Chapter 53 - Chapter Forty: Liyue Harbor

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The establishment of the harbor kicked off Liyue's seafaring trade. As Teyvat's largest market harbor, the sheer amount of goods that flow to and from it is simply incomparable for other ports.

Every year there are two events held within the city that one can't afford to miss. The first one is the Lantern Rite where you can see thousands of lanterns ascend into the night sky.

The second one, and arguably the most important of the two is the Rite of Descension wherein the great Geo Archon Rex Lapis, the divine founder of the nation itself, descends from on high to grace the land with his prophecy, giving guidance on the economic path Liyue should follow in the coming year.

- The Teyvat Travel Guide

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It was 4 in the morning and the sun hadn't yet risen from the eastern horizon, but the entire encampment within the ruins of the Guili Plains was already buzzing with activity.

Camp fires and torches were being extinguished.

Merchants and civilians who accompanied the delegation were disassembling their respective tents and packing up their belongings.

Supply wagons and carriages were being packed and ready.

Some Qixing officials were shouting orders while the Milileth and the Eonians were on full alert as some began their final rounds of inspections.

It was a scene of organized chaos, a well-oiled machine preparing to get back on the road early by orders of the Grand Master herself.

The reason? Liyue Harbor is only 70 miles away southward. And if they depart early enough, they would probably arrive at the Harbor by mid afternoon.

"Ugghh, mon chéri have you seen my hat? I couldn't find it anywhere?" Galanopoulo groggily asked his wife Gagnepetit who was in the middle of folding their sleeping bags.

"OH FOR LADY FURINA'S SAKE, IT'S RIGHT ON YOUR HEAD, YOU DOOFUS!" Gagnepetit answered back in an aggravated tone, while a few of their Steambird colleagues who were preparing their camera equipment began to laugh at the sight of the sleep deprived Fontainian journalist's hat perched right on top of his head.

"Ah? Really? Ugghh I thought it was a bird's nest or something." Galanopoulo replied as he took the hat from his head and patted his messy hair. His eyes still half closed.

"Oh for the love of -, someone get him a cup of coffee before he collapses!" Gagnepetit sigh as one reporter who had finished his task handed the sleepy journalist a mug of steaming coffee from a nearby camp fire.

"Argh, this is what you get for staying up all night trying to catch a scoop with those gossiping Milileth guards, mon ami." Galanopoulo massaged her temples in order to ease her annoyance before going back to her work.

Meanwhile on the other side of camp, Crepus Ragnvindr had just finished loading the last of the documents and ledgers into a small chest when he noticed a slightly inebriated Varka being scolded by Captain Yuan.

"HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL YOU BOY TO NOT DRINK ANY ALCOHOL WHENEVER YOU'RE ON GUARD DUTY!? DIDN'T HEMLOCK ALREADY GAVE YOU SEVEN FREAKING LECTURES ABOUT IT?!" Commander Yuan angrily shouted as his spittles rained on the poor young knight's slightly flushed face.

"Master Crepus, what's going on over there?" Liben asked as he took a peek from the carriage's window.

"Ugghh it's Varka again with his shenanigans. Apparently he got hold of a bottle of osmantheus wine from one of the Milileth guards he befriended last night. I swear that boy's infatuation with alcoholic beverages will kill him someday, maybe through liver failure or something." Crepus could only sigh as he and Liben stared at the ongoing lecture just a few yards away from them.

"Bu...but Captain,  *hick!* , alcohol helps me stay awake! Also, as Mondstadters, isn't it part of our basic human rights to have a 'morning drink' *hick!* It says so on our nation's hick 16th amendment as instituted by the Anemo Archon 700 years ago! *HICK!*" Varka replied back in a slurred speech, with a half empty bottle of Osmanthus wine in hand.

"WHAT FUCKING AMENDMENT?! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BOY?! THERE IS NO SUCH THING! ALSO, DON'T BRING UP HER HOLINESS' NAME AS AN EXCUSE FOR YOUR ALCOHOLISM!" The commander replied, fuming mad.

The scolding went on for the next few minutes culminating with Varka being forced to jog the entire encampment for five laps while carrying a sack of potatoes over his shoulders!

"That boy never learns." Crepus commented as he approached the still fuming commander of the Eonians while holding two cups of coffee, offering one to the captain.

"Thanks Master Crepus. I swear to Her Majesty, I will hang this boy by the balls in the highest cliff of Dragonspine if he continues this nonsense! I thought that him being granted knighthood would have somewhat instilled in him a modicum of discipline." Commander Yuan said as he took a sip from the offered coffee.

"I share your sentiment Captain. Even I get frustrated from time to time by his shenanigans. But let's be honest, it's not like we haven't done those things back when we were younger, right?" Crepus replied as he watched the now panting Varka finish his 3rd lap.

Commander Yuan smiled and nodded. 

"Can't argue with that. For a 17 year old, he sure can hold his liquor. He is a true Mondstadter through and through."

The two men, both members of their Archon's most devoted inner circle continued to watch their charge with amusement as the poor boy huffed and puffed as he did his punishment. Yuan even yelled out that once the entire journey was over, Varka will have to peel every single potato in that sack, to which the boy replied with an exasperated groan making the two grown men chuckle.

"By the Zhencha, have you seen Her Grace this morning? Normally she would be the one supervising this entire operation, but I haven't seen her yet ever since we started about half an hour ago." Crepus asked, noting their Archon's unusual absence.

"Her Majesty is probably back at her tent discussing something with that Qixing official, Yanjin. The old man came to me earlier asking for her whereabouts. Said that he needed to have an urgent discussion with her about something." Yuan replied as he finished the last drop of his coffee.

"Ah, I see. That old Qixing official had been quite a headache since his arrival back in Wangshu Inn. Although ever since his encounter with the Conqueror of Demons, he has been nothing but polite." Crepus noted.

"Indeed. Though I still couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy whenever he's around." Yuan replied. Call him paranoid, but the captain couldn't shake off the feeling of distrust towards the old bureaucrat.

"Also Crepus, did something happen to her Majesty yesterday?" Yuan asked, a tone of concern laced in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Crepus questioned.

"Nothing much, it's just that late last night when I was on guard duty with my men, Her Grace went out for a stroll with our accompanying adeptus. Nothing unusual there for sure, it is just that when she returned after an hour, we noticed that she appeared somewhat...disturbed? Saddened even? We tried to ask her if something was wrong but she just said that she's fine and told us to leave her be." The captain explained.

Crepus's eyebrows narrowed, concern welling up within him. 

"That's not how she would usually respond to any of our inquiries, captain." Crepus replied.

"Indeed, and that is what concerns me. Her Grace is usually so composed and regal. But last night? I saw her eyes, and for the very first time in my life, I saw her in a state of melancholy." Yuan continued.

"They say that the eyes are the windows to one soul. Looking at a person's eyes can sometimes reveal how they truly feel within. But Her Majesty is not human. She's a god, and not just any god, she's an Archon. The rightful sovereign of all Mondstadt. Seeing her in a state of sorrow, it's as if I'm witnessing the very heavens above shedding a tear."

"Something must have happened during her walk Yuan. As her most devoted followers and as subjects who swore loyalty and protection towards her, we must know what happened yet at the same time we must also respect her wishes and privacy." Crepus added.

"You're right, Crepus. We'll ask her when the right opportunity comes but now we must focus on the task she had given to us. We'll depart in a few minutes. The entire camp is almost ready." Yuan said as he then placed his empty cup in one of the nearby supply crates before heading out to assemble his men. Crepus too, after finishing his coffee, returned to his carriage to ensure that everything is in proper order. For now both men can only hope that whatever troubled their beloved Archon would soon come to pass.

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The entire diplomatic convoy left the ruins of the Guili Assembly at around 5 am in the morning and resumed their southward travel towards Liyue Harbor. The sun had barely peaked through the eastern horizon, yet the convoy traveled at a much faster pace compared to the previous days.

They have a purpose after all. And that is to arrive at the Harbor before the day ends.

Everyone was in high spirits, especially those who came from Mondstadt who were excited to see the famed city that was considered as the commercial capital of all of Teyvat...

Well, almost everyone that is.

For as the landscape passed by outside her carriage window, the Grand Master herself apparently just stared aimlessly towards the outside of her carriage's window. Never speaking a word and never minding the scenery by the road side.

