[Radiant Sovereign Edict]— Command the Allies of Star and Earth, summon a blizzard to strike the target,and conjure spectral bone-remnants around them to trigger explosive bursts!
This was Citra Lili's strongest killing art—essentially a Cryo mage's Blizzard plus a necromancer's Corpse Explosion.The damage it unleashed was terrifying.
Already rattled from Liang Chuan's self-detonation,the Captain was battered again by the blizzard and bone detonations.His "HP bar" dipped visibly.
But the Captain was the strongest of the Harbingers—a man capable of fighting the Pyro Archon to a near-draw.
Citra Lili could wound him,but defeating him outright was nearly impossible.
The Captain pushed through the storm of ice and exploding bone,closing the distance in a flash.
CRACK!!!
With a single, full-powered strike,he shattered Citra Lili's Ice Shield.
His one-handed sword pressed against her neck.The blizzard she summoned immediately dissipated.
"Why… aren't you killing me now?"Citra Lili glared at him.
"Obsidian High Priestess, Citra Lili.I've been looking for you for some time.I did not expect you to deliver yourself to me today."
The Captain's tone was calm, almost casual.
"I'm not killing you because your life is useful.Come with me."
Citra Lili clenched her fists—eyes filling with resolve.
Even if it cost her life,she would not become a Fatui pawn.
She summoned a spectral bone-remnant into her arms.She intended to do what Liang Chuan did—
explode alongside him.
But at that moment, a familiar voice rang out:
"See? This is why mages shouldn't fight warriors in melee.Once he's in your face, you're basically unplayable!"
"Liang Chuan! You're alive!!!"
Citra Lili's eyes widened with joy.
"Alive… well, technically I died.Then I revived."
Liang Chuan shrugged.
"You Natlan folks should be familiar with that concept."
"But you don't have an Ancient Name.You didn't use a Soul-Reciting Verse…How did you revive?"
"Don't ask.Otherworld mechanics.Different rules."
He cleared his throat, pointed at the Captain, and yelled:
"HEY, CAPTAIN!Let go of the pink-haired twin-tail grandma!Or I'll let you admire an even BIGGER Patrick Star!"
Liang Chuan pulled several clay bombs out of his [Inventory]—already stuffing one into his mouth.
"Don't rush to respond—I KNOW I can't kill you with this.But if you take Citra Lili away?Once I revive,I'll march straight to your Fatui base.
Then we'll see whether your troops—and all your precious facilities—are as explosion-proof as you are!"
The Captain's grip on his sword visibly trembled.
Unlike the Doctor or certain other Harbingers,the Captain actually cared about his subordinates.
Liang Chuan's threat hit the mark.
"…Truly despicable."
The Captain exhaled, then sheathed his sword.
"If you insist on becoming an enemy of the Tsaritsa—I hope you don't regret the consequences."
"Consequences?What consequence is worse than death?"Liang Chuan raised an eyebrow.
If he wasn't afraid of dying,why would he fear the Tsaritsa?
The Captain fell silent,then turned his head as an engine roar echoed in the distance.
A motorbike.
"It's Maravika! Maravika is here!!"
Citra Lili sensed her aura and cried in relief.
With Maravika arriving,they no longer feared the Captain—even without Liang Chuan's threats.
"I'll remember you.We will meet again."
The Captain stared at Liang Chuan for two seconds—then retreated rapidly.
"Sure, sure.If you don't throw out one last edgy line,you'll suffocate, won't you…"Liang Chuan muttered at his back.
Just then, Maravika's motorcycle vaulted over their heads.In midair, she glanced down at Citra Lili and Liang Chuan,confirmed they were safe—then continued after the Captain.
She wasn't letting him escape easily.
"A leather-jacketed Pyro Archon on a motorcycle,and a spear-flying Chasco…Truly a primitive Natlan tribe…"
Liang Chuan grumbled, walking to Citra Lili's sideand offering her a Small Vitality Potion.
"Citra Lili, are you okay?Drink this first."
"I don't need it. I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"I'm SURE."
"…Apologies for the offense then."
Liang Chuan tapped her shoulder—and her HP bar popped up.
"Huh? 99% HP?You fought the Captain that longwithout taking damage?"
"HP…? I don't quite understand.But during the fight,I could tell he was deliberately avoiding killing blows.As he said…he has some purpose for my life."
"Okay, no HP lost—drink blue then."
Liang Chuan pulled out a Small Mana Potion.
Judging by the frozen earth and shattered bones everywhere,she had definitely "gone all-out."Her spiritual power must be drained.
"No need to hold back. Drink."
Seeing her hesitate, he smiled.
"I wouldn't say I have unlimited potions—but I can definitely let you drink until you're full."
"Hey! Who wants to drink until they're full!"Citra Lili scowled at him.
Seeing her acting normally,Liang Chuan confirmed she was fine.
She downed the mana potion in one go.Her eyes lit up instantly.
"This… THIS… do you have more?!Can I buy some?!And… can you supply me long-term?!"
That blue liquid restored spiritual power directly—a priceless treasure for a High Priestesswho expended energy daily.
"I have a bit more,and I can sell you some.But long-term supply… that's complicated."
"What complication?"
"Supply chain issues.Only I can get this type of potion.And I can't guarantee I'll stay in Natlan forever."
"Then… I can visit you regularly?No… if you travel to another nation,it might interfere with my duties in Mistshroud…"
She frowned.
"In fact," Liang Chuan said, smiling,"there is a way to fix the supply problem.And it won't delay your duties as the Obsidian High Priestess."
"What way?"Citra Lili leaned forward eagerly.
"Well then, lovely twin-tail granny…would you be interested in joining the Blue Star Federation—and becoming a proud, hard-working employee?"
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