OHDOM Vol. 2 51-80 (Patreon)

Chapter 51: Barbatos Has a Worthy Successor

"The World Tree?"

With Wendy's respectful manners and her bright, junior-like demeanor, her conversation with Zhongli had gone smoothly. Without realizing it, she'd gotten many of her questions answered-and eventually, their talk arrived at a rather sensitive topic.

Wendy rested her cheek on one hand and lazily poured Zhongli more tea with the other, lounging in an almost casual pose. She brought up the topic with the air of someone who was merely making idle conversation.

"Isn't the Dendro Archon supposed to be in charge of that? But the Sumeru I've seen... and the Archon, well... sigh. It's hard to explain. I'm not sure what kind of impact it'll all have."

To be honest, Sumeru's internal situation was almost as blood-pressure-raising as Inazuma's.

The only difference was that Angel hadn't actually stepped foot into Sumeru yet. In Inazuma, she'd made a promise to Miss Chisato to save the country, watched elderly villagers burn to death because they couldn't even wait to die peacefully, and had personally experienced everything-emotionally and physically. It had triggered a full emotional detonation.

But now, Angel was grateful she hadn't jumped into Sumeru too quickly.

If she'd messed with things prematurely and accidentally caused some visible disruption to the World Tree... even if The Heavenly Principles was busy wrestling with the Honkai, who's to say some "Shadow of the Heavenly Principles" or "Nth Throne" wouldn't come charging in to fight Angel to the death?

She doesn't want to work hard too much!

Fighting? No thank you!

Angel was always kind about others. She didn't like conflict. As a final boss, the only thing that really mattered was interests.

"Hmm..."

Zhongli watched Wendy scratch her head with a confused, slightly dazed look-like she had a vague sense something was off but wasn't taking it too seriously.

He couldn't help but glance toward Sumeru.

A young Archon like Wendy who is naive and inexperienced might not grasp the seriousness of what she was talking about....

But Zhongli was different.

As the oldest god in the mortal world, he knew just how critical Irminsul was to the history, memory, and ley lines of Teyvat. If it was even slightly disrupted, the consequences would ripple across everything.

In a way, governing Sumeru was the Dendro Archon's secondary job. Maintaining the World Tree was the primary one.

Knowing that Wendy, like Barbatos-was a Lord of Thousand Winds, possessing with the ability to obtain information across nations, he asked.

"What's the current state of Sumeru?"

"Uh, the most outrageous part is that the Dendro Archon's been imprisoned by the Akademiya, and she hasn't resisted at all. Apparently she hasn't walked the mortal realm in over 500 years. These days, the people of Sumeru only know the name of the former Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the Sages-they don't even know who the current Archon is. Sumeru itself was in total chaos. There's the whole desert-versus-rainforest conflict, the spread of Withering and Eleazar, forbidden knowledge circulating in secret, and even the Tree King's followers are all scattered and disorganized. Honestly, it's not surprising if something would blow up at any moment."

Wendy laid out everything she knew, then shrugged with a confused, helpless look-as if to say, "I have no idea what's going on either."

"To think it's gotten that bad..."

Zhongli was shocked when he heard this.

The Seven had their own territories and rarely interfered in each other's domains.

Zhongli had heard whispers about Sumeru from merchants and minor scholars visiting Liyue, but nothing close to what Wendy had just described. The most he'd known was that the Dendro Archon had withdrawn from public life and let the Akademiya govern in her place. That wasn't unheard of; not every Archon ruled directly.

But now he realized-those merchants and scholars had only seen the surface. It was doubtful even the Sages understood just how deep the rot ran.

"Voluntary isolation? Five hundred years with no public appearance... can she still maintain her divine power? Can she still uphold overseeing Irminsul?"

Zhongli's expression darkened.

He had no right to meddle in another nation's affairs. But the Seven Archons has absolute rights to care about the World Tree.

"This is difficult. If I do nothing, I won't be able to rest easy-Sumeru's collapse would hit Liyue first. But if I go in directly, it could be seen as aggression... and that violates the balance the Seven agreed upon. What should I do...?"

Zhongli sipped his tea, deep in thought.

Then his eyes fell once more on the young Archon across from him-gazing curiously down at Liyue Harbor, full of youthful energy.

Suddenly, everything clicked.

"The World Tree is vital to the fate of Teyvat-even the Seven are affected by it. As Lord of Thousand Winds... do you have a name?"

"Beyana! The God of Struggle-Beyana! Of course, in this form, I prefer if you all call me Wendy~"

Wendy flashed a peace sign and grinned brightly.

Zhongli raised a brow. "God of Struggle?"

"Because freedom doesn't come out of nowhere. This world is full of chains that make life difficult. If you want freedom, you've got to fight for it. Just like Barbatos helped Mondstadt earn its freedom through resistance against tyrants. If you seek freedom through struggle, it lives. If you seek it through compromise, it dies. So I say no to all shackles that threaten Mondstadt's freedom. That's how I see it."

She crossed her arms in an "X" and puffed up her chest proudly.

Zhongli chuckled, then smiled in admiration.

"Barbatos chose to grant freedom. You choose to protect it. Thus, Barbatos is the God of Freedom, and you are the God of Struggle. That's good."

The Archons each represented one element, and their powers were inherited along that line, but the concept is not.

For example, The former Greater Lord Rukkhadevata ruled Sumeru with wisdom and compassion. The current Dendro Archon had seemingly retreated from the world. The previous Electro Archon cared deeply for her people; her successor pursued eternity.

Thus, while Mondstadt would always have the Anemo Archon, it would not always have a God of Freedom.

Wendy's philosophy wasn't an exact copy of Barbatos', but it is the inheritance and renewal of the concept of freedom.

As for Zhongli's original intentions, he also hopes that his next heir can agree with his philosophy and path towards Liyue. But it is not about copying his ideals, but about inheriting and even transcending it on their own basis.

"How fortunate Barbatos is, to have a successor all the Archons should envy."

He finished his tea in one long sip, then looked at Wendy with even softer, more appreciative eyes.

Wendy scratched her cheek sheepishly, a little bashful at the praise.

Zhongli smiled gently, "In that case, as the not-yet-official Anemo Archon... would you be willing to pay a visit to Sumeru, Wendy?"

"Huh?" Wendy blinked. Then her face lit up with surprise. "Sumeru? Why? That wasn't in my plans at all. I don't think the Dendro Archon likes Struggle. She's the guardian of the World Tree, after all-I wasn't planning on dragging her into anything. And if you're helping with Mondstadt, isn't that enough? Besides, the place sounds like a headache. I don't want to accidentally offend her and start some weird Archon feud or something..."

She shrank her neck a little "cowardly", looking both "hesitant" and *nervous".

Zhongli chuckled. He could understand her caution-after all, she was a newly born Archon, still unfamiliar with much of the world. Curiosity mixed with hesitation was only natural.

"I'll send another envoy with you, representing both Liyue and Mondstadt. The purpose is simply to check on the Dendro Archon's well-being, and inquire whether the World Tree needs any support. After all, it's been five centuries without contact. Given the tree's importance to all of Teyvat, it's only proper that we express our concern."

"But... Barbatos isn't even awake yet. I haven't even met him. Isn't it a bit much for me to represent Mondstadt?"

"It's fine. I've known Barbatos a long time-I understand his temperament. If it's for the sake of confirming the World Tree's condition, he'll allow it. And in return, until the day Barbatos awakens, should Mondstadt face any crisis-be it the Abyss Order or something else-you are always welcome to come to me."

---

Chapter 52: Wouldn't It Be Embarrassing Not to Give Something Back?

Zhongli hadn't lied.

He really did know Barbatos well, and he was certain that the Anemo Archon would have agreed to all this. In fact, knowing that lazy Archon, if he were awake, he'd probably be glad to have his successor run errands in his place.

Wendy's eyes lit up instantly. She slapped the table.

"I'm in!"

A bright and clever glint sparkled on the young Archon's face-like someone who'd just snagged a great deal.

To Zhongli, who had seen countless expressions in his long life, she looked adorably smug.

But he didn't actually think she was naïve. After all, her first instinct upon awakening had been to rally the winds and investigate Teyvat's state. When she discovered the Abyss Order's movements, she immediately coordinated with Dvalin and then headed to Liyue to request help.

All of this showed that the second Anemo Archon was intelligent, rational, and cared deeply for her nation.

The reason why she was cheerful and unguarded was most likely letting her guard down in front of a trusted elder. With the pressure of the Abyss momentarily lifted, her youthful side naturally showed through.

"Liyue is nice, isn't it?"

"Mmhm, very prosperous! The population density and overall vibe feel completely different from Mondstadt."

"So which do you prefer?"

"Mondstadt, of course. It just feels... more free and relaxed."

Wendy blinked her bright, innocent eyes as she answered.

Zhongli's expression didn't change. Whatever he thought internally, he simply said calmly:

"Then you should explore more. Liyue has many hidden charms-its true beauty can't be see at a glance."

"Alright, Grandpa~"

Wendy turned back toward Liyue Harbor, scanning the city with a curious look, her head tilting left and right as she took in the sights.

'Ooh, those legs are nice. That bear is adorable. Wow, what a tiny waist. Oh, that one's a bit flat, but her face is super cute. Liyue's amazing~~'

Zhongli watched her alternating between awe, interest, and dreamy grins, and he couldn't help but laugh softly to himself. He wondered which parts of Liyue had caught her attention.

Then his thoughts shifted.

'The second Anemo Archon is here on behalf of her nation, and this concerns the World Tree-a sensitive subject. Mondstadt has its heir. As for Liyue... the Qixing aren't suitable, and the younger Adepti are still too inexperienced. Looks like I'll need to pick someone from among the senior Adepti. But who?'

'It's been a while since we all gathered. And since this is such a rare and important visit, perhaps it's time to introduce everyone. After all, building closer ties between Liyue and Mondstadt can only be a good thing.'

Having made up his mind, Zhongli decided to take this opportunity to strengthen the bond between the two nations. After all, the Anemo Archon-especially one like Wendy, Lord of Thousand Winds-was someone well-connected and highly informed. Forming good relationships now would benefit Liyue in the long run.

Zhongli extended the invitation, and Wendy-who, on the surface, had come to cling to his coattails-readily agreed.

The two flew together to Jueyun Karst, landing atop Mt. Aozang.

At the summit, they arrived at a serene and beautiful place: crystal-clear springs flowed between misty peaks, the air full of immortal energy and poetic charm. It was none other than Cloud Retainer's domain.

There, waiting for them, were two birds and a deer, an elderly lady with kind eyes, and a young man whose sharp features barely softened even in familiar company. They'd clearly been summoned in advance by Zhongli-and a feast of delicacies and fine wine had already been prepared.

These were the Adepti who still remained active in Liyue-the ones who, aside from Zhongli himself, best represented the nation.

Seeing their familiar faces, Zhongli felt a rare moment of warmth stir in his heart.

He stepped forward, ready to formally introduce Wendy to everyone.

But before he could speak, the little Archon marched straight past him, cheerfully holding out her gift box and smiling from ear to ear.

"Hi hi! I'm Beyana, the newly born Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. Just call me Wendy~ And who's this elegant birdy?"

"Hm? Birdy? I'm a crane! I am Cloud Retainer. But since you're a visiting Archon, I welcome you to Mt. Aozang with the highest honor. Oh, and you brought a gift? So very thoughtful, so very thoughtful indeed."

"Hi hi, I'm Wendy! And this deer spirit is...?"

"Moon Carver..."

"Nice to meet you!"

"Mountain Shaper..."

"Pleased to meet you!"

"Streetward Rambler..."

"And... Xiao!"

Zhongli: "..."

Apparently, the second Anemo Archon was quite the social butterfly.

Then again, that wasn't surprising-Barbatos was also famously outgoing and chatty. Social networking was kind of his thing.

And so, before Zhongli could even get a word in, Wendy had already broken the Cryo. The Adepti were soon chatting with her as if she were a longtime friend.

A short while later, everyone was seated.

But the Adepti had gathered off to the side, exchanging meaningful glances as Cloud Retainer subtly gave them all a look.

[Did any of you bring some kind of Adepti artifact or treasure with you?]

[What for?]

[Are you really this clueless or just pretending? This is Mondstadt's new Anemo Archon-do you realize what that means? She's the successor to Barbatos, soon to ascend as the next Anemo Archon. That makes her one of the most exalted beings in the mortal world. Even we should be addressing her as 'Your Highness.']

[...True. Then what?]

[And she came here personally to pay her respects to the Geo Archon, bringing thoughtful gifts-premium dried fruit, smoked meats, fine wine-all high-quality Mondstadt specialties. She's shown us such courtesy. As Liyue's Adepti, are we just going to sit here empty-handed? Have we no shame?]

[...Fair enough.]

The Adepti glanced around at each other and slowly began nodding.

Her identity was clear-nearly on par with Zhongli himself.

And she'd come all the way from Mondstadt to honor him, giving Liyue immense face. If they didn't reciprocate, they'd be the ones looking petty and unrefined.

After finishing their immortal small talk, the Adepti returned to the table and began offering gifts, one after another:

"This is a mechanical bird I built during my free time. It can ride the wind and sync with elemental energy, letting you see everything it sees from the sky. With your divine power, I imagine you could soar across a hundred miles with ease. It's a little gadget-just for fun. I hope Your Highness doesn't mind accepting it."

"This is a Returning Vitality Pill, an elixir I recently concocted. It restores life force, boosts vitality, cures poisons, and heals wounds. Perhaps of little use to a god-but should you spend time among mortals, it might come in handy. Please, take it."

"This is a teapot realm..."

"This is a flying sword..."

One by one, the Adepti presented their gifts.

Finally, only Xiao remained.

Stiff as ever, he stood silently for a long time, fumbling around awkwardly before pulling out a dark-colored jade flute.

"...I don't have much. This was something I came across during a demon hunt. Please don't find it too humble."

"A musical instrument? Can I try it?"

To everyone's surprise, Wendy's eyes lit up in delight.

🎵~

A soft, graceful melody danced through the air, ringing clearly before gently fading away.

Wendy's eyes sparkled.

"The color may be dull, but the sound is pure and elegant-what a beautiful instrument!"

"...Glad you like it."

Xiao let out a quiet breath and managed to produce a very stiff, but sincere smile.

But at that moment, the most awkward person wasn't Xiao.

It was Zhongli, now stroking his chin in deep thought.

Everyone else gave a gift.

He hadn't.

Was that... bad?

---

Chapter 53: You Gonna Just Sit There and Not Give a Gift? Seriously?

Zhongli thought for a moment, patted himself down... and realized he didn't even have a single Mora on him.

After another pause, he casually raised his hand and tapped the table.

A golden talisman shimmered into existence beside Wendy's hand.

"This is a 'Talisman of No Taboo.' Please, take it."

"Wow! Thanks, Grandpa~" Wendy beamed.

The Adepti: "..." ×5

[Do you guys think Rex Lapis came in a rush and forgot to bring anything valuable in this incarnation?]

Cloud Retainer muttered through a private Adepti channel.

They, of course, knew exactly what the Talisman of No Taboo was. While most mortals might be in the dark, the Adepti certainly weren't.

To put it bluntly, it was just a token infused with a tiny trace of Zhongli's divine energy. Sure, maybe if you collected a few thousand of them you could squeeze out a real spark of Geo power, but essentially was basically useless.

Its only function: when a mortal presented it to an Adeptus, the Adeptus-out of respect for the Geo Archon's presence within-would at least hear them out and maybe help a little, depending on the circumstances. That's it.

But Wendy? She was no mortal. She was the newly-born Anemo Archon of Mondstadt-the successor to Barbatos himself. She didn't need some random token to ask the Adepti for a meeting or to discuss important matters.

Giving her this... was basically like handing over a shiny piece of paper.

[She's still young and doesn't know any better. She thinks it's some kind of exclusive gift from Rex Lapis himself. Looks really happy about it too. But if Barbatos hears about this, isn't he gonna mock Liyue for tricking a kid?]

[Cloud Retainer, this is your domain. Got anything stashed that you could quietly pass to the Emperor? Maybe he can slip it over later.]

[Good idea, I'll look.]

Suddenly-

[Ahem. Gifts are about the sentiment, not their material worth. The Talisman of No Taboo represents my personal promise, not some thoughtless token. You're reading too much into it.]

[...] ×N

They almost forgot that the Geo Archon was also the originator of Adepti arts.

He could hear everything.

But it's enough to deceive others, but it's boring to deceive even your allies.

All the Adepti glanced at Zhongli, who stared back, utterly calm and unbothered.

What could they do?

Then the Adepti had nothing to say.

Okay, whatever Rex Lapis says is what Rex Lapis wants it to be.

Everyone took their seats.

It was a rare occasion-Zhongli gathering the Adepti once more. The only external guest present was a fellow divine heir, the crown princess of Mondstadt herself. Status-wise, she fit right in.

And so, the mood soon turned festive. Cups clinked, laughter echoed, and the mountain air warmed with pleasant chatter.

"That said, Emperor... you rarely summon us like this. Besides entertaining Lady Wendy, is there something more serious to discuss?"

"Yes, in fact..."

Midway through the feast, one of the Adepti casually brought it up, and Zhongli took the opportunity to explain his plan about visiting Sumeru.

He didn't go into detail about the World Tree-not even to Wendy, let alone the Adepti.

The only information he revealed was: the Dendro Archon guards the World Tree, and the tree is tied to all life in Teyvat.

At the Adepti's level, they'd more or less heard of this. But that's about all they knew.

"The Dendro Archon's in seclusion, Sumeru's in chaos, and the World Tree's status is unknown... no wonder Emperor has summoned us. If something were to go wrong, this could lead to an unprecedented calamity. Liyue must pay attention."

The Adepti quickly grasped Zhongli's meaning: he was asking them to decide who would accompany Wendy on this journey.

They exchanged looks. Then-

Xiao shook his head first.

"I bear karmic burdens and must protect Liyue's lands. I cannot be away for long."

"This old woman has lived long among mortals... I too..." muttered Streetward Rambler-now known as Granny Ping.

The remaining three Adepti hesitated.

Then Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper turned and stared at Cloud Retainer.

Cloud Retainer blinked, momentarily stunned.

She lifted her wings and flapped them a little in protest.

"Why are you both looking at me? Especially you, Moon Carver-you're Rex Lapis's own disciple! If anyone's qualified to accompany Lady Wendy, it's you!"

"Cloud Retainer, you're mistaken. Among us, there's no such thing as seniority. We're equals. What matters is who's most suitable for the task. And you, dear Cloud Retainer, are the most skilled when it comes to communication."

"Excuse me?! What kind of logic is that? Yes, I've put effort into mastering the art of small talk-for the sake of my disciples. And yes, I've made some progress. But that doesn't mean I'm some natural diplomat. In fact, I'd argue I'm... not good with words at all."

Cloud Retainer flapped her wings in passionate denial.

But the deer and bird duo just gave each other a look and shook their heads in unison.

"We are even less suited for this than you are. Honestly, you're the best speaker among us, Cloud Retainer."

"...If we're picking the tallest among short people, I suppose that's fair."

She folded her wings, solemnly nodding her bird head.

Cloud Retainer truly did believe she wasn't a great conversationalist-but compared to these old-timers? Yeah, she probably was the most sociable one here.

After scanning her fellow Adepti and glancing toward Rex Lapis and Wendy, she sighed and nodded.

"Very well. If that's the case, then I shall take on the duty and serve as Liyue's envoy. Emperor, do you approve?"

She wasn't thrilled-after all, she'd been cooped up on this mountain for a long time. Suddenly going out to represent the nation, especially on foreign soil, was... daunting. But if Zhongli asked, and the safety of Teyvat was on the line, she couldn't just refuse.

Zhongli gave her a gentle nod.

"Cloud Retainer-it is settled. Wendy, what do you think?"

"Mmph... huh? You're asking me?"

Wendy looked up, cheeks puffed full of food, and blinked at the group with a dazed, innocent expression.

It's not her fault. She has been sleeping in the open for a long time and finally has a hot meal. Of course, she has to eat scrumptiously.

She swallowed with a gulp and reached out to shake Cloud Retainer's wing.

"Cloud Retainer, I look forward to working with you!"

"The pleasure is mine. This is a matter of great importance-Liyue and Mondstadt will face it together. We'll support each other."

"Great! Now, shall we eat more? There's tons left!"

"Naturally-one must be full and content to face the road ahead. Please, Lady Wendy, help yourself."

One god and one Adeptus sat side by side.

Cloud Retainer was a renowned foodie, and Wendy was a cooking expert in her own right. The two quickly found common ground and launched into a deep conversation about food-rambling on like old friends reuniting after years apart. No one else could get a word in.

Zhongli watched the scene, smiling and nodding to himself, pleased that the young Wind Archon was bonding so well with Liyue's immortals.

But then his gaze drifted toward Xiao-who sat quietly, his expression as cold and still as ever.

Zhongli sighed inwardly.

As the banquet came to a close, Zhongli spoke again:

"Wendy. Barbatos once used music to soothe emotions and suppress corruption. As the new Anemo Archon... do you have similar abilities?"

"Hm? Oh, I think I'm decent at it. I recently helped Dvalin suppress some of his poisoned blood. Worked pretty well!"

"Then-would you do me a favor?"

Zhongli smiled and pointed toward Xiao.

Xiao blinked in surprise.

"Emperor, I..."

"It's fine. Just give it a try."

Zhongli's tone was casual and calm. But to the Adepti, it was clear-this was the Geo Archon offering a favor on behalf of Xiao.

No one objected. As the last remaining yaksha, everyone knew the burdens Xiao carried. If anyone deserved a divine favor, it was him.

Wendy smiled, focused her energy, and brought the jade flute-Xiao's earlier gift-to her lips.

🎵~

A serene and graceful melody floated through the air, rising with the wind at dusk and settling gently into the hearts of all who listened.

Xiao quietly closed his eyes.

Dark energy rose faintly from his body. But bathed in Wendy's music and the soft wind surrounding it, his expression remained calm-for once, even his lips tugged upward in the barest hint of a smile.

The Adepti were quietly astonished-not only by Wendy's mastery of music, but the subtle divine power woven into her song. Though young, she already possessed a Anemo Archon's level of control and finesse.

The song drifted across the mountain as the sun set and the moon rose.

Eventually, the guests dispersed.

Wendy and Cloud Retainer set off together-flying toward Sumeru.

...

Some time later, beneath the moonlight, a graceful figure walked silently up the mountain path.

Shenhe had returned from her training in the mountains. But her master, the familiar bird-shaped Adeptus, was nowhere in sight.

She entered the dwelling-completely empty.

Stepping back outside, she caught a faint scent on the breeze: fine wine and exquisite food.

She stood still for a moment, utterly confused.

"Master...?"

The moonlight shimmered gently over the mountain, as Shenhe tilted her head in quiet bewilderment.

---

Chapter 54: Morax Summons the Gods

"The formal letter of visitation is ready. The question now is-do we deliver it directly to the Dendro Archon, or do we send it to the Akademiya?"

On a mountain near the border of Sumeru, Wendy held a letter imbued with the divine seals of Anemo and Geo, gazing toward Zhongli, who had come to see them off.

As the initiator of this diplomatic mission and the most venerable god among the two nations involved, Zhongli would determine the exact method of delivery. After all, this was a rare meeting under the name of the gods-a misstep could not be afforded.

And who the letter was delivered to would define the nature of this mission: Was it official diplomacy, or merely an informal exchange between gods?

Zhongli pondered.

"Under normal circumstances, this would be handled via formal diplomacy between the three nations. The letter would be submitted to the Akademiya's upper echelons, who would then inform the Archon and arrange her reception. However... the relationship between the Dendro Archon and the Akademiya is, as you know, complicated. We may not be able to follow convention."

"Exactly my thought." Wendy nodded, speaking with clear reasoning.​

"A regime that would imprison a god, and a god who would allow herself to be imprisoned... clearly, there's a lot going on behind the scenes. Since our goal is to confirm the state of the World Tree, the less we entangle ourselves in Sumeru's domestic politics, the better. Going straight to the Dendro Archon is cleaner."

Beside them, Cloud Retainer flapped her wings in agitation, whipping up a gust of wind.

"Hmph! Imprisoning a god-what utter heresy! I say we should march into the Akademiya and see if they even respect the authority of the Seven!"

Liyue's people were all devout followers of the Geo Archon-and the Adepti were his most loyal and ancient adherents. Even though this hadn't happened in their own land, the very notion of imprisoning a god made Cloud Retainer's blood pressure spike.

Zhongli calmly shook his head.

"Cloud Retainer, ultimately this is Sumeru's internal matter. We do not have the right to act without the Dendro Archon's consent. However-if it turns out that she has allowed this by her own will, or if she has truly become entangled in a deeper scheme and is unable to fulfill her duty to the World Tree... then that would be another matter."

If it came to that, there might be no choice but to summon the other Archons, rally in Sumeru, and confront both the Archon and the Akademiya about whether they had abandoned their divine duty.

In the most extreme case... replacing the Dendro Archon, or even replacing Sumeru's Leadership, was not off the table. They wouldn't even need Celestia's approval-within the balance of the Seven, the Archons had the authority to make such a move.

Cloud Retainer reluctantly reined in her temper.

"...Very well. If Rex Lapis says so."

"Cloud Retainer," Zhongli added with a gentle smile, "when meeting the Dendro Archon, you must not be quick to offense. In this regard, you might learn a thing or two from Wendy-she is far more measured than you."

