"Her…"
Sigh…
At the mention of Focalors, Lora's mood sank abruptly. She let out a helpless sigh, her brows knit with unmistakable tenderness and concern for Focalors.
Five hundred years of guilt surged over her like a relentless tide.
"Calling her adorable isn't entirely wrong," Lora said after a brief silence, her voice soft as she spoke to Zhongli. "But more than adorable… she's pitiable. Someone who makes your heart ache for her."
Guoba, cradled in her arms, sensed the shift in her emotions and quieted down, turning its head to look at her.
Zhongli noticed the change as well. He fell silent, gazing into the tea before him, before finally speaking. "I know she inherited that so-called 'original sin' from you. But I don't believe it is the fault of either you or her."
"It's not just that…" Lora shook her head, looking at Zhongli as if she wanted to say more. She had intended to tell him about Focalors's five-hundred-year plan—but just as the words reached her lips, she remembered its most critical condition: deceiving the 'Heavenly Principles.'
She forcibly stopped herself.
It seemed she needed to be even more cautious. She couldn't allow Focalors's plan to be exposed to the 'Heavenly Principles' because of her own carelessness.
Seeing her reaction, Zhongli understood almost instantly why she had fallen silent. He gave a slight nod.
"Lora, do not grieve too deeply. Five centuries of suffering may have been cruel, but you have returned. As the heart of the Primordial Sea, you will bring new hope to Fontaine, will you not? I believe you can save everyone—Fontaine, and Focalors as well."
"Thank you for the kind words, Zhongli." Lora smiled, though traces of sorrow still lingered in her expression.
Guoba reached out with both paws and pressed them gently against her cheeks, offering comfort in its own clumsy way.
"Thank you, Guoba." Lora understood its intention and smiled as she rubbed its head. She had thought Guoba would feel like a plush toy, but once she actually touched it, she realized that while the texture was pleasant, Guoba was alive—naturally different from a doll.
It felt a bit like petting a big dog.
Xiangling emerged from the kitchen carrying a dish of spicy boiled fish.
When she saw Guoba still in Lora's arms, she froze in shock and hurried over. After setting the dish down, she scolded Guoba, "Guoba! How can you sit in a guest's arms like that? That's so rude!"
"It's fine. I picked Guoba up myself," Lora said with a gentle smile, showing no hint of displeasure. After all, she had been the one to sneakily scoop Guoba up in the first place.
Xiangling lightly tapped Guoba on the head. "Guoba, bad!"
Then she turned to Zhongli and Lora. "The other dishes will take a bit longer. If you're hungry, you can start with the fish."
"Alright, thank you," Lora replied with a slight nod.
In the end, Guoba wasn't allowed to stay. Xiangling took it back to the kitchen. With her little living 'plush toy' gone, Lora finally turned her attention fully to the food.
She picked up a piece of fish and placed it in her mouth. The numbing heat of the spice spread instantly across her palate, while the flavor of Jueyun Chili paired perfectly with the fish's freshness, delivering an astonishing burst of taste.
"As expected of Xiangling—this is incredible! Once the Fontaine matter is settled, we should lure her to Fontaine!" Lora praised the cooking without restraint.
Zhongli, hearing this, calmly reminded her, "Deception—an act that runs counter to fairness and justice—is something you would do?"
"Uh… just a metaphor. A metaphor," Lora said with an awkward laugh. Of course she wouldn't actually deceive or ambush a girl in her teens or twenties. As an experienced veteran, she would naturally reason with her and appeal to her emotions, thoroughly explaining the wonders of Fontaine and letting the young girl experience Fontaine society for herself.
Zhongli picked up his chopsticks and sampled a piece of fish. After tasting it, he nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. I've long heard of Xiangling's culinary skill, but I was always occupied with other affairs and never had the chance to try it myself. Today, thanks to you, I've finally enjoyed a proper feast."
"Thanks to me?" Lora frowned at his words and looked at him suspiciously. "You're not planning to make me pay, are you? I don't have any Mora on me!"
"Of course not."
Zhongli smiled and shook his head.
"Since I am hosting this welcome meal for you, how could I let you spend your own money? The cost will be recorded under the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account. You needn't worry."
"Uh…"
Lora looked at Zhongli and suddenly felt the urge to offer silent condolences to Hu Tao.
This consultant of hers was excellent in every way—except for his complete lack of financial awareness. In other words, Zhongli genuinely saw nothing wrong with not carrying Mora, nor with putting everything on the tab.
Well, the Anemo Archon behaving erratically and the God of Mora having no Mora—both seemed perfectly reasonable.
Midway through the meal, Zhongli suddenly brought something up. "There is a Hydro Eidolon from Fontaine currently residing in Qingce Village. She is your familiar. Were you aware of this?"
"A Hydro Eidolon from Fontaine? Rhodeia?"
Lora paused, then quickly realized who he meant. Back when she played the game, without Ganyu, fighting that Hydro Eidolon had been absolute misery. How times had changed—now Rhodeia was her familiar.
"Yes. Her name is Rhodeia," Zhongli confirmed with a nod. "When she first came to Liyue from Fontaine, it coincided with the transition of the Fontaine Hydro Archon's authority, not long after the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah. I was concerned that her sudden arrival might conceal ulterior motives, so I spoke with her."
He paused briefly, choosing his words carefully, before continuing.
"She told me that after your death, the quality of Fontaine's waters changed. The new Hydro Archon lacked the power to sustain Fontaine's environment, making it impossible for the Hydro Eidolons to continue living in its waters. As a result, most of them fled Fontaine. Many of these Hydro Eidolons harbored deep resentment toward the new Hydro Archon, Focalors. Because of this, I once sent Focalors a letter, stating that if Fontaine required assistance, Liyue could offer support, and I would personally do all I could to help. Unfortunately, Focalors never replied. After that, she severed contact with the other seven archons."
What Zhongli described all took place shortly after Egeria's death. Neither the present Lora nor Egeria herself retained any memory of that period.
At the time, Egeria's remaining divine consciousness was residing within the "Harvisptokhm," and she had yet to regain any awareness.