Ganyu, who had been waiting at the docks, instantly recognized the stunning beauty before her. Aside from the deceased Kitsune Saiguu, there was only one being worthy of the title "Hakushin Kitsune King"—this shrine maiden from Narukami Island.
It had been a long time since they'd last met. The pink little fox who used to cling to Saiguu and act spoiled had grown into a poised and independent high priestess. Ganyu felt a pang of nostalgia.
However, she couldn't quite understand why someone of Yae Miko's stature had chosen to arrive aboard Beidou's Alcor. Shouldn't an emissary from Inazuma travel on an official diplomatic vessel?
Yae Miko herself was somewhat surprised by Liyue's welcoming formation. She hadn't given any notice prior to her arrival—this trip had been a sudden whim, a personal visit, not an official mission. Her intended meeting wasn't even with anyone from Liyue's government—nor a Liyue citizen at all. Her plan had been a "sudden appearance," but instead she was intercepted at the harbor, turning a casual visit into an official reception.
To make things worse—she hadn't even come up with a reason for her visit yet.
She certainly couldn't say she came all this way just to urge a Fatui Harbinger to turn in their manuscript.
Both sides were rapidly calculating in silence, trying to find a suitable conversation starter. In the end, it was Ganyu who offered a suggestion:
"Shall we head to Liuli Pavilion?"
As an island nation, Inazuma was known for its seafood. So, when receiving Inazuman guests, Liyue's officials typically avoided Xinyue Kiosk—which specialized in moon-style cuisine featuring seafood—and instead opted for Liuli Pavilion, which served mountain-style dishes using local Liyue specialties. This would offer a fresh experience without overlapping with the guests' native flavors.
Liuli Pavilion was the perfect choice for entertaining someone like Yae Miko.
Yae Miko, still grappling with how to justify her presence, happily accepted Ganyu's arrangement.
As an experienced secretary, Ganyu knew better than to probe the reason behind Yae's visit right away. The guest must have come with some purpose, and if she hadn't revealed it yet, it just meant the time wasn't right. Ganyu was confident that when the time came, the purpose would become clear. No need to rush.
Her practiced hospitality saved Yae Miko the effort of navigating awkward formalities. With mutual understanding, the welcome banquet went smoothly and joyously, no further explanation necessary.
At the same time, within the domain beneath Stormterror's Lair in Mondstadt, Saphir had been walking through darkness for what felt like an eternity.
This place was far different from what she remembered. Even in her past life, the only domain here was the weekly boss fight deep inside Stormterror's Lair. But the one she was in now... was not that. This was a lost domain.
She had encountered similar places before—like the Abyssal domains she explored with Scaramouche, or the Immortal mansions whispered about in Liyue. These were all real, yet unrevealed spaces.
Domains like this were incredibly dangerous. With no prior intel, she had no way to prepare. She could only react as events unfolded.
What made this domain so disturbing was the utter absence of light.
Other domains at least had some faint glow to help with navigation—but here, there was nothing. It was pure blackness, rendering her vision useless. The vast, echoing space even made echolocation impossible.
It felt like she had stepped into a rift in time and space: no light, no sun, no sky, no ground.
Suddenly, the sound of something slicing through the air rang out.
Saphir reacted instantly, casting Holy Light Barrier around herself. A golden shield enveloped her body—and just in time. Two arrows slammed into the barrier with a soft "thud," their force dissipated as they fell harmlessly to the ground.
The danger came quickly and vanished just as fast. The area fell silent again. Saphir let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, she had already switched into Seraph Mode upon entering. With its massive HP pool, even a surprise attack wouldn't have killed her outright. Good decision.
She continued walking forward, and slowly, the surroundings began to brighten.
When she finally looked around, she was stunned.
Elegant architecture, towering wind barriers, distant towers obscured by swirling air… and behind the walls, citizens with blank eyes staring listlessly into the outside world.
Comparing what she saw with her memory, Saphir quickly concluded:
This was once Stormterror's Lair, under the rule of the Anemo God of Tyranny, Decarabian.
