"So it's Lumine!"
At the Rite of Descension, Su Ran and Raiden Ei stood together in a relatively open spot.
As she made preparations, Ningguang would occasionally glance in their direction.
But in the crowd, aside from the now-confirmed female Traveler, Su Ran's attention was drawn most toward the purple cat-eared girl who had been circling him from the start.
That was none other than Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing!
On Ningguang's orders, Keqing was tasked with keeping an eye on Su Ran.
She wasn't required to act—just to watch closely.
After all, Ningguang didn't really believe Keqing could stop him anyway.
"Master Ke, you've been staring at me for quite a while.
Am I some kind of criminal in your eyes?"
As cute as her catlike appearance was—Su Ran did feel an urge to pet her— he restrained himself.
They weren't familiar.
Cats weren't always gentle.
Without training, they might just scratch back.
So, until she was "tamed," he wouldn't risk it.
"Eh, I'm just curious…
Why, with such a fine lady by your side, would you still show interest in Hall Master Hu Tao?"
Keqing had been watching him not just out of Ningguang's commission, but also out of her own deep curiosity.
Although Ningguang had kept Ei's identity hidden to avoid startling her, as a Qixing herself, Keqing had done her homework on the gods of other nations.
So even though Ei hadn't stated it outright, Keqing had more or less guessed who she really was.
Especially seeing their fingers intertwined—never once letting go.
If he was already with the Electro Archon, why was he still eyeing Hu Tao?
Was it like eating too much fine rice and craving rough grain now and then?
Wouldn't that upset the Raiden Shogun?
"Don't you think Hu Tao is cute?"
"Cute?!"
Keqing's voice spiked, drawing nearby glances.
She quickly lowered her tone:
"Don't you think she's… odd?
And her behavior is so eccentric and erratic…"
Even Keqing, who was herself somewhat of an outlier striving to change Liyue's god-rule, found Hu Tao bizarre.
That said plenty about Hu Tao's reputation in Liyue.
"But it's because she's like that, that she stands out.
If she were ordinary, no matter how good she looks, I wouldn't care.
But her unique personality—that's the charm.
That's why I like her."
So it wasn't strange at all.
"Master Ke, do you think this year's Rite of Descension will be any different?"
Su Ran leaned close, whispering in her ear.
The warmth of his breath made her fidget.
"Don't call me 'Master Ke.' It sounds weird.
And what do you mean, 'different'?
Did your Fatui do something?"
She tilted her head away, frowning.
They were neither kin nor teacher and student— what was with this 'Master' business?
"The Fatui's plans all begin only after the Rite.
I wouldn't lie to you—really!"
Su Ran looked at her with a sincerity that seemed genuine.
But sincerity meant nothing from a Fatui Harbinger.
Not to Keqing.
Her suspicion remained.
"Then what exactly do you plan to do?"
If not for being unarmed, and if this weren't such an important occasion, she would've dragged him off in chains already.
"Secret~."
"You—!"
Keqing ground her teeth and glared at Ningguang.
How she hated riddlers.
And this Harbinger was insufferable.
Once she found proof, she'd see him rot in prison!
The ceremony began.
As Ningguang led the proceedings, the crowd fell silent.
All eyes turned toward her.
Every Liyue citizen knew what was supposed to happen next.
All awaited the Archon's descent.
Some even held their breath.
Only Su Ran and Ei knew the truth: this Rite would go down in history.
Because Morax was not in Liyue.
And he could never return.
The plaza sank into silence.
Everyone waited.
But as the moments dragged on, expectation turned to doubt.
Even Ningguang, the host, was clearly unsettled.
Her eyes flickered toward Su Ran.
He stood with a faint smile, eyes brimming with anticipation.
Noticing her glance, Keqing pressed Su Ran urgently:
"Why hasn't the Archon appeared?
And why is Ningguang looking at you?
This has to be your doing, doesn't it?"
Three questions in a row.
Her suspicion was plain.
Every Rite had always proceeded the same way.
Ningguang had hosted more than once.
How could she make a mistake with the process?
And even if there was a mistake in the ritual, that had nothing to do with the Archon's appearance.
He would never snub such an important occasion over mortal errors.
"Don't panic. I haven't moved a finger.
Besides, the one who should be panicking right now is Ningguang."
And indeed, just as Su Ran said—
Ningguang was rattled.
As the Tianquan Star, she had faced countless storms over the years.
But now, before a sea of Liyue citizens and foreign envoys alike, her composure faltered.
"Archon… why do you not appear?"
Gazing at the cloudless sky, she whispered in unease.
Could it be true, as the Genius had hinted— that Morax had abandoned Liyue, leaving only calamity behind?
Even Keqing could see her embarrassment and helplessness.
"Should I… do something?"
She turned to Su Ran.
A Qixing, asking a Fatui Harbinger for advice?
Su Ran shook his head.
"Don't steal the host's role.
For now, Ningguang is in charge."
~~--------------------------------------
To read 30+ future chapters head over to patreon:
patreon.com/YonkoSlayer