Furina's Character quest "The Little Oceanid" captivated audiences the moment its French song debuted.
Especially the ThemisxFurina shippers, who reveled in watching Regent Themis duet with the Hydro Archon Furina - pure bliss for their ship.
I knew it! We may be fake, but the ship we're shipping is absolutely real!
Over here, Genshin Impact players are cheering wildly for Fontaine's beautiful love story.
Completely immersed in Furina and Themis's singing, they hardly notice when Mihoyo secretly drops another massive update on the very day all of Focalors's official music videos go live!
After logging into Genshin Impact, passing through Celestia, and entering the doors, Travelers see 1,600 Primogems waiting in their mailbox and go completely berserk!
Opening the mail, as expected, it's from their dear Sugar Momma Themis herself!
[To our dear Travelers:]
[The sun shines brightly today, making it another beautiful day. Here, we wish all Travelers a pleasant mood.]
[I am Regent Themis de Fontaine, and I thank you all for your affection toward the nation of Fontaine.]
[In the five centuries since my arrival in Fontaine, I have etched countless cherished memories across this land.]
[The Hydro Archon, Furina, and Focalors— remain eternally dear to me as both mortals and deities.]
[Witnessing your enduring affection for them, even now that I no longer dwell in Fontaine, fills me with profound gratitude for your continued care.]
[To express my deepest appreciation, I humbly present this token of gratitude.]
[A modest gesture, yet I hope you will accept it with grace.]
[May our paths cross again in the future.]
[For my wife's sake, I bestow upon you 1,600 Primogems—now go pull from Furina's banner!]
Travelers collapsed to their knees in dramatic sliding prostrations, tearful eyes glistening as they received Themis' gift, shouting "Long live!"
"Sworn Mother! This humble servant swears eternal loyalty!"
"Honored Sworn Mother! Please accept your child's deepest obeisance!"
"I am your hound! Woof woof woof!"
"Themis, let us overthrow Celestia! Reveal your whereabouts—this loyal hound yearns to be enslaved by you!"
The Genshin Impact community erupted in a frenzy of maternal devotion, as Themis suddenly found herself with countless new admirers.
Just as everyone was barking with starry eyes and hearts in their posts,
Mihoyo's official HI3 account simultaneously released a new announcement!
Honkai Impact 3rd's top idol, Ai-chan, declared:
[Dear Captains, hello everyone!]
[After enduring the Invasion incident, Honkai Impact 3rd's Version 6.9 and Main Quest Chapter 40: "Seven Karma Phala" is finally ready to meet you all!]
[In this new version, the Phosphorus City map will feature an unexpected character!]
[This mysterious figure from another world will join you in HI3 Chapter 40's main story for an exhilarating adventure.]
[Please look forward to the new version!]
Then Ai-chan posted an image of a beautiful young girl with white hair and golden eyes, dressed in a white dress.
Beside her head, her name was labeled: Themis de Fontaine!
[Regent of a distant unknown world, pure and gentle.]
A dedicated HI3 captain exclaimed: "???! Holy shit! Your Majesty! You survived! Wait! Why did you change your name?!"
"Damn it! Mihoyo, I order you to let the Queen enter the pool immediately!"
"Oh no, my wallet's about to be drained dry!"
"Queen—! Don't think changing your name will fool me!"
"Themis? Who? I only know Sirin!"
The Travelers who also served as ship captains exclaimed, "Lady Themis, my adoptive mother! How did you end up in HI3?!"
"Lady Themis, lead us to charge the Tree once more!"
Travelers who had rushed to Ai-chan's official account after hearing the news cried out, "Oh no, it seems I can't avoid playing HI3 now! I must play with Lady Themis in the game!"
Various streamers, including CatCatEatsNoMedicine—the renowned broadcaster revered as the leader by the Herrschers of Domination in the live chat—were overwhelmed by frantic mentions.
Having just woken up and finished a steamer basket of soup dumplings, CatCatEatsNoMedicine stared at the flood of messages in the group chat, bewildered by the constant tagging from her fellow members.
