Paimon: Wah! What… what should we do!
Nahida: From a technical standpoint, it's certainly commendable. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the Crystalize of human wisdom.
Paimon: You still have the mind to say that, Nahida.
Balladeer: Can't you feel it?
Paimon: Nahida won't feel anything with you!
Balladeer: Do you know you're interrupting a conversation between Gods? Insignificant creature, have some self-awareness!
Qixuan: It seems a certain puppet thinks he's invincible just because he's piloting a giant robot. Go, Lumine! Teach him a lesson!
Lumine: ...Why is it always me?
Qixuan: Hehe, I still need to protect Nahida, you see.
Balladeer: Heh heh… Is that so? This is my first time seeing a God who needs others to protect him. A God who presides over wisdom, no wonder even his own people would abandon him.
Lumine: But from now on, Nahida's followers will only increase...
Balladeer: Heh heh, your judgment is as meaningless as your existence. This is the end, God of wisdom 【Buer】. You should know that wisdom cannot solve all problems. Just like now, you only have one choice: to fight me.
Nahida: ...
Balladeer: Come on! Now, I shall recreate a corner of the God War to 【legitimize】 my birth as a God.
Qixuan led Nahida and Paimon to a safe place behind, while Lumine raised her sword and unleashed several Wind Blades, charging forward.
Balladeer's massive body was indeed very tough. Lumine maneuvered around him for a long time but couldn't break through, while Balladeer's attacks grew fiercer.
Finally, with Nahida's reminder, Lumine found several weaknesses in Balladeer and struck them forcefully. After all, many processes had not yet been perfected; this 【new God】 was born too early.
Just as Balladeer was charging up to unleash his next lightning field, Lumine seized the opportunity, using several Geo Crystalize as footholds to prevent being controlled, then used two Anemo whirlwinds to disrupt Balladeer's movements, before heading straight for Balladeer's chest.
Lumine's sword pierced shouki no kami, the prodigal's chest.
Paimon: We succeeded?
Qixuan: No, not yet.
Nahida: Be careful! He's not injured!
Balladeer: Very well, insignificant mortal, daring to destroy my divine body! You've angered me!
shouki no kami, the prodigal erupted with a powerful lightning field, instantly immobilizing Lumine, then a large hand directly smacked Lumine away.
(Lumine: Kids, wait for me to break free.)
Then, shouki no kami, the prodigal in the distance changed, transforming from a half-bodied robot to one with a lower body.
Qixuan: Not bad, not bad, he can even transform.
Paimon: Is this the time to be focusing on that!
Lumine: Damn it...
Nahida: Lend me your strength, Lumine.
Lumine: Huh?
Balladeer: Oh? What strength could you possibly have left?
Nahida's eyes glowed with divine light, then a Canned Knowledge appeared in her hand.
Nahida: Come, let me help you awaken your past memories.
Lumine saw scenes of her past battles against Balladeer within it.
Paimon: Wow! Valuable combat experience!
Qixuan: And that's not all. This is the clearance of the God of wisdom.
Nahida: 【In the name of the God, integrate the wisdom of the people】, that was Akasha's initial function. I have transmitted everything that happened in the past as 【knowledge】 to all the people of Sumeru, and found a way to defeat the false God. Now—the wisdom of Sumeru is yours to command.
Lumine's aura suddenly changed, her eyes glowing golden, then her sword pointed directly at Balladeer.
Balladeer: Hmph! What a trick!
Then Balladeer controlled shouki no kami, the prodigal to unleash a powerful lightning beam. But this time, Lumine didn't dodge, because she knew this one... would miss.
Balladeer: Tsk... You've used up all your tricks, haven't you? Can I consider this a true duel between Gods now?
Nahida looked at Lumine and said, "Yes, I'm counting on you. Fight! My 【Buer】's... 【The First Sage】."