Nothing happened in the following days. Lumine and Paimon would go on Adventurer's Guild commissions every day, while Durandal treated people in Liyue Harbor.
Time flew by, and it was the day before the Rite of Descension. Not many people came to see Durandal for treatment today. As she was about to return, Durandal was invited for tea by someone. This person was Zhongli, our Lord Geo Archon.
"Is there something you need at this hour?"
As the most important protagonist of the Rite of Descension, why wasn't Zhongli observing the preparations for the Rite of Descension? Why was he coming to find her? Was the Geo Archon as idle as the Anemo Archon?
"To prevent unforeseen circumstances, there are some things I need to explain to you in advance, lest you affect the development of events."
If he could, he wouldn't want to find Durandal. The fewer people who knew about this, the better. But if Durandal, with her combat power, wasn't warned, his carefully planned retirement scheme might fall through, and he wouldn't allow that to happen.
"Unforeseen circumstances? Will something unexpected happen at tomorrow's Rite of Descension? Or is it something you're doing?"
Based on her understanding of the Rite of Descension during this period, it was a very important event that determined the direction Liyue Harbor would develop in for the coming year.
Did Zhongli feel that the usual procedures of the Rite of Descension were inappropriate and wanted to add something to this year's Rite of Descension?
"The specific situation is inconvenient to disclose to you. You only need to know what will happen during the Rite of Descension tomorrow."
Was he speaking in riddles with her? Although she wasn't very clear about what would happen at the Rite of Descension where the Geo Archon would appear, this was his nation. Since he wasn't flustered, she, as a tourist, didn't need to be anxious either.
Moreover, it's better to avoid trouble. Even if something happens, Lumine will handle it. As long as the Reward is sufficient, she probably wouldn't hesitate even to solo the Abyss.
Zhongli nodded. Given Durandal's personality, he didn't actually think she would do anything, but just in case, it was better to be careful.
Actually, there was no place for Durandal in his plan, but since she was here, she would inevitably be forced into the game.
To ensure the plan proceeded smoothly, and also to keep a backup plan for himself, Zhongli had to modify his plan.
As the god of contracts, his idea was to draw up a contract with Durandal, but did he have anything presentable on hand?
If it were an ordinary person, Zhongli would have a way, but Durandal was a God, and she might not value his possessions. What should he do?
"Would you like to draw up a contract with me, Durandal?"
"Hmm? A contract? You and I?"
Zhongli nodded: "I hope you can step in to protect Liyue Harbor in times of crisis. If you agree, I can grant you one request."
At this point, Zhongli paused, then continued: "Aside from giving you Liyue Harbor, anything else is negotiable."
"What would I do with your Liyue Harbor? Replace you in managing Liyue Harbor? I wouldn't do such tiring work."
Don't think that being a nation's God is great. If you're even slightly reliable, you'll be worked to death, just like a certain Qixing in Sea Moon Pavilion who proposed that all Liyue people work overtime.
Or like a certain Anemo Archon who likes to slack off, only coming out to help in times of dire crisis, and acting as an ordinary human at other times, doing nothing at all.
Zhongli chuckled a few times. He had managed Liyue Harbor for over a thousand years and clearly knew that Durandal's words were correct; managing a nation was indeed tiring, and even a God would feel weary.
"Then what do you want?" Zhongli asked, "As long as it's within my capabilities, I can help you resolve it."
"...I'm not sure what I want. In the past, I had nothing. Now, what I want... I seem to have already obtained."
In the past, she had nothing. After coming to this world, she gradually gained things she could only dream of in the past.
So when Durandal was asked what she wanted, she couldn't answer, as there was nothing she needed that required others to obtain.
"If you wish to complete this contract, let Lumine fulfill this request. I believe she will certainly need your help in the future, and when that time comes, you must not refuse her."
Lumine will definitely fight the Abyss in the future, and her brother will be an enemy of the Heavenly Principles. She will certainly face various dangers. Durandal has the strength to protect Lumine, but without being able to exert her full power, it's too difficult to solve all of Lumine's troubles, so she needs helpers.
"Lumine? Is that the girl who is always with you? Do you care for her greatly?"
Although they hadn't been in Liyue for long, many people already knew this girl who ran around Liyue Harbor all day.
As long as you have a need, and as long as the Reward you offer is sufficient, she can help you accomplish anything.
Coupled with Lumine's beauty, good personality, and her acquaintance with Xiangling, a celebrity in Liyue Harbor, her reputation in Liyue Harbor grew increasingly.
