Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [184] [30 PS]

The moment Ren spoke, the room fell into silence.

No one answered.

In the darkness, a pair of emerald-green eyes and a pair of violet eyes locked onto him at the same time.

—Inside the mental realm—

"Big Brother."

Nahida lowered her head slightly, a joyful smile appearing on her face.

Being mentioned so suddenly—being cared about—it warmed her heart.

She really liked this feeling.

…

But in reality, the gazes of the two goddesses had changed.

Trigger word detected: "daughter."

A perfect critical hit.

"…"

Ren immediately shut his mouth and stared straight ahead.

He wasn't sure why the atmosphere had suddenly turned so strange, but—

Here they were, all crammed into this small, dimly lit room…

The moonlight cast a soft glow, highlighting the two goddesses' faces.

Cool and composed on one side.

Gentle and serene on the other.

Gulp.

Ren's Adam's apple bobbed.

They were so close.

Close enough that he could feel their body heat, inhale the mixed fragrance of their scents.

His palms grew slightly damp with sweat.

Even if there were only one of them, their breathtaking beauty alone was enough to make any mortal lose themselves.

After all, these were exalted, divine beings—existences beyond the reach of ordinary people.

And yet, right now…

They were sitting together on the same tiny bed as him, within arm's reach.

Am I dreaming?

This is cheating! How is this fair?!

Just as Ren felt himself wavering—

"…Our daughter, hmm…"

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata suddenly chuckled softly, her expression thoughtful.

She casually glanced at Ei—emphasizing the word our with deliberate care.

"?"

Ei's violet eyes grew colder, and the fingers resting on her crossed legs clenched slightly.

A faint creaking sound echoed in the air.

Right…

She had almost forgotten.

Did Ren really… have a child with the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?

When did this happen?!

A chill ran down Ren's spine.

"Haha… That's… not right, is it?"

"This is my first time meeting you, Lady Rukkhadevata."

Ren quickly tried to clear up the misunderstanding.

Shogun, I swear I'm innocent!

Before Ei could draw a blade from her chest, he shot the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata a pleading look.

Please, don't say things that could be misunderstood!

What happened to the wisdom of the God of Wisdom?!

"…Hmm? Is there a problem?"

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's smile remained gentle, as if she hadn't noticed his silent plea at all.

Suddenly, her voice echoed directly in Ren's mind—

"Our union was real. Do you intend to feign ignorance and shirk responsibility?"

"…"

Ren fell silent for a long time.

She can hear my thoughts?

Not only that, but she was clearly far more skilled at it than Nahida—silent and undetectable.

Should I be impressed?

Wait a minute…

Thoughts—!

"!"

Ren's eyes widened in horror, his pupils shaking.

Did that mean all the inappropriate thoughts he had about the two goddesses earlier were—?!

"Hehe… Take a guess. Do you think I heard them?"

Her voice was laced with amusement.

Ren closed his eyes.

This level of social death… At this point, it hardly even mattered anymore.

Lady Rukkhadevata, I'm so sorry.

"Don't worry. I'll respect your privacy."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled warmly.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't actively listen in.

But suddenly, her delicate eyelashes trembled slightly.

A flicker of chaos and pain flashed through her emerald eyes.

The corruption from the Irminsul had been tormenting her all this time.

Thoughts were like dreams—

Boundless, beautiful, and unrestricted by will.

But if they were tainted by forbidden knowledge…

The corner of her lips subtly curled into an eerie, almost sickly smile.

"…"

Ren froze, a deep unease creeping into his heart.

What was that feeling just now?

For a brief moment, it was as if he had glimpsed a different side of her.

No way… She wouldn't turn out to be a yandere, right?

Nahida always described her as the kindest and most gentle god!

But when he focused again—

"…It seems the Raiden Shogun cares deeply for our daughter."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata lightly touched her forehead, her expression completely serene.

Still as gentle as moonlight—

As if that eerie moment earlier had been nothing more than an illusion.

"What are you telling Ren?"

Ei immediately noticed that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had used her divine authority, her voice turning cold.

And daughter—again?!

"Ei, let me explain."

Ren was caught between ice and fire, his entire body alternating between hot and cold.

This is bad. Real bad.

There was no point in hiding it anymore.

He took a deep breath and explained Nahida's entire origin.

…

After listening, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata simply smiled without saying a word.

Ei's icy expression finally softened.

"So that's how it is," Ren said helplessly.

"…That child. Where is she?"

Ei let out a small huff, turning her face away.

Now that she had calmed down, she realized how flustered she had been just moments ago.

"Yeah, where's Nahida?"

Ren murmured, feeling a faint sense of loss.

He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

If her mother had come to find her… then it was time for the little angel to go home.

Was Nahida… leaving?

He suddenly didn't want to let go.

"Big Brother…"

Nahida heard his thoughts, and her heart trembled.

Her emotions surged violently, transmitting directly to the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

For a moment, she nearly took over, ready to cry out to Ren.

She didn't want to leave her warm, radiant sun!

But then, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's voice rang out—

"Are you sure you want to tell him?"

Nahida hesitated, hugging herself tightly.

As the God of Wisdom, she didn't know.

All she wanted was to stay by Ren's side.

But this emotion… It had unknowingly taken root, growing more and more complex.

"…Mom, what do you think?"

The little Dendro Archon asked the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"You and I share the same origin."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata chuckled.

"You are me, and I am—"

"…But I still want to be your daughter."

Nahida smiled warmly.

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was the god she had always admired and worked so hard for.

If she could receive her love and guidance…

Wouldn't she become a better version of herself?

Wouldn't that mean she wouldn't disappoint the people of Sumeru?

"…I see. If that's what you want."

"My daughter."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sighed softly, accepting it.

The world… has already forgotten me.

Soon, you will take my place entirely.

Consider this my final gift to you.

If it makes you happy, even for a little while…

"…Mom?"

"What is it?"

"Should I…?"

Nahida fidgeted, hesitant.

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the symbol of supreme wisdom—she would know, right?

"I don't know."

"…Huh? But…"

Could Mom really not know something, just like her?

"Believe in yourself, Nahida."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's voice was soft.

"Your wisdom shouldn't be confined to what others think of you."

"Think more for yourself."

"…Believe in myself?"

Nahida murmured, her emerald eyes shining.

…

—Back in reality—

"Nahida went to the bathroom."

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled as she answered Ren's question.

"…Oh."

Ren nodded, his expression complicated.

She's not afraid of the dark?

As his thoughts wandered—

"There's still one thing you haven't explained."

Ei suddenly spoke, fixing her gaze on the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"…You were supposed to have perished long ago."