Her mind was still preoccupied with the things she had uncovered last night.

The Celtic script.

The nostalgic feeling similar to something she wholeheartedly knew yet was unable to recall.

It bugged her to no end.

'Why was it written in that place? Who carved it upon that stone and why does it evoke such a strong longing within me?' She thought.

Her confusion was followed by the familiar sting of tears forming once again in her eyes, a sensation she despised as it made her feel weak especially in the presence of her children.

"Chirp, chirp?" Xiao who was perched on top of her left shoulder in his round and fluffy 'birb' form gently nuzzled her cheek, trying to soothe her unease.

Ever since last night, the Yaksha had never left her side. Xiao was greatly troubled by the profound sorrow that had suddenly overtaken the woman who had shown him nothing but kindness, hence he stayed close to her, offering what little comfort he could in his small, feathered form.

Seeing his benefactor in such a state had caused an unexplainable feeling to swell within him. He could not describe it yet it was similar to the one he felt last night when Artoria embraced and sang to him in comfort. It was like a 'longing' that urges him to stay close by her side.

Seeing Xiao's small attempt to comfort her, Artoria gently smiled and placed her index finger on top of Xiao's head, gently scratching the little birb's head.

Xiao didn't shy away, instead, he slightly leaned into her touch. Yet Xiao wasn't the only one to notice the small tears present in her eyes.

"Mama?" A small childish voice followed by the sensation of two small hands hugging her from the right, broke her out from her melancholic stupor.

Artoria turned and saw her little Benny, hugging her with a worried look on his adorable little face.

It was the same expression he had made last night when he found her weeping.

*****

(Flashback: The Night Prior)

Little Bennett woke up in the middle of the night. He was a bit thirsty and wanted some water.

The little boy groggily removed the small blanket that covered him and quietly got out from the small bed he was sharing with brother and sister, Venti and Barbara, both of whom were using a sleeping Dvalin as a makeshift pillow.

Just across their bed was another slightly larger one where his big sisters, Jean and Beidou were sleeping. Benny noted that his big sister Bel was somewhat chewing Fou's tail in her sleep, causing the small beast to unconsciously yelp in his sleep!

Benny giggled at the sight, however when he was about to move to the other side of the large tent where the water jug was placed he heard a faint yet familiar sound of...crying? Was someone crying, he thought to himself.

The sound was faint, very faint, yet for a godling such as him whose senses were slightly higher than a normal child, it was as clear as day.

Bennett looked around for a few seconds, trying to find the source of the cry, and much to his surprise, it apparently came from the very center of the room.

It was coming from his mama's bed.

'Mama? Is mama crying?' He worriedly thought as he quietly tiptoed towards her bed.

He could see through the dimness of the night that her mama was laying on her side, her back facing him. As he drew closer, he noted the muffled sound of sobbing coming from her and the slight trembling of her shoulders.

He also saw that Xiao was there too. He was in his small round bird form and is all curled up just beside his mama's head, seemingly trying to comfort her.

"M..mama? Are you okay mama?" Bennett quietly whispered as he stood at his mother's bedside. His small little hands were trembling with concern as he pressed them at the back of his mother.

Artoria jolted at the sudden voice and contact. She did not expect her son to be awake at that hour. She tried to suppress her tears, clumsily wiping them with the back of her hands, but the evidence of her sorrow was still plain to see in the moonlight. 

She then turned around to face her son, only to see his eyes widen at the very moment he saw her tear stricken face.

"Ma...ma?" Little Benny's voice slightly cracked, his lips trembling as he saw the tear stained face of his beloved mother.

'My poor baby boy. What have I done?' Artoria berated herself for being so careless and letting her son see her in such a sorry condition.

"Oh my little Benny, what's the matter baby? D..did you had a nightmare? Or...or are you perhaps thirsty? Want mama to get you some water?" She tried to deflect the issue, her maternal instincts kicked in as she tried to shift the focus away from her current condition.

Yet her voice, gentle sounding as it is, couldn't hide the shakiness and the sorrow laced within it.

Little Bennett did not answer any of her queries, instead he just walked closer and placed his small right hand on his mother's tear stained cheek, feeling the wetness from her tears.

"Mama...why are you crying? Did..did someone hurt you mama?" He asked, his voice trembling as his own tears began to fall at the corners of his eyes.

His mama was sad.

Something made her sad, and that too made him sad. 

Artoria's heart broke at the sight. Her little boy was now crying all because of her. She couldn't bear it, she couldn't bear to see any of her children be miserable, especially because of her!

Without warning, she immediately sat up and embraced her poor little son, enveloping him in her arms as she rested her chin resting on top of his head. Bennett in response, latches onto her embrace burying his little face into the familiar comfort of her bosom. 

Even though he's only five years old, Bennett had always believed himself to be a big boy. But at that very moment he just wanted nothing more but to be held by the most important person in his entire world. 

His mama.

"Shhhhh...hush now my baby, hush now...mama's okay...I'm okay...Mama's just...just..." Artoria's words got stuck in her throat as she caressed her son's little white hair.

After a few seconds of pause, Artoria just sorrowfully sighed.

"I...I don't know my baby. Mama just doesn't know."

She continued to sob as she held her son tightly in her arms. His presence alone brought her a much needed semblance of peace and comfort to her still confused mind.

"But...but it doesn't matter right now my dear, sweet Benny. All that matters is that you're here with me."

In the midst of her sorrow, Artoria's genuine love for her children, her pure maternal affection, managed to push aside some of the unexplainable grief that had plagued her mind. She continue to hold her son as she now began to rock him gently as if trying to put him back to sleep.

Bennett who had now somewhat calmed down from the sudden emotional shock of seeing her mother weep, was now feeling rather drowsy, especially now that he was being cradled by his mama. He could feel her heartbeats, the steady yet soothing rhythm lulling him into a state of serene calmness.

Seeing the drowsy state of her precious baby boy, Artoria gently smiled and wiped the remaining tears from her son's little cheeks. She was about to carry him back to his bed when a thought, a somewhat selfish and insecure thought popped in her mind.

A thought that stemmed from her desire of...not being alone in that moment of confusing and unexplainable sorrow.

"Benny? Sweetie... Would it...would it be alright if you...if you sleep besides Mama tonight? I..I just-"

Before she could even finish her words, her son simply responded by letting out a cute yawn and snuggling closer to her, burying his face deeper into her chest. He did not protest, nor asked why, he simply complied without any hesitation.

He just wanted to comfort her in any way he could.

He just wanted to be with his mama.

Any of his siblings would have done the same.

Artoria smiled as he looked down at her precious little son held tightly in her arms. Her lips trembled slightly by the emotions brought about by his innocent response. 

She then gently lowered him into the space beside her, tucking him in with a small blanket. Before laying down herself, she gave her little boy a kiss on the forehead, a gesture that brought a small smile in Bennett's drowsy face as he slowly drifted back to sleep.

As she laid down beside her little boy, she pulled him into an embrace once more, cradling him in her arms in the same manner she had once done every single night not so long ago when he was still an infant.

The feeling of her son's small warm body against her, the gentle rhythm of his breathing, brought her a comfort that managed to soothe away the aching feeling within her soul.

As Artoria slowly closed her eyes, the unexplainable grief that had plagued her earlier began to slowly subside. Her mind began to clear, replaced by a profound sense of peace. The presence of her beloved child was like a warm blanket that shielded her from the cold emptiness she had felt earlier.

She's with her son.

Her precious baby boy.

Her other children were just a few feet away from her, sleeping peacefully.

She's no longer felt alone.

And with that thought, Artoria slowly succumbed into a deep and dreamless slumber.

(End of Flashback)

*****

A small sad smile appeared on Artoria's face as she recalled the events from last night. The feeling of her son's presence and the warm comfort that it brought her was something that she would always cherish.

Yet at the same time...

'I shouldn't have allowed him to see me in such a miserable state. Now look what you've done Artoria. You've made your little boy worry! I should have acted more maturely...I am a mother and a goddess for crying out loud! Not some teenage girl who just broke up with her lover for the very first. I couldn't just drag my children to wallow with me whenever I feel sad! What type of mother would that make me be?!' She berated herself internally.

But it's no use now.

