Baiwen received the roster, her eyes scanning down the page as a cold shiver ran through her frame.
The parchment was densely covered in names, many belonging to figures renowned across Liyue.
Dashi, Fengyan, Changle... prominent commanders of the Millelith were inscribed upon the ledger.
Even more staggering were the names heading the list.
Xiao, Bosacius, Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, Sea Gazer...
Nearly eighty percent of Liyue's illuminated adepti had fallen at least once on the battlements.
Below them followed another prestigious roster.
Diluc, Kaeya, Kaedehara Kazuha, Baizhu, Beidou, Kamisato Ayato, Kujou Sara, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Tighnari...
Every single one of them had triggered a Totem of Rebirth during the siege.
These were sovereign leaders and premier Vision wielders across the Five Nations.
The weight of the document was terrifying.
Even with prior mental preparation, Baiwen felt her breath hitch in her throat.
For ordinary citizens of the harbor to lay eyes upon such numbers would be a massive shock.
Hesitating for a moment, Baiwen looked up cautiously.
"Lady Ningguang, this manifest..."
"Issue the announcement precisely as recorded," Ningguang replied, shaking her head. She understood her secretary's hesitation, knowing Baiwen wished to soften the blow. "Ryen speaks the truth: they fought as heroes, and we cannot diminish their valor."
"Had they not defended Redstone Tech City with their very lives, we would never have survived this crucible."
Baiwen remained silent for a few seconds before asking in a low whisper, "Shall we disclose the existence of the Totems of Rebirth?"
"After all, many of these champions fell in battle, yet they will return to our ranks in time."
When Ningguang handed over the scroll, she had already settled her resolve. She gave a firm, composed nod.
"State openly that we possess the means of resurrection, and that only five hundred and thirty-two warriors currently await restoration while we gather the necessary catalysts."
"Our civilian resettlement program across the threshold will commence shortly; our people would learn the truth eventually."
"Furthermore, the Five-Nation Alliance stands unchallenged at the summit of Teyvat, holding zero fear of the heavenly throne."
"Revealing our resurrection capability at this juncture carries strategic advantages of its own."
Baiwen bowed her head in understanding. "I grasp your intent, Lady Ningguang. Are there further directives?"
Ningguang considered the matter for a moment before shaking her head. "None for the present. You may proceed."
Securing the scroll within her robes, Baiwen offered a respectful salute to Ryen and the assembly before departing the courtyard with hurried steps.
The announcement had to be published today.
The citizens of Liyue Harbor knew that today marked the final dawn of the cataclysm, and they were desperate for closure.
Delaying the report would only invite wild speculation in the tea houses.
Providing absolute clarity was the only responsible path.
Watching Baiwen vanish beyond the gate, Ningguang pressed her fingers lightly against her temples.
"Once this notice spreads, Liyue... and indeed all of Teyvat, will hardly remain quiet."
Ryen sat comfortably on the wooden bench, an easy grin on his face.
"It was bound to happen eventually. Compared to the boundless development of our new world, such minor diplomatic ripples are trivial."
A soft smile returned to Ningguang's lips.
"You speak truly. The Ministry of Civil Affairs can manage public sentiment; our primary duty remains the stewardship of that universe."
As she spoke, Ningguang casually tightened her slender hand into a fist.
Upon stepping back onto Teyvat soil, the surging ocean of physical strength within her had not dissipated as it used to.
She retained a permanent quarter-share of Ryen's absolute physical constitution.
Only under the native atmospheric physics of Teyvat could she truly appreciate the terrifying scale of that power.
Her life tier had ascended to an unimaginable plane. Though she lacked Creative Mode and administrative commands in this realm, that raw physical force alone was enough for her to claim absolute invulnerability across Teyvat.
As for Ryen commanding power far beyond her own...
That was natural. Ryen was her beloved partner, and his strength existed only to shield her.
Thinking of this, Ningguang straightened her posture, a bright spark of pride glowing in her amber eyes.
She, Ningguang, was now invincible under the skies of Teyvat!
Though martial prowess had never been her primary ambition, possessing absolute strength was undeniably exhilarating.
Moreover, backed by such unmatched physical stamina, their private games tonight would certainly last far longer than before.
"Come and eat. Stop daydreaming over there," Ryen called out with a chuckle.
Ningguang turned around, only to find that Ryen, Ganyu, and the others were already seated around the banquet table, dining without waiting for her.
