Everything comes at a price.
Kinich had always believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Even if it was the Pyro Archon personally granting him a Vision, there had to be a cost.
"Protect Natlan… until my last breath."
"Deal."
Kinich accepted the Vision. The moment it touched his hand, a warm current surged through his body.
He opened his palm, and green flames instantly ignited.
…Green flames?
Seeing the unusual color, Caelus's first thought was of those "broken engagement" web novels he had read before transmigrating.
The male protagonist had also used green flames.
And a claymore.
"Your Excellency, Pyro Archon, what should I do now?" Kinich extinguished the flames and looked back at Caelus.
"Oh? Bought off with just one Vision? Already eager to prove your loyalty to your new master?"
"Hot, hot, hot—Kinich! You're using the flames you just learned to burn me?!"
Ajaw had barely mocked him for two sentences before Kinich set his tail ablaze with green fire, making him howl.
Only when Ajaw was in too much pain to continue did the conversation resume.
"Go fight the Abyss alongside Mavuika," Caelus said.
Although the Pilgrimage of the Sacred Flame had been suspended and the Night Warden War halted, Abyssal monsters still occasionally slipped into Natlan through spatial fissures.
Someone still had to deal with them.
During this period, Caelus had been sending Mavuika to eliminate these threats.
Though she was currently fighting only as a Vision bearer, the Abyssal monsters appearing now were far weaker than before.
"…Fight the Abyss?" Kinich paused before asking, "Under these circumstances, can the Ode of Resurrection still take effect?"
"Of course," Caelus replied. "Both you and Mavuika bear Ancient Names. As long as one of you survives and returns victorious, the Ode of Resurrection can revive the fallen."
"Just the two of you fighting Abyssal monsters?"
"That's perfect!"
"Kinich might die instantly—"
"Ahh! Stop burning me! I'll shut up!"
Ajaw instinctively taunted again, only to get his tail scorched once more.
"You don't need to worry too much," Caelus continued. "I'll transfer a portion of my power to you."
"You'll be using a Vision, but your strength will surpass that of ordinary humans."
"When I sent Mavuika to fight the Abyss, I shared part of my power with her as well."
"Can the Pyro Archon's power really be distributed like this?" Kinich asked.
If a god could share their power, why hadn't previous Pyro Archons done so?
Seeing his confusion, Caelus smiled.
"It's a technique I developed myself. No need to be surprised."
He had discovered the function in the system shop earlier and purchased it immediately.
In the future, he planned to distribute more of his power to Natlan's people to prepare for the inevitable tide of Abyssal monsters.
Kinich nodded. By now, he was used to Caelus doing things no previous Pyro Archon could.
"Your Excellency, I have one final question."
"After sharing your power with us, will it weaken you?"
Kinich was more concerned about that.
Strengthening themselves at the expense of the Archon would be a poor trade.
"It will have a slight effect," Caelus admitted.
"But it's worth it."
His strength would recover over time—though slowly.
"I understand."
After receiving Mavuika's location, Kinich prepared to meet her.
Before leaving, however, he turned back.
"Your Excellency, Mualani truly wants to see you."
"I know," Caelus said calmly. "But I'm very busy."
Kinich lingered a moment, but seeing the Archon's firm stance, he finally left.
As he pushed open the doors of the Affairs Office, a young girl was about to enter.
Kinich recognized her immediately.
Chuychu — Chasca's younger sister, and a well-known doctor in Natlan.
What is she doing here?
The answer came quickly.
He had been summoned to receive a Vision.
Chuychu was likely here for the same reason.
Not long after Kinich stepped outside, two girls hurried toward him.
"What did that Caelus guy want with you?" Mualani asked anxiously.
She had been chatting with Kinich and Kachina when he was suddenly called away. She had worried he was in trouble.
"His Excellency granted me a Vision."
Kinich produced the artificial Vision. Under the sunlight, it glowed with a crimson sheen.
"A Vision?!"
Mualani and Kachina both stared in shock.
"How can Caelus just give you a Vision?"
"Even the Pyro Archon can't decide who receives one."
If the Archon truly had that authority, Natlan would already be filled with Vision holders.
In reality, even an Archon could not directly determine who would awaken a Vision.
"This one is different," Kinich explained. "His Excellency modeled it after the structure of a Gnosis, a Vision, and a Delusion. It isn't genuine, but it allows elemental control just the same."
To demonstrate, green flames once again bloomed in his palm.
"Mualani, His Excellency's recent actions may seem unusual, but he truly is protecting Natlan in his own way."
"You can rest easy."
"That Caelus… actually managed to create Visions…"
Even Mualani understood the implications.
Mass-producing Visions would drastically raise Natlan's combat strength. Future encounters with Abyssal monsters would result in far fewer casualties.
Just as Kinich said—whatever his methods, Caelus was genuinely helping Natlan.
If she kept interrupting him, she might only slow him down.
"Forget it. I won't think about it anymore."
Her smile returned.
"I've been stuck at the arena for so long. I haven't soaked in the hot springs at the People of the Springs in ages."
"I bet Caelus can't wait to go back and soak too."
"When he comes back, just wait—I'll teach him a lesson!"
Seeing Mualani regain her usual energy, Kinich and Kachina felt relieved.
For now, their worries about Caelus could be set aside.
Meanwhile—
Inside the Affairs Office.
[New Four-Star Character: Chuychu]
[Confirm Chuychu added to the Character Event Wish]
[Please begin character design]