"Yes, it's me."
Lin Mo nodded with a gentle smile.
Havria seemed unable to believe her own eyes.
Tears instantly welled up, spilling over as she trembled, taking shaky steps toward Lin Mo.
She buried her face in his embrace.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Havria's voice quivered with sobs:
"You warned me long ago..."
"I had already made up my mind in my heart..."
"But..."
"They were my people..."
"I'm sorry... In the end, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm sorry..."
"I've... disappointed you..."
Just as he had done all those years ago, Lin Mo gently stroked her soft hair.
"You don't need to apologize to me."
Lin Mo closed his eyes, whispering comfortingly, "The one you should apologize to is yourself."
Those words.
Made Havria's tears flow even more freely, like a breached dam.
"Wah..."
"My believers... only cared about how much salt was produced, how many workshops were profitable, how many goods could be traded..."
"No one... no one truly cared about me as a god..."
"Only you... cared if I was happy... cared if I was doing well..."
Havria's tearful lament made Lin Mo's own heart ache.
Yes...
Most of Havria's people followed her with impure motives.
Rather than believing in a deity.
It would be more accurate to say they believed in the endless salt, and the endless wealth it brought.
At that moment.
Havria lifted her tear-streaked face, nearly pleading, "Lin Mo... I don't want believers anymore... not a single one. I just want you by my side... is that alright?"
"Havria, you are still a god."
Lin Mo smiled, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Don't ask me. Issue a divine decree, commanding me to stay by your side."
That answer.
Instantly brought a flush of crimson to Havria's cheeks.
She knew Lin Mo had agreed.
"How mushy~"
Yae Miko's slightly sour voice chimed in at just the right moment.
Only then did Havria realize the bedchamber wasn't occupied by Lin Mo alone.
There was also Yae Miko, and the thoroughly drunk Eula whom Yae Miko was supporting.
"Lin Mo... who are they..."
Havria couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Allow me to introduce them."
Lin Mo said with a smile, "This is Yae Miko, the Sacred Fox of Inazuma, my pet."
"The dazed young lady she's supporting is Eula, my wife."
"Wife..."
Havria's gaze shifted slightly.
She realized then.
She must have been gone for a very long time, hadn't she?
So long that... Lin Mo already had a wife.
Meanwhile, Lin Mo still had his hands on Havria's shoulders as he turned to address someone behind her. "This little cutie is named Paimon."
"It was her who used the power of time reversal to bring you back to life."
As Lin Mo introduced her, he suddenly paused. "Paimon? What's wrong? Why are you still sitting on the floor?"
"Wah... Mr. Diplomat, you only noticed me now..."
"Help me~"
Paimon wailed, her little head drooping low. "Paimon... feels like she's about to break down... and you didn't even come..."
"Ah!?"
Lin Mo quickly released Havria's shoulders, crouching down in front of Paimon with concern. "Paimon... are you... alright?"
"I'm not!"
Paimon immediately cried out. "Paimon can't muster any strength at all~"
Hearing this, Lin Mo carefully scooped Paimon up into his palms.
Sure enough, Paimon truly felt like a limp doll, utterly devoid of strength, lying softly in Lin Mo's hands.
"Was it... using too much power?"
Lin Mo couldn't help but wonder.
"Seems... that's it..."
Paimon said miserably. "I feel completely drained. Probably... won't be able to use time reversal for a very, very long time~"
"I'm sorry." A gentle voice then reached their ears.
It was Havria.
She walked over to Paimon and said softly, "Thank you for bringing me back to life. I hope... my power can offer you some assistance..."
As she spoke.
She gently ran her pale, slender hand over Paimon's hair.
Tendrils of divine power flowed from Havria's hand into Paimon's body.
Lin Mo noticed.
The listlessness on Paimon's face gradually faded, replaced by returning vitality.
"Paimon feels much better~"
Paimon said happily. "Thank you, 'Salt Goddess Sister'~"
"It's the least I could do." Havria nodded with a smile.
Lin Mo also asked with concern, "How is it? Fully recovered?"
"Mmm... not completely yet..."
Paimon shook her little head, troubled. "Paimon still can't fly. Probably needs to rest for a few days."
"Then... during this time, I'll take care of Paimon."
Lin Mo said.
Without waiting for Paimon's agreement, he placed her on top of his head.
Paimon seemed quite content to perch there, looking at Havria with keen interest.
"Paimon, what is it?"
Havria asked with a smile.
Gazing at Havria, who embodied the beauty of a devoted wife, Paimon couldn't help but marvel, "So you're the Archon who created the Salt Jar and Salt Ruler for her people~ You look really gentle."
"That's all in the distant past."
Havria's eyes grew somewhat downcast. "Now, I no longer have any believers."
"Nonsense, I am your believer~!" Lin Mo chimed in cheerfully.
This bold declaration immediately brought another blush to Havria's cheeks.
"Eh? I remember the Salt Goddess still has believers in Liyue Harbor, you know~" Paimon's remark.
Instantly made Havria look at her in surprise.
Her expression seemed to doubt that after so long, there could still be people who believed in her.
After all...
Even back then...
Her people didn't truly believe in *her*, but in the wealth she brought them.
Reminded by Paimon, Lin Mo also recalled this. "Now that you mention it... I remember there seems to be a small group in Liyue who still worship you."
"Though they live in Liyue Harbor, for thousands of years, they have continued to believe in you."
"Even after millennia, they haven't forgotten the shelter and sacrifices you provided for their ancestors."
"Yeah, yeah~"
Paimon nodded her little head, adding, "They're the 'Silver Origin Hall' within Liyue Harbor's 'Seven Stars and Eight Gates,' the ones in charge of the salt industry. Everyone still remembers you~"
"After so long... to think..."
A flicker of astonishment passed through Havria's eyes, mingled with a touch of emotion. "I never imagined... people from those times would still remember me..."
"Do you want to go back and see them?"
Lin Mo asked with a smile.
Havria looked into Lin Mo's warm eyes and decisively shook her head.
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T/N:
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