Of course, Mu Yang couldn't just watch Seymour turn into a pile of scrap iron to protect Mamere.
Otherwise, the little girl would cry again.
Moreover, he had just mentioned a name—[Mary-Ann].
Earlier, Jakob had also mentioned Seymour's origins, Alain's [this is my own little invention].
He was now the only clue to Seymour's missing memories.
So, as long as Mu Yang and Mamere still wanted to dig deeper, Jakob couldn't be allowed to die so easily.
Facing the Beast Realm Hounds, Mu Yang naturally didn't take them seriously.
With one sword sacrificed, Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers.
The entire world fell silent.
However, the more difficult part was the triangular array trapping Mamere.
Mu Yang attempted to attack it, but to no avail.
Seymour activated his analysis component and began parsing the structure.
"Mr. Mu Yang, according to scan analysis, your attacks cannot affect this structure. Only energy with a similar pollution index can destroy it."
"Regrettably, I also do not possess such an output mode. However, I suggest you cease attempts to break the barrier."
"This is meaningless behavior; it will only consume your stamina. Moreover, it might cause injury to Miss Mamere."
At this moment, Mamere, who had been silent for a long time, finally regained her consciousness. "...Father?"
As her consciousness returned, multiple [Riftborn Entities] gradually appeared around them.
Mu Yang originally planned to clear them.
But he discovered that these [Riftborn Entities] seemed to be here to help.
Accompanied by their attacks on the purple Abyss array, Mamere was finally rescued.
And the first words after her rescue were to ask Mu Yang to strike a pose.
These words left Mu Yang utterly puzzled.
He looked at Seymour, hoping to seek an answer from the mechanical dog.
"Logic module calculating, attempting to rationalize the reason for Miss Mamere's request. Calculation result: insufficient data, unable to respond."
"According to the logic module's calculation, your choice is extremely illogical, Miss Mamere."
Hearing this, Mu Yang guessed this was the will of that [Father].
He didn't know what he was trying to do...
Mamere urged, "Mu Yang, hurry, there's no time left."
With things said to this point, Mu Yang could only follow Mamere's request and perform a motion of sheathing his sword.
"Very good, a very handsome action. Leave the rest to me!"
——————
In the live stream room, someone took the opportunity to stir things up.
[Why did Little Gui choose the handsome option?]
[Yeah yeah, wouldn't dancing Mu Yang be better?]
[Basketball would work too!]
Guinaifen said, "I feel like Mamere is going to paint Mu Yang. If I end up with some troll drawing later, I'll cry."
"Moreover, why don't you log in yourselves and choose?!"
[I'd definitely choose the handsome one for mine]
[+1]
[Me too]
[Okay okay okay, so I'm the only one who genuinely wants to see Mu Yang dance]
——————
On the Teyvat side, Mamere was truly following Father's suggestion.
She began preparing to paint Mu Yang.
As if encouraging herself.
She took a deep breath.
Her short tail continued swaying a few times in the air.
Then, without a word, she began painting.
Whether it was the expression she showed or the occasional glances toward Mu Yang.
They all appeared serious and determined.
Even—almost solemn.
Soon, Mamere completed the painting...
The instant Mu Yang saw the painting, he entered an unknown space.
"Sorry, Mr. Mu Yang. I haven't even greeted you yet, but I brought you here."
"Could I trouble you to help me clean up those poisons?"
Mu Yang didn't hesitate either, using the method Mamere had taught him.
Utilizing resonance with the prism jade ore.
Soon, he cleared the foreign objects in this space.
That voice sounded as if released from pain.
"Ah, this way it's fine. Thank you."
"Could you come up here? I have so, so much I want to say to you."
Mu Yang leaped to the mountain peak.
He saw a semi-transparent little Melusine hopping toward him.
"Yay, you finally came. I've wanted to meet you and talk to you for so long."
"You know me?"
She nodded, then told Mu Yang.
Ever since Mu Yang was brought to Merusea Village, she had sensed his presence.
That feeling was like a warm ball of light running back and forth in his organs and blood vessels...
[This metaphor is on par with Nahida's]
[Is it possible she's just telling the truth]
[So this is Elynas?]
The Melusine introduced herself; she was the giant beast Elynas.
"Is my name nice? I really like this name."
"Why do you appear in the form of a Melusine?"
"Why? I think this appearance is very pretty, very beautiful. Don't you think so?" Elynas asked in return.
"I love them very much. They are all my beautiful children. Since here I can choose my own appearance, of course I'd choose the one I like most."
From Elynas's mouth.
Mu Yang learned the secret behind the birth of the Melusines.
That was a very, very long time ago.
Not long after Elynas experienced death for the first time.
"Many, many people, a Primordial Sea sprite, and many steel animals came into my body."
"I originally thought they were like those two people, coming to explore and collect my blood."
"I was happy at first that someone came, but in the end, they started fighting each other..."
Elynas really wanted to do something.
By that time, he was already dead.
Silently watching, feeling them leave scars inside his body.
Unable to do anything.
At the end of the battle, someone triggered an explosion, causing a terrifying shock.
Many people died.
Those steel animals died too.
The survivors left, and it became quiet again.
In that explosive shock, many sharp fragments pierced into Elynas's body.
Later, from those wounds, from the shattered flesh, tiny lives appeared.
These were the Melusines.
"I was so happy, because they were beautiful and smart. And from that time, I learned that what I could do wasn't just destruction. I could also bring beautiful new life."
Elynas, with such feelings.
Taught the Melusines to build their homes and let them grow up well.
Only later, gradually, the Melusines could no longer hear Elynas's words.
Except for Mamere.
That child who loved to paint.
"Only she was still willing to talk to me, and even brought her good friend. That's how I got the chance to meet you. I'm really so happy."
After hearing all this, Mu Yang realized it was truly [Father] in the sense of life's origin.
Elynas seemed to be a chatterbox, talking nonstop.
Probably because he hadn't spoken to anyone in too long.
Even though Mu Yang rarely responded.
It didn't affect his enthusiasm.
He talked about his blood, how it was harmful to humans.
Mu Yang was the second person he encountered who wasn't afraid of his blood.
The first, naturally, was Jakob...
——————
If the Natlan plot develops this way, feel free to join anytime.
But it depends on the volume from the million-word reading test; otherwise, it'll still conclude normally according to the current outline.