If things had truly gone as Elliot described—Sasayuri slain, Zebul striking in fury to destroy Orobashi and becoming the god of Watatsumi Island—then the outcome would have been grim.
Because Inazuma could not look after Watatsumi, the people there would have lived in hardship. And after death, how could Orobashi not bear resentment, seeing his people suffering in such misery?
That was why, from the moment Elliot slew Orobashi, he had become the savior of both islands.
"Then... what about the Khaenri'ah War?"
After a long pause to absorb everything, Baal finally asked her last question.
"Khaenri'ah became too prosperous, too powerful. A godless nation that used alchemy to create terrifying creatures capable of slaying gods... they were destined to be destroyed by the Heavenly Principles."
"The godless Khaenri'ah could create beings strong enough to kill gods!?"
Baal had known something about Khaenri'ah. Their technology already surpassed that of the Seven Nations by far, but she had never imagined that such prosperity and strength would bring about their ruin.
If that was the case...
"Inazuma is prosperous as well. Could we also..."
"As long as you don't pursue technological advancement, there won't be a problem. Inazuma should focus on food, culture, and tourism—open up more natural landscapes on Yashiori Island and Watatsumi Island."
Elliot had originally planned to write all this down and leave it behind before his departure. But now that Baal had confronted him, it was better to explain directly.
"I see... Then what was the Khaenri'ah War like?" she asked.
"The Heavenly Principles will unite with the Seven Archons to annihilate Khaenri'ah. Its people, swallowed by darkness, will turn into monsters—and the disaster will spread across all of Teyvat."
"Inazuma can't escape either?"
"No."
"What will happen to us?"
Even someone as wise as Baal couldn't imagine what sort of war could engulf the entirety of Teyvat. Just how powerful had Khaenri'ah become, that even the Heavenly Principles and the Seven Gods together could not completely destroy it?
"..." Elliot fell silent for a long time, before finally speaking in a low voice.
"We will die."
"All of us? Zebul too? Kitsune Saiguu and Chiyo as well? What will become of Inazuma...?"
At her words, Elliot recalled that chaotic, ruined Inazuma.
Countless people of Yashiori Island tormented to death by the vengeful god's curse. Watatsumi raising a resistance army, waging war against Inazuma.
A great many ordinary people had their Visions taken, becoming hollow husks without dreams.
Almost all of the Three Commissions fell into corruption. The Kanjou Commission secretly colluded with the Fatui, even transporting Orobashi's remains to the already blighted Yashiori Island.
The Tenryou Commission, outwardly sending aid to Yashiori, actually intended to sink the ships en route—drowning the islanders at sea so they would not bring the curse to Narukami.
"In the end, only the Shogun will remain. She will create a puppet that pursues nothing but eternity, while she herself locks away her true self in the Plane of Euthymia for hundreds of years."
"All of Inazuma's governance will fall to that puppet. In pursuit of 'eternity,' and to avoid the Heavenly Principles' destruction, she will issue the Vision Hunt Decree, stripping mortals of their Visions. War will erupt because of it."
"At the same time, Inazuma will seal its borders, freezing all progress forever—believing that to be 'eternity.'"
"I saw that Inazuma with my own eyes. I saw Zebul too—secluded for centuries. Her gaze was lifeless, numb."
Elliot remembered the life of Kazuha. After fighting the puppet, he had been dragged into the Plane of Euthymia.
Though he had only exchanged a few words with Zebul before being consumed by corruption, he remembered her expression clearly—empty of desire, void of spirit, like a cold machine.
Listening to his description, Baal's brows furrowed deeply.
What Elliot described was far beyond what she could imagine.
They had endured even the Archon War, yet would all perish in the Khaenri'ah War. Baal had never conceived of such devastation.
And not just Baal—no one could have imagined how tragic that war would be.
Afterward, the numbers of Hilichurls would surge severalfold.
For they were once the people of Khaenri'ah, swallowed by darkness and turned into monsters. Unable to accept reality, they donned Hilichurl masks in the end.
"Is there any way to stop it?" Baal asked quietly.
At her words, Elliot gently clasped the Gnosis, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Yes."
The moment he held the Gnosis, he could feel the faith of countless people flowing into him.
The people of Yashiori, Watatsumi, Narukami, even from other nations—all carried faith in Elliot to varying degrees.
From Yashiori and Watatsumi, it was only natural. But those from Narukami and beyond prayed because of his reputation—because of the name he had made for himself in Inazuma.
The Second Archon.
He had destroyed countless pirate fleets, protected many merchant convoys. Any who traded with Inazuma prayed for the hidden second god in the shadows to watch over them.
Because of him, their journeys were safe. Because of him, pirates did not dare strike.
Now, Elliot could truly be called the Second God of Inazuma. He bore abundant faith, and the Gnosis resonated with it.
"I will destroy that war. I will protect this land."
"Until I complete my mission... I hope you can keep this a secret."
With that, Elliot became a flash of thunder and vanished from sight.