Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

She's already gone…

Ren fell silent for a moment and let out a quiet sigh.

He recalled the scene in the forest where the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had smiled at him and beckoned him closer.

So that beauty, that gentleness—

Had long since faded away.

The world… has forgotten me…

As a god, what kind of emotions must she have felt to say something so final?

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Ren murmured, regretful.

He had thought bringing news of her mother would make Nahida happy.

But he hadn't expected this outcome.

A heavy silence settled between them.

"It's alright. She was a god worthy of respect."

"If you're feeling down, you can always talk to me."

Nahida's soft voice carried a gentle warmth.

It was soothing, putting the heart at ease.

"Are you comforting me?"

Ren slowly raised his hand, looking at the delicate green leaf in his palm.

Nahida's consciousness was resting within it.

Thanks to the power of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, she could exist independently for a long time and maintain a spiritual connection with Ren.

This sense of shared understanding—

It was truly something special.

"Thanks, little one."

Ren whispered, lost in thought.

He couldn't shake the feeling that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata hadn't simply disappeared…

"It's Nahida."

Noticing Ren's mood lighten, Nahida let out a quiet breath and smiled.

Her first attempt at comforting someone—

It seemed to have gone well.

She had been a little nervous, too.

After all, as a long-time shut-in, she had never interacted with people properly before.

So in order to get along well with Ren, she had done a lot of preparation beforehand.

"I know. Nahida."

Ren's lips curled into a small smile.

Talking to someone as warm and caring as Nahida—

It was impossible to stay in a bad mood.

"That means we're friends now, right?"

Sensing the happiness in Ren's spirit, Nahida asked the question as casually as she could.

But deep down—

She was nervous.

She had been imprisoned for centuries.

Had she finally made a friend of her own?

"Of course, little Nahida."

Ren playfully poked the leaf and smiled.

Don't worry, Greater Lord. I'll take good care of your daughter.

Wait—

That thought felt a little off.

What was he even thinking?

It's not like taking care of her meant anything serious—

Just chatting now and then.

Besides, they were separated by who knows how much distance.

It wasn't like the little Dendro Archon could suddenly plop down in front of him out of nowhere.

That was absolutely impossible.

"I'm not actually that little, you know."

Nahida's soft voice carried a hint of pride and happiness.

Ren was her first friend—she had to cherish this.

"Alright, then how old are you?"

Ren glanced out at the sea and asked offhandedly.

Since she was the daughter of a god, she definitely wasn't an ordinary human.

Maybe she really wasn't a child.

"I…"

Nahida hesitated, not answering right away.

Or rather—

She was carefully considering the risks of answering.

She could sense the fondness in Ren's emotions.

That feeling was complicated—

It could be because they got along well, or maybe due to their spiritual resonance.

But…

Nahida thought of another possibility.

What if Ren only liked making friends with younger girls?

If she outright said she was a few hundred years old—

Would that affect their friendship?

That possibility existed, so…

"…I don't know."

Nahida spoke quietly, feeling a little embarrassed.

For the third time, the God of Wisdom chose to abandon rational thought.

This feeling—

It was like the God of Mora not carrying any Mora.

Absolutely terrifying.

She had embarrassed her seniors again!

"That just means you are a kid."

Ren chuckled and lifted the leaf in front of him.

Under the sunlight, its veins were perfectly visible—

Rich with vibrant life, as if something was stirring inside.

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"Nahida."

"What is it, Ren?"

"Do you really think the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is gone?"

"Yes. The scholars of Sumeru searched desperately for any trace of her but found nothing."

Nahida's voice dropped slightly, a quiet murmur.

Though—

It wasn't that they had found nothing.

They had found the second Dendro Archon: Nahida.

But even now, none of those scholars cared about her.

Because all they wanted was the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"Nahida…"

Ren could sense the turbulence in her spirit and wanted to comfort her.

"But I believe in them. They will find something."

Nahida suddenly smiled, her voice still gentle.

…Even if they didn't like her, it didn't matter.

Protecting the people of Sumeru—

That was the responsibility she had chosen.

She would not hold any resentment.

"…"

Ren's eyes flickered.

That complicated feeling…

Just what had she been through?

He thought about how she had never met her family…

But before he could dwell on it further—

"Did you discover something?"

Nahida suddenly asked.

Ren shook his head.

He stared at the green leaf and spoke softly:

"I think the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata left something behind."

That dream—

There was definitely more to it.

His thoughts were becoming clearer—

He just needed a way to prove them.

A chance to put his theory into practice.

"You mean this leaf?"

Nahida wasn't surprised.

It did indeed contain the power and wisdom of the Greater Lord.

"Yeah. Actually, she also told me…"

Ren explained what Rukkhadevata had said about the leaf being a "seed."

He had previously tried to awaken it with Electro energy but had failed.

But now, Nahida was here—

Surely, she would give him some kind of result, right?

He had no idea what would sprout from it, though.

"I see. I will lend my power to help."

After a moment of thought, Nahida agreed seriously.

She also wanted to know what secret the Greater Lord had hidden within the leaf.

And if she really was her mother…

The wise little Dendro Archon fell into deep thought once more.

"Alright, let's do this together."

Ren nodded, his eyes flashing with purple light.

Just as he was about to channel his Electro energy—

"Ren, who are you talking to?"

Suddenly, someone patted Ren's shoulder.

Keqing had silently appeared beside him, her smile radiant.

But behind those bright eyes—

A dangerous glint flickered.

Her instincts told her—

Another woman was nearby.

Is someone trying to sneak a bite behind my back?

Keqing Cat has detected an anomaly.

"I…"

Ren froze.

Cold sweat formed on his forehead.

Danger!