"Close your eyes and don't look."
The newcomer was Yun Fan. Just moments ago, he had received feedback from the "feather" of Fenghuang Down in Griseo's consciousness and had rushed over at top speed, leaving Zhongli behind. However, the scene he encountered upon arrival left him questioning reality.
To be honest, Griseo's actions had genuinely shocked him. This wasn't the pure, adorable little Griseo he knew. Her cold expression and decisive actions made her seem like a completely different person.
"Everyone, charge with me! We'll fight our way out, even if it costs our lives!"
The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, swinging his broadsword at the Stellar Creations, trying to lead his men in a counterattack.
But it was futile. The power of the Stellar Creations could even scratch Zhongli's shield, let alone these mere mortals. Within moments, most of the men had fallen into pools of blood.
Only the leader, with his robust physique, could hold his ground for a while. But even he was quickly overwhelmed, and defeat was inevitable.
Azar, you bastard! After all these years of serving you, you send me to my death! I curse your ancestors! The man inwardly cursed Azar's entire lineage, but he hadn't given up hope yet.
These powerful monsters were summoned by the cute blue-haired girl. If he could capture her, he might have a chance to survive!
With this thought, the man made a desperate move, breaking through the Stellar Creations' blockade at the cost of severe injuries. His large hand reached out to grab Griseo's shoulder.
Five meters... three meters... one meter...
As he got closer to Griseo, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes. But then—
Thud—
The sound of a weapon piercing flesh echoed. The man looked down in disbelief at the lance protruding from his chest. Blood and fragments of internal organs sprayed from his mouth.
Behind Griseo, a knight in armor riding a strange mount thrust his lance, piercing the man's chest.
Stellar Creation: The Lady on the Goat's Back
After the man breathed his last, Griseo recalled all the Stellar Creations. With a wave of her brush, colorful ink splashed onto the ground, washing away all traces of blood. Even the bodies of the fallen disappeared without a trace.
"Griseo, you..." Yun Fan, who had witnessed everything, wore a complicated expression. He subtly activated a portion of Fenghuang Down's power. In his vision, Griseo's aura, once pure white, had turned half-black and half-white.
The inky black and pure white coexisted, both harmonious and jarring.
"What's wrong, brother Yun Fan?" Griseo's cold expression faded, replaced by her usual innocent, clueless look.
"Nothing..." Yun Fan shook his head. In his eyes, the black in Griseo's aura was rapidly fading, returning to pure white. While this seemed like a good thing, he couldn't quite make sense of it.
Void Archives, explain this.
What's there to explain? She overused her power and was slightly influenced by her Honkai beast genes. After releasing that energy, she's back to normal. The mechanical voice of Void Archives echoed in Yun Fan's mind, and he nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, during the battle against the Vortex God, Griseo had cast the Blessing of the Stars on hundreds of people on the Jade Chamber. The energy drain must have been immense, making it understandable that she was influenced by her Honkai beast genes during her weakened state.
But still...
Recalling Griseo's cold gaze earlier, Yun Fan quickly shook his head. It was genuinely unsettling.
"What happened?" Taking advantage of Yun Fan's distraction, Nahida finally broke free. When she saw the empty scene before her, she was stunned.
Just moments ago, it had been a scene of carnage. Now, there was nothing. Where had Azar's men gone? Could it be...
Nahida thought of one possibility, and a wave of sadness washed over her. No matter their allegiance, they were still her people.
"Griseo, I..." Seeing Nahida's expression, Griseo, now back to her senses, wanted to comfort her.
"Nahida, thank you, I..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Nahida tried to speak, but Yun Fan cut her off. Under her indignant gaze, he said, "Nahida, I have a few questions for you. Answer them truthfully. If you lie... heh..." Yun Fan's laughter carried an unmistakable threat.
"Fine, ask." Knowing she had no choice, Nahida took a deep breath and met Yun Fan's gaze with a serious expression.
"If those men hadn't died, what would you have done?" Yun Fan asked his first question.
"I would have used my authority to knock them unconscious and then expelled them from Liyue Harbor."
"I see. That's what you would've done," Yun Fan nodded lightly.
"As for Grand Sage Azar's actions, I assume you're already aware. If you were to reclaim power in Sumeru, how would you deal with him?" Yun Fan posed his second question.
"I would hold him accountable for his crimes and exile him."
"Exile? Heh, that's what you'd do?" Yun Fan chuckled, then shook his head. In the original storyline, the Dendro Archon had only exiled the Grand Sage. Such a decision was...
"Last question. If a disaster were to occur, and sacrificing a few could save many, what would you choose?"
"I..." Yun Fan's question stumped Nahida. After a moment of struggle, she finally spoke. "I would do everything in my power to protect..."
"You really aren't suited to be a god, naive little shuttlecock."