Chương 329: Sometimes, ‘Divine Relations’ Really Matter

Today was the first time Freya formally met the members of Teyvat's Seven Archons.

Before this, she had only had minor interactions with the other Genshins.

And she hadn't even properly recognized them.

Now…

"A lone soul… fascinating!"

As Freya met Ei's gaze, she couldn't help but think: Because of him, I've never been able to fully perceive the essence of these Genshin' souls. Yet even these faint traces spilling out… they are… extraordinary.

So far, the most unique soul essence Freya had seen in the Lower World was Bell's pure and flawless nature.

And if she expanded the comparison further, it would be Renjiro's world and totality.

She believed that those who possessed such soul essences were undoubtedly the prodigies capable of leading an era.

However, setting aside the excessively exceptional Renjiro for now, even Bell…

His soul essence, while remarkable in this world, paled when compared to the "genshin" from other worlds.

Compared to Bell's pure and flawless nature, these soul essences each had their own merit, each unique in its way.

In simple terms:

"If reality were a biography, a heroic tale, they all have the right to be the protagonist."

"It's not that Bell isn't outstanding; it's just that, placed among equally or even more outstanding beings, he passively blends into the crowd."

This was Freya's assessment.

She could see that the Genshin all possessed traits capable of fully captivating even other gods.

Just like Barbara held a special place in Artemis' heart.

And… Soma wasn't also completely captivated by Diona?

Such examples would only become more frequent in the future.

As for the woman named Raiden Ei in front of her…

According to Renjiro, she was one of Teyvat's most exceptional powers.

This assessment had some basis.

Because even now, Freya could barely see the full extent of Raiden Ei's soul essence, yet she still felt Mei was the most extraordinary being she had encountered, second only to Renjiro.

"No time to waste. Let's get the main task done first."

Lumine felt the tension between Ei and Freya and quickly interjected:

"Once this is finished, we have other matters to handle."

The expedition into the Dungeon, the hunt for Dionysus—Renjiro would not delay this.

"Hey, hey, hey~ What are you doing?"

Thanatos was clearly the most clueless god present.

After all, Ikelos had at least heard of the "God-Slaying" matter from Freya, but Thanatos…

"Nothing."

Lumine looked at the strange male god.

"I heard you are one of gods responsible for 'purging the memories of souls when mortals reincarnate.'"

"All these years, you've used this so-called duty to manipulate fanatics, making them willingly die for you?"

At her words…

"No, no, no, my cute little sister! How can you say that about me?"

Thanatos protested: "I truly do keep my promises~"

"It's just that after working in Heaven all these years, personally purging countless souls' memories… I secretly hoped for an exception to appear."

"But alas, without fail, once purged, the souls can never retain their former selves."

"In short, once I return to Heaven, all my promises are fulfilled. But those kids who swore 'I will never forget so-and-so'… they mostly disappoint me."

"By the way, do you want to…"

"Enough."

Lumine interrupted his rambling.

"I have no interest in your 'work'."

"However…"

A mischievous smile appeared on her face: "You just called me 'cute'?"

"Then I'd like to ask… you, who have personally purged countless souls' memories…"

"Are you prepared to have yours purged?"

The carefree god instantly widened his eyes.

He hadn't expected Lumine to suddenly fire back such a sharp retort.

At the same time…

"Hahaha~"

Ikelos, also restrained, couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Brilliant, truly brilliant."

The "rebel" god looked at the silver-haired goddess.

"Freya, I envy—no, I'm jealous of you. Why is the true 'Dream of Beasts' I've been chasing in your hands? How unfair!"

He continued, almost maniacally:

"Hey, little girl over there. Want to try purging my soul's memories? I won't resist at all~"

Lumine stayed silent.

Then…

"So foolish."

Freya shook her head.

At this point, Ikelos probably still thought Lumine would only put him into a ten-thousand-year revival cycle.

Big deal.

For a god who had lived millions of years, it was like "taking a nap."

Trading a "nap" for the chance to touch something truly desired up close… Ikelos wouldn't hesitate.

Because he couldn't imagine losing anything.

But in reality…

"Fine."

Lumine squinted slightly.

"This is my first time doing something like this, so I'll need a 'god' to cooperate properly."

"But…"

She tilted her head toward Ikelos: "Don't regret it later~"

"Once the experiment starts…"

"It won't stop."

Renjiro had heard Freya say that the gods of this world no longer held the old belief that divinity is inviolable.

If one had to describe it: they were all… slacking.

Yet at the same time, all of them were waiting for something new to appear.

So…

"If a few gods were to completely 'disappear,' the others would simply investigate why, rather than retaliate."

"Of course, the precondition is that the eliminated gods have no close 'divine friends.'"

"You're lucky~ Dionysus and Thanatos have terrible 'divine relations' in Heaven. Ikelos has some friendship with Hermes, but it's just a drunken buddy connection."

"If they 'completely vanish'…"

Before the plan began, Freya gave Renjiro a clear reply:

"I'm actually looking forward to you taking their place. After all, I don't want my brother's lifespan to be too short."

…..

Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]