"So it's as we expected," Zhongli said quietly, giving a slow nod.
"Baal has always been the most fitting Electro Archon , a thousand years ago, or today."
His amber eyes drifted toward Ei. For a moment, genuine surprise flickered in them.
Given that she had been Makoto's shadow for centuries , living beside her, mirroring her every decision , Zhongli had assumed Ei would have learned much of governance and divine order by proximity.
And yet… judging from her utterly blank expression, she had learned nothing at all.
Could it be that she truly wasn't made for statecraft?
Still, he said nothing more.
Instead, he reached into his sleeve and produced a rolled parchment , a formal contract, sealed with golden sigils of Geo and infused with divine authority.
"This," he said, passing it to Ei, "is the final covenant. Once you sign, Inazuma shall stand as one with the other three nations , to live or die together against Celestia."
"In return, you will have the full support of all three nations , and, in time, access to the final secret of this world."
Ei took the parchment without hesitation.
She didn't even glance at its contents.
With a brief pulse of Electro energy, she left her divine signature , and in less than three seconds, the contract was back in Zhongli's hands.
Even the old Archon found himself momentarily speechless.
"…You're not even going to read it?"
Ei shook her head.
"Makoto told me to sign it. That's all that matters."
Zhongli exhaled, now fully understanding.
It wasn't that Ei lacked experience , it was that she never intended to think for herself.
A loyal sword, not a ruler.
It reminded him of Xiao, in a way.
Even when Zhongli had decided, in his mortal disguise, to perform that absurd "stunt" during the Rite of Parting, Xiao had simply accepted it as part of some grand plan.
Utter, unshakable obedience.
Zhongli shook his head slightly, then divided the contract into four equal parts , one for each Archon.
"Then from this day forth," he said gravely, "the Three-Nation Alliance shall be reborn as the Four-Nation Pact."
"You'll soon understand what this truly entails. For now… let's wait."
With that, he said nothing further, returning calmly to his tea.
He had enough on his mind already , and chief among them, Guizhong's revival.
Across the table, Lumine perked up.
"Ryen, Hu Tao mentioned you were heading to the Final Plateau tonight?"
Ryen nodded.
"We've delayed long enough. Tonight, we'll move out , straight through the Twilight Forest, clear everything in our path, then begin a new phase."
"Once that's done, we'll start a fresh cycle , open a new module."
Lumine grinned brightly.
"Then my timing's perfect!"
Outside, the sun was already sinking behind the mountains.
The peaks of Tianheng were bathed in a soft golden glow, like silk draped over stone.
"So, why not leave now?" she asked.
Ryen shook his head.
"Not yet. This trip might take a long time , and there are still a few things to settle first."
He glanced at her meaningfully.
"Speaking of which… haven't you noticed someone's missing?"
Lumine blinked, scanning the room.
"Missing? No… everyone's here, aren't they?"
Just then, a deep, resonant voice came from the doorway.
"Traveler, though we've not known each other long, I'd thought we were at least friends.
Hearing you say that does leave me somewhat… disappointed."
Lumine turned, startled , then her face lit up.
"LittleAzhdaha?!"
"It's Azhdaha the Dragon King!"
The ancient being glowered at her, clearly offended.
Lumine only laughed, waving a hand dismissively.
Azhdaha said nothing, though the faint tremor of his tail suggested restrained annoyance.
In the old age of gods and stone, no one , mortal, adeptus, or archon , had ever dared speak to him so casually.
Few even could.
Among the adepti, there were those who feared him; among the gods, those who had fallen to him.
Only one , Morax , had ever stood as his equal.
And yet, somehow, he found this strange little mortal's irreverence… oddly refreshing.
Ei regarded the dragon in astonishment.
"Azhdaha? But your erosion, "
"Lifted," the dragon replied simply. "Thanks to Mr. Ryen's intervention."
He inclined his head toward her.
"It has been some time, Baal."
Ei nodded slowly, still surprised.
Given that resurrection itself had become possible, perhaps removing erosion was no longer beyond reason.
Beside her, Kujou Sara leaned toward Miko, whispering,
"Lady Yae… who is this?"
Miko chuckled softly.
"Him? The Dragon King Azhdaha, an old friend of Morax. You could call him one of the Adepti, though his strength rivals even the Geo Archon himself."
"He recently returned to full power , and now stands as one of the chief forces in our alliance against Celestia."
Sara froze, barely concealing her shock.
She had heard rumors of Liyue's ancient depth , that even its mountains walked and spoke with wisdom ,
but this was beyond belief.
An adeptus equal to the Geo Archon himself?
That wasn't just powerful , it was absurd.
Lumine, oblivious to the awe around her, grinned and gave the dragon's horn a playful pat.
"So, Azhdaha, where'd you disappear to?"
"At Mr. Ryen's request, I went to receive the new arrivals."
"A thousand knights from Mondstadt, and the vetted former Fatui soldiers , they're waiting outside."
The courtyard fell silent.
Ryen leaned back slightly, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Good," he said at last.
"Then it's time."
"Everyone , welcome to my world."
~~----------------------
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