"Ugh... this is a bit annoying."
"What kind of backwater dump is Amphoreus anyway? Triple-layered Paths wrapping and binding... It feels dangerous."
After Herta hung up the video call, Lumina casually tossed her phone aside, stretched out her arms, and collapsed onto the bed, completely relaxing.
"Amphoreus, you'd better be a damn vacation resort..." she muttered fiercely.
[Amphoreus is the main story map for Version 3.x. The Astral Express will also be going there ], the System reminded her, observing its host's inexplicable behavior.
"Oh, well then we're screwed." Hearing this, Lumina, already languid, closed her eyes completely.
Penacony, the Land of Dreams, Paradise of Pleasant Dreams, Vacation Resort, right?
The moment the Main Cast arrives: "Embryo of Philosophy, reshape the cosmos for us!"
Well, while they have no direct connection to the Main Cast, the Cosmos is filled with countless hidden corners and untold stories, both big and small. At least the events unfolding in the places the Main Cast visits are all Emanator-Class incidents.
"The Embryo of Philosophy... The Path powers of Order and Harmony, huh?" Lumina lay on her bed, eyes open, studying the various information about the Penacony storyline displayed on her screen.
She wasn't particularly worried about the Embryo of Philosophy · Sunday. Even though the Path of Harmony's power was somewhat antagonistic to her own, Lumina was confident that in a one-on-one fight within his Domain, she could easily dominate him.
As for Acheron... Lumina wasn't overly concerned either. There was no reason for them to clash, and no reason for Acheron to attack her.
Of course, even if they inexplicably became enemies, Lumina wouldn't be afraid. Based on the storyline performances the System had provided, whatever Acheron could do, Lumina could do too, and with far greater ease.
Acheron was no match for her—not even close.
The only trouble was the influence of the Nihility, but as long as she avoided being tainted by it, it shouldn't pose a major problem.
Speaking of which, am I... really just an Emanator?
As Lumina pondered this, she couldn't help but feel lost in confusion.
In her eyes, Phantylia, Jing Yuan, Sunday—they all seemed so incredibly weak... as feeble as ants, easily crushed with a single step.
Moreover, when Yaoshi had appeared, sensing the divine power radiating from her, Lumina even felt that if she were to fight Yaoshi, she would likely emerge victorious.
Smack!
Startled by this thought, Lumina punched herself in the head. If I let this arrogance grow any further, I might actually pick a fight with an Aeon!
Yet, even as she chided herself, a voice deep inside her whispered, I'm not being arrogant...
When we go to Penacony, I'll challenge Acheron to a duel...
Ignoring the voice in her heart, Lumina concluded she had simply become arrogant. She was undoubtedly human; defeating a god was likely just wishful thinking.
Looking back, Phantylia andJing Yuan were probably just the weakest Emanators. As for why she found Sunday weak, it was likely because he hadn't mastered his own power.
This inflated ego was actually predictable. From the beginning, she hadn't experienced a single setback or defeat.
Whether it was easily turning the tables on the Lord Ravagers who ambushed her or effortlessly resolving the near-Nihility of the World, Lumina had never felt any real pressure.
Well, who cares if I'm arrogant? As long as it doesn't affect the beautiful girl, it's completely irrelevant.
"Ugh~"
Lumina stretched languidly on the bed, her limbs gradually extending in a lazy stretch. She let out a sound that could make anyone lose themselves in its warmth.
[ You might find this interesting ], the System thought, having observed Lumina's earlier thoughts. Without a word, it silently displayed a video on the screen.
[ Honkai: Star Rail ] Golden Epic PV: "Amphoreus Heroic Chronicle"
"What's this?" Lumina raised an eyebrow as she watched the video.
Heroic Chronicles and such didn't interest her, but...
This woman on the cover. Get me her full dossier in three minutes!
Boss Lumina declared.
In the legend's beginning, the world was pure chaos.... converging into a scorching river that flows toward the descendants of heroes...
Clicking play, Lumina watched with a bored expression, her heart unmoved.
She had seen enough wars and disasters; nothing seemed remarkable anymore.
Until...
"Aglaea the 'Goldweaver', You must gently caress the holy city's silken web, and harken to the sounds and voices of destiny."
"There shall be the three-faced messenger traversing through myriad doors, bearing tidings to you from hundreds of worlds."
"Anaxagoras the Foolish, has enough knowledge to refute faith, and to stir up a torrent capable of slaying gods."
"Go seek the priest who severs dawn from dusk, and let the sky become the slumbering cot from which she wakes."
"Make him roar, Mydeimos the Undying. Pierce the enemy's king with Kremnos' blood."
"Set her in motion, Cifera the Fleet-Footed. Command the frozen time to once again flow."
"And that servant of the Hand of Shadow, the daughter of River Styx (River of Souls)..."
"If you grant her the right to embrace, then even frozen death... will sleep peacefully at her fingertips."
"You will hear the sound of the ocean's abyss reverberating through the storm."
"You will see outlanders from faraway realms visiting under the veil of gloom."
"Until the journey's end, when the Titans of old have all fallen..."
"And the nameless new king ascends the throne, alongside countless heroes..."
"...to embark on the grand mission of deliverance."
...
"Of course, this will be a romantic story like none that has come before."
In an instant, with a decisive snap, Lumina sprang to her feet without hesitation. Her earlier lazy, bored, and apathetic expression vanished, replaced by a serious, self-assured demeanor.
[Are you alright?]
"I'm fine," Lumina said, shaking her head. Then, with righteous conviction, she declared earnestly:
"You know, I, Lumina! have always been a selfless, ever-helpful Saintess, eager to serve and contribute to the greater good..."