What's done is done.

And for now, all she can do is move on and be a better mother.

She looked down at her little Benny, who had now clinged to her thinking that she was still sad. Chuckling a little she took her little boy into her arms and placed him on her lap. She saw the sad pouty expression on his adorable face as he looked at her.

"No need to worry my little adventurer. Mama's alright now. See?" Artoria replied with a reassuring smile as she kissed her son's forehead, causing Benny to smile in return.

However, not all were convinced by her feigned reassurance as the rest of her children, Jean, Barbara, Venti and Beidou looked at her with concern as they too had also noticed their mother's melancholic state earlier as she aimlessly stared at the passing landscape outside of their carriage's window.

Bennett had informed his brother and sisters of what happened to their mother earlier that day before they left the Guili Assembly. He didn't mean to make any of them worry but he couldn't help but share his concerns with them. As a result, all five of them had been keeping an eye on their distraught mother ever since the start of their journey. 

The kids have tried to keep it subtle.

They played with their toys, engaged in small talk, and occasionally pretended to be distracted by the passing scenery. But their attention remained solely fixed on their mother, their young divine hearts filled with worry.

And now seeing her feigned smile, the children looked at each other and made a silent agreement. 

One by one they abandoned their respective toys and activities and in unison, they walked towards their mother.

Even the family's three little critters, Dvalin, Fou and Sir Kay followed suit.

Artoria was genuinely surprised when all her children began to surround her, their sights never leaving her.

"Sweethearts, whatever is the matter? Does each one of you ha-" But before she could even finish her sentence, all four of them threw themselves at her and gave her a massive group hug, enveloping her in a fortress of pure and unadulterated familial love!

They said nothing as they did this. They simply hugged her with all their might and with all their heart.

"S... sweeties?" Artoria's voice began to crack as her body began to tremble. She tried to hold back the tears but...

"Don't be sad Mama. We're here for you." Jean said as she tightened her hug around her mother's waist.

"Yes, we'll always be here for you Mama." Beidou added in as she too tightened her hug.

"I promise Mama, I'll beat up whoever made you sad!" A muffled Venti added in, already thinking that the culprit must be a saber of sorts!

Barbara and Bennett just simply buried their faces deeper into their mother's body, trying to convey their love and support through the comfort of their touch instead of words.

And at that very moment, something inside Artoria snapped.

It was like a dam that had been holding back a reservoir of emotions had finally broken. She couldn't hold back any longer. Tears began to well up in her emerald green eyes, not of sorrow or confusion this time, but of overwhelming gratitude and love.

"Oh...Oh my precious babies." She whispered as she returned the embrace, burying herself into the sea of her children's love.

She held them tightly, her body trembling slightly as she sobbed softly. She let out all her pent-up emotions, releasing them into the collective embrace of her children.

"I'm so sorry my dears. Mama's so sorry! I shouldn't have made you all worry. I...I..."

She tried to explain but the words were caught in her throat. She just continued to weep, her tears soaking into the hairs and clothes of her children.

But they didn't mind at all. At that moment all they wanted was to ease mother, to share her burdens and comfort her in any way they could.

After a few minutes, Artoria's tears began to subside. She took a deep breath and composed herself. She looked at her children - her five most precious children with her emerald eyes still glistening with leftover tears but also with immense love and gratitude.

"Mama's alright now my loves. I'm alright now. And it's all thanks to you." She said, her voice still trembling slightly as she gently stroked each of her children's heads.

"For all my faults...for all of my misgivings, I feel like I'm the luckiest mother in the entire world for having children as wonderful and as loving as all of you."

She then pulled all of them once again into a brief embrace and gave each one of them a kiss on their forehead. After sometime once everybody regains their composure, Jean, ever the responsible one, decides to ask the question everyone's been thinking.

"Mama, what's wrong? Why were you so sad earlier?" Jean asked, her voice laced with curiosity and concern.

Artoria was silent for a few seconds, contemplating how to go about her answer. She could feel her five children's eyes upon her, all eagerly waiting for her response. 

'Might as well tell them. After all, they have the right to know, as well as they've earned it.' She thought to herself.

She then recounted to them the events that happened last night.

She told them about her stroll within the ruins of Guili...

The hidden mystical domain near the sea...

And lastly the ancient stone with the mysterious Celtic script and the sheer unexplainable feeling of longing and sorrow that it evoked within her.

"A kaltic script? What is it Mama?" Barbara asked with a confused expression on her face.

"Celtic my dear not kaltic. It's an ancient form of writing from a very far off place. So far in fact, that I doubt anyone in Teyvat would know about its existence." Artoria answered, gently correcting her daughter.

"It's something that is...very familiar to me. And yet reading that said language...evoked an unexplainable feeling from within me. It is as if...as if I'm forgetting something. Something...important. It was like being in a sort of spell that made me feel...incomplete." She added, her voice trailing off as she tried to recall the feeling.

"A spell? Maybe it's some sort of curse or evil magic cast upon you Mama by some bad witches or warlocks?!" Barbara exclaimed.

"No way! Mama's too strong for that! She's a god remember, I doubt any curse coming from some two-bit magician could ever get to her." Bennett quickly retorted.

"Maybe...maybe it's a curse cast by another god! A super powerful evil god who wanted to hurt Mama!" Venti added in, already imagining himself and his mama facing some sort of evil deity and heroically saving the day!

"Hmmm, Venti's got a point. But who would that be? I've never heard of any other god in Liyue other than the Geo Archon or that one god who mama beat up weeks ago." Jean mused.

"It's probably Rex Lapis." Beidou instantly answered. Her voice was devoid of any mirth and her facial expression was flat as that of a stone.

Everyone was surprised by the unapologetic statement that came from the newest member of the family! Even Xiao began chirping in shock at her proclamation.

"Bel what are you saying? Rex Lapis is the God of Contracts! He wouldn't do something like that. He's wise and powerful and..." Jean tried to defend the Geo Archon but was cut off by Beidou.

"He ain't that benevolent sis. If he's really that powerful and wise then he wouldn't have allowed me to suffer for the past couple of years! Hmmp! Some benevolent god he is!" Beidou scoffed, folding her arms as she turned her head to the side.

"I see. So Rex Lapis is evil! And he must be a saber too! That explains everything! Only a saber can possess such cruel and villainous nature! Don't worry Mama, I'll beat him up for you with my trusty holy sword Xcalibur! " Venti exclaimed with much gusto as we whipped out his green colored wooden toy sword and began swinging it in the air!

"I bet he smells like an old fart too!" Benny joined in, wanting to both spite the supposed suspect and just to please the very obviously miffed Beidou.

Thus the seeds of the 'Anti-Rex Lapis League' started to form! 

The whimsical and somewhat comedic bantering between her children proved too much for for Artoria who suddenly broke into a fit of giggles which later turned into a full blown laughter!

Her children's antics, as childish as they might be, effectively dispelled the gloomy atmosphere that had lingered inside the carriage after her confession!

Their boundless imagination, their sincere concern and their unwavering love and support managed to dispel the sorrow she had felt!

"Hahahaha! Rex Lapis evil? Old fart?? Mwhahaha!" Artoria laughed her heart out as she wiped the tears that began forming in her eyes again, though this time it was due to the sheer comedic gold her children had just spouted.

She even began patting the small round avian form of Xiao in the midst of her laughter just to make sure that he didn't take the insults to heart!

"Oh my dear children, how could you all come up with such things?! Hahahaha!"

Seeing their mother laughing and so happy again, the children themselves began to smile, even Beidou's grumpy expression had morphed into a small smile. It made them happy that their actions, no matter how childish it was, had managed to turn her sadness upside down!

"Oh you little rascals, come to mama!" Artoria exclaimed as she once again gave all five of her children another warm and loving embrace.

Whatever that mysterious stone was, whatever sorrow and grief it had inflicted upon her, Artoria knew in her heart that she had already found the cure.

And the cure was in the form of five little angels who she lovingly held within her arms!

____________________

After hours of travel at around 9 in the morning, the sloping hills and vast grasslands of the Guili Plains began to give way to a more mountainous terrain. At the distance, the entire convoy could see the outline of a towering mountain that for millennia had stood as a testimony of Rex Lapis' strength and power, Mt. Tianheng.

