[ "The resolve of the Hunt shall not subside until life itself reaches its end; thus, someone must always remain to ferry these lingering souls." ]
[ "In life, they were heroes. In death, they should not be reduced to puppets of Nihility." ]
[ "As for me... I've suffered too many losses on that battlefield to advance any further, and that makes me the most fitting person to carry out this task." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Is this… Miss Acheron's memory?"
March 7th: "A black sun, a pitch-black sea, a leaden sky…"
March 7th: "This place… it gives me the creeps!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I-I agree!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Look at those twisted arms reaching out of the sea. They're absolutely terrifying!"
Hu Tao: "I feel like we've witnessed this scene once before."
Hu Tao: "But back then, we only saw Miss Acheron standing alone."
Hu Tao: "Now the picture is complete. The owner of that other voice we heard has finally appeared."
Boothill: "Son of a nice lady!"
Boothill: "I don't believe it…"
Boothill: "That's one of the old legends of our Galaxy Rangers, for fork's sake!!"
Boothill: "You're telling me one of 'em is still kicking?!"
Welt Yang: "According to Miss Acheron…"
Welt Yang: "Those things in the sea… they are the 'Sin Thirsters,' born from the lingering obsessions of the Galaxy Rangers who died surrounding and slaying a Lord Ravager."
Welt Yang: "The true heroes passed away a long time ago…"
Zhongli: "The resolve of the Hunt shall not subside until life itself reaches its end."
Zhongli: "It is only now that I truly grasp the conviction of the Galaxy Rangers."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "To challenge an Emanator of Destruction with nothing but a frail, mortal body."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "I must say, from my perspective, such an act is driven by pure emotion—it is utterly irrational."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "And yet, I find myself respecting that irrationality."
Venti: "What a tragic, epic tale…"
Venti: "But it's a pity… no one remembers the price paid, and no one remembers the story itself."
Venti: "Still, a story this grand shouldn't be forgotten."
Venti: "If the opportunity arises, I shall compose this into a ballad and sing it across the stars."
Paimon: "Yeah! Now that sounds like you're actually doing something productive for once!"
Paimon: "They're all big heroes; the whole universe should remember them!"
Paimon: "That way, their sacrifice won't be for nothing!"
Fu Xuan: "These are the true practitioners of the Reignbow's will."
Fu Xuan: "They are worthy of the name 'Hunt'."
Jing Yuan: "To think so many heroes would meet such a desolate end."
Jing Yuan: "Though we serve the Hunt under different banners…"
Jing Yuan: "The Xianzhou Alliance shall nonetheless offer them our deepest respects."
Jing Yuan: "The names of these heroes should be recorded within the Xianzhou archives for all generations to honor."
Stelle: "The General is absolutely right!"
Stelle: "If the deeds of heroes go unsung, who would ever want to be a hero again?"
Stelle: "Heroes like these deserve to be remembered by the world—vividly!"
Acheron: "On his behalf, I thank you for your recognition."
Acheron: "I imagine if he knew of this, he would be quite pleased…"
Himeko: "So this person… has also sacrificed himself, hasn't he?"
Himeko: "Otherwise, Miss Acheron wouldn't be here just to return a relic."
Acheron: "Yes… he has passed away as well."
Acheron: "However… I believe when he left, he did so without any regrets… perhaps?"
....
『 [ "But you know that these Sin Thirsters… are not them, after all." ]
Acheron sighs softly.
[ "In your eyes, is this task meaningless?" ]
[ "But some things must be done, even if they lack meaning." ]
The old man does not regret his choices.
[ "...." ]
[ "I can help you." ]
After a moment of silence, Acheron speaks.
[ "To what end?" ]
The old man asks in return.
[ "The meaning of Nihility… that is also what I seek." ]
Acheron answers.
[ "…I suppose so. How else could a normal person set foot here?" ]
[ "Thank you, stranger." ]
[ "I hope you find your answer on this journey." ]
The old man offers a sincere blessing.
[ "Before that, I have one more question…" ]
[ "True, the actions of these Sin Thirsters—their entire existence, even—are meaningless from our perspective." ]
[ "But if… and I mean if…" ]
[ "If this is the outcome the deceased desired, should we still seek to change it?" ]
Acheron poses a difficult question.
