Lumine asked curiously, "Zhongli spent money like that before too, but why would Morax lack Mora?"
Zhongli replied seriously, "As the Geo Archon Morax, I could naturally create Mora with ease. But since I have chosen to adopt the mortal identity of Zhongli, I should abide by mortal rules."
"During my previous journey with you all, although the Gnosis remained in my possession, I was aware that I would soon step down from the position of Archon. How could I not rehearse slightly for the new life to come?"
Paimon had a sudden realization. "No wonder! I understand now. Zhongli always spends money without looking at the price because he's not used to checking prices. But he's also not used to being a version of himself that can't conjure Mora at will, which turned him into a 'social parasite' who mooches off others everywhere, needing someone else to pay..."
『Furina: Hahahaha, "social parasite," what a great assessment. I knew this day would come.』
『Madame Ping: That child Paimon doesn't seem to understand what respect is.』
『Cloud Retainer: Understand? I think she's just audacious and lacking in education. Criticizing adepti is one thing, but she dares to criticize an Archon too!』
『Lumine: It's a good thing Zhongli has a gentle temperament.』
『Cloud Retainer: What, are you implying I have a fiery temper?』
『Paimon: You, this woman, really do have a terrible temper.』
『Cloud Retainer: ... Fine, fine. Since you are the Archon's friends, I shall go into seclusion to research my machinery.』
『Furina: Hahahaha, she directly pissed off Cloud Retainer so much she went offline.』
『Yae Miko: This livestream is so interesting, even Ei is watching secretly. I don't believe that woman would actually block her senses and go offline.』
『That Woman: My name is Cloud Retainer. Do not call me "that woman."』
『Yae Miko: Very well, very well, Cloud Retainer.』
『Paimon: Miko sounds like she's coaxing a child.』
『Lumine: Paimon, careful, or Cloud Retainer might fly over and hit you. I have no power right now, I can't help you at all.』
Zhongli rested his chin on his hand. "No, I merely spent some of the Fatui's money. There's no need to describe me that way."
"In a city of commerce, what people exchange is not merely money and goods, but also knowledge, memories, perspectives, as well as identities, roles, and lives. No matter how much the Archon Morax, as the Lord of Geo, descended to share in the people's joys, it is ultimately different from the experience of truly becoming the mortal Zhongli."
"Lumine, I still need to thank you for this matter. I, as Zhongli, will also cherish the memories of traveling with you through the streets of Liyue."
Lumine nodded. "It was a wonderful journey."
『Zhongli: To everyone watching the livestream together, this too is a journey worth commemorating.』
『Yae Miko: Indeed, seeing with one's own eyes is ultimately different from hearing rumors. The process of watching the livestream together is like a journey in itself.』
『Ningguang: Hmm, I also feel quite honored to have met everyone here.』
『Keqing: I'm happy to have let everyone get to know me.』
『Venti: Ehe, being able to see so much without leaving home is indeed fun.』
Zhongli: "Correct. However, any traveling companions on a journey will inevitably part ways one day."
Paimon nodded. "Mhm, next, the Traveler and I probably should also set off to continue our journey to seek the Seven Archons."
Zhongli turned to look at the sea. "If your journey is to continue, it may be slightly difficult, because Liyue's maritime neighbor, Inazuma, is currently under a policy of isolation."
Lumine repeated in confusion, "Isolation?"
『Yae Miko: Sigh. Regarding the isolation policy, Ei and I have differing opinions. As her familiar, I cannot influence her thinking.』
『Kamisato Ayaka: The Yashiro Commission sincerely respects the Almighty Shogun, but...』
『Lumine: I remember the next video is about Inazuma.』
『Yae Miko: Yes, very soon you will see me too. Please don't be too dazzled by my beauty!』
『Paimon: Beauty? Could it possibly surpass Furina's?』
『Furina: I truly never expected, Paimon, that in your eyes, I am the most beautiful?』
『Lumine: In my eyes as well.』
『Furina: I must say, you two have discerning taste. I, the superstar of Fontaine, have gained two more loyal fans.』
『Zhongli: I believe within this livestream, you have gained more than just two fans. For I am also one of them. To face loneliness and erosion with a mortal body, as the Archon Morax, I acknowledge your justice. As the mortal Zhongli, I am undoubtedly your fan as well.』
『Venti: Ehe, Fontaine's superstar, I also enjoy your performances greatly. Your singing voice is truly elegant. My musical skills aren't bad either. If given the chance, I, as a fan, would also love to perform on stage with you.』
『Ningguang: I am also your fan.』
『Arataki Itto: M-me too!』
『...』
『Furina: Thank you, thank you all for your recognition. From now on, I shall repay everyone with my most splendid performances.』
Zhongli nodded. "Yes, an isolation decreed by the will of the Archon. The Electro Archon of Inazuma, Baal, just as the people of Liyue prefer to call me the Lord of Geo, also has another title locally in Inazuma."
Paimon chimed in, "I remember that Archon's name is Raiden?"
Zhongli nodded. "Indeed. And because Raiden is also the Shogun of the Inazuma Shogunate, people call her the Raiden Shogun."
