Mavuika nodded slightly, a glimmer of approval flashing in her eyes as she said to the Traveler, "Traveler, as expected, you understand my thoughts."
Paimon's voice carried obvious concern. "The current Pyro Archon does not agree with your plan. If we push it forward by force, will he object?"
After all, that person is the Pyro Archon.
Judging from what Kachina and the others said, he would even take action against his own people.
When dealing with those who are not even from Natlan, he would likely show even less mercy.
Mavuika gently shook her head, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips. "No, he will not. After Caelus became the Pyro Archon, he handed over many of the duties that should belong to the Pyro Archon to me, and he also granted me significant authority."
"When he is not present, my words can be regarded as the will of the Pyro Archon."
Pausing there, her eyes revealed a thoughtful expression. "I believe he is subtly allowing me to continue carrying out my own plan."
Otherwise, there would be no reason for Caelus to grant her such authority.
It could not possibly be because he did not want to handle the Pyro Archon's responsibilities and simply pushed all the troublesome matters onto her, could it?
Hearing Mavuika's analysis, Lumine nodded seriously. "Indeed. The two plans do not conflict."
As she said, regardless of whether Mavuika's plan succeeds, a final decisive battle against the Abyss is inevitable.
At present, Pyro Archon Caelus's strategy is to seize time to strengthen Natlan's overall power. At the same time, they can use this period to accelerate the awakening of the Six Heroes. These two approaches do not interfere with one another.
Mavuika spoke solemnly. "During this time, I have secretly assisted three heroes of Natlan who inherited Ancient Names to awaken. They are Xilonen of the Children of Echoes, Kinich of the Scions of the Canopy, and Iansan of the Collective of Plenty."
"The plan is only halfway complete. Three more heroes must awaken in order to gather all six."
"Natlan can hold out for at most another year. There is not much time left."
"So Kinich is also one of the Six Heroes?" Paimon said in surprise. "He never told us."
"I asked them to keep it confidential," Mavuika replied with a faint smile. "The more people know about Natlan's approaching calamity, the easier it is to cause unnecessary panic."
By that time, let alone resisting the Abyss or awakening the Six Heroes, simply calming the frightened citizens of Natlan would become a tremendous burden.
"So we only need to awaken three more heroes?" Paimon asked.
Mavuika nodded. "Correct. One of the heroes who still needs to awaken is someone you know."
Paimon tilted her head and counted on her fingers. "Kinich is already awakened. Caelus is the Pyro Archon. So it must be either Kachina or Mualani."
Her eyes widened. "Could it be Kachina?"
Mavuika chuckled softly and shook her head. "No. It is Mualani."
Lumine and Paimon were surprised. They had not expected that the one who needed to awaken would be Mualani, whom they had only recently met.
"How can she awaken?" Lumine asked with concern.
Mavuika clasped her hands before her chest and explained seriously. "The meaning of Mualani's Ancient Name is Unity. To awaken, something related to unity must be triggered."
Paimon scratched her head. "But Mualani already seems like someone who easily befriends others."
A person like that should understand the meaning of unity better than anyone.
Mavuika sighed softly, her brows knitting together. "That is precisely the problem. Until now, Mualani has still not awakened."
She looked toward the Traveler and voiced her speculation. "I believe it may require someone from outside Natlan to form a bond with Mualani in order to help her awaken."
Lumine nodded thoughtfully. "So we, as outsiders, would be the most suitable candidates?"
"This is only my personal conjecture," Mavuika said. "It may not be entirely accurate."
Then she looked at the Traveler, her tone gentle yet earnest. "Traveler, this is not a demand. It is merely a personal request. If you are unwilling, you may treat it as though you never heard it."
"I will give it a try," Lumine replied.
Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "Can we not simply tell Mualani directly?"
Mavuika gently shook her head. "Some matters, if pushed too forcefully, may produce the opposite result. It is like forcing two people to become friends. That does not necessarily create genuine friendship, does it?"
Paimon nodded in understanding. "That makes sense."
After explaining her plan, Mavuika smiled and looked at the Traveler. "Traveler, is there anything else you wish to ask me?"
At the same time, from the players' perspective, three dialogue options appeared on the screen.
This was the inquiry segment that only appears during Archon Quests when encountering regional deities or major figures such as Neuvillette.
Question One: Why did the current Pyro Archon abolish the Pilgrimage of the Blazing Return?
"There may be many reasons," Mavuika said. "I once conducted an investigation and learned that Caelus's parents perished in the Night Warden War."
"All of their companions at the time also fell in battle, and thus could not be revived through the Ode of Resurrection," Mavuika continued, a trace of sympathy appearing in her eyes. "Perhaps he chose to abolish the Pilgrimage of the Blazing Return and the Night Warden War because he no longer wished to see such sacrifices repeated."
[Parents died, strength rose to the heavens?]
[This backstory is way too classic]
[The HoYoverse storyline really did arrive late but surely]
[So this is the real reason?]
[No wonder he is so determined. He does not want anyone else to experience that pain]
[If it were me, I would not want to see people sent to their deaths either]
[It is not that he ignores tradition. He simply understands the pain of loss too well]
[The Pilgrimage of the Blazing Return may be an honor to Natlan's people, but to him it is probably an unhealed scar]
[But Natlan is a nation forged in war. Can avoidance truly solve anything?]
Question Two: What is your opinion of the current Pyro Archon?
"Although some of his actions are difficult to comprehend, one can sense that he is a Pyro Archon who genuinely cares for his people."
"When I formulated the plan five hundred years ago, I considered the possibility that if someone else were to become Pyro Archon, they might oppose it. That is why I chose to come five hundred years into the future, to personally assume the position once more and carry out the plan."
At this point, Mavuika gave a bitter smile. "I never expected that after enduring the most difficult five hundred years, I would ultimately lose to Caelus in the contest for the throne."
[She won the comeback match but lost to a rookie who peaked at debut]
[That is a good thing. It means the Pyro Archon is growing stronger]
[Strongest in history versus strongest of the modern era]
Question Three: Do you believe the current Natlan can withstand the Abyss?
Mavuika pondered carefully. "It is difficult to say. From the present perspective, Caelus's power far surpasses mine from five hundred years ago, and Natlan's overall combat strength is greater as well. However, it is unlikely that the Abyss has remained idle during this time."
"That said, Natlan has never fought based on calculated odds of victory."
"Just as it was five hundred years ago, even if only a sliver of hope remains, we will stand until the very end."
She spoke with unwavering resolve.
Looking at the red-haired woman's expression, Lumine suddenly felt that the Pyro Archon from five hundred years ago and the current Caelus were, in certain respects, quite similar.
Both were protecting the people of this land in their own ways.
"We will help," Lumine said
...
This fanfiction is completed on p@treon
[email protected]/guilt_free_daoist
Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.