Chapter 354 - Chapter 176. The 'Seven Archons' Meeting Part 1

Chapter 176. The 'Seven Archons' Meeting Part 1

The next morning, Mitama woke up and instantly pulled up the Chat Group interface.

If everything went according to schedule, the Inazuman delegation led by Yae Miko would arrive at Liyue Harbor around noon. However, Mitama had no intention of joining the welcoming committee. He had just freeloaded a luxury banquet on the Ministry of Civil Affairs' dime last night. Crashing another diplomatic reception today felt a bit too shameless, even for him.

[Yae Miko]: "Liyue! The Guuji has returned!!!!"

[Keqing]: "Welcome. Ganyu will be formally hosting your delegation today."

[Eula]: "Isn't Yelan handling the diplomatic receptions?"

[Keqing]: "Yelan's operational purview has been expanded. She lacks the bandwidth to host every foreign delegation. Ganyu is slightly less overwhelmed, and since she is personally acquainted with Miko, she volunteered."

[Yae Miko]: "Sister Ganyu? Oh my, it's been entirely too long. I am genuinely looking forward to this."

[Yae Miko]: "But... Mitama, Aila, Shinobu, Kokomi... aren't any of you coming to the docks to greet us?"

[Kuki Shinobu]: "I follow Mitama's lead."

[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: "I am amenable to whatever the group decides."

[Aila]: "The Young Master's schedule dictates ours. We remain on standby."

[Futsu Mitama]: "I'm passing. I already crashed the Mondstadt welcome dinner yesterday. Enjoy your diplomatic luncheon with Ganyu and Ningguang, and we'll meet up afterward. Also, how large is your delegation this time?"

[Kamisato Ayaka]: "Ah... well... how should I put this..."

[Yae Miko]: "It's a secret~ Unless you come find us, I'm not telling~"

[Futsu Mitama]: "Just give me a rough headcount."

[Yae Miko]: "Hmm. As for humans... there are only two of us."

[Futsu Mitama]: "And yokai?"

[Yae Miko]: "Oh my~ The little lord is getting sharper. Let's see... counting myself, there are three yokai."

[Kuki Shinobu]: "So, two humans and three yokai?"

[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: "Miko is one yokai. Kujou Sara is the second. Who is the third?"

[Kamisato Ayaka]: "Should I offer a hint?"

[Yae Miko]: "Absolutely not~ The moment you give a hint, they'll guess it. Actually, knowing little Kokomi, she's probably already deduced it. I've clearly miscalculated."

[Futsu Mitama]: "[Sharpening knife] [Sharpening knife] [Sharpening knife]."

[Aila]: "The Young Master politely requests you cease speaking in riddles, lest he cross the ocean to stab you."

[Raiden Ei]: "[Like]."

[Yae Miko]: "???"

[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: "Is the third yokai... Gorou?"

[Yae Miko]: "Correct! Ten points to Watatsumi Island! However, the final member of our party... strictly speaking, she isn't part of the official delegation. She just wanted a vacation in Liyue. Originally, this spot was reserved for Kaedehara Kazuha."

[Yae Miko]: "Unfortunately, Kazuha is currently locked down on Watatsumi Island, coordinating with Arataki Itto and that troublesome Shinobu to track down a rogue Abyss Lector. It's a shame he couldn't come, but with Kazuha supervising them, Itto and that troublemaker shouldn't cause too much collateral damage."

[Yae Miko]: "Ayato is managing Narukami Island, and Chisato has Ritou locked down. We have no domestic concerns."

[Kuki Shinobu]: "Wait... the Boss is actually doing serious work? That's unprecedented. What crime did he commit this time?"

[Yae Miko]: "Hehehehe~ You guessed it~ He did commit a minor offense. The usual trivial nonsense. However, I find his boisterous personality rather charming. Kujou Sara offered him two choices: sit in a Tenryou holding cell for three days, or deploy to Watatsumi Island to assist Kazuha's tactical pursuit of the Lector."

[Yae Miko]: "He chose the deployment instantly. He loudly declared that 'sitting in jail is an insult to the majesty of Arataki the One and Oni Itto!'"

[Kuki Shinobu]: "...Sigh."

[Futsu Mitama]: "I suppose that's entirely on-brand for him."

[Aila]: "Then who is the final [human]?"

[Yae Miko]: "Oh, she's an old acquaintance of yours! The one you two always visit during the summer festivals."

[Futsu Mitama]: "I think I know exactly who it is."

[Aila]: "The girl we visit during the festivals? Her? It has been quite some time."

[Futsu Mitama]: "If it's truly her, I can already foresee the apocalyptic future of Liyue Harbor."

[Zhongli]: "Future?"

[Guizhong]: "What future???"

[Azhdaha]: "? Specify. Why do I feel profoundly unsettled all of a sudden?"

[Bosacius]: "Huh??"

[Keqing]: "Why is Liyue Harbor suddenly implicated in this?"

[Futsu Mitama]: "How do I explain this delicately? Inazuma possesses a premier fireworks artisan. Her personality is... functionally identical to a hybrid of Hu Tao and Klee. She is explosively enthusiastic, entirely fearless, and possesses a lethal mastery over incendiary compounds. You all know what fireworks are, correct?"

[Zhongli]: "!"

