The first dinner after returning home began in a heavy, solemn atmosphere.
No one had the appetite to eat or talk. After Lu Chen described the sights he had witnessed, everyone felt the same oppressive weight pressing down on their hearts.
"Istaroth really said that?" Venti, who rarely refrained from drinking during meals, frowned at Lu Chen. "How long until that day comes? How much time do we have left to prepare?"
"Four months."
When Lu Chen finished speaking, everyone's expressions grew even darker.
"Four months? Only four months left?" Hu Tao sat bolt upright in shock,the blanket slipping to the floor. "What can we possibly do with so little time?"
"Maybe just enough time for you to make each of us a coffin," Scaramouche shrugged indifferently.
Everyone turned to glare at him, Ei's violet eyes flashing with displeasure.
"I was just joking. Why so serious?" Scaramouche muttered, seeing that no one found it funny, and pouted in annoyance.
Of all those seated at the table, he was probably the least concerned about the end of the world. Still, if the apocalypse came before he had finished killing all the Doctors, that would be a real pity.
"Although time is very short..." Nahida said softly, "at least we now have a sliver of opportunity to fight back. I think we should place our trust in Lu Chen."
"Of course we believe in Lu Chen!" Venti turned toward him. "For the time being, just give us your orders. You're the only key to victory!"
"I believe in Lu Chen as well," Zhongli added. "We have all witnessed his efforts. Whether in Inazuma or Sumeru, both regions have been renewed. His strength has already far surpassed ours. In him, I see the hope of changing everything."
Once again, everyone's eyes were on Lu Chen, and the weight of responsibility on his shoulders grew even heavier.
But he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled as always.
"Istaroth only saw one possible future. For all I know, she could be messing with me. Besides, with me—and with all of you here—what in this world could we possibly fail to accomplish?"
"Yeah! Let's smash the Abyss!" Hu Tao raised her fist high.
"Smash... the Abyss..." Qiqi's small hand was lifted up along with hers.
Hu Tao, still recovering from her cold, spoke nasally. Combined with Qiqi's blank look as she pumped her tiny fist, the sight was so comical that everyone finally broke into smiles.
The mood at dinner finally lightened.
...
After that, Lu Chen laid out his plans to expand production of Primordial Energy machinery and to accelerate the development of the Teyvat Entertainment Universe.
Everyone nodded along as they listened. Some offered ways they could help, others pledged to lend their strength. It was clear that no one would have any leisure time in the days ahead.
"There are also the old man's task, and Scaramouche's task," Lu Chen said, looking at the two of them. "The last exchange took too long, and our Primogems are nearly gone. The system might release something good next, so you two need to speed things up."
Zhongli gave a slight nod. Nahida turned to Scaramouche and suggested, "Why don't I take you to join some charitable organizations? That might help you complete it faster..."
But Scaramouche waved her hand dismissively. Everyone assumed he was refusing, until he gave a faint smile.
"Irminsul and the laboratory can't do without you. Go help Lu Chen. I'll handle my own task."
"It's just about being a model citizen of Teyvat..." His eyes flicked instinctively toward Ei, then quickly away. He muttered under his breath, "Doing good deeds isn't anything special. I'll show you how it's done."
Lu Chen and Ei exchanged a glance, both smiling with quiet relief.
Everyone could see the change in Scaramouche. He was nothing like the arrogant, sharp-tongued person he had once been. It must have been what he saw within the Irminsul that had changed him.
"My serialization has come to an end," Yae Miko said. "Tomorrow I'll go to the company and push Manager Haoyu to release the game immediately. And... the other related projects as well—the film, the audiobooks, the stage play, the anime and manga—they all need to move forward quickly."
"Thank you," Lu Chen said warmly. Miko, who had always hated trouble and preferred curling up at home with light novels, now brimmed with determination.
"There's one more thing." Lu Chen looked at her seriously. "I want every project to include a storyline leading up to the final battle against the Abyss. But don't reveal the ending. Make people worry about the fate of the main characters. You understand what I mean?"
Miko's expression turned thoughtful. "The willpower of the people is not something to underestimate. If we do this, we can draw in the strength of both worlds..."
"Exactly."
After his conversation with Istaroth, Lu Chen had thought long and hard.
He believed that the core of the human realm's power might be "willpower." The evidence lay in how people received their Visions: when desire, conviction, and will reached their peak, they were granted a "gift" by some higher law, a fragment of the Light Realm's power—elemental energy.
The gods had created the world and humanity, but ultimately, they relied on human faith to endure. Fragile though they were, humans were the true foundation of the human realm, and its power manifested in the form of "will."
As these thoughts filled his mind, Lu Chen's gaze lingered on Miko's face, making her cheeks flush red once more.
Flustered, Miko turned her head away, cleared her throat, and suddenly stood.
"Enough, I'll go right now! Cai, right? Don't even think about sleeping until the game is finished!!"
With that, she hurried from the table as though fleeing.
Seeing her like this, everyone's eyes lit with amusement.
Lu Chen turned next to Nahida. Meeting his gaze, she said directly, "My suggestion is to add a 'Dark Apocalypse' countdown into the Irminsul."
"Countdown?"
Nahida nodded. "We can't directly change history, but we can alter the texts recorded in it."
She continued, "If we add a doomsday prophecy into the historical records of every nation, then people's memories will rationalize accordingly. Something like: 'When a certain time arrives, a disaster from the Abyss will engulf the world. But, people, do not fear. A new deity will be born, who will lead us to overcome the disaster, to triumph over the end... So pray for our future...'"
After speaking, she frowned. "But I think... when that time comes, the entire atmosphere of Teyvat will change as well..."
Lu Chen couldn't help but think of the peaceful, tranquil Teyvat continent. If such a prophecy were added, what kind of tension would blanket it?
"But we no longer have a choice..."
"Yes..." Nahida murmured. "We have no choice left..."