[Lumine: This reminds me of the Sigils of Permission. These Delusions must have other purposes too.]
[Paimon: Could it be an experiment? Like they're continuously optimizing the Delusions?]
[Furina: That's actually a very plausible guess from Paimon! How did you suddenly become so smart?]
[Paimon: I've always been smart!]
Kokomi wondered, "But why would the Fatui do this?"
"There's no time to dwell on that now. The most important thing is to immediately notify the troops to stop using the Delusions."
"Any soldiers showing abnormalities need treatment. I hope we're not too late."
When they mentioned soldiers showing abnormalities, Lumine immediately thought of Teppei. After the meeting ended, Lumine and Paimon went to find him.
When they met again, Teppei's hair had turned completely white. He sat slumped weakly on the ground.
Seeing Lumine approach, he tried to stand but failed. "Ah, it's you. Hold on, let me stand up first... Strange, I just feel so weak."
[Baizhu: Teppei... there's no saving him now.]
[Paimon: What do you mean?]
[Baizhu: His life has reached its end. He doesn't have much time left.]
[Zhongli: I find myself feeling... angry.]
[Paimon: Delusions are things that should not exist in this world.]
[Focalors: Wait a minute, but why is Tartaglia fine?]
[Tartaglia: Haha, because my Delusion isn't the same as theirs. Besides, I already wielded Abyssal power—this was even before I obtained my Vision. Using Abyssal power places a huge burden on the body. Even I get extremely tired when I unleash my Foul Legacy transformation. An ordinary person's body could hardly withstand that power.]
[Il Dottore: Dear Mr. Tartaglia, it seems you've revealed far too many secrets that should remain hidden.]
[Tartaglia: Have I? Then I'll be more careful next time.]
Lumine said, "Teppei, you recently..."
"Hmm?" Teppei looked up at her. "Oh, right, I haven't had the chance to tell you in detail. Lately, I've earned several more merits."
"Engaging the Shogunate Army by boat, single-handedly driving back Shogunate samurai, rescuing surrounded comrades... The old me wouldn't even dare dream of such things."
[Paimon: So that's why he's aged so quickly?]
[Ningguang: Every time he used the Delusion, he was draining his own life force. I wonder if Teppei realized it.]
[Tartaglia: Using a Delusion is different from using a Vision. Delusions harm the user's body. They make you tired. Sometimes they hurt.]
[Keqing: In Teppei's heart, earning merits and making a name for himself occupied too much space.]
"If only I could be a little stronger... just a little stronger, then I could accomplish even more. Strange... where did my secret weapon go?"
Lumine looked quietly at Teppei. "That thing... when did you start using it?"
Teppei thought for a moment. "Probably not long after you became captain of Swordfish II. I met some mysterious people sent by our sponsors. They gave me this and told me that as long as I wanted to become stronger, this secret weapon would respond to me."
"It's just like a Vision, isn't it? I've never used a Vision before, so I don't know the difference."
Lumine said, "It's a Delusion."
Teppei asked, "A Delusion? That doesn't sound like a very good thing. How is it different from a Vision?"
Lumine explained, "Delusions drain the user's life force."
Teppei's body was exceptionally weak. He spoke slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "So that's how it is? Well, something with such an unknown origin coming with risks... that's only natural, I suppose."
"These past few days, I've been getting more and more tired. Deep down, I had a bad feeling. After each battle, it got worse. But today, when I came back, I suddenly realized I couldn't see things clearly anymore."
"What a shame... I really thought I was finally catching up to you, haha."
"As I thought, the gods do not watch over me..."