Her mouth bulged with a dumpling, stuffed to the brim.
CatCatEatsNoMedicine clicked on the group member's post about Mihoyo's other game, Honkai 3rd, including its PV and official updates.
CatCatEatsNoMedicine: ...Huh?
Her mind filled with little question marks, her brain displayed a kind of dazed beauty.
The CPU of her mind was about to overheat.
What's going on? She was just sobbing uncontrollably, gasping for breath, not too long ago.
And now they've suddenly crossed over to Honkai 3rd, right next door to Mihoyo's Genshin Impact, to stage a revival of the deceased?
The more she thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. The more she thought about it, the more complicated her emotions became. Caught in this whirlwind of feelings, CatCatEatsNoMedicine didn't know what to think. She simply felt her eyes grow hot, and with a sudden sob, she burst into tears. Are my tears so cheap?!
If she'd known Themis could be reborn in the neighboring Honkai 3rd, why did she cry so desperately before?!
It must be noted that CatCatEatsNoMedicine's reaction to that day's legendary quest had already gone viral on Bilibili.
After all, with tears flowing like that, how could the Herrschers of Domination possibly let her go unnoticed?!
Moreover, there was even a full-length documentary version featuring General MacArthur.
During her intense self-reflection, CatCatEatsNoMedicine came across a live stream clip that left her gasping for breath, her entire being on the verge of collapsing.
The moment she saw it, CatCatEatsNoMedicine's vision went black.
Her finger hovered over the screen as she stared blankly at Ai-chan's new version announcement.
Oh no!
My wife went somewhere I don't know about!
And it's even part of the main storyline!
But I quit the game ages ago!
Clutching her head, CatCatEatsNoMedicine felt utterly defeated.
Long ago, a queen had descended and dragged her into this world.
After Bishop Otto's death, she'd stopped playing regularly.
Now, CatCatEatsNoMedicine found herself trapped in a dilemma. She wanted to play, but downloading Honkai 3rd again would take too long - she really didn't want to spend that much time.
Yet if she didn't play... her wife had been reborn into Honkai 3rd and was being held hostage by the game!
Frowning deeply, CatCatEatsNoMedicine scanned her friend list.
Her eyes lit up when she saw a particular name.
What a coincidence! She actually had a friend who was a streamer for Honkai 3rd!
Moreover, the other party had an excellent understanding of HI3's plot and had been eagerly awaiting the new version.
It was only because of the HI3 rabbit invasion that they had switched to becoming a streamer in the Genshin Impact section.
[CatCatEatsNoMedicine]: "Hey? Friend?"
[Everyone, I Love White Hair]: "Here. What's up?"
[CatCatEatsNoMedicine]: "I heard the new mainline for HI3 is finally here. Are you planning to return?"
[Everyone, I Love White Hair]: "Of course! The new mainline is Fu Hua's version! I'm a long-time fan of the Exalted Fu Hua! Back to the game!"
[CatCatEatsNoMedicine]: "Got it. If you're going back, I won't return!"
[Everyone, I Love White Hair]: "Huh??"
The White Hair Enthusiast streamer blinked her large eyes, looking at CatCatEatsNoMedicine's message in confusion, unsure what she meant.
Scratching her head in bewilderment, the White Hair Enthusiast ultimately decided not to ask further, assuming CatCatEatsNoMedicine had suddenly come up with some peculiar idea.
Pulling up her Bilibili live account, the White Hair Enthusiast posted an update:
[Macaca], that was the nickname of this White Hair Enthusiast streamer.
The naming-challenged streamer couldn't understand the deeper meaning behind others' nicknames. What was wrong with her? She just couldn't think of any other names!
After checking her schedule and finding nothing pressing, Macaca decided to stream.
She set the date, posted a live broadcast update, and then paid little attention to it.
Little did she know that CatCatEatsNoMedicine had already rallied the entire live room to watch her.
Later, when Macaca realized why her follower count had skyrocketed, she exclaimed, "What's wrong with you?! Since when did you stop streaming Genshin Impact to become the leader of the Herrscher of Domination?!"
