"Huh? What did you say?"
Caelg leaned closer, cupping a hand behind his ear. "It's too noisy—I didn't hear you clearly."
"Hmph! No way!"
Hu Tao puffed out her cheeks and turned her head aside.
Caelg just smiled.
The Next Day
"Old friend, there's something I need to discuss with you."
Zhongli appeared beside Caelg just as he was slurping noodles, his mouth still full.
"Mmn—mm—wait a second," Caelg mumbled.
At that moment, Hu Tao suddenly appeared behind Zhongli, glaring at him unhappily.
"Hey! Zhongli! Caelg already promised to go out with us today!"
Zhongli turned calmly and gave a respectful nod.
"I'm aware. It's an important matter, but it won't take much time. I won't delay the Director's plans."
"…Alright then."
Hu Tao reluctantly backed off, allowing Caelg to step away.
Caelg finished his noodles in one go, wiped his mouth, and stood up.
"Alright, Zhongli. What is it?"
Zhongli glanced toward the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Let's talk outside."
Caelg instantly understood what this was about. He nodded and followed.
They stopped at a quiet, secluded spot.
"Old friend," Zhongli said directly, "I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?" Caelg replied.
"I intend to step down from my position as a god."
He spoke slowly, deliberately—then observed Caelg's reaction.
There was none.
"Oh," Caelg replied flatly.
Zhongli smiled faintly. As expected—his old friend had already seen through his intentions.
"I have reached an agreement with the one from Snezhnaya," Zhongli continued.
"I plan to give the people of Liyue a trial. If something goes wrong… I hope you'll intervene."
Caelg thought for a moment, then asked:
"You want Liyue to stand on its own, without relying on you. But if I step in, doesn't that contradict your goal?"
"No," Zhongli said calmly.
"What I need is Caelg's help—not Agarest's."
Caelg chuckled.
"Got it."
Got it my ass, he thought. I didn't understand half of that.
Still, the core idea was simple:
If the Qixing couldn't handle it—he'd step in.
He'd seen how strange things had already become, ever since the Stormterror incident. Deep Abyssal interference wasn't out of the question.
"Alright," Caelg said. "I'll take the job. Worst case, you're still the ultimate safety net anyway."
Zhongli nodded in satisfaction.
"Then I'll be counting on you, old friend."
"Hey, what's our relationship? No need to be polite."
Back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao and Xier were already prepared.
"Director Hu Tao, where are we going to play today?" Xier tugged at her sleeve curiously.
Hu Tao thought for a moment, then declared proudly:
"We're going out to promote business! I'll show you how I usually work!"
Caelg's mouth twitched.
"Who goes out to play and ends up working?"
"Hehe—you've been tricked!"
Hu Tao suddenly pulled out several baskets from behind her.
"Actually, today we're going on a picnic!"
The baskets were filled with snacks and desserts.
Caelg and Xier froze.
"Eh?! Who made all this? It looks really good!" Xier exclaimed, opening one basket.
Caelg nodded. He was curious too.
Hu Tao immediately bristled, hands on her hips.
"What do you mean by that?! Can't I make food too?!"
These snacks had taken her a long time to get right!
Caelg and Xier stared at her.
"You… made these?!"
Caelg cautiously took a bite.
The next second, his eyes went wide.
"It's edible! And actually… pretty good!"
Hu Tao instantly punched him.
"What do you mean by that?!"
"Haha—sorry, sorry!" Caelg laughed. "I was just shocked!"
"Hmph!" Hu Tao turned away again.
Seeing this, Caelg quickly coaxed her.
"I really didn't expect the Director of Wangsheng to cook this well!"
"…Hurry up already," Hu Tao muttered, still pouting.
Caelg grinned.
Nearby, Xier bounced over excitedly.
"Let's go, let's go! I can't wait anymore!"
Hmph. Childish, Black Seele muttered inside her.
Only Caelg and Xier could hear it.
"Jealous? You can't eat it anyway~" Xier teased softly.
Tch… I don't care!
"Alright, alright. I'll bring you out to play sometime too," Xier whispered.
…Whatever.
Hu Tao hooked her arm around Caelg's.
"Alright, let's go!"
Xier's smile instantly froze.
"Let go of Brother Cael! Director Hu Tao, you're squishing him!!"
"Hey hey hey! You little brat—itching for trouble again?!"
Out in the Wild
Hu Tao picked a quiet spot—flat ground, lush trees, and towering mountains in the distance.
"Ah… I originally wanted to picnic at Wuwang Hill," Hu Tao sighed regretfully as she spread the mat.
"Who in their right mind picnics there?" Caelg squinted.
"Hehehe."
Xier knelt down comfortably, closed her eyes, and felt the breeze.
"I like it here… the air feels so nice."
She flopped backward onto the grass.
Hu Tao nodded.
"Same. No work, no stress—just wind and peace. Best of all, no mountain of unpaid bills."
Caelg sighed.
"…Zhongli, that guy…"
Suddenly, Xier sat up sharply, eyes narrowing.
"Fatui!"
Hu Tao and Caelg immediately tensed.
"Where?!" Hu Tao asked.
Xier pointed toward the grassland.
"There."
They looked over.
A Fatui Cryo Gunner stood there.
Upon closer inspection…
He was picking berries.
"..."
Xier stared at him with intense hostility, as if ready to charge at any moment.
At that moment, a hand gently rested on her shoulder.