Lumine walked through the bamboo forest, Longhua's Vision in hand, her senses on high alert, ready for an ambush from an unknown enemy.
This was an open trap.
Though she didn't know why a deity like Longhua would have a Vision, nor why the enemy's goal might be this Vision, if the enemy's objective truly was this Vision, they would never let this opportunity slip by.
The difficulty of snatching a Vision from a deity versus taking one from a Traveler was obvious.
Anyone daring to target Longhua had to be formidable, but since they resorted to underhanded tactics rather than a direct confrontation, it was clear they weren't a match for Longhua. So, what else was there to say?
Even if they knew this was a trap, the enemy wouldn't pass up this golden opportunity.
Of course, this was assuming the enemy's goal was indeed the Vision.
Though Lumine didn't know how Longhua had determined this, she saw no reason to doubt the deity's judgment.
So—
The moment the attack came from behind, Lumine reacted instantly.
She spun around, gripped her Dull Blade, and raised it to block.
Clang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the deafening clash of metal, Lumine locked eyes with her attacker.
"Not bad."
Arlecchino praised.
"But I'm sorry, I don't have time to waste with you."
Lumine's eyes sharpened as she swiftly retreated, dodging Arlecchino's switch from spear to blade. In the blink of an eye, she lunged forward, launching a counterattack.
This time, Arlecchino was genuinely surprised.
"It seems your martial skills are stronger than I expected."
After exchanging a few blows with Lumine using her scythe, Arlecchino grew serious.
Initially, based on Rosalyne's report, the Fatui Harbingers had a rough idea of the Traveler's strength.
However, Tartaglia's report from Liyue had overturned Rosalyne's assessment. According to Tartaglia, the Traveler was far stronger than Rosalyne had claimed.
And now, Arlecchino felt that the Traveler was even stronger than Tartaglia's report suggested.
If she relied solely on martial arts, it would be difficult to defeat Lumine quickly.
Arlecchino's eyes narrowed. No matter what, she had to end this fast.
—But Lumine instantly leaped back, jumping into the air and dodging Arlecchino's attack.
She grabbed a bamboo stalk with her left hand, pointed her sword at Arlecchino with her right, and balanced on one foot, hovering in mid-air. Her expression was far more serious than Arlecchino's.
In truth, in terms of raw power, Arlecchino far surpassed Lumine. But Lumine had an advantage when facing stronger opponents.
Lumine wasn't a protagonist who had grown stronger step by step from scratch. She was a reincarnated protagonist who had been sealed and was now regaining her former strength.
What was her advantage?
It was that Lumine felt little psychological pressure when facing far stronger opponents. She had seen much of the world, and her original strength had been considerable.
Moreover, she was experienced and highly skilled in combat.
Naturally, while her current strength paled in comparison to her past self, her combat skills hadn't disappeared.
With these skills, even facing a deity like Zhongli, Lumine could hold her own in a one-on-one fight—provided the opponent relied solely on martial arts.
"Who are you?"
Hearing Lumine's question, Arlecchino looked up at her. Though pressed for time, she still introduced herself… after all, it was company policy. Not doing so would feel like something was missing.
"The Fourth Harbinger of the Fatui, Arlecchino."
"The Fatui again! You guys just won't leave us alone!"
Paimon, floating beside Lumine, shouted:
"Why do we run into you everywhere?"
"Perhaps it's fate?"
Though, in reality, Arlecchino wasn't acting on behalf of the Fatui this time but on behalf of the Grand Cathedral. But there was no need to mention that.
After all, the Fatui's reputation was already in the gutter. Compared to them, the Grand Cathedral… well, at least it was a step above.
In any case, the Grand Cathedral cared more about its reputation, so it was convenient to pin this on the Fatui.
What could she do? Arlecchino was someone who knew how to weigh pros and cons.
Compared to exposing that this was the Supreme Bishop's doing, pinning the blame on the Fatui was far less nerve-wracking for Arlecchino.
After shifting the blame, Arlecchino didn't hesitate any longer. She immediately unleashed her true power.
Lumine kicked off a bamboo stalk, flying to the side to dodge the crimson, thorny vines. She then landed on another bamboo stalk, leaped again, and charged downward at Arlecchino, thrusting her sword.
Clang—!!!!!!!!!!
Blocked once more, Lumine finally landed on the ground. In the next instant, she launched a flurry of attacks, aiming to buy time by keeping Arlecchino on the defensive. As they fought, she spoke:
"Longhua is coming."
Hearing this, Arlecchino couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
"You're clever, knowing where the key to victory lies. But…"
As she spoke, a blood-red moon rose in the sky.
"Without enough strength, even the cleverest plans are meaningless."
Lumine's eyes widened.
Her body… she couldn't move.
In that moment, Arlecchino didn't immediately go for the kill. Instead, she reached for the Vision without hesitation.
There was no time. She had to act fast.
Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In an instant, Arlecchino's body was sent flying away from Lumine.
The blood-red moon vanished, replaced by the radiant light of the sun.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
In the bamboo forest, a young girl holding an oil-paper umbrella walked forward step by step.
Arlecchino flipped in mid-air and stabilized herself, gripping her spear tightly, her expression grave.
Staring at the girl walking toward her through the bamboo forest, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.
Though her strength was such that she could face a deity without fear—even if her chances of winning were slim—she could still put up a fight. But…
The girl before her was an exception, even among deities.
The girl looked at Arlecchino, her calm voice echoing through the bamboo forest:
"Why did you do this? Confess now, and I might spare your life."