Regardless, the allure of Honkai 3rd's new version - touted as a major collaboration event - had all players eagerly anticipating its release.
Among those intrigued by Themis, some captains sought to fill in backstory for the new Valkyrie, while certain Travelers became hooked on Honkai 3rd after discovering their adoptive mother's origins, creating a surge of cross-over traffic between the two games.
Honkai 3rd was the first action game released by Mihoyo before Genshin Impact.
Set in a world threatened by the destructive force of Honkai, players took on the role of captains leading Valkyries - beautiful young girls - to save humanity!
Not quite. In reality, the captain had no main storyline, no dialogue, and never even appeared on screen. They were merely a Witness to the story.
In the story, players will delve deep into the secret origins of the female lead, Kiana, and her inseparable connection to the Honkai power.
In Honkai 3rd, players will accompany the protagonist Kiana from the sidelines, witnessing her journey and growth as she faces and overcomes inner fears and hardships.
Through relentless effort and combat, Kiana will demonstrate astonishing strength, fighting to protect those she cherishes.
Ultimately, Kiana, the heroine of Honkai 3rd, will lead the main cast to defeat their enemies, resolve the Honkai crisis, and become Finality.
With this, the first chapter of Honkai 3rd comes to a successful conclusion.
Now we enter the main interlude chapter, the story of Honkai 3rd Part 1.5.
After resolving the Honkai crisis, a deeper hidden enemy reveals itself.
The evil sea god Sa and its agent Vita operate within the Quantum Sea, continuously destroying worlds and absorbing their energy.
To save a world within the Quantum Sea that faces destruction, one member of the main cast who accidentally enters this world engages in a struggle with the evil god's agent, Vita. In the end, they successfully save the world.
Vita's defeat and retreat also bring forth a new enemy - the evil sea god Sha.
Currently, Honkai 3rd version 6.9 tells the story after the agent Vita's defeat.
In that distant, distant world's end,
The God who nurtures happiness opened its eyes.
The God wove dreams, and so the story called history was born.
The God cleared the wilderness, and so the box called the world was created.
Mountains stood green, streams tinkled, fish swam with golden scales catching the light, birds brought night to grant sleep.
Yet daytime brought wind and rain, and night fell silent.
After countless days and nights came another countless days and nights.
Until the sky, gazing upon its world, showered down precious pearls.
A meteor fell upon the lonely holy land, bringing wisdom's spirit to this earth.
Thus mountains gained speech, rivers found rhythm, and so began humanity's first dawn.
-
Honkai 3 World, Edge of the Solar System, Unknown Planet - City: Phosphorus City
Morning brought clear skies and bright sunlight.
Today marked Themis' first day in office.
Standing at Phosphorus City's heart - the ancient Roman column's center, also the city's geographical core - she remained silent about her circumstances.
As the new Regent to Phosphorus City, Themis' arrival had drawn seven City Agents' welcome.
However, her sudden appearance left everyone momentarily at a loss for words.
The seven agents were all young boys and girls, dressed identically in matching outfits. Their appearances were identical, and even their names were the same.
However, there was no need to feel confused by their looks. To distinguish between the seven city agents, one could use the seven colors of the rainbow or their personalities.
Moreover, the elder sister of these seven city agents had given them individual names:
Red Vita, Orange Vita, Yellow Vita, Green Vita, Cyan Vita, Blue Vita, Violet Vita.
But even remembering these names to distinguish the seven Vitas wasn't a problem for Themis de Fontaine.
For the newly appointed Regent, the real challenge lay in...
As she looked at the seven Vitas before her, she felt a headache coming on.
Someone tell me how to properly interact with children!
Though the information directly imprinted in her mind by the Creator God revealed that the seven Vitas' true ages far surpassed their youthful appearances.
Instinctively, Themis still treated them as real children, so she was still thinking about how to make the best first impression on them.
Coincidentally, the Little Vitas who served as city agents had just received a message from Sister Vita about a Regent arriving today. They hadn't even had time to discuss how to welcome the visitor when Themis suddenly appeared, throwing them into a panic.
