"A variable means greater possibility."
"So Lumine, don't get too entangled with your brother—at least not right now. The world is constantly trying to drag you down with it."
"He's risking everything not only for his own future… but for yours as well."
Lumine fell silent.
She had assumed she wouldn't learn much more from Zhongli—after all, she already knew that Aether was the Prince of the Abyss Order.
But she never expected to uncover such a shocking truth.
Her emotions were a storm of confusion and conflict.
"As you suspected," Zhongli continued, "Aether awoke before you did. His journey began long ago."
"Five hundred years ago, we—The Seven—along with Celestia, destroyed his Khaenri'ah."
"Though we were forced into that position… the grudge between him and us is real. Whether it's about Khaenri'ah's destruction or the black beasts that now run rampant across the Seven Nations…"
"We stand opposed to each other."
"But you must understand—just because two factions are enemies… doesn't mean individuals within them can't cooperate."
"That's all I can say for now. The rest is up to you. Your journey isn't over."
"Keep walking forward. When you've witnessed all Seven Nations, you will find your own answer."
"In the meantime… remember who you are. Don't let the world drag you under."
"You are a Descender. You are a being above this world. The world will never stop trying to touch you—Celestia included."
"Do not let the world remember you. You must be the one to remember the world…"
"The road you walk is one only you can tread."
With those words, Zhongli fell silent.
Lumine lowered her head—her expression unreadable.
Paimon, worried, quietly grabbed Lumine's hand.
"So… from the moment Lumine arrived, the world and the Seven Archons were already watching her?"
Zhongli gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.
"Ugh! That's so unfair! Why is everyone after Lumine?! It's disgusting!"
Paimon waved her tiny fists angrily.
"When I grow up, I'm gonna punch Celestia in the face! Just you wait, Lumine!"
"…Wait a second! Zhongli, you said Descenders are Outlanders. If that's true… then what about Ryen?"
That question snapped Lumine back to attention. She stared at Zhongli, eyes wide with urgency.
A bitter smile appeared on Zhongli's face as he shook his head slowly.
"Indeed, he is a Descender as well—but he's the greatest variable of all… and you two are not the same."
"Why not?" Lumine asked, frowning.
Zhongli pointed toward the sky.
"Ryen is a world-wielder. He governs an immense, majestic world. His existence far exceeds the stature of this one. How could Teyvat dare to weave him into its design?"
"And as for Celestia…"
Zhongli chuckled at the thought of that day when Ryen threw a single punch.
"Even if Celestia were to awaken and try to target Ryen, the most likely outcome… is that Ryen would simply kill it outright."
"His strength is beyond imagination. He possesses the power to obliterate Teyvat with a mere thought."
"The power… to shatter all laws and reality itself."
"Celestia is no match for him. Neither is the world itself. That's why even the world instinctively resists Celestia trying to interfere with him."
"And that's precisely why I can speak to you so freely—because with Ryen's existence, no matter how much you learn, the world wouldn't dare harm you... or us."
Paimon puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
"So in the end… it all comes down to who's got the bigger fists, huh? What a bully—it's all just picking on the weak!"
Zhongli chuckled softly.
"Crude as it sounds… that's the truth."
"And that brings me to the second thing I wanted to tell you: if, during your travels, you ever find yourself in danger you can't handle—"
"—If the world, or Celestia, decides to act against you prematurely…"
"Then come back. Ryen will take care of everything."
Lumine raised an eyebrow, most of the earlier tension in her heart beginning to fade.
"You're that confident in Ryen's strength?"
"No," Zhongli replied, shaking his head.
"It's precisely because I can't see the limits of his strength… that I say this."
"When you witness a power capable of destroying the world with a single punch, you'll understand—schemes and conspiracies are nothing more than children's games."
Lumine paused, silent for a moment. Then, as if something clicked, she smiled faintly and looked at Zhongli.
"So… you're only telling me all this because Ryen is around now."
Zhongli didn't confirm it directly, but gave a meaningful nod.
"Ryen values his friends deeply."
"So you're saying… the only reason I'm allowed to know this much is because I have Ryen at my back?"
Seeing that Lumine had understood, Zhongli nodded again.
"You could see it that way."
"…And what about Liyue?" Lumine asked further.
Zhongli's smile deepened, silent but clear.
"Ganyu and the others… are Ryen's girlfriends. Before Liyue has the strength to truly oppose Celestia, if Celestia dares to make a move against Liyue…"
"Well then, perhaps everything will be settled far earlier than expected."
"Pure power may not be as flashy as elemental arts—but it is a force of destruction that stands above all else."
~~----------------------
To read 50 future chapters head over to patreon:
patreon.com/Dreamer20