Chapter 10. something that can only be understood, not described
Not only did Futsu Mitama immediately understand that the "important figure" mentioned by Beidou was Guizhong, but Aila, Kuki Shinobu, Shenhe, and Sangonomiya Kokomi also reached the same conclusion.
They had not heard anything about such an event in Liyue before, which clearly meant it had been deliberately concealed. As for the reason, it was something that could be clarified directly in the Chat Group.
Beidou, however, knew nothing of this. She continued drinking with Futsu Mitama, her tone becoming more animated as she spoke. According to what she had heard, that "important figure" was no ordinary existence. It was said she was an Archon—perhaps even the consort of Rex Lapis.
Such a title alone carried tremendous weight.
An existence second only to the Lord of Geo—just thinking about it was enough to make one curious. Beidou admitted she had only learned fragments of this from Ningguang, and that very few people knew of it. Perhaps that person simply preferred to remain low-profile.
At this point, Beidou even told Futsu Mitama that, as the future Electro Archon, he might very well encounter her in Liyue. If that happened, there was no need for introductions—just take a look and see if she was beautiful.
"Certainly," Futsu Mitama replied casually. "If I see her, I'll let you know."
Beidou, already somewhat drunk, took it at face value and burst into laughter, immediately raising her bowl again and drinking it in one go. The faint crackle of electricity around her body grew more pronounced with each sip.
The effects of Narukami sake were already taking hold.
Her physique, her resistance to Electro, even her affinity for the element—everything was improving subtly as she drank.
Meanwhile, in the Chat Group, the situation had already turned into a different kind of chaos.
[Guizhong: "Oh dear I've been found out I originally planned to reveal it later, but I didn't expect you to discover it so soon."]
[Guizhong: "But how was it leaked? This hasn't been announced publicly yet."]
[Guizhong: "Could it be… that captain known as the 'Dragon King'?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "You're quite perceptive. She told us."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "She had a bit too much to drink and mentioned it while talking about Liyue."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "But why hide a gourmet event?"]
[Keqing: "Lady Guizhong likely wanted to keep it a surprise since you would be arriving soon."]
[Keqing: "Besides, it's not truly secret. The major figures already know about it."]
[Zhongli: "Indeed. Futsu Mitama is not an outsider."]
[Raiden Ei: "?"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Mr. Zhongli, he is the next Electro Archon, not Rex Lapis's successor."]
[Yae Miko: "Exactly Becoming the Geo Archon's successor would take far too long"]
[Venti: "Ehe~ Then wouldn't he be my successor?"]
[Venti: "After all, I gave him the Anemo Archon's legacy~"]
[Raiden Makoto: "What legacy?"]
[Venti: "Ah something that can only be understood, not described"]
[Azhdaha: "Doing nothing?"]
[Albedo: "Slacking off?"]
[Klee: "Drinking?"]
[Keqing: "Leaving decisions to others?"]
[Aila: "Freedom?"]
[Venti: "All of the above~ That's the Anemo Archon's legacy!"]
[Yae Miko: "..."]
[Raiden Ei: "Barbatos, when will you come out? I have something to discuss."]
[Venti: "No, no I'm staying here Don't come looking for me!!!"]
[Greater Lord Rukkhadevata: "More importantly, when are you coming to Sumeru?"]
[Guizhong: "Let's not discuss that now~ When will you arrive in Liyue?"]
[Guizhong: "I'll come greet you—and show you the Azhdaha Mech!"]
[Azhdaha: "That thing you built in Guyun Stone Forest? The commotion was noticeable."]
[Futsu Mitama: "You actually built it?"]
[Guizhong: "Part of it! It'll be finished within half a year!"]
[Zhongli: "Then likely by the next Rite of Descension."]
[Keqing: "I can already imagine the Lord of Geo's expression."]
[Guizhong: "Hahaha~ He already knows. Though he's more concerned about another matter—the anomaly in The Chasm."]
[Albedo: "The Chasm?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Curious."]
[Shenhe: "There are seals there. It shouldn't be unstable so soon."]
[Guizhong: "It's something deeper. Not our concern for now."]
Reading the messages, Futsu Mitama's gaze flickered slightly.
The Chasm—
Something didn't align with what he remembered.
Still, he said nothing more, simply raising his bowl again and clinking it against Beidou's.
On the other side, Beidou was already flushed, yet still drinking enthusiastically. What surprised everyone even more, however, was that Sangonomiya Kokomi—who should have been the first to fall—was still sitting upright, her face slightly red but her consciousness clear.
"Hey— Divine Priestess, isn't this a bit much?" Beidou laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "You've drunk quite a bit too."
"How are you not drunk at all?"
Kokomi blinked slightly, her voice soft. "I'm not sure. This is my first time drinking."
"Perhaps…I'm naturally good at it?"
In truth, she could feel the difference herself. Ever since her last slumber, her body had changed. Her control over Hydro had improved, and her physical strength had increased beyond what it once was.
Now, even her tolerance for alcohol seemed affected.
"Perfect!" Beidou laughed loudly. "Then let's drink properly!"
The two clinked bowls and drank again.
Futsu Mitama quietly replaced the empty wine barrel with a new one. With his current control over Electro, producing Narukami sake was no longer difficult. Given enough materials, he could create as much as needed.
The drinking continued.
Until finally—
Beidou fell.
She collapsed onto the deck, muttering incoherently about drinking more. The crew quickly carried her away, leaving only Futsu Mitama and Kokomi still seated.
The others watched with interest.
Should they continue?
Futsu Mitama glanced at Kokomi. "What do you think?"
She hesitated briefly, then shook her head with a small smile. "No need."
She could already feel the faint dizziness creeping in. Futsu Mitama, on the other hand, showed no signs of intoxication at all. Continuing would only lead to her own defeat.
And that—
Would be embarrassing.
"Hmm."
Seeing that Sangonomiya Kokomi had no intention of continuing, Futsu Mitama simply raised his bowl one last time. The two quietly clinked their bowls together, finishing the remaining Narukami sake in a final toast.
After draining his drink, Futsu Mitama set the bowl aside and stored the remaining sake away. By then, the night had already deepened, and the lively atmosphere on the Alcor gradually settled.
The crew members began to clean up, moving swiftly and efficiently. None of them allowed Futsu Mitama, Aila, or the others to step in and help.
They were guests. How could guests be allowed to do such work?
If Beidou were to find out that her crew had let guests handle cleanup, there would certainly be consequences.
With nothing left to do, Futsu Mitama and Aila quietly walked toward the bow of the ship.
Before them stretched the vast, endless sea, its dark surface reflecting faint traces of starlight. The wind carried a cool, salty breath as it swept across the deck, brushing past them and dispersing the lingering warmth of the feast.
They stood there in silence, letting the sea breeze wash over them.
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