Compared to the composure of the two ancient Archons, Barbatos and Morax, Hydro Archon Focalors emerged from the "Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale" with a grim expression.
"Who was just conversing with the world?"
"Who has returned? Is it Phanes?"
Focalors was only a young Archon; she hadn't experienced as much as the other Archons.
When Egeria hastily appointed her successor, it not only made her power inferior to other Archons but also left her largely ignorant of various secret histories.
"Such a change occurs precisely when my plan is about to be formally executed?!"
Focalors looked up at the sky with a grim expression, a sense of powerlessness welling up within her.
"Enough! I'll go to Celestia to see. If Fontaine is destined for destruction, then let me fall first by the hand of Phanes!"
Although Focalors was worried that Fontaine would be utterly destroyed by a falling Skyfrost Nail, she was not an indecisive person after all.
Hydro Archon Focalors, who could devise such a self-destructive plan, was not inherently a weak individual.
Although she was only a young Archon, in terms of decisiveness, she was no less than anyone... Inazuma.
Above Narukami Island, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky like a destructive thunder dragon.
In Tenshukaku.
Raiden Shogun, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them, tiny sparks of lightning flickering.
"A message from Celestia, and also..."
"A change in the world!"
Raiden Ei's deep voice was a little hoarse.
She had been in the Plane of Euthymia just now and hadn't heard the voice of Great Compassion Tree King.
However, Raiden Ei's power was beyond what the hastily appointed Focalors could compare to.
Compared to before, the thunder in Teyvat seemed to have become more... lively?
And then, immediately after, the message from Celestia arrived.
Raiden Ei's feelings towards Celestia were complex.
It was precisely because Celestia ordered her sister to Khaenriah that she fell on the battlefield.
However, Raiden Ei also knew in her heart that on the Khaenriah battlefield that year, it wasn't just her sister among the Archons who fell; the remaining Seven Archons were all wounded.
Even Celestia itself was severely damaged. In such circumstances, Raiden Ei couldn't harbor resentment towards Celestia.
Enough!
No matter what, with Celestia, which had been silent for so long, issuing a summons, she had to go and see.
Mount Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine.
Yae Miko frowned, watching the figure that transformed into lightning and shot into the sky, filled with confusion.
"Has something big happened again?"
Every time Celestia summoned, it was always a time of major change.
And it had happened once five hundred years ago.
That time, Inazuma was almost destroyed by the black tide of beasts, and even the Raiden Shogun fell... So what about this time?
...Compared to the decisiveness of the other four Archons, the Cryo Archon and the Pyro Archon were much more conflicted.
Among these two Archons, the Cryo Archon was a rebel, and the Pyro Archon was an ascended human; her experience was even less than Focalors', and she had only heard of Celestia...
However, after a period of indecision, the two Archons eventually embarked on the path to Celestia.
As for Lesser Lord Kusanali?
Buyer watched Nahida from afar, feeling both exasperated and a little heartbroken.
This little one was still in self-isolation?
No matter how young the little one was, if she truly wanted to leave, there was no way she would be trapped and die in the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Indeed.
Although Nahida was her other half, they had ultimately become two independent individuals, and their personalities already had distinct differences.
Soon.
The four Archons who had set off first met on Celestia.
"Long time no see, Morax, your demeanor is still as splendid as ever."
Barbatos, in his youthful appearance, squinted and smiled as he greeted his old friend beside him.
"Long time no see, Barbatos, it has indeed been five hundred years since we last reminisced."
Morax also felt nostalgic upon seeing his old friend whom he hadn't met in a long time.
For him, there weren't many people left whom he could call close friends.
Even the Adepti of Liyue were more subordinates than friends.
"Morax, tell me honestly, is it truly Phanes who summoned us this time?"
Barbatos opened his eyes, threads of divine power surging within them, then asked with some suspicion.
As an Archon who personally experienced the Khaenriah war of yesteryear, he knew very well that Phanes's condition, even if it hadn't perished, must have been severely wounded.
"...It's hard to say, but Great Compassion Tree King should be on Celestia now."
Seeing Barbatos shed his free-spirited and flamboyant facade, looking solemn, Morax said meaningfully.
With Great Compassion Tree King's current power, even if Phanes was still at its peak, it would be hard to say who was truly in charge now.
Phanes, the Lord of the Heavenly Principles, was an outsider, after all. In terms of legitimacy, even the original Dragon Sovereigns were a step below Great Compassion Tree King, the incarnation of the World Tree.
It's just that.
Phanes, the Lord of the Heavenly Principles, had seized the throne by virtue of its absolute power back then.
But now, Great Compassion Tree King's power had left Morax feeling truly astonished.
At this level, Great Compassion Tree King had legitimacy and power; in every way, she didn't seem like someone who would be beneath Phanes, the Lord of the Heavenly Principles.
Perceiving the profound meaning in his old friend's words, Barbatos stopped asking questions, having a rough idea in his mind.
"Beelzebul, you've arrived too! And this one, she must be Focalors of Fontaine, right?"
The four Archons gathered, exchanged greetings, and introduced themselves.
"Barbatos! Morax!"
Raiden Ei nodded, acknowledging their presence.
"Hello, Barbatos, Morax, and Beelzebul."
Focalors stepped forward calmly to greet them, showing no sign of panic despite her plan being shattered and the possibility of facing Phanes's punishment.
She was someone even more formidable than a ruthless individual.
Even her personality construct, which had no power whatsoever, could, as the Hydro Archon, make the Hydro Dragon Sovereign her employee in Fontaine—what a strong person!
"Nice to meet you, Focalors."
"This is my first time on Celestia. May I ask why Celestia has suddenly summoned us this time?"
Focalors asked calmly.
Raiden Ei also turned her gaze to Morax and Barbatos.
Compared to her, who had been secluded in the Plane of Euthymia, these two should know a bit more, right?
"Perhaps it's related to the return of Great Compassion Tree King."
Morax said in a speculative tone.
While the four Archons were exchanging pleasantries, the Cryo Archon and the Pyro Archon also caught up one after another.
Since Focalors and the others were unfamiliar with Celestia, Morax and Barbatos led the way, guiding them along a familiar path.
Until they arrived before a magnificent divine palace.
Now, no matter how complex the Archons' inner thoughts were, they had all generally calmed down. Led by Morax, they each walked to the divine thrones corresponding to the former Seven Archons.
Well, except for Nahida's seat which was empty... Morax and the others suddenly looked up, staring in shock at the majestic, sacred figure seated upon the throne of the heavenly principles above!