The seven Little Vitas also wanted to make a good impression on Themis, so they were all trying to think of what to say that wouldn't give her a bad impression.
After all, no matter how they thought about it, they would have to work together for a long time in the future.
"Uh..."
"Mm..."
"Hmm..."
The seven Little Vitas looked at each other, then looked at Themis.
Both sides fell into a state of awkwardness.
The Little Vitas were both confused and happy about their new friend's arrival, while Themis felt uncomfortable because she stood out and everything around her was unfamiliar.
Moreover, since Themis didn't know anything, there were no relevant topics to start with, making it difficult to bridge the gap between them.
"Um... perhaps we should start with introductions?" Cyan Vita scratched her head, mustering the courage to suggest.
Hearing Cyan Vita's proposal, Themis nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I should have introduced myself first."
Themis gazed at the seven curious Little Vitas observing her, mentally selecting her words before speaking with sincerity:
"Greetings. My name is Themis de Fontaine."
"Though I'm unsure how I came here..."
"My role, appointed by the Creator God himself, is to assist you all as Regent of Phosphorus City. From today onward, I'll work alongside you to build our community."
"For simplicity, you may call me Themis."
Her gentle tone and softened demeanor dispelled the cold, sharp aura that had previously surrounded her. A faint smile graced her beautiful face, creating an atmosphere as refreshing as spring breeze.
The seven Little Vitas were clearly captivated by Themis' warm and approachable appearance. Having been prepared earlier by their trusted elder sister Vita about Themis' identity, these pure-hearted children instinctively felt she could be trusted.
Trustworthy, gentle, and absolutely stunningly beautiful!
What reason could there possibly be to doubt them now?
"Hello, Sister Themis," greeted Orange Vita, the most mature among the seven Vitas. With a motherly air about her, she stepped forward first.
In a sweet, soft voice, Orange Vita called out, "Sister."
Seeing Orange Vita's innocent and charming manner, Themis's heart softened.
There's nothing for it, my dear friends. I simply adore pure, innocent white-haired girls with flat chests and short skirts!
Her heart fluttered as she recalled the moment she first met Furina when the latter was serving as Regent.
Furina had been just as soft and charming back then, greeting her with warmth.
Perfect! Since these Little Vitas are connected to Furina, my initial impression of them is overwhelmingly positive!
Thus, Themis began to consider how to proceed.
Their apparent age doesn't match their actual age? Simple. Just like Furina.
No matter their true age, treating them with gentle sincerity can't go wrong.
Themis went around greeting each of the seven Little Vitas. As they introduced themselves, her golden eyes brimmed with kindness and warmth, neither overwhelming nor intrusive.
Even the most humble and sensitive boy among them, Cyan Vita, who was usually reserved, could introduce himself smoothly before Themis, his voice tinged with genuine happiness.
It was clear how kindly and warmly the seven Little Vitas perceived Themis - her approachable demeanor had made an immediate impression.
Their affection for Themis grew visibly stronger with each interaction.
Themis gently patted the enthusiastic Red Vita's head, then as if by magic, revealed seven colorful flowers in her palm when she reopened her hand.
"Consider these a welcome gift."
Each flower matched the color of one Little Vita. The composed Blue Vita and serious Green Vita accepted their blossoms with curiosity, having never seen such exotic flora before.
The other Vitas joyfully received their flowers, offering sweet thanks. They tucked them behind their ears or cradled them in their hands.
These vibrant blooms not only brought small joys to the seven Little Vitas but also served to bridge the distance between them.
"Big sis Themis! Let me show you around Phosphorus City next!"
The Righteous Red Vita puffed out her chest, as the most enthusiastic and passionate among the seven Vitas, she felt it was her duty to help Themis familiarize herself with Phosphorus City.
The other Vitas had no objections, as they each had their own responsibilities to attend to.
The Righteous Red Vita's daily patrols involved helping everyone resolve their troubles.
There was no one more suitable to guide Themis through the city than this energetic young girl.
Among the seven Vitas, five were young girls, with only Cyan and Blue being adorable boys.
