Chương 278: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [278]
The forces of wind and lightning gathered in Scaramouche's hands, their deafening roar echoing throughout the workshop as he hurled them toward Lumine's position.
The next moment, wind and lightning struck.
A cloud of dust billowed across the plaza, obscuring everything within sight.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
Scaramouche scoffed, retracting his hands as he gazed at the dust cloud with the haughty demeanor of a god looking down on mortals.
But as the dust began to settle, a faint green glow emerged, encasing Lumine. The previous attack had left no mark on her.
"So, you're not entirely useless," Scaramouche sneered, his eyes flicking toward Nahida, who stood behind Lumine. His expression was filled with disdain.
"A god who hides behind others—what's the matter? Afraid?"
With those words, Scaramouche clasped his hands together, and a massive surge of elemental energy swirled around him, forming several deep-purple halos behind him.
In the next moment, countless energy blasts rained down from the halos, a torrent of purple energy surrounding Lumine and her companions like a storm.
Nahida waved her hand, summoning another faint green barrier to protect them. Yet Scaramouche's relentless assault intensified, and soon cracks began to form on the barrier.
"Lumine, my power hasn't fully recovered... I can't hold him off much longer..." Nahida warned.
"I understand."
Lumine nodded firmly, gripping her sword tightly as her determined gaze locked onto the head of the Shouki no Kami.
If we keep defending, we'll only get worn down further. I need to find an opening and take him down.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
When the downpour of purple energy finally ceased, Lumine acted before Scaramouche could launch into another bout of taunts. In an instant, she dashed forward, her target clear—the head of the Shouki no Kami.
---
"Tch, Lumine looks so cool!" Luo Qing exclaimed as he watched her fighting Scaramouche in the live feed.
"Say that all you want, but could you stop touching my thigh?" came Ei's mildly annoyed voice from beside him.
"Ahem, sorry, just got carried away by the excitement." Luo Qing patted her thigh again. "You know, helps relieve stress."
"..."
"What do you think? Who's going to win?" Luo Qing asked, leaning toward her.
Ei glanced at the screen, observing the ongoing battle. After a moment of thought, she replied flatly, "Scaramouche."
"Tch, the Traveler is a legend, you know. Are you sure you're not playing favorites?"
"They are both gods, but Scaramouche's power is clearly greater than the Dendro Archon's. If he loses, it's only a matter of time." Ei remained composed, adding, "Besides, if you truly believed Lumine could win, why would you go to the trouble of meeting my terms just to get me here?"
"Smart," Luo Qing admitted with a smile, leaving her remark unanswered.
Watching the fight unfold on the screen, Luo Qing wasn't certain who would ultimately prevail. From his observations of Lumine, he doubted she currently had the strength to defeat Scaramouche. That was why, as a precaution, he had called Ei to step in if needed.
Judging from the current situation, that precaution might indeed come into play.
On screen, the once-spacious plaza of the workshop had been reduced to rubble by the fierce battle.
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, remained in the background, offering Lumine support and protection to sustain her fight against Scaramouche. However, having only recently escaped her confinement, her powers were far from their peak. The faith energy she had received from Sumeru's citizens was also meager.
Despite her 500 years of life, she was notably weaker than Scaramouche, who had just ascended as a god.
Even with Lumine's help, they were barely holding their ground. If the battle dragged on, Nahida and Lumine would inevitably fall into a disadvantageous position.
"It's about time," Luo Qing muttered, glancing at Ei. "Are you going in now, or do you want to watch a bit longer?"
"Hmph."
Ei snorted softly, rising to her feet. Her gaze briefly flicked toward Luo Qing.
"Don't forget our agreement," she reminded him.
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and strode toward the workshop.
"This is gonna be good~" Luo Qing's lips curled into a smirk.
Just imagining the scenes about to unfold filled him with glee. He almost wished he had a bucket of popcorn and a soda to enjoy while watching.
---
Jouriri Workshop
The prolonged fight had begun to take its toll on Nahida. The green glow enveloping Lumine dimmed with each passing moment.