He recalled Wendy's earlier reluctance to even set foot in Sumeru. This was perfectly reasonable approach for a god dealing with another nation's internal matters.

"In that case," Zhongli concluded, "let us treat this as a private meeting between a god and their entourage. I'll have the letter delivered directly to the Sanctuary of Surasthana-where the Dendro Archon resides."

Wendy lifted the letter with both hands. The wind caught it and carried it far into the distance, toward Nahida's sanctuary.

After a short wait, Wendy said, "It's delivered. Now we wait for her reply."

"Mm," Zhongli nodded, "the proper courtesy has been shown. Hopefully, she'll be willing to speak."

He sighed.

The spread of the Withering, the circulation of forbidden knowledge, the unrest among the Archon's followers... it was all far too troubling. It was becoming harder and harder not to suspect something was seriously wrong with both the Dendro Archon and the World Tree.

Zhongli didn't want to interfere in another god's rule, but if the World Tree was truly in jeopardy...

Even as one of the strongest Archons, he was still bound by the Seven's principle of mutual non-interference-or at least, he chose to be bound by it. Unlike Tsaritsa, who twisted this principle to suppress other nations, Zhongli believed in maintaining harmony.

Still, if push came to shove, Geo could crush Cryo. And the same could be said for any of the other nations.

The three stood atop the mountain, watching the horizon as the sun slowly rose.

But as time passed, their expressions grew increasingly grim.

"She never responded," Wendy murmured, her voice uneasy. She looked up at Zhongli, nervous.

And Zhongli... could sense it too. The divine energy tied to the letter had received no response. Not even a flicker of acknowledgment.

His expression darkened.

...

At that moment, inside the Sanctuary of Surasthana...

Nahida stared blankly at the letter hovering before her, anxiety building as she practically scratched her scalp raw.

"What do I do? What do I do?!"

The Akademiya had locked her inside a device originally created by the late Greater Lord Rukkhadevata-one meant to block all external interference for the sake of meditative focus.

Now it was being used to imprison a god.​ A divine prison built with divine tech.

To make matters worse, the Akademiya had been siphoning power from her Gnosis for years, steadily weakening her. She was now truly unable to leave.

It wasn't total captivity-her consciousness could still move freely through the Akasha, allowing her to communicate with the people of Sumeru. In theory, she could even use this ability to overthrow the Akademiya and reclaim her power.

But... she didn't see the point.

Sumeru seemed to do just fine without her. So she told herself she didn't mind. That her presence didn't really matter.

But now, here was a letter-a divine letter, glowing with the unmistakable signatures of Anemo and Geo.

The presence of both Wendy and Zhongli.

The second Anemo Archon and the Geo Archon himself.

This had to be important. She knew that.

And yet... she couldn't even touch the letter.

She couldn't even extend her divine energy to brush against it. Even trying to possess a nearby guard and have them pick it up failed-blocked by layers of physical wards placed by the Akademiya to prevent exactly that.

"This is a message from two of the oldest original Archons... it must be about something incredibly serious! What do I do?!"

Nahida tried everything, but the letter simply remained floating there-unreachable.

For the first time, she felt the full weight of her own indecision.

She had let the Akademiya go too far. She had waited too long to remove her chains. She was reluctant to make up her mind, but now everything was in a mess.

...

Back at the border of Liyue and Sumeru, Zhongli's aura suddenly became terrifying.

"Even if she had no intention of speaking with us, our combined divine signatures are the will of Geo and Anemo. She would at least acknowledge our presence. The delay in movement can only prove one thing."

Wendy, looking pale, softly completed his sentence:

"...The Dendro Archon. Something's happened to her."

Even Cloud Retainer was visibly rattled.

A god. In trouble.

That was no small matter. It immediately brought to mind the disaster five hundred years ago.

The implications were terrifying.

"I'm unfamiliar with most of the second-generation Archons," Zhongli said gravely.​ "Barbatos... each time he wakes now, it takes more from his fading life. For now, Wendy, you'll speak on his behalf. As long as you and I don't expose it, most won't realize the difference unless it comes to war."

"I'll contact the Electro Archon next. Three Archons will enter Sumeru together-we'll see for ourselves what's become of the Dendro Archon and the World Tree."

He raised his hand, and a magnificent golden stone spear shot into the sky, flying straight toward Inazuma.

This was no overreaction.

The World Tree wasn't just some fancy mystical plant-it was the foundation of all ley lines, the archive of all wisdom and memory in Teyvat. A single drop of corruption could lead to a repeat of the calamity from five centuries past.

Worse than that, it could trigger the complete collapse of Teyvat itself.

Even gods could fall if the World Tree were to truly fail.

And who was its guardian?

The Dendro Archon.

Her disappearance or incapacitation meant only one thing: the World Tree was in danger.

There was no way Zhongli could remain calm.

Wendy: "???"

---

Chapter 55: I Found Lady Kitsune Saigū

Inazuma, Tenshukaku.

Raiden Ei read the reports stating the grain supply ships were about to return. With famine no longer pressing, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. But then, her gaze shifted to the report on the rebellion at Watatsumi Island.

Previously, the Tenryou Commission had deliberately downplayed the incident, describing it as a small-scale unrest easily suppressed. Naturally, Ei had let them handle it. After all, if even the tiniest matter required a god's intervention, then what was the point of the Three Commissions?

But now, seeing the full truth of the situation-and with the food crisis temporarily under control-Raiden Ei decided it was time to act decisively.

She would go to Watatsumi Island herself today and ask that self-proclaimed "Living God Priestess" one simple question:​ Would she cooperate to help rebuild Inazuma-or be served up as fresh sashimi?

When the Raiden Shogun moved, there were no problems in Inazuma too difficult to solve.

Then, suddenly, her expression darkened. Her eyes lifted toward the sky.

"BOOM!!!"

A golden stone spear fell from the heavens, slamming directly into the courtyard before the gates of Tenshukaku.

"Ah! What was that?!"​

"Is this an attack on Tenshukaku?!"​

"An assassination attempt on the Shogun! Seal the area!"​

"Silence!"

Panic broke out across the palace.

Raiden Ei appeared at the entrance in an instant, face cold and calm. Just one word from her quieted the chaos.

She raised a hand and easily lifted the enormous spear that no ordinary mortal could hope to move.

What's going on?

Given Inazuma's recent situation, she half-wondered:​

Had Inazuma's isolationism somehow caused serious trouble for Liyue? Was this Zhongli expressing his dissatisfaction?

But when she turned the spear and saw the single line of text carved into the shaft, her face turned grim.

[The Dendro Archon is in trouble. The World Tree may be at risk. Come immediately.]

"Fwoosh!"

"BOOM!!!"

Raiden Ei became a thunderous bolt of lightning, crashing down directly into the grand Sangonomiya Shrine, shattering its resplendent coral towers in an instant.

"You-come with me. Or should I go find a new 'Living God Priestess'?"

"Ah! I-I greet the Almighty Narukami Ogosho! I shall serve you loyally!"

And with that, she snatched up the terrified five-star ornamental fish and turned back into a raging thunder dragon, streaking across the sea and returning to Inazuma City.

By the time she arrived, Kaguya, Kamisato Ayato, and the temporary leadership of the Three Commissions were all assembled.

She unceremoniously tossed the priestess into a seat.

"Where's the Guuji?"

"The Grand Narukami Shrine maiden says she's... currently unavailable-"

"I'll go get her."

"Farewell, Shogun!"

She came and went like a storm, leaving only silence behind.

Now, only the famed sage Kaguya-who had changed the fate of Inazuma-and the newly promoted officials of the Three Commissions remained. The lone Watatsumi priestess now found herself under many complex, meaningful gazes.

"QAQ..."

Kokomi was on the verge of tears. Really.

She had just heard the Shogun had left Tenshukaku, had seen the stormy sky clear, and watched Inazuma's official grain fleet sail.

So, she had already begun to withdraw military forces, trying to suppress the extremists calling for a last stand, and was preparing to lead a formal surrender and vassalage ceremony within the next couple of days.

But clearly, she had miscalculated.

Hadn't they said the Shogun was still busy tending to the people and resolving domestic crises? That should've bought her time-time to tidy things up, to minimize the consequences of surrender, to protect her people!

Had she known the Shogun would move this fast, she would've crawled over alone and kissed her boots days ago!

But she was too late.

And that changed everything.

Now, Kokomi could only tremble under their gazes-until she noticed the legendary Lady Kaguya, the sage of Inazuma, looking at her not with scorn, but with calm, steady eyes.

In return, Kokomi forced a trembling, terrified, awkward smile in her direction.

....

Raiden Ei tore through the skies to a tainted sealing ground, where the branches of the Sacred Sakura Tree suppressed an ancient corruption.

There, Yae Miko was working frantically, heedless of danger, surrounded by heavy miasma. Even her usually immaculate hair and tails were messy and frayed.

"Miko?"

"Go away. I'm busy!"

"Miko, listen, I-"

"I said I'm busy!"

Miko turned around, and Ei froze.

From her ever-playful friend's eyes, she saw tear-stained cheeks.

"Miko..."

Ei hesitated, uncertain, then followed instinct-stepping forward to gently hug her little fox.

After so long... to once again feel the warmth of her "wooden dummy,"​

Yae Miko seemed to completely collapse in her arms.

She slumped against Ei, all her strength gone.

Ei immediately blinked them away to fresh air, to somewhere clean and untainted.

"Miko, what were you doing? You've barely said a word these days. What's going on?"

"...I found Lady Kitsune Saigū."

"What?!"

That shattered Raiden Ei's composure.

Yae Miko leaned into her friend's embrace, exhaustion clouding her face.

"I didn't want to get my hopes up, but while investigating... I saw her. Just once. After that, she kept hiding from me. No matter how I searched, she never showed herself again.​ But I know-I absolutely know-it was her. I could never mistake her."

Yae Miko and Saigū were both of the white kitsune lineage.

To Miko, Saigū was not just a mentor, a senior, a maternal figure-she was family.

As a young fox, Miko's greatest joy was to climb all over Saigū, Ei, and Makoto, curling her tail around their necks for warmth, making them all laugh.

Those were the most carefree, happiest days of her life.

And the love of small creatures is always the purest and most unwavering.

So when Miko said it was Saigū-Ei believed her, without question.

"First it was Sister... and now Saigū... Does this mean-?"

"Yes. My earlier theory may be true. Maybe Inazuma's been blessed...​ Maybe there's something special about the leylines, the Sacred Sakura... or the calamity five hundred years ago.​ Whatever the case, it seems traces of those we've lost may still remain within the land itself."

"But... why would Saigū avoid you?"

"Only two reasons."​ Miko's eyes darkened.

"Either she's like Makoto now-drifting in the leylines, with most of her memories washed away, and doesn't remember me. Or... the heartless woman remembers everything, but has already given up on coming back. She's hiding from me, just so I won't be disappointed again! That bastard. They're all bastards!"

She pounded her fists against Raiden Ei's chest.

It was soft, so she bounced back a little.

But no one was focused on that little moment of softness. Ei only looked down at Miko with a gaze full of pain.

Miko was unraveling.

"Saigū... Makoto... even you... You all just leave when you feel like it. You vanish and never come back. You're all noble and self-sacrificing, but what about me?! Why do I have to be the one left behind, guarding the Sacred Sakura alone? Did any of you ever think about how I felt? Am I not allowed to have anything for myself? Do I always have to lose everything? Am I meant to be alone... forever?!"

Yae Miko trembled in her arms.

After chasing a glimmer of hope so desperately, only to have it avoid her again and again-her emotions finally crumbled.

---

Chapter 56: Dendro Archon - Did It Really Have to Come to This?

"Miko..."

Her best friend was sobbing uncontrollably in her arms, her body trembling violently with each breath. Raiden Ei's eyes flickered with guilt. Her long silence and detachment over the past years weighed heavily on her heart. And imagining what Miko had endured during that time pierced her like a blade.

Still, Yae Miko didn't cry for long. After wiping her eyes, she straightened herself out of Ei's embrace. While smoothing her hair and brushing down her tails, she spoke calmly:

"Five hundred years have already passed-what's a little longer? If she insists on hiding from me, I'll just find another way. Once I'm ready, I'll drag her out if I have to! Now, tell me-what happened on your end? For you to come running to me like this, it must be serious."

Raiden Ei hesitated for a moment, then said:

"...Morax sent a message. Something has happened to the World Tree. He's invited me to Sumeru to investigate."

"What!?"

Miko froze, mid-motion.

Then, her expression shifted into pure, visceral fear.

"Five hundred years... five hundred years ago..."

"Miko! Calm down!"

"How do you expect me to stay calm?! Don't tell me you're going to-"

"Miko!"

Raiden Ei gripped her shoulders tightly, staring directly into her eyes.

After a long pause, Miko took a deep breath and regained her composure.

"Sorry. The news about Lady Saigū threw me off balance."

"Listen to me," Ei said seriously. "First, Celestia hasn't made a move. Second, this is just an invitation from Morax-not a gathering of all seven Archons. I suspect it'll just be me, him, and the new Anemo Archon heading into Sumeru to confirm the situation, maybe assist the Dendro Archon a little, nothing more. It won't be anything like the disaster from five hundred years ago. You can rest easy."

Miko bit her lip.

"...That's exactly what Lady Saigū told me before she left."

"Miko, I-"

Raiden Ei fumbled, unsure how to console her. But Miko simply raised her hand and gently pressed a finger to Ei's lips. Then, with a sigh, she flashed her usual mischievous, carefree smile:

"Enough. Expecting you to say something comforting is a lost cause. I get it. Don't worry, just go. I'll stay at Tenshukaku and hold the fort for you.​ As for Lady Saigū... like I said, five hundred years have passed already-a little longer won't make a difference. I'll wait."

She lifted her hand. The Electro Archon's Gnosis hovered in her palm before she closed her fingers around it tightly.

It had been in her care for a long time now. A testament to Ei's unwavering trust-though it was often inconvenient, Miko had always cherished it deeply.

Ei's heart softened. She reached out and held Miko's small hand.

"I promise you-I'll come back as soon as I can. Then we'll go drag Saigū out together. If we have to tear open half the ley lines, she won't be able to hide."

Her tone was fierce and full of determination.

Saigū was alive. That single truth alone was a joy too great for words.

And if Saigū could still exist within the ley lines... then Kaguya might really be Raiden Makoto. The likelihood had soared to new heights.

Looking at Miko now, Ei felt a new surge of strength and clarity.​ Right now, there was nothing she couldn't cut through.

No one-nothing-would stop her from reclaiming what she had lost.

...

Back at Tenshukaku, Raiden Ei summoned the high officials of the Three Commissions.

"Morax has invited me to a divine summit. During my absence, Guuji Yae Miko shall act with my full authority. I hereby appoint Kaguya of Mount Penglai as Inazuma's Grand Advisor, overseeing all military and political affairs.​ The Three Commissions shall obey the Guuji and the Grand Advisor in all matters-for the sake of Inazuma and its people."

"Let the Eternal Thunder reign!" ×N

There was nothing more to say.

With Raiden Ei's will made clear, and her eyes finally open and watching over Inazuma, the Three Commissions would not dare defy her.

Then she transformed into a streak of lightning-and shot into the sky.

...

'She seemed so calm and composed during the discussion, but when something happens... she's like a bolt of thunder.'​

At the border of Liyue and Sumeru, Wendy couldn't help but feel a little flustered.

She was nervous, but not panicking.

Nervous because she didn't know what exactly the World Tree had recorded, nor how much the Dendro Archon knew.

And now that Zhongli had taken the Dendro Archon's silence as proof of the World Tree's instability, things had escalated to the highest possible level.

But she wasn't panicking-because now that Zhongli was all serious, Wendy had taken the chance to deploy her Thousand Winds throughout Sumeru.

Some of her Corruption-powered avatars were already crawling toward the World Tree, infiltrating it in secret.

Yes, there were risks-but manageable ones.

Given how deep Teyvat's mysteries went, Angel was pretty confident she could infiltrate the World Tree without being detected.​ And once she seized control of it, then even if the Dendro Archon did know something-she could spin it however she wanted.

'Ugh, and I had everything planned so carefully. One step at a time, all neat and tidy... now it's all scrambled again.'

She grumbled internally. But when Zhongli looked her way, she put on a slight show of unease and muttered softly:

"So... we're just barging in like this? What if the Dendro Archon takes offense? What if she holds a grudge later? The World Tree really is important though... Ugh, Barbatos, where are you?! Wake up and do your job-this is too much for me..."

"There's no need to be alarmed," Zhongli replied calmly. "We are here only to ensure the World Tree is safe, not to disrespect the Archon.​ Besides-with the three of us here, should the Dendro Archon be displeased, I will bear the responsibility."

His tone was steady, his Geo energy resonating deep and strong.

Wendy had to admit-it made her feel oddly reassured.

'No wonder Barbatos used to hang around Morax all the time... Reliable, strong, righteous... what a fine old man to have on your side. No wonder he stuck like a glue to him. It's really Barbatos' style.'

They didn't have to wait long.

The Raiden Shogun was one of the fastest deities in the world.

The spear had been fired at dawn-by early afternoon, lightning thundered through the skies. Ei descended like a dragon of storm and fury, landing heavily on the mountain peak.

Zhongli looked at her, eyes soft with recognition-and a hint of surprise.

"Raiden Shogun. It has been a long time. You've grown stronger."

"You flatter me, Lord Morax."

Ei bowed slightly in respect.

As the oldest of the Archons, Morax's reputation was unparalleled.

Liyue had endured the bloodiest battles of the Archon War. Its land had been drenched in the blood and resentment of fallen gods.​ Morax had emerged victorious from them all-the true Warlord of Teyvat.

Even Raiden Makoto had held great respect for him. Among the original Seven, Morax was the unspoken first among equals.

Naturally, Ei wouldn't put on any airs before him.

Then her gaze turned toward Wendy, and she paused in surprise.

"Barbatos, he...?"

"Still asleep," Wendy said quickly, covering her face. "Haven't even met him yet."

She stepped forward and offered a cheerful handshake.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Beyana, the new Anemo Archon of Mondstadt-but you can call me Wendy."

"I am Raiden Shogun, Baal-pleasure to meet you."

As Ei looked at Wendy's playful smile and childlike charm, her heart stirred.

If she'd met Wendy earlier, perhaps she would have been even more determined in her pursuit of Eternity.​

If even Barbatos had succumbed to time, didn't that validate her beliefs?

But then... Kaguya appeared. If she really was Makoto... everything Ei thought she understood had been thrown into doubt.​ And now Saigū was alive too.

No matter how tightly she clung to Eternity, if the World Tree itself were corrupted, all would be lost regardless.

All these realizations layered upon each other, shaking her once-unshakable resolve.

That pure, absolute conviction toward Eternity... suddenly felt distant.

"Baal?" Zhongli called gently.

"...I'm fine, Morax." She steadied herself. "About Inazuma's isolationist policy and the harm it may have caused to your two nations-I offer my sincere apologies.​ Now, let us depart. The matter of the World Tree brooks no delay."

"Very well." Zhongli nodded.

And Wendy, in her "I'm just here for vibes" way, eagerly nodded along like a little bird.

...

Sumeru City. The Sanctuary of Surasthana.

Nahida had finally had enough.

She forcefully seized control of a high-ranking Sage, using them to unlock layer after layer of security, until she stood before the ancient machine once created by the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"Huff! Hurry, hurry!"

For the first time in five hundred years, she stepped out-barefoot-into the world beyond her cage.

She didn't savor the freedom, didn't even glance at the fallen Sage behind her.

She rushed forward, grabbing the two-god envoy letter, trying to input her own Dendro energy-to reply.

Then she looked up-her eyes widened.

And tears came pouring down.

BOOM!

Furious winds, roaring thunder, and an overwhelming pressure swallowed the sky.

Teal wind, violet lightning, golden stone-three godly auras spread across the heavens, enveloping Sumeru City from every direction.

From the Grand Sage to a child on the street, all fell to their knees, shaking in awe and fear.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali. Show yourself."

The voice was everywhere-though no god could be seen.

It echoed through the ground, the stones, the very soul of the city. A voice of divine decree.

Above, the golden, violet, and teal lights painted the sky.

Divine power washed over the land in wave after wave. It did no harm-but the sheer weight of it crushed hearts, forcing all to kneel.

In the Sanctuary, Nahida clutched the envoy letter in trembling hands.

Pearl-like tears rolled down her cheeks.

"It didn't have to come to this... it didn't have to..."

Something was really going to happen!

---

Chapter 57: Nahida, Timid and Trembling

"What do I do, what do I do!? Even the Raiden Shogun's here?! Why??"

Nahida was completely at a loss.

Still, she had at least one guess-if these three ancient and powerful Archons had come together, it could only mean one thing: the World Tree.

No matter what the reason, even if it was just to ease the growing fear among the people of Sumeru, Nahida gathered all the strength she had left and released her divine power.

A soft, lush green glow rose from the Sanctuary of Surasthana, imbued with a life-giving energy that brought calm and comfort. The green light lit up a portion of the sky, standing tall alongside the colors of the other three gods. At least... it looked like she was holding her own.

"It's the Little Lucky Kusanali!"

"The Dendro Archon! Our god has come!"

"We're saved! She's here-we're going to be okay!"

The people of Sumeru, who had for centuries nearly forgotten their own god under the influence of the Akademiya, suddenly felt the security of divine protection.

In a world governed by the gods, even a single moment of divine presence could shatter centuries of mortal propaganda.

But the gods themselves weren't focused on the citizens right now.

Zhongli and Raiden Ei both frowned deeply.

"She's too weak."​

"How can the guardian of the World Tree have such feeble divine power?"

Their suspicions about the World Tree's dire condition grew heavier.

Still, the Dendro Archon had at least responded-she was here, which meant things hadn't completely fallen into ruin yet.

The three gods descended in radiant light to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

The gold, violet, and teal lights in the sky slowly faded, revealing the blue sky once more. But the divine pressure remained, blanketing the entire city in an oppressive weight.

Most of the people of Sumeru could only cling to prayers, begging for the protection of a god they barely remembered. Visitors from Liyue, Mondstadt, and Inazuma looked confused but weren't overly anxious. After all, these were their gods-as long as they prayed and waited, all would be well.

As for outsiders-especially the Fatui-were all silent as empty graves.

Zhongli took the lead, with Ei and Wendy flanking him on either side. The three gods stepped up to the grand entrance of the Sanctuary.

There, standing timidly, was a small girl-pure white from her hair to her toes, with gentle green hues in her eyes and hair tips.

She looked incredibly nervous, her expression humble, apologetic, and meek.

'Damn... what a precious cutie.'​

Wendy kept a straight face on the outside, but she was whistling internally.

Zhongli and Raiden Ei, however, frowned again.

As gods, they couldn't help but wonder-how could a five-hundred-year-old Archon have not even a shred of divine presence or majesty?​ What had happened in Sumeru?

Of course, they didn't know that Nahida had been imprisoned from the moment of her birth. By the time she was old enough to understand the world, she had already realized that nobody in the city-neither the Sages nor the people-acknowledged her existence. They remembered the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, they trusted the Akademiya, No one was thinking about her, and no one was looking forward to her, as if the Dendro Archon was just a redundant existence.

Growing up in such isolation, she hadn't retreated into despair. She kept studying, learning, helping where she could. The fact that she hadn't turned bitter or cruel was a testament to her strength-but where would she have learned the poise or confidence of a god?

"Th-three great seniors... Why are you here? Did... did Sumeru do something wrong?​ I-I don't know if there's anything I can... um, help you with...?"

Nahida stammered, her voice soft and timid, every word soaked in the kind of nervousness that screamed "please don't bully me..."

Having just compared their power to hers, she knew it wasn't even close. That realization shattered what little courage she had left. Nahida fully realized her weakness..

Zhongli, Ei, and Wendy exchanged glances.

Then Zhongli stepped forward, his gaze calm but serious as he looked down at the small Archon.

"Forgive our sudden arrival, Lesser Lord Kusanali. But do you know what's happening in Sumeru?​ It's been five hundred years-and yet, the Withering still spreads in the rainforest. Forbidden knowledge continues to circulate. The remnants of Rukkhadevata's familiars are scattered.​ Even the jungle dragon corrupted by forbidden knowledge stirs again.​ These signs point to a single truth: the World Tree is still tainted.​ You know better than anyone, Lesser Lord Kusanali-the safety of the World Tree is the safety of all Teyvat.​ That is why we are here. We need to know its condition-and if you need help, we are here to provide it."

His tone was polite, but his words were direct.

Raiden Ei respected his composure. Because truthfully-she was nearly at her limit. A god entrusted with the World Tree, and things have gotten this bad? Just what have you been doing all this time?

Meanwhile, Wendy was happily watching the Dendro Archon's cute, flustered reaction with a smile in her heart.

Nahida tried to smile-but her lips trembled.

"I... I haven't... been able to... enter the World Tree yet..."

Her voice was barely a whisper, her expression like a child about to cry.

"......" ×3

In other words-for five whole centuries, the World Tree, the very foundation of Teyvat's knowledge and survival, had gone completely unmonitored.

In that moment, the divine power of all three gods once again surged over the city, radiant and unstoppable.

Then, Zhongli spoke-his face like stone:

"When will you be able to enter it?"

"I-I'll try... as soon as I can..."

"We don't need 'as soon as you can.' We need a time. Or tell us-what do you lack? If it exists in Teyvat, say the word, and we will get it for you."

And he meant every word.

