Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [188]

Beneath the Irminsul, two figures remained in each other's embrace, unwilling to part.

Dreamlike pink petals drifted through the air, falling softly upon Ren and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, as if offering them a silent blessing.

And of course, upon a certain white-haired little girl who was still fast asleep.

For once, she was truly resting peacefully—

Utterly adorable.

Because in her sleep, she wouldn't interrupt her "father" and "mother" sneaking around and doing bad things.

"…"

Ren held the gentle goddess tightly, savoring the warmth in his arms.

She smelled like morning dew glistening upon the leaves, kissed by the first light of dawn—sweet and refreshing.

A taste that made him crave more.

His arms instinctively tightened around her slender waist, fingers pressing lightly against the soft, delicate curve of her body.

"…Mmm."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata let out a faint hum, nestling into his embrace.

"…"

Nearby, Nahida's small body trembled ever so slightly.

A movement so subtle, yet it didn't escape his notice.

!

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's long lashes quivered as her eyes fluttered open.

She pushed Ren away.

"Mm—!"

Ren's expression stiffened as he instinctively pressed a hand against his lips, brows furrowing.

He glanced at her—breath slightly uneven, face turned away—silently questioning.

Getting interrupted at a moment like this…

That was already bad enough.

But the worst part?

A faint trace of crimson had appeared at the corner of his mouth.

That's right.

He had been bitten.

"…You reckless fool."

Leaning against the Irminsul, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata cast him a sideways glance, her misty jade-green eyes shimmering with amusement.

Her cheeks were flushed, lips glistening, breaths still uneven.

For just a moment, she was utterly bewitching—gentle yet seductive, a matured beauty tinged with a lingering trace of mischief.

And just like that—

Something inside Ren stirred once again.

"?"

He stepped forward, intending to—

But before he could act, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had already extended a single delicate finger, pressing it lightly against his chest.

"Shh."

She shook her head softly, her gaze drifting toward Nahida.

Our child is pretending to sleep.

"…Ahem. Right."

Ren rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a little guilty.

Hopefully Nahida didn't see anything…

Now that he thought about it—

He had just kissed her mother right in front of her.

Damn. That's…

…Weirdly thrilling.

Ren silently reflected on his actions and concluded—

He'd do it again.

After calming down, he followed Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's gaze.

"…Hahhh… Hahhh…"

Nahida buried her face into the soft bedding, her breathing steady and peaceful.

She really did look adorable.

Ren chuckled—only to wince as a sharp sting shot through his lip.

Right.

That bite had been vicious.

"…What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's voice was gentle as she gazed at him in concern.

Her tone was warm.

But on her face—

A delighted little smile played at her lips.

Perhaps a little pain would be… a different experience for you?

"…I'm fine."

Ren sighed, shaking his head.

Five hundred years of torment had changed her.

But to think that this once gentle goddess had become so—

So, uh, could you maybe tone down that dangerous look in your eyes?

At this moment, Ren felt very much like a helpless little rabbit…

Being studied by a rather curious predator.

"Heh… Don't worry."

She raised a hand, her fingertips glowing with a soft green light.

As the Dendro Archon, she was also the greatest healer—able to mend wounds and restore vitality in an instant.

No matter how far things went, she could always—

…

Ren's lips quickly healed.

After that, they sat together, listening to the stories she had to tell.

For instance, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata… was still untouched.

And the most surprising revelation—

She and Nahida were of the same origin.

"So, you two are the same person?"

"…But that doesn't make sense."

Ren's mind momentarily short-circuited.

It was hard to wrap his head around.

Then, a terrifying thought flashed through his mind.

Wait.

If I kissed Greater Lord Rukkhadevata…

Does that mean I also—?!

Nope. No. Absolutely not.

Ren was a proper, upstanding man.

He would never lay a finger on Nahida.

"Regardless, you are the sun to both Nahida and me. That's all that matters."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata gently cradled Ren's face in her hands, her voice tender.

You didn't just grant Nahida her freedom.

You freed me as well.

"Thank you, my sun."

"…"

Ren glanced at the goddess in his arms, then at Nahida's sleeping form.

The elegant white-haired goddess…

And the innocent white-haired child…

They were the same person, yet not.

"Should we wake Nahida?"

Ren smiled, intertwining his fingers with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's.

To him, Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata were distinct individuals.

Nahida was still just a child.

"I'll leave that to you."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smirked but said nothing more.

Yes—she had hidden something important from him.

That Nahida, too, could grow.

That she could take the form of a young girl, or a graceful woman.

She could switch between three forms—child, maiden, and matron.

And of course—

She would need Ren's Electro energy to do so.

But for now, she remained silent.

This was something Nahida wished to tell Ren herself.

"…Alright. Let's wake her together."

Hand in hand, Ren and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata approached the soft, vine-woven bed where the little angel rested.

They moved with care—like young parents afraid of disturbing their child's dreams.

"I'll do it."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata mouthed the words soundlessly—

While also swatting away a certain someone's wandering hand from her waist.

Ren, looking rather wronged, nodded.

For some reason…

He suddenly felt like a husband being cast aside in favor of their child.

…

"Wake up, Nahida."

A gentle voice called, warm as sunlight filtering through leaves.

Someone softly nudged her shoulder.

Nahida slowly opened her eyes.

"…Mama… and my… sun…"

Her emerald gaze reflected two figures standing close together—so close they seemed inseparable.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she let out a drowsy but delighted giggle.

It was like a dream.

For the first time, she had a warm, comfortable bed.

For the first time, someone had woken her with kindness.

She no longer had to face the cold, lonely silence of the Sanctuary of Surasthana, where she had been confined for five hundred years.

"From now on, Mother will always be with you."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata leaned down, smiling.

"…And me too." Ren added.

"…You don't have any other thoughts, do you?"

"What? Of course not."

…

Nahida tilted her head, eyes shimmering.

Watching them bicker like an old married couple, warmth spread through her heart.

She was no longer alone.

"…I have so many little games I want to play."

"And so many stories I want to hear."

She reached out, grasping both of their hands—

Like a child seeking comfort from her parents.

"Take a look, Nahida. Your mother brought some friends."

Ren chuckled.

"…Huh?"

Nahida blinked and looked around.

Rustling sounds came from the forest.

And then—

Dum-dum-dum…

A group of small, round creatures pushed through the bushes.

They were the spirits of the forest.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's beloved children.

"The Aranara!"

Nahida gasped, her voice filled with joy.