When she finished recounting what she knew about the Yaksha, a heavy silence settled over the group. Even Itto, usually the last to catch on, had gone quiet.
After a while, he finally spoke.
"…That Yaksha. What a warrior."
"They were bound to fight for this world," she said softly. "That was the contract they made with Rex Lapis long ago. No matter how much time passes… their oath never wavers."
The story left a weight in everyone's chest.
Someone like that—and yet, not even a name remained.
"I've made up my mind," Yanfei said suddenly, clapping her hands together. "When we get back, I'm writing all of this down and having it published."
"I'll update the Ministry's records as well," Yelan added.
"They didn't fight so people would remember their names," she said quietly. "They fought so Liyue could live in peace."
A brief pause.
"…But it's still good that someone does remember."
…
Before long, Xiao returned.
A rift opened in the air, and he stepped out.
"Oh! You're back!" Itto perked up immediately, grabbing something from his pack and handing it over. "Here—have a bite, get your strength back!"
He accepted it with a quiet thanks.
"Well?" she asked. "Find what you were looking for?"
A brief silence.
"…I did." He nodded slightly. "Thank you."
"For what? I didn't do anything," she said with a small shake of her head. "If you're done, let's get moving. We still need the Perilous Trail Compass."
His expression remained subdued, so she let Itto stick close—if nothing else, the oni's energy might lighten the mood a bit.
With her there, retrieving the compass didn't take long. The illusion twisting time and space around it might have troubled others—but it meant nothing to her.
"So this is it…" Yanfei turned the device over in her hands, studying it carefully. "I didn't get a good look when it was floating earlier. This must be the item mentioned in the will. Once I bring it back, the commission's complete."
"With this, we can leave," Xiao said. "But it requires both a human and an adeptus to activate."
"I'll do it," Yelan said, stepping forward without hesitation.
Though she carried the title of an adeptus, it was only a convenient cover agreed upon with Zhongli. In truth, her power was something else entirely—and couldn't be used to activate the compass directly.
So the two of them worked together.
A blue formation spread beneath their feet, lifting them into the air. The cavern fell away behind them as they entered a crimson passage leading upward.
Then—shapes began to emerge.
Faint, red figures drifted through the air, blocking their path.
"What are those?" Yanfei frowned, Pyro already gathering in her palm.
Xiao remained focused on maintaining the formation, unable to answer.
She spoke instead, voice low.
"The Millelith. What's left of them."
"They're trying to stop us from leaving."
"Stop us?" Yelan frowned. "Why would they—"
"Because they're lost."
Her voice softened.
"After centuries in here, they've forgotten everything. Who they were. What was outside. Even what this place is."
A pause.
"All they remember… is that nothing inside the seal can be allowed to escape."
Yanfei froze.
"…Then we can't—"
The flames in her hand faded.
Even stripped of everything—they still held onto their duty.
"…I'll handle it."
She raised a hand.
A single droplet formed in the air—then expanded, growing larger in an instant. With a gentle motion, it spread outward, wrapping around the drifting spirits.
The water was calm.
Quiet.
It didn't force them away—it eased them.
Stilled them.
Let them rest.
"I see the exit!" Shinobu called, spotting a faint light ahead.
But Xiao's strength was nearly gone. The formation flickered.
He looked toward the opening—and made a decision.
Just as he was about to force everyone out with his own power—his hand was caught.
He froze.
"…What are you doing?" she said, exasperated. "Did that corruption scramble your brain or something? Why does everyone keep acting like I'm not here?"
"…I—"
"No 'buts.'"
That was enough.
A surge of brilliant blue Hydro energy burst outward, sweeping everyone up in its current. Light flared—and the crimson passage vanished.
Reaching the exit from the deepest part of the seal would have taken effort.
But here?
With the way already open?
There was no stopping her.
In the next instant, they stood at the boundary between the surface and the depths of the Chasm.
She lifted her gaze.
And saw them.
Zhongli—and Zhongyue—standing atop a distant rock, watching.
She smiled, giving a small wave.
The two acknowledged it with a nod, Zhongyue even raising a thumb in approval.
Then, before anyone else could notice—they were gone.