However, perhaps there were victors five hundred years ago as well?
Those "sinners" who divided the power among themselves might have been the true victors.
They brought about the catastrophe, divided the power, yet no one stopped the disaster.
This is also why the White Falcon Knights of Khaenri'ah assisted Sumeru in resisting the Abyss—because Khaenri'ah itself was a victim of the Abyss's power.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard Dainsleif's "Twilight Sword" and the White Falcon Knights fought, it was futile.
Even when they fought until only one remained, they still failed to prevent Khaenri'ah's downfall.
Unable to stop the catastrophe, Pierro deeply regretted it. No longer favored by the "King," he later pledged loyalty to the Tsaritsa as "The Jester."
The events of Khaenri'ah were a catastrophe for the entire world, for the true enemy came from beyond it.
===✧✦✧===
Returning to the story, Dainsleif and the Traveler continued tracking the Abyss Order's traces.
After eliminating some Abyss Mages and Ruin Guards, Dainsleif revealed more useful information.
[Dainsleif: "The name 'Ruin Guard' was given by modern people based on their modern 'impressions.'"]
["These machines now called Ruin Guards were codenamed 'Field Tillers' in Khaenri'ah back then."]
["The land is not to be plowed with farming tools, but to be seized with iron and blood."—Based on this philosophy, the 'Field Tiller' was born."]
This came as a surprise to many modern people. Most didn't even know Ruin Guards originated from Khaenri'ah, let alone that these killing machines—armed to the teeth with destructive weapons and guarding ruins—were called "Field Tillers."
Does Khaenri'ah have an… extreme interpretation of 'tilling the land'? Did Khaenri'ah not have any conservatives?
Did the radicals believe land should be seized with iron and blood, while the conservatives thought the radicals were too moderate?
[Dainsleif: "After Khaenri'ah's fall, these masterless 'Field Tillers' broke free from control."]
["Perhaps out of sympathy for other fallen ancient civilizations, they often linger in various ruins, dormant and idle."]
This explained why ruins often housed the same model of Ruin Guards, unexpectedly adding some archaeological knowledge.
===✧✦✧===
However, many agreed with the Traveler's next words:
[Traveler: "Five hundred years of aimless wandering... It seems... we should end their suffering."]
Well said, Traveler! These Ruin Guards truly deserve to be put to rest, as they've caused too many casualties among modern people.
Jean, however, thought these Ruin Guards held historical value. If they could be neutralized without excessive damage, they might even be worth collecting and exhibiting.
Alhaitham shared the same view—machines with research value should be efficiently dismantled and studied.
And what they envisioned, Xiao accomplished. He destroyed Ruin Guards by piercing their cores in a single strike, leaving almost everything but the core intact.
Unfortunately, Xiao had no interest in studying these machines. Once dealt with, he simply left.
The Traveler in the story did the same. After swiftly dispatching the Ruin Guards, they prepared to leave but found a letter on an Abyss Mage's body.
[...Use the enemy's faith as kindling to offer glory to the noble Prince—'Loom of Fate,' the Primordial Project.]
These cryptic words left readers utterly baffled. Fortunately, Dainsleif, skilled in deciphering riddles, provided an explanation.
===✧✦✧===
[Dainsleif: "To put it simply, the initial plan involves the 'Overlord of the Vortex,' Osial."]
Dainsleif explained that the Abyss sought to corrupt Osial's consciousness, much like they once did with Dvalin.
But this time, they aimed not only to corrupt his mind but also to further modify his body, turning him into a "Mechanical God."
Sweat dripped down readers' backs. The story was becoming hard to follow—why was this chapter's information so overwhelming?
Previous stories involved a few individuals or one nation, but this one implicated the entire world?
Though much remained unclear, readers grasped one thing: Osial was about to suffer again.
If Osial could read this story, he'd surely be furious.
"How long have I been sealed away? I barely got a glimpse of the world before being sealed again."
"Now, just sealing me isn't enough—you want to modify me too? What did I ever do to you while imprisoned?"
"Besides, I'm a married god! I don't want to be turned into some 'Mechanical God'! Why not target Morax instead? He's single anyway."
===✧✦✧===
[Dainsleif: "The letter states they intend to use the 'Defiled Statue' as a base, combining it with Osial's limbs to create a Mechanical God."]
["The 'new core' replacing the orb in the statue's hand... is the 'eye of the very first Field Tiller.'"]
["Placing the 'eye' into the hands of the 'Defiled Statue'..."]
["...will grant the newly born Defiled God the power to 'shake the divine throne of Celestia.'"]
Shake Celestia?! You mean that island even bigger and higher than the Jade Chamber? Is that even possible? Impressive! But... why shake it?
This story was getting more explosive by the minute! Though hard to follow, it sounded incredibly significant!
At this point, even ordinary people couldn't make sense of it—let alone the Traveler and Dainsleif in the story, who had no idea where the first Field Tiller's eye was now.
They could only start with the statue. The Defiled Statue they had seen earlier was none other than the Anemo Archon's.
===✧✦✧===
The Traveler and Dainsleif headed to the Mondstadt Cathedral to inquire about the statue.
[Dainsleif: "A massive statue, a grand cathedral. The people of Mondstadt must have expended vast resources and effort to build them."
["But how much did the Anemo Archon, who received this gift, truly feel... and how much did he repay?"]
Dainsleif harbored no love for the Seven, so the moment he entered the cathedral, he began his sharp critique.
Venti chuckled while reading the book, utterly unbothered by Dainsleif's remarks.
Barbara, however, was furious. How could this man speak of Lord Barbatos that way?!
"Nonsense!..." Barbara's face flushed red with anger, yet she couldn't bring herself to say anything too harsh.
How could it be that the Anemo Archon owes them repayment? Given all he has done for Mondstadt, it should be the other way around!
The Anemo Archon has done so much for Mondstadt—building a grand statue is the least they could do. Who has given less in return?
As for how much the god feels about it, that hardly matters.
The gentle and free Anemo Archon never demanded they build a statue—it was an act of faith by the people of Mondstadt to fulfill their own devotion.
The ones truly moved by the grand statue were the faithful followers who revered the Anemo Archon.
[Paimon: "Isn't 'faith' supposed to seek no reward?"]
Barbara nodded vigorously—well said, Paimon!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Barbara – About the Anemo Archon Statue
"The people of Mondstadt built it willingly. In the end, it's merely a construct to satisfy our 'faith.' If Lord Barbatos could feel even a hint of joy from it, that would be wonderful!"