Lora surveyed the noisy crowd of resistance fighters and raised a hand, pressing it down for silence.
"Quiet."
Her voice wasn't loud, yet it carried undeniable weight. In an instant, the noise died. The fighters fell silent, all eyes turning to her.
Her gaze swept across them.
"I know most of you are wondering who I am and why I'm here. Some of you already know. I'm not here to introduce myself. I'll say only this—whatever ideas you're entertaining, whether it's seceding from Inazuma or taking control of Watatsumi to stand against the Raiden Shogun, abandon them."
The moment the words left her lips, the crowd—only just subdued—erupted again. Several tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to charge.
"I said, quiet."
Her voice rang out, and the sea answered.
The waters around the island roared to life. Waves surged skyward, rising into towering pillars that encircled the land. They climbed higher before converging above the shrine, forming a vast mirror of water that blanketed the island's heart.
From its surface, a single arrow of water took shape and plunged downward, striking the ground between her and the fighters. It drove deep into the earth.
"Measure your own strength," she said coldly, her gaze sweeping over them. "Ask yourselves whether you can withstand mine."
"With strength like yours, you dare speak of challenging the Raiden Shogun? Dispel those delusions. The waters will remain above the island—and it will be watching."
"That's all. Dismissed."
With that, she turned and motioned for Kokomi to follow her inside. As for those still standing outside, they were no longer her concern. They had witnessed what a true deity's power looked like. If they still chose to cling to such reckless ambitions, the consequences would be their own.
The fighters stood in place, staring after her retreating figure in prolonged silence.
...
Ei assigned a contingent of Kanjou Commission soldiers to escort Hélie from Inazuma to Liyue.
After arriving at Liyue Harbor, she told the soldiers to wait at the docks while she made her way straight to the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. Knowing the city like the back of her hand, she found the stage without difficulty.
Among the audience, she quickly spotted Zhongli seated with a cup of tea, listening to the performance.
She set the package down on the table and exhaled in relief.
"Finally found you!"
Zhongli looked up at her, his expression calm.
"It's you. What brings you here?"
"I'm delivering a letter from Lady Lora. She said you'd understand once you read it."
Hélie drew the letter from her bag and handed it over.
"Here."
"A letter from Lora?"
He accepted it and unfolded the page.
Dear Zhongli,
I am well in Inazuma. After speaking with Ei, it has become necessary to invite Neuvillette, Chief Justice of Fontaine, to visit Inazuma.
However, Fontaine's situation is somewhat delicate. I am not at ease with leaving Furina there alone. I hope you can travel to Fontaine, explain the circumstances to Neuvillette, and look after Furina—and Fontaine itself—during his absence.
I will light a stick of incense in thanks.
Respectfully,
Lora Chaya
"This letter…"
After reading it, he shook his head with a faint, helpless sigh.
"It's exactly like her."
Hélie rummaged through her bag again and produced several more envelopes.
"There's more—Lady Lora's additional explanations. She told me to give these to you only after you agreed."
He set the first letter aside.
"Let me see them."
The next one was written in a far more casual tone.
Ah, I forgot to mention! You'll need to change your appearance. In your current form, you'd be recognized immediately as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's Guest Consultant. If you need inspiration, you could take a page from Ningguang's style. As for your name, call yourself Chaya. Take my surname.
After reading it, he murmured under his breath,
"Where does she come up with these ideas…"
He opened the final letter. It contained only a single line.
You promised you'd help me! Don't be upset—and don't go back on your word!
When he finished reading them all, he sighed once more.
"She truly leaves nothing to chance."
Hélie, meanwhile, was busily scribbling in a small notebook. Noticing, he asked,
"What are you writing?"
"I'm recording your reactions," she replied honestly. "Lady Lora told me to report them to her exactly. I'm afraid I won't remember everything later, so I'm writing it down. It's clearer this way."
He gave a small nod.
"Tell Lora I will go. She may rest assured."
"Alright!"
After seeing Hélie off, Zhongli remained at the Yun-Han Opera Troupe for a while longer, watching the rest of the performance. Only when the curtain finally fell did he rise and return to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
He offered Hu Tao a casual explanation, saying he would be traveling for some time. Though she found the sudden trip unusual, she didn't press him.
With everything arranged, he departed the next day.
Before leaving Liyue, he went to Wangshu Inn.
Xiao sensed the aura deliberately released and hurried over to pay his respects. But the moment he saw the figure standing before him, he froze.
"Re—Rex Lapis?"
The person before him wore a long gown embroidered with golden dragon scales, bearing the ancient grace of Liyue. Black-and-gold hair flowed down her back, and her features were striking—gentle, yet touched with something sacred. Golden eyes, bright as twin suns, carried an untouchable nobility.
"Ahem… In this form, my name is Chaya. You may address me as such."
There was the faintest hint of awkwardness in her tone.
"Miss… Miss Chaya, what is going on?"
Xiao blinked, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar name.
She briefly explained the situation. When he learned it had been Lora's request, he let out a quiet sigh.
"That one… something like this… is hardly surprising."
It was entirely in character.
Chaya continued,
"For now, only you have seen this form. I must travel to Fontaine, and I cannot say when I will return. If anyone asks after me, tell them I've gone to Fontaine. There's no need to mention the transformation."
Xiao inclined his head.
"Understood."