Rolling her eyes with fond exasperation, she walked over and took her place beside him.
Reveling in divine power was fine for a moment, but sharing a meal with family was an occasion that brooked no delay.
Ryen held Klee and Qiqi on his lap, the two little girls clinging to his sides with absolute devotion.
Nahida and Yaoyao sat nearby, behaving with far greater maturity.
Though they felt a tiny pang of jealousy seeing the other two monopolize his attention, they remained polite and composed.
Feeding Klee a bite of tender meat, Ryen let out a contented sigh.
"It has been far too long since we enjoyed a quiet meal like this. The forty-nine-day cataclysm offered splendid rewards, but it was certainly exhausting."
Ganyu nodded gently, speaking in her soothing, melodious voice.
"Everyone has endured immense strain over these past weeks. In my view, we should pause module development for a short while to allow our people time to rest."
Ryen raised no objection.
"Taking a breather is wise. However, urban repairs in Redstone Tech City must proceed steadily. Fortunately, most of our redstone networks survived intact."
"Otherwise, our sweet Guizhong here would have collapsed from sheer overwork."
Guizhong rolled her eyes, puffing out her cheeks in protest.
"I will still be exhausted, you know! Do you think repairing shattered redstone railways and broken elevators is a simple stroll in the garden?"
Ryen laughed heartily, looking down at Klee, who was resting her chin in her hands and staring blankly into space.
Gently pinching her soft cheek, he asked softly, "What is our little Klee thinking about so deeply?"
"Klee is thinking about giant mushroom clouds!"
Klee snapped her head up, looking at Ryen with wide, earnest eyes.
"Klee wants to upgrade her Jumpy Dumpties into giant mushroom clouds and gift them to Brother Ryen, so Brother Ryen can protect himself even better!"
"Brother Ryen's big mushrooms are super scary, and Klee was worried they might hurt Brother Ryen by mistake."
"Klee will design a super safe big mushroom, so Brother Ryen can throw them without any danger at all!"
Hearing her innocent declaration, Ryen beamed with unbridled joy, cupping her face in both hands and planting a loud, affectionate kiss upon her cheek.
"How can my sweet girl be so thoughtful? Brother Ryen will gladly look forward to the safe mushroom bombs crafted by little Klee!"
Klee giggled cheerfully, rubbing her cheek affectionately against his jaw.
"If Brother Ryen is happy, Klee is happy! Klee loves Brother Ryen the most in the whole wide world!"
Ryen pulled her tighter into his arms, completely forgetting about the food on his plate.
"Whose precious daughter could possibly be as adorable as mine? Why are you so sweet? This won't do; I must kiss you ten more times!"
"No fair! Klee wants to give kisses too!"
The two played and giggled together, abandoning all dining decorum.
To Ryen, showering his sweet girl with affection was infinitely more satisfying than any delicacy on the table.
Watching the two trade kisses back and forth, the women around the table felt a collective wave of sweet, sugary exhaustion.
Lisa set down her chopsticks, resting her chin on her hand with an amused sigh.
"Good heavens! Can you two please eat your dinner properly? I doubt even Lady Alice ever pampered Klee to such an outrageous degree."
Ryen lifted his chin with playful arrogance.
"Klee is an angel. If Alice missed out on pampering her, that is entirely Alice's loss. With a daughter this lovely, I could never bear to go wandering off on long journeys."
Noticing Nahida, Qiqi, and Yaoyao looking up at him with wide, longing eyes, Ryen quickly leaned over to kiss each of their foreheads in turn.
"Naturally, my precious Nahida, my sweet Qiqi, and my darling Yaoyao are all my most cherished little treasures."
Only then did the other young girls settle down with content smiles.
Lisa chuckled, her emerald eyes dancing with mischief as she voiced a teasing thought.
"Doting on them so fiercely today... what will you do when your precious daughters grow up and marry someone else in the future?"
Ryen's smile froze instantly.
In the very next heartbeat, a wave of dark, suffocating hostility erupted from his frame.
His expression turned as black as compressed obsidian, his voice dropping into a menacing growl.
"Whoever dares harbor improper intentions toward Klee and my girls, I will personally blast their ancestral lineage straight off the map!"
"Klee will never marry anyone!"
Klee wrapped her small arms tightly around Ryen's neck, pressing her cheek against his with absolute conviction.