The Red Vita was a lively and charming young girl, brimming with inexhaustible enthusiasm.
Themis followed behind the Righteous Red Vita, patrolling the city streets back and forth.
The new face of Themis stood out remarkably in this unchanging Phosphorus City.
After the Red Vita revealed Themis' identity as a Regent, the residents of Phosphorus City, though somewhat unclear about the Regent's role, still expressed their goodwill towards Themis. Themis reciprocated each gesture of kindness.
Seeing Themis interact so well with the city's residents, the Righteous Red Vita instinctively felt happy for her.
As Themis familiarized herself with Phosphorus City and its residents, her mind was filled with doubts.
What could be the Creator God's purpose in bringing her here?
To serve as a Regent?
Don't joke around. The city already has seven City Agents.
Though they may be naive and have their flaws, it's clear their capabilities as City Agents are sufficient, with each compensating for the others' shortcomings.
There's absolutely no need for such an unnecessary step of appointing a Regent.
Through subtle inquiries, Themis extracted information about the city from Red Vita. She learned of two restricted areas: the forbidden zone beyond the city walls and the underground museum not open to residents.
Themis committed these locations to memory but didn't rush to investigate immediately. She wasn't yet fully acquainted with the city's workings, and reckless exploration might lead her straight into a trap.
After mentally reviewing the situation, Themis quickly identified her current course of action:
"Focus on cultivating favor!"
She took this task with utmost seriousness.
Whether it was the favorability of the seven city agents or the residents of Phosphorus City, Themis had no intention of letting either slip through her grasp.
The eyes of the people are sharp, and every decision made by the city agents requires a vote.
Therefore, building favorability is crucial in Phosphorus City.
The city agents make excellent targets because they are exceptionally naive.
Though intelligent, they grew up in an environment free from intrigue and political maneuvering.
This means that with just a few simple tactics, Themis could rapidly increase the favorability of the seven Vitas to an astonishing degree in a short time.
Thanks to Fontaine's five centuries of governance experience, Themis had developed a keen eye for spotting opportunities.
Moreover, compared to the busy work at Palais Mermonia, her duties in Phosphorus City were remarkably light, akin to being on retirement.
Through daily refinement and careful design, Themis's role as Regent had established a warm, kind, and genuine image in the hearts of Phosphorus City's residents.
Themis could obtain even more information from the residents' mouths.
When residents faced problems they couldn't resolve, they would begin seeking Themis's assistance.
Then Themis would use these problems to drag a random Little Vita into handling them. In the process of resolving issues, she would simultaneously build favor with the Little Vitas.
Finally, once the problems were solved, both the Little Vitas' and residents' favor would be secured. The Regent's image continued to improve, and Themis could feel her own prestige in Phosphorus City growing higher.
The residents also began accepting Themis as a newcomer, no longer treating her as a new guest but as a Regent equal in status to the seven city agents in Phosphorus City.
Themis proved her reliability through her outstanding abilities and achievements.
When the seven Little Vitas encountered her on the streets, they began actively asking if she had time to handle problems together.
After all, with Themis present, tasks could be accomplished twice as fast while saving considerable time.
From every perspective, Themis was a Regent of perfect excellence.
After discussion among the seven agents, the two restricted areas were opened to Themis.
Carrying a pile of cleaning tools, Themis gazed at the entrance to the underground museum. The seven Vitas used their authority to unlock the door.
"Alright, Sister Themis, we can go in now!"
The Red Vita, full of enthusiasm, led the way. This was the first time the seven of them had brought someone else to clean the museum - a completely new experience! She could hardly wait!
Holding Themis's hand, Red Vita rushed into the museum with great excitement.
"Little Red, slow down. Don't run so fast or you might trip."
The Orange Vita, who had a nurturing nature, sighed softly at Red Vita's impulsive behavior, feeling like a mother watching her bear of a daughter.
The Blue Vita, who had the ability to foresee, was already used to this. After all, it would be stranger if Red Vita suddenly became cautious.
One by one, they entered the museum and descended the stairs. The sight that greeted Themis felt like stepping into another world.
