The coastal city was already locked in the chill of winter, while on the other side, Sumeru still basked in the eternal spring.
Returning once again to Sumeru City, Lu Chen was met with the sight of a land in recovery. Workers hired by the Akademiya bustled everywhere, and people pointed toward the newly built structures rising above the Irminsul.
"Just how much compensation did you wring out of the Cryo Archon last time..." Lu Chen turned to Nahida, suddenly realizing something unusual about those buildings. Though unfinished, their scale already dwarfed both the old Akademiya and the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
"Of course I bled her dry!" Nahida raised her tiny fist. Just thinking about the Fatui's chaos in Sumeru City filled her with fresh anger.
"It was her responsibility to bear," Ei said with a faint smile. She too looked at the busy scene around them before murmuring, "With the Cryo Archon's promise, the other six nations should remain stable for a long while."
"It's only the calm before the storm," Lu Chen sighed.
This time, they had come back to Sumeru mainly for the Irminsul, so only Ei and Nahida accompanied him. Ei still worried about Inazuma and had just made a brief return there before coming.
Escorted by officials from the Akademiya, the three made their way to the upper levels of the Irminsul, an area forbidden to the public. With a wave of Nahida's hand, the officials respectfully withdrew.
Inside the Irminsul, the environment was breathtaking. With its diseased core completely purified, the previous taint had vanished.
Nahida whispered, "The Irminsul is deeply tied to the entire continent of Teyvat. Every stream of information flowing within it holds meaning."
Then she looked at Lu Chen with solemn eyes. "Have you decided? If you truly go through with this, Teyvat may undergo unexpected—perhaps even uncontrollable—changes."
Lu Chen drew in a deep breath. "I've decided. There's no way back. I'll bear all the consequences."
"Good."
Nahida nodded firmly.
She extended her hand forward. "Next, I will inscribe the 'Doomsday Prophecy' into the world of Teyvat."
As her words fell, the surroundings suddenly shifted. A vast, deep-blue ocean of data stretched before them, countless streams of information branching in all directions.
The vision lasted only a brief moment before the Irminsul returned to normal.
"It's done," Nahida said with a complex expression. "Now, let's see what changes await in the outside world..."
...
The three walked out of the Irminsul with heavy expressions, left the palace, and stepped into the streets of Sumeru City.
Although construction still continued in full swing, the streets were eerily empty aside from the hired workers. Even the once lively Treasure Merchant Street had no vendors at all.
"It's so quiet..." Nahida murmured.
They wandered aimlessly through the city. Every corner felt the same—desolate. Even the Grand Bazaar, normally alive with music and dance, was empty.
"The other nations beyond Sumeru..." Ei said softly. "They must be the same."
Nahida beckoned several Akademiya students over.
"Dendro Archon, what are your orders?" they asked nervously, bowing with respect.
"Why are all the shops closed? Has something happened recently?" Nahida asked.
"Dendro Archon, surely you jest!" one student exclaimed, his eyes wide. His companions exchanged confused whispers.
"The Archon is inspecting the people's conditions. Just answer honestly. Don't worry about anything else," Lu Chen told him.
"Yes, Your Excellencie." Recognizing the hero who had once saved Sumeru City, the student quickly nodded. He gestured toward the shuttered shops. "As the date foretold in the ancient Doomsday Prophecy draws near, everyone has grown anxious. Half a year ago, half the shops on Treasure Merchant Street had already closed. Many citizens and travelers have begun migrating toward Port Ormos."
"Port Ormos?" Ei asked in puzzlement. "Do they plan to set sail?"
"That's right," the student replied. "According to the prophecy, ancient seers foretold that the Abyss Calamity would engulf the entire continent. Many who studied the texts believe that leaving the land might help them escape the disaster..."
He let out a helpless laugh. "But if such a world-ending calamity truly came, how could hiding at sea possibly save them? It's nothing more than ignorant self-comfort. Sigh... With so many migrating, even Grand Sage Alhaitham cannot stop them. He can only let them go."
"I see..." Nahida sighed. "You may withdraw."
"Yes."
After the students left, the three exchanged silent glances and continued walking.
To their surprise, Lambard's Tavern was still open. Inside, only the owner, Lambard, and his staff remained. Not a single customer could be seen.
"Still open with no guests?" Lu Chen asked curiously.
"Ah! Y-Your Excellencies!" Lambard, who had been polishing glasses in boredom, instantly brightened at the sight of them.
"Dendro Archon, and my lords, what would you like to eat?"
"Coconut charcoal cakes," Lu Chen said casually.
Nahida naturally pulled out her small coin purse.
As they ate, Lu Chen brought up the Doomsday Prophecy.
"Ah, that... Honestly, I don't really believe in it," Lambard said with a sheepish laugh, scratching his head. "With the mighty Dendro Archon here, and the other lords as well, even the Abyss Calamity would be swiftly overcome."
"You're quite the optimist," Lu Chen said with a smile.
"How could I not be?" Lambard chuckled. Then, with a hint of scorn, he added, "Those fools, running blindly to the sea... They have no idea how terrifying the ocean truly is. Back in my day, I was the best sailor on the Sumeru Sea, yet even then I only just survived. I'd never set foot on the sea again!"
Lu Chen thought he would once again launch into his old boast of "fury fiercer than the Raiden Shogun's wrath, ice harder than the Snezhnaya Empress's frost," but instead, Lambard changed course.
"Besides, even if the prophecy is true, didn't the seer also say?"
"A new deity, a great savior, will descend into the world. He will bear all our hopes, lead us through the disaster, and conquer the pitch-black apocalypse!"
"Do you truly believe in this savior?" Lu Chen asked, his expression solemn. "Do you also believe in something as intangible as a wish?"
For him, wishes would be the key to the final battle—the "power of humanity" capable of standing against the Abyss. He wanted to know what the people thought.
Meeting Lu Chen's grave gaze, Lambard scratched his head uneasily.
"Wishes, huh..."
"Actually, wishes can mean a lot. I often tell people about my adventures at sea when I was younger. Heh, compared to you lords, my experiences are nothing. But for an ordinary man like me, they were brushes with death, peril at every turn..."
His eyes gleamed as he spoke of his youth.
"Back then, for my wife and kids, for survival, I had to take on work others scorned. More than once I nearly lost my life for money. The worst time, the ship broke apart, and I was left adrift at sea with no food or water..."
"Everyone else gave up. They all died. Only I kept repeating to myself: the gods won't abandon me. I will see my family again!"
"And somehow, I survived!"
"A wave came—not too big, not too small—just enough to keep the plank afloat."
"Carried by the waves, I drifted into shallow waters. I paddled until I was exhausted, and finally, fishermen near the harbor found me. From that day on, I swore I'd treasure my life and never sail again..."
Lambard chuckled, looking at Lu Chen. "Later, I heard that those who gain Visions do so when their wishes reach their peak. I think I came pretty close back then... A bit of a shame, really..."
He poured drinks for his distinguished guests. "That's why I believe in the power of wishes. This world has endured so long, full of life and noiser—it won't just end. Huh? Why are you all smiling? Did I say something wrong?"
"Nothing." Lu Chen snatched the glass of wine from Nahida's hand, glancing at Ei's smile and Nahida's pout.
"Thank you," he said, looking back at the tavern keeper.
"Huh? Ah—y-you're welcome!" Lambard froze, flustered. He had no idea why such important figures had suddenly asked these questions, but seeing the relief on their faces, he too couldn't help but grin foolishly.