With a sharp crack of gunfire, the muzzle erupted in a storm of flames.
Blazing energy ripped through the chaotic air and smashed into the chains binding the upside-down statue.
"Noooooooooooo! My statue—?"
"Eh?"
Venti, who had jumped up in shock at Nagami's sudden attack, froze mid-scream when he realized Nagami was targeting the chains, not the statue itself.
The flames flared violently, shattering the bindings.
Under the pull of gravity, the statue crashed down onto the ground.
It was as if some crucial ritual had been cut short—the dark current swirling in the statue's hands began to fade, and when it finally dissipated, it burst into a wave of chaotic energy.
"For Barbara's sake, I'll let this thing off for now." Lumine crossed her arms and gave a small nod.
With a wave, Nagami suppressed the surging energy and spread his hands at Venti.
The shadows at his feet surged like a black ocean, spreading over the statue of The Seven and swallowing it whole.
"Consider this my souvenir. It's not that important to you anyway."
"Not important!? The Statues of The Seven are worth a fortune! You could trade one for an entire Dawn Winery!" Venti snapped back instantly, then added, "Of course… if you really want my statue, I might part with it… but you'll have to pay extra!"
If anyone dared to buy one, that would be the only real value to Venti—selling it off.
But in truth, no one on Teyvat would touch such a thing.
The Seven still walked the world; tampering with their statues was nothing short of suicide.
You wouldn't even need a Archon's wrath, the Knights of Favonius would brand you a wanted criminal across the continent.
"If you're gonna haggle, at least ask for more wine instead of mora. No middlemen that way…" Nagami muttered, trading a quick glance with Lumine.
They both turned toward the entrance they had come from.
Venti opened his mouth to speak, but stopped short.
He, too, felt the presence approaching.
A figure clad in half-robe, half-armor of black and blue stood before them, emanating crushing pressure.
"You dare stand in the way of the Abyss! I shall deliver our lord judgment!"
The low, distorted voice echoed, the blue crystals on its face glinting like cold eyes.
This Abyss Apostle was, in truth, one of the least "human" beings Nagami had seen in Teyvat so far—perhaps only Dainsleif could compare.
Well… if one could even call it "human" at all.
Dark energy gathered in its arms, forming twin blades of shadowy light.
It looked ready to strike at once.
"Wait! We are not your enemies!"
Lumine's words were so unexpected that both Paimon and Venti snapped their heads toward her in shock.
But Lumine ignored their stares and stepped forward with calm, graceful poise.
"Hmph. You destroy the ritual and claim you are not the enemy of the Abyss?"
Fortunately, this was no mindless monster.
An Apostle of this level could be counted as one of Long-ge's generals.
In other words, it could think.
Nagami and Lumine's goal was simply to draw out Aether.
Fighting here was pointless.
'Ahem.'
Lumine set her hands on her hips, face serious and imperious, though her cutely stubborn expression betrayed her.
"If you doubt me, sense my power for yourself. Then you'll believe my words."
She lifted her delicate hand, golden braids fluttering though no wind stirred.
What surged forth was not ordinary elemental energy—it was her true, original power.
A power only two people in this world possessed.
The instant the Apostle felt it, its attack froze.
Slowly, it lowered its blades.
"Such power… You—you are that one!"
Its crystal face betrayed no emotion, but the shock in its voice was undeniable.
"That's right. Now call me Princess already!"
Lumine tilted her chin proudly, her haughty tone completely undermined by how adorably silly she looked.
———————————————————————
[Nagami]: You said I'm shameless, but what are you even asking to someone you just meet…
[Lumine]: Stop it! We're in the middle of business—don't get distracted!
———————————————————————
Lumine shot Nagami a sharp side-glance, her eyes flustered but playful.
Paimon and Venti froze at her words.
They exchanged a look—both equally confused.
Paimon was about to squeak out a protest when Venti clapped a hand over her mouth.
He stared straight at her, giving a quick wink and a shh gesture.
"Mmph…!"
Paimon bobbed her head furiously, and when Venti let go, the two fell silent, watching the scene unfold.
"..."
The Apostle's crystals flickered twice, as if baffled. Even without a face, Nagami could sense its confusion.
This didn't add up.
The Prince had said his blood relative had only just awakened from a long slumber, still ignorant of the world, unable to understand the conflict between Abyss and Celestia.
He had even ordered the Abyss to avoid her at all costs.
Should she be harmed, punishment would be swift and merciless.
Yet here she stood, speaking as if she knew everything. What was happening?
"You… No, my lady—do you truly understand what your brother is doing?"
The Apostle bowed slightly, voice tinged with respect.
"Of course I do. But there are things I must tell him alone. For now, report everything that happened here. I'll wait for him."
With Nagami's silent reminder, Lumine shed the mask of goofy bravado and radiated an almost saintly grace.
"This…"
The Apostle hesitated, caught in doubt.
Negotiating with something that could think had its pros and cons—it wasn't so easy to deceive.
———————————————————————
[Nagami]: Okay that's enough
[Lumine]: ?
———————————————————————
Lumine blinked in confusion at Nagami's thought—only to feel him move behind her.
In the Apostle's stunned gaze, Nagami slipped an arm around Lumine's slender waist.
As she turned her head back at him, his other hand cupped her cheek.
Slowly, he leaned in—pressing his lips against hers.
Paimon and Venti's eyes went wide, their faces etched with disbelief.
At last, the kiss broke.
"Here's the message. Tell your Prince this—if he doesn't come, he'll miss his only sister's wedding."
Nagami, still holding the reluctant, flustered Lumine, smiled at the Apostle.
This time, it offered no reply.
After staring between the two of them for a few seconds, it opened the door of the Abyss and vanished.
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