The museum's style was completely different from Phosphorus City's, and not only that—the era it showcased was entirely distinct!
If Phosphorus City resembled ancient Rome, then the museum embodied modern technology. Being inside it gave Themis a sense of temporal disorientation.
She had initially thought she wasn't on Earth, but looking at this museum...
Well, even if I'm not on Earth, I can't escape its influence.
As Cyan Vita, the little chronicler of Phosphorus City, he knew the museum's exhibits like the back of his hand.
Summoning courage under Themis's watchful gaze, he stepped forward and puffed out his chest, volunteering to show her around.
Themis had no reason to refuse. With a smile, she said, "Very well, then I'll entrust this to you, Little Vita."
"Heh heh, no problem, Sister Themis." Cyan Vita scratched his head in embarrassment, but his heart swelled with pride at finally being useful.
Following behind him, Themis's eyes roamed the museum, taking in the sights.
Some exhibits were utterly bizarre, their purposes completely unclear.
She had initially suspected this place might have ties to Earth, but now, gazing at these bizarrely shaped exhibits, she found that connection increasingly unlikely.
"These exhibits were all brought back by Sister Vita when she returned from work," one child explained.
"Many of these things we don't even know what they're for or how to use them," another chimed in.
The seven adorable children took turns introducing Themis to the exhibits they recognized, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
However...
When Themis saw a living "golden retriever" displayed in a glass case, all her good mood vanished.
"..."
Themis stared silently at the "puppy" in the display, her fists clenching involuntarily.
The pup's face was simply too provocative, giving her the immediate impression that a certain golden-haired Bishop's coffin lid might start rattling at any moment.
"Is this also part of the museum's collection?" Themis asked, pointing at the living exhibit.
"Since it's listed here, it must be an exhibit," Orange replied.
Orange was also puzzled by the appearance of this human-shaped exhibit. However, since all the exhibits Vita brought back from her workplace were strange, this made the presence of a living person seem less out of place.
Even after hearing Orange's explanation, Themis's wariness didn't subside; if anything, it grew stronger.
Mentally clicking her tongue in irritation, she realized that if this Yellow Fur human-shaped exhibit wasn't part of the museum's collection, and if she didn't want to break ties with Vita and the others over it...
Given Themis's vigilance against HI3's major antagonist Otto, even grinding his bones to dust wouldn't dispel her suspicion that this face might be wracked with agony by tomorrow.
While destruction was out of the question, that didn't mean she couldn't take precautions. When it came to something potentially dangerous, Themis never hesitated to add extra safeguards.
Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, she kept feeling as though this human-shaped exhibit was alive and conscious.
Grateful that the exhibit couldn't move, Themis took advantage of its blind spots to secretly make adjustments, all while keeping her actions hidden from Vita and the others.
When one dies on the Teyvat continent, only the body perishes. The power granted by Celestia remains intact, still usable by Themis.
Moreover, when the Creator God of Phosphorus City retrieved her, Themis distinctly felt her internal power had multiplied many times over.
During her initial battle with the Traveler and Furina, Themis had unleashed an entire sea.
She'd only used the power of Space .
She hadn't even tapped into the innate power of the Shard of Celestia.
And that was before the Creator God forcibly implanted a bizarre array of abilities into her body during the retrieval process.
As a result, while Themis's strength in HI3 couldn't match the top-tier powerhouses like Finality or Origin, she could now be considered a multi-core Herrscher-level entity.
However, Themis still felt this was insufficient - she remained far too weak!
Hearing the Little Vitas' descriptions of their Sister Big Vita, she sounded like a fearsome being capable of freely traversing worlds!
Inwardly, Themis applauded her own caution. She was glad she hadn't recklessly charged in from the start.
If she were to fall out of favor with the Creator God behind the scenes, Themis couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of horrific fate might befall her.
Already having died once, leaving only her soul behind, any further death would mean losing even that.
After helping Vita and the others clean up the museum, Themis finished her day's work and returned to her quarters.
Ever since seeing the golden Empress displayed as an exhibit in the museum, Themis had found herself somewhat distracted.
