Once the Millelith received their rewards, the focus shifted to Ningguang and her companions.
Their portion consisted entirely of Advanced-tier staves. At this point, Ningguang's group possessed multiple staves each. Zhongli alone had one Master-tier and two Advanced-tier weapons. Ganyu kept four Advanced-tier staves at her side.
However, the ten Khaenri'ahns serving as foreign aid held nothing.
Liyue originally required no external assistance. Aether had simply brought two hundred soldiers at once. Divided among the other nations, their numbers far exceeded Liyue's forces. Aether had calculated that spreading his pieces across all five nations would guarantee a return on his investment, even if his own faction fell.
Currently, the only staff in Khaenri'ahn possession was Aether's own: a mismatched, chaotic Advanced-tier disaster. A few more would clearly be beneficial. At the very least, he could select a proper weapon for himself.
As for his subordinates' thoughts on the matter? He was the Prince of Khaenri'ah, the future sovereign destined to restore their homeland. Requisitioning a few weapons from his soldiers was simply his right.
Thus, Aether had swallowed his pride, seeking out Lumine. After endless pleading and forcing out the word "Sister," she reluctantly agreed to ask Ryen to grant Liyue a few foreign aid slots. It was a staggering humiliation, but Aether considered it a worthy price. His maneuver yielded ten Advanced-tier staves. For Aether, the choice between practical power and personal dignity was always simple. To secure ten powerful weapons, calling her "Sister" was a bargain. For more, he would have called her "Mother."
He watched the ten Khaenri'ahns in Liyue's ranks, his gaze heavy with calculation. Those ten staves held immense power. For the sake of safety, their Prince needed to manage such dangerous artifacts.
As the Khaenri'ahns envisioned their impending rewards, a sudden chill washed over them. They caught Aether's intense, predatory stare. Their stomachs dropped. The staves had not even materialized, yet their Prince had already laid claim to them.
But how could they refuse? He was their Prince. Moreover, their very presence in this realm was secured through his connections.
They could only pray their drawn staves would be unremarkable. Even if Aether offered a trade, the spell combination on the Prince's current staff was an absolute mess. It was useless. Without spell books, they could not alter it at the Arcane Workbench. Borrowing books from the other nations was out of the question; those were prizes won through blood and risk.
"Next, the rewards for the top-tier combatants."
Ryen's clear voice echoed across the plaza, oblivious to the silent tension between Aether and his men. "Every participant receives one Advanced-tier staff."
The Khaenri'ahns instantly straightened, their focus snapping to Ryen. Aether's demands could wait.
Ningguang and the others offered polite nods, accepting the weapons with practiced grace. They had no desperate need for more.
The Khaenri'ahns, however, gripped their new staves with trembling hands, their knuckles turning white.
"Mine amplifies Cryo!" one whispered, frost creeping down the wooden shaft.
"A Pyro core!" another hissed, watching embers dance.
"A healing staff, but it houses four restorative spells! The survivability is incredible!"
"Look at this!" A soldier held up a staff crackling with violent purple energy. "Electro core, the most destructive! It holds Acid Rain, a top-tier Electro-Hydro hybrid spell! And Lich's Bulwark! It's flawless!"
Heads snapped toward him. The others stared at the crackling weapon, their breathing hitched. Acid Rain was lethal, but Lich's Bulwark was legendary. The ability to negate lethal damage five times was a prize beyond measure.
"Besides Lich's Bulwark and Acid Rain, what else does it hold?" a deep, resonant voice asked from the periphery.
Caught up in the adrenaline, the soldier answered without looking. "Hydra Explosive Fireball. The Pyro and Electro combination guarantees devastating Overloaded reactions. It also has a Cryo Sprite summoning spell and a Life Restoration charm. Healing, offense, and defense all in one. It carries Pyro, Electro, and Cryo. In Teyvat, Acid Rain even counts as Hydro. I can trigger every elemental reaction myself. The Prince has blessed me. It is a golden legend!"
The soldier failed to notice the sudden, absolute silence around him. His comrades slowly backed away, their eyes filled with profound pity.
