There was no unnecessary small talk.
As sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting fragmented shadows on the road, Zhongli and Idris began their return to Sumeru's main city.
Along the way, they encountered no deliberate ambushes—something that, under normal circumstances, would have been extremely rare.
It wasn't that there were no people harboring ill intent.
Rather, the moment those hidden observers saw the two of them escorting Abyss Mages and a bound Treasure Hoarder leader, every trace of courage vanished.
That kind of strength was far beyond what they could afford to provoke.
Fear alone was enough to make them retreat.
As they neared Sumeru City, Zhongli's brow furrowed slightly.
His instincts stirred.
Why are Idris's people waiting here?
At first glance, everything appeared calm.
Yet Zhongli could clearly sense the tension hanging in the air—like the stillness before a storm.
And then, he saw them.
Idris's subordinates stood in formation, their presence oppressive, like a pack of lions at rest.
And behind them—
Eighty-two Abyss Mages, bound tightly, forced to kneel.
Zhongli froze.
Even with all he had witnessed before, this number was beyond imagination.
Eighty-two.
His mind reeled.
Was this truly something a single man could accomplish?
Even if it were himself and the Conqueror of Demons working together, capturing so many Abyss Mages alive—cleanly—would have been nearly impossible.
Yet Idris's soldiers stood there uninjured, faces calm, weapons steady.
Not a single visible wound.
To Zhongli, it felt unreal.
Absurd, even.
What kind of method could allow an army to fight the Abyss and emerge unscathed?
He couldn't comprehend it.
And beneath the shock, a deep curiosity—and respect—began to grow.
Idris glanced at Zhongli, clearly sensing his disbelief.
He smiled faintly.
"Zhongli," Idris said calmly,
"have you ever considered that true power doesn't lie in personal strength alone—but in how one uses resources?"
The words struck Zhongli like thunder.
In that instant, he understood.
Idris wasn't merely chasing strength.
He was mastering control.
Command.
Organization.
Execution.
Idris continued, his tone steady:
"These eighty-two Abyss Mages are all meant for interrogation.
Language is the problem—otherwise, I wouldn't need this many."
"But even if we get nothing out of them…"
A cold smile surfaced.
"They still won't be wasted."
At that moment, Nahida and Shenhe froze atop the city walls.
From below, a massive group of Abyss Mages appeared to be approaching.
Not one.
A whole crowd.
"A–Abyss Mages?!"
"Idris! Abyss Mages are attacking the city!!"
Nahida panicked instantly and rushed down from the walls to organize defenses, not even stopping to consider whether they could hold the line.
"Wait—Wisdom God, wait!"
Shenhe squinted, then paused.
Something felt… off.
"That's not an attack," she said quickly.
"That's Idris and Zhongli coming back."
Nahida stopped mid-run.
"…Huh?"
She looked again.
And then—
"Oh!"
It really was Idris.
She immediately turned around and ran down again—this time full of excitement.
Shenhe: "..."
Definitely love-brained.
Below the walls, Idris laughed at Zhongli's stunned expression.
"Well?" he asked lightly.
"Still think I was exaggerating?"
Zhongli shook his head, a little embarrassed.
"I underestimated Sumeru," he admitted honestly.
"But why did so many Abyss Mages gather at once—and how did you capture them all?"
Idris's smile faded slightly.
"Preemptive action," he replied.
"Did you forget what I said about portals?"
Realization dawned on Zhongli.
He fell silent for a moment, then said gravely:
"The Abyss Order's ambitions… are dangerous."
"Do you truly believe you can wipe them out entirely?"
Idris shook his head.
"Not yet."
Then he smiled again—sharp and calculating.
"But eventually? Absolutely."
"These Abyss Mages we've captured…"
"They're the key."
"The key?" Zhongli frowned. "How so?"
"Even if we can't extract intelligence from them," Idris said calmly,
"There's another way."
"We turn them into tools."
"…Tools?"
For perhaps the first time in centuries, Zhongli felt his mind lag behind.
He genuinely didn't understand.
Seeing his confusion, Idris chuckled.
"If you're curious, I'll let you handle this part personally," he said.
"Consider it… one of Sumeru's benefits to Liyue."
Zhongli hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well. I'll do my best."
"But," he added seriously,
"do not forget what you promised Liyue."
Idris laughed openly.
"Sumeru keeps its word."
"True sincerity earns true sincerity," he said.
"A truth someone who's lived as long as you surely understands."
The tension eased.
As they walked into Sumeru City together, residents stared in awe at the bound Abyss Mages, whispers spreading through the streets.
Zhongli and Idris ignored it all, continuing forward without slowing—
Already planning what came next.
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