"The drunken poet's habits really haven't changed," Zhongli sighed as he looked at the wine Lora had taken out. "Put it away. I haven't been drinking lately."
Lora raised an eyebrow but said nothing, calmly stowing the wine.
Zhongli watched her movements, then continued, "If my guess is correct, Venti's Gnosis is already in your hands, isn't it?"
He knew Lora had come from Mondstadt and that her purpose was to collect Gnoses. There was no way she would have passed up Venti's. Unlike himself, Venti had never cared much for his Gnosis—if someone wanted it, he would simply hand it over.
Perhaps the reason the Cryo Archon had added that particular clause to their contract was precisely because Venti's Gnosis hadn't been obtained by them, but had instead fallen into Lora's hands.
"Yes," Lora admitted without hesitation, nodding. "I've already obtained his Gnosis."
Zhongli fell silent for a moment before asking, "A Gnosis is merely a conduit connecting us to Celestia. Though forged from the remains of Descenders and symbolizing a divine throne, it is not the source of our power. You are the Hydro Archon—obtaining other Gnoses will not allow you to command the power of other thrones. May I ask what you intend to do?"
"To save Fontaine," Lora said softly as she looked at him. "And to break the 'Heavenly Principles' when Fontaine's prophecy comes to pass."
Her voice was low, almost a murmur.
"The prophecy is carved into Teyvat's fate. It will come true without fail. I need the Gnoses to open a door within that destined outcome—a door that will let me save everyone. Descenders do not belong to this world. Their power can pry open the very bedrock of Teyvat."
Zhongli said nothing.
As one of the oldest among the Seven, he had witnessed how Lora had led the people of Fontaine, carrying the burden of "Original Sin" step by step to the present day. He held genuine respect for her—for defying the very "Heavenly Principles" that had created her, all for the sake of her people.
It was just a pity…
"For me, a contract is immutable, like stone that has endured ten thousand years," Zhongli said at last. "So I cannot give you my Gnosis. However, when Fontaine's prophecy arrives, if there is any place where my strength is needed, I will spare no effort to aid you."
His promise was solemn and unwavering.
"Then I'll thank you in advance," Lora sighed.
She had always known that making Zhongli violate a contract was utterly impossible. Ever since learning of the agreement he had made with the Cryo Archon, she had already given up any hope of obtaining the Geo Archon's Gnosis.
"There's no need for such courtesy between us," Zhongli replied, slowly shaking his head. Though he was hardly a soft-hearted man, mutual assistance among the Seven was only natural.
Lora rose to take her leave.
"So soon?" Zhongli asked. "Won't you stay a while longer?"
"I'm still in prison, you know," she said, pointing at her head with a wry smile. "If I don't hurry back and get discovered, what then? I'd really rather not live in Liyue Harbor with a wanted criminal's name over my head."
She waved lightly. "We'll talk again next time, Zhongli."
"Farewell, Lora," Zhongli said as he stood and clasped his hands to her. "I hope this life of yours will be an easier one."
As she reached the doorway, he suddenly called out again.
"Ah—Lora. After my feigned death, neither the Qixing nor the adepti are aware of Zhongli's identity. There are many matters I can't conveniently handle myself. I may have to trouble you for help."
"If there's anything you need, just say so," Lora replied, waving to signal that he needn't worry.
She considered it repayment for his promise to give her his full support.
Lora left Zhongli's room and headed out of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Hu Tao had guided her inside earlier, but she had memorized the route and no longer needed anyone to lead the way.
Once she was gone, Hu Tao suddenly popped out from somewhere.
She looked at Zhongli curiously. "Guest Consultant! Just who is that Miss Lora? I don't think I've ever seen you so close with an old friend. And she's clearly not from Liyue."
"She's a friend I met before becoming a Guest Consultant," Zhongli explained calmly. "She's from Fontaine and happened to pass through from Mondstadt, so she came to see me."
"You knew her before you became a Guest Consultant?" Hu Tao was genuinely shocked.
In her memory, Zhongli had been the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's Guest Consultant for an absurdly long time—so long that even during her grandfather's era, Zhongli had already held that position.
Zhongli's age was unfathomable, but Miss Lora didn't seem particularly old. Could they really be friends separated by generations?
As Hu Tao pondered this, Zhongli continued, "It's getting late, and quite a lot happened today. Director Hu should rest early. I imagine there will be no shortage of clients coming to you in the next few days."
"Huh? A lot? Really?" Hu Tao looked at him in surprise.
"With the passing of the Rex Lapis, every household will be arranging funeral rites," Zhongli said calmly. "Director Hu only needs to prepare."
Hearing this, Hu Tao burst into laughter.
"Oh, that's great news!" she said cheerfully. "Going by what you said, the Rex Lapis's passing ended up giving our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor a helping hand!"
If only the Rex Lapis could die a few more times…
The thought flashed through her mind.
Zhongli suddenly felt a chill down his back and glanced up at the night sky in mild confusion.
"The night air is cold," he said. "Take care of yourself, Director Hu."
"Mm!" Hu Tao nodded. "I'll head back to my room. You should rest too, Guest Consultant—business awaits tomorrow!"
She waved and skipped off toward her room, humming as she went.
"Big Hilichurl got sick,
Little Hilichurl checked,
Third Hilichurl gathered herbs,
Fourth Hilichurl brewed~"
Her mood was exceptionally good.
Zhongli watched her leave, smiling helplessly, before closing the door.
...
After leaving the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Lora didn't rush back to the prison. Instead, she wandered through Liyue Harbor.
Because of the day's events—the "assassination and passing of the Rex Lapis"—the harbor was lively yet heavy with sorrow, the grief impossible to hide on people's faces.
For three thousand seven hundred years, Liyue Harbor had lived alongside its god. Most people were utterly unprepared to lose him. They didn't know how to live without a god—or perhaps they had never once imagined that the Rex Lapis would disappear from their lives.
Lora stopped in front of a small stall selling candied hawthorn.
She looked over the colorful assortment, her eyes lighting up. Pointing at one coated in sesame seeds, she said brightly,
"I'll take that one. Put it on the tab for—"