They were nearing the end of the Guili Plains, the very end of the Qiongji Region, and were soon to cross into the very heart of the nation of contracts, the Yunlai-hai Region, an area also known to foreigners as the Sea of Clouds.

It is the most prosperous region in all of Liyue, where the majority of trade and commerce occur, and at its center lies the nation's capital city, the ancient city of Liyue Harbor, the nation's beating capital and one of, if not the most prosperous city in all of Teyvat.

"Your grace, we are nearing the regional border. It is only a few more miles from our current position. What are your orders?" Captain Yuan asked Artoria as he rode his horse to the side of her carriage.

"Steady on and maintain current speed, Captain. We'll follow the request Minister Yanjin had suggested to me earlier this morning. We'll take a quick detour towards the Emerald Maple Inn and meet up with the dignitaries sent by the Qixing themselves. The Minister had informed me that they will serve as our primary escorts to the city of Liyue Harbor." Artoria relayed her command from the window of her carriage.

"By your will my Archon. I shall inform the others at once." Yuan answered with a respectful bow before riding back towards the main column of the convoy.

*****

(Flashback: The Guili Assembly - before departure)

Everything around and inside the enormous main tent allotted to the Gunnhildr family is abuzz with a hive of activity. The household staff led by Elspeth, were already wide awake and were preparing for the family's departure. They were slowly and meticulously dismantling the tent while at the same time packing up all of their belongings.

All the children, including Lisa were temporarily woken up from their slumber and were gently ushered by Melisa towards the carriages as to not disturb the remainder of their sleep.

Artoria was already awake and had donned her uniform. She was about to head out and help organize the preparations of the entire camp when suddenly she was informed that Minister Yanjin requested her audience.

Sensing that the old official might have something important to discuss with her, Artoria granted his request.

"Good morning Minister Yanjin. To what do I owe this early morning visit?" Artoria greeted with a polite yet formal tone. She was seated across a simple round table at the entrance of her tent with a cup of piping hot coffee at hand while the old minister stood before her, offering her a respectful bow.

"Good morning to you as well Grand Master Gunnhildr." Yanjin replied with a practiced smile.

"I apologize for the impromptu visit my lady, but I'm here to inform you of a missive I received yesterday from that one Millelith outpost we passed before proceeding here in the Guili Assembly."

"Oh? And what does the missive say minister?" Artoria asked as she took a sip of her morning coffee.

"It apparently came from the Liyue Qixing themselves my lady. It stated that the seven members of the Qixing had unanimously decided to send a delegation of high ranking officials to serve as official escorts for the final leg of our journey to Liyue Harbor. According to the message, it will be led by none other than two of the seven Qixing members."

Artoria raised an eyebrow in surprise upon hearing the old politician's statement.

'Two of the seven Liyuen Qixing members as escorts huh? Personally it sounds a bit excessive, but I guess they are taking our diplomatic mission formally and seriously.' She thought to herself.

"I see. That's quite an honor Minister. Now do tell, where exactly do we meet up with this high-level delegation?" Artoria asked, her curiosity piqued.

"They will be waiting for us at a newly established inn just a few miles from the border that separates the Qiongji region to that of the Yunlai-hai region. I believe that it was called the...Emerald Maple Inn, if I recall correctly." Yanjin answered, remembering the details from the message.

'Hmmm, the Emerald Maple Inn huh? If I recall correctly isn't that the lonely cliff side inn located just west of the Statue of the Seven at the foot of Mt. Tianheng? The one that struggles to get customers because of its remote location?' Artoria's mind began to wander as she tried to remember some of her previous in game knowledge.

"The Qixing had requested that we take a slight detour towards that establishment in order to linked up with the officials. We could also use that time to get some proper meals and refresh ourselves before the final stretch of this journey." Yanjin added.

"That would be most appreciated Minister. I'll take your suggestion into account. Thank you for the information. You may go now." Artoria replied with a polite nod before taking another sip of her coffee.

"With pleasure my Lady." And with a final bow, Minister Yanjin took his leave and went back to his designated spot within the encampment.

(Flashback End)

*****

After half an hour more of travel, the entire convoy arrived near the border that separates the Qiongji region to the nation's capital region of Yunlai-hai. The towering figure of Mt. Tianheng now reveals its full glory as they were now at the foot of that said ancient mountain, and the main road towards Liyue Harbor passes through a wide gap in between that said mountain.

As planned, the entire convoy then took a westward turn along a small road that connects to the main highway. The road was short, less than half a mile long, yet it took the entire convoy into a scenic route in the middle of a small maple forest, and at the end of the forest road stands the small establishment mentioned by the minister earlier.

The Emerald Maple Inn.

It was a simple three-story Liyuen-style wooden building located atop a small cliff overlooking the world renowned Luhua Pool, an ancient body of water that was said to be once the site of a beautiful garden tended by the ancient gods of Liyue.

But unlike in the game where the hospitality establishment sits by its lonesome self, the inn in this reality was now teeming with a large number of people! A large contingent of at least 400 Millelith guards stood in formation at the front of the inn, their red banners and gold colored insignia fluttering proudly in the morning breeze.

And at the center of it all, near the entrance of the inn besides an ornate Liyuen style carriage, stood two well dressed gentlemen. 

The first one was a tall slender man with long black hair tied in a traditional high ponytail. He was clad in an expensive and well embroidered dark navy robes, and apparently carries a fan in one hand. But the most striking features about the man were the slanted, nearly closed set of eyes, that somewhat give him a mischievous and sly appearance.

The other gentleman that stood besides the former was a also tall yet slightly shorter and appears to be younger than his costume companion. He has short brown hair and wears a pair of round spectacles over his brown colored eyes, that somewhat accentuate the few freckles on his face. He wore a traditional orange colored Liyuen robe and appears to carry a small book in one of his hands. Compared to his companion, this individual looked timid and somewhat shy, extruding an air of nervousness as if he's not comfortable with the situation.

Both men patiently stood at their spot waiting for the large Mondstadt Diplomatic Convoy to arrive and make a full stop in front of the inn.

After a few moments, the entire convoy carrying the foreign delegation and their attached local escorts came to a gradual halt just in front of the Millelith formation outside the inn. Several Eonians immediately dismounted their horses and formed a protective line along each side of the Grand Master's carriage, their sheer presence alone was enough to intimidate most of the Millelith guards present.

"So, these are the knights who were said to have valiantly stood against multiple tides of monsters and won, huh? Gotta say they really live up to the reports, but still I'm more curious as to how a reported backwater country such as Mondstadt was able to armor each one of them so exquisitely! Those gold plating alone must have cost them a fortune!" The tall gentleman commented as he observed the group of imposing golden clad knights before him with keen interest.

"Go...golden ar..armor or not, they surely looked intimidating. I..I hope their Grand Master isn't as intimidating as they are." The shorter gentleman replied nervously as he began to sweat from the sheer unexplainable amount of pressure emanating from the golden clad Eonians.

"Oh nonsense. If the reports were to be believed, then not only is this Grand Master Gunnhildr a paragon of martial prowess but she's also a peerless beauty of unparalleled in her country. But alas, the lack of any photographic evidence puts doubt on that notion. I doubt that she's even at the level of our dear colleague, Lady Yu Jie." The tall man added with a theatrical dismissive wave of his fan.

Before the shorter man could reply, a familiar figure made his way through the assembly.

"Ah, Minister Yanjin. Just the man we wanted to see. I do hope that your travels haven't been too arduous for someone of your age." The tall man greeted as Yanjin approached them.

"My Lords." The old bureaucrat respectfully bowed his head low towards the two gentlemen.

"It has been mostly comfortable thanks to the hospitality of our esteemed guests. Though there were some hiccups along the way." Yanjin nervously chuckled as he recalled the event yesterday involving an Eonian and two wayward ruin guards.

"Haha, I'm sure you have plenty of tales to indulge us concerning your travels. Speaking of which, how's your assessment with the Grand Master? Does she live up to the rumors and expectations?" The tall gentleman asked while the other simply remained silent and kept adjusting his spectacles.

"Lord Kaiyang, I believe that such statements are best left to be heard directly from the lady herself. Please see for yourself." Yanjin gestured towards the ornately clad stationary carriage and the pair of knights who now stood by its door. Two lines of several Eonians now stood between them and the carriage, forming a path of sorts.