Paimon: "Speaking of which, although I recently heard at the docks that the situation in Inazuma is very tense, it seems it wasn't always like this. At least last year it wasn't this bad... Zhongli, you are Liyue's Lord of Geo, you must know something about matters over there too, right? What exactly caused Inazuma to become the way it is now?"
Zhongli said calmly, "It is because of Visions. When facing uncontrollable circumstances, people always lament their own powerlessness. But at life's steepest turning points, if a mortal's desire reaches its extreme, the gaze of the divine will be cast down. This is the Vision—an external magical organ recognized by the gods, used to channel elemental power."
"However, last year, the Raiden Shogun issued the Vision Hunt Decree in Inazuma, decreeing the confiscation of all Visions across Inazuma to be inlaid into the Statue of the Omnipresent God."
『Kaedehara Kazuha: My friend was dissatisfied with the Vision Hunt Decree and challenged Kujou Sara to a duel before the throne. Before the duel, he once asked me if I had heard of the 'Musou no Hitotachi.' I said naturally, that sword strike can only be witnessed when divine punishment is delivered. That strike is the pinnacle of the Raiden Shogun's martial prowess, the symbol of the strongest. But he said, that strike might not be unattainable. There will always be those among mortals who dare to face the lightning's glow. Later, the Vision Hunt Decree arrived unexpectedly. The people's wishes gradually became bricks and tiles for building eternity. While I was helplessly wandering, I heard he had challenged the executor of the decree to a duel before the throne.』
『Lumine: What happened then?』
『Kaedehara Kazuha: A duel before the throne is solemn and cruel. The loser faces divine punishment; the winner can seize a turning point. Perhaps he thought he was the most suitable person to step forward. Facing that 'Musou no Hitotachi' was his lifelong wish. But by the time I reached Tenshukaku, the duel was already over. All I heard was the sound of his broken blade hitting the ground after the divine punishment. That must have been the radiance he wanted to witness. What expression was on his face in that final moment? There was no time to guess. I merely rushed forward, seized that fading Vision, and then fled. I only knew I could not let his fervent wish be embedded into a cold statue. During this time, I have been searching for a way to reignite that Vision, but every attempt has only brought disappointment.』
『Kujou Sara: I remember your friend. His will commanded respect.』
『Paimon: Just listening to this makes my Hydro energy brim over.』
『Zhongli: For a mortal to be able to face the Shogun's blade directly, his courage is worthy of praise.』
『Kaedehara Kazuha: Visions were originally gifts from the gods. People received this gift, yet now they are to be inexplicably confiscated, sometimes even bringing mortal danger. If the Seven Archons each had their own standards when bestowing Visions upon the people, does the current Electro Archon now doubt this act? The fact that no new Electro Visions have appeared for a long time perhaps also signifies the Raiden Shogun's stance.』
『Paimon: So it sounds like the Raiden Shogun is a very tyrannical Archon?』
『Kaedehara Kazuha: From what I understand, she is an Archon obsessed with pursuing eternity, who will ruthlessly implement her will. But Liyue's contracts are for the people of Liyue. What has Inazuma's current 'eternity' brought to its people? At the very least, the people of Inazuma, trapped behind heavy locks, are not faring very well now. One day, I too will seek the answer of 'eternity' from her.』
『Paimon: Now I'm looking forward to the journey to Inazuma all of a sudden. I wonder what kind of amazing stories will happen there?』
『Ningguang: Kaedehara Kazuha is looking for a way to reignite a Vision? Speaking of which, the Vision in my possession was reignited. By a chance opportunity, I obtained an empty Vision shell—left behind after the death of its previous owner. At the time, I thought it was a rather good business opportunity. If taken to auction, the wealthy would surely love it. Even if unusable, it would make a fine decoration. As I was handling the Vision while drafting the auction proposal, just as I was envisioning the broad prospects of auctioning the Vision, the Vision suddenly shone brightly. It had awakened. I was quite troubled at the time, lamenting that this already-lit Vision couldn't be sold anymore.』
『Paimon: So it sounds like Ningguang's wish was Mora. While fantasizing about earning Mora, her Vision lit up.』
『Ningguang: Paimon's summary is quite accurate.』
『Paimon: Of course! I am Paimon!』
Paimon didn't understand. "Confiscate Visions? Why? Aren't Visions gifts from the gods?"
Zhongli: "Presumably, in the view of the Raiden Shogun, precisely because they are gifts from the gods, the gods have the right to dispose of them arbitrarily."
Paimon: "Wow, what a severe way of thinking."
Zhongli continued, "The Anemo Archon is the God of Freedom. The Geo Archon is the God of Contracts. And the Raiden Shogun is a god who pursues eternity. For the sake of an eternal nation, it seems she has finally resolved to eliminate all unstable factors."
"Moreover, at this very moment, even I, the oldest among The Seven, have 'passed away.' This might further strengthen her resolve to pursue eternity. When she issued the Vision Hunt Decree, she must have repeated to her people the phrase she most often says—'Among the seven ideals pursued by The Seven, only eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles.'"