Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [182]

Boom—

On Narukami Island, thunder rumbled across the skies.

Yet, amid the harsh violet radiance, a soft green light of life quietly bloomed.

Nahida's expression suddenly became calm.

Right now, she was no longer just Nahida—she was the first Dendro Archon, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

With a gentle smile, she spoke softly:

"Don't worry. Our sun… will always stay by our side."

"…Mm."

A quiet hum echoed in her mind.

"Please… Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

In her consciousness, Nahida murmured.

Though they came from the same origin and were, in theory, the same person…

Perhaps because Ren always called her Madam, Nahida felt a stronger urge to call her Mother.

The little Dendro Archon was happy.

Finally, she had found the god she had admired since her birth.

The wisdom of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, her noble character—everything about her drew Nahida in, making her strive ever harder.

She was an absolutely, absolutely perfect existence.

Like an untouchable white moonlight.

"…Heh."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled and nodded.

She could hear Nahida's thoughts.

How amusing.

Has it really been five hundred years since the battle against the forbidden knowledge that polluted the Irminsul?

Some beings could be tainted. Some could change.

A thought crossed her mind, and the corner of her lips curled slightly.

Even the gentlest of gods…

If eroded long enough, could learn to be bad.

On her exquisitely beautiful face, an odd flicker of pleasure and a faint flush appeared.

But she quickly suppressed it.

Nahida did not notice.

"Sweet dreams."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata reached out and gently caressed Ren's cheek.

"You…!"

A sharp glint flashed through Ei's violet eyes, the air around her turning deathly cold.

Clang!

[Musou Isshin] was drawn in an instant, slashing forward.

That woman—she was still touching Ren!

And more importantly…

She wasn't even wearing any clothes!

"Shh."

But as the blade swung toward her, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata merely raised a delicate finger to her lips.

In an instant, emerald light coalesced around her.

Illusory threads wove through the air, dividing space itself.

Like a dreamlike paintbrush, yet capable of manifesting anything within rational thought.

The next moment, the soft green radiance solidified.

A barrier formed, blocking Ei's sword.

"…Manifesting dreams? Your divine authority—has it changed?"

Ei narrowed her eyes in surprise.

"Divine authority? Oh, that's right."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata chuckled, slowly stepping away from Ren.

Her body was still brimming with the Electro energy he had poured into her.

The Catalyzed state would last for a while.

"This body… holds the divine authority of two gods."

After all, Nahida's existence represented an alternate possibility of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

Naturally, a god's authority could change.

"Every person's dream is precious."

"Our sun… even more so."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled mysteriously and shook her head.

Then, she finally noticed her own flawless, bare body.

The childish pajamas she had been wearing earlier had long since been tossed aside.

After all, the little white-haired girl had grown up—evolving into a white-haired onee-san.

Her body, enticing in every way, was now covered only by her long, silvery hair, adding an even greater allure.

It made one want to brush it aside.

"Don't you want to talk?" The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled.

At the same time, moonlight wove into a pure white gown, outlining her breathtakingly elegant figure.

"Step away from Ren."

Ei slowly lowered her blade.

At this moment, two Archons stood face to face, both focused on a single person.

Meanwhile, Ren… was still sound asleep.

He even smacked his lips in satisfaction.

That warm, milky comfort from earlier… why was it gone?

"I refuse."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata slowly stepped forward, standing before Ei.

The two onee-sans locked gazes, neither backing down.

From any angle, they were evenly matched.

For the first time, Ei—who had never lost before—felt challenged.

"You are not my equal." Ei's voice was cold.

In her hand, [Musou Isshin] could sever even illusions.

More importantly, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's soul was currently weak.

"…That can't be helped. After all, this is my child's wish."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata suddenly sighed.

Resting a finger under her chin, she appeared deep in thought.

"…Child? What do you mean?"

Cold light flickered in Ei's violet eyes.

She immediately sensed there was a deeper meaning to Rukkhadevata's words.

"Of course, I mean the child Ren and I created together."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled warmly, radiating pure maternal tenderness.

Logically speaking…

This body was indeed the result of her and Ren's combined power.

Setting aside blood relations, what she said wasn't technically incorrect.

However…

To anyone else, those words carried a very different implication.

"—!"

Ei's grip on her sword tightened.

"A… child…"

She subconsciously murmured.

Ren and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata… had a child?

She recalled Yae Miko's playful smirk.

That voice echoed in her ears once again—

"General, if you don't act soon, someone's going to steal your home~"

At that thought, Ei's expression darkened completely.

Boom—!

The night sky was torn apart by lightning.

Once again, Ei raised her blade.

"…It seems a battle is unavoidable."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's soft voice carried a trace of finality as her smile faded.

Vibrant emerald life energy bloomed behind her, like a rainforest growing anew.

Inside the small room, violet and green divided the space, standing in opposition.

And in the middle of it all… was Ren.

Both Archons gathered their respective elemental powers, preparing for confrontation.

Then, suddenly—

They attacked at the same time.

Boom!

Just as the two forces were about to collide—

A blurred figure, wreathed in faint violet light, suddenly appeared between them.

Ren had awakened—though neither of them knew when he had started pretending to be asleep!

"?!"

Ei and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's expressions changed.

They instinctively tried to withdraw their powers—

But clearly, Ren's sudden movement had caught them completely off guard.

"Get out of the way!"

Both women cried out at once.

But facing the combined power of two Archons, Ren only chuckled softly.

"I don't fully understand what's going on…"

"But you two… are fighting because of me, aren't you?"

Amidst the turbulent storm of elemental energy, his expression remained calm as he raised his hands.

A steady, unshakable Geo energy gathered within them.

"Then there's no reason for me to step aside."

In the next instant—

A golden shield, dazzling like the midday sun, suddenly expanded—clashing against the might of two gods!

"Ren!"

Ei and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata called out in alarm.

Nahida, too, gasped in his mind.

Yet, the next moment, all three women widened their eyes in shock.

Boom—!

As the elemental forces collided, the expected scene of Ren being crushed never came.

When the dust settled, he remained standing, completely unharmed.

Through the shimmering shield, not a single injury could be seen.

"This is…"

Inside the mental realm, Nahida was stunned.

Her sun had just withstood an attack from two Archons!

"Listen to me— cough!"

Ren had intended to sound cool, but suddenly coughed.

This feeling—was he… Catalyzed?

"Are you alright?!"

Ei and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata withdrew their powers, rushing to his side from both directions.

Their faces were filled with concern.

Yet, even as they fussed over Ren, their eyes remained wary of each other.

"Stop! You two, stop fighting already!"

Sandwiched between them, Ren sighed helplessly.

All he wanted… was to get some sleep!