"KNIGHTS! STAND READY FOR THE GRAND MASTER!" Commander Yuan commanded from a distance. His command echoed throughout the area and in perfect synchronization, every Eonian present raised their right arm and made a fist across their chest in a gesture of respect.

It was then that the carriage door opened.

Out came a figure that many of the liyuen men (and even some women) who were present at that moment would later describe as radiantly divine.

Golden blonde hair that glimmered under the mid morning sun, tied in a neatly intricate bun.

Eyes as verdant as the jades mined near Mt. Hulao, that seemed to hold a warmth that could rival the sun.

A delicate face with features that could only be described as perfect.

She wore a sleeveless black button-up shirt under a white vest, white tights embroidered with a gold diamond-dot pattern, and draped over her shoulders is an ornate blue cloak with golden patterns at the edges. Her entire ensemble screamed of elegance and authority that only someone born into nobility could possibly possess.

But what truly captivated everyone, including the two high ranking Qixing officials was the way she carried herself.

She carried herself in a posture that exuded confidence, dignity, and unyielding strength. Her movements were fluid and graceful, yet deliberate and precise. She walked with a purpose, and her very presence commanded respect and attention.

She is a dichotomy of beauty and power, a walking contradiction that somehow blended into a perfect, awe-inspiring whole.

And she is the undisputed leader of the nation she represents!

"My Lady." Yanjin bowed deeply as Artoria neared them. He then turned his attention to the now awe-struck Qixing members.

"My Lords, allow me to introduce to you-" He was about to speak when Artoria politely cut him off.

"There's no need for that Minister. You've already done your part." She gave the old official a small nod of appreciation.

Then, instead of bowing as per custom, Artoria placed her right hand over her chest and gave the two Liyuen dignitaries a small nod. It was a simple yet respectful gesture from one leader to that of another.

"Greetings, esteemed lords of the Liyue Qixing. I am Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, and defacto leader of Mondstadt. It is an honor to finally meet you both." Her voice was calm and steady, with a regal tone that befitted her station.

The two gentlemen snapped out of their stupor. The tall one, who was now sporting a barely concealed grin, stepped forward and replied.

"The honor is all ours, Grand Master Gunnhildr and I must say, the rumors of your beauty are an understatement, a grave one at that! I am Lord Hai She, the Kaiyang of the Liyuen Qixing and the one responsible for this nation's prosperous maritime trade and transport. And it is my greatest honor to properly welcome you to the nation of Liyue.~" He then gently took Artoria's right hand and, to the surprise of many, kissed it in a gentlemanly manner.

"A pleasure to meet you Lord Hai She." Artoria replied, not even slightly bothered by the Liyuen lord's overfamiliar gesture. Though she did notice the slight tightening of the fists of her knights, as well as the subtle twitch in Commander Yuan's eyebrows after the Liyuen aristocrat's action.

And before the said aristocrat could say another word, Artoria turned her attention towards the shorter gentleman who looked visibly nervous at the sight of the much talked about Grand Master.

"Gr..greetings to you too m...milady! I..I am Yin Ren, the Tianxuan of the Liyue Qixing. It...it is an honor to have finally met you..and...and." The young Lord then did something unexpected and did a 90 degree bow in front of Artoria!

"Tha...thank you for your heroic service! The people and the nation are forever grateful for your deeds of bravery...Hero of Liyue!" The stammering Tianxuan then said with utmost sincerity.

Artoria was a bit surprised and flattered by the Tianxuan's gesture and words. To think that one of the Seven Qixing...one of the seven most powerful and influential people in all of Liyue under Rex Lapis himself, would bow down to her in a manner reserved only for the Geo Archon himself! The thought alone made her feel humbled and somewhat embarrassed.

'This fool! Does he not know the proper protocols and conduct when dealing with high ranking foreign diplomats! Curses! This is what we get for inducting a low born among our ranks! His emotions had easily gotten the better of him!' Hai She inwardly cursed at his younger colleague's impulsive action.

'Haiyaa. He just gave a bow of respect that is exclusively reserved for the Emperor (Rex Lapis) himself! If the more conservative members of the Qixing were to hear about this, they would surely call for the young lord's dismissal!' Even Yanjin couldn't help but grimace at the Tianxuan's action.

Thankfully, before things could escalate even further, Artoria gently placed her hands on Yin Ren's shoulders and made the young Tinxuan stand up straight.

"There is no need for such an esteemed lord of the Qixing such as yourself to bow down to me Lord Yin Ren. After all, we are rather equal in regards to our stations as heads of our respective nations. A simple nod or even a firm handshake is more than sufficient." Artoria said with a comforting smile that made the young Tianxuan blush.

"Bu..bu..but-" The stammering Tianxuan tried to reason out but was again cut off by Artoria.

"I've said this many times, especially towards the people back in the Bishui Plains and I will say it again. What I and my fellow knights had done back there was not out of glory or fame, nor out of rewards. We did it out of pure conviction and a desire to help out those who are in need, for it is the duty of a knight to protect the innocent. Thus there's no need for such high praises my Lord Tianxuan, for I am simply doing what is right." Artoria explained as she gave the still blushing young Qixing a reassuring pat on the shoulders.

"Ahem!" The Kaiyang suddenly cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to him.

"Do not sell yourself short my dear Lady Gunnhildr for like what my fellow Qixing here had said, you and your knights had done our nation a great service! I would love nothing more but to shower you with our praises and rewards right now my dear Grand Master, but alas, our current schedule does not permit such luxuries! Besides, the people of Liyue Harbor themselves are eagerly waiting for your arrival as we speak and it would be rude to keep them waiting for too long.~" Hai She said with his usual theatrical flair, waving his fan about in a flamboyant manner.

"I see no problem with your suggestion Lord Kaiyang. In fact we too are quite eager to arrive at your fair capital. However, I would like to request that my entourage be given at least an hour's worth of break. We have been traveling nonstop since our departure from the Guili Assembly early this morning and I wish for my companions and especially my dear children, to have some much needed food and refreshments before we resume our journey." Artoria respectfully requested, her tone was polite but held an underlying firmness that left no room for negotiation.

"Of course! Of course! We would be more than happy to accommodate your request! In fact, we actually anticipated this and had reserved the entirety of the inn for your exclusive use. Ah, Mr. Zhu!" Hai She called out to the inn's owner who had been silently standing behind the entrance.

"Greetings Grand Master Gunnhildr. My name is Zhu, and I'm the proprietor of this newly humble establishment. As the Lord Kaiyang had said, we have already prepared a simple feast for you and your companions. Please, come inside, the tables had already been set." Mr. Zhu courteously bowed towards the foreign visitors.

"Thank you for your hospitality Mr. Zhu. We'll be sure to make this quick." Artoria replied with a thankful smile, and with a simple nod from her, the knights began to escort the rest of the delegation and the rest of the entourage into the Emerald Maple Inn's courtyard.

The entire convoy would spend a little more than an hour within the premises of the inn, before finally departing with the two Qixing Lords and their personal retinue of Millelith guards towards Liyue Harbor.

____________________

(Liyue Harbor)

Nestled underneath the protective slopes of Mt. Tianheng, Liyue Harbor sat like a glittering jewel on the coast of the Sea of Clouds. Its harbor, teeming with different types of ships from every corner of Teyvat, was a testament to its status as the nation of contracts' economic heart.

The ancient city itself, is a symphony of bustling energy. The streets are crowded with merchants hawking their wares, sailors shouting orders from the decks of their ships, and children chasing each other through the throng.

The numerous buildings that dotted its coastal metropolitan landscape were a mix of traditional Liyuen architecture and more modern, ornate structures that derived its inspiration from the other six nations of Teyvat.

Overall, Liyue Harbor is a large cauldron of sophistication and culture, a melting pot of commerce and opportunity, crowned as the most prosperous port in all of Teyvat! But most important of all, the city prides itself with its adherence to contracts, tradition, and the unwavering authority of its supreme divine sovereign!

Deus Auri (god of gold).

The Ground Breaker.

The god of commerce.

The Prime of the Adepti.

The one they call Emperor - the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis!

