Chapter 190.
Halfway through their brainstorming session, Lumine, Paimon, Shinobu, Kokomi, and Mona suddenly realized Futsu Mitama was nowhere to be found.
Shinobu and Kokomi, possessing far sharper political instincts than the others, exchanged a quick, meaningful look.
If it were truly a crisis requiring urgent tactical planning, Futsu Mitama's personality dictated he would have taken the lead. The fact that he simply walked away spoke volumes.
Does he already know what's happening? Shinobu wondered. If he knows the secret and isn't worried, then the Fatui's master plan probably won't cause catastrophic damage.
Reading the same subtext, Kokomi completely dropped her concern, gracefully shifting the conversation away from Fatui conspiracies.
Lumine arrived at a similar conclusion. While she remained committed to fulfilling Ningguang's commission, the blistering urgency to uncover a plot evaporated.
Only Paimon remained on edge.
Knowing absolutely nothing and possessing zero political intuition, she was utterly convinced the Fatui were brewing an apocalypse right under their noses. Mona, meanwhile, remained completely apathetic; Liyue was simply too fortified for anything truly disastrous to happen.
Futsu Mitama had abandoned the discussion for one simple reason: he already knew the entire script.
Why was the massive intelligence apparatus of the Qixing, the Mondstadt Delegation, and the Traveler turning up absolutely zero intel on Fatui sabotage?
Because the Fatui organization functioned as a strict, top-down cult of personality.
The Harbingers dictated the agenda; the lower ranks were essentially disposable grunts operating on a need-to-know basis. Capturing a hundred Debt Collectors wouldn't yield a single shred of actionable intelligence regarding the grand design.
Having personally clashed with La Signora, Scaramouche, and Dottore, Futsu Mitama understood their operational doctrine intimately. The Harbingers outsourced the noisy, mundane distractions to the rank-and-file, while personally executing the critical, highly classified objectives in the shadows.
Paimon's naive suggestion had actually been flawlessly accurate: the only way to cripple the Fatui's current operation was to physically capture Tartaglia or Arlecchino. Even if they refused to talk, taking them off the board would shatter the timeline.
But doing so was a diplomatic impossibility. Tartaglia and Arlecchino were currently acting like model tourists. Apprehending foreign dignitaries without concrete proof of treason would instantly trigger an international incident, potentially leading to open war between Liyue and Snezhnaya.
"Sometimes, knowing the future is just exhausting."
Futsu Mitama sighed softly, standing on the second-floor balcony. He watched Lumine and Paimon march off into the night to continue their fruitless investigation, while Shinobu, Kokomi, and Mona retired to their guest rooms.
Aila and Black Aila remained silently by his side. They had already deduced that the impending Rite of Descension was going to be a political minefield.
Earlier that day, while testing the Azhdaha Mech with Guizhong, the twins had noticed something odd.
Cloud Retainer had visited the testing grounds, expressing deep confusion over Guizhong's sudden, frantic urgency to complete the mech.
Can it not wait a few days? Cloud Retainer had asked, exasperated by the mandatory overtime. Is this extreme rush truly necessary? We can simply finish it after the Rite.
Guizhong had merely chuckled, vaguely insisting that since they were so close to completion, they might as well push through. When Cloud Retainer tried to refuse, citing her own busy schedule, Guizhong deployed her ultimate weapon: a devastating, highly deliberate pout.
Defeated by the pout, the mighty adeptus could only sigh.
Very well. This adeptus shall see this project through to the end with you.
Witnessing the exchange, the twins had found Guizhong's urgency bizarre.
But observing their Young Master's calm detachment tonight, the pieces fell into place: The Fatui's actions were entirely within his expectations.
Which meant... the impending chaos was likely orchestrated, or at least tacitly approved, by Rex Lapis himself.
"Let us retire for the night. Tomorrow is the final day of the festival, and the day after is the Rite."
Futsu Mitama said, turning away from the balcony. He intended to get a full night's sleep and enjoy a peaceful stroll tomorrow before the world caught fire.
"Yes, Young Master." the twins replied in unison, moving to assist him with his evening routine.
The night passed without incident.
—
The following morning, the estate gathered for breakfast. Kamisato Ayaka was notably absent. She had messaged the Chat Group earlier, politely explaining that the Inazuman delegation had their own dedicated culinary staff, and it would be highly inappropriate for her to abandon her diplomatic quarters for a private breakfast.
