“No, haven't you understood the current situation? I am ordering you, not asking for your opinion! If you don't want to die, get out of the way, stop dawdling. You all aspire to touch the divine, but have you ever thought… you could achieve it with your own strength?”
Impatient, Lu Ze forcefully thrust the Skyfire Greatsword on his shoulder into the ground. Instantly, a wave of heat surged outwards, pushing everyone back. They were truly a group with no combat ability, their physical fitness inferior to even a common soldier.
They claimed to be a city-state that mastered knowledge, yet possessing knowledge without strength made them the easiest target in any national war!
“No… we can’t! My life’s work!”
A doctor, blood trickling from his lips, wore an expression of utter unwillingness. After all, he had dedicated most of his life to researching this subject. He had finally achieved results, only for all his data to be burned by the person before him. And to make matters worse, even this ignorant girl, Nahida, was to be rescued.
The thought of his life’s work turning to ash filled him with rage, wishing the person before him could be torn limb from limb.
“Oh my, no need to rush! You haven’t even asked for my opinion yet, and you’re so eager to rescue this person?”
A person wearing a mask resembling an eagle slowly approached. Their bluish hair swayed in the air, and they were wrapped in a white coat. This was Dottore, the Second of the Fatui Harbingers.
He was originally a student of the Akademiya but was forever expelled from Sumeru for proposing the idea of human modification, labeled a madman and a monster. However, what difference did the actions of the higher-ups have now? In the end, the corruption of the human heart had triumphed over the sole sense of justice.
“You? You wouldn’t possibly claim to have the strength to defeat me, would you? Even an ordinary person can feel the immense power radiating from me. Are you perhaps a foolish person who doesn’t understand?”
Being called foolish would anger anyone, especially someone as self-conceited as Dottore. He became slightly agitated, crushing the vial in his hand and letting out a chuckle.
“While I know you possess great power, it doesn't mean I will fight you… After all, I've only returned to see how far their plan has progressed. It's been like this for decades, and it remains the same decades later. Truly impressive, you lot…”
As he spoke, he activated a switch. A massive mechanical dragon descended from the sky, smashing a hole into the grand Palace of Alcazarzaray. Its wings flapped with a rustling sound, and its head, resembling a grub, stared intently at the person before them.
A yellow optical lens lit up. This was likely one of Dottore’s trump cards. It was, as expected of a Fatui researcher, quite capable.
“If that’s all there is to it, I fear it won’t even last a second against me.”
Dottore scoffed. This was the culmination of his research, his most satisfying creation. Wouldn't surviving for less than a second be an exaggeration?
“If you can last a second…”
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Ze’s entire body phased through the mechanical dragon. The extremely high temperature directly burned a massive hole through it. Numerous internal circuits were destroyed, and several core components were compromised.
The yellow pupil, which had just lit up, immediately extinguished. Lu Ze smiled. Was that all? He had expected something much stronger. So, it turned out to be just a weakling. Truly… a disappointment.
With a forceful slash of his right hand, it was split in two, falling into the vast Palace of Alcazarzaray, reduced to a pile of scrap metal. It was nothing more than that.
“This…”
The scene stunned him. He had personally tested the high temperature. This mechanical dragon could withstand temperatures of at least over 1000 degrees Celsius. How could it have been burned through with such a large hole? Could his weapon… possess a temperature above 1000 degrees Celsius?
Despite his bewilderment, Dottore’s turbulent emotions quickly calmed. It was just one mechanical dragon. He could research more mechanical creatures. If he couldn't win, he couldn't win. Retreat.
“You truly surprise me. However, it is regrettable to inform you… you cannot kill me today. I… we will meet again. Next time will not be like this.”
With that, he vanished into the darkness without giving anyone a chance to react. It seemed he had used some special means. However, Lu Ze’s assessment was… if he wanted to pursue, he could catch up. He simply didn't wish to kill at the moment.
“You have all seen my strength. So, hurry up and get out of the way. If anyone speaks another word, all of you will die here. And when I say die, I mean a complete demise.”
Some scholars silently made way. They were young and had bright futures ahead of them. Why would they sacrifice so much for the Akademiya? What had the Akademiya ever given them?
Lu Ze smiled and shook his head, watching the students who were so cooperative. He had expected some hotheads to stand their ground stubbornly, but they were all so sensible. Fine, fine… they had already cleared the path.
He directly shattered the glass jar before him with a sword. The girl lying inside fell out, and Lu Ze caught her steadily. However… Nahida, who was in Bella’s arms, dissolved into specks of green light, disappearing from this world. Then, she floated towards the child and gradually merged into them.
A moment later, Nahida slowly opened her eyes, looking at the palace with a hint of confusion. What had happened to her? What was it?
“You’re awake? Nahida, are there any problems with your body? But why have you turned into a child?”
Lu Ze looked at the child in his hands, utterly bewildered. He preferred the maiden form of Nahida, not a little child. His healthy moral compass told him that children were absolutely off-limits.
“Oh… let me think.”
Countless memories surged forth. She recalled everything that had happened. She had departed from Sumeru, arrived in Liyue, and after waiting for about three to four days, she experienced Genshin Impact’s vast worldview. As a result, due to her subjects drawing upon divine power, she had temporarily fallen into a coma.
All her memories returned. Nahida looked at Lu Ze with a hint of unhappiness. What was with that look of disdain just now? Don’t think I didn’t see it. Are you perhaps a pervert? Shopkeeper!
Looking at the trembling scholars around her, Nahida rubbed her forehead with a hint of distress. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to punish these scholars; she was simply waiting for an opportunity… waiting for an absolute strike of power.