Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [435]

Fiery patterns, like pulsating veins, spread across La Signora's body in an instant. The dark crimson glow consumed her form, clothing her once more in the blazing mantle and robe of an anguished Harbinger.

"For this world... I bring ultimate retribution!"

Signora ascended, riding on a moth wreathed in flames that carried her toward the battlefront where the Knights of Favonius stood their ground.

Childe sighed heavily. "Let's follow her. If that lunatic loses control in the heat of battle, we'll need someone to rein her in."

Rosaria's eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on him. "Did she just call the Matriarch a little girl?"

The so-called Matriarch was a living relic of the Church of Favonius, one of Mondstadt's guiding figures, and someone who had spent her entire life striving for the ideals of freedom. Yet Signora had referred to such an entity as a little girl?

"Don't dwell on it," Childe replied, catching up to Signora's blazing trail. "Didn't you hear what she said earlier? 'The erosion of time has caused the world to forget too much.' If she calls herself a witch, there's clearly a lot we don't know about her past."

He glanced back briefly and muttered to himself, "I should've stayed in Liyue making money with the Ten Pull Guild. Trying to control this woman is going to be a nightmare."

As the flames drew closer, the Knights of Favonius, even those receiving treatment, turned to look. One by one, their expressions shifted into alarm as they saw the figure approaching atop a flaming moth.

"Who is that?!"

The oppressive heat and aura of frenzied intent emanating from Signora were impossible to miss. As her eyes locked onto the enemies of the Knights, her killing intent and hatred became almost tangible.

"Move aside!"

Without hesitation, Signora surged forward, raising her flaming whip and lashing it down with explosive force. The fire burrowed into the ground, and as she yanked it back, a massive eruption of molten flames spread out, consuming the battlefield in streams of liquid fire.

The stench of seared flesh and scorched blood filled the air as the flames obliterated everything in their path.

"Die!"

The aura was unmistakable. The presence was undeniable.

It was them. It had to be.

The ones who stole my love. The ones who destroyed my everything.

Clutching her head in agony, Signora let out a piercing scream that echoed across the battlefield.

"Call me... the Witch!"

A storm of fiery moths spiraled around her, forming a vortex of destruction that pulled in monsters and reduced them to ash. In an instant, entire swathes of the battlefield were cleared.

"Knights of Favonius, hold your positions! Do not advance!"

Jean quickly issued orders, realizing that this unexpected ally's attacks were indiscriminate. Pushing forward now could result in unnecessary casualties.

Within the blazing storm, Signora's whip, blade-like constructs, and blazing fireballs struck down any creature in sight.

At the heart of the inferno, a dark core began to take shape. Blackened veins appeared on Signora's face, creeping across her skin as if her very essence was burning away.

High above, the azure lion bowed its head and let a few glowing hairs drift downward toward Signora.

"Get away! I don't want your power!"

Signora's roar tore through the battlefield as her flames swept upward, reducing the descending Anemo energy to nothingness.

"Kill!"

Signora slammed her bare foot onto the scorched earth. The blistering heat seared her soles, and shards of charred bones pierced her skin. The blood that flowed from her wounds was instantly consumed by the flames.

Long ago, a girl who had lost her love ignited a similar storm of fire. Her lifeless eyes wandered across Mondstadt's lands, bringing divine punishment for the calamity that struck five centuries past.

Was it for vengeance?

To protect her home?

Or perhaps... to burn away her tears, to mask her sorrow and helplessness with scars and flames?

Madness?

Foolishness?

Or... unbearable pain?

"Die! Die! All of you, die!"

Frost began to crystallize around Signora's body. Childe, who had just arrived at the scene, tensed at the sight.

It was almost laughable. Or perhaps absurd.

The Delusion, a device engineered to siphon life in exchange for power—the so-called "Eye of Transcendence" as the Doctor described it—was now the only thing keeping Signora alive.

The girl on the verge of burning herself to nothing was saved by the biting chill of winter.

The Witch of Flames transformed into an unfeeling Frostborn.

For those who had witnessed the truth, like Childe, it was clear: her Delusion wasn't a tool for power.

It was her lifeline.

"Stop! You'll die if this continues!"

Childe shouted, his Hydro blades morphing into various weapons as he fended off the oncoming monsters.

But Signora paid him no heed. Her gaze was locked on the depths of Dragonspine, where greater foes awaited.

There, she would find her true enemies.

A massive crimson moth appeared beneath Signora, drawing in the blazing storm as it began to condense. The fire swirled inward, taking on a human form—a handsome man wielding a single-handed sword.

Standing behind Signora, the man gently rested his hands on her shoulders. Even as the flames burned her flesh, she smiled—a pure, untainted smile.

"I knew it. You'd never leave me. Never."

But before their reunion could last, she turned toward Dragonspine, her killing intent flaring.

"I will burn your soul to ashes in the flames of sin and retribution!"

The man behind her winced, his expression one of profound sorrow.

This isn't salvation, my beloved Signora. This is a sea of fire that consumes all.

With a faint smile, the man dissolved into flames, merging into Signora's body.

Even if it means burning everything to the ground... I will stay by your side. Always.

"What... was that?"

Childe froze in place, staring at the spot where the fiery figure had disappeared.

"That look... was it gratitude? But that's impossible. It was just a manifestation of elemental power—why would it act so human?"

A monster lunged at him from the side, but Childe reflexively cleaved it in two. Clenching his teeth, he raced after Signora.

She couldn't be allowed to die here. And more importantly, he had to see for himself the terrifying enemy that lay ahead.

"Knights of Favonius, advance!"

Signora's reckless assault had bought the Knights a brief respite and an opportunity to counterattack.

"Hold them here—don't let a single one escape into Mondstadt!"

Jean raised her sword, her voice commanding authority.

"Advance!"

"Advance!"

With their rallying cry, the azure lion's form disintegrated into streaks of light, which then settled as shimmering blue armor upon every knight. Strength surged through them, bolstering their resolve.

The eagle above spread its wings, scattering the lingering flames in its path.

The Knights charged forward with renewed vigor. Though the monsters fought fiercely, they could only throw their lives away to delay the Knights' advance.

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T/N: EVEN SIGNORA GETS DEVELOPMENT?? PEAK