thefictionvixens Page 89
Page 89
Under the dumbfounded gazes of Ying and Paimon, Erkang very naturally reached his hand into the void outside the frame, as if taking something from a bookshelf, and forcefully "took" in a book with the words "Teyvat Continent Script: Top Secret" flashing on its cover, as thick as a brick.
He flipped through the pages rapidly, and the others, unsurprised, gathered around, craning their necks to look as well.
"Let me see, let me see..."
Er Kang's fingers traced across the pages of the book.
"Oh, this part! It's about how the remains of Dulin on Dragonspine Mountain, due to some kind of force, formed some special monsters that can perfectly disguise themselves as humans. They tried to imitate Abedo's crimes and frame him. Then... the Knights of Favonius will turn the tables, set a trap, and wipe out the attacking monsters in one fell swoop."
Er Kang suddenly seemed to have discovered a key point, and he abruptly raised his head, looking at everyone in shock.
"Speaking of which, according to this timeline, it should be during the Wind and Flower Festival now, right? And the story of 'Fairy Tale Kingdom' has already ended? Little Dulin has already been born?!"
"...Can we please stop looking at the script discussion so seriously? And where did this script even come from?!"
Knowing the true nature of this "script," Ying and Paimon facepalmed and silently turned off the flashing Genshin Impact icon on their phone screens, then stuffed the phone back into their pockets.
"Speaking of which... the 'Fairy Tale Kingdom' event seems to have had quite a few debates back then."
Gu Qian scratched his huge head and interjected in a silly manner.
He usually views plots rather superficially and is easily influenced by various opinions on forums.
"That's just a bunch of trolls and people who are just trying to troll for the sake of trolling and stirring up trouble."
Zhang Chu immediately retorted, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty.
"The core of the plot itself is very good."
He rarely began to analyze seriously: "In the Blessed Forest, the sacred object did not recognize the protagonist. Princess Momonga simply threw the sacred object aside and said, 'Let it stay aside. My hero will be recognized by me.' — What is she saying? She is saying that value is defined by oneself, not by external objects."
"In the Star Orbit Royal City, the little block figures finally persuaded the Goddess of Fate to retract her destiny and no longer follow the predetermined path. This is a rebellion against an arranged fate."
"In the final day of the story, Asan says to Dulin: 'No one can define who you are, and no one can deny your heart.' — That's absolutely brilliant!"
Zhang Chu summarized: "The whole story emphasizes one theme from beginning to end - 'Break free from the definitions and identities given by others, and walk your own path.'"
"It even deliberately included those 'rotten pages' in the world quests to satirize the rigid thinking that only heroes who are given a title are worthy of saving the world."
"So don't be misled by those who try to stir up trouble. The plot itself is perfectly fine and has a profound message."
"I see, I understand now!"
Gu Qian nodded as if he suddenly understood. His straightforward personality required such a clear and direct explanation.
"No matter what, now that something has happened in Mondstadt, we need to get there as soon as possible."
Qingyu clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back.
"Wolf King, give us a ride!"
"Understood, masters."
The Wolf King responded in a deep voice. The next moment, the sound of precise and complex mechanical operation rang out, and the silver-white armor quickly unfolded and reassembled. In the blink of an eye, the majestic 20-meter-tall "Barbatos Emperor Sirius" Gundam once again stood on the land of Fontainebleau.
The hatch opened, and everyone skillfully took their positions.
As the thrusters burst forth with intense light, the massive mech transformed into a silver meteor, piercing through the clouds and hurtling towards Mondstadt, the city of freedom and pastoral idyll, leaving behind a group of Fontainebleau residents on the ground, still processing the massive amount of information they had just received, bewildered in the wind.
Navelette and Furnessa exchanged a glance, both seeing undisguised shock in each other's deep blue eyes.
On the ground, the "Teyvat Continent Script," which Er Kang had taken out "outside the screen" and then carelessly tossed aside, slowly dissipated into specks of light, just like snow exposed to sunlight, as if it had never existed.
Arecino crouched down, her red eyes fixed on the disappearing point of light. Her usually calm voice trembled slightly as she murmured, "The script... the fate of the world... was it all written in one place from the very beginning? All our struggles and choices were just... a routine performance?"
She suddenly raised her head and looked at the horizon where the wolf king had disappeared, a sharp glint in her eyes: "Are they... trying to forcibly change the predetermined trajectory of fate by relying on this 'script'?"
Meanwhile, high in the sky, on the back of the wolf king, which was flying at high speed.
"Alas--!!!"
The four people clinging to the Wolf King's outer armor, Qingyu, Erkang, Zhang Chu, and Gu Qian, suddenly and in perfect unison, shuddered violently and almost slipped off their hands.
"Hey! What's wrong with you four again?!"
Inside the cockpit, Ying, who witnessed this scene through the external monitor, quickly turned on the communicator to inquire.
Paimon pressed himself nervously against the porthole: "Wow! Don't move! You'll fall and turn into chickpeas!"
"No, I don't know why!"
Qingyu clung tightly to a piece of armor plate, his voice trembling.
"Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine! It was as if someone was talking about us behind our backs! And it was the kind of talking that was particularly profound and full of misunderstanding!"
Er Kang, with a twisted expression, chimed in, "Yes, yes, that's exactly it! It's so inexplicable! It's like we just went out for a meal, and suddenly the whole world gave us a 'hero who saved the world' card! And it's mandatory, the kind you can't refuse!"
