"Caelus?"
"Lord Pyro Archon?!"
Hearing the voice echo within their minds, everyone present instinctively looked around, but there was no sign of Caelus anywhere.
"The one who just spoke was the Pyro Archon?" Paimon asked in surprise. "But we don't see him at all."
"Maybe he isn't physically here," Lumine analyzed calmly.
"You mean like the adepti in Liyue legends? The Pyro Archon used telepathy to speak to us?" Paimon guessed.
"Possibly." Lumine was not entirely certain, but that explanation seemed the most reasonable.
Surely the Pyro Archon did not secretly walk over, whisper a few words while no one noticed, and then leave again.
He was not some vampire who could stop time and use the opportunity to carry people down staircases. The Pyro Archon of Natlan could not possibly be that idle.
"Lord Pyro Archon, if you put it that way, it will put me in a difficult position..." the staff member at the registration desk said awkwardly.
"If it is difficult, then do not do it," Caelus's voice echoed once more in everyone's minds. "I have not yet agreed to officially resume the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame."
There was a faint undertone of warning in his final sentence.
"I... I understand." The registrar immediately relented. "I will process the Traveler's registration."
In principle, outsiders were not permitted to participate in the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame.
However, in Natlan, the Pyro Archon himself was the ultimate authority.
"Great! We can participate in the Pilgrimage too!"
After hearing the exchange, Paimon beamed happily. "Even if this Lord Pyro Archon is a little forceful, he stood up for us. He seems like a good person."
Unlike Paimon's excitement, Lumine's brows were slightly furrowed. There was no joy on her face, only contemplation.
"Traveler, what's wrong?" Paimon asked curiously.
"I just feel that the Pyro Archon is very eager for us to participate in the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame."
That was what felt strange to Lumine.
She had never even met him before, yet he proactively intervened and even used his divine authority to pressure his own people so she could compete.
"That's true." Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "His attitude toward us is surprisingly favorable."
[He does not treat us like prisoners and even helps us join the event. His attitude really is very good.]
[It is just a pity we did not see him in person at first. I thought it would be like Fontaine, where we meet the Archon early on.]
The players were surprised by the Pyro Archon appearing only as a voice, and some even felt it was a little regrettable.
If Caelus had suddenly appeared without warning, it would certainly have been shocking.
"Traveler, there is no need to think too much."
"I simply believe that if you participate, this Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame will become far more interesting."
Caelus's voice sounded again.
This time, however, it felt different from before.
"Doesn't Lord Pyro Archon's voice sound more natural now?" Paimon scratched her head. "It feels like I'm hearing it with my ears instead of inside my head."
"Is it possible that I am standing nearby, speaking to you directly?"
"W who is talking?!"
Paimon jumped in fright and immediately turned toward the source of the sound.
Before them stood a red haired youth with golden eyes. His build was similar to that of Mualani and Kinich, and he appeared no older than they were.
"Caelus!"
"Lord Pyro Archon."
Mualani and Kachina's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden appearance. Kinich remained composed, though a flicker of astonishment passed across his expression.
"He's the Pyro Archon of Natlan?" Paimon's mouth fell open. "He looks so young."
"Indeed," Lumine agreed quietly.
They had encountered the youthful Dendro Archon in Sumeru and the seemingly carefree Anemo Archon in Mondstadt. Though both appeared young, they were ancient beings whose gestures carried centuries of experience.
Caelus felt different.
He did not merely look young.
He truly radiated youthful vitality, like the rising sun at dawn.
"Mualani, it has been a long time." To ease the atmosphere, Caelus took the initiative to greet his childhood friend. "I went to the People of the Springs several times to look for you, but you happened to be away each time. We only meet again today."
He then shifted his gaze to Lumine.
"Traveler, I have heard of your deeds in other nations. Your strength is extraordinary."
"For the warriors of Natlan, crossing blades with someone like you would be a great honor."
"If they were denied that opportunity because of rigid rules, it would be a loss for Natlan."
With just a few sentences, Paimon was practically floating with pride.
"Hehe, who knew we were so popular in Natlan?" she said with a grin. "Even the Pyro Archon acknowledges how amazing we are and wants us to train his warriors."
Lumine nodded thoughtfully.
"So the Pyro Archon sees my participation as a form of training for Natlan's warriors. That explains why he personally arranged for me to enter the Pilgrimage."
With that conclusion, the tension in her expression faded.
She could finally take part in Natlan's local event without worry.
"I still have matters to attend to, so I will not disturb you further."
Caelus's body transformed into flames, gradually dispersing into the air.
Before vanishing completely, he looked at the white haired girl from the People of the Springs.
"See you later, Mualani."
With those words, the Pyro Archon disappeared from sight.
[He actually elementalized!]
[Did this Pyro Archon eat a Devil Fruit? He can turn his body into fire.]
[He is the Pyro Archon. That seems perfectly normal, does it not?]
Upon witnessing Caelus's departure, many players immediately thought of Logia type Devil Fruit users from a certain anime, who could also transform their bodies into elements. They were surprised to see Caelus display a similar ability.
However, the realization quickly followed.
He was the Pyro Archon.
If anyone could freely transform into flame, it would be him.
At most, they would only need to worry about whether some future Sun God might appear, declare that the power of the sun surpassed fire, and defeat the Pyro Archon in a single blow.
But given the established lore of Teyvat, such a Sun God did not exist.
There was no need to worry about the Pyro Archon's safety.
...
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