[Guizhong]: "This..."

[Azhdaha]: "Hiss. I feel as though the threat level of this year Rites has just spiked exponentially."

[Keqing]: "It will be fine. It has to be fine. The Millelith are on high alert."

[Bosacius]: "Is she truly that terrifying?"

[Albedo]: "Do not panic. We currently have an active operational mandate. Klee is forbidden from socializing with Hu Tao until the mission concludes. Is that correct, Klee?"

[Klee]: "Ah?! Yes!!! Big Brother Albedo is right! Klee is on a super secret mission! She can't go play with Big Sister Hu Tao right now!"

[Eula]: "Wait, is this counter-espionage operation also part of Ningguang's overarching strategy?"

[Keqing]: "Ningguang's strategy? You mean tasking the Mondstadt delegation with monitoring the Fatuis? Honestly, when I reviewed that operational directive, I was surprised. Knowing Ningguang's methodology, I assumed she would delegate the intelligence gathering to Lumine."

[Lumine]: "We're already on it."

[Paimon]: "Yeah! We've been on the case for a month!"

[Keqing]: "Eh? Since when??? Why wasn't I briefed?"

[Lumine]: "When we emerged from The Chasm, right around the time Mitama first arrived in the harbor. Miss Ningguang approached us covertly and requested we audit the Fatui's local logistics. We didn't find a smoking gun. We only confirmed that their operational cadence has become highly erratic and chaotic, making it nearly impossible to predict their targets."

[Keqing]: "That early? But why haven't you submitted a formal report?"

[Paimon]: "We assumed you already knew! Besides, tracking a few Fatui agents is just standard adventuring stuff, right?"

[Lumine]: "Yeah, it's just basic recon. No big deal."

[Eula]: "We received a similar tactical mandate, but our primary objective is to shadow the incoming Snezhnayan diplomatic envoy."

[Albedo]: "I have already fabricated several alchemical surveillance nodes and preemptively installed them within the Snezhnayan residence."

[Klee]: "And Klee is manufacturing specialized Jumpy Dumpties designed for non-lethal concussive force! When the bad guys make a move, Klee will bombard them!"

[Yae Miko]: "Wait a moment~ Are you telling me~ Ningguang is systematically weaponizing every foreign delegation to run counter-espionage against the Fatui?"

[Cyno]: "If the Qixing requires specialized tracking, the Matra can assist. I possess unique means for hunting Fatui operatives."

[Keqing]: "Negative. During the final logistical summit, it was decreed that only the Mondstadt delegation would be formally integrated into this operation. The political justification is that Liyue and Mondstadt maintain a formalized military alliance, bolstered by the personal correspondence between the Tianquan and the Acting Grand Master. However, given Ganyu's diplomatic thoroughness, I expect she will brief you on the situation upon your arrival, Miko."

[Yae Miko]: "How intriguing~ I shall look forward to that briefing. However, even armed with that intelligence, I doubt I will intervene. Liyue currently possesses an absurd concentration of tactical assets. If I interject myself into your internal security, it would be a severe overstep of diplomatic boundaries."

[Yae Miko]: "Anyway~ That's enough shop talk~ The weather is absolutely divine today~ If the winds hold, our ship should dock in Liyue Harbor slightly ahead of schedule."

Mitama sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the scrolling text, entirely lost in thought.

"Young Master, are you not rising yet?"

Black Aila pushed the bedroom door open, tilting her head in confusion.

Aila stepped in behind her, assessing Mitama's posture.

"Young Master, are you concerned about Yoimiya's arrival?"

"Yoimiya?"

Black Aila blinked. Lacking access to the Chat Group, she deduced a new piece of intel had just dropped.

Scanning her shared memory banks, Black Aila identified the target. During their tenure in Inazuma, Mitama and [herself] frequently visited a young woman named Yoimiya during festival seasons.

Tsk. Another one with an excessive bust.

Black Aila thought, her expression souring slightly as she recalled the relentlessly cheerful pyrotechnician.

"Why worry about her?" Black Aila asked, genuinely confused. "Isn't she just a civilian merchant who sells fireworks? I know she possesses a Vision, but her raw combat output is negligible. She is aesthetically pleasing, yes, but hardly a tactical threat. Why does her presence concern you?"

"I'm not worried about her."

Mitama sighed, rubbing his temples as he looked at Black Aila's profound confusion.

"I'm worried about Liyue Harbor."

"Liyue Harbor?"

Black Aila's confusion deepened. How could a single, low-level Pyro Vision holder threaten the structural integrity of the continent's largest commercial hub?

"Allow me to simplify the equation."

Aila interjected, a faint flicker of disdain in her eyes. She was disappointed that [herself] lacked the contextual awareness to immediately grasp the apocalyptic threat level. Black Aila was entirely focused on combat optimization and rarely processed social dynamics.

"Fine. Explain it."

Black Aila huffed, noting the disdain but remaining perfectly still.

Aila adjusted her posture, speaking with clinical precision.

"You are familiar with the asset known as Klee. A juvenile possessing an obsessive compulsion for manufacturing high-yield explosives."

"You are also familiar with the asset known as Hu Tao. Prior to her association with Klee, her primary threat vector was localized. However, after analyzing Klee's ordnance, Hu Tao began applying esoteric Talisman Arts to amplify the explosive yield to catastrophic levels."

