Kidnapped.
Kiyo Seigan realized this sad fact.
Dusk had already faded away. Cool moonlight rippled gently over the deep-blue sea; rays and droplets intertwined, shimmering. Kiyo Seigan was now leaning against a reef, stray moonbeams strewn across his body.
The boy discovered that he had quite a talent for being kidnapped.
When he had only just been born up in the mountains, that blond big-sister had hauled him onto a carriage. And now, after he picked up a glass bottle, a silver-haired devil floated out of it and forbade him to go back for dinner.
He had tried to slip away—several times, in fact—yet failed each time; Miss Lia was simply too strong.
Such a twisted fate.
He raised his eyes and, without expression, glanced at the female devil not far away:
A slightly chilly sea breeze stroked Lia's silver-white hair, threads of frosty silver scattering into the air and tangling with the watery moonlight.
Barefoot on the soft sand, she seemed to gaze out over the sea; the glimmering waves on the surface reflected in her brilliant golden eyes.
Sensing Kiyo Seigan's stare, Lia turned her head and looked calmly at him. "What?"
"Nothing," Kiyo Seigan replied.
With a flint he ignited the dry leaves he had gathered, cupped the kindling in both hands and blew. The flames swelled at once.
Warm firelight illuminated the boy's delicate profile. Kiyo Seigan placed the flaming bundle onto the stacked firewood; the campfire leapt up, casting a hazy orange glow over the lonely beach.
The sardines were set up for smoking over the fire—if you grilled them directly, they would scorch.
"It's just… it feels a bit strange, or rather unexpected, that you actually want to eat with me."
Want was Kiyo Seigan's tactful wording; the silver-haired lady's conduct was outright coercion!
Warming his hands by the fire, the boy scratched his head. "Of all the people I know…"
He paused, then after a while said, "Er… in fact, many former acquaintances of mine don't much like who I used to be."
They all dislike me… Lia's brows knit slightly.
"For example?"
"For example… do you know Ganyu?" While watching the heat on the fish, Kiyo Seigan seemed lost in thought. "Miss Ganyu doesn't really like the former me."
He paused again. "She said the old me was a 'Sinful Adeptus.'"
Ganyu—Havria, of course, knew her.
Half-adeptus blood, descendant of the qilin, and that man's junior sister—they had grown up together.
Sinful Adeptus… the word stirred memories deep, deep within Lia.
Sinful Adeptus.
She chewed the term over and over; it felt like an unmelting lump of salt—the longer it remained, the more a faint bitterness and brine seeped out. Unable to dissolve it, she could only swallow it, stuck forever in her throat as an undying ache.
You were his junior sister.
Lia clicked her tongue coldly. "How did you meet her?"
Chatting beside the campfire, Kiyo Seigan simply spoke whatever came to mind, voicing his confusion.
"Just a few days ago," he said. "I went back to Mt. Aocang, visited Cloud Retainer, and met Miss Ganyu as well. It was late; Cloud Retainer told us to stay for dinner, but Miss Ganyu refused."
"Heh."
Lia chuckled again; the indifferent moonlight fell on her smile, and a faint pleasure flickered in her golden eyes. "I see."
"I guess she must really hate you," Lia said. "Since she loathes you, why look for trouble by seeking her out?"
Is that so…
For some reason Kiyo Seigan felt Lia was being unfriendly. "Maybe it's a misunderstanding…? Perhaps there's some misunderstanding between her and the old me."
"If you clear it up, everything will be fine, right?"
A misunderstanding—clear it up and it's fine. Kiyo Seigan's thinking was simple.
Lia watched him, her calm gaze void of extra emotion, merely resting on him: the boy spoke while sprinkling salt grains over the sardines, warm firelight shining on his face.
Misunderstanding…
Would killing you also be a misunderstanding?
Then that is truly a grand misunderstanding.
Though the God of Salt had been trapped in the bottle for two thousand years, that did not mean she knew nothing of the outside world. Ever since her awareness awoke, the waves and wind had carried her bits of news—including that man's eventual death.
And she had been powerless.
She seemed to recall things from long ago: the sky full of salt flowers, the news the sea breeze brought her, that withered blade of grass whose yellow corpse decayed beside her. She could distinctly hear the leaf merging into the soil—whispering, whispering, whispering unendingly.
She had wanted to save him.
But Bosacius she had failed to save; in the next life the little grass also withered at her side. And now she looked upon the boy named Kiyo Seigan—both strange and familiar…
And this time—
The campfire roared; wood chips flew with the sparks. Golden oil gleamed on the sardines' surface, giving off a faint fragrance.
After a while, Kiyo Seigan heard Lia whisper, "You really are naïve."
For no reason Kiyo Seigan sensed her voice turn cold. What…
He looked up and found Lia standing right beside him—so close he could clearly see the deep, glassy darkness in her eyes, within which flickered the ancient, chilling majesty of a god:
"Listen, Kiyo Seigan."
Her voice was low, yet—spoken right at his ear—extraordinarily clear, extraordinarily forceful and domineering. "I forbid you to ever meet that person again."
