"The Night God?"
After hearing Rios's words, everyone's expressions became quite colorful.
None of them had expected that the Fatui Harbinger would want to reconstruct Natlan's leylines—and that it would be related to the Night God.
"The Night God can reconstruct the leylines?" Lumine gently raised an eyebrow, asking somewhat surprised.
"The Night God was originally the builder of Natlan's leylines, and with the addition of Saurian technology, it's not surprising that it possesses the ability to reconstruct them," Mavuika explained in a deep voice, her expression extremely serious.
"What impact would reconstructing the leylines have?" Hearing the red-haired woman's words, the Traveler followed up.
"The leylines bear our memories and culture. If the leylines are reconstructed, the cost would be just as heavy as weaving souls into a net," Mavuika said. "It's something that the current Natlan cannot bear."
"To put it simply, if the leylines are reconstructed, the people of Natlan would experience memory disarray, amnesia, and not knowing who they are in a short time," Rios added. "At that point, forget about Abyss monsters—even Hilichurls, we might not be able to defeat them."
"It would have such a huge impact?" Paimon hadn't expected it to be that severe.
Natlan warriors who lost their memories would actually be unable to beat even Hilichurls.
Though she herself couldn't beat Hilichurls either.
"Rios's description is a bit exaggerated, but the facts are indeed so," Mavuika said.
"If the people of Natlan lose their memories, their combat power would definitely be greatly reduced, and those affected might not even have the determination to protect their homeland."
"At that time, although the Abyss wouldn't launch a large-scale invasion, even small-scale attacks would cause extremely heavy losses to Natlan."
[So that's how it is. If the leylines are reconstructed, the people of Natlan would directly lose their memories—that really can't be done.]
[If they lose their memories, they might not even know how to hold a weapon, and at that point, they'd really be unable to beat even Hilichurls.]
[Speaking of which, why exactly is the Captain doing this? Could it be that wanting to protect Natlan is fake, and he actually just wants to make the people of Natlan lose their memories through this method, so that the Fatui of Snezhnaya can take over Natlan?]
[I don't think that's very likely. The Captain shouldn't be that kind of person. It's better to have fewer conspiracy theory guesses.]
[The Captain is obviously the type with an upright soldier's personality; he wouldn't do something so despicable.]
[Then why is he doing this?]
"Since reconstructing the leylines has such a detrimental impact on Natlan, why is the Captain still doing it?" the Traveler asked puzzled, voicing the same question as the players.
"Could it be that he wants to lead the Fatui to occupy Natlan when we've become idiots from amnesia?" Chuychu voiced the same guess as the players.
Rios shook his head and said slowly, "The Captain isn't that kind of person."
Then he paused before continuing, "The Captain doesn't lack the courage to face the Abyss head-on, but coming from Khaenri'ah, he once witnessed the scene of his homeland falling to Abyss monsters."
"And five hundred years ago, he also fought against Abyss monsters for Natlan. For him, he wants to avoid a large-scale invasion by Abyss monsters as much as possible—buying one more day is one day."
"But this is absolutely something we cannot accept," Mavuika said.
The Traveler nodded in understanding. Earlier, Rios and Mavuika had emphasized many times that the battle with Abyss monsters would come sooner or later.
Natlan had already tried every possible way in the previous five hundred years to avoid this situation, but to no avail.
Even if they delayed it for a while longer, the Abyss monsters would still come eventually.
Whether the Captain used weaving souls into a net or reconstructing the leylines, it was nothing more than postponing the Abyss monsters' offensive time, and the latter plan would even severely weaken Natlan's combat power.
Not to mention the people of Natlan whose vital interests would be affected—even she, as a Traveler, felt it wasn't quite right.
"But if the Captain really finds the mystic source mechanism and awakens the Night God, wouldn't that put you all in danger?" Paimon said worriedly.
"There's no need to worry about that," Mavuika said. "The Night God is not an emotionless machine; it's not something people can use just because they want to."
"Reconstructing the leylines is a major matter. Without the Pyro Archon's consent, the Night God will not do such a thing."
"Not to mention, the Captain isn't even from Natlan."
Rios continued along Mavuika's words: "Although the Night God might sense his determination to protect Natlan, the decision-making power over reconstructing Natlan's leylines doesn't fall to him."
"So, the Captain's actions are completely in vain?" Paimon asked.
"It can't quite be said that way," Rios said with a smile.
"If the Traveler wants to obtain an Ancient Name, they need the Night God's help. If the Captain successfully awakens the Night God, then we can take the opportunity to have a good chat with the Night God."
"Oh oh, it can be like that!" Paimon said delightedly.
"Then there's no time to lose. Let's head to the Fatui's construction site now, so we can make first contact with the Night God," Mavuika said, looking at Rios.
At this point, it was the Pyro Archon's turn to give orders.
Rios thought for a moment, then said, "Then let's go make a trip to the Fatui's place now."
"Pyro Archon, you're going too?" Paimon widened her eyes in surprise.
"Aren't you supposed to protect Natlan's safety?"
"Accompanying you all to stroll through the Fatui's camp won't affect my protection of Natlan's safety," Rios said with a smile.
"The Fatui aren't fools either. When they see the Pyro Archon coming, they won't blindly start a conflict with us," Mavuika nodded, feeling there was nothing improper about it.
"Pyro Archon, I want to go too!" Chasca stepped forward and said.
"Sister!" Chuychu's voice held some dissatisfaction. "Didn't we agree not to always go do dangerous things?"
Chasca smiled, then said, "Acting together with the Pyro Archon should be the safest thing in the whole world, right?"
This left Chuychu stunned for a moment, unable to think of a retort.
Rios interjected at this point: "Since Chasca wants to join too, then come with me."
"Chuychu, what about you?"
"If you don't want to participate, I won't force you."
Hearing the Pyro Archon's question, Chuychu lowered her gaze slightly and said somewhat helplessly, "Since my sister is going, then I'll follow along too."
"Having a healer in the team will surely make everyone a bit safer."
Hearing her little sister's words, Chasca couldn't help but smile: "Since when did you become your big sister's tail?"
"I'm not!" Chuychu said. "Didn't you hear what I just said? I'm only considering safety. I think you all should bring a doctor on this trip."
Seeing the two sisters bickering again, everyone present smiled along, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed.
Not long after.
======
The Fatui camp's sentries spotted Rios and his group from afar.
"The Pyro Archon?"
"Why has he come?"
The Fatui sentry was just about to inform the others when his body was instantly pierced by a flame-formed arrow, and the whole person fainted.
Rios led the group quickly through the camp, arriving at the excavation site of the mystic source mechanism, where he saw two Fatui skirmishers guarding the entrance.
"The Pyro Archon is here—clear out!"
Rios merely waved his hand, and the two guards fell to the ground, fainting.