Chapter 369

The facts prove it.

Luo De and Nadixa were overthinking.

Apep's goal was never Furina, but rather Neuvillette, who is inseparable from her.

On the eve of the Flower God's birthday celebration, when Nadixa entertained the remaining six Archons, Luo De discovered this.

As for how he discovered it, it's simply that this Apep was too brazen.

In front of all the gods, he swaggered over to Neuvillette, adopting the airs of an elder, and forcibly drew the gods' gazes over.

However, aside from Furina and the Pyro Archon Mavuika, the others all knew Apep, this rebel who defies heaven's order.

Regarding her appearance,

They weren't particularly surprised.

But what made the gods frown was that Apep actually stood on Sumeru's side.

As one of Teyvat's most ancient dragon kings.

Apep was arrogant, never giving a good look to either humans or gods.

Like Vourukasha and Rukkhadevata, the two dragon kings who had cooperative relations with humans, she consistently regarded them with contempt.

But this time she reappeared.

Not only did she rid herself of the Abyssal corruption within, but she openly sided with the Dendro Archon.

Although she still had some of her old demeanor, she lacked the arrogance she showed toward other gods, making her completely different from before.

Including her calm and peaceful conversation with Neuvillette.

That was also the case.

In the past, seeing a dragon king like Neuvillette, not fighting would have counted as her being in a good mood today.

"Hehe."

"Buyel really has some tricks, even managing to subdue this troublesome guy."

The Cryo Empress said indifferently.

Seated beside her, the Pyro Archon Mavuika glanced at the unfamiliar Apep and asked curiously, "Who is that?"

Unlike the other seven Archons of the mortal world, who all rose to their positions as Archons,

The Pyro Archon of Natlan is inherited through a succession system.

Teyvat originally had no Pyro Archon.

In legend,

During the Archon War, Natlan's people prayed to the heavens and received a response, giving birth to the first Pyro Archon, Habermus.

Such cases of humans directly ascending to become Archons,

This was the first such occurrence in Teyvat's history, and the only one before Luo De appeared.

But even after becoming a god,

Habermus, after ascending, would still experience birth, aging, sickness, and death like ordinary humans.

Thus, since that first Pyro Archon,

the Pyro Archon position in Natlan can only continue through inheritance.

And, as always, it is humans who take up the mantle of the new Pyro Archon.

The specific selection system is as follows:

Each generation of Natlan warriors must undergo a series of trials, from which the strongest is selected to ascend the divine throne and claim the Pyro Archon's position.

Unlike the current Hydro Archon Furina, who merely holds the title but is essentially an ordinary person,

After ascending, a Natlan warrior immediately gains Pyro Archon powers from the throne, becomes a true Pyro Archon, and continues to lead the Natlan people in ongoing resistance against the monsters that harass Natlan.

However, Mavuika differs from other Pyro Archons.

This was true even before her arrival.

Zhongli had once told Luo De some stories about her.

Specifically,

Mavuika is the Pyro Archon who has held the position for five hundred years.

Since the Pyro Archon also cannot surpass the limits of a human lifespan, and Natlan is a nation without an Archon, there is no Archonic power to extend life.

Therefore,

After the primordial darkness disaster was quelled in those days, Mavuika sealed her life within the Sacred Flame, paying the price of dying early in the past, so as to awaken again in the present era, thereby reigniting a plan called the Second Life Initiative.

What exactly does this plan entail?

No one but her knows.

But it is certain that

this is definitely a plan concerning Natlan's survival.

This is also precisely because she is not an immortal Archon.

Even after being active for five hundred years, Mavuika has no impression of Apep at all.

"That one,"

"That one is the primordial Dendro dragon king, Apep."

Seated opposite Mavuika, Venti chuckled as he brought up Apep's name.

He, Teyvat's biggest troublemaker, naturally knew Apep, and had even been chased by Apep in the past for offending the Dendro dragon king.

Of course.

Given his abilities, even if Apep exerted all his strength he couldn't catch him, and in the end could only leave a harsh warning: 'I'll beat you every time I see you.'

"The primordial Dendro dragon king."

Mavuika slightly raised an eyebrow: "She's still alive?"

The first fire dragon king of Natlan is named Xiukuteer, defeated and slain by the first fire god.

Also a dragon king who rebels against heaven and hates humanity.

