If she were only facing an [Emissary], even one bearing the illustrious title of [Grand Monarch], Asmoday would only need to show respect, not fear.
After all, all beings who walk a [Path] must advance along that [Path] to grow stronger. The cosmos is certainly not a peaceful place, but for the truly powerful, the situation is quite the opposite. Except when launching "crusades," "wars," or even "annihilations" against civilizations opposed to their [Path], [Emissaries] do not act lightly.
Actions that do not conform to their [Path] will only weaken their power.
Only the Astral Gods of [Destruction] and [Propagation], along with their [Emissaries] and retainers, are exceptions. The [Annihilation Great Lords], Emissaries of Nanook, the Astral God of Destruction, lead their [Antimatter Legion] on campaigns of conquest, leaving almost no planet or civilization alive in their wake.
Due to the unique nature of its [Path], the combat strength of the [Antimatter Legion] far exceeds that of other Astral Gods' retainers. This legion alone commands as many as 143 different types of star-destroying weapons (ranging from planetary to stellar scale). As the most outstanding among Nanook's [Emissaries], and disregarding philosophical factors, the [Annihilation Great Lords] can even go toe-to-toe with some weaker Astral Gods.
Even an ordinary member of their guard, a [Vanguard of Havoc], possesses the strength to annihilate a star single-handedly. Indeed, most civilizations in the sea of stars, upon encountering them or even the possibility of encountering them, would flee as far as possible without hesitation.
As for [Propagation]… that Astral God perished at the hands of a coalition of gods, but even after its death, its retainers remain an immensely powerful chaotic force throughout the cosmos.
As for why—
Knowing that its retainers are called the "Insect Clan" is explanation enough.
These two examples are cited merely to illustrate their special nature. The mad [Emissaries] who attack on sight are few and far between. In many cases, when encountering such beings, as long as one maintains inner reverence, they will not be harmed.
However!
The colossal "spherical celestial body" before Asmoday was not among them.
The familiar, undisguised aura of its [Path] allowed her to instantly understand her opponent's identity—
The [Dominion of Order].
That was correct.
The "Heavenly Principles" Phanes and the Monarch shared a great similarity: they were both beings who had inherited the legacy of the Astral God of Order!
Phanes's ability to wield two Dominions simultaneously was thanks to the [Dominion of Order].
At the same time, herein lay the problem.
Setting aside the Dominion of Order, even a peak-condition Phanes possessed only half the number of Dominions as the Monarch. This was a situation completely different from that of an Apostle. For beings who received the power of the Astral God of Order, the Dominions they held were mostly advanced from "Herrscher Authorities."
A twofold difference in the number of Dominions meant a twofold, or even manifold, disparity in strength.
Holding the same Dominion could signify they were comrades-in-arms; but with the Astral God of their [Path] having already vanished, the relationship between two competitors was more likely to be…
Hunter and prey.
---o---
"My dear brother."
The Monarch paid no heed to Asmoday.
His thoughts were transmitted in the most basic way, allowing every Demon God on the scene to hear his voice. Because of this, several of the weaker Demon Gods were nearly shaken to death on the spot. The ordinary people Rin had sent away earlier were unaffected because their level of spiritual power could not even begin to touch this domain.
"How have you come to be in such a state?"
The Monarch realized the impropriety as soon as he spoke and quickly suppressed the passive diffusion of his power. He was used to communicating with beings on the level of the [Three Pillar Gods] and the [Apostles]… at his age, his voice had inevitably become somewhat "startling."
[Heavenly Principles · Phanes]
The Monarch's voice was clearly directed at the true master of Sky Island, and indeed, of the entire continent of Teyvat.
Unfortunately, the corruption from the quantum energy was too severe. All that remained of him now was a beast's "instinct."
He was called a beast rather than a madman precisely because this instinct still existed. The frantic destruction with quantum energy that Asmoday had anticipated did not occur. The unprecedented threat forced Phanes to choose "caution."
"Ugh—ROAR!!"
Phanes let out a guttural roar.
Evidently, this "kinsman" was completely unable to answer the Monarch's question. Roiling quantum and Imaginary energy combined, coalescing behind Phanes into a monstrous tsunami and the countless tentacles hidden within.
"..."
"A pity."
"Your will has completely sunk into the quantum realm. It is impossible to awaken you without extracting all of your power."
The Monarch's voice paused for a moment.
"A shadow wishing to become the main body—"
"It is good for a subordinate to have ambition, but your vision is far too narrow."
"I…"
Asmoday wanted to refute him, but she could not even speak now; even the act of thinking had become a luxury.
One must not forget, His Majesty the Emperor was the source of power for all subjects within the Empire. Their Authorities were but weakened versions of the Monarch's Dominions.
Whatever Asmoday's purpose was, whether noble or vile, it no longer mattered.
The Monarch had passed judgment on the matter, and no one could overturn it.
After witnessing this boundless terror firsthand, no terrestrial being would dare to face the sun's wrath.
And at that very moment!
DENG!!!
The delirious Phanes finally chose to strike.
This was the desperate last stand of a life facing the threat of death. The exposed Branch of the Imaginary Tree had swollen to an abnormally massive size, and all of its completely mixed Imaginary and quantum energy converged before him, following his movements.
A dazzling white sphere of light rose slowly.
No one doubted that the energy contained within that sphere could absolutely shatter a star in a single blow. The Monarch, too, did not misjudge its power. After all, if even Cheche could shatter a few stars for fun, it would be far too shameful if his own brother (or sister) could not do the same.
And so—
VMMMMMM!!!!!
A pillar of light that illuminated the entire continent shot straight toward the sun in the sky!
The next instant…
Ting.
It was less spectacular than a blooming firework.
The ultimate, brilliant radiance, at the very moment of contact with the "sun," vanished without a trace, like a pencil line erased from paper.
"..."
The world fell silent.
The Demon Gods of Teyvat, at this moment, finally and profoundly understood what kind of existence the "Emperor" so revered by these outsiders truly was—
Even if the stars shattered and all creation fell silent…
He remained, unshaken.