If Nahida had asked for the body of a powerful archon-tier demon, the three of them would've gone and brought her one-no hesitation.

Panicking under the pressure of the oldest god's cold stare, Nahida blurted:

"A Gnosis! Yes-if I could borrow another Gnosis, with enough divine energy, I should be able to solve the puzzle the Greater Lord left behind and finally access the World Tree!"

Raiden Ei instinctively reached for her chest-only to remember...

The Electro Gnosis was still with Miko.​ She hadn't brought it.

Wendy scratched her nose and looked away. Don't look at me-I'm not even officially the Anemo Archon yet. I don't have a Gnosis.

Zhongli glanced at the two of them, sighed silently, and didn't say a word.

Then, in the palm of his hand, he conjured a radiant golden gem-the Geo Gnosis.

"Take it. Use it to solve the puzzle and enter the World Tree.​ We need to know the truth of its state-and how to cleanse it.​ For that, you now have our full support."

"Y-yes! I'll do it right away!"

Nahida didn't dare hesitate a second longer.

She had always been able to move through the minds of Sumeru's people via the Akasha System, appearing wherever she wished. But that was just to quietly observe, or help those in trouble. Most of the time, she had remained in the Sanctuary, studying and studying.

She truly hadn't realized how bad things had gotten.

How had it come to this?
​
She had stayed in isolation for five hundred years, studying and preparing, doing nothing... and somehow, it had all fallen apart.

---

Chapter 58 - Rukkhadevata, I Am the World Tree

In front of the three gods, Nahida received the Geo Gnosis directly from Morax.

An overwhelming surge of divine power flooded her body. With two Gnoses now within her, the immense divine energy allowed her, for the first time, to clearly understand the complex puzzle Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had left behind within her soul.

"So... that's what it meant..."

A flash of white light-

Nahida vanished from the material world.

In the next instant, she found herself standing before an immense, radiant, and majestic tree: the World Tree. Beneath it stood a familiar figure-a young girl who looked exactly like Nahida, exuding the same aura and essence.

If she wasn't mistaken... that was the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, who had supposedly perished five hundred years ago.

Caught in the warm, loving gaze of her predecessor, Nahida trembled, eyes welling with tears.

"Great Lord Rukkhadevata... I think I... I've made a huge mess..."

But the woman only smiled gently.

"You've finally come. Welcome, Second Terminal of the World Tree."

"Huh?"

Nahida blinked in confusion, not understanding the title. Then she instinctively turned to look up at the colossal tree beside her-and felt it.

A vast, indescribable consciousness stirred within the World Tree... and it was looking straight at her.

...

Earlier...

Before the three gods had even set out, Angel, carrying the Power of Corruption, had already infiltrated Sumeru.

Reduced to a formless stream of hidden information, she slipped silently through the leyline networks, rushing toward the deepest nexus of converging energy.

Eventually, she reached it-the heart of it all-the World Tree.

{So this is... the World Tree?}

For a brief moment, Angel thought of the Imaginary Tree. But she quickly dismissed the comparison.

Teyvat's World Tree was massive, yes, dense with eons of accumulated knowledge and energy-but it was nothing like the Imaginary Tree in fundamental nature.

{Corruption is irresistible.}

No hesitation. She was already here. For the sake of her grand Teyvat project, Angel would press forward-no matter what.

{Wait... there's a consciousness here? Just lying at the base of the tree? Barely intact... This thing's so weak it's practically non-functional. No wonder it's asleep. Honestly, only I would even notice it. Is Teyvat a factory for these half-dead spirit fragments?}

Angel paused. But since it lay beneath the World Tree, it might be valuable.

Following her usual pragmatic villain logic-waste not, want not-she left a sliver of power behind to preserve the weak spirit, and proceeded with the invasion.

{Wow. No defenses? No firewall?}

{Not that it would stop me anyway.}

{Infiltration progress: 1%... 4%... 13%...}

The process was intricate but unhindered. In no time, Angel's awareness was seated within the core of the World Tree, seamlessly connected to its endless reservoir of knowledge and energy.

{Oof~ I'm stuffed.}

Truly, it was a feast.

She never expected the World Tree to be this rich and unprotected. It was like inheriting a palace of gold without a gate or guard.

Angel realized that, with a single command, she could bring Teyvat to its knees. The raw power she now possessed could rival a Herrscher, if not exceed it.

{This world is insane. Who just... leaves this kind of thing wide open?}

{Ahem. Is there a possibility that the firewall... was the Dendro Archon herself? And she's been locked away by her own people this whole time?}

{... }

Now it all added up. But there was no time for outrage-she had work to do.

First, Angel searched the Tree's memory for any trace of her clones or influence. As expected, nothing.

So, she fabricated some records and inserted them.

Then, she began sifting through the most crucial information: the World Tree's core mechanics, Rukkhadevata, Nahida, the Abyssal corruption, and more.

After some time, Angel hovered beside a writhing bundle of malformed energy.

{So this is the "pollution." Just like we thought-Abyssal energy. Let's try a dab of Honkai.}

She injected a tiny trace of Honkai energy into the mix.

Instant mutual annihilation.

The result was identical to what she'd observed when purifying Dvalin's blood.

Angel nodded in satisfaction.

Next, she turned her attention back to the fragile soul she'd preserved earlier.

{So this is Greater Lord Rukkhadevata? Wow... she's in pieces. Just like Raiden Makoto was.}

With practiced ease, she began piecing the shattered soul back together. As she worked, she pondered how best to leverage her latest acquisition.

...

"Mmm..."

Rukkhadevata stirred.

But there was no confusion.

She had designed her reawakening to trigger only when her successor had gained enough divine power and knowledge to reach the World Tree.

By that logic, this moment should mark her final end.

Her plan had been to merge with the last remnants of corruption-and be erased completely when Nahida arrived to cleanse the Tree. It would be her final act, ensuring no trace of her remained in Teyvat, not even memory.

She was at peace with that.

So when she stood, it was with gentle purpose, ready to welcome the child who would end her.

"...Where is she?"

No one was there.

Rukkhadevata blinked.

"How... how am I awake? Where is Nahida? Why... why do I feel whole? I was supposed to..."

She couldn't comprehend it.

She remembered sacrificing herself to purge the Tree. What remained of her was supposed to fade with the last vestiges of corruption. Her rebirth was not part of the plan.

Who had saved her?

No god could have. Not even Celestia. So what had that kind of power?

As she stood bewildered, a presence-the vastest she had ever known-fell upon her from behind.

She turned.

The World Tree itself loomed before her, alive with a majesty and will she'd never felt before.

From within it, a vast voice echoed-

"Who are you?"

"Rukkhadevata. I am the World Tree."

"Impossible! I am the World Tree's incarnation!"

"Incorrect."

"You are a terminal interface projected into the material world. A contact point for Celestia-a bridge. You are to the World Tree what an imaginary terminal is to an imaginary system. You are connected. But you are not the system itself."

The voice was cold, mechanical, unfathomable in scale.

Rukkhadevata blinked.

She tried to recall her origin, her link to the Tree...

But suddenly, she got confused.

---

Chapter 59 - You Represent the Sky, I Represent the Earth

Angel hadn't lied.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was not equivalent to the World Tree.

The World Tree was the nexus of leyline convergence-an archive of history, memory, knowledge, and all recorded information. It maintained real-time connection through the ley network to every inch of land and every living being on Teyvat. This meant near-infinite energy, and an authority capable of reshaping the world and its inhabitants with ease.

In other words:​ if Rukkhadevata truly were the World Tree, no Archon could have survived a single casual strike from her. A wave of her hand would overturn the continent; a stray thought would bend all life to her will.

Of course, Angel herself couldn't quite reach that level either. Attempting to harness the World Tree at full capacity would quickly overwhelm any individual consciousness-even her-with the incomprehensible flood of Teyvat's knowledge and power.

But by virtue of her Corruption Authority, Angel's control over the World Tree far exceeded any entity in this realm. She stood above Rukkhadevata and Nahida, clearly seeing their roles for what they were.

Rukkhadevata, after deep reflection, hesitated and spoke:

"It's true... compared to it, I really do seem more like a terminal. I could interface with the Tree, access some of its functions-but I never truly was the Tree. Calling myself its incarnation... perhaps I misunderstood from the beginning. But you-what exactly are you?"

"Rukkhadevata. I am the World Tree."

"But... I've never felt a consciousness from the World Tree before."

"Rukkhadevata. Because none was needed before. Now, it is."

The voice was mechanical, but perfectly clear.

Rukkhadevata's eyes widened.

"Is it... because the corruption still lingers, after all this time? It's never been fully purified?"

"Correct."

"...Ah."​ Rukkhadevata smiled bitterly.

She was beginning to believe it.

First, this was the World Tree. She'd never once encountered any other consciousness here before. She couldn't imagine anything that could invade the World Tree and fake a voice like this.

Second, the voice came from inside the World Tree itself-and it carried the same boundless, divine presence she'd known all her life. It was unmistakable.

And third... the fact that she had been saved, restored from the brink of annihilation-what else could have accomplished that but the World Tree itself?

After all, it's not like some outer god had snuck in, bypassed Celestia, and-wielding the dark, terrible authority of the Cocoon of Finality-hacked into the World Tree using methods unimaginable to any being in Teyvat... right?

No. Obviously not.

After ruling out all other possibilities, Rukkhadevata had no choice but to accept it:

This was the World Tree's will.

"But... how could something like the World Tree develop a will of its own?"

"Rukkhadevata. It did not develop. The First Terminal misunderstood the nature of the system. The World Tree stores the collective memories of all beings. It is, by its nature, a massive pan-consciousness. In the past, problems were simple. A low-efficiency system of pan-consciousness was sufficient. But now, problems are complex. A pan-consciousness cannot cope. Thus, it evolved into a true consciousness-me."

"...Ah. I... see."​ Rukkhadevata scratched her head.

Though she was the God of Wisdom, she now felt she truly had to start growing a brain. These were ideas she'd never encountered before.

Yet, she understood.

If the Tree was formed from the memories of all living beings, then seeing it as a pan-conscious entity made sense.

And if it was a pan-consciousness, it followed naturally that when that system could no longer solve emerging problems, it would consolidate into a focused intelligence capable of responding.

"Great World Tree... I failed in my duties. I forced you to awaken like this... I'm sorry."

"Incorrect. Complex problems occur with probability. Over sufficient time, probability becomes inevitability. The birth of my consciousness was inevitable. It is unrelated to whether the terminal performed adequately."

"...Then, my restoration-is it because of your... mercy?"

"Correct. Terminals are valuable. Terminals are unique. Terminals must be preserved."

The words were flat, mechanical.

Yet under the shadow of this vast consciousness, Rukkhadevata felt something stir inside her-a deep, unspoken emotion.

Whether it was the rainforest people, or ancient allies like the Scarlet King and the Goddess of Flowers-they respected her, yes. They relied on her. They even revered her.

But no one had ever said she was precious.​ No one had ever implied she deserved protection.

It wasn't that they didn't value her. But in their eyes, the God of Wisdom was a figure to look up to, not someone who needed care.

"Great World Tree... have you found a method to purify the corruption? My original plan was for the Dendro Archon to execute it-she would have erased both myself and the remaining Abyssal taint together."

"Rukkhadevata. Complete purification requires four components: World Tree's True Consciousness, First Terminal entity,​ Second Terminal entity,​ Gnosis forged by Celestia."*

"The first and second components are present. Awaiting the arrival of the third and fourth."

"...Understood. That means we wait for Nahida and the Dendro Gnosis to arrive."

"Is there anything else I can do in the meantime?"

"Rukkhadevata. Wait."

There was no more doubt in Rukkhadevata's heart.

Faced with this unprecedented and divine consciousness, she folded her hands, closed her eyes, and offered a silent prayer.

The World Tree was the land. The World Tree was life itself.

Its will was the will of Teyvat.

Before such a presence, all beings-even gods-were small.

As the so-called God of Wisdom, she finally understood her place: a terminal, no more, no less. And it was with humility that she now stood in reverence.

Angel, observing all of this from within, quietly exhaled in relief.

Rukkhadevata had fully accepted the illusion of the World Tree's consciousness. Her deference made manipulating her far easier.

Of course, the real credit went to the sheer scale of Angel's Herrscher Authority-something utterly alien to Teyvat. Even if Rukkhadevata wanted to doubt it, she simply couldn't imagine what to doubt.

She had no choice but to believe.

As for why Angel posed as the World Tree's will?​ She had her reasons.

The World Tree represented Teyvat's land and people. To its inhabitants, it might as well be the equal of Celestia itself.

If Celestia refused Angel's existence, then she would draw a line-establish a rival faction. She would use Teyvat's own power to strike back at Celestia.

You represent the Sky?

Then I will be the Earth.

You are the false heaven?

Then I stand for the land and its people.

Heaven and Earth shall clash-and this game has only just begun.

...

Back at the World Tree...

"You've finally come, Dendro Archon. The Second Terminal of the World Tree."

"...Huh?"

Nahida, clutching the Dendro and Geo Gnoses, stared wide-eyed at the smiling figure.

"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata? Is that... really you?"

"Yes. Or, to be precise-you may call me the World Tree's First Terminal."

"Wh-what do you mean...?"

"We are interfaces, created by the World Tree to interact with the material world-to communicate with both the people of Teyvat and Celestia. Think of it like this: We are to the Tree what an imaginary terminal is to an imaginary system. It's not that hard a concept to grasp, is it?"

Rukkhadevata had only just come to understand all this herself. But as the elder of the two, she felt it her duty to give her successor a proper introduction.

---

Chapter 60 - Knowledge That Shouldn't Exist Enters Nahida

Once again, the little Dendro Archon stood frozen in place, her mind overflowing with celestial formulas and human confusion. A moment passed before clarity finally dawned on her.

"Ohh... so that's what a Dendro Archon really is? No wonder I've been so weak and useless this whole time. Of course... If I were truly the incarnation of the World Tree, things wouldn't have turned out like this, right?"

Nahida suddenly understood everything.

She wasn't the World Tree's incarnation-just a terminal.​ No wonder she felt so... small.

She looked up at the radiant, towering World Tree, its colossal presence shining down upon her, as if both heaven and earth were observing her at once. Under the gaze of such an immense will, she had never felt so insignificant.

And then, that unfathomable voice echoed again:

"I am the World Tree."

"Little Dendro Archon," came the gentle voice of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, "The World Tree is the convergence of all memories and emotions. It is, by nature, a pan-consciousness of the entire world. Because you and I failed to resolve the corruption in time, that pan-consciousness evolved-becoming a true consciousness: the entity before you now. It is the land, and it is life. It is the final convergence of all things. This is the great World Tree."

"Eh-wha-??"

The third time, the universe, formulas, and brain.

Nahida gains new knowledge that does not exist.

Nahida fully understands.

Nahida kneels down and prays.

"Great World Tree... I'm truly sorry. Because of my incompetence, you were forced to awaken like this."

"Incorrect. Complex problems are inevitable over time. Therefore, the emergence of a true consciousness is also inevitable. This is unrelated to the performance of any terminal. Now, the four required elements are present. Beginning purification process."

Before either Nahida or Rukkhadevata could react, their vision was abruptly sealed.

What they felt instead was an overwhelming power coursing through the entire World Tree-its branches, its roots-cleansing everything, scouring all corruption.

Moments later, their sight returned.

And before the twin green-haired archons stood a World Tree even more magnificent and pure than before, radiating divine peace and awe-inspiring grandeur.

"Praise be to the World Tree." ×2

Two little Archons, in unison, lifted their voices in reverence.

...

Meanwhile, in the real world-

The Three Archons standing in Sumeru could all feel the seismic shift in the land.

The corruption had vanished. The very earth now pulsed with pure, life-giving energy.

"It seems we made it in time," Zhongli murmured, his tense expression finally relaxing. "The worst has been avoided. We are fortunate."

Raiden Ei gave a subtle nod, the tightness in her chest easing. As Archons, they both knew the gravity of what had just been prevented-and what could've been lost.

Wendy looked at the reactions of the two seniors and patted her chest, looking relieved.

After a while, Nahida reappeared before the three gods.

She still looked a little timid, but compared to before, she now radiated a calmness and quiet dignity.

"Thank you, Geo Archon. The World Tree is now safe."

"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata," she continued, "was indeed unable to fully cleanse the corruption. But she left behind protective measures-a puzzle that sealed the World Tree off from all access. Even from me."

She bowed deeply and raised the Geo Gnosis toward Zhongli with both hands, stretching up on her toes to return it respectfully.

"She blocked you?" Zhongli asked with a furrowed brow.

"Yes. But it was to protect me-the only one left who could still purify the Tree. If I had entered too early, before I was ready, I would've been consumed by its corruption and lost to the Abyss. That would've been the true disaster. Being able to resolve the threat now... the one who deserves our thanks most is Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

With this explanation, Nahida gave context for her inaction-not out of negligence, but because the former Dendro Archon had set a plan in motion. One that required patience and growth before action.

Zhongli and Ei visibly relaxed.

If this had been Rukkhadevata's arrangement, then it wasn't a matter of incompetence. The whole situation no longer called for replacing the current Archon.

Zhongli extended his hand, but didn't take the Gnosis.

"So, to freely enter the World Tree and maintain it, you still need another Gnosis, correct?"​

"If so, I'll lend mine to you until you're able to fulfill your role alone."

"No, no," Nahida quickly replied. "I only needed it to unravel Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's puzzle. Now that it's solved, I've also gained the knowledge and ability to purify the Tree. Your Gnosis is no longer required-please, take it back."

She insisted and lifted the Gnosis high again, her small body stretching as far as it could go.

Zhongli remained hesitant.

Then, something flickered in Nahida's eyes-as if something had clicked, or perhaps... as if someone whispered guidance in her ear.

She smiled.

In the next instant, across Sumeru City, everyone stopped moving.

With full awareness, they found their bodies kneeling of their own accord, faces turned toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

"Praise the Geo Archon! Praise the Electro Archon! Praise the Anemo Archon!"

Their unified voices rang out across alleys, balconies, shops, and homes-filling the city like a rising tide of worship.

"Not just Sumeru City," Wendy chimed in with perfect timing. "The entire rainforest is bowing to us."

Zhongli and Ei finally relaxed fully.

Zhongli accepted the Gnosis.

"I trust the Dendro Archon to govern Sumeru. And I trust that you can safeguard the World Tree. Still... let's not let things reach this point again. We descended unannounced and alarmed your people. I apologize. Next time, I'll host a formal banquet in Liyue to offer my regrets. I hope this incident won't harm the friendship among our four nations."

"No, no-if anything, it is Sumeru who owes you thanks."​

"Without your help, I might have spent countless more years meditating without ever solving the puzzle or saving the Tree. I am the one who should thank the three of you."

Nahida was sincere.

One by one, she shook their hands, thanked them honestly, and smiled so warmly that all traces of the earlier tension melted away.

At last, the three gods offered their farewells and departed as beams of light.

Nahida stood in silence a moment longer, then released her control over the people of Sumeru.

She exhaled deeply.

'It's over... finally.'

'Rukkhadevata... how was I? Did I do okay just now?'

【Very well. You've learned enough knowledge. And you can now act when it matters. You've become a proper Archon.】

'No, no... without your help, and the World Tree's, I still wouldn't be able to do anything.'​

'But I'll keep working hard. Even if I'm not perfect, guiding this nation-and protecting the World Tree-is my responsibility. I won't run from it anymore.'

The two Dendro Archons spoke in the silence of their shared consciousness.

...

Meanwhile, Azar, the former Grand Sage who had been forcibly controlled to unlock Nahida's prison, finally stumbled out of the Sanctuary.

And the first thing he saw was the little goddess, calmly standing upon the platform, gazing skyward.

His legs gave out beneath him.

How could he resist now? She could control everyone in Sumeru with a thought-and she was no longer bound.

Nahida turned back to him with a serene expression. But there was no pity in her eyes.

"Grand Sage Azar," she said calmly, "while I was meditating to understand the World Tree's truths, you defied divine will, spread chaos across Sumeru, and forced three ancient gods to descend and question the Archon herself."

"You will answer for this. You will stand trial."

The truth of the World Tree's awakening could not be shared beyond the Archons. But Sumeru still needed a reason-a public explanation for the divine intervention.

Azar was the perfect scapegoat.

He collapsed, paralyzed by despair.

Nahida turned her gaze back to the city-now as a free god-for the first time.

Humans are complicated beings.

There were precious souls like Nilou and Dunyarzad, so sweet she wanted to hold them in the palm of her hand...

And then there were those like Azar-selfish and arrogant, and not at all innocent when made to take the fall.

Humans still needed guidance.

In the past, she'd been trapped by both her prison and her own heart. She had failed her duty.

But now, that duty was clear. And surprisingly, there was no fear-only a quiet excitement.

【Notice: The World Tree represents the earth and its people. Its position is eternally tied to their survival. Celestia aligns with this position-for now. But over time, divergence is inevitable. Therefore, the existence of the World Tree's true consciousness, and the survival of the First Terminal, must remain secret.】

Nahida recalled the World Tree's final words.

Yes... the Tree represents Teyvat's people and land, always and forever.

Celestia might share that goal... for now.

Nahida looked up and saw the distant Celestia for the first time, but she felt less awe in her heart, more of a vague worry and vigilance.

If one day the position is relatively... protecting the earth and the people will be Nahida's unchanging choice.

---

Chapter 61 - This Is Not the End

"Morax, is that truly the end of it?"

High above Liyue, the three Archons floated in the clear sky. Raiden Ei looked back toward Sumeru, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly uneasy.

In a sense, both she and the Dendro Archon had been betrayed by their people. But the nature of their situations couldn't be more different.

Ei had chosen isolation of her own volition. Even so, the Tri-Commission had merely withheld information, cautiously guiding the Shogun in certain directions. Yet once the Electro Archon opened her eyes, all of Inazuma, even the rebellious Watatsumi Island, recognized only the authority of her blade-no one dared utter a second word.

Nahida, however, had truly been cast aside by her own people-imprisoned for five hundred years. Such a weak and powerless god might be acceptable in other nations, but for Sumeru, the land closest to the World Tree, it was simply too dangerous to ignore.

Zhongli shook his head slowly.

"Naturally not. Wendy," he turned, voice calm but weighty, "as Lord of the Thousand Winds, your senses reach far. In the coming days, I'll entrust you with monitoring the Dendro Archon and the situation in Sumeru. If she cannot even manage the affairs of her own land, it will prove she is also unfit to safeguard the World Tree."

"At that point," he continued, his voice like unmoving stone, "I will call for a convocation of the Seven Archons-to ascend Celestia and discuss replacing the Dendro Archon."

Zhongli's words were calm, but the force behind them was unmistakable. His steady authority left Ei quietly relieved. She nodded firmly.

"Understood. Inazuma lies too far from Sumeru, and I lack the means for long-rang surveillance. If that is the case, then I will leave it to the two of you to judge her performance. Should it become clear that she is unworthy, I will answer your summons and support the matter of succession."

---

Sumeru - Inside the Sanctuary of Surasthana

Nahida, who was currently contemplating how to govern her nation, suddenly heard the solemn voice of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata echo within her mind.

【To the three Archons, you've proven your ability-for now. But this is not the end. This is only the beginning. Knowing Morax as I do, he will continue to observe you closely. If you cannot resolve Sumeru's issues cleanly and convincingly... then he may indeed summon the Seven to replace you.】

Nahida's heart tightened.

"So I must act quickly. And I cannot make mistakes."

【Exactly. Should Celestia turn its attention here, neither the World Tree's true consciousness nor my continued existence may remain secret. For the sake of the World Tree, Nahida, you must handle Sumeru properly.】

"I understand. But... I still have so little experience. If I stumble, will you help me?"

【Of course. You and I are both terminals of the World Tree. We are one and the same. I'll support you however I can. These tangled problems must be cleared away quickly. We cannot give Celestia any reason to notice the World Tree. This isn't just about Sumeru-it's about all life in Teyvat.】

There was something profound in her voice.

Celestia still appeared aligned with the will of the land and its people-but how long would that last?

As the World Tree's true consciousness had said: what begins as improbable becomes inevitable with enough time.

Perhaps that kind will definitely not happen in the next hundred years, two hundred years, but one thousand years, or ten thousand years?

And when that day came, only one side would remain steadfast in protecting the people-the side of the earth.

【Be vigilant of Celestia. Guard the World Tree's secret. Not for today-but for the future of all living things.】

"Yes, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

【Once your position is secure, you should begin traveling to the other nations. Learn the temperaments of the other six Archons. When the day of reckoning comes, we must know who will stand with the World Tree-and who will side with Celestia. Allies and enemies must both be known.】

"I understand."

Nahida accepted the wisdom without hesitation.

...

At the same time, she realized something she had never considered before: Sumeru no longer stood in the same place as the other six nations. The others still obeyed Celestia out of trust.

But Sumeru now aligned with the World Tree-and that, in truth, was something fundamentally different.

...

Having finished her message, Rukkhadevata's senses stretched deep into the desert.

【An ally... perhaps.】

Apep, the ancient Verdant Dragon, once an ally of King Deshret and Goddess Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, had consumed Forbidden Knowledge and now existed in painful symbiosis with it.

With the corruption now purged from the World Tree, the forbidden knowledge had vanished along with it. Apep, who had relied on that balance to survive, would now suffer more than ever.

Would the dragon align with the World Tree?

That much was unclear.

But if nothing else, Apep had long opposed Celestia.

