A sudden cold wave spread along the ground, rapidly forming a sheet of ice crystals at Wendy's feet, firmly binding his legs.
“What is this——!?”
Before he could think further, two debt collectors who emerged from the shadows pounced forward, one left and one right, pressing down on his shoulders, pinning him to the ground.
“Finally found you. Remove the God's Crown and abandon your rule as the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt.”
With an inexplicable resentment in her voice, Rosalyne slowly walked in front of Wendy, reached out to pinch his chin, and looked down at him with a condescending gaze.
(It's her…)
After recognizing Rosalyne at a glance, Wendy sighed inwardly, and then heard her say:
“The God’s Heart, I’ll take it.”
Having said that, Rosalyne released the hand that was pinching Wendy's chin, but instead made a gesture as if reaching for his heart, and stabbed him fiercely in the chest.
As the God’s Heart was taken away, the ice crystals that had bound Wendy's legs dissipated. The bard collapsed in a state of weakness, gasping for breath.
“Well, is that all the strength you have left? This God’s Heart is nothing but that. It can't compare to the chess set I cherish.”
“That’s probably because your taste is really terrible…”
Wendy’s retort made Rosalyne's brows furrow. Having a deep prejudice against the Anemo Archon due to past events, she couldn't hold back anymore and raised her leg to kick him.
“Stop——!”
“——!”
The sudden sharp cry caused Rosalyne to pause and retreat cautiously.
Lumine, who had finally left the Church of Favonius, unexpectedly saw such a horrifying scene as soon as she stepped out. Without hesitation, she leaped in front of Wendy, holding her sword without a blade, and stared at Rosalyne, asking: "Who are you!?"
Rosalyne: "…………"
What to do, I'm a little scared!
Will this girl suddenly give me a sword to the head too?
Not only Rosalyne, but even the Fatui, who had not been afraid of Wendy before, silently kept their distance from Lumine.
Although they secretly observed the battle between Lumine and Dvalin, making them doubt the strength of this blonde girl, they couldn’t deny the existence of the golden greatsword they had witnessed that day.
“You…”
“What you what!? Who are you? What is that thing in your hand? Did you steal it from Wendy? Give it back!”
Lumine naturally noticed the God’s Heart in Rosalyne's hand. Although she didn't understand what it was, taking it back would be the right thing to do.
“This is none of your business, Traveler.” Taking a deep breath, unsure of Lumine's exact situation, Rosalyne wasn’t planning to have a direct conflict with this strange girl. "This is a matter between us and Barbatos.”
Lumine narrowed her beautiful eyes: Feels like these guys are really scared of me, huh?
Rosalyne: Hiss… Damn, I'm panicking. Should I make a move or not?
Wendy, who managed to get back on his feet, took a breath and whispered to Lumine, “Lumine, she also saw what happened the day you came to Mondstadt.”
I see!
The golden-haired girl instantly understood.
The vigilant expression on her face was uncontrollably changing towards a comical direction. Fortunately, Lumine quickly regained her composure, coughed, straightened her back, performed a beautiful sword flourish, and adopted a posture of a 'senior expert'.
Although her height was shorter than Rosalyne across from her, there was an aura of looking down on her.
“I said, return that thing.”
The blade without a blade in her hand slowly rose, the tip pointing towards Rosalyne.
“Gulp…”
Rosalyne broke out in a cold sweat and swallowed involuntarily.
Your Majesty the Tsaritsa, should I give it or not?
If I don’t, will I not even be left with ashes?
Looking at the God’s Heart in her hand, then at Lumine, Rosalyne suddenly noticed the expression of the strange white-haired floating spirit behind the girl… it seemed to be full of worry!
What is she worried about?
Could it be that this girl can no longer use that sword from a few days ago?
Thinking about this, Rosalyne decided to gamble.
“What if I don’t?”
(Rosalyne's inner monologue: Tsaritsa bless, Tsaritsa bless, Tsaritsa bless, Tsaritsa bless…)
“Not give it? Okay!”
Lumine did another sword flourish, then made a sword-finger gesture in front of her chest and mumbled:
“With heart as sheath, to raise treasured sword!”
Rosalyne scratched her head, she had naturally heard the chanting when that day the “Queen of the White Elm” landed on the peak, which was broadcast throughout Mondstadt, so -
“I mean, shouldn't it be ‘to raise sharp sword’?”
Lumine’s forehead immediately broke out in cold sweat: "………………”
Damn, I got it wrong! So embarrassing!
With a slap, Wendy slapped his own face, indicating that he couldn't bear to watch anymore—I gave you a chance and you didn’t use it!
This embarrassing scene put Rosalyne's hanging heart at ease. A hint of a wicked smile gradually appeared on her face.
“So that’s how it is. It seems my previous guess was correct. Traveler, you are no longer able to use that move from a few days ago?”
As she smiled, the expression on Rosalyne's face became increasingly ferocious.
Damn it!
She actually made me panic like this for so long! She even made such a fool of herself in front of her subordinates!
On the rooftop corner of the clock tower on the top floor of the Church, Kaeya stood alone, witnessing everything.
His keen hearing naturally allowed him to hear Rosalyne's words as well. For a moment, he furrowed his brows.
Lumine can't use that sword anymore?
Considering the results of his investigation over the past few days, the doubts in Kaeya's heart grew stronger.
He must quickly find out what is going on with Lumine. The actions of the Knights have been delayed these days due to the investigation. He can’t go on like this anymore.
In front of the Church, Rosalyne, who had calmed down, cautiously took a step towards Lumine.
Lumine: “…”
No reaction?
Great!
Rosalyne laughed loudly: "Hahahahahaha!"
“Just a bluff? Huh?”
“Think that this will scare me? Huh?”
“Traveler, in that case, let me -”
“I said…”
At this moment, Lumine suddenly spoke.
Rosalyne: “—?”
“Is there a possibility,” Lumine raised her beautiful eyebrows and pointed at Rosalyne's head, "that I was waiting for my skill cooldown, and what are you waiting for?”
“For death?”
Rosalyne: “——!!!!!!!!!”
The aura from above her head, like a mountain pressing down, made La Signora raise her head in fear.
From the thick dark clouds that had enveloped all of Mondstadt, a golden light tore through the sky…