[ "That is a good question, and a hard one to answer. At the very least… I do not know the answer." ]
[ "But what I do know is that one day, I too will depart this world." ]
[ "I hope from the bottom of my heart that when that time comes…" ]
[ "Someone will stand at my grave and place a bouquet." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hotaru: "Is it another question like that?"
Hotaru: "It carries the same weight as the question Mr. Sunday asked when he was a child…"
Stelle: "There is no such thing as a 'correct' answer to a question like that."
Stelle: "Instead of obsessing over the question, it's better to try and give some meaning to the result."
March 7th: "But if something is meaningless, isn't giving it meaning just lying to yourself?"
March 7th: "Like the old man performing rites for those Sin Thirsters."
March 7th: "It's technically a wasted effort."
March 7th: "Because those spirits aren't the people he once knew anymore…"
Stelle: "See, that's where you're wrong."
Stelle: "Lying to yourself can be a form of meaning too!"
Stelle: "As the old man said, some things have to be done even if they seem meaningless!"
Stelle: "The fact that he did it makes it meaningful to him, at the very least!"
Stelle: "And that's enough!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Heh. That statement actually makes me look at you in a new light."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It seems when you actually use your brain, you can be quite clever."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "I hope you can maintain this level of thought."
Aventurine: "Tsk. Friend, if you managed to get a compliment out of the Professor, it means he highly approves of what you said!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I think what Stelle said is wonderful."
Furina de Fontaine: "Even if you can't see the meaning in something, there are still reasons why it must be done."
Furina de Fontaine: "And as long as you do it, it will surely have meaning!"
Welt Yang: "Indeed. To be able to say such things… Stelle, you've grown."
Himeko: "Haha, it's a heartening development."
March 7th: "Oh no, now I look like the shallow one!"
Acheron: "Yes. For many things, as long as you feel they have meaning, that is enough."
Acheron: "There is no need to overthink it, nor to agonize over whether it is right or wrong."
Acheron: "Even if… it ultimately leads to a tragic conclusion."
Acheron: "That may be a predestined result."
Acheron: "But even so, one cannot deny the meaning that once existed within the journey!"
....
『 9 System Hours before the Charmony Festival, the Golden Hour.
The scene shifts to a memory of Sunday.
[ "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child." ]
[ "But when I became a man, I put away childish things." ]
[ "...." ]
Sunday's inner monologue echoes as the scene unfolds.
[ "I beg your blessing, noble Envoy of Xipe." ]
An Oak Family attendant speaks with a voice full of piety toward Sunday.
[ "Come forward, Family member." ]
[ "I have prayed for THEIR presence to be with us." ]
Sunday's voice sounds divine and holy.
[ "As you will." ]
[ "I have served the Alfalfa Family for over ten years, always diligent and earnest, never once straying. I held the sharing of Harmony as the ultimate good." ]
[ "However, just yesterday, I committed an error." ]
[ "While preparing the Family Head's dinner, I accidentally knocked the meal to the ground." ]
[ "Out of laziness, I lied and claimed everything was arranged perfectly." ]
[ "Though the Family Head has dismissed me as punishment, I still cannot rest. I fear the seeds of evil have taken root in my heart." ]
[ "I come to you to confess, seeking to make amends for my sin." ]
The attendant speaks in a repentant tone, beginning his confession on Sunday.
[ "Does your heart feel true remorse? Are you determined to change?" ]
Sunday inquires solemnly.
[ "I swear it." ]
The attendant's voice is firm.
[ "Have you examined your conscience and disclosed all your transgressions clearly?" ]
Sunday asks again.
[ "I swear it." ]
The attendant continues to respond.
[ "Are you willing to act and accept penance?" ]
[ "I swear it." ]
[ "Very well." ]
[ "Show your zeal to other Family members and perform good works diligently. In doing so, you shall be reconciled with the Family." ]
[ "Go in peace." ]
Sunday nods gently.
[ "Praise Xipe. And thank you, noble Envoy." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Whoa, I didn't expect that!"
Stelle: "Sunday, you were actually a priest?!"
Stelle: "Tsk, the Family is really something, setting up stuff like this."
Boothill: "It's just a bunch of brainwashing tactics, for fork's sake."
Boothill: "Seeing this makes me sick to my stomach."
Paimon: "Uh… isn't this kind of like what they do at the Favonius Cathedral?"
Rosaria: "It's not just 'kind of.' It's basically identical."