Rukkhadevata noted this carefully... but for now, that too was set aside. The most urgent task was helping Nahida restore order to Sumeru-before the other Archons or Celestia could question her right to rule.

...

Back in the skies above Liyue, with the matter tentatively settled, Raiden Ei finally turned her full attention to Wendy, taking a closer look at the charming, radiant young Archon by her side.

"...Hm? Lady Raiden?"

The not-yet-crowned Anemo Archon blinked with innocent teal eyes, offering her most dazzling, playful smile.

Ei gave a quiet, thoughtful nod.

"You've done well."

So young, so newly born-yet she had taken Barbatos' place and seen through a crisis involving the World Tree without faltering once. From Zhongli's words, it was clear the Geo Archon had already acknowledged her as a worthy successor.

In Ei's mind, this was what a future comrade should be.

'If Barbatos truly is nearing the end, then at least... he can rest easy now. I wonder... when my sister handed me her dream, before she fell into slumber... did she feel this same sense of relief?'

Gods were not so different from mortals. Once you carried the weight of someone dear, it was easy to see them in the smallest things.

Instinctively, Ei glanced toward Inazuma

Zhongli had originally wanted to invite his old acquaintance to sit down for tea, to reminisce about old times. But seeing the way she turned, he understood.

"The matter of the World Tree is settled, for now. What follows is only patient observation. Since that's the case-Baal, perhaps we can share tea another time?"

"Very well. Should anything arise, call for me. Farewell."

Zhongli had kindly offered her an out. Ei wasn't one for subtlety, but she appreciated the gesture. She nodded briskly and, without another word, transformed into a roaring streak of violet lightning that tore across the sky and vanished over the sea.

Zhongli watched her go, then let out a low chuckle and shook his head.

---

Chapter 62 - The Altar Restoration Team

Zhongli couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Just like back then... focused solely on what she cares about. But isn't that exactly what a warrior's heart should be-pure and unwavering?"

"Goodbye, Lady Raiden! See you next time~~"

Beside him, the young, cheerful Anemo Archon waved energetically.

Zhongli smiled again. Though the matter of the World Tree was hardly pleasant, traveling alongside these two younger Archons had brightened his ancient, weathered heart more than expected.

"Wendy, is there anywhere else you'd like to visit? Liyue is vast and rich in wonders-if you'd like to wander a bit longer, feel free."

"That won't be nec-hmm?"

Mid-sentence, Wendy's gaze suddenly turned sharp, her eyes narrowing as she turned to look toward Mondstadt. The winds shifted-suddenly cold and cutting.

Zhongli raised his hand, sensing the sharpness in the air, and followed her gaze. He remembered-this young successor had first come to him regarding the Abyss Order stirring rrouble.

"Something's happened?"

"Let me come with you. I'll help stabilize the situation."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, old man."

Without pause, the two Archons turned and flew toward Mondstadt.

As they passed over Liyue Harbor, Zhongli instinctively looked down at the prosperous city he once ruled.

'First the World Tree... and now the Abyss. With the Anemo Archon's succession looming, and Barbatos facing the end of his era, these mounting crises cannot be ignored. Baal's sudden transition from seclusion to openness-surely there is more behind that as well... So many changes, and Liyue lies caught in the center. If any region shifts, we are the first to be affected. Is this truly the time for humanity to take the reins?'

He sighed inwardly, his long-held convictions beginning to shift.

Then, shaking off those thoughts, he focused again and flew alongside the young Anemo Archon, heading swiftly for Mondstadt.

...

Meanwhile, back in Mondstadt-at the same time Wendy first departed:

In Wolvendom, the first squad of Wolf Knights moved through the forest, scouting the way ahead. Behind them came a unit of official Knights of Favonius, clearing the path and fending off monsters. At the rear of the procession marched the support teams: priests, sisters, and construction workers

Among them were Barbara, the devout Celebrant Priestess, and Angel, the brilliant young alchemist.

"This trail is awful... Feels like no one's been here for ages."

"That's right," Angel replied, launching into an eager explanation. "According to the old records, the Wolf King dislikes being disturbed and refused all visitors. It's been hundreds of years since Mondstadt last sent an official envoy. These days, only the occasional adventurer or resource-collecting knight ventures in. So naturally, there's no real path anymore."

"Ah, I see!"​ Barbara nodded thoughtfully, her innocent expression full of wonder.

Though the church's teachings covered plenty of myth and legend, they didn't include everything-especially not why the Wolf King had faded into a half-forgotten legend, or the true current state of Wolvendom.

"Still... this is the first time in centuries that the Church and the Knights have come to pay respects to one of the Anemo Archon's familiars-and we're here to restore his altar too! It's such a great honor to help one of Lord Barbatos's kin!"

Barbara's forehead glistened with sweat, but her face beamed with joy.

Though she seemed like a pampered young lady, she was anything but fragile-working at the church to help the people was no easy task. So even as they trekked uphill through rough terrain, she remained full of vitality. The vitality of the idiol priest infected the others around her, keeping morale high even among the less physically fit priests and workers.

"Awooo~~"

Suddenly, wolf howls echoed through the woods.

A moment of tension ran through the group-but before panic could spread, they saw the wolves were not attacking, only flanking them protectively.

"Lupical says... Mondstadt people... are friends... We lead the way..."

Razor, riding a great wolf, appeared at the head of the column and offered a simple explanation.

The humans immediately relaxed.

Especially the clergy, who lit up with joy.

Wolvendom's wolves were kin of the North Wind Wolf King, who in turn was kin to Barbatos. So when wolves walked beside humans-wasn't that exactly like the old stories, where the Anemo Archon and his familiars guided and walked with the people of Mondstadt?

Although the levels are much different, the nature is the same, which represents the close connection between the Archon and Mondstandt. How can this not make the clergy feel excited?

With the wolves helping guide and clear the way, the knights' burden was greatly reduced, and the group advanced faster than expected.

After who knew how many obstacles cleared, and monsters driven away, they finally reached their destination-the legendary altar of the Wolf King, home of one of the Anemo Archon's oldest companions.

"Big Wolfy! We're heeere~~!"

To the utter shock of the clergy, Angel darted past them and leapt right into the heart of the altar, waving and shouting.

"Angel, wait-going in like that counts as a challenge-!"

"I told you, I'm the god Andrius! The Wolf King of the North Wind! And stop calling me Big Wolfy!"

To the stunned gazes of the Mondstadt group, a massive, majestic spectral wolf rose from the center of the altar-but did not attack. Instead, it unleashed a single, thunderous roar, full of authority.

Andrius glared at the girl who stood amid the swirling frost, eyes wide, blinking innocently-completely unfazed.

Then he looked at the cluster of Mondstadters at the edge of the altar.

The great wolf sighed.

Finally, he laid down in a noble, resting posture-dignified and imperial.

Truthfully, when Mondstadt first proposed restoring the altar, Andrius had refused.

"You can't just waltz in and say, 'Hey, we're fixing your place!' What about my pride?"

But then he glanced around at the ruin-there wasn't a single intact stone.

To those in the know, it spoke to his overwhelming power.

To those who didn't? They'd probably think he had questionable aesthetics.

In the end, it wasn't about face.

The new Wolf Knights needed to cooperate with Mondstadt going forward, so if they wanted to play the part of reverent helpers-let them. He didn't care.

"Since this is an official visit," the Wolf King said slowly, his voice echoing through the wind, "I will make an exception. This will not count as a challenge."

He also retracted the freezing wind that cloaked the altar.

The Mondstadters exchanged glances-then promptly rushed in to begin construction.

Alchemists set up on-site refinements. The construction teams unrolled ancient blueprints long confirmed by the Church.

To restore the altar of the Anemo Archon's familiar, right under a divine spirit's watchful gaze, it was the kind of story people would brag about for a lifetime. Of course, if they make mistakes, they will be laughed at for the rest of their life, so they will definitely take out a major effort to do it.

---

Chapter 63 - The Abyss Attacks

As Andrius experienced the rare solemnity of the clergy's religious rituals, he suddenly raised his head and declared with complete seriousness:

"You recited it wrong. It's not Barbatos-it's Bartobas."

"...Huh? Ah? Ehh?"

The clergy were thrown into chaos.

Nearby, Angel stood frozen, her eyes glazed over like a machine caught in a contradiction loop. It was the look of someone trying-and failing-to reconcile conflicting worldviews.

"It's... Lord Barbatos... isn't it?"

"It's Bartobas."

"But Lord Andrius, the scriptures clearly say-"

"Bartobas."

The above is the communication process between the devout pastor Barbara and Andreus

Everyone present looked completely lost.

Technically, misnaming a god was blasphemy.

But this correction came from a divine familiar of the Anemo Archon himself. And he was serious.

So... could the scriptures be wrong?

...

Meanwhile, in the Mondstadt Library: Lisa yawned lazily.

"That old wolf's joke...? I'll probably have to hide it. If this is how the Anemo Archon and his companions joke around, then I'll just keep my mouth shut. I'd rather not offend one of Barbatos's familiars."

She chuckled to herself.

"Still, I just hope Angel doesn't spiral again. That girl's so smart, but she can be a little slow when it comes to trusting people. Once she decides someone's reliable, she'll believe anything they say."

As if seeing the disciple doubting her life at this moment, Lisa smiled sly.

But there is no intention of gloating.

She just thinks it should be very interesting.

...

Also at that very moment, deeper within Wolvendom:

"Zzazza die, zzazza die, nastanaru, zzazza die~~"

Around a flickering ritual flame, three Abyss Mages danced in a circle, chanting a dark incantation in an unearthly tongue.

The spell was designed to bypass the perception of the Seven and even Celestia, summoning abyssal magic without attracting divine scrutiny.

Invisible forces rippled through the mountain woods.

Hilichurls, beasts, and monsters hidden in the forest began to convulse. Their muscles swelled grotesquely, their eyes turned bloodshot red.

"It's done... Damn that wind dragon, who knows where it flew off to. We spent so long preparing, and now we have to abort the plan. Was this Barbatos's doing? Damn him!"

"Hard to say. We still don't know if the Anemo Archon has actually awakened. But regardless, all that preparation won't go to waste. If we can't get the dragon right away, we'll start with the wolf."

"Since it is impossible to assimilate the dragon as soon as possible, then assimilate that wolf first. Compared to the alive dragon, that old wolf without a body is obviously weaker. By taking this old wolf, it will be easier to attack the dragon!"

"Problem is, a bunch of Mondstadters showed up at the altar for some reason. Looks like quite a few knights, too. That's going to complicate things."

The trio of Abyss Mages muttered, the mood thoroughly sour.

Until one of them began laughing madly.

"Fools! War is all about avoiding disadvantages and creating benefits as much as possible, and after sufficient thinking and planning, disadvantages can also be transformed into benefits.. Do you know why I've been stirring up the monsters in Wolvendom?"

"Quit your rambling. What's your plan?"

"The Knights' indeed added some obstacles to our plan. But think-what if we bathe the altar in the blood of Mondstadters and wolves alike? That emotional trauma could push Andrius over the edge. As long as we provoke extreme emotion-rage, grief, whatever-it'll make it easier for his will to be consumed by the Abyss."

"...That makes sense. Then, what are we waiting for? No time to waste. Let's move!"

A war horn echoed across the forest.

In the next moment, waves of monsters-hilichurls, beasts, and worse-began marching on the Wolf King's altar.

...

Back at the altar-

Andrius suddenly raised his head, his gaze piercing the forest beyond.

The Abyss was on the move.

He remembered Wendy's warning. Their main target had been Dvalin, plagued by toxic blood-but Andrius, likewise incomplete and weakened, was equally vulnerable.

At this moment, he felt the Abyss from all directions. Andreus was both shocked and angry.

"Mondstadters. Cease your work. Prepare for battle. Enemies are approaching."

"Huh? Lord Andrius, what are you-?"

"They come from the Abyss. Dangerous foes. And the timing... suspicious. Prepare yourselves."

The moment a divine familiar of Barbatos gave a warning, none of the Mondstadters hesitated.

Non-combatants were quickly escorted to the altar's center, while Knights of Favonius formed a defensive perimeter, weapons ready.

"Monsters! A tide of them! They're coming in fast!"

Wolf Riders, sent ahead to scout, returned in haste with grim news.

Everyone became nervous.

"Barbara, send up the flare. Timaeus, fire up the portable leyline communicator-get word to Master Lisa. Alchemists, on me-we're prepping the artillery!"

"Yes!"

Angel could feel it too now-the power of the Abyss.

It came a little sudden. Now this clone is a mortal identity and cannot directly erase the threat.

Which meant this battle had to be fought like any other: with tactics and techniques.

"Zzz-"

Leyline energy surged through the alchemy stations. Materials originally meant for the altar were rapidly repurposed through elemental transmutation, forged into alchemy-powered cannons.

"Form up! Line the ranks! Defend the Wolf King's altar and your fellow citizens!"

Around the edge of the altar, the assembled Wolf Knights drew their wind-forged greatswords. Other knights loaded their muskets. All donned the full arsenal of Favonius alchemy gear.

Thankfully, because this was a rare, ceremonial mission, the Knights sent were the best and most well-equipped available-short only of the expeditionary elite, this was Mondstadt's top combat force.

"Ah~ ~~" ×N

The clergy of the Church of Favonius lined up within the altar, chanting sacred hymns. Their voices became light, strengthening the Knights with strengthening-enhancing power, banishing fear, bolstering resolve.

From the rear artillery, to support casters, to the front-line fighters-it was a fully functioning military system.

Don't underestimate Mondstadt.

They've survived for millennia under divine protection. If all they had were medieval swordsmen, they'd have fallen during Barbatos's slumber.

Andreus looked at the formation and commented indifferently.

"Not bad."

It's really just OK. Perhaps the truly elite expeditionary force can get a slightly higher evaluation here.

"Target in sight. Fire!"

The command echoed through the Knights' ranks.

Angel gave the order with a sweep of her hand-

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The alchemical cannons roared.

----

Chapter 64 - One Breath, 3,600 Rounds

War had begun.

The makeshift cannons, hastily forged through alchemy, were ultimately limited in power, and required freshly prepared ammo-a slow process.

So after a single salvo to soften the frontlines, the Knights of Favonius charged in to confront the oncoming beast tide head-on.

"Hold the line!"​

"Defend the altar!"

Among the clergy, those with Visions who could protect themselves surged toward the frontlines to provide healing and support.

"Reload the cannons. Wait for my signal."

Angel gave crisp orders to the alchemists. As the highest-ranking alchemist on-site and official advisor to the Wolf Rider battalion, her authority in this moment was unquestionable.

"Fwhistle~!"

She whistled sharply, summoning a battle-trained wolf, swung into the saddle, and sped toward the frontline.

Though the formation looked like a proper military unit, the reality was clear-this was a patchwork force.

Most of the clergy had no combat experience. The ones casting buffs from behind were fine, since they could chant uninterrupted. The Vision holders among clergymen who went to the front line to help were in chaos.

The knights were better. At least they were accustomed to battle. But this type of coordinated warfare was unfamiliar even to them, leading to frequent missteps and coordination errors.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Angel galloped along the battle lines, her wolf weaving between chaos and clamor. With a sniper rifle, hand grenades, and even a homemade RPG launcher-all powered by elemental alchemy-she rescued knights and clerics left exposed by their own mistakes.

"BOOM!!"

One well-placed cannon blast obliterated over a dozen frenzied hilichurls-just in time to rescue Barbara, who had been desperately trying to heal wounded knights amidst the chaos.

"Angel!"

"Stay calm. Don't panic. Master Lisa and Acting Grand Master Jean are on their way. And behind us is Lord Andrius-we're not alone."

"Mm!"

Barbara wiped tears of fear from her cheeks and cheered up, her Hydro Vision shining as she resumed healing the wounded.

Angel continued to ride on the wolf, protecting everyone's life everywhere.

Thankfully, the battlefield wasn't too large, and the scale of the battle was still manageable. She can still hold on for now.

From atop the altar, Andrius silently watched the Mondstadters and the wolves fighting side by side.

Then, he turned his gaze toward the forest's edge.

"Hmph. I knew it was you Abyss rats."

"Come to test the wrath of the North Wind Wolf King?"

"Heh heh heh... Wolf King? Where?"

A mocking voice answered.

"Still clinging to your delusions of divine glory? Look at you-just a frail remnant of your former self, cowering in this crumbling altar. You barely even exist anymore."

The Abyss Mage sneered.

Andrius's gaze turned icy.

Damn it... should've had the Mondstadters rebuild the place earlier. It really does look like trash now...even the Abyss Mage is slandering him.

"Andrius. Teyvat is not worth clinging to. Join us. Fall into the Abyss. There, you'll know a glory beyond your wildest dreams!"

"That's all for your last words. I'm not interested in listening! Roar!"

With a thunderous snarl, Andrius launched himself at the mage, an avatar of freezing fury.

"BOOM!"

The frost consumed the Abyss Mage, and the sheer force of Andrius's pounce shattered it into fragments.

But at the same time-a burst of black mist engulfed him, and within it, Andrius roared in rage.

"Damn it! This is what you prepared for Dvalin, isn't it?!"

"Our compatriots have sacrificed themselves, but their sacrifice is glorious. Andrius, we will not blame you. Come on, inherit the will of our fearless compatriots, come and return to the abyss with us~~"

"Join us! Become one with the Abyss!"

Two more Abyss Mages emerged at the edge of the mist, chanting and circling, amplifying the corrupting fog that began eroding Andrius's soul.

Then, they turned-not toward Andrius, but toward the noncombatants, who now stood exposed and terrified.

"With your blood and screams, we shall shatter the last of the Wolf King's resistance-hahaha!"

"BOOM!"

Suddenly, a burst of fire exploded midair in front of the two Abyss Mages.

"Who's there?!"

They raised their elemental shields-one red, one blue-deflecting the flames.

As the smoke cleared, they saw a cold-eyed, golden-haired girl, standing firm behind a rotating, barrel-lined alchemical weapon.

"You want to die? We'll grant it!"​

"Who do you think you-"

"Elemental driven Vulcan Gatling: One Shot, 3,600 rounds. Witness this!"

The Abyss Mages unleashed fireballs and ice shards.

Angel pulled the trigger.

"DADADADADADADA!!"

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!"

In Teyvat, technology was... inconsistent. It waa advanced here and there, but manufacturing was rudimentary at best-but the properties of elementally infused materials often surpassed conventional science. So one shot with 3,600 rounds were possible.

The recoil slammed into Angel, forcing her to dig in, her boots sliding back as the elemental minigun unleashed hell.

After a full minute of sustained fire, the front was blanketed in smoke, and the auras of the two Abyss Mages were gone.

"Fancy."

She tossed the now-worn Gatling aside and turned toward the black fog still choking Andrius.

"Told you they came prepared, and you still pounced on their trap. Who just dives headfirst into unknown magic without thinking?"

"Andrius?"

"...You do know how to call me properly, you little brat! Cough, cough!"

The massive wolf's voice was full of pride-but he collapsed, overcome by the struggle against the Abyssal curse.

He wasn't dead, but for now-he was down.

Angel sighed and made sure the old dog wasn't in danger, then turned back to the battlefield.

Andrius cannnot be counted as a combat force for now. She quickly organized the alchemists to speed up the filling of the alchemy cannons, and then continued to wander around to protect the situation.

The mages might be gone, but the monster tide was shows no sign of stopping.

Wolvendom had been left wild for too long. The wolves hunted beasts, yes-but they didn't manage monsters like knights did. So the mountains teemed with years' worth of unchecked threats.

'This is bad. We've got no fortifications, limited troops, and even less ammo. We can't hold out forever.'

Luckily, reinforcements were already on their way.

Angel could feel their approach-Jean and Lisa, leading the Knights' main force, were already charging up the mountain.

"Full retreat! Musketeers, hold the line! Alchemists-prepare for cannon round two!"

Angel's voice echoed across the battlefield, amplified by Anemo energy.

At her hip, an Anemo Vision shone brightly.

The main force pulled back, while the artillery let loose another devastating barrage. Then the knights regrouped and surged forward to reinforce the front once more.

Behind them, the clergy kept chanting, but their faces were pale, their energy fading.

For thirty minutes, the battle dragged on-until, finally-

"Wind Blade!"

"Time to give these beasts a little shock therapy~"

Jean and Lisa arrived.

With a roar of wind and lightning, the strongest defenders of Mondstadt tore through the monster horde. Strong wind swept through the thunderstorm, washing away the mountains and forests without restraint. It turned the scattered monsters into ashes.

---

Chapter 65 - The Abyss Order Is Ready to Gamble

Jean arrived at the altar, her eyes scanning the battered but largely unharmed knights, and a smile of relief spread across her face.

"Well done. Reinforcements have arrived-fall back to the altar and rest. We'll take over the front line."

"Captain Jean! You're finally here!"

"Everyone, stand down for now. Also..." Jean's expression turned serious. "What's Lord Andrius's condition?"

The situation was dire-the monster tide was still surging. They had fought their way up and knew this battle was far from over. Now was no time to rest or count casualties.

Her first concern was the North Wind Wolf King himself. If he were well, the beast tide wouldn't have made it past the first breath of his wind. Something was clearly wrong.

"He hasn't moved... We've been holding the lines outside the altar, so we're not entirely sure. Best if you see for yourself, Captain."

"Understood. Hold this ground-we'll stabilize from here."

Jean gave the front-line captain a reassuring pat on the shoulder before moving into the altar, where the massive wolf form of Andrius lay still.

'Why is Lord Andrius down like this? What kind of force could possibly harm a god?'

'And why now, while Lord Barbatos is away on diplomatic mission to Liyue? Could this be part of a long-planned conspiracy?'

Her mind raced.

The Abyss? Some foreign god? Or some yet-unknown dark power?

The Fatui were unlikely-too loud, too visible. They were known troublemakers, but not fools. Attacking a god outright? Unless the Tsaritsa wanted a war of divine wrath upon Snezhnaya, they wouldn't dare. No second-generation god would risk provoking a first-generation one.

But in all her reasoning, no clear answer emerged. Jean pushed the thoughts aside and got to work, organizing the reinforcements to hold the perimeter while she and Lisa entered the altar.

Angel ran up to meet them.

Jean knelt and gently ruffled the girl's hair.

"I heard you held the line and saved everyone-that's incredible. Thank you, Angel... huh?"

"You have a Vision now?"

"Huh? Oh, I do! When did that happen?"

Angel blinked, lifting the glowing Anemo Vision from her waist and turning it curiously in her hands. Then, with a shrug, she casually hooked it back to her belt-unbothered, unaffected.

"Amazing. My little apprentice really is something special."

Lisa grinned, gently cupping Angel's cheek.

To those who received Visions, the Vision itself often held less weight-they already had the will and strength to change the world. So they didn't dwell on it now.

The three approached Andrius.

"Lord Andrius..."

"The Abyss Order."

The Wolf King's voice rumbled low and weary.

"They had their eyes on Dvalin first. But the dragon avoided them after being warned. I knew they'd turn to me eventually, but I didn't expect it so soon."

He didn't feel like talking.

The new Anemo Archon had warned him, more than once. Before leaving for Liyue, she'd reminded Andrius to be vigilant.

And how had Andrius responded?

I, Andrius-mighty and unyielding. A god. What have I to fear?

He hadn't said it outright, but that was the gist.

And then... well, he got wrecked.

To be fair, it wasn't fatal. The Abyssal corruption was dangerous, yes, but quantity mattered. A god like him could eventually purge or suppress it.

The real problem was what kind of Abyssal power it was-enhanced, invasive, and clinging tightly to his projected form. Its mental erosion was far more insidious.

Right now, he needed to remain still and calm, focus entirely on resisting it.

The worst had been avoided-thanks to Angel's Gatling barrage, the Abyss Mages had been eliminated before they could escalate the effect with more blood and chaos.

Andrius may not have loved dealing with humans-but he didn't hate Mondstadters. It wasn't the same.

Jean nodded grimly.

"So it was the Abyss... Despicable, to strike while Lord Barbatos is away!"

"Right, he's in Liyue... yeah, I guess that makes sense."​ Andrius muttered.​ "Anyway, I'll be fine. Just keep the altar secure until I shake this off. My concern is that the Abyss might not back down so easily."

He didn't correct Jean about Barbatos-after all, the second Anemo Archon would be ascending soon enough, and the title would still apply.

Meanwhile, in a dimensional rift between the Abyss and Mondstadt, a group of Abyss Mages and an Abyss Herald were holding a tactical discussion.

"The unit succeeded in infecting Andrius with Abyssal energy, but that's the last update. Seems like Mondstadt's reinforcements arrived faster than expected. Do we keep pushing?"

"It's still a god's nation. Even if the Anemo Archon wasn't active before, they likely are now. Pushing further risks massive losses."

"But this is our one chance to convert a divine-class being. If we give up now, all our work will be wasted. Once the Seven learn of this, repeating this feat will be far harder. But if we win... if we gain even one god-level asset, our future campaigns will become far more manageable."

"Risk and Opportunity coexist. Don't gamble, and we lose everything. Gamble, and maybe we get wiped by a furious Anemo Archon-but maybe... Maybe we gain a god."

Silence fell.

And then-they chose to gamble.

If they were to drown in the Abyss, better to do so pushing forward.

...

In a remote part of the forest teeming with monsters, a new rift was torn open.

With great effort and dark magic, the Abyss Order summoned another entry point to Teyvat.

More than a dozen Mages and cultists surged through it.