I never expected that the first grass dragon king of Sumeru could still be alive.

"Huh—"

Apepu heard Mavuika's voice, their expression somewhat uneasy.

In fact.

Mavuika never hid her voice, speaking very openly and straightforwardly, with no intention of hiding.

She also has the confidence to do so.

In the hearts of Liyue people, the oldest god Zhongli is also the strongest god in Teyvat.

However, in Zhongli's own mouth.

Among the Seven Archons, the strongest is actually the Pyro Archon Mavuika.

Luo De initially thought Zhongli was being modest.

After all, he has always considered Zhongli the strongest.

Until a few days ago, when he went to visit Zhongli, he happened to run into Mavuika also visiting him.

Luo De then knew.

It turns out the Pyro Archon's power comes from the Death Archon.

That is, one of the four shadows of Heavenly Principles, the god who wields the power of death.

Don't be fooled by the fact that her name also contains the word "Archon" just like the Seven Archons.

But the power she controls, the Seven Archons combined are no match for her.

Life, death, time, space.

These four are the four shadow Archons of Heavenly Principles.

Among them, Lei Dian Zhen once obtained the power of the Time Archon Yisitulu, and from the future planted a seed of the Divine Sakura Tree, helping Inazuma five hundred years ago avoid the fate of being destroyed by darkness.

Venti possibly also has some relation with Yisitulu, just unknown what exactly their relation is.

As for Ege liya, there's no need to say more.

She is the heart of the primordial sea fabricated by the Life Archon imitating the Water Dragon King.

Her existence.

Not only did it allow the primordial sea, the source of life in Teyvat, to be smoothly taken over by the Heavenly Principles, but it also completely severed the Water Dragon King's lineage.

Only when Ege liya was in a state of actual death could the second-generation Water Dragon King Na weilai te be successfully born.

The Space Archon is relatively mysterious.

Luo De speculated that the one who initially stopped Kong and Ying from escaping Teyvat, the sustainer of the Heavenly Principles, was very likely that Space Archon.

The siblings capable of interstellar travel had no ability to resist even a bit before the sustainer of the Heavenly Principles.

This can be seen.

How terrifying the power of the Four Shadows Archon is.

Therefore, Ma wei ka, who has inherited the power of the Death Archon, is said to be the strongest god in Teyvat currently, which is not an exaggeration or Zhongli's self-deprecation.

And A pei pu, who has also contended with the Heavenly Principles, naturally has also witnessed the power of the Death Archon.

She, knowing that Ma wei ka is not to be provoked, gave a cold snort, regained some face, turned her head away, and continued conversing with the junior Na weilai te.

However

Na weilai te is someone who is extremely particular about rules.

At such a gathering of gods.

Although he felt very uncomfortable all over, he also knew that in such an important occasion, one cannot just casually say whatever they want.

But he simply could not oppose A pei pu.

This primordial dragon king, who has lived on the Tiwatedalu since ancient times, not only participated in establishing the initial dragon order of Teyvat, but also contended with the Heavenly Principles.

Speaking purely of seniority, the gods present, including Zhongli, this most ancient Archon who has lived over six thousand years, are merely junior upstarts before her, far from enough to make her have any reservations.

And what was supposed to be a nice gathering of the Seven Archons.

Under her meddling, it could not become solemn no matter what.

Especially when the drunk Venti, after drinking freely to the point of being utterly intoxicated, began to sing, the originally rather proper gathering instantly became lively.

Still, except for Furina.

The remaining six gods all know each other and have things to talk about.

Unfortunately.

Everyone ultimately are not those of the first generation; even if they chat, they cannot chat for too long.

And there are also those like Xiao and Lei dian ying who are silent and reticent.

Thus the nice banquet.

Even with Venti livening up the atmosphere, it still didn't last long before breaking up.

Taking advantage of this opportunity.

The Ice Queen who had met once in Liyue again sought out Luo De.

This god, whose appearance is cold and who always seems to keep people at a distance, upon seeing Luo De, first said: 'Are you ready to fulfill the contract?'

The contract she spoke of.

Namely, letting Luo De go to the Fatui to substitute the inevitably doomed Dottore, becoming her second-in-command executive officer.

"Hmm."

Luo De nodded.

He is a person who keeps his promises; having promised the Ice Queen, he naturally must fulfill it.

