After bringing Neuvillette back to the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko observed the Chief Justice from Fontaine with undisguised curiosity. Smiling faintly, she asked,
"Miss Lora mentioned that you're a dragon?"
He inclined his head.
"That is correct. I am the Hydro Dragon Sovereign."
"Then do you have a dragon form? Could you show it to me?" Yae pressed, clearly intrigued.
He gave a slight shake of his head.
"I'm afraid not. I was born into this world in human form. I have never seen my true draconic form, nor do I know how to assume it."
"A Dragon Sovereign born in human form? How fascinating."
The shrine maiden looked genuinely surprised and was about to continue her questioning when Lora cut in.
"Alright, alright. Let's deal with the important matter first. You can indulge your curiosity later."
She waved a hand helplessly, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way… Zhong—ah, I mean, Chaya. How is she?"
The Chief Justice paused briefly before replying,
"She is doing very well. Extremely composed. Whether in handling governmental affairs or taking on the responsibilities of the Chief Justice, she is nearly flawless. To be frank, she may even be more suited to the position than I am."
"I see… That figures."
Lora nodded faintly.
Of course he was. Someone who had lived for thousands of years wasn't going to be anything less.
After a brief pause, he shifted the topic.
"I am curious, Miss Lora—where did you find her? From what I observed, she appears to be a powerful deity."
"Hm? Ah… well…"
She blinked, then answered casually,
"I found her in Liyue. You know how it is there—ruins everywhere, remnants of gods scattered across the land. She's an old relic I uncovered in Liyue."
Ei stood before them, watching their exchange. Her gaze shifted from the Chief Justice to Lora and back again.
"…Could we address my sister's matter first?"
In the end, she could not hold back and interrupted.
"Of course!"
Lora nodded, then turned back to him.
"Right, I haven't told you what I need you to do yet."
"I am listening," he replied calmly.
She recounted the events of the Cataclysm five hundred years ago—how Raiden Makoto perished during the disaster of Khaenri'ah. Then she continued,
"Makoto's consciousness space still exists. I believe she can be revived. We only need to create a vessel capable of housing her consciousness."
"That vessel cannot be constructed using Khaenri'ah's puppet technology. It must be a life form acknowledged by Teyvat itself. As the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, you understand this—only the power of the Primordial Sea can give rise to true life."
"I see," he said with a slight nod. "You intend to create genuine life, as you once did for the people of Fontaine?"
She shook her head.
"Not entirely. When I created the people of Fontaine, I did not complete the final step. That is why they dissolve in the waters of the Primordial Sea. I need your power. Though you are incomplete, together our authority should be sufficient to shape a true vessel—one capable of containing a god's consciousness."
Both of them carried fragments of the Primordial Sea's authority. Joined together, that power might be enough.
It would not be enough to transform all of Fontaine into true humans—but to forge a divine body immune to the Sea's influence, it should suffice.
After hearing her explanation, the Chief Justice fell silent.
That silence immediately tightened something in Ei's chest. To her, his decision determined whether her sister could return. And given his strength, she had no means of forcing his hand should he refuse. It would be a lie to say she was not anxious.
Even five centuries of solitude within the Plane of Euthymia had never felt as unbearable as this moment.
After a long, suffocating pause, he finally nodded.
"I have given this due thought. I believe I can assist you in reviving that god."
He, too, wished to witness the power of the Primordial Sea through this act of creation.
As an incomplete Hydro Dragon Sovereign, he retained no memories of the ancient era. He had never beheld the Primordial Sea with his own eyes—only sensed the inescapable connection between himself and its depths.
At his agreement, both Lora and Ei released quiet breaths of relief.
Ei bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Mr. Neuvillette."
"There is no need for gratitude," he replied with a slight shake of his head. He was still unaccustomed to being thanked in such a manner—especially by a foreign Archon.
She straightened and continued,
"My sister's consciousness space lies within a cave beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine. I will take you there."
Following her, they entered the cave.
Within it swirled a violet vortex—the entrance to Makoto's consciousness space.
Gazing at it, Ei spoke softly,
"When I placed my sister's consciousness here five hundred years ago, it did not look like this. Over the centuries, something changed. It gradually transformed into something resembling a forbidden domain."
Lora already knew what this place would eventually become. She raised her hand, and faint blue motes of light drifted from her palm into the vortex as she carefully probed its energy.
After a long moment, she withdrew her power.
"Don't worry. I can still sense that resilient consciousness deep within. We still have a chance."
Only then did Ei's expression ease slightly.
Yet as she stepped closer to the vortex, something flickered across her face.
Lora noticed immediately.
"Are you alright?"
Ei shook her head, drew in a steady breath, and forced a faint smile.
"I'm fine. Truly. Let's hurry and bring my sister back."
Watching her suppress that unease, Lora sighed softly. She knew exactly what was stirring within her at this moment.
It didn't matter. Everything would be resolved inside that distorted realm where time itself had fractured.
The three of them stepped toward the vortex. Behind them, Yae Miko spoke gently,
"I'll wait here. Bring my deity back to me."
"Don't worry. We'll return."
Lora turned and gave her a reassuring wave.
At Ei's gesture, violet light burst forth from the vortex.
Together, they stepped into the swirling radiance and vanished into the consciousness space.