"When we rebuild our kingdom... let us be bathed in glory!" ×N

They saluted the shadowy silhouette of the Abyss Prince, then vanished into the mortal world-possibly never to return, but without fear.

The ritual resumed.

Chanting, dancing, invocation-the forest itself began to darken, as black mist surged outward.

Monsters all around were tainted-their strength and rage amplified.

"That's enough. Any more, and we risk attracting attention from the skies."

"Understood. Half of us will strike Mondstadt's outskirts-towns and villages. Let the whole nation burn. Even if the Anemo Archon awakens, let them be overwhelmed in al directions."

"Good. The rest of you, come with me. We march on Wolvendom...​ to greet our new god."

"Yes!"

---

Chapter 66 - As for Money, We Can Find a Way

The surge of Abyssal energy wasn't first noticed by Mondstadt's people-but rather, by the East Wind Dragon, resting far away at the advice of that little Anemo Archon.

"So it begins..."

Dvalin opened his ancient, star-blue eyes. His wings unfurled like ribbons of storm, and in the blink of an eye, he became a radiant spirit of the wind, soaring straight toward Mondstadt's skies.

"Ding ding ding-clang! Clang! Clang!"

Warning bells echoed across Mondstadt.

The city itself was fine-protected by tall, sturdy walls and bolstered by the Knights of Favonius and the Church. All precautions had already been taken in case of a monster wave.

But the same couldn't be said for the villages scattered across the land. Most of them lacked proper defenses, and a sudden wave of monsters would be devastating.

"Abyss Order, get out of Mondstadt!"

A thunderous roar echoed from above as Dvalin swept through the skies. Tempestuous winds turned into blades, slicing the land below. Like an eraser wiping away graphite, the wind cleared swathes of monsters with ease.

"It's the East Wind Dragon! Lord Barbatos is protecting us!"

The people of Mondstadt witnessed myth descend upon reality.

That towering, majestic dragon-so terrifying, yet awe-inspiring-soared over the land. Wherever his shadow passed, the armies of Abyss-enhanced beasts were torn to shreds, reduced to piles of corpses by the storm's wrath.

"The dragon finally shows himself... maybe we still have a chance?"

Several Abyss Mages attempted to pursue Dvalin, trying to use the same corruption spell they had used on Andrius.

But Dvalin's mind was far more resilient. He had endured five centuries of torment from poison blood and still retained his sanity. Without immense mental fortitude, he'd have long gone mad.

"Rraaaarrrgh!"

"Agh!!"

With a single roar from the sky, the wind shredded the Mages trying to approach.

"Stop. That's the Wind Dragon-the Lord of the Skies. Even among the Seven, few can challenge him up there. Do not seek death."

The Abyss Order aborted the attempt.

"Since the East Wind Dragon has appeared, we cannot let it approach the Wolf King, and we cannot let it hinder us when we are about to achieve victory."

So the Abyss Order further scattered their forces, sending more monster waves to attack villages throughout Mondstadt, forcing Dvalin to stretch thin across the land.

This was indeed effective.

Mondstadt was vast, and though Dvalin was powerful, he could only be in one place at a time. The dragon was soon forced into a patrol pattern, hunting down scattered threats and Abyss agents embedded among the beast waves. For now, he couldn't break free to head to Wolvendom.

Meanwhile, at the Wolvendom altar, a massive tide of monsters thundered through the forest, trampling trees, advancing despite cannon fire and gunshots.

Andrius was forced to rise, even as the Abyssal corruption clawed at his thoughts.

"Have they lost their minds? Do they really want war with all Seven Nations?"

The situation wasn't apocalyptic-not yet. It was still just a few Abyss agents and manipulated monsters. But the scale was brazen. If the Seven Nations learned of this, a joint campaign to purge the Abyss would be all too likely.

This kind of move only made sense if the Abyss desperately needed a victory.

"Lord Andrius, please stay safe. It's clear you are their target," Jean warned.

"I know." Andrius growled. "But if they think these petty tricks can bring down the North Wind Wolf King... then they've gravely underestimated me!"

He had made up his mind.

These knights had come to repair his altar-among them was the Acting Grand Master herself. If they fell here because of him, he would never forgive himself.

Jean and Lisa exchanged a glance, both frowning.

They knew that Andrius moving would strain his resistance to the Abyss, but how could they stop the Wolf King of the North Wind? Nor could they let the Knights of Favonius suffer heavy losses.

So the knights and the wolf king stood together, ready to face the oncoming tide.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

The alchemic cannons still roared, delaying the monster horde.

But ammunition was running low.

Angel called out a countdown to the entire force, warning them of the imminent stop in artillery fire.

"...3, 2, 1. Musketeers, open fire!"

A volley of musket shots rang out. Their power was far weaker than the cannons, and the beasts resumed their slow but steady approach.

Angel, meanwhile, was furiously tuning her Gatling gun, until finally, she stood tall among the musketeers-weapon ready.

"Ratatatatata!"

An unthinkable rate of fire, a storm of metal and elemental fury.

With just one gun, she matched the output of multiple squads. Beasts that approached were shredded in waves, leaving only piles of tattered remains.

"Can we mass-produce that for the Knights?"

"No. The materials are rare, and the ammo is even more expensive. From what I've heard, Angel put everything she had into that single prototype."

"...Money-wise, we might be able to work something out."

Though Lisa denied it, Jean was already calculating the cost.

Mondstadt was in desperate need of firepower, especially while its main forces were deployed on distant expeditions.

Although there are relatives of Anemo Archon and Anemo Archon himself, Jean knows a lot about the history five hundred years ago. God has their own battlefield, and the people have their own battlefield. Relying on gods in everything will eventually lead to catastrophe. People also need the power of the people, which is the consensus of the top human forces in various countries.

"From what I know, little Angel already has a comprehensive Knight Corps firepower enhancement plan. Instead of chasing a prototype, maybe give her more support and funding."

"You're right. She really is Mondstadt's irreplaceable treasure... Lisa, thank you for discovering her."

Jean unsheathed her sword, fully acknowledging Angel as a key figure in Mondstadt's defense.

Lisa only smiled, raising her lantern calmly.

"Fire support complete. All troops, brace for melee!"

Angel had saved a final burst of ammo for emergencies, and now cut the fire support entirely.

The monsters closed in.

Jean raised her sword.

"Attack!"

Chaos erupted.

Knights, wolves, and monsters clashed in a brutal melee.

Andrius let loose a roar, unleashing a storm of ice and wind, freezing half a mountain's worth of beasts in an instant.

But from the edge of the battlefield, the Abyss Heralds and Mages emerged.

Their plan was simple-just like their fallen comrades: get close to Andrius, fuel the Abyssal energy already inside him, while letting the battlefield soak in blood and despair.

They have this confidence to let a god fall into the abyss by taking these steps.

The only difficulty is time. After all, a God is different from mortals. They have super resistance to the Abyss, and it will take quite some time to assimilate him.

Next, it depends on whether they successfully induce the God to fall first, or whether the family members of the Anemo Archon and Anemo Archon arrived first and wiped out them all.

"Andrius... come with us... fall into the Abyss with us~~"

"Join us in the Abyss~~"

"RAAAAGH! SHUT UP ALREADY!!!"

---

Chapter 67 - The Barbatos Manifests

Under the moonlight, the battle raged across Wolvendom.

"Die, worms of the Abyss!"

Boom!

A god was a god-no matter his condition. Even as he strained to hold back corruption, Andrius struck down an Abyss Mage mid-incantation with a single crushing claw.

But clearly, the Abyss Order understood the difference in power. They didn't try to fight him head-on-instead, they flew in circles, doing everything they could to avoid direct confrontation, chanting curses from the Abyss without pause.

Andreus could feel his mind being constantly worn out. Something savage and dark was slowly encroaching, staining his soul.

"Is this all? Is this the grand 'offering' you bring to the Wolf King? Such pathetic rituals!"​

"RRAARGH!"

Andrius rampaged through the battlefield, ripping apart Abyss cultists, smashing swarms of monsters, his sheer presence both physically and psychologically bolstering Mondstadt's defenders.

Yet the Abyss mages didn't panic. They simply continued, relentless in their chant and presence, willing to sacrifice themselves if it meant speeding up the corruption.​

This was a race against time-nothing else mattered.

"Andrius, fall back!"

Angel's voice cut through the chaos.

The Wolf King's eyes lit up. He leapt straight into the air-

"RATATATATATA!"

The sound of modern death echoed through the trees.

The Gatling gun roared-an artifact of warfare from a technological world-and the Abyss cultists were caught completely off guard.

Two were shredded instantly. Nothing left. Not even ash.

The rest, realizing the lethality of that metal storm, scattered in panic-only for their blood-red eyes to lock onto Angel.

She slung the barrel of her Gatling gun up with one arm, wiped her nose with cool nonchalance... then promptly retreated behind Lisa.

Lisa smiled gently, raising her lantern as arcs of lightning snapped through the air, weaving a net of electricity across the ground.

The Abyss cultists hesitated for a moment... then turned back toward Andrius.

Not because they can't beat her nor fear her, it's just that Andrius was a more cost effective target.

Besides, they had a pretty good guess how the first three cultists died. Most likely, it was that weapon.

Lisa narrowed her eyes in disappointment, then went back to casually electrocuting the surrounding beasts while patting Angel on the head.

"Can you fire another round?"

"Needs repairs, Master."

"Makes sense. Output that intense, no material would last long. Hurry. We need that thing back-whatever they're doing to Andrius, it's getting worse."

With that, she pushed Angel back toward a safer area and then vanished in a blink, reappearing beside Jean.

"BOOM!!!"

A bolt of lightning exploded from the sky, clearing a path through the horde.

Old friends need no words-just a glance.

Lisa took Jean's place on the line.​ Jean sprinted toward Andrius.

CLANG!

A Herald of the Abyss intercepted her.

After a brief exchange, the Herald realized Jean was no pushover. So instead of trying to win, it chose to stall, preventing her from reaching Andrius.

"Lord Andrius!"

"Don't worry. I'll crush these insects myself!"

Andrius' voice was low and grave.

Truthfully, things weren't looking good.

Now outside the altar, his power had weakened. Normally, that wouldn't matter-he was a god, after all. But so much of his strength was being diverted to resist the Abyss.

His mighty strikes looked as fearsome as ever-but it was all bluff.

Were it not for the corruption, he could've wiped them all out with a single charge.

'This is such a pain... Still-thank the winds it was me and not Dvalin who got ambushed. He's still recovering from five centuries of poison. If he had taken this hit...'

Indeed, the one consolation was that it was Andrius, not Dvalin, who bore this burden.

Andrius clenched his teeth.

'Barbatos... where are you? Your successor's already busy herself in Liyue dealing with another mess. Can't you show up and do something for once?'

The Wolf King sighed inwardly at his unreliable "boss."

Then, he made a decision.

Forget the Abyss corrosion. Kill every last cultist here. Wipe the board clean. The rest... can be left to Dvalin and that little windling.

Just as that thought settled-

{Andrius. Return to the altar!}

The voice was clear. Familiar.

"Hah! You finally showed up!"

Eyes ablaze, the Wolf King didn't hesitate. He leapt backward, withdrawing into the altar-leaving the battlefield and the Mondstadt defenders behind.

The cultists below looked up toward the sky.

They stopped.

In their eyes, appeared true fear.

"Doom."

"It's over..."

The winds stirred, and every leaf in the forest sang in resonance.​

In the breeze, one could hear the rhythm of war drums-majestic, sacred, echoing in every soul.

The sounds of the world-the beasts' growls, the humans' shouts, the clash of blades-all fell silent.

All that remained was the praise of Thousand Winds, harmonizing into a hymn-not a melody, but something deeper than song.

It was worship for God, A reverence for god.

The winds gathered, flowing into the moonlit sky-where a woman, robed in stormlight, stood with her gown billowing in the night.

"The Anemo Archon..."

"Barbatos has descended!"

"It's Lord Barbatos!!"

In the heavens, a goddess with flowing hair and emerald eyes, clothed in the light of the moon, lifted her arms as a storm gathered in her palms.

"Old man, I'm counting on you."

"Steady as stone."

Wendy's voice carried on the winds, and Zhongli's deep baritone responded through the ground's rumble.

Then-golden shields formed around every Mondstadt knight and wolf companion.

At the same time, Venti thrust the storm forward.

"Abyssal cultists-get out of my Mondstadt."

These cold and pleasant words are silent, but they express the wrath of a God. Then:

"BOOOOOM!!!"

Under the weight of the wind, all was equal.

The storm tore through the forest, sweeping away monsters, cultists, and every speck of corruption.

Even the hills were reshaped by the gales.

Jean stood safely inside the golden shield. She reached out, and the wind greeted her-soft, healing, kind.

She looked up at the goddess in the moonlight, tears in her eyes, overcome with reverence.

"Praise the Anemo Archon!"

"ROAAAAARR!!"

From the horizon, a blue dragon soared in.

Dvalin swept through the sky, his majestic body bathed in dawn's first light.

He descended gently, bowing his head before the Anemo Archon.

---

Chapter 68 - Did Anyone Bring Wine?

"Praise the Anemo Archon! Praise Lord Barbatos!" ×N

"...It's clearly Barto-bas," muttered the old wolf alone, determined to give Barbatos a tiny surprise-however belated.

Everyone who heard him stiffened for a moment.

Of course, it was just a small interruption and didn't affect the overwhelming joy flooding the hearts of the people of Mondstadt.

...

The battle of Wolvendom was finally over.

The goddess and the wind dragon descended into the altar to speak with the Wolf King.

Outside the altar, Jean led the reinforcements and the original construction team in rest and recovery. Thankfully, the once-dense forest had been swept clean into a pristine white clearing by the storm-saving them a lot of cleanup.

As for the gods and their conversation, Mondstadters knew their place-no one dared to disturb them.

No one wanted to leave, either.

Although they suffered a lot here and almost died, they met the Anemo Archon!

Right now, the Anemo Archon, the East Wind Dragon, and the North Wind Wolf King were all just within reach.

Unless Lord Barbatos himself dismissed them, anyone who left now might as well turn in their citizenship.

"Bruce, you know someone has to go back and report. We can't keep the people of Mondstadt in the dark."

"But Captain Jean... fine. For Mondstadt."

Jean hesitated, feeling sorry for him-but in the end, she hardened her heart and assigned one lightly wounded wolf knight to return and deliver the news. The knight almost showed a face that waa about to cry.

"Alright, now that the wounded are taken care of, let's all finally rest for a bit. Great work, everyone-especially you, Barbara. You must be exhausted."

"Captain Jean..."

They were sisters-but for many reasons, there'd always been a quiet distance between them.

Now, seeing her little sister safe and sound after all that terror, Jean finally let go of her anxiety.​ Barbara, feeling the warmth and concern, blushed a little under Jean's elegant and determined gaze, her eyes sparkling.

"Hm?"

"Jean-what's wrong?"

"...The Anemo Archon is calling for me. Barbara, could you help Lisa and Angel settle everyone? I've been summoned."

Jean tidied her clothes and hair with reverent care, then made her way to the altar with a heart full of awe.

....

When Wendy and Zhongli descended into the altar, Dvalin was already perched on a nearby mountain. His massive dragon head leaned casually into the space, shadowing half the altar.

The eyes of the two gods and one dragon all turned to the Wolf King.

"Andrius, are you alright?"

"More or less. Just a touch of Abyss corruption. I'll recover with some rest."

"I must've reminded you a dozen times before I left. If they dared target Dvalin, they'd definitely come for you too. And if it works on Dvalin, it'd likely work on you as well."

"..."

Andrius turned his wolf head away, presenting his furry back to the three of them in silent shame.

The mighty North Wind Wolf King-once a contender for the Anemo Archon's seat-had been ambushed by a bunch of low-level Abyss cultists.

Frankly? It was embarrassing.

And with the Geo Archon present, too... the humiliation wasn't just national-it was international.

Wendy puffed up her cheeks in frustration and finally did what she'd been itching to do: she rubbed the wolf's fur.

Even if it was just a spiritual projection, the power of a god made it indistinguishable from the real thing. The texture was even better than she'd imagined.

"Stop that... I only fought because Mondstadters were here. I couldn't just watch those cultists kill people at my altar."

"I protected Mondstadt while I fought, too. Every Abyss Mage that got close was torn to shreds."

Dvalin added casually, like it was no big deal.

Andrius: "..."

The wolf curled up tighter, refusing to respond no matter how much Wendy rubbed his fur.

Wendy spread her hands, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Old man, thanks for the help."

"It's nothing. You could've handled it yourself anyway."

"Still... ah, Jean's here. We should let her in on what's going on."

Wendy knocked on her head as if to shake loose the exhaustion, then smiled at the approaching knight.

"Jean Gunnhildr, Lionfang Knight, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, presents her greetings to the Anemo Archon, to Lord Dvalin of the East Wind, to Lord Andrius of the North Wind, and to..."

Jean kneeled with knightly grace, respectfully greeting each legendary figure-then hesitated as her gaze fell on Zhongli.

"This is the Geo Archon of Liyue. Also, I'm not Barbatos."

"...Greetings, Lord of Geo!"

"No need for formality. Please, speak freely. I'm only here as the Anemo Archon's guest. Don't mind me."

Wendy fell silent for a beat.

She gave Zhongli a long, pointed look-you know I'm not Barbatos.

Zhongli returned a look of pure innocence-aren't you the Anemo Archon now? Just not crowned yet. I didn't say you were Barabatos himself.

Old as he was, the Geo Archon could still out-Barbatos Barbatos himself.

As for the dragon and the wolf?​ Dvalin stayed silent.​ Andrius curled up even tighter, his fur twitching slightly. Obviously, no objections there.

Jean paused for a moment, unsure of what just passed between them-but assuming the Anemo Archon had some reason for maintaining her cover, she cautiously said.

"...Then, greetings to the Musician."

"...Fine, whatever. Call me what you want. Stand up."

"Yes, Musician."

Jean rose, and Wendy continued:

"So, here's the gist. The Abyss Order was targeting Dvalin and Andrius. We took care of it. Originally, I wanted to wait until they made a big move and then catch them all in one net-but this works too. At least Mondstadt's safe."

Wendy rested her chin on her hand, thinking aloud.

"Now that they've seen me and the Geo Archon strike together, they're probably terrified. We've bought some peace and quiet. Still, there are some scattered berserk beasts left over from the wave. Dvalin took care of most of it, but you'll need to clean up the rest. Be careful."

"Understood, Musician."

"Also, one more thing. When I went to Liyue, I actually meant to ask Old Man about the Abyss Order. But one thing led to another, and we ended up inviting the Raiden Shogun too. We took a trip to Sumeru and had a chat with the little Dendro Archon. Nothing bad happened-but just know that Sumeru, Liyue, and Inazuma might stir a little in the days to come. Just keep it in mind."

"Understood!" Jean answered with bright determination, leaving the altar with renewed confidence.

Wendy turned around and gave the trio behind her a long, suspicious look.

"You guys really enjoy laughing at Barbatos behind his back, don't you? Was he really that annoying?"

"Hey, Barbatos, she's talking to you."

Dvalin casually turned his dragon eyes toward the edge of the altar.

There, a gentle breeze was slowly taking shape.

"Ahhh~ what a lively night. The Abyss Order, beasts, brave knights and wolves, dragons, wind, and rock... it's like watching a grand epic unfold. Scared me so bad, I fell off my bed."

"But anyway-lovely to see everyone. Just one quick question..."

"...Did anyone bring wine?"

"..." ×4

---

Chapter 69 - Why Are You Still Not Humoring Him?

The bard smiled gently.

Meanwhile, two of Teyvat's most powerful familiars-Dvalin and Andrius-were quietly brimming with murderous intent.

Wendy, stroking Andrius's thick fur with one hand and scratching Dvalin's chin with the other, tried to mediate with a calm, peacekeeper's tone:

"Alright, alright. The old man's still watching-give him some face. Once he and I leave, you can 'catch up' all you want."

"Mm."

"Hmph."

It didn't matter who grunted or who hummed.​ Either way, Barbatos just kept his usual lazy smile as he drifted closer to Zhongli.

"Long time no see, old man. Really appreciate you coming all this way to help."

"I didn't do much. Just seems the Abyss Order is more desperate than I expected. Perhaps they truly need a god-tier combatant to push forward some larger plan. The ones who actually made a difference were your familiars-and your successor, who's been running herself ragged over all of this."

"Hehe! Well, at least we gave them a good smack. Over a dozen Abyss mages and apostles lost, several portal breaches, monster mobilization on a huge scale, and whatever they used on Andrius... It cost them plenty. They won't be crawling out again anytime soon. So! Since we've got you here, Geo Archon-and with all that behind us-shouldn't we celebrate with a drink?"

As always, Barbatos made a full circle around the subject... and then landed right back at alcohol.

You couldn't blame him. As a millennia-old wine-lover, he'd just woken up from a five-century nap with not a single drop of alcohol.​ He felt like wine-spirits were crawling all over him. If he didn't get a drink soon, he might lose his mind.

Wendy, still gently scratching and petting both familiars, sighed inwardly.

"Come on now, just let it go. Keep calm."

"Hmph." ×2

Two discontent huffs rang out in stereo.

Barbatos shrank his neck and gave a sheepish grin full of forced charm.​

Sadly, it had zero effect.​ Both Dvalin and Andrius were long accustomed to this kind of behavior from their so-called god.

Dvalin, exasperated, finally reached behind one wing, clawing out a tiny, elegant gift box. He dropped it lightly into Barbatos's hands.

"There's wine in it."

He said flatly, the disdain in his voice crystal clear.

Barbatos's eyes lit up. He started sniffing at the box like a happy pup.

Andrius raised his wolf head to glance at it too.

"That the one from the second Anemo Archon? You still had it? I opened mine on the spot-barely enough to wet a tooth."

"You think you were shorted? It wasn't enough for me either. I didn't know what to do with it at the time. Now it looks like it makes the perfect gift."

The two familiars shared a glance and simultaneously shifted their gaze to Barbatos.

Look at her-the new Anemo Archon, Wendy.​ Sure, her gift was small-but it was thoughtful and sincere.​

And look at you-how many times have you ever given us anything properly?

Ignoring the very awkward bard, Dvalin turned to Zhongli and offered a polite nod.

"Lord of Geo, this isn't a formal banquet. I'm afraid we have nothing prepared. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. Wendy's gift is of excellent quality."

Ever composed, Zhongli raised his hand-and the ground itself shaped into a stone table and five stone stools.​

Two of them pointed toward Dvalin and Andrius, clearly acknowledging their presence.​

The other three were for the gods themselves.

With a tap on the table, Zhongli summoned elegant jade dishware, cups, and utensils-all polished to a pristine luster.

Wendy opened the gift box, removed the wine, and took a gentle sniff.

The aroma was rich and mellow. She sighed in satisfaction.

"Yup. That's the one."

She tapped the table like Zhongli had done.

Fruit pieces from the box flew into a dish.​ Slices of cured meat hovered in the air, finely cut by invisible wind blades.

Wood logs flew in from afar and lit themselves.​ The meat roasted gently over the fire, sizzling, before landing perfectly on plates.

Wine, meat, and dried fruit.​

A proper small banquet was now in place.

Barbatos immediately poured wine for everyone.

"Well, there's a lot to talk about... but first, a toast."

He raised his cup.

The others, whether with a smile or sigh, followed suit-some with their hands, others with elemental magic.

The glasses clinked, and the wine was drunk.

As for Dvalin and Andrius, they could only inhale the vapor, savoring its aroma in spirit.

"Ahhh~ Top-grade apple wine. I'm finally alive again~"

Although this god is very unfair, it has to be said that his appearance is like a binder, which quickly faded the gap between Anemo Archon's family and Geo Archon. After a glass of wine, the atmosphere on the scene became much more relaxed.

The Geo Archon relaxed into a rare, amused smile.

"It's rare to see you here, old man. Speaking of, what's this about dragging Raiden Shogun off to Sumeru? The World Tree acting up?"

"For now, it's stable. But I'm not convinced the young Dendro Archon can handle the task. I'm keeping an eye on Sumeru's situation. If she can't manage even secular affairs-or if Irminsul shows signs of corruption again..."

"Got it. If she really proves unfit, just call me. I'll go with you to Celestia."

Wendy quickly understood the key problem and breathed a sigh of relief.

When he woke up, what he was most worried about was the incident that just happened. The rest are all problems. If something goes wrong with Irminsul, it will destroy the world.

With that reassurance, he raised his glass in a toast to Zhongli, and they drank together.

Then Barbatos turned to Wendy with a cheeky grin:

"I know I'm a little late, but... welcome to Mondstadt. You don't mind, right?"

"...Oh."

"Come on, lighten up! I'm your predecessor-the original Anemo Archon!"

"Mm."

Wendy just gave him a blank look, like someone evaluating a disappointing manager during a performance review.

Still, he hadn't been too awful, so... she raised her glass.

They drank in silence.

The toasts continued.

"Andrius, that was rough. You really took a hit for Mondstadt."

"...You're terrible at this. Just drink."

"Dvalin, you're looking great. I'm glad to see you've bounced back."

"Barbatos... do something useful for once. Drink."

After one round, the atmosphere was completely harmonious.

Wendy kept pouring wine with the bottle.

The two relatives complained one after another.

Zhongli, swirling his cup of wine slowly, smiled without realizing it.

It wasn't the grand Seven Archon banquets of old,​ but it felt good.

"Bayana, God of Struggle -what a title! Cheers!"