"A perfect weapon, indeed."
The soldier turned, a proud grin on his face. "You think so too, Prince... Prince Aether?!"
His knees buckled. He swayed, struggling to remain upright, and managed a smile that resembled a grimace. "Your Highness... when did you arrive?"
"Just now." Aether smiled warmly, drawing his own chaotic staff from his side. "That weapon is far too dangerous. You won't be able to handle it. Let us trade. Use mine to familiarize yourself with the mechanics first."
The soldier swallowed hard, staring at the weapon in Aether's hand. It was a Healing-type staff loaded with Novice-tier spells: Twilight Orb, Druid's Touch, Heart of Ironwood, Moonworm, and Summon Goblin.
It was a glorified flashlight. The offensive spells were weak, the summoned goblin would shatter upon impact, and Moonworm provided nothing but illumination. Trading a golden legend for this...
"Do you object?" Aether's smile vanished, his eyes turning glacial.
The soldier's face crumpled. He extended his crackling Electro staff with shaking hands. "No... this subordinate... is honored. To wield a weapon once held by Your Highness... is a blessing."
Aether snatched the Electro staff, shoving the 'flashlight' into the man's chest. The soldier's shoulders slumped, all light leaving his eyes.
"Well done." Aether patted his shoulder, turning a sharp gaze to the remaining Khaenri'ahns. "Do any of yours possess Lich's Bulwark?"
They shook their heads violently in unison. "No! We lack such fortune!"
"Is that so?" Aether clicked his tongue and turned away.
The group exhaled a collective, shaky breath.
Ryen watched the forced exchange, suppressing a smirk. He tapped the console. "Finally, the ultimate reward for the Bed Wars victor. For the participant with the most outstanding performance... a Master-tier Necromancer Staff and the Necromancer Armor Set!"
The announcement sent a shockwave through the crowd. Most soldiers had never even touched an Apprentice-tier staff. A Master-tier weapon stood at the absolute pinnacle. Paired with the armor set, it was the ultimate culmination of the Sorcery mod.
Even Ningguang's group, who knew the details beforehand, leaned in. Necromancy was sinister, but its power was undeniable. No one would refuse a Master-tier artifact.
Venti puffed his cheeks, crossing his arms. "I want that so badly!"
Diluc scoffed, narrowing his eyes at the bard. "If you hadn't ordered that mindless charge right at the start, Mondstadt wouldn't have been eliminated first."
Venti's eyes widened. "You agreed that the four nations needed to swarm Liyue! You said fishing in troubled waters was a good strategy!"
Diluc turned his head away, a faint red tinge on his ears. Venti went back to staring hungrily at the Necromancer Staff.
Ryen pressed a button. Instantly, holographic screens flickered to life above them, displaying a montage of Liyue's greatest moments. Azhdaha holding the line with earth-shattering force. Moon Carver descending like a wrathful god to decimate Snezhnaya.
Yet, the most prominent figure had never left the main island. Ningguang sat in the command center. She directed the breach of Mondstadt, pivoted to strike Sumeru, orchestrated the ambush on Snezhnaya, and finally executed the high-risk gamble that crushed Inazuma.
Liyue's victory was built entirely upon her flawless remote command.
Ryen let the footage play out, a soft smile on his lips. He spread his hands. "The results speak for themselves. While everyone performed admirably, Liyue secured this victory by a razor-thin margin. Ningguang was the deciding factor. Therefore, this staff belongs to her. Are there any objections?"
Heads shook across the plaza. Even Cloud Retainer, who rarely saw eye-to-eye with the Tianquan, nodded slightly. "The Tianquan displayed true command. Without her direction during the initial four-nation siege, Liyue would have fallen. She has earned the Master-tier staff."
The other Adepti watched Ningguang with newfound respect. The weapon was valuable, but witnessing a mortal wield such supreme strategic intellect was the true prize. With Ningguang guiding Liyue and Ryen standing behind them, the nation's prosperity was secured for millennia.
"Step forward, Ningguang," Ryen said, his gaze softening as it met hers. "The Master-tier staff is yours."