Chapter 180.
"Let's have a meal together when you're free~!"
Hu Tao tossed the invitation over her shoulder as she dragged Zhongli out of the teahouse.
Mitama watched them go, noting that Zhongli's pace seemed unusually brisk. The Geo Archon was practically speed-walking to get away from the table. The sudden, chaotic arrival and departure of the Wangsheng Director left Mitama highly amused. Hu Tao was truly a force of nature.
"That must be Director Hu of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Makoto observed, casually raising a hand to re-establish the acoustic barrier Zhongli had dropped. She smiled warmly.
"Just as the group logs described her. She has a remarkably fiery disposition."
"Yes, very enthusiastic." Ei agreed, blinking as she watched the door swing shut. "Even though she isn't in the Chat Group, her name comes up constantly."
Nahida nodded in agreement. Hu Tao was a frequent topic of conversation among the system users. Everyone who visited Liyue eventually crossed paths with her, and she always left a lasting impression.
Futsu Mitama had described her as hyper-energetic, incredibly hospitable to the living, and aggressively enthusiastic about the dead. Albedo found her exhausting, viewing her as an older, slightly more articulate version of Klee. Klee, naturally, had unilaterally declared Hu Tao a living saint.
Zhongli, the oldest and arguably most powerful being in Teyvat, was completely incapable of handling her. The group had initially thought it was a running joke, but seeing Rex Lapis practically flee the teahouse confirmed it was an absolute reality.
Shinobu and Kokomi appreciated her genuine hospitality, while Lumine, Paimon, and Yae Miko mostly mentioned her in the context of her terrifying, borderline-lethal culinary experiments.
"Oh, if I wasn't worried the old blockhead would actually get angry, I would absolutely trail them to watch their daily interactions."
Venti chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He was convinced that stalking Hu Tao and Zhongli would be significantly more entertaining than anything else in the harbor.
"He would absolutely beat you senseless."
Rukkhadevata laughed. She had no doubt Venti was chaotic enough to try it, but Morax possessed a notoriously low tolerance for the bard's antics. If Venti spied on him while he was working, a meteor was highly likely.
"Eh, probably not worth the risk. Anyway, I'm off to busk!"
Venti shrugged, standing up. Evening was approaching, and the festival crowds would be prime targets for a wandering bard looking to earn some quick Mora for dinner.
With a cheerful wave, Venti dissolved into a gust of wind, vanishing from the teahouse.
"We should take our leave as well." Rukkhadevata smiled, turning to Mitama, Makoto, and Ei. "We will return once the situation in Sumeru stabilizes."
Makoto nodded sympathetically. She knew the sheer volume of administrative damage Azar had caused. She was incredibly grateful that Yae Miko had successfully managed Inazuma's domestic policies during their transition, allowing Makoto to actually enjoy her resurrection.
"Come, Nahida." Rukkhadevata said softly. "It is time to return to work."
Nahida slumped slightly, her expression crestfallen, but she dutifully withdrew the Teleportation Scepter and activated it, whisking both Dendro Archons back to the Akademiya.
"How tragic."
Ei stated with profound sincerity once they were gone. She popped another lotus pastry into her mouth. Having to actually govern a nation sounded like a nightmare. She was so incredibly thankful she didn't have to deal with any of it. Between Makoto, Miko, and the newly reformed Tri-Commission, Ei's only real responsibility was swinging her sword when asked.
"It cannot be helped. Sumeru's political collapse was unprecedented."
Makoto sighed, deciding to drop the subject. It was considered poor etiquette to gossip about the domestic failures of allied nations.
Besides, there was still an absurd amount of premium food on the table, and the Fatui were footing the bill. As the First Electro Archon, Makoto saw absolutely no reason to decline a free meal provided by Snezhnaya.
"Mitama, what is your assessment of Morax's strategy?"
Makoto asked, delicately taking a bite of a sweetened rice cake. She enjoyed desserts, but unlike Ei, she possessed a modicum of self-control.
"My assessment?"
Mitama leaned back in his chair, considering the question. He was slightly surprised Makoto was asking for his geopolitical analysis, but he didn't hesitate.
"Honestly, his operational scope is far more complex than I originally anticipated. And, personally... I think it's a brilliant, albeit brutal, necessity."
Mitama began to explain his reasoning.
In the original timeline, Zhongli's plan had been relatively straightforward. He traded his Gnosis to the Fatui in exchange for them unsealing Osial. He faked his death, watched the Qixing panic, and eventually recruited the Traveler to act as a neutral variable to help resolve the crisis.
But the current board was entirely different.
Liyue was simply too strong.
Currently, Liyue possessed three Archon-level combatants: Morax, Azhdaha, and Guizhong. Furthermore, the surviving Adeptus were veterans of the Archon War; if they coordinated, they could easily suppress a weaker demon god on their own.
To properly stress-test a nation that powerful, Zhongli couldn't just drop a single sea monster on them. He needed an apocalyptic threat.
That was why Orochi had been introduced.
What fascinated Futsu Mitama was the tactical deployment. Both Osial and Orochi were aquatic leviathans. Azhdaha was the undisputed Lord of Vishaps and the apex predator of the earth.
Futsu Mitama knew that a freshly unsealed Osial and Orochi couldn't defeat Azhdaha in a vacuum. But would those two sea beasts be stupid enough to crawl onto dry land and fight the Geo Dragon on his home turf? Absolutely not.
They would remain in the ocean, forcing Azhdaha to fight them in a hostile environment. The sea beasts would eventually lose, but they possessed a massive terrain advantage that would drag the conflict out, creating the perfect window of catastrophic, prolonged chaos.