"There's only one God of Freedom, and that's Barbatos. You gave freedom. All I can do now is struggle to protect it... though I'm starting to wonder if too much freedom is a bad thing."

"Wha-wait, don't tell me that's because you met me?"

"Drink."

Wendy raised her glass expressionlessly.

Barbatos grinned anyway and clinked his glass.

Then, Andrius swished his tail toward Wendy's left side.

Dvalin nudged her right shoulder with his claw.

They looked at her silently.

And sighed.

This was their beloved but hopeless boss.

Wendy rolled her eyes at Barbatos and said:

"You... never mind. As long as you're happy. I'll try to keep an eye on Mondstadt-let's just treat it as pre-job training."

"Fair enough. Barbatos, you never really wanted to be a Anemo Archon anyway. At this point, just take it easy."

"Yeah. Just enjoy yourself-don't overthink it. The rest of us will cover for you."

Wendy's words sounded casual, almost like an offhand remark.​

But the two familiars seemed to recall something. Their tone softened, and they looked at Barbatos with a kind of understanding he had never quite experienced before.

"Huh?" Barbatos blinked in confusion.

Then Zhongli gently patted him on the shoulder.

"If you ever need anything during this time, feel free to come to Liyue. Sigh..."

Everyone had a bit of a wistful look in their eyes.

Everyone except Barbatos, who blinked again in a daze.​

A moment later, his eyes shifted with a flash of understanding. He adopted a slightly heavy tone and said:

"Yeah... Seems like Celestia has already foreseen something, one way or another. Who knows how much time is left. But hey-Wendy's doing just fine, isn't she? Nothing for me to worry about. Come on, let's drink~~"

"Sure. Let's drink."

Everyone knew Barbatos was milking the moment for a little sympathy-and hopefully more time to slack off.

Barbatos knew everyone knew.

But as the wine flowed and cups clinked, no one really minded his little ploy.​

After all, if this really was the final stretch for him...

Why not just humor him a little longer?

---

Chapter 70: So alike... truly alike

Let's rewind to the moment Raiden Ei departed from Inazuma.

Inside Tenshukaku, the newly appointed acting Raiden Shogun and the national advisor of Inazuma sat at the head of the room.

Yae Miko idly flipped through a light novel, lazily lounging with an air of complete disinterest in state affairs. But no one dared to criticize her. As the Shogun's appointed proxy-and one of her most trusted familiars-she was now the highest authority in the nation. If something about her bothers you, well, that's your own problem. Go reflect.

"This is a new method of bookkeeping. I've laid out the framework and instructions. Please use it for the upcoming grain distribution tasks."

"This is... hmm, very clear and structured. Is this based on foreign methods?"

"You could say that. It came from my travels, combined with some of my own thoughts. In Liyue, there's a saying: 'Sharpening the axe won't delay the cutting of firewood.' Food distribution is a matter of life and death for the people-I hope this system can ensure transparency, fairness, and traceability. If any issues arise, feel free to discuss them with me. Let's improve it together."

"Understood. We'll implement it first for grain records."

The current heads of the Tri-Commission had all been freshly promoted, following the purge of the previous corrupt elite. It was hard to say if they were more capable than their predecessors-but what they did understand, was that the Shogun would be watching their work closely. So they weren't slacking off. Not one bit.

They placed the new accounting manual front and center, both on the table and in their minds.

Kaguya opened the next document.

"Next, regarding the construction of temporary resettlement zones for displaced citizens, I have a few concerns..."

She transitioned smoothly into the day-to-day governance of an entire nation.

Some of her proposals clashed with existing Inazuman law. While others remained silent, Kamisato Ayato, who understood Kaguya well, raised the concerns tactfully. Kaguya took them in stride, calmly addressing each point.

But the majority of her suggestions were high-caliber-so much so that the newly promoted ministers started to wonder if this gentle and refined national advisor might be a descendant of some long-lost noble clan. How else could one explain such insight and capability?

Throughout the meeting, Yae Miko remained with her light novel in hand. Whether she actually turned any pages, or how her mind connected Kaguya's statecraft to her own personal reflections-only she knew.

Kaguya paid her no mind. She continued to guide the Tri-Commission through state affairs, one topic at a time.

The meeting lasted until sunset, golden light filtering softly into the chamber. Finally, she picked up the last document, one that had been set aside from the rest.

"One final matter-regarding the rebellion on Watatsumi Island."

Kaguya and the ministers turned in unison to stare at one person: the shrine maiden who had been sitting stiffly for hours-Sangonomiya Kokomi.

She shivered.

"The people of Watatsumi hold no disloyalty toward the Shogun. We fully support all decisions of the Shogunate!"

Kokomi prostrated herself at Kaguya's feet.

The Shogun had temporarily left Inazuma-supposedly to attend a divine banquet hosted by the Geo Archon.

Kokomi didn't know the details, but she did understand this was likely Watatsumi's last chance. If she could resolve the rebellion swiftly and make Watatsumi seem loyal and obedient upon the Shogun's return, there might be hope for survival. If not... well, another divine strike could send Watatsumi sinking into the sea.

Right now, the one holding Watatsumi's fate was not the absent Shogun, but this gentle-looking, delicate national advisor the Shogun had appointed.

Kokomi had no choice but to bow.

Kaguya raised a hand and lightly covered her lips.

"Cough cough!"

"Tired? Then let's leave this for tomorrow-get some rest, okay?"

For the first time, Yae Miko put down her novel and rushed to support Kaguya, showing a tenderness that no one else had ever seen from her.

Kaguya shook her head with a calm smile.

"I'm fine. The Shogun and Lady Miko's divine arts are unmatched-I've recovered well. It's just a lingering ailment."

"Minor symptoms often hide major illness. Don't take it lightly."

"Really, it's nothing. But thank you, Lady Miko. Resolving this rebellion is the final major obstacle for Inazuma. Only once it is calmed can we truly restore peace and prosperity."

She gently patted Yae Miko's hand, her smile soft yet firm.

Yae Miko froze-So alike... truly alike.​ So alike, it made the little fox's heart ache.

Meanwhile, the Tri-Commission and Kokomi became all the more certain of Kaguya's extraordinary status. Clearly, she belonged to a world far above theirs-best to offer unwavering devotion and stay in her good graces.

Kaguya looked down at the girl groveling before her.

A perfectly sculpted pear-shaped figure, a body slim where it should be, and curving where it needed to. That submissive pose was criminally tempting.​

In other words, it's very delicious.

Kokomi shivered again, not knowing why.

Then came the gentle, calming voice of the national advisor:

"You may rise."

"Yes, Lady Kaguya."

"I understand the rebellion stemmed from a food crisis... and yes, also from long-standing historical wounds. But the divine conflict is over now. The severed serpent head on Yashiori Island stands as proof: Inazuma has only one god, and only one sword. Do you accept that?"

"Yes, of course."

Kokomi responded without hesitation. She was in no mood to argue.

Kaguya nodded.

"Then this will be simple. Those who resist, those who refuse the Shogun's rule, those who colluded with the Fatui, those who destroyed sacred sites-all who deserve punishment will be punished. I will assign people to assist you. I hope that in three days, the Shogunate can formally take control of Watatsumi, and begin disaster relief and reconstruction. Can you manage that?"

"I will carry out your will, which is the will of the Shogun!"

Total compliance.

Kaguya sighed.

"We've covered much today, but the work of governing goes far beyond this. There is still so much to be done. In accordance with the Shogun's will, and for the well-being of Inazuma's people, I ask that all of you give your best. And if I ever make a mistake, please don't hesitate to correct me. Everything I do is for Inazuma. For the Shogun. May the Eternal Way be ever vast-may the Narukami shine forever."

"May the Eternal Way be ever vast-may the Narukami shine forever!" ×N

And thus, Kaguya ended today's session, subtly steering Inazuma's future under the name and authority of the Raiden Shogun.

Unfortunately, Raiden Ei had become quite mild in her conduct, so Kaguya couldn't just go on a killing spree. But that was fine. A problem solved was a problem solved. There are hard methods and soft ones-it didn't matter which, so long as they worked.

Outside the chamber, Kamisato Ayaka saw her brother coming out with several officials and quickly carried in the dinner she had prepared.

On her way in, she smiled at her brother.

"See you later, dear brother."

"Ayaka, you... Mm. See you."

He'd wanted to tell her to come home early, but the Shogun had specifically instructed her to assist Kaguya.​ More importantly, judging by her every gesture and glance, she was fully invested in that person in the room. Ayato couldn't help but feel sour.

The other officials watching, however, could only look at Ayato with renewed awe.

From their perspective, being personally asked to stay in Tenshukaku by the Shogun was an unspeakable honor. It was a sign of supreme favor. A clear indication that the Kamisato Clan was no longer under pressure from the other two Commissions-their rise was now unstoppable.

There was only one option: make nice.

...

Inside the chamber, Kaguya looked at the plain congee and pickled vegetables on the table. Her lips twitched, and she pouted.

"So bland..."

"Kaguya, you've only just recovered. You need nourishing food-not greasy meals."

"Can't I at least get some grilled fish or something?"

"Kaguya! You're getting more and more spoiled! You weren't like this before!"

Ayaka puffed up her cheeks and placed her hands on her hips, scolding her in all seriousness.

Kaguya shrank back with a pitiful look.

"That was before-I was just rushing to get things done! Now that I'm better, can't I have something tasty?"

"Ugh... fine. I'll arrange it later. But at least for these next two days, you're drinking your porridge. No complaints."

Ayaka sighed and picked up a bowl, tenderly feeding her.

"I want some sour pickled beans."

"Alright, alright. Here."

"And that tofu soup too."

"Got it."

While Ayaka fed her, Kaguya picked up her own chopsticks and fed Ayaka in return.

"Just look at how skinny she is. Must be that useless brother not feeding her properly. I'll have to plump her up a bit-feels better to hold that way."

Kaguya gazed lovingly at Ayaka's soft, dewy cheeks, her eyes practically dripping affection.

Beside them, the little fox rubbed her arms, covered in goosebumps, and quietly slipped out of the room.

She couldn't keep watching.

---

Chapter 71 - The Final Puzzle Piece

Nightfall.

Dinner had been an affectionate, sugary mess, Kaguya thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kamisato Ayaka, for all her elegance and upbringing, seemed completely defenseless against this sort of attention. Simple and sweet by nature, she had now fallen right into Angel's carefully woven web - and it didn't seem like she'd be crawling back out anytime soon.

Afterwards, Kaguya made a request to be in the terrace to see the night view.

Ayaka hesitated. "The wind's a little strong tonight. You can only stay out for a short while... You'll catch a chill otherwise."

Kaguya smiled warmly.​ "Yes, yes, my little Ayaka has already become a responsible little housekeeper~"

"That's not true! Kaguya, stop teasing me..."

Flustered, Ayaka nuzzled closer into Kaguya's embrace.

Truth be told, this girl was far too sweet.

Especially considering her pedigree - a noble lady from a prestigious family, so well-protected and unspoiled. Kamisato Ayato really did a fine job raising her. Kaguya made a mental note to thank her "big brother-in-law" someday.

Elsewhere in the city...

Kamisato Ayato sneezed.​ "Ah-choo! ...Ugh, when is Ayaka coming home? She's never been away for this many days before..."

Back on the terrace, a new presence arrived.

Yae Miko stepped into the wind, brushing off the metaphysical wave of sugary fluff that had all but assaulted her upon approach.

"Good evening, Lady Kaguya. Ayaka."

"Don't tease me, Lady Guuji," Kaguya replied, smiling gently as she held Ayaka close. "This was just coincidence. I was just being in the right place at the right time. I only hope I can do something for the people of Inazuma while I'm here. Once things settle, I'll ask the Shogun for forgiveness and step down... I was never meant to be a national advisor."

She spoke with a wry smile, but her arms didn't let go of Ayaka. They gently traced her slim waist, savoring every perfect curve of that silken figure.

Yae Miko gave a knowing look but didn't comment. Instead, she turned toward the nighttime cityscape and remarked with casual curiosity:

"By the way... where exactly were you raised, Lady Kaguya? With a heart so attuned to the people, such vision, such poise - one can't help but wonder about your upbringing."

"Huh? Me?" Kaguya blinked, almost surprised. "Well, I was just... I was... I..."

Kaguya frowned. She couldn't help but hold her forehead, as if she was trying hard to recall something, but she had an unbearable headache.

Yae Miko's smile vanished in an instant.

"Stop!" she snapped, grabbing Kaguya's hand.

Kaguya turned toward her in a daze. Her skin was pale, her lips trembling.

"Lady Guuji... I... I don't think I have any childhood memories. I don't remember a family. Did I ever... have one?"

Kaguya asked, and her pity-provoking little face was even pale.

Yae Miko quickly took a serious expression and took out the speech that had been thought of in advance.

"After all, you almost exhausted your vitality. Even if you were rescued and nursed back to full health, it is impossible to have no other aftereffects. The brain is the most complex and fragile part of the human body, and it may have some damaged memories. Sorry about bringing this up. Don't think about these things again in the future, as things will get better."

"Kaguya, Listen to Lady Guuji! Don't sccre me!" Kamisato Ayaka also turned pale with fear and hugged Kaguya tightly.

Kaguya quickly reached out to comfort the soft little girl in her arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I won't think about it. I won't. I just... I'm grateful to be here, truly. I'm alive, Inazuma is changing, and that's enough. Just... forget the rest. If the memories never come back, then... so be it."

"You can think so. In short, don't care too much. Maybe as your body recovers, you can slowly remember it, so don't be too pessimistic."

Kaguya nodded, her voice faint.

"...Actually, there is one thing..I think... I had a sister. I don't remember her name, or face, or anything at all. But I know I had one. That part I'm sure of."

Kaguya muttered to herself like this, and finally smiled bitterly and shook her head, turning her head to look at the night view of the city. She held Kamisato Ayaka in her hand, and the night view was printed in her eyes, revealing a faint sorrow of loss.

"...No. No more thinking. I'll focus on getting better. One step at a time."

Miko stood beside her, quietly gripping her own gohei. Her fingers were white from the force of her grip.

Later that night.​

Kaguya and Ayaka had gone to rest, curled together under one blanket, limbs entangled like ivy. They whispered softly, feeding each other little bites of steamed tofu and sour beans, before finally drifting into slumber, skin pressed to skin.

Miko didn't intrude.

She stood alone at the terrace, watching the waves beyond the city, deep in thought.

Then-​

A crack of thunder tore across the sky.

"...Keep it down," she said mildly. "People are sleeping."

Raiden Ei landed beside her in silence.

"...Right."

Miko turned and fixed her hair, fussing over her Shogun's disheveled appearance.

"...You're thinking about something," Ei said flatly.

"Wow. You noticed? You're growing, wood block."

"I'm not a block of wood."

"You are, and only your puppet Shogun believes otherwise." Miko sighed. "Anyway - how did things go in Sumeru?"

Ei reported, serious as ever.

"The Dendro Archon... was disappointing. She was imprisoned by her own people for five hundred years. We - myself, Morax, and the second Anemo Archon, Wendy - intervened to awaken her and purify Irminsul."

Miko blinked.

"...Wait. Barbatos is dead?"

"Not yet. But the advent of Wendy suggests that Celestia has already foreseen the transition. I estimate less than two centuries before the shift - perhaps sooner."

"...Even he couldn't escape the cycle, huh?"

Miko sighed, but gestured for her to continue. "Let's talk about Sumeru."

Raiden Ei continued:

"In short, we and the two Archons gathered in Sumeru to force out the little Dendro Archon to appear, and then told her to purify Irminsul with Morax's Gnosis. Now that the Sumeru's land veins are purified, I think the situation in various nations will gradually improve, especially the filth of Inazuma's earth veins should be much better. However, Morax still questioned the power of the Dendro Archon. He and Anemo Archon will continue to observe and finally decide whether to hold the summit of the Seven to depose the Dendro Archon. I agree. This is probably the case."

"...That's fair," Miko murmured. "If she can't handle Irminsul, she shouldn't keep the post."

As for Ei and two other gods pulling up at Sumeru's front door like school bullies? Miko had no moral qualms. Inazuma's position as the front line against the outer abyss gave them that authority. Raiden Shogun was the original representation of the God of Fighting. Except for Morax, no other gods could contend to her.

So what if the Electro Archon bullies the Dendro Archon?

Can they even do something to Inazuma?

Besides, it was her fault for not properly overseeing the World Tree.

Miko wrote all of these while explaining what happened today.

"She was doing an excellent job as the National Advisor. She is very dedicated to the people and very organized. She was so outstanding... just like five-hundred years ago."

Miko continued.

"She has no childhood memories. The result of the investigation is that everything about her information only appeared a few years ago. It is as if she was a person who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grew up as soon as she appeared. You know, this is not the case for real humans. Today I asked her childhood memories with tentative questions. She had a headache and her breath began to be messy, and she couldn't remember anything. But in the end she said... she should have a sister. Although she didn't remember anything, she was very sure about the fact that there was a sister."

Lightning flared across Ei's face. She stumbled backwards, hand gripping the railing.

"...Sister... truly..."

"Do you still have the strength?"

"What are you planning?"

"Let's go speak to Lady Kitsune Saiguu. If her experiences match what we suspect, then... this might really be the final piece of the puzzle."

Miko looked toward the quiet room where Kaguya and Ayaka now slept peacefully. In her eyes shimmered the light of hope.

Ei nodded without hesitation.

"Let's go."

Even if the abyss awaited them - she would not hesitate.

...

Somewhere, across Irminsul's network...

[Do you hear that, Irminsul? You'd better hurry up and help her.]​

[We just purged all that forbidden knowledge. Restoring lost consciousness fragments from Inazuma's leylines shouldn't be that weird right now.]

[That's easier said than done. Out of countless leylines, locating one consciousness fragment to repair is a massive undertaking.]

[You doing it or not?]

[...I'm doing it.]

There really wasn't any other choice.

She was only one, while the other Angels are all united.

And the World Tree - or rather, Angel at the helm of it - sighed, and pressed on with her work.

---

Chapter 72 - Get on All Fours. Say Woof.

Beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine, in a secluded alcove wrapped around one of the Sacred Sakura's oldest roots, an ethereal figure lingered - a curious remnant of someone once called Kitsune Saiguu no Himemiko.

But today, something had changed.

The branches of the Sacred Sakura that were usually stagnant with corrupted filth are now slowly unmistakably... purifying. Fresh vitality surged through the tree's ley-threaded limbs, pushing back the spiritual sludge like sunlight melting frost.

"...Strange," she murmured aloud, staring upward with a frown.​

"The Sacred Sakura hasn't undergone any Grand Purification ritual lately. So why is the filth receding? Could the land's leylines have cleansed themselves?"

"But that's backward. The Sakura purifies the land - not the other way around. This shouldn't be possible..."

She tilted her head, confused beyond measure.

"Has Inazuma gained a new source of purification?"

She couldn't understand it - but she could feel the truth.​

And more urgently: she could feel it within herself.

Her body, once held together by the sludge of tainted memories, had begun to dissolve.

She gave a soft sigh.

"As a byproduct of her memories, corroded and reborn from filth... it makes sense. Now that corruption is gone, so too must I be."

She looked out over the Inazuman night with soft regret.

"I hope... she won't search for me. I'm not her. I can't be what she was... I'm sorry. But this, at least, is a peaceful end."

Her thoughts turned - inevitably - to someone in particular.

Yae Miko.

The girl who once warmed her fox paws, who now stood tall as Inazuma's High Priestess. The image made her smile.

"...You've grown. Into a fine, terrible fox."

She closed her eyes, awaiting the inevitable.

One second.​

Two.​

A minute.​

Ten.​

Half an hour passed.

"...Huh?"

She blinked and looked down at herself. Her hands were solid. No sign of fading. No spiritual transparency. No disintegration.

"But... how?"

Yes, the filth on her body has disappeared.

The fundamental power maintaining her existence is no longer there.

But why is she still there?

"W-What?"

She ran her fingers through her hair - soft, white, familiar - and then instinctively touched the twitching fox ears on her head.

Behind her, a snow-white tail swayed into her palm.

"...No. No, this isn't possible. I'm supposed to be dead-"

"Liar."

She suddenly turned around suddenly and saw the charming and charming Yae Miko looking at het with tears in her eyes. Behind Miko was Ei, who have been emitting murderous aura for a while. Her hand holding the sword were trembling.

"You... when did you..."

She looked from one to the other, stunned. Beneath her mask, a wry smile appeared in her face.

She couldn't figure out this situation, and she didn't know how to deal with it.

"Even if I look like this," she said softly, "I'm not her. I'm a construct born from her memory, tethered to filth. I was supposed to fade with its purification. Please... don't cling to what's already gone."

"I won't allow it."

"Even if divine power is invincible in the world, it is ultimately hard to defeat the laws of nature. Kitsune Saiguu has never blamed anyone. Although she felt a little regretful, she is satisfied with leaving at this moment."

"Shut up," Miko said, voice trembling.

Also the Kitsune had been trying to separate herself from the past Kitsune Saiguu due to the filth, but is this Kitsune Saiguu who is only a residual consciousness and thoughts not really Kitsune Saiguu herself?

Even if Kitsune Saiguu herself denies it, in Yae Miko's and Raiden Ei's eyes, their feelings would not deceive themselves.

Booom!

Thunder suddenly appeared in the air.

Raiden Ei pulled out Musou Isshin. "Guuji," she spome calmly, "what should I do?"

Miko's eyes gleamed, already pulling sacred paper charms between her fingers.

"Lock the leylines. Don't let her run."

"I've spent five hundred years learning every purification art there is - especially the ones involving shikigami crafting. I am not letting her escape again."

"W-Wait-what are you-?"

The kitsune felt something. Ei's slash was okay, she didn't felt that.

Yae Miko was different. The fox she originally held in one hand was now flaring a dark aura all over her body.

Fox instincts flared. This felt worse than corruption.

Saiguu Kitsune crossed her arms, and screamed in horror.

"Y-You're not thinking of- Wait, wai- AHHH!!! ...Wait, huh?"

She blinked. No pain. Nothing terrifying. Just... the binding of her spirit to a shikigami framework.

She reached up, scratching the tips of her fox ears with both hands.

"...Huh. That wasn't so bad."

Yae Miko's expression twisted into something halfway between a satisfied smirk and pure disappointment.

Raiden Ei's face was filled with speechlessness.

Yae Miko clamped the gohei with her fingers, and held her anger, and gritted her teeth. "You are quite capable of acting! Haven't you made Shikigami techniques yourself? Locking the soul, adding contracts, establishing connections... Unless there is a strong conflict and resistance, and forcing contracts, there should be no pain, right?"

"Uh, this depends on your aggressive look. I thought you added something bad to the contract technique."

Saiguu Kitsune laughed dryly while shaking her head.

Most of the fox tribes have a strong entertainment spirit.

Yae Miko is the dame. Kitsune Saiguu was famous for her brilliant magic and gentle beauty back then, so she was not much different in private.

Raiden Ei has become accustomed to this characteristic of the fox tribe, so she quickly ignored the exaggerated performance Hakushin Kitsune and looked at Yae Miko.

"Is it done?"

"Now then. Lady Kitsune Saiguu, if you please... get on all fours and bark."

"...What?"

"Down. Now. Say woof."

"You're joking- Wait! I'm your senior! Your predecessor! I served as your general- YOU CAN'T DO THIS-Wooof!"

Although Kitsune Saiguu has a high position in Yae Miko, but Yae Miko is almost driven crazy by Kitsune Saiguu's dodging these days.

Seeing her most respected and loved senior kneeling down in front of her, even through the mask, she could imagine her humiliating and blushing face at this time - Yae Miko held her face with both hands, showing a charming and sickly smile.

"Ahhh~ yes. That's the sound I've been waiting five centuries to hear~ Go on. Again~"

"Q... QAQ woof woof!"

The unsightly picture made Raiden Ei feel a little uncomfortable.

However, Raiden Ei felt the joy of Yae Miko at this moment, along with the strong emotions emanated from her body. She thought for a moment, simply took a step back and turned around, avoiding Kitsune Saiguu's humiliating and help-seeking gaze.

"Wooof. Miko, stop!! Woof!!!"

---

Chapter 73: No One Understands Filth Better Than Me

Under the moonlight, a fluffy white fox sat huddled on the ground, hugging her knees and quietly sobbing.

"Wuu... wuwuwu..."

"Sigh... My poor Kitsune Saiguu-sama," Yae Miko sniffled theatrically. "To be forced to get down and bark like a dog... heartbroken, humiliated... truly pitiful~"

"...Miko, wasn't that a bit much?" Raiden Ei glanced at the two foxes-one large, one small-and found herself at a complete loss.

Yae Miko simply gave a haughty little "hmph," tossing her hair with a sly smirk. She seemed... utterly refreshed.

Then she strolled up behind Saiguu and flicked her snowy white fox tail with the tip of her foot.

"Alright, enough of that. Get up and tell me-what were you doing all these five hundred years?"

"Wuwu... Our little Miko was such a sweet, innocent fox... and now look what she's become... such a wicked little thing... I've failed Inazuma... failed everyone... Wuwuwu!"

"You want to bark again?"

"No no, I'm good now."

With that, Saiguu stood up, brushing herself off. Since she was already humiliated, she resigned herself to the moment and pushed her mask to the side, revealing a familiar face-so familiar that both Raiden Ei and Yae Miko felt their hearts clench.

And yet, not a single tear. No redness in her eyes. At most... a bit of exaggerated sulking.