Back then, this place wasn't even called Stormterror's Lair. It was known as the royal capital of Brightcrown Mountains.
Saphir stepped forward and reached for the wind wall. But before she could touch it, the barrier shifted away, opening a gap just wide enough for one person—as if it were inviting her inside.
Without hesitation, she walked through.
On the other side, everything became clear. The once-distant royal towers loomed vividly before her. The people—sheltered and expressionless—made no reaction to her arrival. As she walked through the residential districts, she searched for a certain bard—but found no trace.
Eventually, she crossed a long corridor and began ascending a staircase toward the palace.
"Outsider. Have you come, too, drawn by tales of my power?"
A deep, roaring wind carried the voice to her ears. When Saphir didn't respond, the voice turned displeased.
"Do not ignore the majesty of your host! Insolent visitor!"
Only then did Saphir realize that what she saw wasn't just an illusion. The people might be projections, but Decarabian—the God of Storms—was aware of her presence.
That alone was surprising.
"…Decarabian?" she asked softly. Her voice echoed far in the vast hall.
There was a long silence.
"Decarabian… Decarabian. Yes… I am Decarabian. The God of Storms… King of Mondstadt."
He repeated the name, as if struggling to remember himself.
It became clear: during the ancient war, Decarabian didn't perish completely. After losing his godhood, by some twist of fate, he ended up here. His immense power and deep regret had recreated this version of his kingdom from memory.
The blank-eyed citizens? Echoes of his own recollection.
In his final moments, he must have realized the suffering he brought to his people.
Saphir gathered her thoughts and asked again:
"Then… what are you now?"
If he was still at full power, she stood no chance. But more likely, he was like Andrius—reduced to a residual spirit, trapped here.
Decarabian seemed to struggle with her question, unable to form an answer.
"I… don't know. Outsider, tell me… was I wrong?"
His voice trembled. His mind was clearly unstable, most of his memories lost.
According to what Saphir knew, Barbatos only became an Archon by absorbing Decarabian's divine power—and it had been willingly given. Decarabian wasn't defeated so much as redeemed.
But this version of him remembered none of that. He was trapped in the day of his death, suffering endlessly, reliving the pain of defeat.
Knowing this, Saphir relaxed. At least he wasn't an unbeatable foe.
She asked again, "Decarabian, you once ruled from the throne. But did you ever truly understand what it meant to be king?"
"I am king. I must protect my people. I loved them deeply… but they rose against me!"
His voice trembled with emotion.
"Their frail bodies couldn't endure the harsh world outside, so I sheltered them. I only wanted them to survive. What did I do wrong?"
"You wanted to be a benevolent king, but what followed was far from your vision," Saphir replied as she reached the top.
"What destroyed you wasn't their longing for freedom—it was your arrogance."
Before her stood a massive door. She only needed to push it open to meet the tyrant of history.
This brief exchange had changed her view.
She had always believed Decarabian was a tyrant who enslaved Mondstadt's people, and that his rule sparked rebellion. But now…
He reminded her of someone: Artoria Pendragon.
Both had been judged for "failing to understand human hearts." Whether it was Decarabian's so-called tyranny or Artoria's cold rationality, those judgments came from outsiders with lofty expectations.
Yet they were different.
Artoria's downfall came after giving everything she could, ending in powerless despair.
Decarabian died after awakening from a fantasy—filled with regret and a yearning for redemption.
"Arrogance…" he murmured.
"I thought they would be grateful. That they would support me until the war ended. I would defeat Andrius, unite all of Mondstadt under my rule… let my people live in peace, thrive, multiply. I had grand dreams… but they abandoned me."
Saphir's heart felt conflicted.
Rationally, she should end this. Put him to rest.
But emotionally… she didn't want to.
She pressed a hand to the great door and pushed.
A sudden arrow screamed through the air, aimed directly at her face.
"Warning… Ignored… Intrusion… Terminate."
~~~----------------------
To read 55+ future chapters head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/YonkoSlayer