Ei nodded. "Yes, that was precisely our difference. In her view, the most precious thing in this world is dreams—life's beautiful aspirations for the future."
Lumine was shocked. "Is that not the same as wishes?"
Ei replied, "There are similarities, but they are not entirely the same."
"When you stormed into the Plane of Euthymia, I saw countless stars representing wishes being lit up in the distance. My heart was slightly shaken."
"Now I see that she was right, and I had strayed from the path."
[Paimon: Straying is not so bad, as long as you can correct it.]
[Ningguang: I often tell my subordinates that it is hard to grow without making mistakes.]
[Paimon: Ei, you have already done very well.]
[Ei: I know. But in truth, I have not done enough yet.]
[Paimon: No, you are the best.]
[Furina: Being overly immersed in martial arts, it is easy to lack thought in other areas. For example, I am too immersed in opera, so my martial skills have fallen far behind.]
[Paimon: Far behind? You mean nonexistent, right?]
[Lumine: Actually, you could say there is a little.]
[Zhongli: Makoto was not skilled in martial arts, yet her strength was not among the lowest of the Seven. She also defeated a great number of monsters.]
[Paimon: Not skilled in martial arts, yet still that powerful?]
[Yae Miko: Though Makoto was not skilled in combat, she was still an Archon. She possessed divine authority, and her power was very strong. She simply lacked combat experience.]
[Paimon: I understand now. Both of them had great power, but one had ample combat experience, while the other had ample experience in governing the nation.]
[Yae Miko: Exactly, little Paimon. That is a very accurate description.]
[Tartaglia: Speaking of martial arts, I am proficient in all weapons. I can pick up any weapon and use it immediately.]
[Ningguang: Is being proficient in all weapons something to boast about? Ganyu and Keqing each master many weapons. Historical records show that the Geo Archon was truly proficient in every weapon. His mastery of martial arts had reached the peak, and he was revered as the God of War.]
[Paimon: Zhongli, was he really that powerful?]
[Lumine: Five thousand years is enough for Zhongli to master anything he wishes to learn.]
[Paimon: That is true. Zhongli knows so many things.]
[Ei: Whether it is weapons or governing a nation, both require the accumulation of time to continuously become stronger. I have spent too little time on the people of Inazuma, and have too little contact with them.]
[Yae Miko: You really cannot leave everything to the Shogun.]
Lumine said, "I never imagined there was this reason behind it."
Ei continued, "Makoto thought further than I did. In her view, the state called dreams was even more illusory and abstract than wishes."
"Wishes mostly refer to certain tangible objects or conclusions. They always have an end and will always be replaced by new wishes. What Makoto focused on was the driving force that pushes humanity to continually generate new wishes. This driving force stems from instinct. In other words, it too is a form of eternity."
Paimon scratched her head. "Now I cannot understand either."
Ei said simply, "Makoto did not care about the results."
"Back then, no matter what, I could not understand why the forward flow of everything could also be considered eternity."
[Ningguang: Liyue's prosperity is eternal. The happiness of its people endures.]
[Paimon: As expected of Ningguang. Things that are not easy to understand, she grasps immediately.]
[Yae Miko: Inazuma's so-called eternity has always been about people losing. Sigh...]
[Paimon: In terms of governing, Ei could learn from Ningguang. Ningguang must be the leader of Liyue, right?]
[Keqing: Leader? That word is quite fitting.]
[Ei: Lady Ningguang, I look forward to your guidance in the future.]
[Ningguang: It is my honor to assist a deity. Regarding governance, our Rex Lapis is far more capable than I. Your Excellency could consult Zhongli.]
[Zhongli: Ningguang, I have already retired. And I recognize your abilities.]