Though both were newborn gods, Scaramouche's strength was undeniably superior.
The massive Shouki no Kami hovered above the workshop, denying Lumine any chance to strike its head. Each time it passed over her, it unleashed torrents of lightning and wind, forcing Lumine to evade desperately and preventing her from mounting an effective counterattack.
"Damn it... if only I had my wings..."
Fighting an airborne opponent was infuriating. Lumine could only watch as Scaramouche hurled attacks and insults alike, leaving her with no options but to dodge. At best, she managed to land a few strikes on the mech's legs—mere scratches in the grand scheme.
Her frustration grew, but she saw no way out of the predicament.
Suddenly, Scaramouche raised his hands above his head. A massive orb of deep purple energy formed, crackling with intense lightning. Clearly, this was his strongest attack yet.
Lumine braced herself, preparing to evade. But to her shock, Scaramouche shifted his aim mid-charge. With pinpoint precision, he hurled the orb toward the corner where Nahida and Paimon stood.
"You bastard!"
The unexpected target switch caught Lumine off guard, leaving her no time to intercept.
Nahida, seeing the attack directed at her, hastily summoned another green barrier. The orb collided with it, the clash of energies producing a deafening hiss.
"Become my offering for ascension, Buer," Scaramouche said, his voice dripping with madness and mockery.
He gazed down at Nahida, who struggled under the weight of his attack.
Once I have the power of a god, I will exact my revenge on her. I'll make her regret her choices...
"Stop resisting, Buer. You'll—"
Before Scaramouche could finish his declaration, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence.
A foreboding aura approached from the workshop entrance.
Before he could react, a bolt of lightning flashed across the workshop. A blade of pure energy sliced through the orb, splitting it in half. The strike continued, carving a deep scar into the wall behind the Shouki no Kami.
Everyone froze in shock and turned toward the entrance.
"I heard..."
From the shadows, a woman's voice echoed through the workshop, low and commanding.
The shadows dispersed, revealing a figure with eyes glowing faintly with lightning. Her expression was serene yet unyielding.
"You've been thinking about revenge on me?"
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
Chương 279: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [279]
"You..."
Scaramouche's pupils dilated as disbelief flashed across his face.
That woman!
It was her!
Why was she here in Sumeru?!
In mere seconds, the newly ascended god pieced together a plausible explanation in his mind.
Someone must have drawn that woman out of Inazuma and hidden her in Sumeru City, all for this moment...
That someone...
A familiar, sly image popped into his head—a certain smirking figure, as if saying to him:
"Scara, isn't this grand gift of mine impressive?"
"..."
"Luo Qing! Once I'm out of here, I'll tear you to pieces!" Scaramouche roared in fury.
His gaze shifted back to the entrance, where Ei—hand on her blade, Musou no Isshin—was walking toward him, calm and deliberate.
"Should I say, 'long time no see,' Shogun?"
"I thought granting you freedom would release you from your burdens. I never expected it to plant the seed of vengeance instead... Kunikuzushi."
"Kunikuzushi is dead!" Scaramouche cut her off, his voice filled with rage.
"And it's all thanks to you, Shogun. Now, you will call me the new god—the Puppet Ruler of Takamagahara!"
"Oh, really?"
Ei's expression remained unchanged as she tilted her head slightly to look up at Scaramouche.
"You think possessing a Gnosis qualifies you to ascend to the ranks of the gods?"
She slowly raised her blade, pointing it at him.
"In that case..."
"Allow me to test whether this new god has what it takes."
"You think I'd be afraid of you just because you showed up?! I'm not the person I was back then!"
Scaramouche's face twisted in fury as the Shouki no Kami shuddered in sync with his rage.
The mech's hands lifted high above its head, a massive orb of elemental energy—Kshatriya's Final Calamity—forming and illuminating the workshop with a violent glow.
"Ei, you—"
Lumine, still unsure of the history between these two, could only rely on her instincts. Those instincts screamed that if the attack landed, even she wouldn't survive.
