After Caelus's explanation, Atea understood the potion's effect.
"This tiny potion can really purge the Abyssal corruption within the body and restore it to its pre-corrupted state?"
Atea looked at the potion in disbelief.
Over the years, she had sought out many doctors to treat her internal injuries, but none had succeeded.
Yet the potion Caelus handed her could heal her body simply by drinking it?
"Caelus, where did you get this potion?"
Unexpectedly, Atea's concern shifted away from its effectiveness.
"You haven't been scammed, have you?"
Atea was considered a guardian figure among the People of the Springs. She had watched Caelus and Mualani grow up.
Seeing Caelus produce a miracle potion, her first reaction wasn't hope for herself, but worry that he might have been deceived.
"Aunt Atea, I'm already the Pyro Archon," Caelus said helplessly.
"So what if you're the Pyro Archon? Archons can't be scammed?"
Atea laughed. "It's not like you haven't been fooled before."
"Didn't Mualani once trick you by claiming she secretly joined the Night Warden War, only to hide and try to scare you?"
"In the end, you rushed straight to where the Abyss Order appeared and wiped them out yourself. You nearly frightened all of us half to death."
Caelus rubbed his forehead.
Back then, he and Mualani were about ten years old.
While playing hide-and-seek, Mualani kept getting found too quickly. So she left a letter claiming she had secretly followed warriors participating in the Night Warden War to fight the Abyss Order.
Then she hid, waiting to see Caelus panic.
Instead, Caelus went straight to where Abyss Order forces had surfaced and eliminated them before the titled warriors arrived.
The result?
Mualani was scolded by her parents.
Caelus was scolded by the People of the Springs.
He didn't expect Atea to still remember.
"No wonder Ganyu prefers staying in Liyue Harbor to work," Caelus muttered. "Having Cloud Retainer at home is already exhausting."
But he had it worse.
There was more than one "Cloud Retainer" in the People of the Springs.
"Oh right, back to the point," Atea said.
"Where did this potion come from?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I heard you've been cooperating with the Fatui recently. Did it come from them?"
In truth, Caelus had minimal contact with the Fatui.
Aside from collecting an item as rent from them shortly after becoming the Pyro Archon, he hadn't interacted much.
Rumors, however, had evolved into "The Pyro Archon and the Fatui are building a better future together."
"Just rumors," Caelus replied. "I only collected rent. An item. It has nothing to do with this potion."
Atea frowned. "If not the Fatui… then where?"
"I obtained this knowledge from the Sacred Flame," Caelus explained.
It was common knowledge in Natlan that each Pyro Archon could inherit memories and knowledge from predecessors through the Sacred Flame.
If a previous Pyro Archon had conceptualized such a potion, it wouldn't be strange for Caelus to refine it.
"From the Sacred Flame…"
That was beyond Atea's understanding.
"Fine," she sighed. "You wouldn't harm me."
She lifted the potion again.
"If it truly clears Abyssal corruption and restores what was damaged… I can finally live normally again."
"And return to the hot springs you love," Caelus said with a smile. "After all these years, you might have to pass inspection like ordinary visitors."
Atea loved the hot springs most in all of the People of the Springs.
But after being injured fighting the Abyss Order, doctors forbade her from soaking to prevent worsening her condition.
With this potion, she could return.
"You really do understand me," Atea smiled brightly.
As she prepared to leave, she asked, "Anything you want me to tell everyone back home?"
Caelus thought for a moment.
"Just tell them I'm doing well at the Affairs Office. And that they should take care of themselves."
Then something occurred to him.
"Why didn't Mualani come with you?"
"With her personality, I thought she would."
"That child is still sulking at you," Atea laughed.
"I asked her to come. She crossed her arms like this—"
Atea mimicked Mualani:
"Hmph. I don't want to see Caelus."
"If he wants to see me, he should come himself."
She burst into laughter. "Was that accurate?"
"The first half, yes," Caelus replied.
When did Mualani develop that kind of prideful streak?
"I'll visit once I'm done here," Caelus said.
After resolving matters related to the Abyss Order, he would return to the People of the Springs to rest.
Not long after Atea left,
Xilonen entered the Affairs Office.
"Lord Pyro Archon, the device you commissioned has been completed."
She brought good news.