Just as the Raiden Shogun's long blade was about to strike the group, Lumine's sword suddenly blazed with intense Pyro energy, firmly blocking the Shogun's descending strike.
Lumine was also enveloped in a crimson shield, emerging completely unharmed.
At the same moment, Yuna had an electro shield appear around herself, while also infusing her weapon with electro energy. Together with Lumine, she directly withstood the Shogun's attack.
The force of the collision sent the Raiden Shogun staggering back several steps.
If Kazuha's friend can get a limited-time rerun, why can't Rola?
Lumine and Yuna shared the same bewilderment. Lumine glanced at the longsword in her hand, now radiating a searing heatwave, her pupils flickering with realization.
-
Meanwhile, far away in Liyue, Diluc, who was tracking traces of Malice, noticed the Vision at his waist, which had been dormant, suddenly light up.
Diluc stopped, scrutinizing it carefully.
Confirming he wasn't mistaken, he first looked puzzled. Then, as if a sudden thought struck him, his face lit up with joy, and he immediately set off for Mondstadt.
-
Player World.
When Chen Xiyao saw the fiery-red Elemental Energy flashing along the blade, Rola immediately came to mind.
That fire-like girl—hadn't a part of her soul merged with the sword?
"Rola..."
Suddenly, Chen Xiyao seemed to realize something:
"Holy shit, this is bad! Kazuha's friend's Vision flared up to block a strike and then vanished. Could Rola's soul also..."
[It's Rola! It's her soul!]
[No!]
[Why is she still trying to protect us even in this state?]
[No! If Rola's soul is extinguished here, I swear I'll make Mihoyo pay!]
[Blondie, put the sword away already!]
-
Yuna felt the sudden surge of Electro Element Energy coursing through her body. At first, she thought it was her Second Sister's, but after a moment's reflection, she realized her sister didn't possess such an ability.
Could it be...?
As Yuna stood there, her face a mask of confusion, Angie seized the opportunity to playfully pinch her cheek.
I've always wondered what it would feel like to pinch the collagen-rich cheek of my other self, Yuna. Now I finally know!
Flustered by the touch, Yuna bared her teeth at Angie in mock anger.
Grinning like someone who had just gotten away with something, Angie immediately darted away.
"See ya later!"
Clutching Rosalyne's arm, Angie sprinted away without hesitation.
No joke—not only is the Raiden Shogun here, but Ei is about to emerge, and Yae Miko too...
If we don't run now, are we just going to wait to get beaten down?
-
The Resistance had already surged forward, many among them having been targets of the Vision Hunt Decree.
At that moment, all the Visions on the Statue of the Omnipresent God began to glow brightly—a spectacle orchestrated by Yae Miko herself.
Yae Miko had been preparing for this plan for a long time. Though there had been a few unexpected twists along the way, the operation was progressing relatively smoothly.
Still reeling from the power of the sword in her hand, Lumine was jolted back to reality by Paimon's urgent warning:
"Hey, Traveler, what do we do? They're no match for the Shogun!"
Forcing herself to set aside her awe of the sword, Lumine turned to face the Raiden Shogun, who gazed down upon the crowd with cold indifference.
With a leap, Lumine soared into the air, the Unrelenting Will in her hand engulfed by a massive torrent of Electro Element Energy. Raising the sword high above her head, she slashed downward at the Shogun.
The familiar scene unfolded once more. Recalling Yae Miko's plan, Lumine knew that the true God—Raiden Ei—would soon confront her again.
Lumine was swiftly enveloped by the Plane of Euthymia. Though she had been here before, that didn't mean she enjoyed returning.
Inside the Plane of Euthymia, Ei sat cross-legged. Noticing Lumine's arrival, she rose to her feet.
"We meet again."
"Let me think... what could have brought you back before me?"
"Is your foolish courage meant to protect the common people? Or was your true purpose to seek an audience with me?"
Lumine: "The Fatui manipulated the Raiden Shogun! The Vision Hunt Decree should never have been issued!"
Ei: "To rouse me from my eternal meditation... was it merely to tell me this?"
"Perhaps you underestimate me. Of course I am aware of the Vision Hunt Decree."
Lumine: "You know what's happening outside?"
Ei: "Not quite. I only know matters concerning the concept of 'eternity'..."
-
While Lumine and Ei were communicating within the Plane of Euthymia, outside the Tenshukaku...
After Lumine was pulled into the Plane of Euthymia, the Raiden Shogun vanished as well.
The crowd gathered before the Tenshukaku, anxiously awaiting the final outcome.
Paimon flitted back and forth, visibly agitated. Yuna gently reminded her, "Paimon, have you forgotten Lady Guuji's words?"
"I haven't! It's just... Lumine is facing the Electro Archon herself right now..."
Lumine was challenging the Electro Archon alone. If she could defeat her within the Plane of Euthymia, Inazuma's Vision Hunt Decree could be resolved.
But what sounded simple was far from easy.
Yae Miko had promised to help, yet her presence remained elusive.
Yuna pulled Paimon onto her lap, already planning what delicious meals she would prepare for Ei after this ordeal.
Having been alone in the Plane of Euthymia for so long, she must have grown terribly bored.
-
Within the Plane of Euthymia, a realm constructed by Ei's will, Lumine knew that to change Ei's mind, she had to defeat her here, fairly and squarely.
This defeat, however, wouldn't rely solely on brute strength. In this battle, the strength of one's own will, or rather, their deepest desires, would determine the power they could wield.
Lumine finally voiced her plan: she would challenge Ei to a duel in this realm, forcing her to witness the wishes of others and compel her to rescind the Vision Hunt Decree!
Ei, unwavering in her pursuit of eternity, naturally accepted Lumine's challenge without hesitation.
The battle erupted immediately. Despite her best efforts, Lumine was no match for Ei. After yet another crushing defeat, she felt something trembling on her person.
Pulling it out, Lumine realized it was the protective talisman Yae Miko had given her earlier.
Just then, Yae Miko's voice drifted from behind Lumine:
"Oh dear, only just remembered now?"
Ei was surprised by Yae Miko's arrival. Knowing her friend's temperament well, she quickly pieced together the situation.
"Yae Miko, is this your scheme?"
Yae Miko waved her small hand dismissively, turned her head, and flashed her signature sly smile.
"Don't forget who taught you to imbue consciousness into objects."
With that, Yae Miko leaned close to Lumine's ear and whispered, "You can't possibly believe that your mere wish alone could surpass Ei's will, can you?"
"Even though you stand here, their wishes have long been entrusted to you."
"So... close your eyes..."
Lumine obediently closed her eyes. Just as Yae Miko had said, countless wishes flashed through her mind.
(To protect those I hold dear!)
(To become the world's greatest swordsman!)
(I hope everyone can live a good life!)
(...)
With each citizen's wish that surged through her, Lumine's strength grew by a fraction.
Suddenly, she froze.
(I hope the God will notice me!)
(I want to face that divine radiance directly!)
(I wish to visit other countries and make lots of delicious food!)
(I hope the people of Mondstadt won't be sad when I leave. I hope Lumine will travel the Seven Nations with the sword I gave her!)
Lumine knew all too well whose final wish that was. But precisely because of that, she was stunned.
Why?
Looking down at the longsword in her hand, Lumine recalled everything that had happened. Suddenly, she understood.
"Rola... thank you..."