However, having taken precautions and set up safeguards, she could at least rest a little easier.
The first thing Themis did upon returning to her quarters each day was open her System forum.
This had become nearly a habit for her.
Though her System was rather basic, it still proved useful in certain situations.
For instance, when observing her wife across different worlds.
Furina carefully guarded the seed left behind, originally meant as a beacon to return to Teyvat.
But thanks to the System's enhancements, Themis could occasionally project her consciousness into the seed.
However, doing so resulted in intermittent communication, making it quite unstable.
Displaying the projection proved to be several times more challenging.
Moreover, ever since Furina discovered the connection between the seed and her consciousness, she carried it with her at all times.
She even crafted it into a necklace, hanging it close to her chest.
The seed rested against her warm skin, preserved as a treasured pendant.
Occasionally, Focalors would hold the seed, cradling it against her chest as she channeled divine power into it.
When Themis' consciousness unexpectedly manifested through the seed, she found herself momentarily overwhelmed: ...Hiss, I can't deny it - the flatness is truly flat, but the whiteness and softness are undeniably real!
Internally sighing, Themis wished the System would boost its signal strength faster.
The intimate contact between the seed and her lover's skin no longer satisfied Themis.
She yearned to return directly, to kiss and embrace her beloved face-to-face.
Keep pushing forward!
Themis mentally cheered herself on, reigniting her determination.
She opened other videos, searching for updates on Honkai 3rd's new plot developments since her departure from the game.
After following the version updates and finishing the main storyline up to this point, Themis had a general understanding of her current situation.
How should she put it? The most immediate feeling was one of constant danger, not much different from Fontaine—perhaps even worse!
Because in this place, a single moment of carelessness could mean certain death for everyone!
Clutching her head, Themis realized she needed to find a way to survive successfully!
The Little Vitas were so easy to deceive; she'd originally thought their "Sister Big Vita" was a pure and genuinely kind older sister.
But unexpectedly, she wasn't the cheerful and sunny girl Themis imagined, but rather a cunning and scheming woman!
Moreover, this woman could read minds.
Clutching her head, Themis felt utterly helpless.
Heavens above, earth below!
If she had done something wrong, then let Furina be the one to punish her!Not this — not being captured and cast into the enemy's lair like a sacrificial pawn!
Alright. Now everything matched. Now everything made sense.
The Evil God Sa, the so-called Creator God of Phosphorus City, was active within the Quantum Sea.Within collective speculation and fragmented understanding, Teyvat was believed to exist as a world bubble inside that very sea — teetering constantly on the brink of collapse, only sustained by artificial means.
When her physical form perished, the place where her consciousness drifted — it must have been the Quantum Sea itself.
That would explain it.That would explain how she, floating helplessly within that sea, was seized by Evil God Sa, who resided there as well.
And yet, now that she had pieced together the events that led to her arrival in this world...She couldn't help but question the true purpose behind Evil God Sa's decision.
Even the adorable golden retriever pup had been brought back just to be turned into a museum exhibit.
So then—why had she, Themis, been cast into this world as a Regent?Why had she started out so high in the hierarchy of Phosphorus City, granted a position of privilege and influence?Why had she not, like the others, been reduced to a specimen behind glass?
She rubbed her chin, the unease gnawing at her.No matter how she turned it over in her mind, the conclusion was inescapable — she was at the heart of something vast, some unfathomable conspiracy.She stood right at the eye of the storm.
The joy she once felt at earning the trust of the seven agents, at finally stepping into the museum's threshold, was gone.Completely gone.
She had thought she was unraveling secrets.She had thought she was peering behind the veil.
But now... it all seemed like Themis had willingly walked into the fog herself.Still too impulsive, Themis thinks to herself.
"Indeed, Phosphorus City still hides many secrets."
"The city agents are ancient. At least, during our previous conversations, they existed since the dawn of civilization when cities were first established."
Resting her chin in her hand, Themis mentally organized the information.
Based on the storyline from before version 6.9, specifically the fragments revealed by the evil God's agent Vita in Salt Snow Holy City:
Themis could clearly and confidently state that all eight known Vitas were at least dozens of times older than her five-hundred-year-old self.
