Chapter 165. Zhongli's Reminder
"I didn't expect someone to speak of their own Archon like that."
Ganyu shook her head, still processing.
"Something must have happened in between."
Kuki Shinobu's voice was flat. She'd seen Signora's madness and seen what it cost her.
Everyone here believed in the Archons' love for humanity.
Lesser Lord Kusanali proved it. Imprisoned for 500 years. She had countless chances to escape yet she stayed.
Learned. Forgave. Even spared the Great Sage and the Scholars who'd tried to create a false god.
Too benevolent? Maybe.
But mercy without consequence plants seeds of future disaster. The Scholars who participated in the God Creation Project didn't die. What would stop the next batch from thinking. "Our project is small. What's the worst that could happen?"
Sometimes, death was necessary for a bright future.
Then there was Venti.
500 years ago, he was in Khaenri'ah. When Mondstadt fell into crisis, he gave his power to Stormterror Dvalin.
Signora's lover died. She became the Crimson Witch of Flames. Later, a Fatui Harbinger then committed countless sins.
Venti's response? He used his divine power to fulfill her wish. Let her see her lover one last time and gave her the best farewell possible.
Futsu Mitama and Lesser Lord Kusanali had both been shocked. Signora had treated Venti horribly. Attacked him despite knowing she couldn't win.
If Arlecchino's attitude toward Hydro Archon Focalors was disparagement—
Signora's attitude toward Venti was hatred.
And Venti still showed her gentleness.
Signora had realized something in that moment. For a heartbeat, she was the singing maiden from 500 years ago again, who believed in Anemo Archon Barbatos.
So nobody believed Arlecchino's one-sided story.
Not fully.
They'd need to meet Hydro Archon Focalors themselves. See her actions. Judge for themselves.
But Futsu Mitama's heart was already stirring.
Arlecchino must have her reasons. She's rational and mad at the same time. Unlike Signora's hysterical madness, there's method here. After Liyue's Rite of Descension… I'm going to Fontaine.
New map. New Archon. New mystery.
—
Hot dishes arrived—vegetarian options included. Futsu Mitama and Shenhe had specifically ordered them for Ganyu.
"Everyone, let's eat."
The atmosphere loosened. Mona and Ganyu weren't in the Chat Group, so Futsu Mitama's group recounted their Sumeru adventures:
Futsu Mitama defeating "Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal" and his strength then capturing Scaramouche. Cleaving Dottore in the void in half with one strike
Saving Lesser Lord Kusanali—Rectifying the Akademiya—Entering the Irminsul to meet Maha Rukkhadevata—Learning about the Irminsul's crisis
Mona and Ganyu listened, wide-eyed.
Shenhe added her own encounters—monsters in the rainforest and Desert, various adventures along the way.
Ganyu nodded repeatedly, then said quietly,
"Shenhe, all these experiences will become your wisdom. They'll make you even stronger."
Her voice carried envy.
Since becoming Secretary of the Qixing, Ganyu had never traveled abroad. Rex Lapis sometimes told her to relax, but for Ganyu, relaxation in Liyue was easy.
Adventure? That ended with the Archon War.
Heavy workload + no travel = stagnation.
But hearing Shenhe's stories, feeling her own workload lighten…
Ganyu's heart trembled.
I want to see the outside world. Maybe… maybe that will resolve the confusion in my heart.
—
Two hours later, everyone was full.
Time to leave.
Futsu Mitama had Aila secretly pay—over a hundred thousand Mora.
Chef Mao had offered to treat them, but ingredient costs alone were 10-20k. Labor, spices, overhead—
Futsu Mitama wasn't going to freeload.
Easier to 'eat for free' next time.
Then everyone filed out.
Zhongli left first—other matters.
Keqing and Ganyu had work.
Lumine and Paimon wanted to continue sightseeing.
Shenhe was visiting Cloud Retainer.
Shinobu was seeing Yanfei.
Kokomi strolled Liyue Harbor—she could tell Aila and Black Aila needed to talk to Futsu Mitama privately. She did not have the intention to be a third-wheeling.
Aila and Black Aila stayed by Futsu's side.
"Young Master, should we act with Mr. Zhongli?"
Black Aila suggested.
"No need." Futsu shook his head. "We're going home. Zhongli naturally has his own ideas. Moreover, no matter what choice he makes, I believe it will be well thought out. We have no right to interfere."
"If he wants to tell us, we'll know in time."
Aila nodded. It made sense; Zhongli was Geo Archon Morax—the strongest being in Liyue.
This was a private matter between Snezhnaya and Liyue.
Inazuma natives shouldn't interfere.
Black Aila agreed, though she wanted nothing more than to hunt Arlecchino down for their past in Snezhnaya.
Not now. Young Master says wait. So we wait.