And for the last couple of days, the entire city's energy is at an all-time high, buzzing with anticipation for the arrival of a foreigner who just days ago became an instant hero and celebrity after saving Liyue's northern most region from a certain doom! A hero, whose feats were considered by many as on par with the ancient legends of old! They were waiting for the arrival of a guest turned god slayer, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius herself, Artoria Pendragon 'Gunnhildr'!

At first, most of the citizenry were sceptical of the claims. After all, Mondstadt is often seen by many Liyuens as a nation of drunkards and lazy bums who prefer to do nothing but sing and dance around their city! A common stereotype that's been prevalent in so many other places around the world, even though that the said nation had undergone a dramatic change in the last couple of years!

Some, especially the local gentry of the city had even dismissed the initial reports coming from the north, stating that the entire story was nothing but an exaggeration - a made-up story by some attention seeking lunatics or even a desperate attempt by the people of Mondstadt to show to the world that their nation was not that much of a joke! Hell, there were even a few statements coming from the more critical members of the citizenry that claimed that the so-called event was nothing but a carefully fabricated lie made up by the Qixing in order to divert the people's attention away from their recent strings of unpopular economic policies!

However, as more reports came pouring in from multiple sources, both from local and international news organizations such as 'The Steambird' of Fontaine, the people of Liyue Harbor, especially the more cynical ones, slowly began to reconsider their positions. Then, the final nail that sealed the coffin for the nay sayers came, when the Liyue Qixing officially promulgated a decree acknowledging the authenticity of the calamity that nearly wiped out the entirety of the Bishui Plains as well as the heroic deeds rendered by the visiting Mondstadters to the nation in its hour of need!

It also didn't help the nay sayers that the said decree was issued by the orders of the Geo Archon himself, Rex Lapis! A confirmation that came from the god of contracts and tradition himself, the highest authority in the land is as good as truth!

Since then, the people of Liyue Harbor had indulged themselves more and more frequently on any tidbits of news they could find about the monumental event that had transpired back in the Bishui region. Baseless gossip and even some conspiracy theories were all the rage, exaggerating the event to an almost mythic scale! Yet none were more prevalent than the talks concerning the life and exploits of the elusive Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius herself, Lady Gunnhildr!

"Hey I've read from this news article that she was apparently stowed away from birth! Apparently she was born an illegitimate heir to the Gunnhildr Clan, and was an elder half sister of the previous head of the said clan, Frederica. She was then trained by her father whom she took the name Pendragon and when her clan was at the brink of collapse, she suddenly appeared out of nowhere and saved them from ruin!" A middle aged housewife shopping at the port side fish market said to her friend.

"No way, that's completely absurd! I've heard from my best friend's twice removed cousin who works as a janitor at the Yuehai Pavilion that the Grand Master herself was originally raised as a boy in a far off village from Mondstadt in order to protect her from some devious plot concocted by those vile nobles of the Lawrence clan who wished to see the complete downfall of their rival the Gunnhildr Clan! It was only after she learned about her true heritage that she decided to reclaim her rightful place and subsequently took over the leadership of the Knights of Favonius, further spitting on those dastardly Lawrence clansmen!" Another woman countered her friend's claim.

"You're both wrong! According to some merchants (who claimed to be) from Mondstadt, Lady Gunnhildr was just an ordinary member of the Gunnhildr Clan from a distant branch who was educated in Sumeru and was taught swordsmanship by some wandering knight! That would explain why she has both the acumen of a seasoned administrator that helped ushered in the steady growth of Mondstadt and the martial prowess that allowed her to defeat that so-called demon god in single combat! Now then, do any of you ladies want to buy my fish or not?! They're on sale right now! 100 Mora per piece!" A fishmonger shouted from the top of his lungs, trying to insert some profit in their little conversation!

Almost anywhere in the city, similar talks were happening, each with their own unique interpretations and twists which many of them claimed came from a respectable source. But regardless whether those claims were baseless or not, one thing is for certain. They all contributed to the hype that had now gripped the entirety of Liyue Harbor, especially now that the convoy of the said heroine is expected to arrive in the city later that afternoon.

"It seems that the entire city is in quite a festive mood. It has been quite some time since I've last seen the entirety of Liyue Harbor this excited. Indeed, what the Grand Master had accomplished was truly an outstanding feat if I say so myself. Something that hasn't been emulated since ages past." Zhongli, the renowned consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, commented as he read the local newspaper from the comfort of his chair within the premises of the funeral parlor's main hall.

"And probably a good diversion too from what is currently going on here in Liyue." He softly added, before taking the last sip of his tea.

The Rite of Descension is fast approaching while an invited foreign head of state - recently turned hero - will be arriving shortly. Such unprecedented events will surely captivate the masses yet at the same time it may cause some...unforeseen complications.

'I wonder if either Ganyu or Streetward had already done the tasks I've given them?' He thought as he stood up, preparing to take his leave.

"Mr. Zhongli, are you heading out already?" Old Hu, the 75th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, asked from the other side of the hall.

Zhongli gave the old director a small nod. "Yes Master Hu, I actually plan to have a bit of a stroll with some old companions this afternoon. Might be good to stretch my legs for a bit after sitting for so long."

"Haha I see, I see. Then please do enjoy yourself Mr. Zhongli." Old Hu replied with a warm smile.

Zhongli was about to head out when he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way Master Hu, may I ask the whereabouts of your son right now? It's already afternoon and I haven't seen even a shadow of him since this morning. He's always by your side ever since you've announced your plans of retiring as the director of this funeral parlor."

"Oh him? Well his currently taking my little granddaughter to the northern docks to see the arrival of that foreign Grand Master everyone is apparently talking about! Little Tao has been pestering him about it for days now and I think it's a good way for him to bond with her." The old director replied while wiping the tea cups.

A small smile appeared on Zhongli's face upon hearing what Master Hu had said.

'I guess he's becoming more of a father now than a soon to be funeral director. That's good to hear.' He thought as he then proceed to leave the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Once he's gone, Old Hu, in the silence and emptiness of the hallway, bowed his head reverently towards the door that Zhongli had just exited.

"May you have a peaceful afternoon my Sovereign Lord and Emperor." The 75th director whispered before resuming his chores.

____________________

"It truly is more lively now than in the last couple of days." Zhongli commented as he walked across Feiyun Slope. The entire place was buzzing with excitement as more and more people began making their way towards the city's northern docks where the main procession is expected to pass through.

Yet amongst the noise and glee of the crowd, Zhongli's ears couldn't help but pick up some unsavory gossip and conversations with regards to the current state of his nation.

"SERIOUSLY?! 2000 MORA FOR A SINGLE POUND OF JUEYUN CHILI?! That's robbery! It was only 1200 mora two weeks ago?!" A woman exclaimed.

"I'm so sorry dear customer. It's just that due to the damage caused by the recent calamity in the Bishui Region, transportation of agriculture goods particularly those of Jueyun chili from the farms of Qingce has been delayed." The shopkeeper replied.

"But there's also that earlier price hike about a week before this whole calamity nonsense had even occurred! And what's the explanation for that huh?! The prices of our essential goods had been steadily increasing! Soon it will be too much to bear! We could barely feed our families in this kind of economy!" Another angry customer complained.

"What the hell is the Qixing even doing?!" The woman from before exclaimed in frustration.

"I tell you what most of them are doing? NOTHING! They are too busy attending fancy parties and splurging around with their decadent hobbies! Hell, even that whore Yu Jie might be busy spreading her legs to any wealthy businessman who gets her fancy only for her to swindle them of their mora!" A drunk man added.

"HEY! Don't you dare call Lady Yu Jie a whore! You better shut your mouth before I call the Milileth you hear me?!" The shopkeeper shouted at the drunk.

Zhongli silently sighed as he continued to listen to the conversations of his people.

The current excitement in the air had barely masked the disquieting undercurrents of frustration and discontent that seemed to be brewing beneath the surface.

'The current situation in Liyue, is far more complicated than what most people think, and the Rite of Descension might serve as an unwanted powder keg if things are not properly handled.' Zhongli thought, a grim expression forming on his face.

Protests were happening in different parts of the city since the month prior, calling out not only the unfavorable price increase on some of the basic commodities but also the complete abolition of the current government regime.

"They shouted their demands to abolish the Qixing and hand the power back to Rex Lapis. No such notion had ever been made ever since I've established the Qixing thousands of years ago and gave them the right to rule the nation in my stead." Zhongli quietly whispered.

