"Hmm? What's going on? Why are there so many Millelith at the city gate… and Fatui too?"
Just as the undercurrents within Liyue were rising to the surface, Lumine, Zhongli… and Paimon returned from Dihua Marsh with the last materials needed for the Rite of Parting. They arrived at the northern bridge into Liyue Harbor.
"The atmosphere is tense. It seems something major has happened. For safety, we'd best ask someone about the situation," Zhongli suggested.
Before they could, a Fatui agent—Felix—stepped up and greeted him. "Ah, the guest consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli, yes? The Millelith are keeping us under close watch. It's a delicate time—be very careful not to make any rash moves."
"A delicate time?"
Felix explained, "The Adepti from Jueyun Karst have finally made their move—and they're clearly not here on friendly terms."
"To demand justice, perhaps?"
"Most likely. I've heard some of the Qixing headed out early to meet them… Though 'meet' might not be the right word—'block' is more like it. Neither side is backing down. It seems they've hit a stalemate."
"…This was inevitable."
"The Adepti recognize only their contract with the Geo Archon—not the Qixing. If they decide to attack, I doubt Liyue Harbor could withstand them."
"But the Qixing aren't ones to sit idle either."
"Hah, everyone knows how hardheaded they are. That's exactly why things are about to explode between mortals and Adepti!" Felix feigned irritation, but inwardly felt satisfied. Finally, the Qixing had run into an immovable wall—and it was a wall the Fatui had helped build.
As though everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
Zhongli ignored the gloating and asked with mild curiosity, "And how did the Fatui become the enemy all of a sudden?"
"Because of Ningguang, of course! She said something like, 'In times of looming crisis, the movements of the Fatui must be tightly controlled.' Tch. Now she wants to restrict us? The Qixing really are something else!"
Lumine, listening quietly, caught something off. "What do you mean by that?"
Felix coughed and avoided answering. "In any case, Mr. Zhongli, you're associated with Childe. That makes your position half-aligned with ours. Try not to give anyone an excuse."
Paimon sighed. "Sounds like all the tensions in Liyue Harbor have finally boiled over…"
Lumine thought back on the Fatui's actions in Mondstadt, on Childe's strangely eager assistance, how he suggested visiting Jueyun Karst… Her encounters with Keqing and Ningguang had shown her that the Qixing weren't unreasonable people.
Now that the Adepti were in opposition, she realized… she had played a part in this, hadn't she? Like a tool used by someone else.
It made her angry.
"I don't want to just stand by," she declared.
"You mean… you want to step in using your special neutral status? Or perhaps you intend to shift the balance through sheer force? Either way… neither path will be easy," Zhongli sighed. He knew those old friends of his all too well.
"By the way, Mr. Zhongli! I heard Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's been caught up in all this too. The Millelith are confronting them right now!"
"That's not good… I'd better head there at once. Hopefully Director Hu can handle things for now. I just hope nothing escalates…"
Even Wangsheng was being dragged into this. But it wasn't beyond salvage.
"Traveler, you should think carefully as well. In my view, rather than trying to stop an explosion… it's better to find the fuse first."
With that cryptic advice, Zhongli left.
"Fuse? What fuse?" Paimon scratched her head.
"The one with orange hair… the guy who kept footing our bills—Childe."
"Ah, right! Now that you mention it… If anyone is eager to see Liyue descend into chaos, my first guess is definitely him.
"That guy must be using the distraction to do something shady. But… where do we even start looking for him?"
"As a Harbinger, there's only one place he'd go."
"You mean…?"
"Let's go."
…
When Zhongli arrived back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in a hurry, what he found was… five young people blowing bubbles with a group of Millelith on the platform out front.
No trouble. Good.
…But what were those bubbles?
"Zhongli! Did you find a wild glaze lily?" Hu Tao was the first to notice him.
"Yes. I was fortunate to come across one of excellent quality."
The Millelith captain quickly swallowed his bubble and signaled the others to gather.
"Mr. Zhongli, during our investigation, we discovered that funds from the Northland Bank were used in the Rite of Parting. The Qixing suspect that Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been colluding with the Fatui. Your colleagues—and Director Hu—have both stated that you were in charge of these matters. Do you dispute that?"
"No. I take full responsibility."
"Very well. Then answer this honestly—why did you accept funding from the Northland Bank? Were you acting under Fatui orders when you planned the Rite?"
"Though the Geo Archon is the ancestor of all Adepti, he is, at the end of the day, one of them. Traditionally, when any Adeptus departs, a grand send-off is held. Yet this time, even the Qixing had no time to see to it…"
"The killer hasn't even been caught, and you're already thinking about the funeral?!"
"Because we are Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. More than catching culprits, we are concerned with honoring the dead. With such a formal rite to welcome the Adepti, shouldn't the farewell be treated just as seriously?"
