Natlan.
At the foot of towering mountains, the Fatui were carrying out an excavation operation.
The Harbinger known as "The Captain" stood nearby, overseeing his subordinates' work.
Since arriving in Natlan, The Captain had been focused on locating the ancient source mechanism buried deep beneath the land.
As long as they could find the device capable of reorganizing the Ley Lines, they could stabilize Natlan's Ley Lines, preventing Abyssal creatures from invading the nation as frequently as before.
"Sir, the excavation is progressing smoothly. We should be able to locate it soon."
A Fatui intelligence officer stepped forward to report.
When the Fatui had first entered Natlan, they faced obstruction from the locals at every turn.
The Fatui's reputation was poor in every nation except Snezhnaya. Many people in Natlan assumed ill intent the moment they saw Fatui uniforms and tried to stop their activities.
The Captain understood their hostility; after all, some of his colleagues had indeed left turmoil in other nations.
Therefore, he did not take the resistance personally and continued the excavation quietly, though progress was slow.
It was only after reaching an "agreement" with the Pyro Archon Caelus that Fatui operations in Natlan became smoother.
There were far fewer direct confrontations during their work.
Even when they encountered wary gazes along the road, the people of Natlan refrained from taking action.
Presumably, the Pyro Archon had issued instructions discouraging unnecessary hostility toward the Fatui.
"And what of the Pyro Archon's recent movements?" The Captain asked.
"Yesterday, as usual, he distributed the Pyro Visions he personally created to Natlan's elite warriors."
"After that, he was seen riding a Qucusaurus to the Children of Echoes tribe and landing at the workshop of the artisan Xilonen."
"As for what he did there, we have yet to confirm."
The intelligence officer reported truthfully.
"He granted Visions again…"
The Captain had been closely monitoring Caelus's actions in recent days.
Using the ancient mechanism to restructure the Ley Lines was merely a contingency plan.
His primary intention had been to use the Pyro Archon's Gnosis to weave together the souls of the Night Kingdom, forming a net to mend Natlan's damaged Ley Lines.
If the Pyro Archon failed to resolve the ley line crisis before their collapse, he had been prepared to seize the Gnosis himself.
However, Caelus's recent actions had given him pause.
Suspending the Holy Night of the Return of Flame. Personally forging Visions to strengthen Natlan's warriors. Seeking out Xilonen…
"Xilonen is an artisan capable of forging ancient names."
"Could the Pyro Archon be planning to bestow ancient names upon those who received Visions?"
Piecing together the information, The Captain formed a deduction.
Those who bear an ancient name can be resurrected through the Ode of Resurrection.
If ancient names could be produced on a large scale, it would effectively create an army capable of repeated revival.
"If that's the case… he intends to further bolster Natlan's forces against the Abyss."
"He's preparing for a decisive battle."
The Captain believed he understood Caelus's intentions.
Natlan's Ley Lines were approaching their limit. Even if the Sacred Flame continued to burn, it would not solve the underlying issue.
In that case, halting the energy-intensive Holy Night of the Return of Flame and conserving strength for a final confrontation with the Abyssal creatures was a logical strategy.
"Does the new Pyro Archon still place hope in Mavuika's plan?"
"Or does he believe this is the only way to accelerate the awakening of the six heroes?"
The Captain had fought against Abyssal creatures in Natlan five hundred years ago and was familiar with Mavuika's plan.
He considered its chances of success too slim. That was why he preferred using the souls of the Night Kingdom to reconstruct the Ley Lines.
Yet for five centuries, successive Pyro Archons had supported Mavuika's approach, leaving Natlan's policies largely unchanged.
Even though Caelus had abruptly suspended long-standing traditions, it did not necessarily mean he opposed Mavuika's plan.
Perhaps he was simply guiding the six heroes toward awakening in his own way.
"I'll wait a little longer."
"If Natlan's situation shows no improvement, I will personally go to the Sacred Flame Arena and take the Pyro Archon's Gnosis."
Just as this thought settled in his mind, a shout shattered his focus.
"Enemy attack!"
"Abyssal creatures are attacking a caravan!"
The warning came from a Fatui sentry stationed above.
Even with the Sacred Flame still burning, Natlan could not completely block every incursion from the Abyss.
Occasionally, small groups of monsters slipped through.
This time, the target was a merchant caravan.
"Follow me. We're moving to assist."
Without hesitation, The Captain turned and rushed toward the caravan.
A frigid aura gathered in his palm, condensing into a gray-blue blade of ice.
The Fatui soldiers raised their weapons and followed.
Fatui rescuing civilians might have seemed unbelievable, but under The Captain's command, such actions were not unusual.
Several Rifthounds were assaulting the caravan. They hovered in the air, their movements erratic and unsettling. Even experienced fighters struggled to gain the upper hand against them.
Just as The Captain prepared to strike, he sensed it—
A powerful force.
No—a cluster of powerful presences approaching at high speed.
The number matched the Rifthounds exactly.
"Stop."
He raised a hand, halting his soldiers.
In the next instant, the sky was painted in blazing crimson.
Several fiery arrows tore across the heavens, descending with terrifying precision. Each arrow struck a Rifthound unerringly.
The creatures had no time to howl.
Their bodies were instantly consumed by roaring flames, reduced to ashes as though they had never existed.
"The Rifthounds… eliminated just like that?"
"Who did this?"
The Fatui soldiers scanned their surroundings, but there was no one else present besides themselves and the caravan.
"He's not here."
The Captain's voice was low as he turned his gaze toward a distant horizon.
Like his men, he saw no figure.
Yet he could clearly sense it—
A powerful being, thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of meters away, drawing a bow and loosing arrows across vast distance.
"That was Natlan's Pyro Archon…"
The divine authority lingering in the arrows was unmistakable.
The one who had acted could only be Caelus.
"To strike with such accuracy from so far away…"
"Even I, five hundred years ago, could not have achieved such a feat."
The Captain silently reassessed the wisdom of attempting to seize the Gnosis by force.
At that moment, the caravan merchants approached.
"Thank you so much!"
"If not for you, we would have lost our lives."
They expressed their gratitude earnestly.
"There's no need to thank us."
The Captain's gaze remained fixed in the direction from which the arrows had flown.
"If you wish to offer thanks, thank the Pyro Archon of Natlan."