Faced with Aether's overwhelming aura pressing down like a tidal wave, Nolan responded with a faint smirk and an aura that was in no way inferior.
The stone floor beneath his feet transformed into a starry sky, like thick ink dropped into water, spreading out in rippling wavesmental image overriding physical reality.
The world of the mind—an endless sea of stars burst forth!
But Nolan kept it confined to just beneath his feet, using it only as a deterrent. He made no move to extend it toward Aether—after all, this was his future brother-in-law, and Lumine was here too.
He couldn't be the one to make the first move. If Lumine ended up blaming him for fighting her brother, that would be bad.
However, if Aether struck first—well, then he'd have no choice. A fight would be inevitable. If he let Aether think he was an easy target, that wouldn't do at all.
Aether looked calmly at Nolan. He certainly wasn't the kind to be easily intimidated.
In his hand, he summoned a sword unlike any before—a silver-white one-handed blade shaped like a cross-star. Just from its appearance, it gave off an extraordinary impression.
"Lumine, have you really decided to stop your journey… on this tiny little planet?"
The golden-haired boy asked in a cool, steady voice.
He figured his sister had gone soft after sleeping for hundreds of years. Teyvat was just one of countless stars they had passed in their travels.
Their future should be filled with magnificent worlds yet to explore. To stop here and fall for some man—how foolish!
The humans of Teyvat, unless they become gods, no matter how powerful, no matter how long-lived—did they really think they could be together forever?
A simmering anger brewed in Aether's chest.
"No one's journey ends here, Brother. Whether it's Nolan or Paimon, they're both my most important companions. And we'll continue our journey together."
Golden strands of hair danced lightly in the air as Lumine placed a hand over her chest and gently shook her head, continuing:
"So, Brother, as long as we're reunited, we can set out toward the stars again—come back, Brother!"
She stepped forward, extending her hand toward Aether in the distance.
The blond boy gripped the slim hilt of his sword. After a moment of silence, he seemed to relax slightly—but a look of disappointment crossed his face.
He had thought that when she reached the end of her journey—when they truly "reunited"—they could once again stand side by side, face adversity together, and begin a new voyage.
But now… his expectations had been greatly diminished.
"Lumine, now is not the time for us to be reunited.
"And has your judgment dulled from staying in this world too long? With a path like this, you won't get very far."
He shook his head, then raised his sword to point directly at Nolan, eyes full of displeasure.
Bastard. Daring to steal away my sister? Fine. Let's see what you're really made of!
"Oh? Are you saying I'm dragging Lumine down?" Nolan smiled coolly. "Brother-in-law, it's not good to underestimate others. What if I'm actually a super Wind Glider? I could help her fly even faster and farther."
As he spoke, Nolan casually drew his Frostlight Descending Blade.
But just as he was about to lift it, a soft hand pressed gently against his wrist. He turned and saw Lumine's unwavering gaze fixed ahead.
"Brother, please respect my choice."
She didn't want Nolan to fight with her brother, but she also couldn't tolerate Aether's constant doubt of Nolan.
"Damn it!"
Aether, seeing his sister protecting someone else so firmly, felt a growing frustration. But he still had his own matters to deal with—this wasn't the time to stir up unnecessary trouble.
Nolan wasn't weak. With Dainsleif and Lumine both on his side, fighting now wouldn't give Aether any advantage.
Besides, he didn't really want to clash with his sister.
Left with no choice, Aether signaled for the Abyss Lectors to open a portal so they could leave. As for enhancing the spring to reverse the "curse of immortality"…
With Dainsleif around, it was clear they wouldn't be able to proceed as planned.
So be it. There was no need to drag things out here. There would always be another chance.
Time, after all, was something he had in abundance.
Before leaving, Aether still gave Lumine a final warning:
"When you've finished your journey through Teyvat, you'll realize the choice you made today was a complete mistake."
With that said, he didn't wait to see how Nolan and the others reacted. He simply stepped into the portal and vanished.
This time, Lumine didn't try to chase after her brother.
If she didn't first understand what had happened to Aether, then even if she caught up to him, what good would it do?
"Hmph! There he goes again, leaving on his own. And he still didn't explain anything! So secretive—what a weird guy!"
Paimon stomped her feet in midair and huffed in frustration.
"Dainsleif, you seem to know my brother… do you know what he's trying to do?"
Lumine touched her chin in thought for a moment, then turned toward Dainsleif as if something had occurred to her.
"…"
Dainsleif was silent for a few seconds. But as Aether's sister, he clearly saw no reason to hide the truth from her.
"I was once your brother's travel companion—just as you travel with Paimon. But I didn't make it to the end of his journey. We parted ways because of a difference in our beliefs.
"He wants to revive Khaenri'ah, the fallen nation that perished centuries ago, and exact revenge against Celestia and the 'Heavenly Principles.'
"I believe he's too extreme. That path will only bring more pain—to him, to others, and to the entire continent."
"Eh?! So that's it? He… he really wants to get revenge on the 'Heavenly Principles'? Is that even possible?"
Paimon was shocked.
From what they'd learned in their travels, Khaenri'ah was indeed destroyed by the Seven Archons under the direction of the Heavenly Principles—because the dark forces it researched posed a threat to Teyvat.
"But wait, didn't your brother come from another world like you did? Why would he care about restoring Khaenri'ah or getting revenge for it?"
Paimon clearly didn't understand.
"Maybe it has something to do with why they call him 'Your Highness the Prince.'"
Lumine shook her head gently. She had been asleep for five hundred years—too many things had happened during that time, and she had no idea what her brother had gone through.
"Sigh… First it's the Fatui, now the Abyss Order—why does everyone insist on provoking the 'Heavenly Principles'?"
Nolan muttered with a hint of sarcasm.
He conveniently ignored the fact that if he ever wanted to leave Teyvat, he'd probably end up going against the Heavenly Principles too.
"We sure learned a lot of major secrets today. And speaking of which, the issue with the leyline leakage, and the reason why the hilichurls were gathering here—both of those mysteries are now solved.
"Our mission here in The Chasm is complete. I suppose it's time to wrap things up and report back to Ningguang."
Yelan crossed her arms and commented coolly.
"Agreed," Nolan nodded.
"Since everything's been handled, let's return for now. As for dealing with the Black Serpent Knights still roaming around, I'll leave behind a sword god avatar to handle them."
The ruins of this upside-down city, and the nearby area, still had quite a few Black Serpent Knights wandering.
Now that they'd become monsters, they posed a potential threat to any future explorers—so naturally, they had to be dealt with.
(End of Chapter)
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