During that chaos, Zhongli wanted to see how the mortals of Liyue reacted. Would they cower and pray for the Adeptus to save them? Or would they pick up their weapons and fight alongside the immortals, just as they had millennia ago?
That was why Zhongli had formally requested Mitama deliver the final, sealing blow. He wanted a human—even a human wielding divine Authority—to be the one to end the nightmare.
It would prove to Liyue that humanity was capable of surviving without Rex Lapis.
"Fascinating."
Makoto murmured, her eyes shining with genuine admiration.
"Sometimes, Mitama, I truly wonder if you are a monster masquerading as a mortal. To possess such a profound, strategic grasp of geopolitical maneuvering at your age is staggering."
Makoto had already deduced the core of Zhongli's strategy, as had Venti and Rukkhadevata. It was a brutal trial by fire designed to force Liyue to sever its absolute reliance on divine protection. But for Mitama to map out the exact tactical synergies between the combatants was incredibly impressive.
Makoto found herself deeply respecting Zhongli's ruthless pragmatism. She even wondered if, centuries ago, when he first sealed those beasts, he had intentionally kept them alive specifically to use as a final exam for his people. If so, his foresight was terrifying.
"Mitama is a genius."
Ei stated factually, her tone leaving no room for argument.
She viewed Mitama as Inazuma's greatest treasure. He had reached the Demon God Tier in his twenties and possessed an encyclopedic understanding of global politics. Sometimes, Ei genuinely felt a wave of imposter syndrome around him; this mortal boy understood statecraft infinitely better than she did.
"I'm not a genius."
Mitama shrugged, completely unbothered.
He wasn't going to admit that his 'brilliant strategic insight' was entirely reliant on meta-knowledge from a video game. Because he knew Zhongli's ultimate goal, reverse-engineering the tactical steps was easy.
However, his clairvoyance had limits. He knew absolutely nothing about Fontaine's upcoming prophecy. Arlecchino had provided fragmented intel, but without the 4.0 patch notes, Mitama was flying blind.
"You are far too modest."
Makoto smiled, attributing his denial to humility. Her expression softened, turning slightly melancholic.
"But Zhongli's philosophy is correct. We gods will all eventually fade. This world belongs to humanity."
Makoto meant it as a general, philosophical statement regarding the transition of eras.
Mitama, however, felt a chill run down his spine. Why did that sound suspiciously like Makoto was hinting that he needed to stop slacking off and formally accept the Electro throne so she could retire?
Before Mitama could formulate a defense, Ei suddenly put her pastry down.
"Mitama. Yae Miko is pinging you in the Chat Group."
"Huh?"
Mitama swallowed his words and instantly pulled up the interface. He had been so engrossed in the conversation that he had muted the notifications.
[Yae Miko]: "@Futsu Mitama, where are you hiding? We just concluded our preliminary summit with Ningguang. Ganyu is currently escorting the rest of the delegation to our designated residence. I was incredibly bored, so I slipped away! Send me your coordinates so I can come bother you!"
[Yae Miko]: "Or did you already go back to your house?"
[Kamisato Ayaka]: "The Guuji has indeed vanished. Also, Yoimiya just went next door to introduce herself to our neighbors. Albedo, you must have seen her. According to Miss Ganyu, the adjacent estate houses the Mondstadt delegation. We apologize if her enthusiasm caused any disruptions."
[Albedo]: "Hmm... Is this the artisan known as Yoimiya? Her psychological profile does not align with Director Hu. She radiates a highly positive, solar energy, lacking the chaotic, necrotic intensity of Hu Tao. Why was Mitama so concerned about her arrival?"
[Futsu Mitama]: "Wait! Have they already made contact?!"
[Futsu Mitama]: "Albedo!!! Intercept her immediately!!! Do not let her interact with Klee!!!"
[Klee]: "Eh? Why? Big Sister Yoimiya is super nice!"
[Eula]: "Too late. They are currently conversing. She reminds me of Amber. I fail to see the tactical threat."
[Yae Miko]: "Futsu Mitama! Do not ignore me! I haven't eaten lunch yet!"
[Futsu Mitama]: "Dammit. Whatever. Just... pray nothing explodes. But seriously, how is this even possible? What are the mathematical odds they end up housed next door to each other?"
[Yae Miko]: "Hehehehe~ If you ignore me again, little lord, I will make it my mission to annoy you."
[Futsu Mitama]: "Fine, fine. I sent you a ping with my location. Why haven't you eaten yet?"
[Azhdaha]: "Yeah, why haven't you eaten? It's not even dinner time."
[Kamisato Ayaka]: "The Qixing's logistical schedule was severely compacted. Neither Lady Ningguang nor Miss Ganyu had time for a midday meal, so the formal diplomatic banquet was pushed to this evening."
[Yae Miko]: "The moment I realized lunch was canceled, I abandoned them to find Mitama. Sara tried to stop me, but I slipped away~ I'll drag them over to your place after the formal dinner tonight. Alright, I received your ping. I am en route."
[Futsu Mitama]: "Understood. I'll wait."
Mitama closed the interface, letting out a long, exhausted sigh as he stared at the ceiling of the teahouse.
Was this fate?
The second Yoimiya steps foot in Liyue Harbor, she wanders next door, straight into the Mondstadt diplomatic residence, and instantly befriends Klee.
Was Klee's passive 'Luck' stat actively manipulating reality to ensure maximum explosive synergy?
Mitama rubbed his temples, a headache forming. He just hoped Liyue Harbor survived the afternoon.