"Klee will stay by Brother Ryen's side forever! Even if Klee has to marry, Klee will only marry Brother Ryen!"
Hearing those words, the dark clouds vanished from Ryen's face in an instant, replaced by a radiant, triumphant beam.
"My sweet treasure understands best! It is a promise, then: Klee and Qiqi are forbidden from ever marrying away!"
"Yay! Pinky promise with Brother Ryen! When Klee grows up, Klee is going to be Brother Ryen's bride!"
Klee cheered happily, holding out her little finger with bright expectation.
Yae Miko, Lisa, and the women turned their eyes toward Ryen, their expressions rich with amused, teasing curiosity as they waited for his response.
Ryen felt an awkward warmth rise up his neck. Clearing his throat with a nervous chuckle, he simply patted Klee's head without answering.
He was devoted to his role as a loving guardian, but he had not lost his moral sanity.
His only wish was for the children to remain safely by his side for eternity; as for Klee's innocent declaration, he had never entertained such thoughts for a second.
Moreover, with Ningguang and the others watching him intently, hooking pinkies right now would cement his reputation as a hopeless deviant forever.
Klee pouted slightly at his hesitation, casting an aggrieved look in his direction.
Amid lively chatter and laughter, the feast gradually came to an end.
Ryen escorted the four little girls back to their bedroom, patiently tucking them in and singing soft lullabies until they drifted into deep slumber.
Only then did he return to his own chambers.
The master bedroom was bathed in warm, soft lamplight, where Ningguang, Ei, and the women were seated together, their cheeks flushed with faint color as they murmured in hushed tones.
Originally, Ningguang had planned to test her newfound physical constitution in private with Ryen, feeling confident that her quarter-share of his physique would yield remarkable stamina.
Even sharing the bed alongside Guizhong felt manageable.
Yet Ryen had gathered Ganyu, Lisa, Lumine, and the entire circle together for the evening.
A grand reunion of this scale had only been attempted once before during the Lantern Rite.
Considering that the forty-nine-day cataclysm had finally concluded, Ningguang raised no objections, recognizing that tonight was a rare occasion for shared celebration.
The other women shared similar thoughts. Though a collective blush touched every face, none showed any intention of leaving.
After a short wait, Ryen pushed through the door, his eyes sparkling with lively excitement as he hurried inside.
"Are the little ones asleep already? So quickly?" Ganyu asked, blinking softly.
Ryen nodded with proud satisfaction.
"With me handling the bedtime routine, putting those sweet girls to sleep is child's play."
"Never mind that now! Quick, gather around, I have something magnificent to show you all!"
Ryen urged them forward, pulling out the recording crystal from his pocket.
Lumine gasped softly, her cheeks flushing crimson as she lowered her gaze, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
"Tonight... are you going to record tonight as well? Is a full gathering not enough for you, that you need to add special props and camera equipment for extra thrill?"
The rest of the women instantly misinterpreted his words, their faces turning red enough to bleed.
Even seasoned vixens like Yae Miko and Lisa shifted their gazes with rare, self-conscious fluster.
Ryen blinked in pure bewilderment, looking at their flushed expressions.
"What props? What recordings are you imagining? Where on earth did your thoughts wander off to? I was referring to the footage I captured this afternoon when we discussed the Genshin Impact module, where Zhongli and the Archons completely lost their composure!"
"What?!"
Lumine snapped back to reality, realizing her colossal blunder. Squealing in mortification, she buried her burning face entirely behind Ganyu's back.
Understanding dawned upon Ryen, his lips curling into a wicked, teasing smirk as he gently poked Lumine's burning cheek.
"It seems certain travelers among us have had their minds thoroughly corrupted. I was extending an innocent invitation to watch a documentary of sovereign humiliation."
"Shut up, you scoundrel! You did that on purpose!" Lumine protested from behind Ganyu, glaring at him with watery, indignant eyes.
Ryen shrugged playfully, his eyes gleaming with boundless affection.
"Admittedly, my original intent was merely to review that delightful documentary, but seeing as the atmosphere has reached such a splendid height..."
Ryen lunged forward onto the grand bed with an enthusiastic cheer.
"My lovely wives, the cataclysm has ended, and a proper celebration is in order!"
"Come! I shall lead the charge from the front!"
As the silken blankets billowed through the air, the historical recording was temporarily set aside as Ryen commenced production on a brand-new feature-length masterpiece of his own.