It goes without saying that Zhongli knew Lumine; she came with Durandal, and she was also an outlander, which was enough to catch his attention.
"Yes, it is for her that I was willing to leave Mondstadt. As long as she needs me, I am willing to do anything for her."
At the mention of Lumine, Durandal's eyes softened, which made Zhongli glance at her.
In these two meetings, the only one who could make Durandal's expression change was Lumine. It seemed their relationship was much better than he had imagined.
"Is that so? What an extraordinary relationship, your feelings are very strong."
Zhongli nodded. He had many friends, some of whom were very close, even some who almost became partners, but they all departed with the erode of time.
However, the situation here was much more complex than Zhongli imagined. Durandal indeed regarded this relationship as friendship, and Lumine was similar, but she was actively trying to elevate this friendship to the next level.
Currently, she was using various methods to influence Durandal. Although there was still a long way to go before success, her efforts were not in vain, and this was already very encouraging, wasn't it?
"If you are willing to let her receive this request, then I agree to help you when Liyue Harbor encounters difficulties."
"To what extent?"
Zhongli was not in a hurry to finalize the contract and pressed further.
"I will use every means possible. Even if the Abyss or the Heavenly Principles themselves come, I will not let them cause any destruction to Liyue Harbor."
Durandal disdained lying. Since she had spoken the words, she would naturally fulfill this promise.
Only then was Zhongli satisfied and made a contract with Durandal. Although it was only a verbal contract, Zhongli was the god of contracts, and even without a signature or seal, no one would dare not abide by it.
"The contract is made. Those who break their word shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock."
"Hmm, it's a deal."
The agreement was thus set. Zhongli calmly took a sip of tea, fixing his gaze on the storyteller at the front.
Durandal also listened for a moment, pondering Zhongli's words in her mind. Liyue Harbor in peril? In peril? Something is going to happen in Liyue Harbor soon!
She hadn't thought much about it just now and hadn't noticed the problem in Zhongli's words. Now, reflecting on it, she realized the issue was not simple.
"You said you would help when Liyue is in peril? What about you? Are you not going to do anything?"
As the Geo Archon, who had protected Liyue Harbor for a thousand years, had he also become like Venti, only wanting to slack off?
The Geo Archon's strength was not weak, Durandal could feel it. Moreover, he was known as the God of War. Even if other gods or the Abyss came to cause trouble, he could handle it. Why did he want her, an outsider, to intervene?
"You will know the answer tomorrow."
Zhongli calmly took a sip of tea, leaving Durandal with a puzzling remark, and offered no other explanation, focusing his attention on the storyteller.
Emmmm... What's going on? Durandal felt like this guy was speaking in riddles to her. Why couldn't he just explain things clearly now when he could?
Ah~ so annoying. She felt like making him explain it now, but she couldn't lay hands on the host in his own territory, so she could only swallow her frustration.
That night, Durandal, back at the villa, waited in the living room for Lumine and Paimon to return, pondering Zhongli's words in her mind.
"White Oriole, as a Liyue native, you should know the specific procedures for tomorrow's Rite of Descension, right?"
"Yes, I've been to see it a few times before. Later, because I had too many things to do, I gradually stopped going."
The Rite of Descension might be a rare event for foreigners, but for Liyue natives, it's really nothing special.
This ceremony is held once a year. One or two times is fine, but it gets boring afterward. Most of those who attend now are foreign tourists or merchants.
"Tell me about the process of the Rite of Descension."
"Alright."
The Rite of Descension itself doesn't have a very complex process. You just wait for the Liyue Qixing to announce that the auspicious time has arrived, and then invite the Geo Archon out.
After that, it's the Geo Archon's part. Once his business is finished and he leaves the Rite of Descension venue, the Liyue Qixing say a few words, and it concludes.
Hmm~ It sounds rather uninteresting, but Zhongli said something would happen at this Rite of Descension. What could it be?
Hmm~ Durandal pondered, what could possibly happen that would make Zhongli personally come to remind her not to panic no matter what happens?
It couldn't be that someone wanted to attack the Liyue Qixing or him during the Rite of Descension, could it? If there really were such people, Durandal would be quite impressed, daring to do such a thing in broad daylight.
But this possibility is not high. Who would know in advance that they would be assassinated and do nothing? It's not like he would personally stage such a play, right?
Ah haha~ How could that be?