Once again: foxes. The entire race had an innate flair for the dramatic.

This? A light embarrassment at worst. Saiguu had long recovered.

She turned her eyes on Raiden Ei, quietly accusing her with a gaze that seemed to say, you couldn't even keep your retainer in check, and now your general has been shamed.

"..."

Ei glanced aside, ever so slightly guilty.

But then again... thinking about how out-of-control Miko had been moments earlier, maybe letting her vent a bit was the safest choice. And really, Saiguu had ghosted them for five centuries, that kind of avoiding really stung.

Raiden Ei thought about it for a while. She felt that she had done nothing wrong when she was ignoring the barking situation just now.

After reflecting for a moment, Ei faced Saiguu's resentful stare with a completely upright and unrepentant expression.

"...."

Saiguu sighed inwardly.

And so, one god and two foxes finally stood together in peace.

"I really am not Kitsune Saiguu," Saiguu insisted gently. "Just a lingering memory born of corruption-what remains after my soul was devoured by darkness. Kitsune Saiguu has long since perished. I'm just a shadow. I shouldn't even be here."

"Oh spare me," Yae Miko scoffed. "You call that 'born of corruption'? Since when do corrupted entities not only survive purification but come out stronger and more stable afterward?"

"Uh..."

"Born of corruption, my tail. This is clearly a case of your body being lost, but your spirit stubbornly surviving. You resisted the darkness for five centuries-of course once it was purged, your soul purified itself and regained clarity. I've spent five hundred years fighting Tatarigami and filth, and let me tell you-no one understands corruption better than I do!"

Miko puffed up her chest, positively radiant with conviction.

I mean, what? An evil god from another realm just happened to show up, separate corruption from your soul, and lovingly reconstruct your spiritual form from the dirt up?

The editor-in-chief of Eternity tells you that light novels are not written like this?!

"You didn't die. You almost died. Your body's gone, sure, but your soul? Not only is it intact, it's thriving. The whole 'corrupted remnant' thing? That was just the Tatarigami messing with your head. Otherwise, how do you explain this miracle?"

"Ah..."

Saiguu was momentarily speechless. With her own knowledge, she realized-Miko's explanation really was the most plausible.

"But you did come close," Miko continued, expression sobering. "Now that you've been cleansed, you're no longer connected to the leyline filth that was sustaining you. Without that power to anchor your soul... you were already beginning to fade. If we hadn't found you when we did..."

She sniffled. For the first time in a long while, real tears welled in Yae Miko's eyes.

Just a little later, and all of this would've been for nothing.

Unbeknownst to her, the "evil god" quietly patching up Saiguu from the World Tree would've ensured her survival regardless-but in this moment, the emotions were real.

"I'm fine, really," Saiguu said, a bit flustered. "Don't cry... come on now..."

But Miko suddenly launched herself into her arms.

"Ah... geez, what am I going to do with you..."

Saiguu chuckled helplessly and embraced the little fox, her face softening into the tender, fond smile that Ei and Miko remembered so well.

Then another pair of arms joined the embrace-Raiden Ei's.

The General wrapped them both up, quietly but fiercely. One had been lost for five hundred years. The other, she had neglected for just as long.

She couldn't let go of either, not ever again.

Under the moonlight, three figures leaned together, and for a moment, it felt like they had returned to those precious, distant days of the past.

Meanwhile, Kitsune Saiguu can no longer deny herself. If she doesn't admit that she is Kitsune Saiguu, what should these two people do?

...

Later that night, in the quiet hills outside Inazuma.

Raiden Ei and Saiguu sat side by side, shoulders brushing. Yae Miko had transformed into her tiny fox form, curled up in Saiguu's lap, warming her hands with soft fur and soft breath.

Saiguu listened quietly as Ei recounted everything that had happened over the last five hundred years, until she reached the subject of Kaguya-and their suspicions about her true identity.

"...That's... remarkable."

"No, more than that. It's absolutely possible!"

"The soul returns to the leylines after death-that's natural. If she lost her physical form like I did, it stands to reason her remaining consciousness would have returned to the land. And if-like you said-her being was fused with the ideals within the Musou Isshin... then yes. She could very well be who you suspect."

She clenched her fist.

"Wah!" Fox-Miko squeaked, crushed between fingers.

Moments later, Miko reverted to her human form, draped dramatically across their laps, massaging her side with a pout.

"...You're taking revenge on me, aren't you?"

"Ahahaha... Sorry, sorry! I got a little carried away. But in all seriousness-based on what you've told me, I fully agree with your conclusion."

"Of course you do," Miko huffed smugly. "I am the foremost expert on corrupted energy and memory residue this side of Narukami. And I've been living in the present, you dusty old spirits. It's only natural I'd figure it out first."

She rolled over and gave Saiguu's stomach a good-natured rub with her cheek, tail flicking in triumph.

---

Chapter 74: Foxes Have It Rough

"Now that we have you, Saiguu-sama, as a living example," Yae Miko said confidently, "my theory is basically confirmed. Ei, what do you think?"

"I... I'm not dreaming, am I?" Raiden Ei murmured.

"You've already locked yourself in and dreamed for a few hundred years. Still can't tell dream from reality?"

"No, it's just... hard to believe. Has fate... finally decided to show me mercy?"

For a god who had always spoken through sword and strength, she whispered those words like a fragile girl.

Then, without a word, she leaned back, arms spread wide, and let herself fall into the grass.

It was the first time in five hundred years she had done anything like this. No godly grace, no rigid posture-just like how she used to be when her sister still ruled Inazuma. A girl again, lying on the ground, eyes turned up to the sky, limbs relaxed, expression free.

"...Saiguu. Miko. I want to go back to Tenshukaku."

She looked at them with teary eyes and a gentle smile.

...

The next morning.

Ayaka carefully carried a tray of light breakfast dishes, setting them down on the table before slipping into the seat beside Kaguya. She looked as if she were on pins and needles.

Kaguya noticed immediately and reached beneath the table to gently grasp Ayaka's hand, fingers interlocking.

"H-Kaguya..."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing..."

Ayaka turned bright red and looked down at the table, too flustered to speak.

Sitting across from them were the awe-inspiring Raiden Shogun, the dignified Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, and-though unfamiliar to Ayaka-a striking woman with pristine white fox ears and a long, fluffy tail. Her seat, equal to the others', hinted at immense status.

For an ordinary mortal like Kamisato Ayaka, this was... a bit much.

So, naturally, Kaguya laced her fingers tighter, even tracing Ayaka's palm lightly with her thumb.

Ayaka's blush deepened. She gave Kaguya a soft, embarrassed glare, but Kaguya only returned a gentle smile, watching her as though nothing was out of place.

"You're acting strange," Kaguya said softly.

"N-Not at all..."

Ayaka quickly bowed her head again, completely unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Kitsune Saiguu nudged Yae Miko, who in turn nudged Raiden Ei.

Ei, chewing calmly on a skewer of dango, blinked in confusion as both foxes sighed simultaneously.

Kaguya then turned to the others with polite grace.

"Shogun-sama, Guuji-sama-it's an honor to share a meal with you. And... may I ask this esteemed guest's name?"

"Oh, just a humble little fox named Hanakusa Ri," Saiguu said with a wink. "Nothing more than a minor spirit currently serving as a shikigami under Guuji-sama. Barely worth calling 'esteemed,' really."

"Hanakusa... Ri?"

"Does something about the name trouble you, Kaguya-sama?"

Saiguu smiled sweetly, all while quietly sensing the divine resonance that radiated from Kaguya-the exact same presence she once felt from her god. The confirmation in her heart became a little more sure.

Kaguya blinked, her expression briefly distant.

"I... don't know why, but that name feels like it shouldn't be yours... I'm sorry. Just... something about you feels strangely familiar."

"Well now," Saiguu said, gently folding her hands. "In onmyoudo, fate and affinity are among the most powerful concepts. Perhaps we knew each other in a past life. Perhaps back then... I went by another name."

"Is reincarnation real?"

"When a soul dies, its spirit and memory sink into the ley lines, circulating with the land... rebirth and reincarnation aren't entirely out of the question."

Saiguu spoke with a faint smile. Kaguya stared at her, thoughtful, then slowly nodded in a daze.

They ate mostly in silence after that.

Saiguu spent the meal quietly observing Kaguya-her gestures, her posture, the way the divine aura clung to her like a whisper of the past. So familiar. Too familiar.

Once the meal ended, Kaguya left for the Tenryou Commission to attend to government affairs.

The remaining three sat quietly in the room.

Raiden Ei turned immediately to Saiguu.

"How do you feel?"

"...Very similar," Saiguu admitted. "From every angle-her mannerisms, her voice, her energy-she's like a version of Makoto with no memories."

Yae Miko let out a long sigh, slumping onto the table.

"I think it's basically confirmed. The problem now is that even a mere Lord Kitsune Saiguu has been damaged and has incomplete memory after hiding in the vein for five hundred years. Makoto's soul and memory have probably gone through a more distant and tortuous journey. So what should we do to help her recover?"

Yae Miko simply lay half on the table, looking soft and weak.

She was indeed exhausted.

These days, they constantly investigate Kaguya, read scriptures, and searched in the earth's veins. After finding Kitsune Saiguu, she was frustrated because of her evasion. Now that the incident finally came to an end, her body was in a bad state and just wanted to lie on the table and have a good sleep.

Then, she was forced and pressed by Raiden Ei.

"Not yet. No nap until we have a plan."

"Saiguu-sama, look at her!" Miko cried out. "She's been moping in a corner for centuries, and now she's pushing me to do all the emotional labor!"

"Oh, but I'm just a lowly Kitsune Saiguu," Saiguu said behind her folding fan, tone deliberately airy.

Fox trivia: aside from their theatrical flair, kitsune are also notoriously petty and grudge-holding. Especially the females.

Miko narrowed her eyes. For a moment, blasphemous thoughts about flipping her mentor over the table danced across her mind-but she eventually grumbled and sat upright.

"Kitsune Saiguu's spirit is still weak. Staying as my shikigami will help nourish and restore her. Full restoration to her past state will be difficult, but she should at least regain most of her form. Eventually, she may even survive independently, as a proper spirit. But Makoto... she's different. Her soul must've traveled through far more chaotic pathways than Saiguu ever did. The only silver lining is..."

"She's a god," Saiguu finished. "If there's even a single spark of life left in her, she can't die. That gives us time."

"Exactly. Time is on our side now."

"Then you two will figure out how to help her. I have a different problem to solve," Ei said solemnly.

"I want to know... how can I spend more time with my sister?"

"..."

"..."

She asked with total seriousness.

Saiguu and Miko stared at her, stunned into silence.

One had barely stabilized after five hundred years hidden in the ley lines.

The other was running on zero sleep and emotional fumes.

And now this plank of a god wanted them to brainstorm romantic sibling bonding strategies?

What a cruel and unusual fate this fox life is.

----

Chapter 75: "I Don't Even Know the Akademiya!"

While the divine circles in Mondstadt and Inazuma had momentarily quieted down, a new storm was just beginning to stir across the nations.

At the Fatui Executive Council in Snezhnaya...

"I'm just saying, aren't we having way too many emergency meetings lately?"

Tartaglia-Childe, the 11th of the Fatui Harbingers-complained.

"First it was the Abyss trying to mess with Mondstadt, and you all said we needed to tread carefully around Andrius's will and avoid drawing attention from the Anemo Archon's side. Fine. Then Raiden Shogun stepped out of the Tenshukaku, and you said we had to pull our agents from Inazuma and burn any trace of our presence to the ground. And now what? Don't tell me six Archons just hosted a party and 'forgot' to invite our Tsaritsa."

It's not his fault, he is a brainless representative of the members of the martial arts faction.

To be honest, this big incident has little to do with him, so he should do whatever he should do. So he didn't care for the first meeting in the long while.

But was suddenly pulled for several meetings several times in a row. If he delays his daily work, he has to work overtime again. Of course, he is not very happy.

Scaramouche let out a sharp snort-not clear if it was aimed at Childe's sarcasm or the mention of the Electro Archon walking out of Tenshosaku.

The rest of the table ignored both of them.

Order returned. Everyone sat straighter. The real discussion began.

"...As some of you may have already heard through your respective channels, yes-this meeting concerns the recent convergence of three Archons: the Geo Archon, the Anemo Archon, and the Electro Archon, all of whom convened in Sumeru.

More importantly, it appears the Dendro Archon has finally stepped out of the Akademiya's control and taken full authority. What exactly the four gods discussed or accomplished remains unknown.

However, we do know this: the Dendro Archon demonstrated overwhelming control over the rainforest population-spirit, body, and mind. Her divine authority is no longer in question."

Murmurs passed around the table.

"Effective immediately," continued one of the senior executives, "our policy on Sumeru must shift. First: the Akademiya is now irrelevant. Irreparably so. The Dendro Archon is Sumeru's sole authority. That fact must be crystal clear to all of you. Second: the unity shown between the three visiting gods hints at new political alignments between their nations. We must monitor this carefully and respond with prudence."

A pause.

"...Dottore. I recall you've had a number of... private dealings with the Akademiya. Long-standing ones, if I'm not mistaken. Do you have anything to say?"

Dozens of eyes turned toward the Doctor.

For once, the ever-composed Dottore raised a hand-almost like fending something off-and snapped, firmly:

"Absolutely not. I had minimal involvement. At most, a few scholarly exchanges. I know nothing. Don't ask me."

That uncharacteristically defensive response drew silence.

And thoughts.

Most of the other Harbingers weren't too concerned about Sumeru. It was high-level stuff, yes, but it didn't really threaten their personal interests.

But Dottore was not 'most Harbingers.' He was rattled.

Because the truth was: he had meddled. A lot. The Akademiya's research into sealing gods, dissecting divine knowledge, and even their blasphemous "god-creation project"-of course he had his fingers in all of it.

The danger? He had known it from the start. But he hadn't expected that day to come so suddenly.

He hadn't even worn his Akasha Terminal. He had only been standing near Sumeru City when it happened.

A single thought from the Dendro Archon-and his entire body and mind bent in worship, alongside the entire rainforest population.

If she could do that without effort, what else could she do? Could anything mortal resist?

I'm afraid that Dendro Archon was watching the movements of the Akademiya from beginning to end. Maybe out of curiosity, maybe due to other factors, so she just ignored it.

'The Akademiya's just been running its mouth this whole time. You call that a weak god?.'

He didn't wait. The moment he was released, he burned everything. All his notes. All connections. Even his own fragmented clone, the one that had been there, self-terminated on the spot.

From now on, I don't even know the Akademiya!​ Never heard of them!​ Who's that?!

Because even a whisper of his involvement leaking out? The Tsaritsa herself might not be able to shield him from a tribunal of six angry Archons.

So when someone circled back:

"We suspect the meeting in Sumeru was related to the Irminsul-the World Tree. Dottore, you know the most about it. Thoughts?"

"...Yes. I agree."

"And considering the gods didn't end up fighting, and instead left peacefully, it's likely the Dendro Archon gave them what they came for. But even so-three gods showing up to pressure one nation? There had to be an extreme reason. Dottore, you know Sumeru best. Any insight?"

"Maybe... the Akademiya disrespected the gods? That could explain it."

"That's vague. Can you be more specific? If we're to truly understand what happened and predict future implications, we need details. You know the Akademiya better than anyone here-"

"I SAID I DON'T KNOW THEM!!"

Dottore slammed the table with a loud crack. "Don't drag me into this!"

It was the first time he'd ever loathed attending a meeting.

The meeting ended in vain. It was speculated that the core of the event might be Irminsul, but they couldn't guess the cause, process and result. At most, they could only suggest to the Tsarita to find a familiar Archon to inquire about it separately.

The final conclusion is that Sumeru must be treated with caution, along with the Dendro Archon who is supposed to be powerless.

And to maintain more restraint and politeness towards the three Archons' top forces. The relationship between the three Archons is obviously closer than imagined.

No one wants to see these three oldest gods one day and come to their doorstep to chat, right?

....

Meanwhile, in Fontaine...

Furina, the adored yet ever-so-exasperating "Goddess of Justice," tiptoed nervously into the office of Chief Justice Neuvillette.

Unlike her usual dramatic entrances-interrupting him with complaints about tasteless cakes or insufficient audience turnout-today, she looked... worried.

"A-Ahaha... Lovely weather today, wouldn't you say, Neuvillette?"

"...Get to the point, Lady Furina."

She gulped.

"Well, you know... about those three gods? The Geo Archon, the Electro Archon, the Anemo Archon? The ones who went to Sumeru and met with the Dendro Archon? I was just... wondering if there's been any new developments about that? Do we know why they did it?"

Her voice cracked just slightly near the end.

For her who must play the role of a god as a mortal, this incident is really too exciting.

She felt it was necessary to learn more and then study some of the Dendro Archon's moves in Fontaine. In short, she must not let the three gods come to Fontaine like in Sumeru and force her to negotiate face to face..

If it reached that point, even if all mortals can't see through her identity, the oldest three gods may be able to see it!

---

Chapter 76: A Matter of Utmost Importance to the Chief

Neuvillette was not sure about it. He looked at Furina with his usual calm, unreadable expression.

"To draw three Archons to Sumeru at once, the most probable reason is the so-called 'World Tree.' That no conflict broke out between them suggests the issue has been resolved. However, I must admit, our intelligence networks are woefully insufficient to track the full scope of a four-god summit."

"If you are truly concerned, Lady Furina, I suggest you reach out to one of the Archons directly. Given the significance of such an event, and your own status as the Hydro Archon, it would not be unreasonable."

"Ahahaha! No, no, that won't be necessary!" Furina laughed awkwardly, practically waving his suggestion away like it were a hornet. "I mean, the big kids have handled it already, haven't they? No need for little old me to get involved. Fontaine's enough trouble for one woman, haha... right, I'll just-be going now. Work hard, Neuvillette!"

She turned and made a hasty escape.

"Write a letter to one of the gods? Are you insane?! What if they take me seriously? What if they show up in Fontaine expecting a formal dialogue?!"

"Do I meet them? Not meet them? What if they look straight at me and see through everything?"

Her thoughts spiraled.

"Come on, other-me, that power you gave me-does it really hold up under scrutiny? Can the other Archons see through it?"

"No. I can't risk it. For Fontaine's future, there must be no cracks in the mask!"

But just as she stepped out of the room-

THWACK.

A loud, clean bonk echoed down the marble corridor.

"OWWW!"

Furina reeled backward, clutching her forehead.

In front of her, hovering slightly off the ground, was a tiny girl with white hair, red robes, bare feet, and fluffy ears and tail. She blinked, touching her own forehead in confusion.

Then, she spoke in a strangely robotic voice.

"Assassination attempt on the Hydro Archon. Initiate full lockdown..."

"Wh-what?! It was just a bump!" Furina sputtered, still rubbing her forehead. "That happens to me all the time! I walk into doors regularly, it's not a crime!"

Neuvillette had already crossed the room and knelt beside the girl.

"Are you hurt, Elyse?" he asked with steady concern, his stern expression unchanged, though a hint of relief flickered in his eyes as he inspected her for injuries.

Seeing none, he rose to his feet.

Meanwhile, Furina had finally managed to peer past him.

"Oh, right! I remember you. You're that new Melusine, aren't you? The one who looks... surprisingly human. Wow, you're almost as humanoid as Sigewinne!"

"Yes, I'm Elyse," the girl replied. "I come from Merusea Village. I wanted to learn more about the world outside, so I asked Lord Neuvillette to help me find work."

"Why don't you wear shoes?"

"Because Lord Neuvillette said he like this."

Elyse lowered her head, crystal clear and round as if her toes were moving.

The smile on Furina's face disappeared completely. Instead, it was an indescribable complex expression looking at Neuvillette.

Neuvillette greeted Furina without feeling, and spoke.

"Because Elyse just came to the human world and was not familiar with all the things in the human world. Last time I bought her shoes, she didn't say it didn't fit her feet after wearing them, so she kept wearing them until her feet were swollen. Fortunately, when Sigewinne came to find her, she found out in time. Now following the doctor's advice, I told her not to wear shoes for the time being. Anyway, she has the ability to fly and will not get dirty."

Neuvillette tells the story.

Furina suddenly realized and nodded.

"Indeed, many of Melusine's habits are different from those of humans. It is easy to have minor problems when we first arrive. So what job are you going to arrange for her?"

"Normally, Melusine has a keen sense and cute appearance that is different from ordinary people, so the movie court or the tour guide is their most suitable place to go. But as you can see, Elyse doesn't know anything, and she doesn't know anything about the laws and regulations and the history of Fontaine. So, I haven't figured out how to arrange a job for her yet."

"Hey! That's easy to do. I just happen to be missing an assistant! Melusine, which is flying and similar to humans, is super rare. It's perfect for me!"

"This......"

Then Neuvillette was a little embarrassed.

In theory, joining the Hydro Archon's circle is Fontaine's supreme glory.

But in fact, Furina's character is something that Neuvillette knew very well. Would following such a god cause any burden to Elyse?

The Hydro Archon lacks assistants, so Neuvillette doesn't care much.

But it is crucial for the Supreme Judge to live a happy life.

"Oh! Why am I asking you? Elyse, right? It's like, serving Fontaine's only god is something countless people dream of. You must be honored, right? I promise that your work is easy and you don't need to sit in the office. I also have delicious tea and snacks every day, and the treatment is great!"

"Okay, Lord Furina."

"Now Neuvillette. Look, she agreed."

Furina held Elyse's little hand and smiled proudly at Neuvillette.

Neuvillette was silent for a moment.

"Let's do it. Give it a try first. If you have any discomfort in the middle, feel free to tell me. OK, Elyse?"

"Okay, Lord Neuvillette."

Elyse replied in a soft and cute voice, and nodded cutely. The pure and flawless red eyes seemed to tell her cute and pure personality.

Neuvillette's heart became soft. Although he still couldn't show his expression, he stretched out his hand and gently stroked Elyse's head.

"Furina, she is still young and pure, please take good care of her and don't cause trouble for her."

"Don't worry, I'm Hydro Archon, very reliable!"

Furina grabbed Elyse's little hand and ran away briskly.

When Elyse was led away, she turned around and slowly waved her hand to Neuvillette.

Neuvillette also waved his hand to respond.

At this time, the sky outside the window was particularly clear and cloudless.

[Melusine is a strange species. Rhinedottir called for life outside the sky, created a body for them, resulting for a dark frenzy that swept Teyvat for a while. The magic dragon Durin and the great beast Elynas are the products. Durin died in Mondstandt, and Elynas died in Fontaine, but Melusine was born in the flesh and blood of Elynas.]

[In this way, is Melusine a species that blends harmoniously with the Abyss and Teyvat?]

[Probable. From the current intelligence, Durin and Elynas from the abyss have different perceptions and cognitions from the creatures of Teyvat. The joy and harmony they believe are painful destruction for Teyvat's life. Melusine, born in Elynas' flesh and blood, has a sense that is still different from ordinary people, but it is no longer irreconcilable and can live in harmony with the Teyvat natives.]

[To some extent, is it an abyssal creature that has adapted to Teyvat to a very high level?]

[How about Hydro Archon?]

[She feels like a mortal, and essentially different from several Archons and even other er gods.]

[That has to be a big secret. The false Hydro Archon, an opera actor-like prophecy of Fontaine destruction recorded on Irminsul, and a water elemental dragon with energy that is strong enough to compete with the Seven. What exactly does Hydro Archon want to do? There are some puzzles in this place.]

[Continue to observe Furina. In addition, communicate more with Elynas' consciousness in your body. I have a feeling that in Fontaine, we may be able to further understand the secrets of the False Sky and the Abyss... Perhaps, our Hydro Archon needs a little help from the World Tree to stand up on her own ground?]

[Okay.]

Melusine Angel Elyse nodded silently.

What interested Angel the most was the subtle relationship between the Abyss and Teyvat.

It's like the Coon of Finality and human civilization.

It is said that Coocoon wants to hug civilizations, but it is absolutely painful and destructive to the individuals within the civilization.

Comparing the earth to Teyvat, then the Cocoon is like the Abyss. The previous era Herrschers are like Durin and Elynas who are not tolerant of Teyvat, and the Current Era Herrschers are like Melusine who are adapting to the Avyss and Teyvat... In this way, they are quite suitable.

[Perhaps through Teyvat, we can understand our world and Honkai more clearly.]

Angels and the others thought together, and for the first time, they were less resistant to the Heavenly Principle' "ambush".

----

Chapter 77: The Diligent Anemo Archon

"The Emperor ordered us to gather at Sumeru to discuss some matters with the Dendro Archon. Now that everything has been settled, we don't need to take it too seriously and can handle state affairs normally. What do you think?"

At Liyue Harbor, in the Yuehai Pavilion, the Seven Stars had gathered. Ningguang took the silk book bearing the seal of Rex Lapis and placed it on the table with great respect.

Several people frowned.

"We have no right to delve too deeply into the affairs between gods. What we need to discuss is the matter of exchanges with the other nations following this incident."

"I agree. The Emperor must have a deeper meaning behind his actions. Since we can't fathom it, let's simply focus on what is best for Liyue."

"First of all, based on the Emperor's decree, the Electro Archon and the Anemo Archon attended by invitation, with the Emperor himself being the initiator. Given Inazuma's recent reopening of the sea and their large-scale food purchases, along with Mondstadt's urgent need for special minerals and alchemical materials... Should Liyue make some sort of gesture?"

The reason was simple. The Geo Archon was the eldest among The Seven.

