"Is causing me trouble amusing to you?"
A familiar, languid voice came from the rift, followed by a scarlet figure emerging from within. When Wu Yi saw her face clearly, even he, knowledgeable and unruffled as he was, could not help but freeze for a moment.
She was an... exquisitely, exquisitely beautiful woman. Her face looked as though it had been sculpted by the finest artist, her features delicate and flawless. Patterns of seven-petaled flowers appeared in her jewel-like golden eyes, yet her gaze was devoid of emotion, carrying a stern chill. But her smooth little face also had a trace of baby fat, softening her severity and coldness somewhat and lending her a touch of cuteness.
Her outfit was red, black, and white overall. Beneath a strapless black dress, she wore a sheer, one-piece black stocking that further accentuated her curvaceous figure. Red, feather-like patterns adorned the dress, and its long skirt spread out to either side in defiance of gravity, revealing a pair of long legs that accounted for more than half her height. The black stockings perfectly outlined the curves of her thighs and calves, which were perfectly proportioned and flawless.
Though she was a woman of such breathtaking beauty, a dense, ominous red-and-black aura always curled around her when she appeared. A pair of dark red wings also floated behind her, dotted with numerous eye-like holes that sent an icy chill through everyone who saw them.
This was the aura of "death."
As soon as she appeared, her eyes locked onto Wu Yi, and she said coldly:
"I believe you know who I am, don't you, Descender?"
To her surprise, however, Wu Yi did not give the answer she expected. Instead, he exclaimed:
"Idrila?"
Hearing Wu Yi inexplicably call out a strange name that was clearly a woman's, she immediately frowned, a hint of anger quickly appearing on her beautiful face:
"Impudent fellow! Even if I didn't meet you in my true form last time, can you really not see this aura and these symbols of 'death' at all?!"
"Remember my name! I am Ronova! Ronova, the 'Ruler of Death'!"
"Ah... so you aren't Idrila after all?" Wu Yi asked in surprise.
"Of course not!" Ronova frowned, a touch of irritation entering her voice. "And who is Idrila?"
"Ah, sorry."
Wu Yi immediately bowed slightly, then answered with a hint of apology:
"Idrila is the Aeon who represents 'Beauty' in the universe, as well as the embodiment of the concept of beauty. I once heard that she is the ultimate answer to 'beauty' in the hearts of all intelligent life in the material world, so when I saw you, I instinctively mistook you for that goddess of Beauty."
"Oh~ So that's how it is..."
After listening to Wu Yi's explanation, the anger on Ronova's face had completely vanished. She turned slightly to one side, raised a hand to her chin, and nodded gently:
"I didn't expect there to be a god with such a divine office outside Teyvat. I suppose I was the ignorant one..."
She nodded with a serious expression, but the corners of her mouth rose a few pixels, almost beyond her control.
"In that case, it seems I can't punish you for that... After all, it sounds quite reasonable that you would make such a mistake. I shall forgive your rudeness, Descender."
"Thank you for understanding. You really are a reasonable goddess," Wu Yi said with a gentle nod and a smile. "It's a good thing you aren't that Aeon of Beauty, too. Otherwise, I'd really have to consider whether I should leave the Path of Abundance and go join the Beauty Sect."
"Hmph, enough of the pointless flattery."
Ronova gave a soft huff and spoke with what seemed like a hint of boredom. Even so, the corners of her mouth remained raised:
"I must say, you really aren't a very devout believer, Descender. Having a follower like you must be rather unfortunate."
She nodded as she spoke slowly:
"But it doesn't matter. Death is always forcibly associated with misfortune by ignorant mortals anyway."
What a textbook tsundere.
Seeing her reaction, Wu Yi could not help thinking.
She had just said it was rather unfortunate to have an undevout believer, only to turn around and suddenly stress that death was a deity inseparable from misfortune.
Think about it. Think carefully.
"By the way, is the god of Abundance you believe in a deity associated with life?"
Seemingly having suddenly taken an interest in Wu Yi, Ronova asked another question.
"Life? You wouldn't be wrong to understand 'Abundance' that way. The office of Abundance does indeed include that." Wu Yi nodded. "But I can't really be considered a believer in the Aeon of Abundance."
"Rather, 'Abundance' is my teacher. She showed me a path that calls to me, and I continue to follow it."
"What I truly believe in is not the Aeon of Abundance, but the Path of Abundance itself."
Wu Yi spread his hands and spoke freely:
"I look up to the Aeon of Abundance, respect her, and am grateful to her. I will follow her, too, but the one thing I don't do is believe in her."
"Blind faith would lead me away from the path she and I walk."
"If one day the god of Abundance should go against her path, I would point out her mistake and do everything I could to correct her."
Meanwhile, after listening to everything Wu Yi had to say about Abundance, Ronova nodded gently.
"I see. It seems I need to take back what I just said. You are an excellent follower and an excellent companion on the road. Your god would probably be gratified to have you following her..."
At that, Ronova could not help feeling a little wistful.
Sadly, no one has ever wanted to walk alongside death, much less follow it...
She could not help thinking.
But in the next instant, she immediately shook her head.
No, how could I have such a weak thought...? Why would death need followers?
After all, for the living, resisting death, fearing death, and fleeing from death were only natural instincts.
And for her, as death, longing for understanding, believers, and companions was itself a transgression.
Just as she convinced herself and prepared to bring the conversation back to the matter at hand, she suddenly heard Wu Yi ask:
"By the way, esteemed Miss Ronova, may I ask if you have a partner?"
"If not, I wonder if you would be willing to marry me?"