Black Aila nodded slowly. Both entities were documented hazards.

A certain consultant had formally requested assistance in managing Hu Tao, and Klee was essentially a walking natural disaster. The synergy between the two had already resulted in the creation of devastatingly lethal ordnance and borderline-radioactive culinary experiments.

"Indeed." Aila continued grimly. "Now, introduce Yoimiya into that operational matrix. Yoimiya engineers fireworks—which are, fundamentally, stylized incendiary explosives. If those three establish contact, it will undoubtedly trigger a cascading elemental resonance."

"Klee will conceptualize and manufacture the warhead. Hu Tao will apply adeptus talismans to exponentially amplify the blast radius. Yoimiya will engineer the propulsion systems to deliver the warhead over extreme distances."

"!!!!"

Black Aila's eyes widened slightly. She finally understood. Individually, they were hazards. Together, they formed an autonomous, self-sustaining artillery battalion capable of leveling a city.

"I see you finally grasp the severity of the situation."

Aila noted coolly.

"We can only pray they don't cross paths until the festival is over."

Mitama groaned. He hadn't anticipated Yae Miko deploying Yoimiya. The Fox claimed it was a last-minute substitution due to Kazuha's unavailability, but Futsu Mitama knew better.

Miko was a chaos gremlin.

Futsu Mitama had once casually mentioned the terrifying synergy between Klee and Hu Tao to her. Miko, operating entirely on a 'let's see what happens' philosophy, had absolutely drafted Yoimiya just to inject more gasoline into the fire.

"Let's just get some breakfast."

Mitama sighed, deciding to abandon the stress. Klee, Hu Tao, and Yoimiya were chaotic, but they weren't malicious. If they actually attempted to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic firework within city limits, surely a certain Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultant would intervene before Liyue Harbor was reduced to ash.

Right?

Futsu Mitama led the twins downstairs for a light breakfast. Once they finished, the rest of the household began preparing for the day.

With the Rite of Descension drawing closer, the streets of Liyue Harbor were bursting with life. Shinobu, Kokomi, Lumine, Paimon, and Mona were all eager to dive into the festival atmosphere.

Futsu Mitama, however, smiled and announced he would be staying home.

Aila and Black Aila immediately flanked him, remaining perfectly still. Where the Young Master remained, they remained. The festival was irrelevant; securing his perimeter was their sole objective.

"Eh? Why aren't you coming?" Paimon whined, floating in circles. "The festival is starting! There are so many new food stalls opening up on the promenade! It's a waste to sit at home!"

"Enough, Paimon." Lumine ordered gently, grabbing the floating fairy by her cape. "If Mitama is staying behind, he has a tactical reason for doing so."

Lumine had been analyzing the Chat Group logs all morning.

Venti, Rukkhadevata, Nahida, Makoto, Ei, and Zhongli had been radio silent.

The only time the Inazuman Archons had spoken was to react to Mitama threatening Miko. Coupled with Venti's sudden, covert arrival last night, Lumine's operational instincts were screaming.

The Archons are gathering in Liyue Harbor.

She didn't know the agenda, but a summit of that magnitude was above her pay grade.

"Understood."

Shinobu nodded sharply. She had no intention of prying into divine politics. She planned to scout the newly established vendor stalls for rare materials, and if she got bored, she would track down Yanfei to assist with legal casework.

"I intend to locate Gorou and Kujou Sara this afternoon."

Kokomi stated. She had been away from Watatsumi Island for an extended period. While she occasionally received geopolitical updates from Yae Miko, the Guuji was a profoundly unreliable narrator. Kokomi needed a precise, unvarnished debriefing from her general.

"I'll see where the day takes me. I might attempt to arrange a formal meeting with Klee."

Mona mused. Given her divination last night, she needed to formally introduce herself to the Spark Knight before attempting to execute her master's retrieval mandate. She still felt a lingering twinge of embarrassment over inhaling her dinner last night instead of networking, but she would rectify that today.

"Have fun out there, everyone. Stay safe."

Futsu Mitama waved as the girls filed out of the courtyard.

With the house empty, Mitama dragged a bamboo lounge chair into the center of the sunlit courtyard and collapsed into it, soaking in the warmth. Aila and Black Aila stood rigidly at his sides, silent sentinels waiting for the inevitable arrival.

Ten minutes later, a gentle, anomalous breeze swept through the courtyard.

Venti materialized on a nearby stool, a half-empty bottle of wine already in his hand.

"Well, aren't you the picture of absolute leisure? Just sunbathing while the world turns."

"You're one to talk." Mitama deadpanned, wrinkling his nose. "Drinking before noon? No wonder Zhongli claims you lack any sense of refinement. Did you sleep in a brewery last night? You reek of alcohol."

Despite the distance between them, the sheer volume of alcohol radiating off the bard was overpowering. Mitama genuinely wondered if Venti had passed out inside an active fermentation vat.

"Hahahaha~ I wish! But I don't have nearly enough Mora to rent a tavern room."

Venti laughed, entirely unashamed.

"The reason I smell like a distillery is because of the festival! To celebrate the Rite, the merchants are running all sorts of promotional events, right? My personal favorite is the endurance drinking contest!"