Paimon dramatically mourned the loss; she knew Ayaka's presence would have forced Aila to prepare a genuinely extravagant feast.
In the Chat Group, Shinobu mercilessly roasted Paimon, asking if she was suddenly starving on her normal diet.
Aila chimed in, asking with lethal politeness if Paimon had grown dissatisfied with her and Shinobu's cooking.
Lumine simply sent a single, threatening question mark.
Since the estate's meals were exclusively prepared by Aila, Shinobu, and Lumine, Paimon instantly realized she was standing in a minefield. She immediately ceased typing, terrified that one wrong word would result in a permanent ban from the kitchen.
Reading the exchange over his tea, Futsu Mitama chuckled. Paimon truly was the sunshine of the group. Adding her to the Chat Group had been a masterstroke; she single-handedly kept the atmosphere vibrant.
After breakfast, the group dispersed.
Lumine and Paimon dragged a highly reluctant Mona back onto the streets, demanding she use her astrology to hunt for Fatui clues.
Kokomi and Shinobu headed to the diplomatic quarters to visit Sara and Gorou.
Aila and Black Aila returned to the Guyun Stone Forest to assist Guizhong.
Futsu Mitama was left entirely alone.
Or so he thought, until Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei descended the staircase.
"Today is the final day of peace."
Makoto observed, looking out over the bustling, harmonious harbor. Her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity.
"I am incredibly eager to see exactly what Morax has planned for tomorrow. Specifically, how he intends to fake his own death. Faking a divine assassination requires an extraordinary level of technical finesse. If he doesn't execute the illusion perfectly, the entire plan collapses."
It was true. The death of the Geo Archon—the oldest god in Teyvat—was not a trivial matter. One misstep, one unconvincing detail, and Liyue's fragile prosperity would shatter into mass hysteria.
"I have no idea."
Ei replied, calmly eating a steamed bun that Black Aila had brought upstairs earlier.
The twin maids were fully aware the Raiden sisters were residing on the second floor.
Makoto and Ei's divine concealment only worked on entities weaker than Archons. Both Aila and Black Aila possessed the complete authority of Archons; identifying the two Electro gods was trivial. The sisters hadn't bothered hiding from the maids, knowing the twins' knowledge wouldn't compromise Morax's plot.
"However, knowing him, it will likely be a grand, theatrical death."
Ei added, her warrior's intuition speaking. The death of Rex Lapis demanded a scale of tragedy befitting his legacy.
"I suspect he will opt for a more understated approach." Makoto mused. "But he will almost certainly recruit a few of us to act as the assassins. Disguised as other Archons, naturally."
While Morax preferred low-profile solutions, he never hesitated to execute bold maneuvers when required. The sudden influx of the Anemo, Electro, and Dendro Archons into Liyue right before his 'death' was entirely too convenient to be a coincidence.
"I agree. The old blockhead will definitely ask us to play a part. Letting us enjoy the show for free doesn't align with his personality."
A sudden gust of wind swept through the estate, carrying with it a staggering, eye-watering stench of cheap alcohol. Venti materialized in the center of the room.
"..."
Makoto and Ei instantly pinched their noses, their expressions contorting in profound disgust.
"Barbatos. Your affinity for liquor remains unchanged, I see."
Makoto said, her tone dripping with polite horror. While she enjoyed sake, she drank with elegant moderation. Venti currently smelled like a walking brewery.
Ei was so thoroughly nauseated by the fumes that she lost her appetite entirely.
"Anemo Archon." she demanded, covering her face. "Kindly purge that stench from your vessel immediately."
"Ah~ My deepest apologies~"
Venti laughed weakly. He summoned a localized cyclone, rapidly venting the alcohol fumes from his clothes and simultaneously sweeping all the dust and debris out of Futsu Mitama's estate.
Smelling fresh again, Venti smiled brightly.
"I overindulged last night. I never imagined Captain Beidou possessed such a terrifying tolerance. We drank continuously for five hours. It wasn't until dawn broke that she finally succumbed. She truly earns the title of Dragon King."
Venti was genuinely impressed. Among mortals, Beidou was a mythic anomaly. It was a tragedy she had challenged the Anemo Archon to a drinking contest; against any other god, she might have actually won.
Futsu Mitama sighed helplessly. Beidou's relentless, unyielding spirit was legendary. Of course she had challenged a literal god to a drinking marathon.
