Chapter 140. Branches
Inside the Irminsul, Maha Rukkhadevata smiled gently.
Although she and Nahida looked almost identical, their temperaments were worlds apart.
Maha Rukkhadevata was like a warm sun in the morning, warming the people around her, making one feel very, very comfortable at first glance.
Nahida, on the other hand, gave off a serene feeling. If she stood there quietly without saying a word, her presence would infinitely disappear.
Well, while it might sound a bit harsh to say that about Nahida, it was the truth.
"Something that can only be learned in the Archon War?"
At this moment, Black Aila looked at Maha Rukkhadevata with some confusion. She asked, "What is something that can only be learned in the Archon War?"
She was quite curious about this, as she had participated in the entire battle and hadn't found anything worth learning.
Of course, she had learned a lot in terms of combat.
Because this was the first time she had merged with [herself] to fight that damned guy, Dottore.
"The understanding of strength." Maha Rukkhadevata looked at Black Aila and patiently explained. "The Archon War was a cruel era. Sumeru, due to the Scarlet King and the Goddess of Flowers—"
"The Archon War here wasn't particularly brutal, at least not for me, but it was different in other regions. For example, Mondstadt and Inazuma had its difficult; however, these difficulties pales with Liyue's situation, the Adeptus, Azhdaha, and Morax all clearly understood how hard-won peace was, and how important military strength is. "
The Archon War in Sumeru wasn't particularly brutal, but Liyue was different.
It was extremely prosperous, with a severe concentration of Demon Gods vying for territory.
Morax, who emerged from the Archon War in Liyue, was naturally the undisputed strong one in the Demon God Realm.
And his strength wasn't just his own, like Raiden Sister; his followers were equally powerful.
To be honest, Maha Rukkhadevata was quite envious of Morax. Not only were his subordinates strong and loyal, but his people also lived in peace and prosperity.
Keqing in the Chat Group was one of the Liyue Qixing, and there were many other outstanding talents like her in Liyue.
So, both Maha Rukkhadevata and Raiden Makoto were very, very envious of Liyue's talent right now. Putting aside Archon combat power, talent is what a nation needs most.
Sumeru now needs talent even more, perhaps even more than Inazuma.
"Yes." Nahida nodded slightly. She looked at Black Aila and slowly said, "After seeing your battle, I realized how weak I am."
"I came up with a hypothesis: if you were to use force to imprison me, would I have the ability to resist? The answer is no. No matter how much I struggle, my weakness would lead to my ultimate demise or imprisonment."
Weakness is the original sin. Why are the Fatui so powerful? Of course, it's because their Harbingers are strong and can act unscrupulously in various nations.
Therefore, after Nahida resolves the current issues, she also plans to start preparing Sumeru's military strength and simultaneously enhance her own power.
This is a situation she will inevitably have to face.
"Hmm."
Maha Rukkhadevata chuckled, looking at Nahida with satisfaction. As her successor, although she had some shortcomings.
In the future, she might become an even greater Archon than herself. She just needed to witness it slowly.
"Albedo."
At this moment, Maha Rukkhadevata's gaze fell upon Albedo. She extended her hand, and three small branches floated from her hand, slowly flying towards him.
"This is..."
Albedo reached out and caught them. He could feel an unimaginable vitality contained within these branches.
And through these three branches, Albedo seemed to see countless people and knowledge.
"This is a part of the Irminsul that you have been looking for."
Maha Rukkhadevata gave the items to Albedo, then looked at everyone and continued,
"Originally, I should have sent them through the Chat Group files to give them to you, but in my remnant soul state, I seem unable to upload surrounding objects to the Chat Group files."
This made Maha Rukkhadevata a little helpless. Within the Irminsul, there were actually many things she could do.
Aside from being unable to leave the Irminsul, obtaining some materials from the Irminsul was not a problem at all.
For example, branches, leaves, etc., Maha Rukkhadevata could pick them all, but the Chat Group had an inexplicable restriction on remnant souls.
She, Raiden Makoto, Bosacius, and even Guizhong back then were all like this.