"Hehe! I have never backed down from a drinking challenge in my life! And the alcohol they stocked for this event isn't cheap tavern swill; it's top-shelf vintage! I effortlessly swept the championship bracket last night! There was a young pirate captain named Beidou who put up a decent fight, but her endurance is severely lacking compared to a true master."

Venti tipped the bottle back, draining the remainder before letting out a thunderous, satisfied burp.

"..."

Hearing Beidou's name, Futsu Mitama fell completely silent.

If memory served, that specific drinking contest wasn't just a promotional event—it was hosted and funded entirely by Beidou herself. Furthermore, the entry requirement was brutal: challengers had to down a full glass of Snezhnayan Firewater just to qualify. If you survived the initial shock, you could compete. If you collapsed, the crew hauled you out.

Beidou had personally invited Mitama to participate, but knowing his own Constitution was effectively immune to intoxication, he had politely declined. He didn't want to ruin the fun for the mortals.

He hadn't anticipated the Anemo Archon crashing the bracket and drinking the legendary captain of the Crux Fleet under the table.

If Beidou ever discovered she had tried to out-drink the literal God of Wine, Mitama wondered if she would feel honored or furious.

You'd have better luck trying to get Nahida drunk.

Mitama thought wryly.

"Speaking of which!" Venti leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "The endurance contest runs every night from 8 PM to 6 AM until the Rite of Descension begins. As long as you don't pass out, it's unlimited free booze!"

"I remember your tolerance being exceptionally high. We haven't had a proper, head-to-head drinking duel yet. What do you say? Care to accept an official challenge from the Anemo Archon?"

Venti grinned, eager to test Mitama's limits.

"Pass. I'm not a heavy drinker."

Futsu Mitama rejected the offer instantly. He had no intention of wasting time getting hammered when the geopolitical landscape of Liyue was about to violently shift. Plus, he had already told Beidou he wasn't participating.

"Ah, what a tragedy."

Venti sighed theatrically, genuinely disappointed. He desperately wanted to see Mitama drunk. If the stoic, overpowered Acting Dendro Archon actually got plastered, the resulting chaos would be legendary! And more importantly, how would his two terrifying, ultra-lethal maids react to a drunk Futsu Mitama?

Ehe!

"..."

Mitama suddenly felt a massive, inexplicable spike of malicious intent directed at him. He shuddered, goosebumps erupting on his arms.

He narrowed his eyes at Venti, but the bard was innocently whistling a tune, pulling a fresh bottle of wine and a small plate of snacks from thin air.

"Want a bite?"

Venti offered cheerfully.

Mitama shook his head.

Time drifted by. About twenty minutes later, the steady sound of footsteps approached the courtyard gate.

Zhongli stepped into view.

"Hmm?"

Zhongli stopped at the threshold, his brow furrowing deeply. He surveyed the courtyard, his golden eyes locking onto Venti.

"I was wondering why Futsu Mitama's residence suddenly smelled like a dilapidated tavern. It is you."

"Who? The Anemo Archon?"

A second head popped out from behind Zhongli. Guizhong stepped into the courtyard, her eyes widening in exaggerated surprise.

"Wow! It really is you, Barbatos! Also, why are you actively drinking before noon?"

Venti lowered his bottle, offering a lazy wave.

"Yo! Have you two finally decided to grace me with your presence? As for the drinking... I honestly couldn't tell you. It's just instinct at this point."

Venti's gaze sharpened, turning playful as he looked between Zhongli and Guizhong.

"Speaking of instincts, are you two just abandoning any pretense of secrecy now? Walking around together in broad daylight? If any Chat Group members were wandering by..."

Venti trailed off, implying that anyone with half a brain would instantly deduce Zhongli's true identity if they saw him casually strolling with the resurrected Goddess of Dust.

Zhongli remained perfectly silent. The people in this courtyard already knew his identity. There was no need for theatricality here.

"What pretense?"

Guizhong laughed brightly, stepping fully into the courtyard. She waved at Futsu Mitama.

"Morning, Mitama!"

"Morning." Mitama waved back, genuinely surprised to see her. "Aren't you supposed to be locked in the Guyun Stone Forest finalizing the Azhdaha Mech? Why are you in the city?"

At the mention of the Azhdaha Mech, Aila and Black Aila immediately shifted their focus to Guizhong.

For the past month, Guizhong had poured her soul into engineering the massive construct. According to her own timeline, the Mech was scheduled for its maiden deployment in a matter of days. To see her casually strolling through the city during the most critical phase of development was highly anomalous.

"Well... we hit a slight operational snag."

Guizhong admitted, rubbing the back of her neck helplessly. She looked at Futsu Mitama.

"I need to borrow some personnel."

"Borrow personnel?"

Futsu Mitama blinked. He glanced back at Aila and Black Aila. They were the only combat assets he currently controlled.

"Yes."

Guizhong nodded firmly, pressing her hands together in a pleading gesture.

"The final integration testing has hit an awkward bottleneck. I desperately need the assistance of the two young ladies standing behind you. Could I formally requisition them for the afternoon? I promise it won't take long! They'll be back before dinner!"

Futsu Mitama didn't answer immediately. He looked at Zhongli, who was staring blankly at a nearby potted plant, entirely ignoring the conversation.

"Are Master and Senior Sister currently stationed at the testing site?"