"Twisting words won't help! To us, your actions make you look like someone desperate to erase evidence!"
"So… that's how you see it. But this is how I truly feel." So… the Qixing have had their eyes on me for some time. Laying bait for a big catch? Hm. Not bad.
"Stop lying! Even if we ignore your intentions, the money trail is clear. Every mora came from the Northland Bank!"
"Exactly because the sum was so large, I sought sponsors through my old connections. In the end, the Northland Bank agreed. They've long been marginalized in Liyue, and hoped that sponsoring the funeral would improve their public image."
"Look me in the eyes and tell me you believe what you're saying. I don't believe you."
The Millelith captain stood tall, meeting Zhongli's gaze directly. He stepped forward, staring hard—but saw no ripple, only unsettling calm…
Still, he pressed on: "Hmph! You're shaken. Your eyes betrayed you."
That made Zhongli chuckle inwardly. This Millelith captain was good at bluffing. His own poker face was quite solid too.
Feigning hesitation, Zhongli said, "Fine. In truth… the Northland Bank approached me because they wanted access to the Archon's body. That's why they offered sponsorship."
"That's it? Think again!"
Seeing that he'd gotten something, the captain pushed harder.
"Why so aggressive? Zhongli already told you the Fatui's motive," Hu Tao interjected, hands on hips.
"Director Hu, anyone who volunteers to plan the Rite surely has hidden intentions. If Mr. Zhongli can't explain himself, you'll have to answer as well. In fact… Wangsheng may have to shut down temporarily."
"Hey! Wangsheng's been around longer than the Qixing. Are you threatening us?"
"Just following orders. If Mr. Zhongli can clarify, Wangsheng won't be implicated. Remember—honesty gets leniency; resistance gets severity."
"You—!"
"Director Hu, let it be." Zhongli stopped the argument and asked to speak with the captain in private. When they returned, the captain's attitude had noticeably softened.
"Even so, per the Qixing's orders, you are to remain here at Wangsheng until this matter is resolved."
"That's no problem at all."
Now free of the Millelith's attention, Zhongli approached Xiangling and the others. "Those bubbles you were blowing earlier—might that be one of Chef Xiangling's latest inventions?"
"Oh no, not at all!" Xiangling waved her hands. "It was all Victor's idea. I just followed his instructions to make the bubblegum. Want to try?"
"I'd be honored."
"Here, we've got a few pieces left."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhongli placed one in his mouth. His expression changed subtly. "Is this… slime?"
"Ah! Forgot to warn you again—sorry!"
"No matter. Processed this well, it's not too slippery or sticky…"
He blew a bubble, then gave Victor Wang a nod. "From a rational perspective, this candy is excellent. Tasty and entertaining. Whoever devised it is quite brilliant."
"I'll graciously accept that compliment." Received: Praise from the Geo Archon ×1.
"By the way, Zhongli," Hu Tao asked curiously, "what did you say to that Millelith captain?"
Zhongli glanced at the group and lowered his voice. "I told him… that I was blackmailed by Childe. That I secretly informed Ningguang, and that everything Wangsheng has done since then has been part of a coordinated act with the Qixing."
"That scoundrel!" Hu Tao raised her fist.
"Calm yourself, Director Hu. It may be that I simply turned the tables. Regardless, let's keep this quiet—for everyone's sake."
"I see…"
"Don't worry—we won't say a word!"
"I trust you."
They returned to discussing the bubblegum, even planning a contest to see who could blow the biggest bubble. But before they finalized anything, the clear skies above Liyue darkened suddenly…
In an instant, dark clouds released heavy raindrops upon the city. Thunder roared. A strange, chaotic energy echoed through Liyue Harbor. People turned east—toward the sea beyond Guyun Stone Forest.
Out on the water, massive waterspouts twisted upward like dragons.
Speculation buzzed through the streets. Such sudden phenomena couldn't be natural. And sure enough, moments later, a monstrous being of water-blue fluid rose from the ocean.
The colossal beast had a graceful form and five heads. But its sheer size meant a single fall could crush all of Liyue Harbor. No one had the heart to admire its beauty—they only felt an overwhelming dread.
"Oh no! It's the Overlord of the Vortex! It really exists!" someone cried out.
Memories stirred in many minds. The stories they'd heard as children… were true. And the creature was still alive?
"Wasn't it sealed by the Archon? Did the seal break after his death?"
"What else could it be…? It's been suppressed for thousands of years. It's true—the Archon really is gone…"
"Without the Archon… who can stand against such a monster? Liyue Harbor… we're doomed…"
"Is this heaven's punishment on Liyue?!"
"Archon! Archon? ARCHON…!"
The powerless humans of Liyue could only cry out in despair before the towering terror.