'Remember Blockhead, though we are considered the heads of this village, we must still delegate certain tasks to our people, especially the ones who are capable. If we just concentrate power to ourselves, then we would be no better than those tyrants who ruled those petty kingdoms south of Arcadia! The people must learn to govern themselves, that's what I've learned during my time as Queen!'

'If only you were here with me right now Ria. You were far better at dealing with these kinds of problems than I am. Oh how I wish I could ask for your advice right now just like how I used to do during our travels...' A pang of melancholic sadness enveloped the Archon's heart as the memory of a certain companion began to surface.

He shook his head, trying to remove the sad thoughts from his mind. No, he promised her. He promised her that he will look after them, their people, their home, as long as he lives!

That was his final promise her made to her before she…

Zhongli let out a sigh, before continuing his walk. There's no use to dwell on the past especially in times like these.

After walking for a couple more minutes, Zhongli then turned to a small unassuming alleyway far from the bustling streets of the Feiyun Slope district. He walked for a few more yards before stopping at the dead end of the alley. He then closed his eyes and called out a name.

"Xiao."

Like a silent whisper, the adeptus Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons, appeared behind him in full regalia, kneeling with his head bowed down to one knee.

"My Lord." Xiao respectfully greeted.

"Rise, Xiao and please do drop the formalities. There's only the two of us this time." Zhongli calmly spoke as he turned around and smiled at the still kneeling adepti.

"As you wish...father." Xiao replied, a small smile forming on his face as he rose from his kneeling position.

Zhongli then gave him a brief embrace before patting his shoulder.

"It's good to see you again, son. You haven't personally reported back to me ever since the calamity that occured in Dihua Marsh. Thankfully I've received your messages through our discreet channels or else I would've been worried sick about you." Zhongli said with a fatherly tone.

"My apologies, father. I've...been busy lately." Xiao replied, scratching the back of his head.

"Busy indeed, I do hope that Grand Master Gunnhildr had been treating you well during your travels with her." Zhongli said with a chuckle.

"She...is an interesting person father. She is far more 'capable and complex' than what the news say about her." Xiao replied. He was still careful not to reveal to much to information to his father, least it might ruin the surprise his Lady might have for him.

After all, it seems that his father still has no idea that the Grand Master, the one who's currently leading Mondstadt is none other than his fellow Archon, Barbatos!

'Knowing her Grace and her history towards her fellow archons, she might pull some sort of surprise on father! After all, I can only assume that the two of them haven't seen each other for a very long time!' Xiao thought, trying hard to suppress a smile.

"Interesting? She slew a god my son. But other than that she also pulled Mondstadt out from its stagnated state and turned it into a stable nation in less than 5 years since she took office. Her deeds are nothing short of remarkable. If only Barbatos had some of her leadership qualities then perhaps Mondstadt wouldn't have been stuck in a state of chaos all the way until now." Zhongli lamented, as he began walking towards the exit of the alleyway alongside his son.

"Yeahhh, if only haha." Xiao awkwardly chuckled.

'Oh father, if only you knew.' Xiao thought to himself.

The father and son pair then continued their walk through the streets of Liyue Harbor. Unlike a few minutes before, they were now far from the bustling crowd of the main thoroughfare. Instead the two found themselves ascending a series of stairs and winding pathways that lead to a higher vantage point in the city.

Unlike the rest of the people, they did not go towards the now crowded northern docks which were just adjacent to the city's northern gates. Instead they opted to go to a high-rise pavilion located near the entrance of the city's premier residential district, theYujing Terrace. The location offered a more strategic and quieter observation point.

Zhongli had learned the planned route of the procession from the reports given to him by Ganyu earlier that morning. The main procession was set to start at the city's northern gates before proceeding along the northern docks then through the main thoroughfare of Feiyun Slope. It will then ascend towards the upper levels of the city, the Yujing Terrace before culminating in front of Liyue's administrative headquarters and seat of power, the Yuehai Pavilion.

After a few more minutes of walking, the pair finally arrived at their destination and were greeted by two familiar adepti currently living within the city.

The first one is Streetward Rambler who, at the moment, opted to appear in her mortal form under the alias Madame Ping, a kindly old woman who is known for her tea and gardening skills within the vicinity of the Yujing Terrace.

The second one is none other than the adeptus who served as the General Secretary of the Liyue Qixing for centuries, the half-Qilin, half-human, Ganyu.

It was actually Ganyu who rented the entire pavilion for that specific day. As the General Secretary, she was able to secure the prime location worthy of that of her sovereign lord. A quiet spot where they could observe the arrival of their guest of honor without being seen by the teeming masses.

"Our Emperor, it's an honor to be in your presence once more." Both Ganyu and Madame Ping greeted him with a bow.

"At ease Ganyu and Streetward. I'm merely here as an observer, a citizen if you will, and not as your sovereign." Zhongli replied, gesturing for them to rise. He then proceeded to walk towards the pavilion's balcony which offered a spectacular view of the entire city below. From that vantage point, he could already see the literal sea of people lining the streets where the procession will pass.

Xiao, Ganyu and Ping then joined him as the four of them silently enjoyed the view, each basking in the serene silence before the upcoming noise and excitement.

"My Lord, if you don't mind, I would like to inform you that Ganyu and I had already completed the task you've given us. Through Ganyu's connections, we managed to acquire numerous documents and correspondences pertaining to certain suspected elements within the Millelith and the Ministry of Civil Affairs." Madame Ping reported as she conjured a small chest containing several scrolls. The said chest then floated up near Zhongli who in turn, gently waved his hand causing the chest to vanish into motes of gold.

Zhongli nodded. "Thank you both of you for your service. I'll look into these documents later though I'm curious, what's your initial assessment?"

Ganyu hesitated for a moment while Ping simply frowned. Seeing their reactions, Zhongli already had an idea of what their assessment might be.

"I take your silence as a confirmation. I had long suspected it as well. It seems the rot had run deeper than any of us had initially anticipated." Zhongli said, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment.

To think that corruption had been festering within the very institutions he had helped establish for thousands of years was a bitter pill to swallow. He had given the people of Liyue the right to rule themselves, trusting them to uphold the principles of contracts and fairness, yet it seemed that some had chosen to abuse that trust for their own selfish gains.

"Forgive me everyone. If I had done my due diligence, a lot of the unfortunate things that are currently happening right now across all of Liyue could have been prevented. I'm terrible -" Zhongli's self-deprecation was suddenly cut short by Xiao who placed a gentle but firm hand on his father's shoulder.

"My Lord, do not ever blame yourself for the actions of mortal men. Their choices are their own, not yours. You have guided them for thousands of years. You taught them the ways of prosperity and peace. You can't be responsible for their greed and corruption." Xiao stated, a rare show of affection and support from the usually stoic and reserved adeptus.

Ganyu nodded in agreement, her gaze filled with steadfast admiration and loyalty for her sovereign. "My Emperor, as the Conqueror of Demons had said, the actions of these corrupt individuals are their own. You have done more than enough for Liyue. In fact, I feel that it is us, the adepti, who had failed you and the nation for not being more vigilant!

Madame Ping sighed. "Ganyu is right my Lord. We have grown complacent, living in our own little worlds while the world around us changed. Perhaps it is time for us to be more involved in the affairs of mortals once more."

Zhongli remained silent for a while.

He had thought about it, about the adepti being more involved in the daily lives of mortals once more just as they did thousands of years ago. Yet at the same time, he was hesitant...

'We cannot hold their hand forever Blockhead. Sometimes, they must learn to walk on their own. They need to stumble, to fall and get hurt in order for them to learn how to stand up on their own. That is how you nurture a person... that's how you sometimes lead a people. We are there to guide them but never to decide for them always. They must learn to live for themselves and take responsibility for their actions.'

Rested on his back and hidden from view, Zhongli momentarily clenched his hand into a fist.

He had seen what happens when gods and divine beings meddle too much in the affairs of man. The Archon War was a grim reminder of that truth.

So many lives were lost.

So many people deluded by false beliefs.

All because of the hubris of the gods who saw humanity as nothing more than as expendable pawns in their bid for power!