But after Guizhong's resurrection, all permissions were open to her, which made Maha Rukkhadevata quite envious.
Now, she gave the Irminsul branches to Albedo because she wanted to see if the Irminsul was the main material for the special husk doll.
If it was, then she, Raiden Makoto, and Bosacius would be saved.
"Hmm." Albedo nodded slightly, his tone very serious. "I will do my best."
As an Alchemist, this was the second time Albedo had obtained such precious materials.
The first time was the Power of Time brought by Venti. He teamed up with "Zhongli" to successfully create Fake Condensed Resin.
The second time he obtained Irminsul branches. He staked the name of the Kreideprinz, and even if he couldn't create the special husk doll, he would maximize its benefits.
"No need to do your best, just try hard." Maha Rukkhadevata looked at Albedo and chuckled. "After all, there are two others who are even more anxious than you."
She was referring to Zhongli and Raiden Ei. They were naturally more anxious than Albedo. He was an Alchemist, so it didn't matter even if he couldn't create the special husk doll.
But for Zhongli and Raiden Ei, this was an unimaginably big deal.
Bosacius was Morax's first Yaksha. The Yakshas in Liyue had sacrificed a lot, and now only one remained.
Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would definitely not sit idly by. Before, there was no way, but now that there was a way, an Archon like him would definitely go all out.
Raiden Makoto was even more so; Raiden Ei would surely gather all the power of Inazuma to resurrect her.
This was at all costs.
Maha Rukkhadevata even wondered if, without the contract signed in the past, would Raiden Ei rush over with a sword and directly force her way into the Irminsul to cause destruction.
After a moment of thought, she came to a definite answer:
Raiden Ei would definitely rush over with a sword, 100%.
"Alright."
Albedo naturally knew who Maha Rukkhadevata was referring to here.
"Then, I'll chat with my successor for a while. You all can go communicate in the Chat Group~"
Saying this, Maha Rukkhadevata led Nahida deeper into the Irminsul.
Futsu Mitama and the others didn't follow, as this was a private conversation between the Dendro Archons. They naturally had no reason to follow.
Soon, everyone's attention was focused on the Chat Group. Albedo also uploaded the other two Irminsul branches to the Chat Group files.
The Chat Group instantly became very lively.
[Azhdaha: "Good, good, good!!! Finally got it!!! @Bosacius, you can be resurrected!"]
[Guizhong: "Congratulations! Bosacius, if this goes smoothly, you'll be resurrected just like me."]
[Keqing: "Yes! This is great news."]
[Bosacius: "Sigh, I've caused everyone so much trouble, but after I'm resurrected, if there's anything I need to do, I, Bosacius, will not hesitate."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Saying that is really too formal. After all, we're all in the Chat Group together, we should help each other out."]
[Futsu Mitama: "The group name is 'Teyvat: A Loving Family,' Bosacius, you don't need to be so polite."]
[Futsu Mitama: "If it were by one person's strength alone, it would be impossible to gather these materials. Instead of this, you should think about how you'll face Xiao after you're resurrected."]
[Bosacius: "Xiao? The last time I saw him, he was still the same, still hasn't grown taller. He's suffered a lot over the years."]
[Azhdaha: "He's never grown, has he? Still as short as before!"]
[Keqing: "Isn't it a bit impolite to talk about the Conqueror of Demons like that?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "It should be fine. The Adeptus are old acquaintances; this is just a normal joke."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Hmm, speaking of which, three Irminsul branches, one for Albedo, one for Mr. Zhongli, and one for Raiden Shogun. I believe we'll soon know if this is the main material for the special husk doll."]
[Yae Miko: "Now it's up to Ei, Mr. Zhongli, and Albedo's abilities."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Don't worry, we'll get a result soon. Their abilities in this area are very strong."]
[Venti: "Look, they've all gone silent. They must be fully focused on researching the materials. Anyway, all we have to do is wait."]
[Paimon: "Lumine!!! I'm so excited!!! If we finish the things in The Chasm—Then can we go to Inazuma to see Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto?"]
