The unfortunate "La Signora" had been coddled for far too long by the Anemo and Geo Archons, to the point that she truly no longer held the gods in any regard. And so, in that instant, the blazing majesty of divine authority was revealed in full.
Her ridiculous confidence amounted to nothing.
"Annoying woman. Once I take this bard's Gnosis, I'll deal with you next!"
Rosalyne shot Lora a cold glare before lunging toward Venti. Her hand curled into a vicious claw as she struck straight for his chest.
Lora did not let her succeed. She flung Venti aside and drove a kick straight into Rosalyne's elbow, knocking her attack off course.
"Lora, don't—"
Venti called out from behind.
"Relax. I won't kill her," Lora replied calmly. "I'm just teaching her a lesson—so she understands that gaining a bit of power from her master doesn't mean she's entitled to challenge a god."
In truth, she looked down on Rosalyne.
Five hundred years ago, more than one person had suffered in that catastrophe. Though Rosalyne had fallen because of it, no one could truly fault her for that. But she had no right to use it as an excuse to condemn Venti.
Ignorant arrogance. Refusing to seek the truth. Clinging only to self-indulgent resentment.
Lora despised such people.
Two Fatui Debt Collectors and an Electro Cicin Mage rushed toward her at the same time. Lora's gaze turned cold as Hydro elemental power condensed into one water illusion after another, blocking their advance. At the same time, a portion of that power silently flowed elsewhere.
The Electro Cicin Mage reacted instantly, summoning several Electro Cicins that shot straight toward the "Vision of the Archons" at Lora's waist. While her attention remained on Rosalyne, they slammed into it, knocking the Vision from her body.
Rosalyne's expression brightened.
"Without a Vision of the Archons, I'd like to see what else you can do!"
Lora looked at her and suddenly laughed.
"It's just a glass orb. If you want one, I can have Venti make you a few more."
"A glass… orb?"
Rosalyne froze. When she realized that the water illusions were still active—and that Lora was still freely wielding Hydro elemental power—shock overtook her completely.
"No… that's impossible! Without a Vision, how can you still use elemental power?!"
"You shouldn't find it difficult to guess," Lora said, smiling faintly as she looked at her.
She spoke slowly, deliberately.
"Because I'm not human."
"Not human…?"
Rosalyne's pupils contracted as realization struck her.
On friendly terms with the Anemo Archon. Able to wield elemental power without a Vision. And not human.
The answer was already right in front of her.
"You're a Archon?"
Rosalyne blurted out.
"Clap, clap."
Lora gave a small round of applause. The emotionless sound only heightened the contrast in her tone.
"Congratulations, you got it right. Unfortunately, I don't have any candy for you. How about a nice, hard slap instead?"
Rosalyne took a step back, staring at her with tightly clenched teeth.
"So what if you're a god?" she scoffed coldly. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's will cannot be stopped by anyone—not even a god!"
"If your 'Tsaritsa' were standing before me and said that herself, it might suit her station," Lora replied, shaking her head as she looked at Rosalyne. "But coming from you… you're not qualified."
As the words fell, Lora pressed her right hand downward.
Hydro elemental power surged in from every direction, gathering in her palm and condensing into the Judgment of the Raging Sea.
The moment the divine weapon appeared, an overwhelming sense of danger washed over Rosalyne. She retreated dozens of steps at once, staring warily at Lora holding the Judgment of the Raging Sea.
A chilling premonition gripped her.
If that blade struck her, not even the Tsaritsa herself could save her.
Damn it.
The Gnosis had been within reach—how could an Archon suddenly appear out of nowhere? Where had she come from? Why had no one in Mondstadt ever spoken of her?
Rosalyne fixed her gaze on Lora.
"You're not a god of Mondstadt. Where did you come from?"
"Even if you ask sincerely, I have no obligation to answer," Lora replied calmly, tightening her grip on the Judgment of the Raging Sea.
Behind her, the water illusions had already finished off the two Debt Collectors and the Electro Cicin Mage.
No matter how formidable they were, they were still human—able to feel pain and bleed. But the water illusions felt no pain, no fear, and no fatigue. They could simply grind their enemies down through attrition.
Especially under the control of Lora, the former Hydro Archon.
"Go back and tell your 'Tsaritsa' this," Lora said as she walked toward Rosalyne. "Forget about the Anemo Archon's Gnosis."
"And while you're at it, don't even think about the Gnoses of the other Archons."
Though Rosalyne was taller, Lora's presence bore down on her like a crushing tide. Overwhelmed, Rosalyne retreated again and again, clenching her fists as searing flames erupted around her body.
"Her Majesty's command must be carried out—at any cost!"
Rosalyne roared.
Lora said nothing more.
Her hand holding the Judgment of the Raging Sea shifted slightly, and water-forged blades condensed at her sides, ready to strike at any moment.
"Venti, you saw it," she said without turning her head.
"I didn't want to fight her. She forced this."
The Burning Ember Witch?
Then let's see whether water extinguishes fire… or fire evaporates water.
Venti sighed softly. He would not step in to save Rosalyne, nor would he stop Lora from killing her. Unlike him, Lora owed Rosalyne nothing, and he had no right to impose his own will upon her.
Just as both sides stood on the brink of battle—
A Fatui foot soldier came running at full speed.
"Lady La Signora! The Knights of Favonius are approaching! Kaeya, the cavalry captain, is leading them—they'll be here any moment! What should we do?!"
He was one of the sentries Rosalyne had stationed outside, tasked with reporting any sudden developments immediately.
"Tch—damn it. How did the Knights arrive so quickly?"
Rosalyne frowned deeply.
She had no desire to openly fall out with the Knights of Favonius. Doing so would severely complicate the Fatui's future operations in other nations—and jeopardize the Tsaritsa's plans.
The situation had already been disrupted by Lora's sudden interference.
It could not be allowed to get any worse.