'I have followed your advice Ria. I've kept your word, but...but the more I think about the current situation of our home, the more I'm starting to doubt it. Were you...were you wrong? Or...or am I the one at fault for misinterpreting your words? I don't...I don't know anymore.' Zhongli couldn't help but let out a sigh.

He's tired. So tired.

Several millennia of rule…of bearing the weight of the nation on his shoulders, the weight of so many contracts and numerous unfathomable secrets, all of it is starting to take its toll on him, slowly 'eroding' him from within.

'No. I cannot falter now! My people...our people are counting on me! I just need to find another way. A better way...then maybe perhaps...when this is all over, I could finally be able to re-' Zhongli's lamentations were suddenly cut off when he heard shouts and festive noises coming from the direction of the city's northern gates.

"My Lord it appears that our guests have finally arrived!" Xiao announced as he pointed towards the northern part of the city.

The four of them looked outwards from their balcony but from their vantage point, they could not yet see the main procession. However, the growing cacophony of sounds and the faint but visible signs of movement of the crowd below indicated that the procession had started.

As they patiently waited for the main procession to near their area, Zhongli engaged in a few small talks with Xiao which somewhat diverted his thoughts away from his earlier melancholic state.

"So Xiao, could you tell me a little bit more about our esteemed guest? Since you've been travelling with her and her retinue for some time now, I've been curious to know what kind of person Grand Master Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr is outside of being a leader and all." Zhongli asked, genuinely interested in knowing more about the woman who had garnered so much acclaim in such a short period of time.

Eager to share, Xiao's face lit up and began recounting his experiences with his benefactor from the moment they met up till the present. Though he did make sure to leave out some parts of his story, particularly the ones that might reveal her true identity as the Anemo Archon.

Xiao continued narrating his tale, speaking with a childlike enthusiasm as if he was praising a parental figure, it was a tone that surprised both Zhongli and Madame Ping.

'Oh my, I've never seen the renowned Conquer of Demons this open and talkative...not since before the start of the Archon War. I could still remember how he would constantly follow our Lord around, sticking to him like a duckling, and would often do things just to get our Lord's attention. That boy...what did he truly see in her that made him so attached to her?' Madame Ping thought as she watched Xiao, her expression a mixture of surprise and fond nostalgia.

Xiao's narrative painted a portrait of Artoria that was far more complex and human than the larger-than-life figure depicted in the news. He spoke of her unwavering dedication to her children, her infectious laughter, and her surprising fondness for mundane hobbies like knitting!

Zhongli for his part just stood by and listened to his son's story, never once interrupting him as he absorbed every word, though if one looked close enough, one could see a nostalgic smile forming on the Geo Archon's face the more he looked at his son's beaming expression.

'Ria, look at how much our son had grown up, and how much he had changed from over the last thousands of years. He came along way from that one abandoned egg we found at that forest so many years ago. I'm sure you would've been very proud of him...as I am...' Zhongli's thoughts wandered, painting a dream where his beloved companion had never left...had never sacrificed herself all those years ago. 

A dream, that the three of them were still together, happy and content.

After minutes of storytelling, Xiao suddenly paused as they heard the noise of the people and the procession getting much louder and closer. They all then went back to the balcony and peered over the crowded street below.

And as predicted, the procession of the diplomatic convoy was drawing ever closer.

The uncountable crowd that packed the streets below had grown even more massive, with people pressing against each other in order to get a better view. Some who were watching from the higher floors of the buildings were even throwing flowers upon the road where the convoy was about to pass through.

It was a grand and joyous event that would be remembered for years to come, one of the most spectacular events to have ever graced the city before the start of its annual Rite of Descension.

And then they came.

Two columns of mounted knights in gleaming golden armor rode at the vanguard of the procession, their banners bearing the symbol of Mondstadt and their ancient order. Each knight carried themselves with an unwavering discipline and stoicism that captivated the onlookers as if they were gazing upon characters from legends brought to life!

Behind them were several carriages flanked by numerous Milileth guards. The three foremost carriages however were the ones that captivated the crowd's attention the most.

Far larger than the others and each drawn by six magnificent horses, those three were lavishly decorated with intricate carvings and gilded with golden accents. Their windows were tinted with a special glass that prevented the curious from peeking inside, yet somehow, it only added to the mystique and allure of the person who owned them.

To the eyes of the common folk, these mobile palaces were the stuff of dreams that not even the most gilded of the Liyuen Qixing's palanquins could compare!

They are the material statements of wealth that came from a nation that had long shed its previous reputation and had since begun to build itself as a new power in the grand stage of Teyvat.

Yet for all the grandeur of the carriages and the awe-inspiring presence of the mounted golden knights, what truly stole the show was the person leading at the very helm of the procession.

Flanked by two of her subordinates on each side, she rode at the back of a magnificent white horse that seemed to glide through the cobbled streets.

Her beauty alone captivated all those who beheld her with so many of the onlookers in the streets began to absently take pictures of her with their kameras held high.

Her very presence commanded respect and admiration, yet at the same time, it radiated a sort of warmth and kindness that made the people feel comfortable and safe in her presence.

The legend...

The god slayer...

The hero had finally come to Liyue Harbor.

And the Geo Archon…

The Divine Emperor of all Liyue, instantly froze up the moment he laid his eyes upon her!

"That's her my Lord. The Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Lady Artoria Pendragon 'Gunnhildr'. Though, I would assume that by now you've already know her as your old friend Bar-." Xiao wasn't able to finish his sentence when Zhongli, without warning, suddenly leaped out from the balcony of their pavilion and dove into the crowds below.

"MY LORD?!" Both Xiao and Ganyu shrieked in horror.

"EMPEROR?!" Madame Ping exclaimed as all three of them rushed forward in pursuit!

Shouts coming from the three adepti were drowned out by the cheers of jubilation that emanated from the crowd, and although he could still acutely hear them, Zhongli chose to ignore them.

His mind, his very soul was solely focused on her!

'NO, NO IT COULDN'T BE!'

That face.

Those soft warm eyes.

That bearing.

That presence!

'IT COULDN'T BE! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! SHE'S...SHE'S...'

He landed on the tiled rooftop of the adjacent building, tiles cracking upon impact as he immediately rolled to his feet before immediately bounding forward to the next building!

Zhongli moved with the speed and agility of a desperate mad man, uncaring if he might cause some sort of panic or accident, for only one thing mattered to him at that very moment...

'RIA!'

His mind desperately screamed, half expecting that he's just dreaming...that what he's seeing is just a pale reflection of the woman who so many centuries ago had turned his entire world upside down!

The physique was different from before yet he could never forget that face…those eyes....that beautiful and kind smile!

BY CELESTIA, HE COULD NOT AND WILL NOT FORGET HER!

His desperation grew with each leap, each bound, each breath he took as the woman he so desperately sought after seemed to be getting closer and closer.

With a final leap, he landed at the back of a street front home and then proceeded to dove straight at the back of the gathered crowd, shoving and pushing his way past a sea of people, uncaring about the annoyed shouts and curses thrown at him.

"HEY WATCH IT BUDDY!"

"HOW RUDE!"

"STOP SHOVING YOU FOOL!"

Yet Zhongli paid no heed to any if them. 

He was getting close now...so close...

Then finally after so much struggle, he managed to get past the throng of humanity and found himself at the edge of the wide open thoroughfare...

Petals thrown from the upper floors are still fluttering in the air...

The sun, illuminating the sky with its afternoon hue...

And just a few steps in front of him...

Riding on top of her horse, Artoria pauses, eyes slightly widen in both confusion and recognition towards the man in front of her.

The world...

The entire world seemed to stop for the two of them.

The noises...the voices...the entire world seems to have faded away in the background as their gazes locked on to each other...

One of bewilderment and the other of longing desperation.

Then she smiled towards him. It was the same beautiful smile he hadn't seen for thousands of years.

"Hello there." Artoria simply greeted him with a sincere smile . 

(End of Chapter)

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The Rite of Descension

- The Rite of Descension is a sacred annual Liyue ceremony where the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis (Morax), traditionally descends from the heavens to deliver prophecies and guide the nation's economic and business trends for the coming year.

- Each year, the Qixing selects one among its ranks to preside over the Rite of Descension.

- Rex Lapis does not typically manifest in his human form, but rather descends or manifests through a grand draconic vessel known as the Exuvia.

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