Rosaria: "To be honest, I can't stand this sort of thing either."
Barbara Pegg: "But that's the duty of the Favonius Cathedral!"
Barbara Pegg: "To sing of the Anemo Archon's grace and bring his wonderful blessings to everyone in Mondstadt…"
Venti: "Ehe… is it possible…"
Venti: "That the Anemo Archon might not actually like all these empty formalities?"
Lumine: "I think it's very possible."
Diluc Ragnvindr: "Yes, I believe that's the case as well."
Jean Gunnhildr: "Uh…"
Barbara Pegg: "But… this is a tradition that's lasted for years."
Barbara Pegg: "Besides, isn't it only right to praise Lord Barbatos?"
Paimon: "Hey, there's no need to sing about it every single day."
Paimon: "Just keep it in your heart!"
Venti: "Exactly, exactly! Sincerity is what matters most; the form is secondary!"
Zhongli: "Hmph. On this matter, Liyue is perhaps more open-minded."
Zhongli: "The Rex Lapis only needs to exist within the hearts of the people of Liyue as a spiritual exemplar."
Venti: "Sigh, if I'd known, I would've learned a bit more from you."
Venti: "You really are the master of this…"
....
『 [ "…Next, please step forward." ]
Sunday calls the next person.
[ "I… I repent to you with all my heart… please, you must forgive me!" ]
This person appears extremely agitated.
[ "Be at ease. I have prayed for THEIR presence to be with us." ]
[ "As long as your heart is honest and kind, you will surely find forgiveness." ]
Sunday comforts the person in a gentle tone.
[ "Oh!" ]
[ "Oh, okay… actually, I'm an illegal immigrant to Penacony." ]
[ "To buy the ticket, I sold everything I could. My house, my land…" ]
[ "And… my two children…" ]
The man reveals his identity as a stowaway to Sunday.
[ "I see… please continue." ]
Hearing this, Sunday's expression shifts slightly.
[ "If they stayed with me, they would have starved to death. At least as slaves, they can get a full meal." ]
[ "If… if I make it big here, I'll go back and buy them back immediately and raise them well…" ]
[ "B-but the Bloodhound Family found me. They're searching for me everywhere…" ]
[ "I still want to bring my children here!" ]
[ "It's all my fault, it's all my fault…" ]
The man's voice begins to break down.
[ "The Family is willing to embrace everyone." ]
[ "I will inform the Bloodhound Family to cease their search." ]
[ "From now on, you no longer need to live in fear." ]
Sunday says flatly.
[ "Thank you, thank you!" ]
[ "I'll work hard! I'll buy my children back as soon as I can so they can join the Family… P-praise the Harmony!" ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Holy crap!"
Stelle: "What kind of world-class piece of trash is this?"
Stelle: "He sold his own kids into slavery?!"
March 7th: "Hmph! That's… that's just animal behavior!"
Boothill: "Son of a nice lady, you call that a man?"
Boothill: "He's a fork-ing coward, plain and simple!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Selling land, selling a house, selling possessions… I can understand that."
Furina de Fontaine: "But selling your children… that is truly crossing a line."
Hu Tao: "Someone like that deserves to be caught. How does he have the nerve to come here and confess?"
Paimon: "B-but… didn't he say the kids would have starved if they stayed with him?"
Lumine: "Sounds like a lie to me."
Lumine: "He had a house and land. He really couldn't afford to raise two kids?"
Qingque: "It sounds more like he heard Penacony was a place where you could strike it rich, so he gambled everything on a long shot."
Aventurine: "Heh. A bastard who can abandon his own family."
Aventurine: "No matter what his excuses are, he shouldn't be forgiven."
Silver Wolf: "The problem is, Sunday actually let a guy like that off the hook."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "This is the Confession Room of the Harmony—a place to manifest the concept of all-encompassing inclusion."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Clearly, anyone who comes here will be granted forgiveness."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Even if Sunday himself might be unwilling to do so."
Boothill: "Tsk. The Family is hypocritical enough as it is."
Stelle: "The Hunt is definitely the most pure-hearted path!"
Stelle: "Everything else is just fluff!"
Boothill: "Hey, I like the sound of that."
Boothill: "But if you ask me, you Trailblazers aren't half bad compared to us Rangers either!"
Stelle: "Hehe, likewise."
Silver Wolf: "What a lovely circle-jerk."
....