"He'll be fine. When Ei created him, it was only as a test of the technique. The materials used for Kunikuzushi are extremely durable—almost on par with those used for the Shogun. He won't be damaged so easily," Yae Miko replied.
She had barely finished speaking when an enraged shout exploded from beyond the shattered walls.
"I told you not to call me that name!!!"
In the next instant, lightning tore through the smoke and debris, streaking straight toward Lora—only to slam into the barrier she had already erected.
No matter what he tried, Scaramouche couldn't break through. His brows knit together as he snapped, "Who exactly are you? I've heard of the Adepti of Liyue. There's no one like you among them!"
"Me?" Lora pointed at herself. "I'm Lora, Lora Chaya."
Seeing the fury twisting his features, she let out a quiet laugh. "Didn't your colleagues mention me?"
"My colleagues?" Scaramouche hesitated.
"Oh, right. That would've been embarrassing for them." Lora smiled faintly. "Listen carefully, Kunikuzushi. I once stood alongside your aunt. You could say I had dealings with your mother as well. I am the former Hydro Archon—Egeria, the Queen of Many Waters."
"Hydro Archon Egeria? What kind of ridiculous—"
He stopped mid-sentence, something clicking into place.
"Starting to realize?" Lora asked, her smile knowing.
Scaramouche took a cautious step back, eyes narrowing. "You're the Hydro Archon Egeria?"
"That's right."
As he subtly began gathering power for a sneak attack, Lora let out a quiet sigh.
"Really? You're underestimating me. Or do you think the Seven are so insignificant that you can take one down with a cheap ambush?"
Though she had called him out, Scaramouche showed no sign of panic. He sneered instead.
"Who would've thought? You supposedly died five hundred years ago, yet here you are. Should I call that luck—or just an old relic that refuses to stay buried?"
He had barely finished speaking before he was sent flying again, smashing through several more walls.
Lora glanced at Yae Miko. "You said he was sturdy, didn't you?"
"He is," Yae Miko replied, watching the dust billow through the air. "An impact at that level won't compromise his structure."
"Good. Then he'll make a decent punching bag."
In the blink of an eye, Lora reappeared in front of Scaramouche.
He had just managed to push himself upright when her next strike launched him like a cannonball. This time, he blasted straight through the Delusion Factory and slammed into the mountainside beyond, cracks racing outward from the point of impact.
Lora approached at an unhurried pace, looking down at him wedged deep into the rock.
"That's why I always say—watch what you say. If you can't keep your mouth in check, don't be surprised when it gets you into trouble."
"She's not my mother!" Scaramouche snapped, fury blazing in his eyes, as if trying to sever that connection entirely.
"Mm. She's not," Lora agreed mildly, like an elder indulging a sulking child—one she had just embedded in a cliff.
Scaramouche glared at her. "You're not going to kill me?"
"Why would I?" Lora spread her hands. "What would I gain from that?"
"I'm a Harbinger of the Fatui."
"Thank you for the reminder," Lora replied calmly. "Yes, you're the Sixth of the Eleven Harbingers, Scaramouche. But that has nothing to do with me. If it doesn't concern my interests, I won't involve myself."
"You're nothing like the former Hydro Archon described in the legends," he said abruptly.
"People change. Gods do too. Especially after everything I've been through." She looked him over thoughtfully. "Let me ask you something. You're a puppet, aren't you?"
"What else would I be?" He frowned, unease flickering in his eyes.
"In that case, which parts of you can be removed? Go on—take something off and let me examine it."
"…Are you insane?"
He was rewarded with another slap.
"You asked a ridiculous question—why hit me?" he snapped.
"You could've simply refused. Why resort to insults?" she countered evenly.
He clearly wanted to curse again, but remembering how effortlessly she struck him, he swallowed the words.
"Why so quiet all of a sudden?" Lora asked.
"You're asking me?" He stared at her in disbelief.
Yae Miko padded over, her tail swaying lightly, and peered up at Scaramouche embedded in the rock.
"If that force were increased fivefold, it should be enough to detach his limbs. After all, he's only the prototype. Compared to the Shogun, his craftsmanship is still somewhat lacking."
"You wretched fox—say that again!" Scaramouche struggled violently to free himself, but the moment he moved, Lora's palm pressed his head firmly back into the stone.
"Quiet."
Keeping him pinned in place, Lora turned to Yae Miko.
"Miko. Give me the Gnosis."
"Now?" Yae Miko blinked in mild surprise.
Lora nodded.
"The… Gnosis…" Scaramouche muttered from within the rock.
"Yes. The Gnosis."
Lora smiled down at him.
"I know the Fatui are collecting the Gnoses of the Seven. I also know you weren't acting under the Cryo Archon's direct orders to retrieve this one. And I know you and Dottore have your own designs."
Her tone remained even, almost conversational.
"But those designs will have to change—or be discarded entirely. Because the Electro Archon's Gnosis now belongs to me."
"No… my Gnosis…" Scaramouche strained against her hold, yet couldn't move an inch.
"No," Lora corrected him softly.
"It's my Gnosis."