At Yae Miko's words, Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly.
He knew full well how sharp the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine was. If he could extract even a fragment of useful structure from her proposal and bring it back to Liyue for refinement, it would save him considerable effort later.
Without a word, he straightened in his seat. Shenhe followed suit.
Yae Miko lifted her teacup with elegant poise. Her gaze swept across the table—pausing deliberately on Idris. She winked.
Then she spoke.
"Great Sage, under your guidance, Sumeru has become a nation of wisdom and miracles. Naturally, Inazuma longs for such knowledge. But cooperation cannot simply be an exchange of利益. It must be a long-term, stable relationship—one that allows both nations to grow."
She smiled faintly.
"We can deepen ties through cultural exchange, technological collaboration, and economic integration. Inazuma can dispatch scholars to assist with research breakthroughs in Sumeru. Likewise, Sumeru's scholars may visit Inazuma and share their insights. We could jointly explore emerging markets. Mutual prosperity. What do you think?"
Idris listened.
Then shook his head.
"Doesn't sound very convincing. It still feels like free learning on your end. You get to study in Sumeru. And when we visit Inazuma? Your country only recently reopened after isolation. What cutting-edge technology or cultural advancements are you offering in return, Fox?"
He did not even try to soften the nickname.
Yae Miko raised both hands slightly in mock surrender.
"Oh my, Great Sage, of course we intend to contribute. It's simply… not appropriate to discuss everything publicly."
Her tone dipped into velvet.
"Perhaps tonight, we could speak privately?"
She gave him another look—dangerously deliberate.
Nahida nearly exploded.
If she were taller, she might have physically intervened.
Shenhe and Zhongli, meanwhile, shared a subtle glance.
Was this… what they thought it was?
If that was the negotiation method, then perhaps Liyue—
Zhongli coughed lightly.
"Lady Yae's proposal is indeed reasonable. I believe the Great Sage will give it proper consideration."
Idris turned slowly to look at him.
You too?
He had not expected Zhongli to attempt strategic alignment so openly.
After a pause, Idris spoke calmly.
"Fox, parts of your proposal have merit. But as you said—true cooperation must be built on fairness and trust. Sumeru and Inazuma operate under different national conditions. Immediate, unrestricted sharing would cause friction."
He tapped the table lightly.
"Provide concrete, structured plans. Something measurable. Something balanced."
Yae Miko's smile widened—victory flickering in her eyes.
"Then let us begin modestly," she said, leaning forward slightly. "Small-scale, low-sensitivity pilot programs. Joint research on a specific technology. A bilateral academic exchange festival. Build trust first. Expand later."
Idris remained unreadable.
"I'll consider it."
Zhongli's gaze sharpened subtly.
The structure was clever.
Pilot cooperation → Trust-building → Expanded integration.
A scalable diplomatic template.
Liyue could adapt this.
Shenhe added carefully,
"Lady Yae's approach is pragmatic. Though Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru are geographically distant, our cultural and intellectual foundations share similarities. If Liyue could participate in such initiatives, we would approach it through mutual benefit—not one-sided gain."
Idris glanced at her.
For a moment, displeasure flickered.
Was everyone here trying to treat Sumeru as a resource well?
Shenhe sensed it immediately and clarified,
"Liyue does not seek advantage without contribution. Only balanced progress."
The tension eased slightly.
After a long moment, Idris nodded.
"Very well. We'll place the matter under formal review. Pilot collaboration first."
Relief rippled across the table.
Yae Miko's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.
She had not traveled with five thousand workers for nothing.
Still, her eyes lingered on Zhongli and Shenhe with faint suspicion.
Competition.
Even here.
As conversation resumed, Idris leaned back quietly.
His thoughts shifted inward.
Should Sumeru truly dominate the continent alone?
He knew Liyue's strength. He knew Inazuma's resilience.
Unbalanced supremacy invited instability.
A tower built too high eventually stands alone in cold wind.
If Sumeru became overwhelmingly superior, resentment would follow. Envy. Fear.
And from fear… conflict.
No.
Balanced development. Shared利益. Controlled integration.
A continental framework.
In his mind, a blueprint unfolded—
A coalition built on:
Sovereign independence
Strategic interdependence
Technological exchange
Economic integration
Mutual deterrence
Not a single hegemon.
But a structured alliance.
Finally, he spoke.
"Liyue and Inazuma may be incorporated into a broader cooperative framework—if terms are clear."
The atmosphere lightened instantly.
Yae Miko exhaled softly.
Zhongli inclined his head.
Nahida relaxed at last.
The negotiation table had shifted from tension to possibility.
But everyone present understood one truth:
The fox was cunning.
The Geo Archon was calculating.
And the Great Sage of Sumeru?
He was building something far larger than any of them had anticipated.
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