Although Zhang Chu didn't speak, the trembling mask showed that he was also experiencing the same supernatural phenomenon.
Gu Qian added, "I...I also feel like someone threw a very heavy burden onto my back from a great distance..."
"what???"
Ying and Paimon looked at each other in the cockpit, both completely bewildered.
Paimon scratched his head: "I can't understand what they're saying at all... Is it because they're lacking oxygen at high altitudes?"
Looking at her four teammates on the monitor, who seemed to have been collectively possessed, Ying sighed helplessly: "Never mind... Wolf King, fly more steadily. Also, once we get to Mondstadt, find them a doctor... no, maybe we should find a fortune teller to take a look?"
The Wolf King's steady, mechanical voice came through: "Understood. The external air pressure and temperature have been automatically adjusted."
"In addition, according to database analysis, the symptoms described by the four owners have a 67% similarity to the folk legends of 'passive perception of causality' or 'forced sublimation of plot adaptation syndrome,' so observation is the primary approach."
Ying/Paimon: "..."
What kind of strange database is this?!
Chapter 104 Assassination Team
The Wolf King, in stealth mode, hovered above Mondstadt, its cold electronic eyes scanning the exquisite city below.
"Wolf King, activate the vital signs and energy fluctuation scan, filter out all original humans, and find and mark those imposters one by one."
Zhang Chu calmly gave the order.
The red light in the Wolf King's eyes suddenly shone like a searchlight, and an invisible scanning wave instantly covered the entire city of Mondstadt. The city walls, houses, and even Lord Diluc, who was mixing drinks in the Angel's Gift, all seemed to be brushed by an invisible hand.
"Scan complete. Confirmed: 873 life forms' signals do not match the database records, indicating high-energy camouflage reactions. Specific coordinates and camouflage target information have been transmitted to your display terminals."
"understood."
After Zhang Chu finished speaking, he and the other three removed their slightly comical Qiuqiu masks in unison and put on full-face metal masks that shimmered with a deep blue luster and exuded a futuristic technological feel. They instantly transformed from comedic characters into mysterious agents.
Inside the cockpit, Ying and Paimon quickly put on the tactical goggles that Wolf King had modified from scraps (?) on the spot.
Instantly, countless red markers lit up Mondstadt in everyone's sight, like annoying fireflies in the night sky, constantly moving.
"Good heavens... there are more of these than pigeons in the Wind Flower Festival square..."
Looking at the cluster of red dots, Qingyu felt his trypophobia about to flare up.
"We couldn't catch them all even if we worked ourselves to death."
"We need help."
Zhang Chu crossed his arms and calmly analyzed the situation.
"Ideally, they should be skilled in infiltration, tracking, and assassination, and there should be enough of them."
"Then I have someone in mind!"
Er Kang slapped his thigh suddenly, a "I'm a genius" smile spreading across his face.
"A professional assassination group with top-notch stealth capabilities and a sufficient number of members!"
Gu Qian tilted his huge head, full of curiosity.
"You'll find out later!"
Erkang kept everyone in suspense, then called out to the Wolf King, "Wolf King! Find a secluded spot outside the city, a place with good feng shui! It needs to be spacious enough!"
The wolf king immediately changed direction and silently flew away from Mondstadt, landing on a vast, deserted grassland.
The group jumped off the wolf king, who then deactivated his invisibility and transformed back into a three-meter-tall white werewolf.
Erkang walked to the center of the open space, his expression solemn (in his own eyes), and then, like sprinkling cumin, he suddenly swung his arm forward—
A viscous liquid shimmering with an ominous red light splashed from his palm, precisely outlining a complex and eerie magic circle on the grass!
"Wait! Your gesture...this paint...you're not going to—!"
Upon recognizing the ceremony, Zhang Chu's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in astonishment.
"That's right! That's exactly what I'm going to do!"
Erkang proudly raised his right hand, revealing three bright red lines that had appeared on the back of his hand at some unknown time—the Command Seals!
"Look closely! This is the key to miracles!"
"Command Seals! You really intend to summon a Servant!"
Qingyu also realized what was happening, and his voice rose eight octaves.
"Bingo!"
Erkang grinned, then took a deep breath, assumed an extremely standard posture, and began to sing in an aria-like voice:
"Your body is entrusted to my command; my destiny is tied to your sword!"
Those who respond to the call of the Holy Grail and follow this will and truth, respond to me!
I am the one who accomplishes all good deeds in the world, and I am the one who eradicates all evil deeds in the world!
"Entangled by the three great incantations for seven days, traversing the wheel of suppression, descend! Guardian of the scales!!!"
As he finished speaking, the magic circle suddenly erupted with a towering white beam of light! The powerful energy surge caused everyone's clothes to flutter.
Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the center of the pillar of light, anticipating the arrival of some peerless expert.
The light dimmed slightly, and a crimson centaur appeared, biting into a carrot!
"I am Lü Bu, the fiercest general of the Three Kingdoms! Master... Eh? What are you doing, Master?! I haven't finished speaking yet!"
"You've got it wrong! Let's start over! I didn't want to summon a monster like you!"
Erkang looked disgusted and, without saying a word, grabbed the reins of Red Hare and shoved it back into the pillar of light.