As Fengyan led his squad away to report back, Ei watched him go, thoughtful, before turning to Lumine.
"So… you're saying Morax is deliberately stirring the hearts of the Liyue people , making them rebel against Celestia?"
Lumine smiled and nodded.
"Pretty much. Though Zhongli used a rather clumsy excuse , something about 'three heavenly calamities' and 'divine trials.'"
"Still, it wasn't entirely a lie."
"After all, the erosion that you gods suffer , isn't that Celestia's doing?"
"So in a sense, what he said isn't really inciting rebellion. He's just guiding his people's awareness , helping Liyue unite around a common cause."
She rubbed her chin in thought.
"Ningguang once told me , Liyue has become too peaceful, too prosperous. The people live well, trade thrives, and the nation's strong."
"She worries that comfort will make them complacent , that pride will dull their ambition."
"So, she said , a powerful external enemy is the best way to keep people moving forward."
Lumine shrugged and laughed lightly.
"Honestly, I didn't really get all of it… but after Liyue's people learned about Celestia, something changed."
"They didn't get afraid , they got united.
And even now, with all their strength, they're still pushing themselves to improve."
The others exchanged glances , sharp minds, all of them, understanding the strategy immediately.
Kujou Sara nodded approvingly.
"Given Liyue's current might, that worry makes sense. If the people grow content and idle, progress stops."
"By revealing Celestia as an enemy, they turned potential pride into purpose , not fear."
"It's brilliant. Truly something only the Tianquan of Liyue, Teyvat's greatest merchant, could devise."
Sara meant it sincerely. She truly admired Ningguang's foresight and skill , but she didn't envy her.
Each person had their own calling.
Sara wasn't meant to govern , she was a soldier, a general. Her duty was to lead, not rule.
And besides… she didn't think her own Shogun, the resurrected Makoto, was any lesser than Ningguang.
Inazuma had simply started later , that was all.
"Come on," Lumine said, waving a hand. "Let's go find Ryen."
She led the way toward the small courtyard at the mountain's base.
"Stay close and don't wander. There are traps everywhere here , one misstep, and the magma will swallow you whole."
At that, even Ei's expression grew serious, and she nodded silently.
She might be a god , but magma, the living blood of the earth, was not a force even gods could defy.
As they walked, Lumine asked cheerfully over her shoulder:
"So, what do you think of Liyue so far?"
Kujou Sara didn't even hesitate.
"Strong. Unimaginably strong."
"Their people's will, their army's discipline, their unity , it's all on a level beyond comparison."
"Their cities flourish, their economy thrives, and their citizens take pride in their homeland."
"Above them stands the Geo Archon and the resurrected Adepti.
Below them, the powerful Qianyan Army guards every inch of land."
"In terms of both military might and cultural strength, Liyue is undeniably the greatest nation in Teyvat."
Then she sighed, voice softening.
"As much as I hate to admit it… Inazuma still lags far behind."
Her words were objective , not self-deprecating, simply factual.
But they made Ei fall silent, her gaze dimming slightly.
After all, Inazuma's decline was something she herself had caused.
Seeing her Shogun's expression, Sara quickly added:
"But with you as our General, that will change! I believe it , under your guidance, Inazuma will one day be just as strong."
Ei's eyes softened, her silence turning thoughtful.
Perhaps… she finally believed that too.
Hearing Kujou Sara's firm conviction, Ei's heart finally lightened.
It had been a long time since she'd felt this kind of quiet confidence , and in truth, she had never doubted Sara's loyalty.
Lumine grinned and continued cheerfully:
"You know, all of Liyue's changes , everything you've seen , it all happened in just five months."
"The reorganization of their armies, the resurrection of the Adepti, the rebirth of trade and economy…
all that growth, that transformation , it happened in less than half a year."
"That's why Makoto is anxious. If Inazuma takes too long to stabilize, by the time you finish…"
She laughed softly.
"Well, forget Liyue , even Mondstadt might have caught up by then."
Yae Miko and Ayaka both smiled knowingly. They had seen Ryen's world themselves , the strange realm where these miracles began.
Knowing that, such rapid progress didn't seem impossible at all.
But Ei and Kujou Sara exchanged uncertain looks, both clearly at a loss.
"Five months…" Sara muttered, half in disbelief.
"That's unbelievable. But if that's true, then we really can't waste any time."
"So all these changes… are thanks to Mr. Ryen, right?"
Lumine nodded but didn't elaborate.
"You'll understand soon enough."
She stopped before an ordinary-looking wooden gate and smiled.
"Here we are. Whatever questions you have , you can ask Ryen yourself."
"Or maybe you won't need to ask at all."
"Seeing is believing."
She raised her hand and knocked gently.
Moments later, the door creaked open , and Hu Tao poked her head out, her amber eyes lighting up instantly.
"Lumine! You're back!"
Lumine waved brightly.
"Hu Tao! So it's you answering the door , that means Ryen and the others are home, right?"
Hu Tao stepped aside, swinging the door open wide.
The small courtyard within was filled with life , and people.
A handful of familiar faces sat beneath the shade of a peach tree, sharing tea and conversation.
Every one of them was someone important , and yet, here they were, lounging like old friends in the afternoon calm.
"Come in, come in!" Hu Tao said happily.
"You're just in time. Everyone's resting before we head to the Final Plateau tonight."
Before anyone could respond, Paimon, who'd been rather quiet until now, suddenly perked up and darted forward.
"Ryen! Your Paimon is back!!"
Ryen laughed as he opened his arms.
The little floating companion dove straight into his embrace, rubbing her cheek affectionately against his chest.
"You were just here last night," he said with a helpless smile.
"Why are you acting like it's been forever?"
"Even if it's just one day, Paimon missed you lots!" she giggled, planting a quick kiss on his cheek before curling contentedly in his arms.
Lumine's expression soured instantly.
She remembered how Paimon had stuck to her all morning , whining for food and chattering nonstop.
But the moment Ryen appeared, the little glutton immediately switched sides without a trace of hesitation.
"Traitor…" Lumine grumbled inwardly.
"One of these days, I'm making soup out of you."
Taking a deep breath, she fixed her smile, brushed off her irritation, and waved for the others to follow her inside.
"Ahem! The great Traveler has returned!" she announced dramatically.
"This time, I'm staying for good! Whatever plans you've got , leave them all to me!"
The courtyard burst into laughter.
Even Ei, usually so composed, couldn't help but smile faintly.
For the first time in a long while, it truly felt like peace , the kind of peace that comes after countless storms.