In the Salt Snow Holy City plot, Big Veta claimed to be a survivor from Venus, which meant she must be at least two hundred million years old.
Therefore, it was highly worth investigating how old the seven city agents - Big Vita's younger siblings - actually were.
The contents of their memories didn't align with their apparent ages.
What could it mean? Suddenly, Themis realized the seven city agents might also harbor earth-shattering secrets.
Perhaps most of Phosphorus City's mysteries lay within them, even if the Little Vitas remained unaware.
Themis sat on the bed, but the soft bedding failed to bring the promised rest.
In truth, she dared not sleep soundly, fearing that one moment of carelessness might erase her very soul in slumber.
Ah, speaking of souls...
"I don't even have a body. How can I interact with things here in Phosphorus City?"
"Could it be that when the Creator God found me and tossed me here, my spirit somehow materialized?"
Scratching her head, Themis found this utterly perplexing.
Her murmured words carried softly through the night, yet even in their quietness, they remained crystal clear to a certain eavesdropper listening intently.
"Is there any possibility..."
The hidden figure quietly emerged from the shadows.
Themis's eyes widened as blue-green peacock feathers materialized from her chest. She sprang up, leaping backward to put distance between them.
"Don't be so cautious~"
"Treating a cute girl like this will break my heart!"
A playful, girlish voice resonated from the feathers.
Themis: "You don't even have a body! How can I believe you're a cute girl?!"
"Besides, photo manipulation is all the rage now. What if you're just a fake online image?"
"But I must admit, these feathers are quite beautiful."
Recovering from the sudden scare, Themis delivered the compliment with an unflappable expression.
"Heh, I know my feathers are stunning. You can praise them more if you like."
Through the connection of the feathers, Sister Big Vita observed the white-haired beauty by the bed. A sense of impending defeat washed over her.
"Why don't you compliment me instead?"
"I already complimented you earlier, Miss Feather."
"Polite exchanges should be mutual, you know."
Crossing her arms with a smile, Themis used the ambiguous title to probe. She was testing whether Vita could read minds—or at least discern her thoughts.
"Miss Feather? Wow, that's such a cute nickname."
"Mm-hmm, that's right, I'm Miss Feather."
Vita didn't catch the deeper meaning in Themis's words, but she was quite pleased with her new nickname.
Looking at Themis through the feathers, Vita carefully studied this strange woman Sa had brought back from who knows where.
At first glance, she seemed quite interesting.
But this wasn't enough. There was no apparent reason why this woman needed Sa to personally retrieve her from the sea.
After all, even when Mara defected years ago, Sa hadn't bothered to intervene personally!
Miss Vita was deeply dissatisfied!
She's pretty, but I'm not lacking in looks either.
Her personality is amusing, but am I not entertaining enough?
Or does Sa simply enjoy novelty? Has she grown fond of white hair?
Miss Vita maliciously speculated about her mother and superior Sa's motives.
In truth, it wasn't that she disliked Themis per se.
What truly bothered her was when had Sa ever shown such interest in another woman before?!
Sa had once told her outright that she only saw Vita as a tool!
And now she'd suddenly brought back this woman and coldly ordered her to keep a closer eye on her?!
Unsatisfying. Everything about this situation was deeply unsatisfying!
Feeling deeply frustrated, Sister Vita was profoundly dissatisfied with Sa's actions!
At the very least, Sa should have explained herself face-to-face instead of dropping this on her like this!
Curious... Intrigued... What could have possibly compelled Sa to bring this person back?
Themis stood by the bed, her brows furrowed in confusion. Why the sudden silence?
Hmm, could it be that Sa noticed something and is now conversing with Vita?
No, wait—didn't Vita pretend to lose against Seele during their fight in Salt Snow Holy City? She faked incompetence, deceived Sa's authority, severed their connection, and fled, didn't she?
So... did she fail to escape?
Or perhaps she secretly returned to see her younger siblings?
The human and feather remained silent under the moonlight, their presence echoing in the stillness.