"The Geo Archon must have had his reasons for doing this."
"That… is likely the case."
"Exactly. Don't blame yourself, True Lord of Mooncutting. The Archon wouldn't hold it against you. It probably happened too suddenly for him to explain everything beforehand."
"Enough. When all this is over, I will personally beg the Archon's forgiveness."
Hearing his colleagues trying to comfort him, the True Lord of Mooncutting turned away in silence.
He knew he had been too rash, too blind to the situation — to the point that even the calm, steady Morax had raised his voice at him.
The fact that no irreversible consequences occurred did nothing to ease the guilt in his heart.
He had to take responsibility; only by admitting his mistakes could he show that he truly understood them.
"You're certain? It's exactly as you described?"
After descending from the Jade Chamber, Ningguang had joined the immortals at a high point overlooking the sky above Liyue.
Just then, a Millelith soldier reported new findings from the Golden House.
"One hundred percent certain, Lady Tianquan. I would never misremember that woman."
He didn't understand why Ningguang cared so much about that mysterious girl…
but he certainly remembered her.
Anyone would — with beauty that seemed carved from temptation itself, and a voice that made your spine tingle.
He even thought briefly about hiring someone to paint her.
"I understand. Return to your post. Guard the Golden House — no one is allowed near it. Especially the Fatui. If anything happens, report to me immediately."
"Yes, Lady Tianquan!"
The Millelith retreated.
"Ningguang, what happened? And that… was the Geo Archon?"
Keqing hurried over, voice trembling with excitement.
"It was indeed the Archon."
Ningguang nodded.
"Then why—?"
"Don't ask me," she sighed bitterly. "I don't understand much more than you."
Though she now knew how Osial broke free, new questions had taken its place.
The Fatui being involved was not surprising.
But what role did Rita play in all of this? Ningguang could not imagine anyone putting in so much effort without seeking benefit.
Every gift of fate had its price hidden in the shadows.
And nothing was more expensive than something that appeared free.
But…
Had the Geo Archon already paid that price?
Looking up toward the sky, Ningguang pondered his earlier mention of a "contract."
"You were at the scene, weren't you? How could you not know?"
Keqing frowned, confused. Her frustration was clear — she had been trapped on the ground the entire time, helplessly watching events unfold far above her head.
"…All right. I can give you a rough outline of what happened. But how you interpret it, that's up to you. There are many things even I do not understand."
"Who would've thought the Geo Archon faked his death? I wonder what he encountered to make him do that."
Sitting opposite Zhongli, Su Mo listened to the chatter around them and finally voiced the question on his mind.
"When a matter is so troublesome that even he cannot solve it directly… only then would he resort to such a method."
Zhongli lifted the steaming tea, blowing gently before answering.
"Makes sense. I've read stories with similar twists. But what kind of trouble could force the Geo Archon's hand? It's hard to imagine."
"Divine matters cannot be understood by mortals. It's normal that you find it difficult, Su Mo."
Zhongli's tone was soft, as though urging him not to overthink.
To Zhongli, Su Mo was just an ordinary youth — someone who did not need to carry such burdens.
"Hahaha, that's true. But… do you think he's upset we held a funeral rite for him? Would he think we were cursing him?"
Zhongli shook his head lightly.
"Not at all. We were simply following tradition. In fact, he might even be pleased. The Geo Archon has always valued ritual… though many have been forgotten over the millennia. It is a pity."
Just as he finished speaking—
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself — Mondstadt's finest bard!"
A green-clad figure sat down beside them as though it were his own table.
"I heard you discussing Mo— ahem, the Geo Archon. Could you tell me everything? In return, I shall sing you a song. Free of charge! A bard must collect stories from afar, after all."
Why is this wind god still here? Didn't Morax entertain him?
Su Mo stared at Venti's penniless appearance, baffled.
"If Zhongli doesn't mind, I'm fine with it too."
Whether he understood or not, Su Mo welcomed the company.
Life in another world could be terribly dull without such stories.
"Waiter, another cup."
Soon, Venti was sipping tea and leaning in eagerly as Su Mo recounted everything from yesterday.
"I see… how unfortunate. If only we knew exactly what the Archon experienced. What a grand tale it would make —
a mysterious white-haired girl, a god who faked his death, an unknown contract, a revived ancient demon,
and the united will of Liyue's people.
The schemes of gods, the courage of mortals, the malice of an ancient being… ah!
It would be a masterpiece sung for a thousand years.
But alas… what a pity."
Venti shook his head dramatically.
"Indeed, a pity."
Su Mo nodded. Though he knew full well this story could never be allowed to spread.
"You two need not dwell on it," Zhongli said. "Any tale that survives must have its reason. And the ones that fade… as well."
He felt a little guilty — he and Barbatos, two gods, were performing a duet in front of a mortal.
Before Venti could spiral into melodrama again, Zhongli quickly interjected:
"Bard, would you grant us a song?"
"Of course!" Venti puffed his chest. "Ahem— I shall begin…"
And he sang.
[New main quest unlocked.
Host, proceed to Mondstadt to view quest details.]
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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