The tone was like ordering her own cat not to run off and fool around with other kittens.
Why…
He was not a docile cat who would obey. He had promised Lumine—it was already hard enough today. Irritation simmered, and now she was commanding him; even gentle Kiyo Seigan would resist.
He stared straight at Lia. "Why should I listen to you?"
Still that stubborn temper—exactly the same.
Never obedient.
Exactly like the old him: rushing toward a cliff while telling others to cherish life—a self-destructive nature identical to Bosacius. Once, the God of Salt had been helpless against him. But the present Lia did not intend to yield.
She stepped closer; their cheeks almost touched. Their breaths mingled. Her pale fingers gripped his collar.
"—Because she is the one who killed you."
"If she learns who you used to be, she may kill you again."
Because she is the one who killed you.
Kiyo Seigan froze.
Blank.
Sudden blankness.
He wanted to retort, but then saw Lia's eyes—those once-imperious, godlike pupils seemed to tremble ever so slightly.
Why?
His first impression of Lia was "familiar yet terrifyingly headstrong god," like the demon in the fisherman's tale. She had tied him up here, spouting weird lines about "my promise comes first"– truly devilish.
But now he felt confused—lost.
That flicker, that trembling, entwined with crystalline light—
Was it tears?
Tears…?
Could devils' eyes hold tears? Kiyo Seigan did not know.
Long moments passed. Lia still clutched his collar; her golden eyes remained cold and solemn, yet deep inside a faint mist welled up—some inexplicable emotion hidden within. Was it fear?
She was afraid.
He could feel it: the slight tremor of fingers, the uneven breath, her tightly pressed lips. All told him the truth—
This powerful, frightening god was afraid.
Afraid of what—could even a god feel fear?
Clearly she was the one using force to threaten and kidnap him—yet she was the afraid one, like a girl—
A girl frightened, worried, uneasy that her kitten might die outside.
Kiyo Seigan could not understand.
Silver hair fluttered in the wind. She kept her gaze locked on him; the two remained deadlocked as the campfire crackled in the silent night.
It seemed if he never agreed, she would never let go.
"I…" Kiyo Seigan wet his lips. At last he spoke slowly: "Maybe I really was killed by her…"
Lia stared.
"But I don't particularly resent her—at least not now," he said. "She was once my old friend. I came to fulfill an old promise; that is my purpose, so in the future I will meet her again.
"Lia, I can't accept your demand."
"I see."
Pain—Kiyo Seigan felt pain; Lia's fingers dug tighter, cloth pressing into his skin. Then suddenly she released him.
I see.
Since it was so, she would simply have to do more. From the start she had never planned on giving ground.
Purpose… Lia half-guessed what this so-called purpose was.
He would die again and again for that "purpose"—Bosacius did, the little grass did. He would forever rush toward death for meaning, die, be forgotten, then die once more.
Laughable purpose.
Now, in this life, he would tread the same curse—eternal pain, never salvation.
Lia knew his nature: stubborn and unyielding. Weak though he was, he dreamed of saving everyone.
If so, she would be more stubborn, more unyielding.
Since you won't obey—
You once imprisoned me for two thousand years… then I shall do the same.
This is hardly excessive.
You used the name of "salvation"; I shall also act in the name of "salvation."
Call it paying the debt.
Lia smiled without expression; the fragility in her eyes seemed illusion. Her voice was very low, devoid of surplus feeling, repeating: "So that is what you think."
She seemed once more the mighty god, face unreadable.
"But," Kiyo Seigan said, "I'd like to ask a favor."
"What?" Lia paused.
"Lia is powerful, right?"
Kiyo Seigan spoke earnestly. His pale-blue eyes reflected Lia's face, clear as a pool touched by moonlight, rippling with emotion.
"If Ganyu… if Miss Ganyu truly tries to kill me, may I ask Lia—to rescue me?"
"Eh?"
Under the watery moonlight, the boy made such a request:
"Come save me."
What…?
Lia was taken aback.
What?
The boy scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Of course, just save me; please don't hurt Miss Ganyu if possible… I should still fulfill my promise.
"And of course—my promise with Lia as well."
…
Silence.
Lia blinked, bewildered, as though she had misheard. Is he… asking me for help? Bosacius asking me for help—that stubborn, proud old cat asking me?
He was willing for her to save him.
But looking at the boy's earnest smile—truly watching her—Lia finally became sure.
Emotion blanked, then panic and shock beyond expectation. Kiyo Seigan's move had knocked Miss Lia back to square one.
She let go of his collar, cheeks growing hot; her eyes darted away and she stepped back, once impassive eyes now flustered. "You…
"You… what did you say?"
"Please come rescue me." Kiyo Seigan straightened and bowed, sincerely entreating her.
A life-and-death matter; getting a god-level bodyguard for free—of course he'd be earnest.
Besides, he trusted Lia, for reasons unknown, like his instinctive trust in Zhongli.
Origin unknown, root deep.
"Y-you… don't bow."
Miss Lia tried to steady herself. She coughed; flustered and shy, she grew oddly prim. "Ahem. I am the great God of Salt—I do not casually aid mortals."
