The fan-creation livestream came to an end, but the aftershocks rippled violently across all Seven Nations of Teyvat.
Mondstadt — Knights of Favonius Headquarters
"So that's it? How boring."
Lisa lazily sprawled across her desk, closed the livestream window, and stretched — her "slime pair" swaying lightly as she moved.
Because of Mona's incident, the Sumeru scholars must be losing their minds right now, right?
Especially those old fossils in the Akademiya… Oh, she would pay Mora to see their beards puffing and eyes bulging in outrage.
"But what is this livestream exactly? And who on earth is that Mishearing Maniac?"
Jean rested her chin on one hand, brow furrowed in thought.
They had just resolved the Stormterror crisis — and now a global livestream appeared out of nowhere.
If this turned out to be some new disaster, all of Teyvat might be caught in it.
As the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt, Jean felt her headache blooming again.
The Confinement Room
Klee, of course, had no such worries.
As she assembled her next batch of explosives, she sang cheerfully in her sweet, childish voice:
"Freedom ain't just for show, it's my confident flow~
Niu-ma disco! Let, we, dance~
No work tomorrow~~"
Angel's Share Tavern
At the counter sat the three regulars — Kaeya, Venti, and Rosaria — shoulder to shoulder, glasses in hand.
"A world that's just a game? Hah. That's a good joke," Rosaria said dryly, sipping her dandelion wine. "I'd sooner believe that Barbatos himself is a drunk."
Her crimson cheeks rested on one hand, her alluring figure and long legs wrapped in fishnets drawing no small amount of attention.
Kaeya leaned back against the bar, raising his glass with a grin.
"At least we live in the moment. Here's to another day of youth gone — let Death After Noon be our requiem."
Venti giggled. "Right, right! Drink today, for tomorrow may never come — cheers~~!"
Whether it was a dream or a game didn't matter. Even if they woke up, they'd still be moved by the memory.
Dragonspine
"Master Albedo… is our world really a game? Some kind of… fantasy realm?"
Sucrose clutched her notebook nervously, adjusting her glasses.
If everything was just a game, did that mean all their research and discoveries meant nothing?
Could gods really define the world however they pleased — joy and sorrow alike, all at their whim?
"Whether it is or isn't requires evidence — data."
Albedo observed the darkened screen, jotting notes as he spoke seriously.
"To abandon one's dreams and lose motivation over a few provocative words — that's no different from the drunkards wasting away in Mondstadt's taverns."
He would dedicate his life to finding the truth — to interpreting the meaning of the world…
And, when his research was complete, reunite with his master.
That was the very reason for his existence.
Inazuma — Grand Narukami Shrine
Beneath the Sacred Sakura, Yae Miko propped her cheek in one hand and murmured playfully,
"Ahh, I do wonder how my dear old friend will be trolled next~"
Would she end up dancing like Mona, or maybe fishing at the beach shouting 'I'm soaked!', or perhaps blowing up her kitchen mid-cooking stream?
She was so looking forward to it.
"But…" — her gaze sharpened suddenly — "can it really… resurrect the dead?"
If that fan-creation livestream could bring back those who had fallen — like Kitsune Saiguu, or even Raiden Makoto — then…
Plane of Euthymia
"Ah-choo! Who's talking behind my back?"
Raiden Ei muttered as she bit into a skewer of tricolored dango, her expression stern.
No need to ask — it was surely that vixen again. Next time they met, she'd start with a slash. She could dodge anyway.
"Mm… delicious." Chomp.
Watatsumi Island — Coral Palace
Gorou and his men were still discussing the livestream.
"It really grants rewards… maybe we could use it to strengthen Watatsumi Island's forces, to resist the Vision Hunt Decree."
Gorou frowned, deep in thought.
If it could truly grant power — even Visions — then perhaps they could stand against the Shogunate.
Sumeru — Avidya Forest
"I know who the Mishearing Maniac is!"
Tighnari suddenly exclaimed after long observation, startling Collei.
"Who… who is it, Master Tighnari?"
He spread his hands, explaining calmly:
"As everyone knows, we Sumeru scholars live connected to the Akasha System. By wearing the Akasha Terminal, we can access knowledge directly from the network."
He looked at her meaningfully.
"Doesn't this fan-creation livestream feel… just like the Akasha? Only stronger — like an upgraded version that can link all of Teyvat instantly. And who could have built such a thing?"
Collei gasped. "Master… you mean—?"
Tighnari nodded firmly.
"Exactly. The Mishearing Maniac could very well be Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the former Dendro Archon!"
Liyue Harbor — Wanmin Restaurant, Private Room
"Cough, cough, ack—! I'm choking! Water! Where's the tea—"
A handsome young man gasped for breath, face red, grabbing a teacup and downing it in a single gulp.
"Haa… damn it, I was eating Steamed Black-Back Perch, not a live crab! Nearly choked to death — what rotten luck today…"
No doubt about it — this was the protagonist of our tale, Bai Hao.
...