"Every year, the Rite of Descension draws the most foreigners."
"Other than merchants, very few locals come to attend."
Keqing explained with a smile.
Every year, the Geo Archon would issue certain decrees to adjust Liyue's governance.
Especially when it came to commerce after all, the Liyue Qixing were all major merchants.
This was a nation built around merchants.
"I see."
"No wonder… Hey Keqing, where are we standing later?"
Paimon nodded, finally understanding why there were so many foreigners.
"You should stand with Mr. Bai. That spot is closest to Yujing Terrace."
"Just follow me."
Keqing led them through the packed crowd toward the Rite's platform.
A moment later.
Under Ningguang's satisfied gaze, Keqing brought Rowan and the others to the right side.
A spot had already been reserved specifically for Rowan and his group.
Three luxurious chairs were set in place.
After all, Rowan was Mondstadt's Knight King, the one who held Mondstadt's power. His status was nearly on par with Morax himself.
Preparing a proper seat for him was only natural, and Istaroth and Jean were simply benefiting from his prestige.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have had seats at all.
You only had to look at Lumine and Paimon—they had no chairs.
But neither of them minded. They stood behind Rowan and the others, and they were even pretty happy about it.
Being able to watch the Rite of Descension from this close was already more than enough.
Just look at the noisy crowd outside.
For two foreigners to get this near it was already a huge honor.
Ningguang nodded to Rowan, then solemnly turned her gaze toward the sky.
Eyes closed, hands folded before her lower abdomen, she waited for the auspicious time.
"Huh… Rowan, are you close with Lady Ningguang?"
"Was she just greeting you?"
Paimon noticed Ningguang's gesture and floated closer, asking curiously.
"Yeah. We met before at Stone Gate."
"The reason Liyue's official roads are like Mondstadt's now is because of what I discussed with her."
Rowan smiled and nodded.
"So that's how it is… Lumine, are you nervous?"
Paimon nodded, about to excitedly analyze things with Lumine, but then noticed Lumine's face was a bit pale.
She wasn't excited like Paimon at all she even looked guilty.
Rowan turned to look and immediately understood what she was thinking. He stood up with a smile, gently ruffled Lumine's hair, and comforted her.
"Relax. The Geo Archon isn't the kind of god who'd separate you from your sibling."
"He's not that bored, at least, as far as I know."
Lumine's face turned red, and the unease in her heart eased by more than half. Then she looked up in surprise.
"You've met the Geo Archon?"
"Of course. Not only him—I've even met the Cryo Archon."
"So don't worry. Just watch the show."
With Lumine no longer tense, Rowan withdrew his hand and smiled.
"Hm? Hm?"
"A show? What show?"
Lumine blinked, confused, not understanding what he meant.
Rowan raised a finger, signaling her to wait and see.
Lumine could only suppress her curiosity and look toward Ningguang at the center.
Paimon also held her breath, staring at Ningguang, eagerly waiting for the Rite to begin.
They didn't have to wait long.
As the sun slowly reached its highest point, the time arrived.
The Ningguang who had been resting with eyes closed suddenly opened them and shouted:
"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
"Welcome, Your Grace!"
Her hands rapidly formed seals.
As the seals appeared one after another, Geo energy condensed around her.
It formed jade-like gems that flew toward the massive bronze incense burner at the front, embedding themselves into it.
The burner trembled slightly.
Then a pillar of golden light shot into the sky.
Ningguang steadied her breath and watched the heavens.
According to the usual routine, once this part finished, the Geo Archon would descend.
But for some reason, ever since last year—ever since Keqing asked that rebellious question—Ningguang had carried a constant feeling that the Geo Archon might vanish at any time.
She didn't know why.
But the anxiety never left her.
That was also why she had been so direct the last time she met Rowan.
She feared a Liyue without the Geo Archon would come.
"Rule by man" wasn't as beautiful as Keqing imagined.
In fact, once the Geo Archon was gone, Liyue would look like a delicious piece of meat to outsiders.
As the head of the Qixing, Ningguang needed to find Liyue a new pillar to lean on.
And Rowan the Knight King who was both human and a god, had become one of her options.
But she still hadn't fully pulled him over to Liyue's side.
Now…
It seemed she was too late.
The sky, which had been clear and filled with golden brilliance, suddenly became thunderous and dark, heavy clouds rolling in.
If Ningguang still didn't realize something was wrong, she'd be a fool.
Before she could shout for everyone to be on guard
A massive object fell from the storm clouds.
At the same time, the golden light in the sky rapidly faded… until it vanished completely.
Boom!
The offerings at the platform were smashed into a mess but Ningguang couldn't care less.
Because what fell from the sky wasn't the familiar Geo Archon.
It was a golden dragon corpse
And that dragon…
Was the very form the Geo Archon always took during the Rite of Descension.
Now he was dead!!!!
"This!!!"
Ningguang could no longer hold back her shock. She rushed forward to check.
But no matter how she examined it, the dragon had lost all breath.
Could it be… the Geo Archon was dead?
The onlookers around began whispering, the murmurs spreading like wildfire.
Had Liyue's god… passed away?
And in the shadows, a certain "Childe" who had been planning to assassinate the Geo Archon also went dumb.
Seriously?
He really was planning to assassinate Morax…
But he hadn't even moved yet, right?
Was the Geo Archon… trying to scam him?
"Your Grace!!!"
Ningguang stared at the completely cold divine body, grief stabbing straight through her heart.
But as one of the Liyue Qixing, she couldn't afford to collapse here.
She had to pull herself together, Liyue still needed her to hold the line!
Ningguang forcibly swallowed her grief, stood up, and issued an order to the surrounding Millelith.
"The Geo Archon has been assassinated. Seal off the entire area!"
(End of Chapter)
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