[Lumine: "Hmm~ it depends on whether the special husk doll can be created. If it can, then we'll visit Ei and Makoto at Tenshukaku."]
[Yae Miko: "Lumine, Paimon, why don't you come to Grand Narukami Shrine to visit me? Oh dear, how sad. Little ones, I even offered you Inazuma's unique gourmet food and desserts."]
[Paimon: "Oh, we'll definitely visit you!"]
[Yae Miko: "Hehehe~ I'm just kidding~ I'll go to Tenshukaku first."]
[Guizhong: "Hmm, I'll also go find Mr. Zhongli and discuss it with him."]
[Azhdaha: "Aren't you going to find Morax? He knows a lot."]
[Guizhong: "It's hard to explain where the Irminsul branches came from. You know his personality. If I don't give a reasonable explanation, it might be difficult."]
[Azhdaha: "Morax shouldn't be that rigid, but never mind, given his personality, he would indeed do that. Morax still treats unknown matters seriously."]
[Venti: "After all, he's quite steady. Oh dear, oh dear, I'm going to drink now. I hope to hear good news soon."]
—
In Liyue Harbor, Zhongli was no longer chatting in the group. After obtaining the Irminsul branches, he showed a rather emotional expression.
Because this was, on the surface, the most likely main material for the special husk doll. If this wasn't it, then there would be no other way.
He would have to leave Teyvat and search for similar materials in other 'branches'.
So, even the steady Zhongli, at this moment, hoped that the Irminsul was the main material for the special husk doll.
On the other side, Raiden Ei also took action. She was originally a master at creating puppets, having personally crafted Raiden Shogun and Scaramouche.
Back in Mondstadt, she had also seen the special husk doll. At that time, she hadn't joined the Chat Group.
Raiden Ei's idea at the time was simple: this thing could serve as her second [vessel].
Because currently, Raiden Ei had no physical body; her physical body had long been transformed into Raiden Shogun.
Now her soul resided in the Plane of Euthymia, meditating daily to avoid [Erosion].
If combat was necessary, she could use Raiden Shogun's body to fight strong enemies.
So, when Raiden Ei saw the special husk doll, she knew that if she were given this puppet, her strength could double.
Thinking carefully, a Shogun whose strength infinitely rivaled Raiden Ei, plus Raiden Ei herself—
This would be equivalent to two Archons at their peak fighting a single enemy, a scene that would likely be terrifying.
But now—Raiden Ei was very glad that she had completely memorized everything about the special husk doll at the time. Now, holding the Irminsul branch in her hand—
She began to compare whether the Irminsul branch was indeed the main material for the special husk doll. If it was—
Then she would need to personally make a trip to Sumeru and cut some wood from the Irminsul.
However, if that were the case, Inazuma would owe Sumeru a huge favor.
How would she repay it?
Originally, Futsu Mitama's past help was meant to make Sumeru owe Inazuma a huge favor. The Irminsul was no ordinary existence.
Only Maha Rukkhadevata and Nahida could 'pluck' the Irminsul. Using force to plunder would only invite disaster.
This was like Barbatos 'plucking' the Power of Time. If it were anyone else, they would probably be dead beyond dead.
You see, when La Signora planned to force her way into the Island of Time, it made the Cryo Archon directly rush from Snezhnaya to Mondstadt to stop her.
Because if the Cryo Archon didn't stop her, either La Signora's group would be annihilated, or disaster would befall Snezhnaya; there was no benefit either way.
But Venti was different. He merely spent some time in 'prison' and then left, lively as ever.
So Raiden Ei was in a dilemma. If things continued this way, it would be Inazuma's turn to owe Sumeru a favor.
At that time, Maha Rukkhadevata wouldn't tell her,
"Beelzebub, you don't want Baal to not be resurrected, do you? Then you know what to choose, right?!"
Thinking of this, Raiden Ei quickly shook her head. The light novels Miko had given her recently were causing too many distracting thoughts!
She wouldn't think about so many things for now!