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[Genshin Impact] Chapter 364: Detainment
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 15:30:01 +0000 UTC"Flames signify calamity; all suffering in this world will ultimately be incinerated!"
Endless flames transformed into the flowing skirt of the Crimson Witch, as she wielded two flaming whips, hurling fiery tornadoes in every direction.
Wherever the fiery tornadoes passed, even solid rock was burned to ashes, leaving behind a scorched, lava-like ground.
"Even the flames carry an endless hatred. It seems this 'Lady' was once the renowned Crimson Witch of Flames, but she appears to have lost control now," Lisa remarked, her black stocking-clad legs striding over to stand beside Nolan. Crossing her hands beneath her chest, she gazed at the witch battling fiercely with Lumine.
"Whoever she is, we need to subdue her first. Otherwise, this forest will be reduced to ashes," Nolan replied, glancing at the burning trees and the many Fatui soldiers caught in the indiscriminate attacks of the 'Lady.'
The cunning 'Doctor' had destroyed the secret realm, ejecting everyone within—including the Fatui soldiers who had been guarding the Delusion Factory.
Unfortunately, unlike the 'Scaramouche' and the 'Doctor,' these soldiers lacked the speed to escape.
Without Nolan lifting a finger, the Fatui soldiers fell victim to the Crimson Witch's indiscriminate attacks. Her flames, powerful enough to melt the ground into magma, were utterly lethal to ordinary soldiers. A mere spark landing on them would swiftly consume their entire bodies, leaving only ashes in an instant—likely too fast for them to even feel pain.
"Haha, very well. I'll set up a barrier to disperse elemental energy. Without it, she should calm down," Lisa said, pulling out some elemental materials. For her, temporarily nullifying elemental energy in the area wasn't too difficult, though it would take some time.
Otherwise, such techniques could easily be weaponized in direct combat.
Nolan nodded lightly, directing water-elemental energy to gather above the forest and release.
Rain poured down in torrents.
In no time, the raging forest fire was subdued, the concentration of pyro energy in the air began to diminish, and the Crimson Witch's overwhelming aura waned.
Lumine, who already had the upper hand against the 'Lady,' pressed her advantage even further. With swift strikes, she deflected the Crimson Witch's whips and closed the distance.
Nolan didn't merely watch. He controlled the Sword God and his mental threads, joining the fray.
The Crimson Witch found herself unable to counterattack, fully overwhelmed and cornered.
Before long, Lisa finished setting up the barrier, which was specifically designed to dissipate pyro energy within a localized area.
Though the range was limited, it was sufficient to deal with the Crimson Witch.
The more the Crimson Witch fought, the worse her condition became. Having expended enormous amounts of elemental energy on her indiscriminate, powerful attacks, her reserves quickly diminished.
Finally, Nolan seized an opening and commanded the Lumine's Sword God to sever her weapons. Semi-transparent psychic threads restrained her limbs, immobilizing her.
Then, using another thread imbued with mental assault, he delivered a sharp "slap" to the Crimson Witch's forehead.
"No... I refuse to accept this..."
The Crimson Witch murmured weakly before the fiery dress enveloping her body dissolved, and she reverted to her former self as the 'Lady,' collapsing unconscious.
[Defeated A Powerful Enemy, Obtained 108,993 Adventure EXP.]
As the 'Lady' fell, a notification popped up on the character interface, displaying the EXP gained.
Thanks to the 10% Bonus EXP granted by the "Outstanding Adventurer" title, the Adventure EXP earned from defeating the 'Lady' totaled over 100,000!
Nolan glanced at his character panel:
[Adventure EXP: 125,902]
120,000 Adventure EXP—looks like I can level up again!
"Phew, she was tough," Lumine said, exhaling lightly as she, Nolan, and Lisa approached the unconscious "Lady." A hint of fatigue showed on her face.
"Yes, good work, both of you," Nolan said with a smile, glancing at Lumine and Lisa. "Though the other two Fatui Harbingers managed to escape, the Delusion Factory is destroyed, and we've captured the 'Lady.' At least the mission is complete."
"But what do we do with her now?" Lisa asked, brushing a lock of chestnut hair behind her ear as she eyed the 'Lady.' "The Knights of Favonius have indeed issued a wanted notice for her, but openly imprisoning her would only bring endless trouble. The Fatui wouldn't let it slide."
Nolan nodded slightly. Lisa had a point. The 'Lady' was wanted primarily as a show of accountability to the citizens of Mondstadt after she attacked the Western Cathedral and injured both citizens and Venti.
Actually imprisoning her, however, was another matter. Mondstadt's strength paled in comparison to Snezhnaya's. If the Fatui applied enough pressure, the Knights might be forced to release the 'Lady,' which would be even more humiliating and damaging to the Knights' reputation.
Keeping her in custody would cause more harm than good for Mondstadt. It was safer to keep the wanted notice up and maintain the pretense that the Knights were diligently pursuing her.
Unless, of course, Mondstadt's military strength one day rivaled Snezhnaya's—that would be the moment they could officially detain the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers, the 'Lady.'
"So, what do we do? We can’t exactly throw her into the ocean to feed the fish," Lumine said with a helpless shrug.
"No, that would be such a waste," Lisa chuckled. "After all, she’s still a Fatui Harbinger. For now, let’s confine her in the young adventurer’s portable space. If the Fatui come to ransom her, we could negotiate for something worthwhile."
"Besides," Lisa added, "as a high-ranking Fatui member, the 'Lady' must know a lot. For instance, why are they collecting Gnosis? These things need to be interrogated out of her."
"That makes sense, but my space is pretty secure," Nolan said with a frown. "Still, if she wakes up and reverts to the Crimson Witch, what if she wrecks everything inside? I just finished redecorating!"
Nolan hesitated. He didn’t want to risk the 'Lady' burning down his carefully constructed 'Wonderland.' Lumine and the others had recently added new furniture, created walls with Geo Element, and installed wooden panels to section off spaces into bedrooms, a study, and more.
It had cost a fortune—all his money, in fact. He was now down to about 2.2 million Mora.
Fortunately, the "Sweet Flower Associatation" he invested in had likely started operations, and he held out hope for a windfall during the next dividend payout.
Thinking of this brought him some comfort. If all went well, he’d soon be earning passively while taking it easy!
"Don’t worry," Lisa said, crossing her arms with a smile. "I can apply a magic seal that suppresses elemental energy directly onto her. If we also confiscate her Delusions, she’ll be no stronger than an average person."
(End of Chapter)
