After returning to the Guyun Stone Forest arena, they discovered that Baiwen, Ningguang's secretary, had also arrived.
Most of the contestants and spectators had already left.
"I see… the evidence is conclusive."
"No wonder Lady Ningguang takes the risks here so seriously."
"Even Beidou won't escape punishment this time."
Baiwen frowned, one hand resting on her chin.
Though puzzled, Lumine, Paimon, and Kazuha followed Qiu Nian over to Zhuhan.
"We just heard Baiwen mention punishing Beidou."
"What's going on?"
Paimon asked.
"The captain was called away by Ningguang."
"It seems the scale of the Crux Clash far exceeded what was reported."
"They couldn't just ignore it."
Zhuhan explained.
"She was cursing that 'buzzkill woman' the whole way back to Liyue Harbor."
Hearing that, Kazuha chuckled.
"Conflicts between them… are nothing unusual."
"Ahhh I ship it, I ship it!"
"Seriously, Ningguang and Beidou really suit each other."
Xuehua immediately jumped on it.
[So random heterosexual ships are bad, but yuri is fine?]
[Go fight Ningguang yourself (lol)]
[This kind of dynamic happens often apparently]
"The captain also said…"
"The next time she sees you and the Traveler, she'll treat you to a meal."
Zhuhan smiled.
"Then according to the rules, the champion is the Traveler!"
"I'll present the special championship medal now."
She placed a gleaming golden medal on the table.
"So… we can go to Inazuma now?"
Lumine asked after taking it.
"Most likely."
"I'll inform the captain later."
"With her personality, she'll definitely keep her word."
"But the sea route to Inazuma is extremely dangerous."
"Storms rage endlessly."
"That unceasing tempest… is also a manifestation of the Raiden Shogun's will."
Kazuha explained, arms crossed.
"Her will can even change the weather?!"
Paimon was stunned.
"So… just by her will alone…"
"She's surrounded an entire nation with storms?"
Lumine widened her eyes.
That was an entire country.
The scale was terrifying.
Her understanding of gods… deepened once again.
[Damn, that's insane]
[Maybe Inazuma is small though (lol)]
[Still crazy]
[Which god we met isn't broken?]
[Venti: I'd like to speak]
[Silence, fraud bard!]
"That is one of the Seven."
"Just as Morax shaped Guyun with stone spears…"
"The Raiden Shogun summoning eternal storms is nothing surprising."
"Even Osial, not one of the Seven, could distort the skies upon awakening."
Kazuha said.
"R-right…"
"When you put it that way… it makes sense."
Paimon nodded.
She still remembered the overwhelming pressure of the blindfolded god.
The way it immobilized her completely.
And yet—
Even such a being…
Had only managed to severely injure Qiu Nian.
And now—
He looked perfectly fine.
Paimon couldn't help but glance at him strangely.
…Are all gods this absurdly strong?
"We really don't need to be surprised."
Lumine crossed her arms and smiled at Qiu Nian.
Though…
Why was he so quiet?
Was it because he had lived too long?
"In any case…"
"To sail to Inazuma, the Crux still needs some preparation."
"You'll be notified when everything is ready."
"In the meantime, I'll continue my journey."
"To see if I can find a way to rekindle the Vision."
Kazuha said.
"I'm sure you will!"
Paimon encouraged him.
"I hope our journeys each lead us to our own answers."
Kazuha smiled.
"One last warning."
"Beyond those endless storms…"
"Lies perhaps the most difficult part of your journey."
He turned toward Inazuma.
"Until we meet again, Mr. Kazuha."
Qiu Nian finally spoke.
"Until next time."
Kazuha nodded.
—
Some time later…
Qiu Nian led Lumine and Paimon to the highest point of Guyun.
The sun rose over the sea.
The sky gradually turned blue.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of the ocean.
"…Mm."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"Wow…"
Lumine stepped forward, her eyes bright.
"My mood's getting better…"
Paimon smiled softly.
Then—
Qiu Nian's expression slowly faded.
Memories surfaced.
A soft, playful female voice echoed in his mind.
"So… it hasn't come to that day yet…"
"Then… can I stay by your side until then?"
"If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes."
"…After all, in the end…"
—
"Please… smile a little."
"Or at least talk to me…"
"I've followed you for over a hundred years…"
—
"Tell me…"
"Why did that one choose me to ascend as a god?"
"If I could choose…"
"I just wanted to live freely in the mountains…"
"I don't want this responsibility…"
"I tried… I really did…"
"But it's useless…"
"I can't escape it…"
"…I really tried…"
Her voice broke into sobs.
"…Still not talking?"
"…Pfft—sorry."
"I shouldn't laugh."
"You really are like a tree in the mountains."
—
"…Don't forget me… okay?"
"That's the only proof I ever existed…"
"Even if I can leave just a trace in your memory…"
"Two hundred years…"
"Can you at least tell me your name…?"
But—
There was never an answer.
—
Fragments of memories faded.
Qiu Nian opened his eyes.
The sun had fully risen.
No one knew…
What he was thinking.
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