"Then, Your Eminence the great God of Salt," Kiyo Seigan looked up, "how might you aid a mortal?"
How… to aid a mortal.
Lia was taken aback.
"How should I…"
For a long, long time she said nothing. The cool night wind rippled silver waves; all around was so quiet it seemed to sleep.
The world lay in darkness; only the warm campfire burned out a little hole of light. She and Kiyo Seigan were inside that tiny bright hole. The tide hummed softly; beyond that, no one else.
No one else.
So quiet a world.
"Become a believer of a god."
At last Lia lifted her eyes; silver hair poured in the grand firelight. She looked at Kiyo Seigan and said softly:
"Become a subject of the God of Salt. Then I will come save you. Wherever you are, I will come."
A god loves mankind—both curse and blessing. All gods love humanity; only their ways differ.
Havria loved her people, loved her followers; even killed by them, she still loved them.
As for belief—Kiyo Seigan didn't mind. It cost nothing; why not believe a bit?
"But," he said blankly, "Sal Terrae… is destroyed. The God of Salt has no followers left…"
Lia gazed at him and calmly said:
"From now on, you shall be the only believer of my life."
God loves mankind.
A curse and a blessing.
Havria loved the world, loved her worshippers.
Now Havria was dead, followers gone; nothing remained.
God loves mankind.
—But for Lia, mankind had shrunk to one.
"Kiyo Seigan.
"This is the covenant I make with you.
"I shall ever be with you, and you with me.
"I shall never forsake you—and you must never forsake me.
"From this moment, you are my sole believer, my only saltfolk."
"Then the pact is made:
"Whoever breaks their word shall be punished with a mouthful of salt."
She was utterly serious—truly serious. Seeing her, something stirred in his heart; inexplicably Kiyo Seigan murmured:
"Then, henceforth… you will be the only deity of my life?"
The fire blazed high; silvery moonlight draped the vast sea. The world breathed with the tide. Lia stood before Kiyo Seigan, never so divine.
She offered: From now on, be my only believer.
From now on, you will be my only god.
Absurdly, he wanted to accept—this crazy covenant—though they had only just met.
His lips moved, but in the end he said nothing.
"Havria," he called her true name, "I will not betray you."
Firelight colored his face, but he slowly shook his head. "Yet in this life… I cannot stay here forever. I must travel; I made promises—I still have places to go…"
"Because of that girl named 'Lumine'?"
Lia pierced straight to the point. "Is it for your promise with her?"
Kiyo Seigan paused, a rueful smile: "Yes."
"That Baka… I can never do anything about her."
Lumine… This unseen girl—Lia had underestimated her.
Disheartened? Rejected—one should feel disappointment.
But Lia felt none—no disappointment, no discouragement.
She would be Bosacius's god, the little grass's god, Kiyo Seigan's god.
A god must not despair, must show no frailty. Only strength—unending strength—can keep a believer's faith.
No retreat; retreat shrinks your realm, drives your people away.
She would not retreat.
Instead, the grand fire burned within her golden pupils, flame and iris merging into deepest crimson.
Silver hair swirled; the corner of her mouth lifted in a prouder smile. She now truly resembled a flaunting devil!
"Then I shall take Lumine's believer—"
She locked eyes with Kiyo Seigan, declaring:
"—back from her hands."
…What kind of religious war is this…
Creak, creak.
Oil dripped onto the fire with a hiss.
The sardines were done.
Smoked, they carried a faint aroma, their skin crisp and their flesh tender.
Shivering, Kiyo Seigan finally found an excuse to slip away—he still had to sprinkle a final layer of salt, then they could eat.
So many things had happened today.
He had never met a girl as vivid and contradictory as Lia—sometimes a solemn, ancient god, sometimes a sorrowful maiden, her moods shifting so wildly.
He had intended to "believe a bit since it's free," but the more they talked, the stranger it felt; even his own thoughts wavered.
Yet in the end, he pushed the confusion aside. As he said, he could not stay in Sal Terrae forever, not even in Liyue—he still had journeys.
Salt sprinkled, sardines taken off, skewered—ready to eat.
"All done?" Lia tilted her head, eyeing the oil-glistening fish.
"Done." Kiyo Seigan asked curiously, "Why was Lia's promise 'to eat sardines together'?"
One question he didn't voice: Why wait two thousand years just for a sardine?
"Because that was the promise."
She took a skewer, bit gently. Tender fish melted on her tongue; Lia propped her cheek, eyes shining with satisfaction. "We promised it."
The way she ate made the cold, solemn god look once more like a girl.
"Delicious. So delicious.
"Even if I must wait another two thousand years," she whispered, a smile on her lips, "I will keep waiting."
Really can't figure her out…
[Sixth Covenant complete]
The sixth covenant was complete—let nothing else go wrong—so it ought to be.
Yet when Kiyo Seigan sensed that gaze behind him, he sighed again—life truly was hard.
"Seigan." Miss Lumine's face showed no extra expression. She looked at Lia and calmly asked:
"…Who is she?"
—Thus did the blonde bandit and the silver-haired devil meet for the first time.