Venti turned to Futsu Mitama.
"So, what are your thoughts?"
"Regarding the alcohol, or regarding Morax faking his death?"
Futsu Mitama deadpanned.
"Morax faking his death, obviously! The Rite is tomorrow!" Venti grinned, his eyes shifting to Ei. "Beelzebub, do you have any food to spare? I've been drinking all night, and I am starving."
"Take these."
Ei said flatly, tossing a small plate of leftover steamed buns at the bard. She had already devoured all the premium items.
"Much obliged~" Venti happily stuffed a bun into his mouth. "So, how do you think he'll orchestrate it? A glorious final stand against an overwhelming force? A tragic, resentment-filled ambush by a villainous faction?"
Makoto and Ei both turned to Futsu Mitama, highly interested in his assessment. As the designated successor to the Electro throne, his tactical analysis was part of his ongoing, unspoken training.
"Actually..." Futsu Mitama hesitated, crossing his arms. He looked between the three ancient gods. "Is there a possibility that Morax simply plummets from the sky and dies peacefully upon impact?"
"Huh?"
Venti froze, a piece of steamed bun literally dropping from his mouth.
Ei shook her head firmly, rejecting the premise outright.
This was Morax. The oldest Archon on Teyvat. The God of Martial Arts. A god whose legendary strength had forged the very bedrock of Liyue in the fires of the Archon War. To die by simply falling out of the sky? It was completely absurd. No one would believe it.
Makoto, however, narrowed her eyes in quiet contemplation.
"Why do you suggest that, Mitama?"
"It's a matter of logic." Futsu Mitama shrugged, looking at them helplessly. "If you suddenly received news that Morax had been assassinated, what would be your absolute first assumption?"
"The Heavenly Principles descended and executed him."
Makoto answered instantly.
"Or he catastrophically violated a primordial contract."
Venti added, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
Ei opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. Makoto and Venti had already outlined the only two viable scenarios.
No one truly knew the absolute ceiling of Morax's current power. The fact that mythic entities like Marchosius and Azhdaha willingly followed him spoke volumes not just of his charisma, but of his overwhelming martial supremacy.
Even Venti, who constantly self-deprecated his own strength, was a terrifying force if forced to fight.
The Chat Group was actively restoring their power to their ancient peaks, and perhaps even pushing them beyond.
Therefore, unless Celestia directly intervened, or a primordial contract shattered, the idea of Morax being 'assassinated' by mortal or rogue adeptal forces was mathematically impossible.
If a lesser force claimed to have killed him, the Archons would instantly assume he was faking it out of sheer boredom.
"If either of those two legitimate scenarios occurred." Futsu Mitama continued, "the resulting shockwave would be apocalyptic, wouldn't it?"
"Mhm." Makoto nodded grimly. "The devastation would likely eclipse the Khaenri'ah cataclysm five centuries ago. Given Morax's raw power, a genuine death struggle would carve permanent scars into the continent of Teyvat."
"However—" Venti stroked his chin, a new line of thought forming. "Even if an understated death wouldn't fool us, it would certainly fool the mortal populace. But he can't fool Azhdaha with a simple fall, especially since the Chat Group's live broadcast function will be active during the Rite."
"If he intends to sell the illusion, he has to make it hyper-realistic. I'm sticking to my theory. He will orchestrate a grand, explosive exit."
Venti concluded.
Makoto remained silent. Mitama's logic had unnerved her. The idea of Morax staging a ludicrous, anti-climactic death—falling from the sky like a stone—suddenly seemed terrifyingly plausible.
"Regardless of his methodology, the truth will be revealed tomorrow."
Ei stated, finishing her tea.
"Hehe~ Care to make a wager, Futsu Mitama?"
Venti offered, a sly, chaotic grin spreading across his face.
"What are the stakes?"
Futsu Mitama asked warily. He despised gambling, but Venti's propositions were usually entertaining.
"We bet on Morax's exact method of death." Venti proposed eagerly. "If I win, you have to manage Mondstadt's bureaucracy for me for an entire year. If I lose, I will hand over my Gnosis. Deal?"
Makoto and Ei both frowned deeply, glaring at the Anemo Archon.
Futsu Mitama's eye twitched.
You absolute parasite. Whether you win or lose, you get exactly what you want! If you win, you get a year of paid vacation. If you lose, you finally get to dump the political target that is your Gnosis onto me!
