"Quite the bold claim, don't you think?"
Diluc hadn't expected the girl above him to be so brazen—actually daring to imply she could replace a god.
But he didn't dare underestimate her.
Because from the instant he laid eyes on the white-haired girl perched atop the Anemo Archon Statue, he felt an aura so overwhelming it eclipsed even the fallen dragon Durin he once faced.
Yet… when had she even gotten up there? Moments ago, he hadn't sensed a thing.
And what were those spear-like things floating behind her? Weapons?
And those golden eyes embedded in the ends of her dress—what in the world were those? None of it looked harmless.
Diluc studied the mysterious girl from head to toe, only to feel his confusion deepen.
"Bold claim?"
Su Mo—currently in the Herrscher of the Void's form—chuckled lightly. With her hands clasped behind her back, she looked down on Diluc as though observing an insect.
"Human, whether words are 'bold' depends entirely on power. The same sentence speaks very differently from the mouths of different beings."
Since the system wanted Barbatos forced out, Su Mo only had to create enough of a threat.
No way the Anemo Archon could keep sipping wine in hiding after this.
"It seems you're quite confident," Diluc said.
He had only been passing through, but with the situation escalating like this, he couldn't ignore it.
"Master Diluc, do you know who that is? She's standing on the statue!"
"Oh hoh~ I like that look in her eyes! Step on me next! Step on me!"
"Someone go call the Knights!"
As the two talked, a crowd began gathering.
People stared up at the girl on the statue—some frightened, some confused… and, inexplicably, some delighted.
The first two Su Mo could understand.
But the delighted ones? Really? Mondstadt actually had masochists?
Sure, he currently looked like a dominatrix queen, but he wasn't recruiting any subordinates.
"Oh? Want to witness my confidence for yourself?"
Ignoring the strange gazes of the crowd, Su Mo spoke leisurely to Diluc.
"That's the plan. But…" Diluc said.
"But what?"
"I'd prefer we fight outside the city. Too many civilians here. It spoils my mood."
He surveyed the nearby buildings and people.
A battle here would absolutely hurt innocents.
"As you wish, foolish human. Let us meet on the far side of the bridge."
With a soft laugh, Su Mo vanished from atop the statue.
"That girl—she vanished! Is she a ghost?!"
"She said she'd meet Master Diluc outside the bridge. She must've gone there!"
"Then how did she disappear?!"
"How would I know?! Maybe… maybe she IS Lord Barbatos in disguise!"
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
The crowd erupted in frantic discussion as Su Mo disappeared.
Everyone wanted to know how she vanished into thin air.
This girl… definitely not simple.
Diluc ignored the murmurs and headed silently toward the city gate.
Outside the Gates
"You're slow, human."
Su Mo stood lazily on the open ground beyond the bridge, already bored of waiting.
"My apologies. It's a long walk. Now…"
Diluc drew his claymore, flames flaring violently from his body—enough to heat the air.
"Master Diluc looks so cool!"
"Can that girl really beat him? Isn't this bullying a bit too much?"
"Relax. Master Diluc knows his limits."
"Hey, did you forget that weird ability she used earlier?!"
Behind Diluc, a whole trail of curious Mondstadters had followed—some perched on the city wall, others crowding the gate.
"Where's your weapon?" Diluc asked.
"I don't need such things. Or rather—these are my weapons."
The spears floating behind her drifted forward.
Clack—clack—clack.
Seeing the strange weapons, Diluc said nothing more. He simply tightened his grip and charged.
A perfect chance to familiarize himself with Herrscher abilities…
Su Mo sent the Void Spears streaking toward him.
He wasn't trying to kill or seriously injure Diluc. He only needed to complete his mission.
So the spears were physical, not imaginary—had he used imaginary conversion, Diluc would already be dead.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The spears clashed against Diluc's blade, the master of Dawn sweeping them aside one by one.
Not bad at all…
Su Mo smiled, genuinely impressed.
Huh? There were still a few spears floating behind him.
Go!
He fired them off as well.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Same result. Diluc knocked them away with ease—and by then, he was already in front of Su Mo.
He leapt high, bringing his flaming claymore down from above.
She's not dodging? She must have something planned!
Diluc expected her to vanish again, but instead she simply tilted her head upward to watch him descend—no retreat, no guard.
In those golden eyes, he saw… amusement. Mockery, even.
Something's wrong—something is definitely wrong!
"Master Diluc is incredible! She can't do anything!"
"She'll die if that hits, right?!"
"I told you—Master Diluc knows what he's doing! Maybe he'll catch her at the last second, whisper 'Are you hurt?' and she'll fall into his—"
BOOM—!
A deafening crash cut the fangirling short.
Before anyone understood what happened—
BOOM—!
Diluc was sent flying like a cannonball, smashing into a small hill several meters away.
"D-Did anyone… see what happened?!"
"I think… she just extended her hand a little… and Master Diluc flew off."
"N-No way she's that strong…"
The crowd fell silent.
From beginning to end, the mysterious girl hadn't taken a single step.
She merely raised one hand—
—and Diluc lost instantly.
Terrifying.
Looks like he's preparing a trump card…
Su Mo stood where she was, one hand still held forward. She watched the settling dust calmly.
"It's time for judgment."
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