[Clang—]
[The ringing of blades echoed endlessly through the forest.]
[Each collision between the frost-blue greatsword and the blazing crimson blade sent up billows of white steam, born from scorching heat.]
[Eula struggled desperately under Aerin's assault, shock flooding her eyes.]
She couldn't understand it.
A moment ago, what he held had clearly been dual guns—
so how had they transformed into a burning greatsword in the blink of an eye?
Even from a distance, the blade's temperature radiated blistering heat.
[Another strike came down.]
[Clang—]
The impact rattled Eula's eardrums.
Her arms trembled violently as numbness surged through them.
["I can't win… I'm completely outmatched."]
She staggered backward.
Meanwhile, Aerin wielded the greatsword with one hand, movements light and fluid—
like a dragon skimming across water.
Relaxed.
Almost playful.
After the Stigmata Serum, the Judgment of Shamash once again shocked all of Teyvat.
Firearms were not unheard of in this world.
Most people could easily tell that the gun form of the Judgment of Shamash was a highly advanced thermal weapon.
But when the twin guns unfolded and fused into a hilt—
when molten-gold flames surged skyward and condensed into a blazing blade—
Everyone was left speechless.
Weapons… could transform?
Twin guns turning into a greatsword?
It shattered common sense.
[Childe]: "This reminds me of my Foul Legacy—weapon techniques that shift forms at will. Does the Fifth Descender know my master?"
[Arlecchino]: "I don't think this comes from martial technique. It feels like an inherent function of the weapon itself."
[Dottore]: "Fascinating. A weapon with built-in transformation."
[Scaramouche]: "The Fifth Descender is far too relaxed. If he keeps playing with fodder like this, we'll never see his true strength."
[Eula]: "Hmph. I didn't expect such venomous tongues among the Fatui Harbingers. I'll remember this."
[Jean]: "I suggest Snezhnaya reconsider its stance. While you mock Mondstadt, don't forget—you're prey to the Fifth Descender as well."
Outside Mondstadt, in a secluded mountain ravine.
Eula, dispatched to eliminate threats to Mondstadt's stability, scanned her surroundings.
Once she confirmed no one was nearby, her shoulders finally sagged.
"Damn it… calling me fodder."
"If you're so capable, face the Fifth Descender yourself instead of acting tough in the chat."
"If it weren't for diplomatic concerns between nations, I'd have torn into you already."
Her words were fierce—
But deep down, she knew that sharp-tongued Harbinger wasn't entirely wrong.
Eula was the first person to face Aerin head-on in a true confrontation.
And yet, her strength wasn't even close to enough to interest him.
He fought her with the air of someone playing around.
She, on the other hand, had already gone all out.
["Ugh!"]
[Another strike crashed down.]
Eula's stamina was nearly depleted.
Her arms failed her at last—
the frost-blue greatsword flew from her grasp.
["Damn it—!"]
Her heart seized.
With her arms flung wide, her guard was completely open.
If Aerin pressed the attack, that blazing blade would pierce straight through her chest.
In desperation, Eula kicked off the ground, retreating without even trying to retrieve her sword.
[The moment she landed—]
[Two orange-red flashes tore past her calves.]
Blood sprayed instantly.
The greatsword had already reverted into the gun form of the Judgment of Shamash.
Twin shots—
precise and merciless—
pierced straight through her legs.
["Damn it!"]
Pain overwhelmed her.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground.
As she lifted her head—
A wave of scorching heat pressed against her forehead.
[Aerin stood before her, gun barrel resting lightly against her brow.]
["Heh. Someone unloved by her clan and uncherished by Mondstadt—why are you fighting so hard?"]
So this was it.
Eula wiped the sweat from her brow.
The moment the barrel touched her skin, she instinctively reached up—
her head already felt unbearably hot, as if it were about to melt.
"So… I'll probably get my head blown off."
"Just… please don't let it be too ugly."
The future shown by the light screen was real—
but its purpose was to change the future.
Reality was still uncertain.
Aerin might even alter his decision because of what had been revealed.
But if she first died disgracefully on the light screen—
then even if reality changed, she would still become the continent's laughingstock.
The thought of her head bursting like a smashed melon made her heart pound wildly.
She clenched her teeth.
Please… just give me a dignified death.
["Ever since you learned I would continue attacking Mondstadt, every strike you threw was meant to kill."]
["Just like Amber, you wanted to end everything here—by killing me yourself."]
Eula remained motionless, glaring up at him with fierce defiance.
["Of course."]
["If we don't kill you while you're alone, once you return with hordes of mutated Hilichurls, Mondstadt won't stand a chance."]
["My strength wasn't enough. I failed."]
Bitterness flashed through her eyes.
The gap between her and Aerin was immeasurable.
If she died here, perhaps it would be a relief for her alone.
But Mondstadt?
Amber?
What would happen to them?
["Playing the hero?"]
[Aerin scoffed.]
["Do you really think killing me would make you Mondstadt's savior?"]
["That it would erase the prejudice people hold against you?"]
["You're naïve."]
["You thought joining the Knights of Favonius would change how people see the Lawrence name."]
["Yet even after countless feats defending Mondstadt—"]
["The Spindrift Knight is still whispered about and pointed at."]
["Still forced to mask pain with staged anger and empty threats."]
["Still surviving on hunted game, eating alone in the wild."]
["If they truly let go of their prejudice, your merits alone would have been more than enough."]
["Even if you killed me, nothing would change."]
["And if you fail to kill me—"]
["You'll become the one they blame for Mondstadt's destruction."]
["They'll say you provoked me."]
["Because Mondstadt's people are best at two things—"]
["Standing on moral high ground to condemn others,"]
["and shifting responsibility when things go wrong."]
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