Neuvillette nodded.
"Indeed, the Fatui are highly observant. After I sent you back to land from the Primordial Sea that day, I also spoke with Miss Skirk. She told me that the Gnosis is the remains of the Third Descender—an object steeped in misfortune. It would be better to discard it sooner rather than later, to avoid inviting disaster."
"She also said that living itself is a blessing. But once a person dies, everything they once were, and every connection they had to this world, turns into a curse."
"I asked her who the Third Descender was. Skirk said she had only heard her master mention it occasionally, and that she did not know the details. However, she offered to ask her master on my behalf and relay the answer to me."
Paimon asked, "But… will there be another chance to meet Skirk?"
Neuvillette replied, "I asked her the same question. She said she has another disciple, through whom messages can be passed."
Paimon looked confused. "A Gnosis? In my impression, it's a clear, crystal-like chess piece. How could it be someone's remains?"
Neuvillette said, "I do not know either. But if what Skirk said is true, then an object of such status brings no benefit to Fontaine."
[Zhongli: So the Gnosis is the remains of the Third Descender… I did sense a cursed aura from it. To think it truly is an ominous relic.]
[Venti: This is beyond my expectations. We were unaware of such matters as well.]
[Nahida: Descenders are not recorded in Irminsul, so I cannot confirm the details.]
[Ningguang: Then the Fatui's collection of Gnoses may indeed be related to the Third Descender.]
[Venti: But Skirk is very straightforward—she answers directly. Riddle-speakers are truly infuriating.]
[Tartaglia: Seems like I've gained a new role today—messenger.]
[Paimon: Correction—future you gained a new role.]
Lumine fell into thought, then spoke.
"I am Teyvat's Fourth Descender. So the Gnosis is connected to Descenders… and the Third Descender has already died."
Neuvillette was clearly surprised. "I suspected you understood the concept of Descenders, but I did not expect you to be one of them."
"If the Gnosis originated from the Third Descender and enhances elemental power through compatibility, then do you possess similar traits?"
Paimon said quickly, "I know this one! Lumine can use elements without a Vision—wait, that sounds kind of ominous. Lumine won't be in danger, right?"
Lumine answered firmly, "Don't worry. I won't fall so easily."
[Keqing: Fourth Descender?]
[Ningguang: There's a lot of critical information here.]
[Lumine: Long ago, my brother and I came to Teyvat from beyond this world. When we tried to leave, an unknown god stopped us. After the battle, I lost consciousness. When I awoke, much time had passed, my power was gone, and my brother was missing. I only want to find him.]
[Ningguang: If your brother awakened earlier than you, traces of him should exist in Teyvat. If he awakened later, then the traces you leave behind may guide him to you.]
[Lumine: Mm.]
[Paimon: As expected of Liyue's top merchant—your analysis is amazing.]
[Ningguang: Experience accumulates with business.]
On screen, Neuvillette continued.
"When information is insufficient, speculation is unwise."
Paimon said, "It feels like Fontaine's prophecy has finally come to an end."
Neuvillette looked up at the sky. "Yes. All of Focalors' efforts were for this moment."
Paimon asked hesitantly, "But… was this really what Focalors wanted? As a god, she chose to sacrifice herself. As a person, she endured five hundred years of suffering."
Neuvillette thought for a moment. "A god's will is, perhaps, inherently mysterious."
Lumine asked, "As a Dragon Sovereign, can you understand a god's wishes?"
Neuvillette gazed at the sky, as if recalling something distant.
"I do not think I can. But sometimes I imagine wishes as clouds in the sky—eventually becoming rain and returning to the earth. Life flows like water, endlessly cycling."
"Rain is the fairest answer. Water may tilt, but rain falls equally upon all."
[Venti: That sounded like poetry. I should write it down.]
"You, me, and everyone else—what difference is there in the rain that falls upon us?"
The screen went black.
White text appeared.
[The Dance of the Sinner has ended. The following videos are available for selection. Please vote.]
[1. Daughter of Water: After leaving the Opera Epiclese, Furina experiences confusion. What path will her future take?]
[2. Fleeting Lives Among the Thousand Crags: Ningguang, Liyue's foremost merchant, and the sacrifices she made in an age of human rule.]
[3. Of Many Hands and Eyes, the Mortal World: Ei's pursuit of Eternity was not accepted by the people. How did the Electro Archon respond?]
[4. The Dawn Brought by a Thousand Roses: Wisdom is the enemy of the God of Wisdom. The Akademiya seeks power beyond its right.]
[Reminder: There may be secondhand embarrassment. Please vote carefully.]
[Furina: I'm campaigning for myself. I want to know my future right now.]
[Focalors: Becoming a true human was also my wish. I'm curious about my future as well.]
[Ningguang: Wait—my subordinates report that a Geo-aligned tree has appeared in Jueyun Karst.]
[Yae Miko: Oh? A Lightning-aligned tree has appeared at the Grand Narukami Shrine as well.]
