Dark clouds gathered over Liyue Harbor, lightning flashing and thunder roaring through the once-clear sky.
In an instant, daylight turned to storm.
On the Jade Chamber, everyone's expression changed dramatically— especially the Adepti.
To their senses, that foreigner's power was growing at a terrifying rate… rapidly climbing to a godlike level.
That dreadful pressure, like divine punishment descending upon the world, dragged their minds back to the darkest days of the Archon War.
"This… this is the power of a god?"
Even Xiao's composure began to crack.
Just moments ago, the two of them had been evenly matched— in skill, experience, and speed, Xiao even held the advantage.
But now…?
In the blink of an eye, that balance was shattered.
The man who had been only mortal seconds ago now radiated the strength of a Demon God.
That kind of transformation—it was simply absurd.
And all from shouting a single, meaningless slogan?
Even Tartaglia himself was stunned.
He'd thought the trinket that the "genius" had given him would at best boost him enough to rival the upper-ranked Harbingers.
But this power… this felt like something that could challenge even the First Seat.
"Hahahahaha!"
Realizing the scale of his strength, Tartaglia laughed freely, his battle-lust burning brighter than ever.
If Morax himself appeared right now— he'd still want to fight him.
These Adepti and Liyue's Qixing?
They were no longer worth his time.
"So," he said with a smirk, "do any of you still want to fight?"
His finger swept across the gathered group— past Xiao, over the Adepti, then toward Ningguang, Keqing, and finally, the Traveler herself.
Lumine, gripping her dull-edged sword, felt her heart drop.
That overwhelming aura made her take a half-step back before she even realized it.
Fight him?
How could she possibly fight something like that?
Was every member of the Fatui this terrifying?
If she joined them now… would she maybe be safe?
Come to think of it, when La Signora spared them back in Inazuma, perhaps that was mercy.
If even the lowest-ranked Harbinger could wield such strength, how powerful were those above him?
She didn't dare imagine it.
"You—do you intend to destroy Liyue?" Keqing's voice trembled.
That kind of power— no human could stand against it.
And for the first time, she felt a twinge of regret.
Maybe… humanity truly couldn't survive without relying on gods.
If the Geo Archon were here, they would never have been driven into such a desperate corner.
Tartaglia turned his gaze to her.
"You're right," he said calmly.
"I don't believe a god like Morax could be so heartless— to watch his Adepti, his city, his people die one by one."
"If even in a crisis that could wipe Liyue from the map, Morax still refuses to appear— then I'll give up on ever meeting him."
But until then…
Surely, surely the god who loved his people would not stand idle.
"After all," Tartaglia continued, "if I were to destroy Liyue myself, it would only turn the other nations against Snezhnaya.
That's not exactly in our Tsaritsa's best interest."
Even now, swollen with immense power, his mind remained clear— perhaps a side effect of the Envoy of Wisdom's influence.
"So instead," his lips curled into a smile, "I'll let one of Morax's old enemies destroy you for me."
The Adepti froze.
"What… did you just say?"
"An Executive of the Fatui destroying Liyue—that wouldn't serve Snezhnaya."
Tartaglia's voice was eerily calm now.
"But if someone else does it—say, a Demon God once sealed by Morax himself— then no one can blame us, can they?"
Several charms—engraved with complex, forbidden sigils— appeared and began to orbit around him, glowing ominously.
"The Demon God sealed beneath Guyun Stone Forest… you're familiar with it, aren't you?"
"!!!"
The Adepti's faces turned white.
Guyun Stone Forest… that Demon God?
Mortals might not understand, but to those who had fought alongside Morax, the name alone was enough to chill their blood.
The remnants of Demon Gods were unimaginably destructive.
And because of that, Morax hadn't slain every one of his foes during the Archon War.
Some had been too powerful— so he'd sealed them instead.
Those seals were meant to last forever.
But the Taboo Talismans Tartaglia held were capable of eroding such bindings.
It was only a matter of time.
Already, another presence—vast and terrible— was rising from the depths, its power rivaling even Tartaglia's current state.
Even the Adepti felt despair.
Once, that entity had required Morax himself to suppress it.
And now, Morax was gone.
Liyue would face not one—but two Demon Gods.
They weren't even prepared for this kind of fight.
Their elemental techniques, their mortal weapons— none of it could possibly harm a god.
Then it came.
A deafening roar split the sky.
From the sea below Guyun Stone Forest, a colossal figure burst forth, towering hundreds of meters tall— multiple heads writhing, eyes blazing with hatred.
The long-sealed Osial had awakened.
Its furious bellow shook heaven and earth, its gaze fixed upon Liyue Harbor.
"Go," Cloud Retainer said grimly.
"We'll hold back Osial."
Her tone was solemn, but resolved.
"Evacuate the people of Liyue Harbor at once.
If possible, seek shelter from the Raiden Shogun in Inazuma.
If not—go to Mondstadt, and pray for the Wind Archon's protection."
The Geo Archon's continued absence left her with only one conclusion:
something had happened to him.
The Adepti had long loved Liyue, even if they rarely mingled with mortals.
That affection now burned fiercely in their hearts.
Osial had just been unsealed— its strength still weak, its rage not yet focused.
They could buy time.
But once it regained its full power… they would all perish.
"But—!" Keqing began, torn between duty and fear.
"The longer you hesitate," Cloud Retainer snapped, "the more Liyue's people will die.
Do not waste our sacrifice!"
Without another word, she spread her wings and took to the skies.
The other Adepti followed, soaring toward the roaring beast.
And then—
A mocking voice drifted from behind them.
"Surely," Tartaglia said, "you haven't forgotten about me?"
Of course not.
How could they?
The Eleventh Harbinger stood amid the storm, smiling faintly— as the wrath of a god and the madness of a mortal both converged upon Liyue.
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