Aila asked abruptly.

Over the past month, Aila had attempted to visit Cloud Retainer and Shenhe, only to find them buried in high-level engineering tasks. The Chat Group confirmed that both the adeptus and the exorcist were actively assisting Guizhong with the Mech's construction.

"Yep!" Guizhong snapped her fingers. "Cloud Retainer and Shenhe are both on-site."

"Then I will go."

Aila agreed instantly, offering a crisp nod.

"..."

Black Aila remained perfectly silent. She had absolutely no desire to leave. If [she] left, it meant she would have sole, uninterrupted access to serve the Young Master for the entire afternoon.

You are coming with me.

Aila's voice echoed sharply in her mind via their localized neural link.

Why? Black Aila challenged, her eyebrow twitching slightly. Standard protocol dictates one of us remains to secure the perimeter and attend to his needs.

Today's operational parameters are unprecedented.

Aila countered coldly in their shared mindscape. She subtly tracked her eyes toward Venti and Zhongli.

The Anemo and Geo Archons are currently in this courtyard. The Inazuman delegation arrives at noon, confirming the imminent arrival of Baal and Beelzebub. Furthermore, tactical logic dictates Nahida and Rukkhadevata will utilize the Teleportation Scepter to arrive ahead of schedule.

This is not a casual gathering. This is a clandestine summit of the Seven Archons. Are you one of the Seven Archons?

Black Aila fell silent. She couldn't argue with the logic. Even if she and Aila executed a full fusion, their combined output capped at the baseline Demon God Tier. They possessed overwhelming lethality, but they lacked the conceptual Authority that defined the Seven.

It was an undeniable truth: Demon Gods were Demon Gods, and the Seven were the Seven.

The only reason Mitama was permitted to remain was his unprecedented status. Ei had formally declared him the inheritor of the Electro, and the Anemo, Geo, and Dendro Archons were actively attempting to abdicate their seats to him. If a summit of the Seven was occurring, Mitama possessed the political and conceptual weight to sit at the table.

Understood.

Black Aila conceded, prioritizing tactical reality over her personal desires.

"When do we depart?" Black Aila asked aloud, locking eyes with Guizhong. "And what are the operational parameters of this assignment?"

"Excellent questions!" Guizhong beamed, thrilled by their efficiency. "I need you two to execute a live-fire combat stress test against the Azhdaha Mech! I am supremely confident in the chassis design, but without extreme, high-end combat data, I cannot guarantee its performance against the upcoming crisis."

"Crisis?" Black Aila frowned, her tactical subroutines spinning up. "Specify the threat vector."

"What crisis is threatening Liyue right now?"

Aila echoed, genuinely confused.

With two Archons currently sitting in the courtyard, and at least five more Demon God-tier combatants en route, the concentration of firepower in Liyue Harbor was staggering. Even if an apocalyptic threat manifested, it would be vaporized before it breached the city limits.

"Ah... that is highly classified. I must ask you to remain in suspense."

Guizhong smiled mysteriously, refusing to elaborate. She knew the entire script, and she was strictly adhering to her role as a dramatic prop.

Aila and Black Aila were irritated by the lack of intel, but they didn't press the issue.

"Take this."

Futsu Mitama said, tossing the Fusion Card to Aila.

If Guizhong was demanding a stress test against a mech designed to emulate Azhdaha, the construct's combat output was likely on par with Scaramouche's Shouki no Kami. He had no idea what Guizhong had jury-rigged as a power source, but he wasn't going to send the twins in under-equipped.

"Understood."

Aila said, catching the card smoothly.

"Alright, time is wasting! Let's deploy!"

Guizhong cheered. She raised a hand, summoning a localized, swirling cloud of golden dust that enveloped her, Aila, and Black Aila. A second later, the dust collapsed inward, and the three women vanished from the courtyard.

With the engineering team gone, only Mitama, Venti, and Zhongli remained.

"So? What's the play? Where are we migrating to next?"

Venti asked, wiping his mouth. He had already deduced that Guizhong's arrival was a premeditated excuse to clear the twins from the board, isolating Mitama for the summit.

"Patience. There is no need to rush."

Zhongli said calmly. He selected a sturdy wooden chair, sat down with perfect posture, and shot Venti a look of profound disgust. The sheer volume of alcohol fumes rolling off the bard was offensive.

While Zhongli appreciated a fine vintage, Venti's method of consumption was barbaric.

"Ahem!"

Venti coughed, his survival instincts flaring as he caught Zhongli's glare. He realized that if he didn't neutralize the smell immediately, the Geo Archon might hurl a meteor at him.

A soft, emerald-green aura flared around Venti.

Whoosh.

A highly pressurized, localized gale swept outward from his body, instantly stripping the heavy scent of alcohol from his clothes and purifying the air in the courtyard.

Mitama watched the display with mild appreciation. Truly the God of Freedom. Using divine Anemo Authority as an instant hangover cure.

"There! Much better, right?"

Venti beamed, banishing his wine bottle into the ether to prove his sobriety.

"Acceptable."

Zhongli nodded curtly. He closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair to quietly absorb the morning sun like a retired grandfather.

Futsu Mitama mirrored him, relaxing into his lounge chair. If Zhongli wasn't in a hurry to initiate the summit, Mitama certainly wasn't going to force the issue.

