Compared to Orobashi's enormous body, the book was tiny. He could not even pick it up with his claws.
But as a powerful god, this was no obstacle. He used his power to levitate the small book before him.
And he saw its title: Before Sun and Moon.
There seemed to be a strange seal on the book. Had it been left by the previous god of Enkanomiya? Sealed by them?
Driven by curiosity, Orobashi used his power to break the already-weakened seal. He opened the first page.
He opened a new world.
The moment Before Sun and Moon was opened after so many centuries, a thunderbolt split the sky and struck Enkanomiya. It was a warning from the Heavenly Principles. But it was too late.
Orobashi had already opened Before Sun and Moon and read its ancient records. He saw part of the truth of this world.
The contents shattered his understanding of the world. And the more he read, the more horrified he became.
Regardless of whether the records were true or false, the very way they were presented was shocking. Who had discovered these truths? By what means?
As Orobashi read Before Sun and Moon, outside the palace, countless bolts of lightning appeared, nearly engulfing the entire world.
The people of Enkanomiya had never seen such a terrifying sight. They thought their god was angry. They fell to their knees, praying.
Inside the palace, lightning struck Orobashi's enormous body. Even he could not withstand such power. After being struck repeatedly, he collapsed with a crash that shook the earth.
Unconscious, Orobashi's consciousness entered a strange world—a spiritual realm.
In this endless white void, Orobashi felt fear for the first time.
Who had dragged a powerful god into this spiritual realm against his will?
Then, information flooded into his mind.
The Heavenly Principles of Teyvat.
Before Sun and Moon was a forbidden book. Anyone who read it, anyone who touched it, was sentenced to death.
They must die.
In the past, Orobashi would have laughed at such words. But now, trapped in this endless void, he could not laugh.
He knew that the only being capable of dragging his consciousness here was the Heavenly Principles—the ruler of this world. A being more noble than the gods, more powerful than the gods. A being who could destroy an entire nation with ease.
This was the Heavenly Principles.
Then, more information came to Orobashi's mind.
[All of Enkanomiya: Death.]
[The god Orobashi: Death.]
It was not a suggestion, but a judgment. The Heavenly Principles' judgment on Orobashi and all the people of Enkanomiya.
Because of one book, everyone here was to die.
If it were anyone else—the Raiden sisters, or any other powerful god—Orobashi would not be afraid. He would resist.
But facing the Heavenly Principles, his heart was filled with awe, fear, and despair.
If the Heavenly Principles wanted him dead, he would die.
But Orobashi himself had opened Before Sun and Moon. He himself had read it. The people of Enkanomiya had nothing to do with it.
So Orobashi begged the Heavenly Principles.
"Most supreme Heavenly Principles, I know I have committed an unforgivable crime. I willingly accept punishment. But the people of Enkanomiya have never read this book. They do not even know it exists. I beg you to spare them."
Orobashi, a powerful god who did not fear the Raiden sisters, felt utterly powerless before the Heavenly Principles.
"Most supreme Heavenly Principles, if you insist on killing everyone, it will surely attract attention from across the continent. Please, spare the innocent people."
He begged humbly.
After a long silence, the Heavenly Principles responded.
They agreed to spare the innocent people of Enkanomiya to avoid drawing attention.
But Orobashi, who had read Before Sun and Moon, must die. And he must die in a way that would not arouse suspicion.
Finally, the Heavenly Principles delivered their final judgment.
[Orobashi, attack Inazuma.]
[Die.]
This was Orobashi's sentence. And a way to give his death a plausible, unsuspicious cause.
Facing this judgment, Orobashi dared not resist. He could not resist. For the sake of Enkanomiya's people.
"Most supreme Heavenly Principles, I will obey your command."
When he finished speaking, his consciousness returned to his body. He slowly woke up on the ground.
Still in his claws was the small book, Before Sun and Moon.
He knew that what had just happened was not a dream. It was real.
He, the god Orobashi, had been sentenced to death by the Heavenly Principles. And he would die as an invader, at the hands of the Raiden sisters.
...
Now, at Wangshu Inn in Liyue Harbor, Li Mo told the story on stage.
Below, the audience heard that Orobashi had been sentenced to death just for reading a book. They were stunned.
This was far from what they had known.
"Orobashi read the secrets in the book and was sentenced to death. Now that we know the secrets too, will we be sentenced to death?"
"Storyteller, are you trying to get us killed?"
"Hey, we're fine! No punishment from the Heavenly Principles."
"This story must be fake."
Just as the audience was murmuring, a thunderous crash came from outside the inn.
A bright bolt of lightning split the sky and struck the cliff beside Wangshu Inn, nearly hitting Dvalin, who had been listening to the story.
...
A/N: Orobashi's story is very complex. The official information is ambiguous. To write it clearly would take many words (and would be very watery—it's already a bit watery now…)
I tried to keep it brief, but it's still a little messy. This is difficult.
I hope my readers can understand.