After that, Idris led Nahida through the mountainous wilderness outside Liyue Harbor.
Only when one truly walked this land step by step did it become obvious just how vast this world really was—
far, far larger than anything shown in a game.
Along the way, Idris even spotted several treasure chests that the Traveler had clearly missed.
Whether she'd ever stumble upon them later was her own luck.
Idris certainly wasn't going to remind her.
And as for opening them himself?
That was even less worth considering.
He wasn't short on Mora, and roaming the world cracking open chests for pocket change simply didn't interest him.
After crossing several stretches of wild terrain, Idris roughly calculated the direction of Mt. Aocang and casually headed toward the cloud-shrouded peaks.
Nahida glanced at his chosen path and asked curiously,
"Idris, are you planning to visit Jueyun Karst and see the Adepti?"
He nodded.
"Of course."
"The Guizhong Ballista they created is, in my opinion, the perfect prototype for a mobile ship-mounted cannon."
"I've heard Liyue craftsmen have already begun replicating it."
"But replicas are still replicas. If possible, I'd rather get my hands on the real thing."
Idris remembered clearly that imitation Guizhong Ballistae never matched the power of true Adepti creations.
If that failed, he'd have no choice but to use weapons like the mountain-cleaving cannons once seen in Inazuma or the depths of the Chasm.
But their projectile speed…
They were fine for breaking terrain—but against moving targets?
Unless the enemy stood still and waited to be blasted, the hit rate was honestly tragic.
The Guizhong Ballista, however, had a firing speed already approaching that of a heavy machine gun.
Anything beyond that would require energy-based weaponry.
Laser cannons.
Unfortunately, no such technology existed in Teyvat yet.
Even if Idris wanted to research it, there was simply no foundation to build upon.
Nahida shot him an exasperated look.
"You really don't change at all."
"Even on vacation, your mind is still full of military industry and national infrastructure."
Idris shrugged.
"Before that, we can at least enjoy a mountain climb."
"It's been a long time since I properly hiked like this."
Nahida crossed her arms.
"Oh? And climbing mountains with my short legs gives you a sense of achievement now?"
"Maybe."
"You big jerk! Can't you say something nicer for once?!"
Ignoring her indignant protest, Idris continued strolling calmly through the misty Adepti mountains.
The scenery stirred memories—
of climbing great peaks in another world long ago.
It was… nostalgic.
Perhaps because Idris let his guard slip for just a moment, Nahida suddenly smiled behind him and said,
"Say… Grand Sage Idris."
"You're not actually from Teyvat at all, are you?"
His steps paused briefly.
Then he nodded.
"…Nahida. How did you figure it out?"
She huffed lightly.
"Because I'm the God of Wisdom."
"And I'm not that clueless."
"I've stayed by your side long enough to notice certain things."
"Honestly, I started suspecting you when you introduced plant grafting."
"In my eyes, that technique was the pinnacle of human civilization."
"No matter the era, it's a world-changing discovery."
"And yet—you weren't nearly as excited about it as you were about alchemy."
"No, more precisely…"
"You weren't surprised at all."
"It was as if you'd seen this kind of technology before."
"That made me suspicious."
"Later, through the Irminsul and Elder Rukkhadevata's confirmation, I became certain—"
"No one in Teyvat before you had ever proposed plant grafting."
"So there was only one conclusion."
"You learned it somewhere else."
"Knowledge from outside this world."
They continued walking side by side through the mountain paths.
Nahida looked straight at him.
"Grand Sage Idris… or rather—"
"You're the Fifth Descender, aren't you?"
"Your body belongs to Teyvat."
"But your soul doesn't."
"Your soul comes from beyond this world."
"…Am I wrong?"
A Descender—
the title the Fatui used for beings not native to Teyvat.
Idris calmly nodded.
"Your conclusion is correct."
"But right now, you're the only one who knows."
"Even Elder Rukkhadevata doesn't, does she?"
Nahida nodded as well.
"I never planned to tell anyone."
"I only figured it out because I stayed beside you for so long."
She understood perfectly what kind of shock this revelation would cause if it spread.
The greatest Sage in Sumeru's history—
his soul not belonging to this world at all.
Idris wasn't surprised she had figured it out.
He had never bothered to hide his personality.
More than one person had even commented that his temperament felt oddly compatible with Liyue.
And Nahida was a god who had lived for five hundred years.
At that point, even an ordinary human would have sharpened insight—
let alone her.
Idris turned to her.
"So what does Sumeru's Little Lord Kusanali think about this?"
Nahida answered without hesitation.
"I have no thoughts against you."
"Wherever you come from changes nothing."
"You are my Sage."
"I am your Princess."
"And you are my King."
"So even if I know the truth, I will never reveal it."
"I'll protect this secret—for both of us."
"Your position in Sumeru will never waver."
Idris smiled faintly.
"Humans are practical creatures."
"As long as I govern well, as long as the people live better lives each day—"
"Even if they learned my soul isn't from Teyvat…"
"To them, I would still be the chosen king."
"And if I ruled poorly?"
"Then even a thousand excuses wouldn't save me."
He looked at Nahida with approval.
"But I'm pleased."
"You figured this out on your own."
"That means your growth hasn't been wasted."
Nahida returned his smile, gentle and warm.
"Our relationship was never simple to begin with."
"And I'm glad… that I can keep this secret with you."
They continued climbing.
Then—halfway up the mountain—
Idris spotted someone unexpected.
Unexpected… but not entirely.
After all—
That person had a pair of goat horns on her head.
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