While the two gods meditated, Futsu Mitama pulled up the Chat Group interface. Activity was unusually sparse this morning.

Azhdaha had posted a confused message, wondering why the group was dead when the Rite of Descension was practically here. Bosacius, who usually lurked in the background, was the only one humoring the huge Geovishap with idle chatter.

Yae Miko dropped a quick update, confirming the Inazuman ship would dock in approximately two hours. She specifically tagged Keqing, requesting that Ganyu be deployed to the docks to formally receive them.

And so, a bizarre tableau settled over the courtyard.

Venti chattered endlessly, bouncing between topics with manic energy, while Mitama and Zhongli remained perfectly still, entirely ignoring him.

An hour and a half passed.

Venti's throat was parched. He materialized a glass of chilled apple juice and downed it in one gulp.

"Okay, seriously, we cannot just sit here all day. You aren't actually planning to wait until the entire roster arrives before you brief us on the grand masterplan, are you?"

Zhongli finally stirred. He opened his golden eyes, offering a slow, dignified nod.

"They will all converge on Liyue Harbor today. It presents a rare, tactically sound opportunity to assemble the pantheon and formally detail my operational transition."

Zhongli had no intention of keeping his fake death a secret from his peers. He knew perfectly well that they were all converging on his city solely to eat popcorn and watch the geopolitical chaos unfold. To prevent them from accidentally sabotaging his intricate script, he was going to pull them into a private summit and read them the riot act.

"Fine, fine~"

Venti sighed, resigning himself to the waiting game. He glanced toward the courtyard gate.

"Looks like Nahida and Maha Rukkhadevata just clocked in."

"That was fast. I assumed Makoto or Ei would break containment first."

Futsu Mitama noted, sitting up. He hadn't expanded his divine perception over the city—doing so in a densely populated area often resulted in perceiving things he aggressively didn't want to see—so he had been relying entirely on line-of-sight.

"They are slightly ahead of schedule."

Zhongli observed calmly, his gaze fixed on the entryway.

A moment later, Nahida and Rukkhadevata stepped through the gate.

Nahida was gripping the silver, arcane handle of the Teleportation Scepter. Rukkhadevata floated beside her, her form slightly ethereal—a psychic projection. Her physical body remained safely entombed within the protective roots of Irminsul.

"I see my early arrival failed to generate the intended shock value."

Nahida sighed, her shoulders slumping as she looked at the three men staring blankly at her. She had hoped deploying a day early would catch them off guard, but it seemed she had underestimated their tactical awareness.

"It is to be expected. We made no effort to cloak our temporal signature."

Rukkhadevata smiled serenely.

Nahida had signed the logistical requisition for the Teleportation Scepter, utilizing it to bypass the week-long naval journey from Sumeru. She had deployed early specifically to surprise Mitama, but the element of surprise was entirely ruined by the fact that half the pantheon was already loitering in his front yard.

"It has been a while, Nahida." Mitama smiled warmly. "How goes the restructuring of the Akademiya?"

"It is a nightmare."

Nahida groaned, her cheerful demeanor instantly vaporizing. She dismissed the Teleportation Scepter into her inventory and threw her small hands in the air.

"We are critically underfunded, and the desert reclamation initiative requires a bottomless pit of Mora. Furthermore, we are suffering a catastrophic talent deficit. Even if I authorize mass recruitment today, it will take two years minimum to cultivate a class of scholars capable of replacing the Sages we purged."

"According to Maha Rukkhadevata's strategic projections, we must consolidate our remaining capital and prioritize infrastructure. The desert expansion is officially on indefinite hold. However, suspending the desert initiative doesn't mean we can halt domestic construction. Educational facilities and agricultural nodes are non-negotiable expenditures."

Nahida looked up at Mitama, her large, glowing green eyes wide and pleading.

"Acting Dendro Archon, do you have any miraculous financial solutions to offer?"

It was obvious. Nahida was still desperately hoping Mitama would pull a brilliant, economic masterstroke out of thin air to save Sumeru's collapsing economy.

"Me? I don't."

Futsu Mitama shook his head vehemently, immediately rejecting the responsibility.

"I have zero fiscal advice to offer. My only suggestion aligns perfectly with Rukkhadevata's: if Faruzan doesn't successfully bleed Ningguang for a massive capital grant during this diplomatic summit, Sumeru is going to default."

"There is no elegant solution. The financial crater left by Azar's regime is simply too massive."

Mitama couldn't help but marvel at the sheer, apocalyptic audacity of human hubris.

When Kujou Takayuki had orchestrated his treason in Inazuma, he had at least maintained the structural integrity of the Tenryou Commission. He was a traitor, but he wasn't suicidal.

The Sumeru Sages, however, were an entirely different breed of insane. To fund the God Creation Project, Azar had liquidated the Akademiya's entire financial reserve. He went all-in, gambling the gross domestic product of a nation on a single, blasphemous mech. They succeeded in creating Shouki no Kami, but when the mech was destroyed, the capital vanished with it, leaving the Archons to inherit a bankrupt, structurally crippled nation.

Nahida had brilliant, century-spanning blueprints for the future of Sumeru, but without Mora and scholars, those blueprints were just expensive paper.

"Yes. The deficit is staggering."

