"I can feel it…"
"Right now, they're no different from being left out in the wild."
The Captain looked at the countless souls drifting before him.
To him, it seemed this arrangement hadn't truly helped them.
Qiu Nian chuckled softly.
Then he raised a finger and lightly tapped the air.
A tiny hole appeared in the space.
From within it, faint strands of ley line energy began to flow out.
Like a gentle breeze, the energy brushed over the souls.
The spirits seemed to sense something.
One after another, they slowly drifted toward the tiny opening.
Qiu Nian sighed quietly.
"The number of these souls is far too large."
"This place may be the border of life and death, but it only sustains the souls of Liyue's people who still carry lingering attachments."
"Once those attachments are released, the souls leave on their own."
"They dissolve willingly into the world and merge with the ley lines."
"So they consume very little of the ley line's power."
"But these souls are different."
"They were once corroded by the Abyss."
"Their souls are already shattered and incomplete, surviving only by instinctive attachment."
"And if instinct is all they have left…"
"How could they possibly let go?"
"They cannot be accepted by the ley lines."
"When the last of their spiritual strength fades, they will disappear completely."
"Even if they remained inside your heart, the result would be the same."
"So I opened a small passage in the space I created."
"Allowing a trace of ley line energy from the border of life and death to flow in."
"It will maintain them… and provide a small amount of nourishment."
Qiu Nian explained calmly.
The Captain stood silently, watching the souls drifting closer to the opening.
"…Could the opening be made larger?"
He clenched his fists slightly as he asked.
During their conversation, he had sensed the gentleness of this god.
He knew this request might be asking too much.
After all, this was already the best solution he had found in centuries.
But still…
He wanted to secure a better place for those fallen soldiers.
Qiu Nian immediately refused.
"With the current balance, they can remain here for six years."
"If it exceeds six years, the border's natural ability to sustain souls will begin to weaken."
"If I enlarge the opening further, the time they can remain here will shorten greatly."
Qiu Nian looked at the Captain.
"Since you know the tale of how I once split the Abyss with a single sword…"
"Then you should also know my stance—and my friendship with Morax."
"The border of life and death at Wuwang Hill is far too important to Liyue."
"This is already the greatest help I can offer you."
He turned to look at the sea of drifting souls, closing his eyes slightly.
"…I'm sorry."
"My request was too much."
The Captain lowered his head.
"I understand your feelings."
Qiu Nian shook his head gently.
"Thank you for the help you have given me."
"For me, it is already more than enough."
"If there ever comes a time when you need my strength—and it does not violate my principles…"
"I will not hesitate, no matter what you ask."
The Captain said sincerely.
This was a debt he would never forget.
Even the way he addressed Qiu Nian had changed—
from "you" to "you, sir."
Qiu Nian laughed softly.
"There's no need for that."
"I already told you."
"I helped simply because I wanted to."
Then he turned, gazing into the endless mist.
"And if thanks must be given…"
"Then don't thank me."
"Thank this land called Liyue."
Qiu Nian folded his arms and looked up toward the bright light pouring down from above.
The Captain fell silent.
Then he closed his eyes and placed a hand over his heart—
as if truly thanking the land itself.
After a long time, he spoke again.
"…May I trouble you…"
"to enlarge the opening just a little?"
Qiu Nian turned around.
"I believe I already—"
"No. You misunderstand me."
The Captain interrupted him.
"I would rather they have a slightly better place to exist…"
"than see them like this."
He looked at the souls still drifting toward the opening.
"Five years."
"I only need five years."
"Within five years… I will definitely find a way for their souls to truly rest."
He clenched his fist tightly.
Hearing this, Qiu Nian paused.
Then he nodded.
His brow furrowed slightly.
He flicked a finger.
A thin strand of faint crimson energy shot toward the opening.
The moment it touched the hole, the energy ignited like a spark.
The opening widened slightly.
A greater flow of ley line energy poured through it, washing over the souls like a warm wind.
The spirits seemed to feel comfort.
They stopped drifting closer and remained where they were.
The time limit shortened—
from six years to five.
The Captain stepped forward.
"…Thank you."
Qiu Nian nodded.
"Since we're done here, let's go."
"When you wish to return next time, I will bring you here again."
He was about to leave.
"Please wait."
The Captain stopped him.
"There is one more thing I wish to ask."
"What is it?"
Qiu Nian asked.
"If my guess is correct…"
"You should be able to remove the Immortality Curse of the Sovereign of Death."
The Captain spoke quietly.
Qiu Nian didn't answer.
But his silence was confirmation.
"If five years from now…"
"I truly succeed in giving them peace."
"Then please…"
"Kill me completely."
"This is my final request."
"I have waited for this day… for far too long."
The Captain stepped forward.
Qiu Nian fell into thought.
After a moment, he nodded.
"…Very well."
"If that day truly comes—"
"I will grant your wish."
"And end your life completely."
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