As for what will happen to Sumeru after arriving in Snezhnaya,

He believes that without Dottore, and with the premise of restoring the three gods' joint rule, Nadixa and the Great Merciful Tree King are sufficient to govern Sumeru well.

"Just remember that."

The Ice Queen was satisfied with Luo De's answer; after asking this question, she walked on with a smile at the corner of her mouth, saying, "Then I'll wait for you here."

"Um"

Looking at her back, Luo De narrowed his eyes.

The meaning of these words is not merely that he must fulfill the contract.

This is a certainty that Dottore will definitely die in Sumeru, and specifically during the Flower God's birth festival.

Seeing off the Ice Queen.

Luo De was just preparing to go rest when another unexpected guest arrived.

"Hello, Mr. Luo De, I am the Chief Justice of Fontaine, Navirete."

Navirete, wearing splendid robes, performed a standard Fontaine salute toward Luo De, his movements natural and smooth, exactly like those of Fontaine's upper-class folk.

Luo De never expected him to come looking for himself, returned the salute and said, "Hello, Chief Justice, please come in."

The Purification Palace is the residence of the Dendro Archon.

All facilities here are prepared solely for the Dendro Archon.

Only one side hall is an exception.

This was prepared for Luo De by Nadixa.

However, Luo De rarely comes here to stay on ordinary days.

Today, coincidentally, a gathering of the Seven Archons is being held here, which is why he has come.

When Navirete entered,

Luo De glanced at the person behind him.

He did not see Furina.

This abnormality made him curiously wonder: "Where is the Hydro Archon? Didn't she come with you?"

"I am visiting you in a private capacity."

It must be said, purely in terms of etiquette, Navirete's words and deeds are still very pleasing.

This Chief Justice, who holds a prestigious position in Fontaine,

Although he always speaks very seriously and appears rather unapproachable, in fact he lacks any semblance of what a Chief Justice should have; toward anyone he can maintain the utmost respect.

"So that's how it is."

Hearing that Navirete had come especially to see him, Luo De, who had never interacted with him before, became even more curious.

He has never had any dealings with Fontaine.

Trade between Sumeru and Fontaine is also normal, unlike the close relations with Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma.

Moreover, he has never even met Navirete in person.

What could he possibly want by coming alone to see me? Could it be related to Apep?

Thinking back to the banquet where the two of them openly conversed face to face, Luo De raised his eyebrows and asked, "Did Apep say something to you?"

"Yes."

Navirete candidly admitted: "He told me that you have a way to resolve Fontaine's prophecy."

"."

Luo De's cheek twitched.

This Apep, with such a big mouth, can't keep anything in.

"Ah—"

Luo De, familiar with Apep's style, sighed and said: "What did she say, and what did you promise her?"

Apep is not the type to offer flattery for no reason.

This fellow always has her own ideas in whatever she does.

This time she is selling her information.

Having moved past his initial shock, Luo De didn't need to guess deeply to know she had negotiated some terms with Navirete.

Moreover.

Luo De very much wants to know.

What exactly did this Apep, who doesn't know Fakhos's plan, say to Navirete?

On what basis does she confidently claim she can resolve Fontaine's prophecy crisis? Navirete, who does not know how to lie, directly laid out Apep's words in full.

"She said Fontaine's prophecy was ordained by the Heavenly Principles."

"And you are currently the only person in Teyvat capable of breaking the Heavenly Principles' rules."

"As the exchange for this information."

"If you truly help Fontaine resolve the prophecy crisis, I will give her my Dragon King's Crown."

Navirete's tone was very calm, as if the Dragon King's Crown were not worth mentioning to him.

After hearing that,

Luo De finally understood what Apep was scheming.

Whether it was a blind hit or he had long known Fontaine's situation,

In short.

The method Apep told Neuvillette for resolving the prophecy is basically correct in principle.

As for Neuvillette's water dragon crown,

It is actually his ancient dragon authority.

And the rock dragon crown on the head of the Dragon King Ruotu is roughly the same thing.

And once Luo De shatters the divine throne, the ancient dragon authority sealed within will be released again to Neuvillette.

Then, if Apep obtains this crown, it means she obtains the complete water element ancient dragon authority.

"This is going to be troublesome."

Luo De's face darkened.

Letting Apep, who already controls the grass element authority, obtain the complete water element authority is not something Luo De wants to see.

(End of chapter)