บท 58: Chapter 58

"The leader of the Abyss Order, maybe I should call you Your Highness?"

The Abyss Order, a group composed of inhuman monsters, is an enemy of surface civilization and is active all over the world. Driven by the "Abyss," they covet all creatures on the earth and dream of overthrowing the order of the gods.

Actually, Takumi knew very well.

Before the version of Sumeru, the Abyss Order's secrets were almost entirely exposed, especially in the Chasm plot. It was clearly pointed out that the vast majority of the members of the Abyss Order were the remnants of Khaenri'ah, a nation that was destroyed in the past.

Your Highness...

Takumi was confident about this title. Because the traveler who appeared in Mondstadt was Lumine, not her brother Aether, then the other one of the twins must be His Royal Highness, the Prince of Khaenri'ah.

He and his sister embarked on completely opposite paths, leading the Abyss Order and using the power of the remnants of Khaenri'ah to fight against the Heavenly Principles.

"Snort—"

Sensing Takumi's gaze, somewhere in the sky above Starsnatch Cliff, faint ripples appeared. A cold snort came out.

"Let's go!" the cold voice ordered.

A portal appeared.

Takumi laughed. "Is it too late to leave now?"

He actually regretted it a little. He couldn't help himself—he had jumped in and intervened in Mondstadt's plot. Just now, seeing a mere Ice Abyss Mage behaving like that, he really couldn't help it. Why should such a low-level enemy be involved?

In a scene from the game, when he saw the Abyss Lector, Enjou, Takumi had long wanted to take him out. Just now, it felt good to finally vent his previous frustrations.

It also made Takumi realize that this world, Teyvat, wasn't just a game—it was a reality. And with the power of the gods in his hands, it seemed that he really could do whatever he wanted.

"Cresselia!" Takumi shouted in his mind.

He and Cresselia, who was about to be promoted to a first-level god, appeared in front of the portal in the next moment. Following the retreating Abyss Order members, they passed through the portal that was gradually fading and disappearing.

The scenery switched from the bright and clear sky of Starsnatch Cliff to the dark underground world with a single click.

"Snap!"

When Takumi and Cresselia set foot on this unexplored land, the portal back to the surface world finally shattered.

Aether did not leave. Standing dozens of meters away, he stared coldly at the two intruders, a sarcastic smile on his lips.

"Are you reckless, or just confident?" he asked.

"On the surface, perhaps I would be afraid. But underground..."

"No matter how much noise you make, neither the Seven Archons nor Celestia will pay attention."

"And are you ready?"

"The existence of the Abyss is to overthrow the world ruled by gods!" Aether declared. "You should feel honored to die under the power of the Abyss!"

Following Aether's words, filled with murderous intent, a large number of Abyss Mages appeared, including Ice, Fire, Water, and Electro Mages. Additionally, more than twenty elite members known as "Abyss Heralds" also appeared.

The scene was quite spectacular!

As for the high-ranking members known as "Abyss Lectors," each had a conspicuous name hovering over their heads.

"Onnar, Abyss Lector of Purple Lightning."

"Aegir, Abyss Lector of Infernal Flame."

Wait, what?

Suddenly, Takumi's expression became strange. He scanned the scene with the "system" displaying the red names and saw a peculiar figure:

"Above the Abyss, Abyss Lector of Infernal Flame."

It was this high-ranking member who was suspected to be a masochist and had a knack for getting beaten.

Takumi almost laughed out loud.

He still remembered, during the "Three Realms Gateway Offering" event and the Enkanomiya plot, this Abyss Lector disguised himself as a clerk and once cunningly used him as a tool...

Aether looked at Takumi from a distance, frowning.

In fact, information about Takumi had been submitted to the Fatui Intelligence Department, and as the leader of the Abyss Order, Aether also knew about Takumi's existence.

But after hastily mobilizing a group of elite Abyss forces and setting up an ambush at the end of the portal, why was this guy still laughing?

Aether felt uneasy and suddenly sensed that things might not develop as he had planned.

Quietly, Aether began to retreat.

Takumi snapped his fingers.

"Although it's nice to have an audience, I also enjoy some excitement."

"But too many pests can spoil the mood of our first meeting, don't you think?"

Seeing Takumi's meaningful gaze, Aether was shocked.

"Cresselia."

"Each of these Abyss beings is abnormal, twisted, and maddened, trapped in the eternal nightmare of their destroyed homeland."

"So, create beautiful dreams for them and heal their spiritual wounds a little."

"This is my only mercy."

Cresselia had long noticed that the underground world was filled with all kinds of negative energy and that these Abyss creatures were tortured by the nightmare of their nation's destruction. Each of them was neither human nor ghost.

It was already eager to try. After hearing Takumi's order, it understood his exact instructions.

Cresselia's telekinesis surged with joy. It raised its swan-like neck and let out a clear cry that pierced through the dark mist of the underground world.

At the same time, the pink film surrounding its elegant wings emitted flashing particles.

As these particles appeared, a new moon seemed to rise in the underground world.

"Ding! Congratulations, your 'Cresselia' has reached Lv.120 (First-Level God)!"

The Abyss beings present, whether they were low-ranking Abyss Mages or high-level named Abyss Lectors, were all illuminated by the beautiful moonlight, reminiscent of an aurora.

In an instant, their expressions froze. Their facial lines softened, and the next moment, they closed their eyes, and beautiful dreams filled their minds.

Clearly, Cresselia had used its newly acquired divine power—the authority of a first-level god—for the first time.

This power was called "Dreams"!

Click!

At this time, the lingering power of the "Heart of the Divine Oak" worn by Cresselia completely disappeared, and the acorn turned to ash and scattered away.

At the same time, as Cresselia's wings emitted countless particles of light, Aether, who had already retreated a kilometer or two away, was still illuminated by the ubiquitous moonlight that shrouded the ground.

Suddenly, Aether stopped.

Expressions of struggle, immersion, and horror alternated on his face.