—
Zhongli arrived at an unfrequented spot in Liyue Harbor.
"Speak, what is it?" His tone was calm. "I have things to do tonight. I hope you don't waste my time."
Arlecchino emerged from shadows. She looked at Zhongli—no Archon's aura, just a mortal man.
She bowed deeply.
"Should I call you Mr. Zhongli… or Rex Lapis?"
Zhongli didn't turn.
"A name is just a title. You've come to visit me today. Is there something you need?"
Arlecchino paused. A chill emanated from her, but her tone remained respectful.
"Yes, there is. Her Majesty the Tsaritsa asked me to deliver a message to you, but I dared not casually confirm your identity."
A test.
She knew he was Rex Lapis.
But he looked mortal and she'd just heard Hydro Archon Focalors described as an 'idol' who did nothing.
What if Zhongli is the same? What if he's not truly an Archon?
She needed proof. A hint of divine power. Anything.
If he failed the test, she'd leave and report to the Tsaritsa.
Better safe than sorry.
But the moment she finished speaking—
Pressure.
Zhongli, who seemed mortal a heartbeat ago, now radiated terrifying Archon's aura.
The divine pressure was fleeting. But in that moment, Arlecchino felt absolute disparity.
If he attacks, even at full power, I wouldn't last more than a few moves.This is Rex Lapis.
"Please forgive my offense."
Arlecchino lowered her head again.
Zhongli didn't respond. He had plans. Master Yun of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe had a special performance tonight. He wasn't missing it.
Stop with pleasantries. Get to the point.
"It's like this…"
Arlecchino recounted everything: The contract between Rex Lapis and the Tsaritsa; Whether it was still valid—if Zhongli didn't want to hand over the geo gnosis, or intended to give it to Futsu Mitama, the Fatui would not uphold the contract.
Tartaglia wasn't foolish—he couldn't refuse the Tsaritsa's will. He'd sought opportunities to obtain the gnosis, even planning to seize it openly during the Rite of Descension.
The Fatui remaining in Liyue? He was powerless to help them. Obtaining the Gnosis was Snezhnaya's highest priority. As long as the cost wasn't exceptionally high, Snezhnaya would sacrifice many interests
But—Rex Lapis could overturn the chessboard. If he wasn't willing to hand over the gnosis, Snezhnaya wouldn't act
The Fatui weren't selfless martyrs. They didn't do unrewarding difficult tasks
Given Rex Lapis's favoritism toward Futsu Mitama, the gnosis would likely pass to him
Better to wait, then establish cooperation with Futsu Mitama to "borrow" the Gnosis
Zhongli listened. Silent for a moment.
Then:
"I will give Tartaglia the location of a second Demon God's seal."
"Currently in Liyue, Osial alone is not enough to pose much of a threat. Only two Archons breaking their seals can bring about some crisis."
Arlecchino was surprised.
"Is it because of Futsu Mitama and them?"
She knew their strength. Futsu Mitama had Archon-level combat power.
Aila and Black Aila did too. Both of them could temporarily enter the Demon God Realm with mysterious tools.
Two stable Archon-level combatants, plus Liyue Adeptus and other powerhouses—
Two Archons breaking seals wouldn't cause much concern.
"They will not interfere." Zhongli said calmly. "And I will not interfere either."
Regarding Liyue's opportunities for the next thousand years, he would allow no interference.
Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Black Aila knew his identity. If he informed them in advance, they wouldn't interfere.
But… Azhdaha?
Zhongli seemed to have a headache. He decided to release another "old friend."
"Oh?!"
Arlecchino's eyes flashed with admiration and helplessness.
From the overall situation in Liyue, Rex Lapis intends to completely delegate power. Accelerate the era of humans and Adeptus.
Yet such a benevolent and powerful Archon is not a Fontaine Archon.
She sighed with regret.
"After the matter is concluded, I will naturally hand over what Snezhnaya seeks to you."
Zhongli didn't care about the Gnosis.
"However, if your Snezhnaya fails to fulfill the contract—"
"Then we naturally wouldn't shamelessly appear before you."
Arlecchino said decisively.
Zhongli nodded in satisfaction. He prepared to leave the deserted alley.
But Arlecchino spoke again.
"Rex Lapis, I have a personal request. May I ask you—"
Before she could finish, Zhongli said slowly:
"I understand what you want to say. But prophecies cannot be changed. Egeria is gone. What Focalors is doing, I am not clear about. But according to ancient contracts, as Rex Lapis, I cannot interfere in the affairs of other nations."
"If you wish to stop the prophecy, you should not seek an 'Archon' to resolve this matter."
His figure vanished from Arlecchino's sight.
He'd said all he could.
To stop the prophecy, do not seek an Archon. Seek… another kind of existence.
What kind? He wouldn't say.
Figure it out yourself.