[Tighnari: Near Irminsul, a smaller Dendro-aligned tree has appeared.]
[Neuvillette: While walking outside the Opera Epiclese, I noticed a tree formed of flowing water in the pond.]
[Nahida: Irminsul contains no records of these new saplings. This is indeed strange.]
[Neuvillette: Water can carry emotions. Within the water-based Irminsul, I sensed complex feelings—joy, gratitude, but no hostility.]
[Zhongli: Power without hostility?]
[Venti: Mondstadt has a Wind-aligned tree at Cider Lake as well. Since there's no malice, let's continue voting. I vote for Furina—I want to see whether she learns to enjoy wine.]
[Paimon: Furina wouldn't get drunk all day like you! She loves sweets—maybe she'll open a dessert shop! I vote Furina too.]
[Yae Miko: I'm curious about Furina, but I'll vote for Ei. Will she still pursue Eternity?]
[Kamisato Ayaka: My brother and I discussed it. Our family votes for Ei. Inazuma is our home.]
[Ningguang: I didn't expect to be an option. I'm curious about my future too—I vote for myself. Liyue citizens, help me out?]
[Keqing: Voting should follow one's heart. I want to know if Furina found happiness, so I voted for her. But Ningguang, you're my friend, so I felt I should tell you honestly.]
[Ningguang: That's perfectly fine. Voting according to one's heart is only right.]
[Alhaitham: Ningguang is undoubtedly a woman of wisdom. I vote for her.]
[Dori: Ningguang is a top-tier merchant! I'm a merchant too—who has more Mora? I vote Ningguang!]
[Xiangling: Ningguang has earned Sumeru's recognition!]
[Ningguang: Perhaps because I speak frequently in the chat.]
[Zhongli: I cast my vote for the God of Wisdom.]
[Venti: Same here. I haven't seen you since Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's departure.]
[Nilou: I'm a follower of Lesser Lord Kusanali. I support my Archon.]
[Nahida: Thank you, everyone.]
[…]
[Voting concluded. Furina wins by a landslide.]
[Now playing: Furina's Personal Chapter — Daughter of Water]
[Furina: Thank you all for your support.]
[Paimon: If you hadn't campaigned, people might've thought you didn't want screen time. Since you did, of course we support you—the greatest opera star!]
[Lumine: I felt the same way.]
[Keqing: I had similar concerns.]
[Ei: Clearly, my familiar did not share such concerns.]
[Yae Miko: This is my concern for you, my Archon!]
[Ei: …You get a side-eye.]
The video began.
Lumine and Paimon arrived at the Adventurers' Guild.
Paimon said, "Katheryne, we're here! Any new commissions? Preferably cost-effective ones."
Katheryne smiled gently. "You two are full of energy. As expected of the Guild's reliable supporters."
[Keqing: Something feels off. Didn't we choose Furina?]
[Ningguang: The previous video also began with the Traveler. Perhaps all videos use Lumine and Paimon as the primary viewpoint.]
[Venti: The Fourth Descender may indeed be special.]
[Ningguang: I suspect we'll soon have our answer.]
Katheryne said, "There is a commission. The client is seeking a musical theater actress to temporarily replace a missing performer."
"However, the troupe's finances are dire. They cannot afford to pay a performance fee."
[Ningguang: Given the mention of the Opera Epiclese, this must involve Furina. The question is how much time has passed.]
[Navia: Likely some time. After the flood, the city would need repairs. No one would rush into performances.]
[Paimon: Navia really makes sense.]
[Navia: Call me 'sister.' You're clearly a child.]
[Paimon: Okay, Sister Navia—but I'm actually hundreds of years old…]
[Navia: Then I really am the younger one.]
On screen, Paimon rested her chin on her hand. "So they want someone to perform for free, right?"
Katheryne nodded. "Yes. They've approached many actors, but no one was willing."
"The performance date is approaching. If they cannot find someone, it will be postponed—and postponement will only create more problems."
Paimon looked at Lumine. "What do you think, Traveler? We can't perform musical theater."
After speaking with the client, they learned the troupe was small, with simple props and a crude stage. They charged no admission, earned no income, and thus could not pay performers. This would be their final performance before disbanding.
The original female lead suffered from a chronic illness that left her unable to perform.
Without a lead actress, the play would lose its soul. The client hoped, at least, to give everyone a proper farewell.
Paimon suddenly said, "I think I know the perfect person."
Lumine's eyes lit up. The two spoke in unison.
"Furina."
Paimon grinned. "Our teamwork is great. She should be free right now."
"She's amazing at acting, and she used to be incredibly popular. A musical would be easy for her."
The client, Lawvik, stared in shock. "You're joking, right? Even if Lady Furina is no longer the Hydro Archon, she's still not an ordinary person. Many in Fontaine still idolize her—myself included. How could a small troupe like ours ever deserve her?"