Nahida sighed, looking utterly defeated.

"Sometimes, I find myself profoundly envious of you, Morax."

Rukkhadevata said softly. She turned to Zhongli, utilizing his ancient title with deep respect.

"As long as you stand firm, Liyue will never crumble. And now, you have engineered a flawless transition protocol to sever their reliance on your divine protection. If this operation succeeds, Liyue will possess the structural resilience to endure your eventual absence."

Hearing Rukkhadevata's assessment, Zhongli opened his eyes. He looked at the ethereal projection of the former Dendro Archon, his expression softening with ancient sorrow.

"In truth, the foundation of this plan was conceived in the wake of your death. Five hundred years ago, Sumeru and Inazuma possessed martial and cultural strength that rivaled Liyue. Yet, following the sudden, catastrophic passing of yourself and Baal, both nations were plunged into centuries of suffering—suffering primarily orchestrated by the hubris and ambition of the humans left behind."

"It forced me to confront a terrifying variable: if I were to suddenly perish in battle, and the remaining Adeptus were to fall beside me... what would become of my people?"

Zhongli spoke with absolute, chilling clarity. Every action he took was calculated to ensure Liyue's survival. The blueprint for his 'death' had been drafted centuries ago. Mitama's sudden arrival in Teyvat had merely provided a few novel variables to accelerate the timeline.

The era of Adeptus and humans co-ruling was fundamentally a transitional phase. Given a long enough timeline, humanity would inevitably inherit the earth.

Adeptus and humans possessed irreconcilable psychologies. Half-illuminated beasts like Ganyu and Yanfei could seamlessly integrate into human society, but true Adeptus like Cloud Retainer could not. Cloud Retainer loved humanity deeply, but that love manifested as a suffocating, overprotective selfishness.

During the Archon War, the Adeptus and humans had fought side-by-side, suffering catastrophic, shared casualties. The trauma of those losses had fundamentally altered the Adeptus. To prevent further tragedy, they began systematically shielding humanity from every crisis, taking on the most dangerous threats themselves while assigning humans menial, supportive roles.

The long-term result was disastrous. The Millelith's raw combat efficacy had steadily eroded over centuries. Liyue appeared invincible, but it had reached a terrifying plateau. If the Adeptus were suddenly removed from the board, the humans would have absolutely no capacity to defend themselves against an extinction-level threat.

"That is precisely why I have always held the deepest admiration for Barbatos."

A gentle, melodic voice echoed through the courtyard. The fabric of reality tore open, and Makoto stepped through the spatial rift, closely followed by Ei.

Makoto had clearly been listening to Zhongli's grim geopolitical analysis.

Ei's expression was agonizingly complex.

Zhongli's objective assessment was a direct, albeit polite, indictment of her own governance. Her violent, emotional reaction to Makoto's death had directly plunged Inazuma into centuries of stagnation and civil war.

Ei knew her governance was fundamentally flawed. She possessed unrivaled martial strength, but she knew absolutely nothing about leading a nation.

"I knew it! I knew it! Why did the old blockhead suddenly start monologuing? He sensed you two arriving!"

Venti sprang up, pointing an accusing finger at Makoto and Ei.

"You wouldn't believe the morning I've had! I've been talking for over an hour, and Morax and Mitama completely ignored me! It was incredibly rude!"

Venti immediately attempted to weaponize the new arrivals against his silent hosts.

Futsu Mitama and Zhongli simultaneously rolled their eyes. Ninety-nine percent of Venti's dialogue had been aggressively useless noise. Ignoring him was a tactical necessity; responding only encouraged him to talk faster.

Rukkhadevata chuckled softly.

"Given your historical track record, Barbatos, I completely understand their decision to ignore you. You are exceptionally verbose."

"However, concerning the philosophy of mortal governance, I share Makoto's admiration for your methods."

Historically, the rest of the pantheon had viewed Venti as a negligent, absentee landlord.

He had forcefully liberated his people, handed them the keys to the city, and immediately vanished to wander the continent. During the early centuries, the other Archons had looked upon his 'freedom' with a mixture of confusion and pity.

The ancient laws of Celestia strictly prohibited Archons from interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations. So, no matter how chaotic Mondstadt became, the other gods could only watch in silence.

When the Aristocracy eventually corrupted Mondstadt, plunging the nation into tyranny, the pantheon assumed the Anemo Archon's grand experiment had failed. When Venti finally intervened to assist Vennessa's rebellion, the other gods assumed he would finally ascend the throne and rule properly.

Instead, he dismantled the Aristocracy, established the Knights of Favonius, and immediately abandoned his post again.

But against all odds, Mondstadt thrived. The humans adapted. Even without a divine dictating their laws, the mortals learned to govern themselves, manage their crises, and defend their borders.

It wasn't until the Cataclysm struck—wiping out the first generation of Archons—that the fatal flaws in the other nations became terrifyingly apparent. The absolute reliance on a centralized, divine autocrat meant that when the Archon fell, the nation shattered.

Inazuma and Sumeru were living proof of that failure.

Liyue had avoided this fate solely because Rex Lapis had survived the Cataclysm. But the underlying vulnerability remained.

"Hahahaha~"

Venti laughed brightly, making no effort to defend his reputation.

