him his life—if he claimed the Gnosis, it would be worth it.
Idiot…!
The Lady cursed inwardly and lunged after him—she would not let the Abyss take what was hers.
But she was half a beat too slow.
The Herald's hand reached the "Gnosis" first—
And froze.
This… isn't a Gnosis.
This is—
A force more terrifying than the Abyss.
Good.
Then I'll take it once you—
Before she could finish her thought—
"Power… from beyond the world…"
"Deeper… than the Abyss…"
"If the Abyss could…"
The Herald whispered, voice dissolving—
And then his body turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
The Lady stopped dead.
Power… beyond the world?
Deeper than the Abyss?
Does that mean… she's not the Anemo Archon?
Khaenri'ah…?
No—impossible. That nation is gone…
"You don't want it anymore?
You wanted to burn the world, didn't you?
Why stop?
Don't you want its power?
It's very strong, you know.
…How disappointing."
Su Mo sighed theatrically.
"Since you won't take it—
Then let me show you how to use it to burn the world."
"You… what are you trying to do?!"
"Burn the world, of course."
"Burn… burn the…"
"Mhm~
Or in simpler terms—
Destroy it."
She vanished from in front of the Lady.
And when she reappeared above Mondstadt—
Her form had completely changed.
Her power as well.
"Impossible… this power—"
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