"No need to worry."
Ei gave a slight shake of her head, her eyes glowing with a serene yet commanding light.
Musou no Isshin slid free from its scabbard.
The orb descended.
"Sever."
Ei's voice was low and calm, yet it carried a weight that drowned out all other noise in the workshop.
In an instant, blinding lightning filled the space, halting the orb's motion mid-air as if someone had pressed pause.
The next moment, the light dissipated, and silence fell.
The descending orb split diagonally, a jagged fissure forming.
As Scaramouche stared in disbelief, the fissure widened, splitting the orb in two. Cracks began spreading across the Shouki no Kami's mech body.
"This... how is this possible..."
Scaramouche's eyes widened as he felt the damage coursing through the mech.
He couldn't understand—how could she, with a single slash, rend his godly form apart?
He was supposed to be a god...
And yet...
Before the thought could settle, the Shouki no Kami's body crumbled. The mech split cleanly in half, exposing the Gnosis within.
A deafening explosion erupted from within the mech as it disintegrated. The pain wracking Scaramouche's body contorted his expression.
As the mech collapsed, the now unprotected Gnosis slipped free, tumbling through the air with a faint purple glow.
Scaramouche's expression turned frantic. Struggling against the cables still attached to his body, he fought to free himself, desperate to retrieve the Gnosis.
Leaping into the air, he reached out, certain he could reclaim it.
But just as his fingers brushed the surface of the Gnosis, a sudden spark of lightning surrounded it, pulling it away as though guided by an unseen force.
Scaramouche's gaze followed the Gnosis in stunned silence, his longing palpable.
The Gnosis landed gently in Ei's hand.
Scaramouche froze, his expression hardening with fury.
"Give it back!"
"I think you're mistaken..."
Ei studied the Gnosis in her hand as she began walking toward him, her voice steady and cold.
"The Gnosis—a symbol of divine status—derives its meaning from the Seven Archons who grant it. Possessing it doesn't automatically make you a god."
"It's mine! Give it back!"
Though weak and barely able to move, Scaramouche glared at her with seething hatred, his voice trembling with rage.
"Oh?"
Ei glanced at the Gnosis in her hand, letting out a soft scoff before summoning her blade once more.
"I recall you once saying you wanted to re-enact the Archon War to prove yourself as a god. If so, you should've prepared yourself to lose like one."
She placed the blade against his neck. A slight press would be enough to sever his head.
"Or perhaps, your so-called re-enactment is just childish posturing. You're fine slaughtering others but unwilling to face the same fate?"
As someone who had lived through the Archon War, Ei knew all too well its brutality.
For this insolent boy to babble about re-enacting it...
He was long overdue for a lesson.
"Hmph, if you're going to strike, then spare me the pointless words."
Scaramouche glared at her with contempt. Even faced with death, his defiance remained unyielding.
"As you wish."
Ei raised her blade, her gaze icy and detached.
There was no trace of the sweet-toothed, novel-reading homebody left in her demeanor.
Suddenly, the tense atmosphere was broken by the sound of clapping.
"Alright, alright. Family discipline should end here," a familiar voice chimed in, light and casual.
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, even Ei lowering her blade slightly in irritation.
At the entrance stood Luo Qing, who had somehow slipped into the workshop unnoticed. He strolled in leisurely, a grin plastered across his face.
"Of course... it's you..."
Scaramouche used the last of his strength to glare at Luo Qing, his face twisted with rage.
"Indeed, it's me," Luo Qing said with a soft chuckle.
"Now, close your eyes, won't you~?"
Before Scaramouche could respond, his consciousness suddenly grew heavy. His vision blurred, and the world around him faded into darkness.
He collapsed, unconscious.
"Well, that wraps things up," Luo Qing said with a satisfied hum.
Plucking the Gnosis from Ei's hand, he held it up in front of Lumine with a playful smirk.
"From now on, I'll be the one taking care of this~"
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
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