"My name is Rin, the Eighth Apostle."
The young girl set down the comb in her hand and turned to face the group in a formal seated posture.
Although her lips were curved into a sweet smile and her voice was gentle and approachable, the moment everyone heard Rin's voice, they were overcome with an irresistible urge—this was no illusion. With Rin's corrosive power, anyone in her line of sight, even a so-called [Higher Primordial Species], was nothing more than a fish on a chopping block, completely at her mercy.
After all, rising from the Twelfth Seat to the Eighth was not something accomplished through mere words.
"My name is Sakura, the Eighth Flame-Chaser."
Amidst a flurry of petals, indiscernible as real or illusory, the celestial fox's figure gradually shrank into a human form. Dressed in a water-blue, long-sleeved furisode, she stood beside her sister, who was clad in a miko outfit.
"We act upon His Majesty the Emperor's decree, serving as the 'examiners' for your journey."
"All present,"
"You will be sharing two slots for promotion."
Although Sakura and Rin's voices spoke in alternation, to the ears of those present, it was impossible to discern the source. This also meant that if they were to face each other as enemies, the group wouldn't even have the ability to "lock on" to them.
"So this is an Apostle."
More than one person had this thought. While Apostles were not as rarely seen as the Three Pillar Gods or His Majesty the Emperor, they would seldom, if ever, reveal even a fraction of their true power as they were now.
This oppressive presence… no one would object if you claimed the two before them could single-handedly flatten their target world.
"Teyvat."
"There are eight nations on the surface."
"Among them, only one may be walking the correct path."
Sakura began to speak.
"Sky Island suppresses the development of civilization."
"Without a doubt, this existence that dares to call itself a 'Throne' fears the emergence of the Honkai."
"It is either a truant who failed the exam,"
"Or an outsider who knows of the Honkai."
Although there was no emotional inflection in her voice, everyone could clearly hear the Apostle's dissatisfaction. For the Empire, where every citizen was aware of the "assessment," there was no reason not to make such a candidate face reality.
"The entire continent once had seventy-two Demon God Pillars."
"The estimated number of survivors is currently around thirty."
"Their strength ranges from [Primordial Species] to [Higher Primordial Species]."
Rin spoke with a gentle cadence.
"The Demon Gods obey the commands of 'Sky Island,' each guarding their respective territories. The seven most powerful among them are known to mortals as 'The Seven Archons of the Mortal World.'"
"That being said,"
"These Demon Gods do not fully trust Sky Island. To be precise, they are actually hostile towards it… the only difference lies in the degree and manifestation of this hostility."
"Erosion."
"Erosion."
The two sisters repeated the important term.
"The power controlled by the 'Throne' is somewhat special. It possesses five Authorities—"
"Life."
"Death."
"Reason."
"Void."
"…and Time."
"Although its energy level is negligible, this is indeed an 'Authority' that has never appeared in the Empire."
"The Authority of Time."
"Sky Island uses this as a shackle to control the 'Demon Gods.' Its direct external manifestation is the phenomenon known as 'Erosion.'"
"Unlike the eternity bestowed upon the Empire's subjects by His Majesty,"
"The Demon Gods of the Teyvat continent will gradually lose their memories and even their power with the 'erosion' of time."
Although the Empire's "observation" had been hindered, its understanding of Teyvat was no less than that of the native Demon Gods.
"For this expedition, there are three objectives."
Sakura took over from her sister, gently holding up three fingers.
"Legion Commanders."
The five high-ranking officials at the Legion Commander level, now addressed by name, bowed their heads even lower than before.
"Subvert 'The Seven Archons.' Each success will be recorded as 2 points. Eliminate 'The Seven Archons.' Each success will be recorded as 1 point."
"The Empire does not lead with force."
"In all matters, prioritize the first method. The style of a certain one among you has reached my ears. In this operation, you are forbidden from tarnishing the Empire's image."
When truly facing an Apostle, the usually arrogant "certain someone" was now completely silent.
"Students."
When addressing the new generation, it was Rin who took over the conversation with a softer tone.
"You are to intervene in the eighth nation, 'Khaenri'ah.'"
"This nation has no Demon God, and its [Higher Primordial Species] combat power is lacking. The barrier between imaginary space and this place is not strong; your power is sufficient to face most dangers. Ensure that they continue to advance along their current path."
As Sakura's last finger retracted—
"And we,"
"Shall act as His Majesty the Emperor's vanguard, to probe the truth of the 'Throne' and of 'Time.'"
VMMMM!!
The moment Rin's voice fell, a magnificent pillar of light shot forth from the distance, striking the massive body of the [Star-Whale] head-on!
BOOM!!!
---o---
"Hmph."
A hemispherical barrier of light unfolded in front of the [Star-Whale].
The sudden attack was blocked effortlessly. At the absolute limit of their vision across the starry expanse, the continent known as Teyvat could already be perceived.
And… the existence hovering between the [Star-Whale] and the leaf: Sky Island.
"Insolent fools."
Rin slowly lowered her arm.
Although she had blocked it with ease, it was clearly not the enemy's full-power attack. If that last strike had hit successfully, it would have been just a tiny bit beyond the [Star-Whale]'s limit. The enemy had intended to eliminate this foreign creature in the most "effort-saving" way possible before it reached their territory.
Vwong!
Pink and white petals danced within the room as five portals swiftly opened from the void.
"Coordinates have been anchored."
"Your examination, from this moment, officially begins. The examination period will be half an egg… I mean, a month."
Sakura, maintaining her "dignified form," almost let it slip. Certain time measurement methods from the Empire's first millennium were not suitable for use here.
"We will block all external interference."
"You need not worry…"
"His Majesty awaits a report on each of your performances."
"For the Empire!"
"For the Empire!!!" xN!
Swoosh—
With a distortion of the portals, everyone present vanished from their spots.
"Sester."
"This place is not suitable for you. Wait for a while on the 'sea's surface.'"
"As you command, Lady Apostle."
With the [Star-Whale]'s deep and steady reply, its colossal body slowly faded away among the sea of stars. This ability to submerge into the boundary zone of the Tree was the [Star-Whale]'s unique method of concealment and self-preservation.
"Sister."
"Rin."
Her younger sister was perfectly at ease in such situations. Sakura, however, was not very skilled at speaking from a position of "superiority." Now that everyone was gone, she could finally "relax" a bit.
"It has been a while…"
"Let us test their mettle together!"