Listening to Rhinedottir's account, Lin Mo couldn't help but ask nervously, " Don't tell me... from Dragonspine onward... you've been watching my every move!? "
" Not entirely," Rhinedottir replied calmly.
" After all, there are no Ruin creatures in places like Liyue Harbor, Mt. Yougou, or Inazuma City.
"
The next moment, she couldn't resist pinching Lin Mo's arm again, saying fiercely, " One day, I will have Ruin creatures spread to every corner of this world! "
" Ahem... That really isn't necessary,"
Lin Mo quickly advised. " Being so brazen is likely to draw the attention of the Heavenly Principles...
"
" Heavenly Principles!? Hahahaha...
" Rhinedottir's eyes were filled with madness. "
Lin Mo... the me of now... is eternal and indestructible~"
" Huh? What do you mean?
" Lin Mo was somewhat puzzled.
" When a person dies, their soul returns to the border between life and death. But I have already placed a brand new body at the entrance to that border.
"
Rhinedottir seemed to grow more excited as she spoke. " Even if my actions draw the Heavenly Principles' ire and they execute me, I can still awaken from that new body.
"
Lin Mo's pupils slightly dilated. His gaze towards Rhinedottir was filled with disbelief.
Who would have thought, after five hundred years, Rhinedottir had truly managed to rival the gods with a mortal body.
In a sense, Rhinedottir, possessing a super brain and a super heart, already had an extended lifespan. Even if she died by accident, she could awaken through an artificial human body, achieving a form of rebirth.
Though her personal combat power might not be strong, her army of Ruin creatures—which only needed to absorb sufficient ley line energy to become immortal—already granted her power comparable to that of an ordinary god.
To put it plainly, at least elemental beings like Guizhong and Havria, who were not adept at combat, if they still held territory, would likely face only defeat against Rhinedottir's assault.
" So, what do you think? "
Rhinedottir pinched Lin Mo's arm again, asking excitedly, " Want to join forces with me to oppose your enemy, the Heavenly Principles? "
" You even know about that... "
Lin Mo couldn't help but frown. It seemed he needed to be more careful when speaking in the future; who knew when a Ruin creature might be listening.
At that moment, Rhinedottir raised her hand, gently stroking the back of Lin Mo's head, and smiled. " Offer me your brain, and from then on, be loyal only to me.
As long as you promise me, everything I have can be yours... "
Damn! After all that talk, she still wants to perform brain surgery on me?
How could Lin Mo comply with her wishes? If even his thoughts were not under his own control... would he still be himself? He'd probably be nothing more than an empty shell with just a skin-deep appearance.
So, Lin Mo could only change the subject, smiling as he said, " Since you knew of my existence days ago, why did you stay on Dragonspine and not come to see me? "
" See you? In what capacity?
" Rhinedottir asked coldly.
" Uh... as... the mother of my child? "
Lin Mo ventured.
" Heh... Have you forgotten the meaning this name represents?
" Rhinedottir sneered.
As she scoffed, Lin Mo began to recall the significance of the name Rhinedottir.
The greatest biological alchemist in the history of Teyvat? The technological leader of the godless nation of Khaenri'ah? The creator of Teyvat's Ruin creatures?
These various meanings made Lin Mo's unconsciously furrowed brow deepen further.
Because, from a certain perspective, Rhinedottir was an enemy to many of Lin Mo's companions.
Barbatos, Morax, and Makoto had all participated in the war that destroyed Khaenri'ah. Makoto, in particular, had fallen in that cataclysmic conflict that shook heaven and earth.
Not only that, for Rosalyne, Rhinedottir was also the mastermind behind the death of her beloved Rostam. And... an accomplice to the death of Kitsune Saiguu and the corruption of Chiyo by the pitch-black darkness.
Although... aside from the calamity of the dragon Durin attacking Mondstadt, Rhinedottir had not personally participated in any of this. But... it was Rhinedottir's wisdom that gave Khaenri'ah the means to accomplish all of it.
Looking at Rhinedottir's somewhat disdainful gaze, Lin Mo couldn't help but smile bitterly. " The reason you never actively sought me out... is it because you were worried your arrival would provoke everyone's hostility?
"
" So, am I not very considerate? "
Rhinedottir gave a light laugh, though the smile was full of醋味 (a sour note, implying jealousy).
Seeing the faint redness in Rhinedottir's eyes from bloodshot veins, a warm feeling flowed through Lin Mo's heart. Unconsciously, he gently stroked her long hair and smiled. "
Rhinedottir, actually... no one blames you... "
" They haven't said it, but that doesn't mean they don't resent me," Rhinedottir stated firmly.
Lin Mo simply gazed into her eyes and said gently once more, " Would you like to try... coming back to Liyue Harbor with me? After all, the technology you provided to Khaenri'ah was merely a tool exploited by its leaders.
You aren't the instigator of the war. The Khaenri'ahn leaders who chose to use those tools to harm my companions—they are the ones truly responsible for creating the hatred. Believe me, everyone is easy to get along with.
They won't make things difficult for you or hold a grudge against you. Come back to Liyue Harbor with me~"
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T/N:
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