Acting Grand Master Jean stared at the sky with a serious expression.
This sudden change made her uneasy.
The real Grand Master had taken most of Mondstadt's fighting force on an expedition.
She had no choice but to step up as Acting Grand Master and bear the responsibility of protecting Mondstadt.
But recently, incidents had been happening one after another.
A few days ago, reports came in that the Stormterror Dragon had been seen at Stormterror's Lair, severely affecting the lives of Mondstadt's citizens.
And now, this strange phenomenon appeared out of nowhere.
Jean couldn't help but doubt herself.
"Can I really protect Mondstadt?"
Liyue – Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (and a well-known "idle man"), stood by the window, looking at the massive screen in the sky.
His expression was grave.
"Such power… could it be the Heavenly Principles?"
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Even something as powerful as the Heavenly Principles shouldn't be capable of affecting the entire continent of Teyvat instantly.
So what exactly is this?
Zhongli sighed.
Three thousand years… it had already been three thousand years.
I just want to retire. What did I do wrong?
Why does something like this happen right when I'm about to retire?
Are you trying to make me die on the job?!
Inazuma – Plane of Euthymia
Raiden Ei sat calmly at her table.
In one hand, she held dango.
In the other, a light novel that had been wildly popular over the past two and a half years: "Death Fire Sea" (a parody mashup).
She particularly liked one line from the protagonist:
"Mikasa, I won't return to the safe zone. I will join the Demon Slayer Corps, defeat Aizen, become the Pirate King, trigger the Rumbling, destroy Teyvat, and create a world where Rin exists."
It somehow resonated with her.
But when the giant screen appeared and she saw the flowing messages—
Her expression turned cold.
"Unknown… the enemy of eternity."
Sumeru – Sanctuary of Surasthana
Within a cage formed by countless strands of green light, Nahida was trapped.
Even so, she never stopped watching over her people.
The sudden appearance of the screen puzzled her.
"Unknown knowledge… even stronger than the Akasha."
"I wonder whether this is a blessing… or a disaster."
Back to the Odd-Jobs Shop
Eula and Amber finally snapped out of their shock.
Faced with the mysterious voice in their minds, they looked slightly panicked.
"Don't be afraid. If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
Cao Zhong reassured them confidently.
Meanwhile, the giant screen in the sky began to change.
Wait… why am I on the screen? And… Amber too?
Cao Zhong felt confused.
Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.
His spider-sense activated—something bad was about to happen.
He instinctively tried to leave.
But Eula stopped him expressionlessly.
"Don't rush. You can leave after we finish watching."
The danger signal in his mind grew stronger.
Oh no… am I really going to die here today?
Cao Zhong started to panic.
The Video Begins Playing
Under the great tree at Windrise—
Cao Zhong looked at Amber in confusion.
"Why did you insist on meeting me here?"
Amber's face was completely red. She couldn't even meet his eyes.
"Do you want to know the answer?"
"I want a sincere answer."
Cao Zhong smiled gently.
"Because I like you. I love you. I want to be with you forever, never apart."
Amber gathered all her courage and confessed.
"I've always understood your feelings. I just pretended not to, to give you a chance to take it back."
Cao Zhong looked at her with tenderness.
"I don't want to take it back! And even if you do—I won't allow it!"
Amber's eyes were filled with nothing but him.
"But… I'm in love with another woman too. I'm even obsessed with her."
Cao Zhong stepped aside, a trace of sadness in his eyes.
"I don't care!"
Amber answered firmly.
"What if she's your best friend?"
"I still don't care!"
"Then what do you care about?"
"I only care… that when you're not with her, you can spend more time with me."
Cao Zhong was finally moved by her deep affection.
He gently pulled her into his arms.
Chat Reactions ExplodeKaeya: "Damn it, Cao Zhong, you really deserve to die! I'm grinding my teeth to dust here!"Collei: "Amber, don't lose yourself in love!"Paimon: "How can someone be this shameless?! I'm giving you a terrible nickname!"Lumine: "Exactly!"Zhongli: "From a rational standpoint, this Cao Zhong appears to be a scumbag."Arataki Itto: "Wait, isn't this a touching love story?"Kuki Shinobu: "…Boss, maybe we should just go read comics."Cao Zhong Tries to Defend HimselfCao Zhong: "Wait, let me explain—no, let me argue!"Cao Zhong: "My friends, you can't blame a sincere man based on an unclear video!"Cao Zhong: "Since childhood, I've never hurt a single girl! Not one!"Cao Zhong: "You're all verbally attacking an innocent young man! Where's the justice? Where's the law?!"
But his defense didn't last long.
Because—
A greatsword was now pressed against his neck.
And its owner…
Was Eula.