Chapter 255: The Winds of War
Lumine nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "This is one of Venti's abilities. He might seem… well, a bit casual most of the time, but he's always incredibly reliable when it counts."
Paimon zipped over, her tiny hands on her hips. "That's right, that's right! And Venti said that news from all over Natlan will now flow directly to you. You can even send your commands back out on the wind, just like… like having a super-broadcast system for the entire nation!"
Mavuika drew a sharp, deep breath, struggling to contain the shock rippling through her. In its wake, an emotion she hadn't truly felt in days—hope—began to bloom in her chest, a tiny spark growing brighter and stronger with every passing second.
Originally, facing the Abyss's unmatched assault and the suffocating miasma of corruption, even she had felt the crushing weight of despair. She had steeled herself for the worst possible outcome.
But now… first, she'd learned that the retired Geo Archon, Morax, had come in person. Then, she witnessed the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, reshape the very battlefield with his impossible communication network. And on top of it all, Lumine and Paimon had promised to bring even more powerful reinforcements.
Perhaps… perhaps this time, Natlan could truly hold on. With the help of these incredible friends, they might just be able to repel this terrifying abyssal tide.
Her gaze hardened, becoming sharp and resolute once more. The indomitable majesty and fighting spirit of Natlan's leader surged back, filling every fiber of her being.
[Genshin · Venti]: "Oh, right, a quick follow-up explanation~"
Venti's message popped up again, carrying the lighthearted tone of a post-purchase customer service check-in.
[Genshin · Venti]: "For now, all information from the six major tribes will be routed primarily to the Sacred Flame Arena—right where you are, Mavuika. This should make it easier for you to coordinate the overall situation."
[Genshin · Venti]: "The Pyro Archon can also use the wind's power to issue commands to the tribes. But take note! Information isn't shared between the tribes directly! And don't ask why…"
He sent an emoji of a winking face with its tongue stuck out.
[Genshin · Venti]: "Because that would be way too difficult to manage! I wouldn't have any hands free for our squad's mission. Besides, it's better not to have too many cooks in the kitchen on the battlefield~ So, for any cross-tribe communication, please stick to the chat group for now!"
High on a distant cliff, Venti tucked his lyre away and landed lightly on the ground. He flashed a brilliant smile at Wise and Belle, as if bending the winds of an entire nation to his will to construct the Wind-Whisper Network was nothing more than a casual warm-up.
"Alright, preliminary preparations are complete~ Now then, shall we officially begin the cleanup mission for the Cliffwood Tribe?"
His emerald eyes gazed down into the woodlands below, which were shrouded in a sickly, purple-black mist. Within the gloom, the faint silhouettes of monstrous creatures could be seen squirming.
Meanwhile, in the command center of the Sacred Flame Arena, Mavuika closed her eyes, listening to the countless streams of information gathering in the wind. When she opened them, a flash of decisiveness shone in her crimson irises.
She turned to Lumine, her tone grave. "Lumine, please, be sure to convey my deepest gratitude to Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon."
"In this time of crisis," she continued, her voice connecting with sincerity, "a communication method that covers our entire territory is no different from a hearth fire in a blizzard. It is of vital importance to my Natlan!"
The outcome of a war often depended on the speed of information and the clarity of command. Venti's Wind-Whisper Network had instantly connected the disparate parts of Natlan—which might have otherwise devolved into isolated pockets fighting their own desperate, losing battles—into a single, cohesive entity capable of rapid response.
Lumine nodded in understanding and immediately relayed the Pyro Archon's message.
[Genshin · Lumine]: "@Genshin · Venti, Mavuika asked me to pass along her sincere thanks. She said your Wind-Whisper Network is a huge help to Natlan."
[Genshin · Venti]: "You're welcome, you're welcome~ I'm just glad I could help! After all, I'm part of the mission too, so it's only right. It'd be even better if there's some fine wine waiting for me as a reward when this is all over."
After seeing his reply, Mavuika wasted no more time. She took a deep breath, focused her mind, and merged her will into the omnipresent breeze. Her voice, carrying the obvious authority of the Pyro Archon yet imbued with a power that soothed the heart, was transmitted clearly and steadily through the network to the ears of commanders and warriors across the six major tribes.
"Warriors of Natlan, I am Mavuika. Do not panic at the voices and information you hear upon the wind. This is a communication network, constructed with great power by the friends of the Traveler, Lumine, and Paimon. They are here to help our Natlan overcome this crisis together!"
"All tribes, act according to my orders. focus on the safety of your people, establish defensive positions based on favorable terrain, and hold fast! Reinforcements have already begun to arrive at various locations!"
Her announcement acted like a balm on frayed nerves, swiftly quelling the nascent panic that the sudden chorus of whispers on the wind had caused. The warriors, hearing that an allied god was aiding them, felt their spirits soar. They began to actively use the fragmented information carried on the breeze to assess their surroundings, while commanders could now receive clear, direct instructions from the Sacred Flame Arena.
Mavuika seized the opportunity to rapidly adjust her strategic deployments. She paid particular attention to the reports flowing from the Cliffwood Tribe, where the terrain was treacherous and the monster offensive was especially fierce. The Abyss had likely hoped to cripple their messenger network, but they could never have anticipated a method of communication that required no messengers at all.
She immediately issued a new command. "Cliffwood Tribe, contract your outer defensive lines. Concentrate your forces to guard the cliffside residential areas and critical supply points. Your first priority is to preserve your strength and protect the populace. Do not get bogged down trying to clear out every last monster that has infiltrated your territory."
One order after another was carried on the wind, delivered with perfect accuracy. The once-chaotic battle lines began to stabilize, defensive priorities became clear, and the allocation of resources grew far more efficient.
At the same time, having relayed Mavuika's thanks, Lumine and Paimon prepared to join the fray themselves.
"Mavuika, we'll leave the command here to you," Lumine said, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Paimon and I are heading to the front lines to help."
Mavuika gave a firm nod. "Be careful. And thank you for everything you've done."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a determined glance. Without another moment's hesitation, they activated the teleportation function attached to their mission through the Chat Group's World Commission interface.
A pillar of azure light enveloped them. In the next second, their figures vanished from the command room.
On a main road connecting the Feathered Serpent's Rest to the Sacred Flame Arena, a sizable merchant caravan was locked in a bitter struggle for survival. Dozens of guards had formed a fragile, circular formation, desperately protecting the carriages loaded with vital supplies and the terrified civilians huddled in the center.
Their opponents were a monstrous horde. At its head was a hulking Stonehide Lawachurl, its body covered in heavy stone armor and its eyes glowing with a malevolent blood-red light. It was flanked by several other Mitachurls and a snarling mob of over a hundred common Hilichurls.
Every time the Lawachurl slammed its massive fists into the ground, it triggered a small earthquake that sent tremors through the guards' formation, threatening to shatter it. The other Mitachurls battered the defensive line relentlessly with giant axes and stone shields.
If not for the fact that this caravan was guarded by numerous warriors from the Woluo Tribe—clansmen renowned for their powerful physiques and unyielding will—the line would have been torn apart long ago. Even so, their situation was precarious.
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