"Acting Grand Master Jean, no matter what we choose, we do not have the strength to refuse that girl.
So the map—one way or another—we have to give her."
Diluc stood before Jean and voiced his thoughts.
Then he continued:
"But we can't just hand her the map.
We must personally escort her to Liyue and help her meet the Geo Archon, Morax."
Whether they refused or complied, one option had to be chosen.
And for Mondstadt's survival—and Mondstadt's stance—it was clear which one they must choose.
If they agreed, they would spare Mondstadt from her wrath—
but then Liyue would face the danger instead.
In short:
No matter what they chose,
someone's wrath must be endured.
But Diluc understood something critical:
The wrath of those two sides was not equal.
If they refused the girl, Mondstadt would be destroyed without question.
There was no uncertainty there.
But if Liyue suffered losses, it was not guaranteed they would know Mondstadt was the cause.
And there was a real possibility the girl would not harm civilians—just like she hadn't harmed Mondstadt's—
and would only seek out the Geo Archon.
There were variables to work with.
So Diluc intended to use those variables to carve a new path—
one that minimized damage to Mondstadt.
If Mondstadt not only handed over the map,
but openly escorted her to Liyue—
then, in Liyue's eyes, Mondstadt was being coerced, not complicit.
Liyue might still resent them—
but it was infinitely better than sending the threat alone.
"What? Help her find Liyue's Archon?
Oh—if that's the case, then…
But—are we even sure she's really looking for the Geo Archon?
And will she even accept our proposal?"
Jean had understood his reasoning immediately,
but still hesitated at those key uncertainties.
"At this point, we have to gamble."
Diluc gave a dry laugh.
"Of course, the ideal outcome is she isn't looking for Liyue at all.
Maybe she just likes maps.
Maybe we're overthinking."
Even he didn't believe that.
"…Fine. We'll follow your plan.
But we have to hurry."
Jean agreed—there was no better option.
"The reason I guessed you were seeking Liyue's Morax," Diluc said to the girl on the throne,
"is because besides him, nothing in Liyue should interest someone of your level.
Everyone else is a mere ant to you.
No one would go to such trouble for ants."
Looking down at him, the white-haired girl showed the faintest smile—
unclear whether mocking or approving.
Does she hate humans that much?
Even her compliments sound like insults…
While mixing the dandelion wine, Kaeya peeked up curiously.
"I believe reasonable deductions are necessary," Diluc continued.
"So—what do you think?
Let us take you to Liyue and summon Morax for you.
It'll save you time."
Su Mo didn't answer—
instead:
"Give me a reason.
One good reason why I should let you help me."
Johannes opened her mouth, wanting to explain everything—
but hesitated.
The truth might anger the girl.
Diluc answered without pause:
"Because we cannot let Liyue misunderstand Mondstadt.
It would cost us dearly."
"That concerns you.
It concerns Mondstadt.
It does not concern me.
Why should I care?"
"True.
But—according to my information—Morax only descends once a year.
And nobody knows where he is the rest of the time.
But I know people who can contact him."
Su Mo's eyes sharpened.
"So… you can have those people summon him for me?"
Diluc's words had hit the mark.
Though he lived in Liyue, Su Mo had never met the Geo Archon—
only heard stories from Zhongli.
He still had no idea how to force the Archon to appear.
And he absolutely did not want to repeat what happened in Mondstadt—
waiting endlessly, creating chaos for nothing.
"Yes.
You won't need to expend the effort."
Diluc's heart hammered in his chest, unable to read her expression.
Then—
Something reached out of a tear in space.
A pale white arm extended beside him and snatched the map out of his hand.
"Diluc, what is—"
"Don't.
Put your weapon away."
Diluc quickly stopped Jean.
If this arm belonged to an enemy, they wouldn't even have the right to resist.
If it belonged to her, resisting would be even more meaningless.
The arm reappeared beside the white-haired girl, respectfully offering the map.
Kaeya quietly wondered how bad it would be to get dragged in by that arm—
then immediately abandoned the thought.
Su Mo scanned the map.
Mt. Tianheng? No—too close.
Guili Plains? Too far.
Jueyun Karst? Hmm… maybe. Mountains and water. Ruins.
Good battlefield.
Perfect.
She tossed the map back into the void.
Jean's breath caught.
Then—
"Human.
I accept your proposal.
Do not disappoint me."
She rose from her throne.
"Of course. But traveling from Mondstadt to Liyue will take some—"
"My time is valuable."
She cut him off sharply.
"We will make haste, then—"
"Human, you misunderstand.
I will send you to Liyue.
If your map is correct."
Kaeya frowned.
"If it isn't correct… what happens to us?"
"Then I'll send you somewhere else.
The bigger the mistake, the farther you drift."
Her tone was casual.
"Understand?"
"…Understood."
Kaeya swallowed.
Hopefully Mondstadt's cartographers didn't make a fatal error.
"Where is the dandelion wine you prepared?"
"Right here, I—"
Kaeya lifted the tray—
and the pale arm appeared again, taking the wine away.
"Hmph.
Humans are only good for such trivial things."
She took a sip.
"Listen well.
I'll send you to Liyue Harbor.
I will wait at Jueyun Karst.
Do not keep me waiting—my patience is limited."
Before any of them could react—
She hurled all three of them into the void.
Then she opened a massive gate of space and stepped through.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH—!!"
Splash.
Splash.
Splash.
Three bodies plunged into the waters near Liyue Harbor.
"What was that?!
Check the water—now!"
Millelith rowed a skiff toward the splash site.
Dragged out of the water, Jean immediately stood straight.
"We are envoys from Mondstadt!
We must see the Liyue Qixing at once—
there is urgent business!"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/pikachu614