He knew perfectly well that Mondstadt's success was not his own doing. It was the triumph of human resilience. He refused to become a tyrant who imprisoned his people in a gilded cage of divine protection.

If he dictated every aspect of their lives, how would he be any different from Decarabian, the tyrant he had rebelled to claim his throne?

Venti only manifested when his people faced a threat they could not conceptually overcome. His interventions were rare, but they were absolute.

But please, keep praising me! It does wonders for my ego!

Venti thought cheerfully.

"Alright, the gang is all here." Venti clapped his hands, turning to Zhongli and Mitama. "What's the agenda? Where are we holding this summit?"

"It is genuinely a rare occurrence to have this many Archons in one place." Makoto smiled, looking around the courtyard. "If memory serves, the last time a gathering of this magnitude occurred was centuries before the Cataclysm."

"Indeed."

Rukkhadevata agreed, a wave of profound nostalgia washing over her. She remembered the ancient summits in Liyue, where the original Seven would drink, argue, and passionately debate their visions for the future of humanity.

But those days were ash. The original pantheon was fractured. The ones standing here today were anomalies—gods who had cheated death through the miraculous intervention of a Chat Group.

Ei remained perfectly silent. She was here for two reasons: to ensure Morax didn't successfully permanently draft Futsu Mitama into Liyue's bureaucracy, and to observe the exact mechanics of how a god faked their own death. If the transition to human rule was inevitable, Ei needed to study Morax's blueprint.

"The Seven Archons?"

Nahida muttered, looking around the courtyard. Her brow furrowed as she did the math.

Anemo Archon Barbatos. Geo Archon Morax. Electro Archon Baal. Electro Archon Beelzebub. Dendro Archon Rukkhadevata. Dendro Archon Kusanali. And... Acting Dendro Archon Mitama.

It really was a summit of seven gods. They were just missing the Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo seats, having substituted them with duplicates.

"Wait, I'm not actually an Archon."

Mitama finally realized how absurd the lineup was.

"Do not attempt to deny your status." Ei said, locking eyes with him. Her tone was absolute. "You possess the Authority. You are the inheritor of the Electro."

"Fine."

Futsu Mitama sighed in defeat, accepting his fate.

"So? Where to?"

Venti asked again.

Zhongli considered the question for a moment.

"I have secured a highly secure location. However, its aesthetic may not be to everyone's liking."

"Lead the way. This is your city; we operate under your jurisdiction today."

Venti shrugged. He was just here for the entertainment.

"I have no objections."

Rukkhadevata smiled warmly. Any opportunity to travel and observe the modern world was a blessing.

Nahida nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with intense curiosity. She had never attended a divine summit. She desperately wanted to know what gods actually discussed when isolated from mortals.

"Ei and I yield to your arrangements."

Makoto stated smoothly, preemptively speaking for her sister.

Ei had zero objections. Makoto was her strategic processor; if Makoto agreed, Ei executed the order.

The luxury of not having to think is truly a blessing.

Ei mused internally. However, a critical logistical question occurred to her. She turned to Zhongli.

"Does this secure location serve desserts?"

Zhongli shook his head slowly. "It does not."

Ei's shoulders slumped instantly, profound disappointment radiating from her aura.

"However." Zhongli added quickly, recognizing the threat of a depressed warrior god, "they do serve an array of exquisite, traditional tea snacks. When paired with high-altitude Qingxin tea, the flavor profile is highly refined."

Ei's eyes instantly lit up with renewed interest.

Mitama pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew exactly where Zhongli was taking them, and the irony was almost physically painful.

"Follow me." Zhongli ordered, turning on his heel. "I will clear the path."

Zhongli led the procession out of the courtyard and into the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor.

Mitama, Venti, Makoto, Ei, Nahida, and Rukkhadevata fell in line behind him.

Despite the sheer, terrifying density of divine Authority walking down the street, not a single civilian turned their head. Every Archon possessed innate, passive cognitive-filtering techniques. Unless an observer possessed a Demon God-tier sensory array, the procession simply registered as a group of aggressively uninteresting, ordinary tourists.

As they navigated the crowded marketplace, Futsu Mitama's eyes caught a flicker of movement near a silk stall.

It was an acquaintance.

Arlecchino, the Fourth Fatui Harbinger, was casually inspecting a bolt of fabric.

Sensing Mitama's approach, Arlecchino turned, a perfectly crafted, diplomatic smile forming on her lips as she prepared to greet him and the Wangsheng consultant.

Then, her eyes swept over the rest of the group.

She saw the Anemo Archon. She saw the Geo Archon. She saw the current Electro Archon, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a woman who possessed an identical, terrifyingly potent Electro signature. She saw the current Dendro Archon, accompanied by a woman radiating Dendro Authority.

And at the center of it all stood Mitama, humming with the same energy.

Arlecchino's diplomatic smile instantly froze, shattering like spun glass.

Her survival instincts screamed. She casually turned her back to the procession, placed the silk back on the counter, and briskly power-walked in the opposite direction.

Know your limits.

Arlecchino thought frantically. Even if she rallied the entire Harbinger roster and dragged the Tsaritsa herself to Liyue, engaging that group would result in their absolute annihilation.

However, a single, terrifying question burned in her mind as she fled the district.

Why are there two Electro Archons?!