"Not enticing enough?" Venti panicked slightly at Futsu Mitama's deadpan expression. "Fine! If I lose, along with the Gnosis, I will also grant you the Anemo Archon's legacy—AH! Beelzebub, calm down!"
Ei's patience violently evaporated. Without a single word, she summoned the Engulfing Lightning from the void and launched a lethal, sweeping strike at the bard's neck.
Venti shrieked, instantly dissolving into a gust of wind to evade the decapitation.
Even Makoto, famously the most gentle and level-headed of the Archons, reached into the void and drew the Musou Isshin, her eyes narrowing dangerously at Venti's shamelessness.
Futsu Mitama watched the chaos unfold with profound exhaustion.
Am I really hosting a miniature reenactment of the Archon War in my living room?
Two Electro Archons relentlessly pursuing the Anemo Archon, who was currently cowering behind a pillar and making zero attempts to fight back.
"Hm? Why are they fighting?"
The front doors opened, and Maha Rukkhadevata and Nahida stepped into the estate. The former Dendro Archon blinked in profound confusion as she watched Venti scream and dodge a barrage of lethal Electro strikes.
"What happened?" Nahida jogged over to Futsu Mitama, looking concerned. "Did the Anemo Archon commit a crime?"
"He undoubtedly courted death." Rukkhadevata said, gracefully gliding to Futsu Mitama's side. Her tone was absolute. "Makoto is famously gentle. For her to draw a blade against Barbatos, his transgression must have been severe."
"Indeed."
Futsu Mitama nodded, quickly summarizing Venti's absurd, rigged wager.
Rukkhadevata and Nahida exchanged highly peculiar looks. If they didn't possess impeccable manners, they would have burst out laughing. It wasn't a bet; it was blatant, shameless extortion. No wonder the Raiden sisters were attempting to murder him.
After several minutes of high-voltage discipline, a heavily singed and thoroughly humbled Venti formally withdrew his wager.
"So, what is the agenda for today?" the bruised bard asked, dusting off his cape. "Are we granted free movement? I scouted the harbor on my way here, and Morax hasn't returned to the funeral parlor."
A gathering of four foreign Archons in Liyue required careful coordination. If they wandered freely and were spotted by Liyue's elite immediately prior to Morax's assassination, they would be framed as the prime suspects.
"I'll contact him and find out."
Futsu Mitama said. He was the only one politically insulated enough to casually interrogate the Wangsheng Consultant.
He opened the Chat Group interface.
[Futsu Mitama: @Zhongli, are you available? Or still occupied?]
[Zhongli: What is the matter? Director Hu and I are currently indisposed.]
[Futsu Mitama: When do you anticipate returning to the harbor? I need to discuss the itinerary for today.]
[Azhdaha: What requires such urgency? Can you not simply discuss it here in the forum? On that note, the activity in this group has plummeted recently. Aside from the automated daily check-ins, it is practically a graveyard.]
[Guizhong: Azhdaha, are you growing restless? Do you wish to emerge and play?]
[Bosacius: Indeed, Azhdaha. Unlike myself, you possess the capability to temporarily break your seal and roam.]
[Azhdaha: Forget it. Shattering the seal generates far too much seismic trauma. Although Guizhong managed to extract a rapid-unsealing protocol from Morax, the Rite of Descension is imminent. I refuse to inflict chaos upon the citizens of Liyue at such a critical juncture. Notice how Keqing has also been entirely absent?]
[Keqing: I possess a brief window of freedom today, but I am required to formally receive the Sumeru Delegation shortly. However, should you decide to break your seal, I have established contingency protocols to manage the fallout.]
[Azhdaha: Hahahaha, I appreciate the sentiment, but no. The solitude beneath the Dragon-Queller is currently quite peaceful. Let us revisit the idea in a few years. My psychological erosion has not yet stabilized enough for free movement. Besides, after this Rite concludes, Morax will finally be able to participate openly in this forum.]
[Futsu Mitama: It isn't a matter of secrecy, Azhdaha. I simply wanted Zhongli to guide me to a renowned, century-old dessert shop in the harbor. I intend to purchase a large quantity of pastries.]
[Yae Miko: Oh? I am highly interested. Ei would absolutely adore traditional Liyue sweets~ It is a tragedy that she and Makoto are perpetually locked inside Tenshukaku, occupied with Archon knows what.]
[Raiden Ei: ...]
