Chapter 25: The Burning Witch of Embers

The temperature inside the ice cocoon continued to rise, quickly reaching its limit. With a crisp cracking sound, the cocoon shattered under the pressure, and countless fiery butterflies emerged, their tiny wings glowing with sparks.

"Such beautiful elemental creations," Yun Fan caught one of the butterflies on his finger, watching it crawl across his skin, tickling and warm.

"Unforgivable!"

Signora burst out of the cocoon, now transformed into her Witch of Embers form. Flames wreathed her body, the intense heat scorching the ground black. The air grew dry as water molecules were stripped away, and the temperature in the training grounds soared.

Whoosh!

With a sharp whistling sound, a whip of fire materialized in Signora's hand.

Yun Fan enhanced himself with Electro energy, moving swiftly to dodge Signora's attacks. Each strike missed, leaving scorch marks on the stone floor.

"Until everything—burns to ashes!"

Seeing her attacks fail, Signora's flames burned even fiercer. Fireballs rained from the sky, and she transformed into a fiery tornado, sweeping toward Yun Fan with overwhelming force.

Yun Fan glanced around. The Knights of Favonius' training grounds, though sturdier than other areas, were already in ruins. If this continued, repairs would take far longer than expected.

Moreover, he had already gauged Signora's strength. There was no need for him to go all out.

"Blades—know no mercy!" Yun Fan didn't dodge. Instead, he charged toward the fiery tornado, his blade crackling with intense Electro energy.

Combat Skill: Purple Thunderclap!

In an instant, fire and lightning clashed, triggering a violent elemental reaction.

Boom! The explosion shook the heavens, the shockwave flattening the grass around the square and sending debris flying. The ground at the center of the explosion was gone, replaced by a crater dozens of meters wide and five meters deep.

Signora lay in the center, her already scant clothing mostly torn, revealing glimpses of her skin. But she had no time to care about that now.

Her pride and fury had dissipated, replaced by a deep, primal fear—the fear of death, something she hadn't felt in centuries.

"You... you can't kill me! I'm a diplomat of Snezhnaya! If you kill me, the Tsaritsa will—"

Yun Fan had no immediate plans to kill Signora. After all, her absence could cause significant changes to the story, potentially derailing his plans.

But seeing Signora still trying to threaten him even in the face of death, Yun Fan couldn't help but laugh.

Maybe I should just end her here. I'll deal with the consequences later. If she's gone, another Harbinger can take her place.

With that thought, Yun Fan raised his weapon.

"Hmm?" Just as Yun Fan was about to strike, a surge of Cryo energy erupted from Signora's body, forming an ice shield that blocked his attack.

This level of elemental power was different from that of Vision holders—it was purer, more potent, almost divine.

"The Tsaritsa?"

The ice shield dissipated, gradually forming a projection of the Tsaritsa made of Cryo energy. Though Yun Fan had never seen the Tsaritsa in person, there was no doubt this was the power of an Archon.

"Your Majesty!" Signora tried to struggle to her feet to bow, but her injuries made it impossible.

"Release Rosalyne," the elemental projection commanded. Though it had no mouth, the voice echoed clearly.

"Oh? And what will you offer in exchange?" Yun Fan planted his polearm on the ground, tilting his head as he regarded the 'Tsaritsa.'

He was puzzled. Why had the Tsaritsa intervened to save Signora now, but not when Signora faced the Raiden Shogun in Inazuma?

Was Signora's value exhausted, or did the Tsaritsa know it was futile to intervene against the Raiden Shogun, a puppet?

"How dare you speak to the Tsaritsa—"

"Shut up!" Yun Fan cut Signora off.

The 'Tsaritsa' remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "What do you want?"

Though this was just a projection, the divine senses of an Archon were still present. She could feel the immense power within Yun Fan, rivaling her own.

And then there was the terrifying flame energy nearby, likely allied with Yun Fan.

"I haven't thought of a condition yet. How about we make a contract? I'll leave the condition open for now, but I can guarantee it won't interfere with your future plans. In fact, it might even help."

The Tsaritsa fell into a longer silence. Yun Fan didn't rush her. He knew the uncertainty of this condition was a risk for her.

"I agree," the Tsaritsa finally said. The possibility of gaining an ally against the Heavenly Principles was worth the risk.

"Then let's seal the contract."

Yun Fan waved his hand, and a contract materialized, floating before the 'Tsaritsa.'

"The power of Morax's contracts. So, you are the Divine Lord," the 'Tsaritsa' said, her expression confirming her suspicions. Three years ago, the battle at Guyun Stone Forest had caught the attention of all Archon-level beings.

At first, she had thought it was just Morax sealing a demon god. But then the title of Divine Lord appeared out of nowhere, with no trace of its origin.

Today, sensing Rosalyne's impending death, she had manifested this projection. The powerful Electro energy emanating from Yun Fan had raised her suspicions, and now the contract confirmed her guess.

"The Divine Lord..." Signora broke into a cold sweat, the pain from her wounds stinging as the sweat seeped in.

After Tartaglia's failed investigation, the Tsaritsa had ordered her Harbingers not to provoke the Divine Lord. Yet here she was, walking right into the line of fire.

"It's done," the Tsaritsa handed the signed contract back to Yun Fan.

Yun Fan examined the contract, nodded in satisfaction, and then turned to leave without another word, heading toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

Seeing Yun Fan honor the agreement, the 'Tsaritsa' turned to the fallen Signora.

"Rosalyne, complete the task I assigned you and return to Snezhnaya to report."

The elemental projection dissipated, the remaining Cryo energy returning to Signora's body and resealing her Witch of Embers form.

Signora looked at her now extinguished flames, then recalled Yun Fan's gaze. A chill ran through her, and despite her injuries, she struggled to her feet and quickly left the scene.