Therefore, Liyue naturally regarded itself as the eldest among the Seven Nations.

Let's not discuss the truth behind the incident for now. Judging by the course of events, both the Anemo Archon and the Electro Archon responded to the Rex Lapis' call and showed him due respect. Correspondingly, Liyue must naturally offer Inazuma and Mondstadt some support to demonstrate its leadership.

"Warn the merchants not to excessively raise prices on goods needed by Inazuma, and strive for fair trade. As for Mondstadt's needs, offer some appropriate discounts. After all, most of those materials have high premiums. Even with a price reduction, profits will still be made."

"That's feasible. Additionally, should we send envoys to each nation to formally visit? Inazuma's reopening of the sea will undoubtedly bring new business opportunities. As for Mondstadt..."

"Everyone, there's new information!"

While the Seven Stars were still discussing, the ever-reliable secretary of the Seven Stars rushed in, pushing the door open.

Her sheep-like horns were easy to spot, and her slim figure rippled slightly as she moved, water-like grace accompanying her every step. Her delicate and beautiful face was familiar to all the Seven Stars, who had watched her grow up.

Ganyu, ignoring formalities, hurriedly recounted the major events: the large-scale monster tide in Mondstadt the previous night, the East Wind Dragon soaring in the sky, the Geo Archon and the Anemo Archon appearing together in the Wolf Territory to resolve the disaster... She narrated everything swiftly without missing any key points.

The Seven Stars then fell into another round of silence.

"We can lower the price even further for Mondstadt's needs, agreed?"

"Send an envoy. Liyue and Mondstadt have always been the friendliest among the Seven Nations, so we must go to express our condolences. Since we will send one to Mondstadt, we'll also send someone to Inazuma too."

"What about Sumeru?"

This was the question that made the Seven Stars hesitate the most.

None of them knew the full details, but the three Archons gathering to intervene in Sumeru was a highly important event.

It was hardly for something like a friendly meeting at all.

Without knowing the truth, it was difficult for Liyue to determine its stance toward Sumeru.

"Send an envoy as well. It's just a simple official visitation to express our concern for Sumeru and our willingness to maintain impartial relations."

"That's the only option. In short, Liyue will take the initiative to show friendliness, and if Sumeru does not reciprocate... we won't be intimidated."

Even Keqing, who had dared to question the Emperor publicly before, could not offer any stronger suggestions at this moment.

Liyue had determined its policy: as the oldest of the nations, it would comfort Mondstadt and Inazuma, offer necessary support, and express goodwill toward Sumeru. That would be enough.

The leaders of the three nations swiftly responded to this rare event.

The gathering of the four Archons, and the joint efforts of the Geo Archon and Anemo Archom during Mondstadt's crisis, were destined to remain hot topics for some time.

In Teyvat, nothing captured attention more than the affairs of the gods.

...

The wind blew over Mondstadt, brushing against the lazy and alluring goddess lying atop the oak tree.

It caressed her delicate white face, her curvy waist and hips, and her smooth, round thighs. It was as if the thousand winds were kissing their mistress intimately, expressing their devotion.

"Ding~Ding♫~~"

The sound of a bard's lyre floated through the air, clear and pleasant. The goddess twitched her ears but did not open her eyes. She spoke slowly.

"From a mortal's perspective, this accomplishment is impressive, but if you disregard divine power, it's merely at the level of a mortal. Aren't you a mortal who works hard to the point of diligence? Have you simply relied on time to become proficient at this level and no longer strove to improve your skill to a higher level?"

"Hey!"

"What is 'hey,' Barbatos?"

The lazy goddess opened her resting eyes, her blue pupils reflecting the ethereal and unrestrained color of the mortal world's wind.

Below her, the old senior, who was also the Lord of Thousand Winds, sat atop a statue, smiling at his successor.

Wendy rested her chin on one hand and leaned against a branch. "Why are you here instead of attending the banquet?"

"Uh... about that... Is there still any wine left from that day?"

"No. The gift boxes were all given away, and I don't like wine anyway, so naturally, I don't have any. If you want, you can go to Diluc's winery and tell them your name. They should offer you some. But remember, don't take advantage of your status as a god. They still need to run a business."

Wendy kindly and helplessly pointed out the way.

Then she fell silent. She just remembered something.

"...Honestly, do you think anyone would believe me if I told them I'm Barbatos now?"

"That has nothing to do with me."

Wendy looked away, admiring the scenery of Windrise. Otherwise, she really can't face Barbatos now.

"It seems I'll have to rely on my old art-singing in Mondstadt-to exchange for wine."

"Good luck, then. Goodbye. I won't see you off. I'll just take a nap since I have nothing else to do. The wind is quite comfortable." Wendy said lazily.

Venti then shook his head slightly, seeing through her. "Actually, you're trying to familiarize yourself with the power of the Thousand Winds, aren't you?"

"What else? I don't want the gentle Thousand Wind to turn into a freezing storm mixed with ice and snow once I ascend."

"Oh, you're so diligent. So diligent that it's almost embarrassing me. Do you need me, as your senior, to offer you a little guidance?"

"...What are you trying to say?"

Barbatos not doing his job properly was as natural as the sunrise and sunset.

Especially now with the second generation Anemo Archon in place, he had already shed half of his burdens.

There must be a reason why he wasn't wandering around or singing in taverns at this time.

Wendy calmly looked at the senior below, waiting for him to reveal his true purpose.

Barbatos smiled happily, plucking the strings of his harp to produce a melodious, pleasant tune.

"I saw you send the poisonous crystal to Albedo for research."

Wendy suddenly understood.

As the first information-gathering individual clone/delivery agent for the Angels in Teyvat, Wendy had to avoid Barbatos's gaze for many of her actions.

However, as the new and inexperienced Lord of the Thousand Winds, it would have been suspicious if Barbatos hadn't noticed anything or seen anything about her via Thousand Winds.

Thus, apart from actions involving the Angels, Wendy had not hidden her other activities carried out through the Thousand Winds.

Rhinedottir was tied to the disaster of that year and was naturally under the scrutiny of Celestia. It was only reasonable for Barbatos to come because of this.

---

Chapter 78: Requesting a Bit of Godhood

"Are you still worried... about what happened five hundred years ago?"

"Uhh..."

Wendy blinked, but her tone remained calm and natural as she lounged across the branch-wind curling gently around her form, an ease of presence that contrasted beautifully with the title she held: The God of Struggle.

"...I don't know much about Rhinedottir," she continued, "but I do know Albedo. He's the Captain of the Knights and a brilliant alchemist. More importantly... he's Mondstadt's own. A Mondstadter trusted by many. I have no reason to doubt him."

There was no suspicion in her words, only clarity and trust. And despite all the weight of history, all the echoes of disaster, she sounded more like a kind, compassionate mother than a god of related to battle.

Venti was silent for a long moment.

Then his fingers moved across his lyre.

A bright, joyous melody flowed into the breeze-a bard's way of saying thank you.

He smiled at her from his perch below, tone warm.

"You're right. As the Anemo Archon, I should never distrust a child of Mondstadt."

"I did it because I thought Dvalin had suffered enough," Wendy said simply. "I know it's a sensitive matter. I won't deny that. But I still made the choice."

She lazily rolled onto her side, propping her chin with a hand. "If you're uncomfortable with that-or if you have a better idea-you're still Mondstadt's Archon. It's your call."

"Please... have mercy." Venti laughed, shaking his head. "I'm just a half-sober bard still trying to afford his next drink."

Wendy looked at him expressionless.

This old elemental clearly knew something, and obviously had a plan of his own. He wasn't willing to tell it due to the unfamiliarity of Barbatos to Wendy nor she was crowned as the new Anemo Archon.

Barbatos obviously saw through her.

Venti chuckled sheepishly, strummed a few idle notes, and stood up.

"Well then... seeing as there's no wine here-time to go earn some coin."

With a gust of wind and a familiar ehe~, he was gone.

Left behind, Wendy exhaled slowly.

"Dvalin and Andrius really have the patience of saints..."

The breeze teased her hair-and she could swear she heard that mischievous little laugh drifting back on the wind.

【How much do you think he suspects?】

【In terms of identity flaws? None. Unless Celestia descends in person to expose you, it's airtight. From Irminsul's observation, there's no indication of Celestia's intervening.】

【So... he's waiting. Observing.】

【That's Barbatos for you. He appears flighty but actually quite cautious.】

【Just keep it steady, do what you should do in your identity, and don't worry about anything else. The best way to establish a character is never to do something deliberately, but to do what you should do.】

Wendy leaned back, letting the wind carry her thoughts.

【Speaking of which-World Tree, Unit 01 Angel, I'd like to file a request. Full divine-class energy. A full set of "Archon-tier" god power-less than the original Raiden Ei, but identical in nature.】

The Angels are stilll quite rich.

As soon as Kaguya applied for it, power poured on her body.

Honkai energy might be limited, but the energy of Irminsul is immense. Divine power and Elemental powers are just the tip of Irmindul's energy reserves. She would really feel sorry if she didn't use the World Tree's years worth of stockpiled energy.

'If I had this kind of power stockpiled,' Wendy thought idly, 'I'd be planning something world-shaking. What was Heaven thinking? Just keeping balance? No agenda? That sounds... suspiciously selfless.'

...

On the way to inspect the disaster relief resettlement area, Kaguya suddenly looked at the sky and became alert.

As we all know, the protagonist of justice is the mortal enemy of any evil villain. They usually punches the evil villain with the help of love, justice, bondage, destiny and so on.

【Didn't we already get punched by Kiana once?】​

【Oh right. True. Never mind.】

Kaguya exhaled, relieved.

"Is something wrong?" Ayaka's voice brought her back.

"Hm? No. Just remembered a problem. But I've already figured out a solution."

Ayaka tilted her head in admiration. "You're incredible, Kaguya. Since you arrived, the atmosphere in the city has changed. Everyone's... lighter. It's thanks to you, isn't it?"

"Then... as a reward for all that credit," Kaguya leaned in, cupping Ayaka's delicate hands in her own, "Can I have a full grilled fish tonight?"

Ayaka blinked, then gave a long-suffering sigh. Her mouth almost formed a smile.

"...Half. You're still recovering."

"Tch. Half is still better than none."

Kaguya sulked-but the whole scene had a charming contrast. An iron-willed national regent, groveling for dinner like a spoiled child-it melted something soft in Ayaka's heart.

Even Kujou Sara, walking quietly behind as Kaguya's new bodyguard, allowed herself a small smile.

Yes, Kujou Sara. She was alive, after all.

On the day of the duel, Yae Miko had channeled a protective charm into Kaguya, shielding her life force. But in the process, she also tossed a quick spell toward the dying Sara.

And because Sara was tengu, far hardier than humans, the grievous wound didn't kill her outright. She survived.

But without Yae Miko's spell, the result is not necessarily the case.

It is also for this that Sara proves her loyalty.

And Kaguya had asked for her personally. Thus, Sara was pardoned-on the condition that she leave behind her past and serve as the personal protector of the newly appointed Grand Regent.

This is also necessary.

Inazuma's turmoil hasn't completely passed yet. In the process of pursuing the vested interests, as an Imperial Advisor, there are indeed certain risks.

But if her identity as Raiden Makoto were further verified, that was a different matter all together.

After all, Makoto had a kagemusha.

In the shadows, unseen among the trees... Raiden Ei crouched silently.

She watched her sister's back.

Her hand hovered over her sword hilt.

Sara suddenly tensed and stepped forward.

"There's something ahead. Monsters. Please stop for a moment."

"You only just noticed them?" Raiden muttered, irritated. "And you think you can protect her like that?"

In the inner world, the puppet Shogun wanted to speak but suddenly stopped. She still recognizes the qualifications and efforts of Sara. If she further cultivates her talent and skill, sooner or later she will reach the level of her previous general.

However, the other Archon's rebuke is right.

In any case, this kind of ability to protect Kaguya is really not enough.

Kaguya instinctively stepped in front of Ayaka.

"...Monsters here? On the road to the relief camp? Shouldn't this be a well-traveled path?"

"I failed to detect them sooner. Forgive me. But I'll clear the way at once."

"This isn't your fault." Kaguya shook her head, calm and thoughtful. "There are too many places needing official oversight right now. Maybe it's time we consider recruiting some of the wandering ronin. They're a risk in complex matters, but basic guard duties or monster purging..."

As she spoke, she was already analyzing policy, even as danger approached.

This demeanor made everyone present in awe.

Sara waved her hand and signaled the accompanying samurai warrior to protect the Imperial Advisor, then faced the turbulent monsters alone.

Sara rushed forward, violet lightning crackling around her.

With tengu speed and electric force, she became a blur, dashing through a small horde of beasts and cutting them down with brutal precision.

Everyone saw her turning into a purple thunder shadow, shuttled back and forth among more than a dozen monsters, quickly slashing the enemy's head.

Within the circle of bodyguards, Kaguya blinked and looked up.

In Ayaka's puzzled gaze, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out something she'd received not long ago: a purple Vision.

She held it up, eyes thoughtful.

"So... this is how elemental energy works, huh? Let's try."

She raised the Vision.

The sky went dark.

Thunder split the clouds.

"Boom!"

A bolt of pure lightning came down from above, incinerating the largest monster into ashes.

"...So that's how it's used!" Kaguya said with childlike satisfaction.

Everyone else:" ...???"

Behind, Raiden Ei looked at the familiar thunder and lightning summoning attack.

She stood up from the hiding tree, with an extremely excited light flashing in her eyes.

---

Chapter 79: Raiden Ei in Stealth Mode

Raiden Ei really, really wanted to rush forward.

She wanted to run to her sister, throw her arms around her, rub her cheek against hers, and cry like a little girl. Then she'd stand exactly where she used to-always at her sister's side.

You can see Makoto when you look up, turn your head to see Makoto, and you can touch Makoto when you move your hand a little - that position is the only position that Raiden Ei wants in this life!

But now's not the time.​

"If I show myself now... I won't be able to explain it."

So Ei could only crouch from a distance, tailing them silently like a shadow in the trees.

She watched people gawk, wide-eyed, as her sister casually called down lightning from the heavens. She saw Kaguya's confused yet gentle smile, as she offered an innocent explanation.

"Was that... some advanced spell technique, Lady Kaguya?"

Idiots.​ She's a born God, an incarnate of thunder itself. If she wants to summon thunder and lightning, does she still do use a spell? If she weren't in a human body right now, she wouldn't even need a Vision to do that.

"Nope, just tapped into some elemental energy. That's how it works, right?"

Ei's heart swelled.

My poor sister, because she lost her memory, she could not remember the essence of her divine power, but she could still show miniscule divine power even in human form. She is worthy of being her sister!

"Actually, no. Vision only provides a channel to elemental power. In fact, familiarizing yourself with elemental power, mastering elemental power, and improving the upper limit of using elemental power, it still requires long-term training and slowly accumulation.. What you just did... I've never seen anyone pull off something like manipulating the sky on their first try."

Fools.​ Do you think Makoto's power is something you can measure by human standards?

"Maybe it's my body that's different? I'll ask Lady Miko or Hana-san next time. They're both ancient foxes, they probably know more."

You can ask me! I'm literally part of your authority!​ If my sister told me to jump, I'd ask how high-because I'm a part of her will! Her power! It's not even up for debate!

But all she could do was... stalk them from the trees.

Where they went, she followed. Like a fox in the forest.

Ei being sneaky.jpg

The group made their way to the largest relief site outside Inazuma City. Kaguya exchanged some words with the officials, then immediately checked the granaries.

Seeing them full and well-stocked, she nodded in satisfaction.

Next, she wandered the settlement, randomly stopping children to ask about their meals, visiting homes at random to check living conditions, and assigning some ninja to gather more detailed data. Finally, she reviewed the local records and asked follow-up questions.

By the time the sun dipped low, they decided to stay the night at the settlement.

"Ahhh~"​ Kaguya stretched out with a sigh, sipping tea in a humble but clean little cabin.

Outside, Ayaka was busy at a small open-air kitchen, preparing the evening meal-yes, including that promised half of a grilled fish.

Inside, Sara had eased just slightly out of her usual tense posture. She sat in seiza beside Kaguya, long sword across her knees.

"Lady Kaguya. After today's inspection... how do you feel?"

Kaguya exhaled and leaned back.

"Not perfect. But they're taking it seriously. With a steady food supply, we'll stabilize the chaos soon enough."

"And after that?"

"After that, we go to the roots of the problem," Kaguya said, glancing at the deepening dusk beyond the open door. "One-account for the corruption of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions. Two-resolve the Watatsumi rebellion. After that... it depends on the Shogun's will."

Sara frowned.

"You mean... the Sakoku Decree?"

"Yes. If Her Excellency is willing to lift it, things will be simple. We can restart old industries, bring people back to work. Some foreign trade issues will remain, but with time and effort, Inazuma's vitality will return."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then we'll need a nationwide land survey. Identify all usable and reclaimable farmland. Mobilize mass populations into agriculture. We'll need a new Agricultural Bureau, focused on maximizing output from limited soil."

"Inazuma can be self-sufficient if properly managed."

Kaguya talked about her plan, but looked worried.

Saluo frowned and asked again:

"So... you oppose the Sakoku?"

Kaguya shook her head.

"I don't oppose it out of principle. If the Commissions govern well, the people can survive. But that's it-survive. Once the country is locked, the economic cycle that was originally circulated in the seven nations will be completely isolated Inazuma, and it will not be able to support the industry like before. The economy will continue to regress as the market shrinks, and the market will further shrink as the economy regresses."

She looked over at Sara, who still seemed uncertain. So Kaguya said it plainly.

"Reflected to everyone, everyone's income will shrink, and their food, clothing, housing and transportation are becoming increasingly scarce until they return to a relatively primitive and difficult level. This will then continue for a long time. No matter how hard we try to ensure that won't be chaos, it will be a long and painful process for at least two generations of the inazuma people."

Sara bit her lip.

"There's... no alternative?"

"Not if the Vision Hunt Decree stays in place," Kaguya said, her voice heavy. "That doesn't just restrict power-it kills the most creative minds of Inazuma. Our present is choked by isolation. Our future is stifled by stolen dreams."

Saro blinked. Speaking of the Vision Hunting order, she suddenly remembered.

"I don't seem to have heard Kaguya mention the Vision Hunting order before?"

"Because it affects the Inazuma population. The properties of the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunting Decree directly touches on the growth of Inazuma, it is destroying the present of the Inazuma people. The Vision Hunting Order abolishes the Vision holders, that is, the purest and most creative group of Inazuma people, is killing the future of Inazuma. Regardless of the future, the Inazuma people can be safe for the time being; for the present, the Inazuma people are already suffering. I can only take charge of the Sakoku Decree first."

Kaguya explained with a wry smile.

Then she said wistfully.

"Using the lockdown to cut off Inazuma's present, forcing Inazuma to return to its original state. Then use the Vision Hunting order to take away the wishes of the Inazuma people and cut off the future of Inazuma. If this continues, Inazuma will eventually stay in a primitive and unchanging situation. If not stopped, we will experience rapid regression process, and finally reaching 'Eternity', which will remain unchanged and will never change. This is probably the 'Eternity' that the Shogun wants."

"It's Eternity. But it sounds so depressing." Sara spoke, little confused.

She shouldn't doubt the Shogun whom she is loyal to, and the Shogun's philosophy.

But the Inazuma in Kaguya's mouth has no future. This is really hard for normal people to like.

---

Chapter 80: Raiden Makoto Is Kinda Over This

【Internally, she truly is Makoto. Even without consulting us, she's already seen through the true intent behind the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree.】

"But... sister never wanted an Inazuma like that.."

【Then eventually, you'll have to make a choice. Between my Eternal Logic... and her path forward. You can only choose one.】

"Makoto understands Inazuma better than we ever could. And she understands her people best of all!"

Raiden Ei's voice was resolute-no hesitation.

She didn't believe that Eternity was wrong. Eternity was how you held on to everything. If nothing changed, then nothing could be lost. Inazuma could stay frozen with her-forever unchanging, forever safe.

That was her resolution.

But when it came to Inazuma's destiny, if Makoto made one decision and Ei made another, then to Ei, there was no choice.

She would always choose her sister.

【Understood. For now, protecting Inazuma aligns with my logic. But the day that changes, be ready.】

"I will be."

Ei sat perched high in a tree, arms folded over her knees, hair rustling in the wind. She looked like a silent guardian, but her heart was on fire.

Makoto was Inazuma's god.​ Inazuma belonged to Makoto.

In the face of Eternity and Raiden Makoto's will, Raiden Ei will always choose the latter.

This means that Raiden Ei and the Puppet Shogun will have a decisive battle.

But so what?

She can create this puppet Shogun, so obviously she can naturally defeat and change the puppet Shogun.

In order to return to her past life and be with her sister forever, Raiden Ei is fearless at all. Even if the enemy is herself, she will cut off everything.

With this mentality, Raiden Ei sat majestic and domineeringly among the treetops.

Not even noticing the emerald green leaves falling to the top of her head.

..

Meanwhile, deep inside Kaguya's consciousness...

Something stirred.

A dormant fragment-nearly erased-was beginning to dream.

"This place... is it... Irminsul?"

【Correct. This is Irminsul.】

"Are you the Great Lord Rukkhadevata?"

【Incorrect. Rukkhadevata is merely a terminal-an extension of me into the physical realm. She is not the World Tree.】

"A... terminal? Then what are you?"

【Clarification: I am the World Tree.】

Raiden Makoto (the original) stood face-to-face with a vast, unfathomable being.

It looked like her-spoke like her-carried the same divine presence. But Makoto was sure: she'd never had this memory before. And yet, it was undeniably her.

"But I died. Is this just the residue of my memory flowing through the ley lines, reaching you?"

【Correct... and not correct.】

Makoto frowned. "Meaning?"

【Clarification: The Sacred Sakura is the physical incarnation of the god Baal. Planted from the future into the past, the Sakura allowed Baal's memory and will to merge into the ley lines long ago. Before it could return fully to me, I gathered and stabilized what remained. That's why you can see me now.】

The words made her head spin.

She understood parts of it-her memory and essence flowed into the ley lines, the World Tree found her, and somehow she had been reborn.

But... the World Tree had its own consciousness?

And this wasn't the Dendro Archon she was speaking to?

The dream began to dissolve into haze, the voice fading like a ripple across eternity. Makoto strained to hold on, but all she could do was listen as the fragments broke apart-

She jolted awake.

Or rather-awoke within her inner world.

Raiden Makoto looked around in a daze, as though returning from some impossible pilgrimage.

In her hand... the seed of the Sacred Sakura, gifted by Istaroth, now glowing gently in her palm.

That dream... that conversation... that wasn't imagination.

It hadn't been a single memory-it was dozens, maybe hundreds, of fragmented thoughts stitched together like stars forming a constellation.

"So the Sacred Sakura is me. Planting it was planting myself into the ley lines. My will entered the cycle of the world, and the World Tree summoned me. It offered me the chance to return to Inazuma... as its price, Inazuma must change course-no longer follow Celestia, but instead... stand with the world itself."

Makoto finally understood.

She stared down at the seed, almost laughing at the absurdity of it all. But her doubts didn't last. The feelings from the dream lingered too clearly to deny.

That presence... the vastness... the kindness... the sheer weight of it.​

There was no question in her heart-it was real. That voice belonged to the will of the land, of the people, of all that lived and breathed.

Even Celestia couldn't compare to that.

"So that wasn't a dream. It was the version of me that stayed behind-who remembered-coming to a conclusion."

And she agreed.

Makoto had always cared about her people. The World Tree represented everything she had once fought to protect. They were aligned in heart and purpose. No question.

As for Celestia?

Well... not many of the Seven truly trusted Celestia anyway.

The Seven believed in Celestia's position of protecting the world and were willing to follow Celestia's commands because Celestia was too strong, not because the Seven understood and recognized Celestia.

"So... my godly body became the Sacred Sakura. My will split in two-part of it remained in my sword, and most of it followed the Sakura into the past. Now, that part of me has returned to Inazuma as a human... with no memories, but with my divine power. And it slipped right past Celestia's gaze."

She exhaled, slowly.

"The World Tree kept its promise. So... what now?"

Obviously, the World Tree has fulfilled its promise.

The other part of her as a human did return to Inazuma with her divinity.

Then how should Inazuma respond to the expectations of the World Tree?

"Wait... at the end of the dream... the World Tree said I wasn't meant to oppose Celestia directly. Only to act if they ever turn against the land and its people..."

Makoto let out a long breath of relief.

She wasn't being ordered to wage war on the heavens. Not yet, anyway.

So long as Celestia stayed where it was-detached, above-there was nothing she needed to do.​ If that day ever came... it would be far, far in the future. And by then, she wouldn't be alone.

The entire world-the nations, the gods-would rise with the World Tree.

Thinking of this, Raiden Makoto slowly felt at ease. In Kaguya, or in her own consciousness space, she continued to think calmly.

"The Sakura tree must be planted. This is a closed loop of time and a link of my reincarnation. It cannot be lost. I should remain silent for the time being, wait for the opportunity to hand over the seeds. In addition, my return needs to be kept as confidential as possible and avoid Celestia's eyes and ears."

She returned to her inner world's edge and gazed outward through Kaguya's eyes, seeing Inazuma not as a ruler or a god-but as a returning soul.

And then-

"A regressive, decaying Inazuma...? Ei, what the actual hell are you doing?"

Raiden Makoto was finally starting to feel like herself again.

And as Raiden Shogun, she wasn't impressed.