[Raiden Makoto: We can read this, Miko.]
[Yae Miko: Oops! I am suddenly required to escort Sister Ganyu! Goodbye!!!]
[Zhongli: Ah, I see. By my current estimations, Director Hu and I will not return to the harbor until dusk at the earliest. The excursion will likely have to wait until tomorrow. I shall transmit the coordinates of the establishment to you. You will have to procure the pastries yourselves today.]
[Cyno: Keqing, we have crossed into Liyue territory. We expect to arrive at the harbor within a few hours.]
[Keqing: Acknowledged. You are familiar with the diplomatic protocols. Regarding the proposed economic trades, however, those discussions will have to be postponed until the Rite concludes.]
[Cyno: I am aware. But Faruzan is not. She is highly likely to attempt to ambush Tianquan Ningguang with negotiations immediately upon arrival. The Akademiya's deficit crisis is her primary motivation for this trip. She has complained incessantly during the journey about the lack of available Mora and is desperate to secure emergency funding.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: I may have a solution.] [Keqing: I have a proposal.] [Kuki Shinobu: Actually, there is a highly efficient method.]
[Cyno: Eh?]
[Futsu Mitama: The synchronized tactical minds are terrifying.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Please, Shinobu, you first.]
[Keqing: Go ahead.]
[Kuki Shinobu: ...Very well.]
[Kuki Shinobu: Currently, due to the massive logistical demands of the Rite, Liyue Harbor is suffering from a catastrophic labor shortage. If your combat capabilities are adequate, you can amass a fortune in a matter of days. The only political variable is whether it is appropriate for the official Sumeru Delegation to accept mercenary contracts.]
[Kuki Shinobu: I yield the floor.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Miss Keqing, your turn.]
[Keqing: Thank you. To expand on Shinobu's point: beyond the general labor shortage, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Qixing have posted numerous high-priority bounties. Completion of these tasks yields rewards ranging from fifty thousand to over one million Mora.]
[Keqing: The parameters vary wildly—apprehending elite Treasure Hoarder rings, annihilating entrenched monster encampments, or resolving complex civilian disputes.]
[Paimon: We specialize in all of those!]
[Lumine: We are currently under contract, Paimon.]
[Paimon: Oh, right. We are currently executing a classified operation for Ningguang.]
[Keqing: Understood. If the Sumeru Delegation requires immediate capital, communicate directly with me upon arrival. I will bypass the guild and assign you the most lucrative, efficient bounties available.]
[Cyno: If possible, assign me the most lethal, highly classified targets with the maximum payout. I will execute them without fail.]
[Keqing: Is that so? In that case, the compensation will be astronomical.]
[Keqing: Sangonomiya Kokomi, the floor is yours.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: My proposal generates less raw capital, but it is uniquely tailored to Cyno and Faruzan's specific skill sets.]
[Futsu Mitama: Oh? Do tell.]
[Aila: Tailored to Cyno and Faruzan?]
[Kuki Shinobu: What did you find?]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: It is quite straightforward. The Rite of Descension is not merely a religious ceremony; it is accompanied by massive civilian festivals.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: While surveying the market district, I observed a wealthy merchant hosting a high-stakes 'Genius Invokation TCG' tournament. The baseline champion receives fifty thousand Mora and a highly sought-after, limited-edition holographic card.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Furthermore, there is a Grand Champion bracket. The finals coincide with the Rite tomorrow. The Grand Champion receives a staggering one million Mora and a complete set of ultra-rare promotional cards.]
[Cyno: !!!]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: In addition, there is a prestigious academic engineering competition occurring simultaneously, which seems perfectly suited for Faruzan. The ultimate victor of that event also receives a grand prize of one million Mora.]
[Eula: Is a million Mora the standard denomination for parlor games in Liyue?]
[Albedo: It is highly logical. This year's Rite of Descension is historically significant. To the merchant elite, a million Mora is a trivial marketing expense. If the spectacle manages to attract even a single passing comment from Rex Lapis, the resulting prestige would generate tens of millions in future revenue.]
[Aila: The Shopkeeper's Daughter from the last rite is a prime example. She operated at a massive deficit, but because Rex Lapis publicly endorsed her stall, her profit margins this fiscal year are incalculable.]
[Keqing: Precisely. For the syndicates orchestrating these festivals, the Mora is irrelevant. The acquisition of divine prestige is the true currency.]