Added to the Gacha as Rukkhadevata (Honkai Star Rail)

"This... this is Cloudford?"

Qingque followed Sister Lumina, completely unaware of what she had done. They entered Cloudford without encountering any resistance.

After walking for some time, Qingque swallowed hard as she gazed upon the vast, deserted port before her.

"A dense forest of containers, a port with such immense cargo throughput..."

"Yet not a single soul in sight... it's downright eerie..."

Qingque couldn't help but recall the horror movies she'd watched, feeling a growing unease.

"Don't let your imagination run wild," Lumina said, sensing Qingque's apprehension. She placed her hand on Qingque's head and gently ruffled her hair, soothing her anxiety and instilling a sense of security.

Compared to the earlier scene where nearly a hundred Mara-Struck had surrounded Lumina and Fu Xuan, this deserted Cloudford was a welcome relief.

Come to think of it, why would the Mara-Struck indiscriminately attack an Emanator of Abundance like me?

Could it be because I've been suppressing my Emanator powers?

And what's Blade up to now?

Lumina was deeply puzzled. None of the other Mara-Struck had detected her, so why was Blade the only one who could?

Oh well... it doesn't matter.

Lumina shook her head, dismissing the thought.

"Mmm..." Qingque murmured softly as Lumina's gentle strokes gradually dispelled her negative emotions.

I don't know why, Qingque thought, but even though Sister Lumina and I have only known each other for less than two days, and we're not even close enough for casual head pats...

But... but I just love it when she strokes my head...

Because... it feels so warm, so comforting...

Unaware of Qingque's inner thoughts, Lumina withdrew her hand and gazed at Cloudford before them.

"Let's keep moving deeper," Lumina said.

"This area is supposed to be under Cloud Knight lockdown. Logically, we should have encountered at least one by now."

"My guess is something's gone wrong somewhere, drawing all the Cloud Knights stationed here to converge on that location."

"Huh? Wouldn't that make it dangerous for us to proceed?" Qingque, jolted out of her reverie from Lumina's head pat, asked with a hint of worry.

"It is indeed dangerous," Lumina nodded, then immediately changed her tone. "However, the danger isn't for us—it's for our enemies."

A confident smile curved Lumina's lips, adding a touch of warmth to her already flawless features.

Qingque, utterly captivated by that smile, murmured in a daze, "So beautiful..."

Lumina: o(* ̄▽ ̄*)ブ

Hearing the beautiful girl's praise, the Saintess felt a surge of delight.

-

"Quick! Form ranks! Maintain formation! Don't break!"

Lumina and Qingque continued deeper into the facility when they suddenly heard a hurried voice.

They exchanged glances and headed toward the sound.

"This... so many Mara-Struck!" Qingque exclaimed, her face instantly paling as she rounded a stack of shipping containers and saw the scene before them.

Over a dozen Mara-Struck were slowly advancing toward three Cloud Knights, snarling incessantly. A faint glimmer of light flickered in their eyes, as if they were struggling against something within.

The next moment, the light vanished completely, reducing them to mindless, corrupted monsters.

Watching this, the Cloud Knights couldn't help but wear sorrowful expressions.

Then they tightened their grip on their weapons, the sadness replaced by grim determination.

"Sister Lumina, Sister Lumina, we need to call for support right away!" Qingque grabbed Lumina's arm, her voice frantic.

Perhaps because Lumina was usually so kind and saintly, Qingque had completely forgotten her true strength in this moment.

"Support?" Lumina chuckled lightly, flicking her fingers to summon a green staff into her hand.

"I am the support!"

Gazing at the dozen Mara-Struck, Lumina strode forward, her footsteps echoing unhurriedly, instantly drawing the attention of both the Cloud Knights and the Mara-Struck.

Hiss-ha!!!

The Mara-Struck showed no tolerance for Lumina's brazen approach. With a ferocious roar, they lunged at her, claws raised to tear her apart.

Lumina raised her staff slightly, waves of green light radiating intensely from its tip.

In an instant, countless vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Mara-Struck and pinning them helplessly to the earth, completely immobilized.

Truthfully, Lumina preferred methods that were swift, precise, and brutal over these elegant but ultimately impractical "spells."

She'd rather wield her staff like a hammer, capable of taking down an enemy with a single swing.

However, she reserved this combat style for when she was alone.

Hmm... If the dead don't count as people...

After all, to maintain her flawless image, swinging her staff around like a club would be far too crude.

So, when others were watching, Lumina would raise her staff, cast a small spell, and radiate elegance and sanctity as she effortlessly "purified" her enemies.

"Sister Lumina, you're amazing!" Qingque exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration as she scurried over to Lumina's side after Lumina had subdued all the Mara-Struck.

"Hmph~" Lumina hummed softly, thoroughly enjoying Qingque's adoration.

"Thank you for coming to our rescue, miss," the three Cloud Knights said, visibly shaken by how easily Lumina had dealt with the Mara-Struck. They approached and clasped their hands in a respectful bow.

"Mm," Lumina acknowledged with a nod.

With Lumina's permission, the three Cloud Knights turned their attention to the Mara-Struck pinned to the ground. Gripping their weapons tightly, their faces a mixture of emotions, they moved toward the fallen enemies.

"No need to trouble yourselves♪" Lumina purred.

Just as they were about to raise their weapons and strike down their former comrades, Lumina spoke, halting them in their tracks.

Under the bewildered gazes of the Cloud Knights, she raised her staff and gently waved it.

Green light enveloped each Mara-Struck warrior, completely surrounding them.

In an instant, the light dissipated, and the Mara-Struck were gone. In their place stood the Cloud Knights, restored to their original forms.

"The Mara-Struck... they're gone?!"

The three Cloud Knights stared in shock at the scene before them, their faces etched with disbelief, their voices trembling.

"Hmm... more or less," Lumina replied, nodding.

"But..."

Lumina trailed off, her gaze fixed on the Cloud Knights who had reverted from their Mara-Struck state.

Under her scrutiny, wrinkles began to spread across their faces.

Within seconds, the once-vigorous young men had transformed into frail, white-haired old men, collapsing lifelessly onto the ground.