"So that's why you chose to leave…"
"And stepped down as the Geo Archon."
Lumine looked at Zhongli and gestured lightly as she spoke.
"The greater the power, the greater the danger once erosion sets in."
"Like Azhdaha… is that what you mean?"
Paimon spread her hands, her expression complicated as she looked at Qiu Nian and Zhongli.
"Erosion alters one's original self… causing one to betray their initial intentions."
"That version of oneself is something the original would never accept."
"The stronger one is, the more dangerous that deviation becomes."
Qiu Nian explained calmly.
"Sealing my old friend with my own hands…"
"Was also a form of erosion I experienced."
"To walk the correct path, people must constantly give up things… and lose things."
"Perhaps… this is the erosion that the Heavenly Principles have imposed upon me."
"But I am the god of humanity."
"No matter how my identity changes, I will continue to witness the history of mankind with my own eyes."
As Zhongli finished speaking, he looked up at the sky. By now, the sun had already set.
[He retired, yet still treats this as his duty]
[He thinks all of this is simply what must be done… truly Rex Lapis]
"You really still care a lot about Liyue."
Paimon said with a smile.
"It's nothing."
"Just part of my duty."
"This time… you have my thanks."
Zhongli said, looking at Lumine and Paimon.
"Come to think of it… we didn't really do much, did we?"
"But since you're thanking us… I'll just say you're welcome."
Paimon scratched her head awkwardly.
Lumine also looked slightly embarrassed.
But suddenly, she remembered something.
"Wait, Zhongli."
"There's something I want to ask you."
Lumine said seriously.
"And you too, Qiu Nian."
After speaking to Zhongli, she turned to look at him as well.
"Oh? I'm involved too?"
Qiu Nian rested a hand against his chin, slightly puzzled.
"What is it?"
Zhongli asked.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!"
"It's like this—we met someone not long ago named Dainsleif."
"He told us about the fall of Khaenri'ah… and the punishment of the gods…"
"That's when we realized… these things are connected to the person we're searching for."
Paimon explained.
"This concerns my family."
"This is very important to me."
Lumine placed a hand over her chest, her gaze filled with expectation.
"Zhongli, you've lived for thousands of years—you're a true god."
"You must have personally witnessed that event, right?"
Paimon asked.
"..."
"I cannot say."
Zhongli fell silent for a moment before sighing.
"Why not?!"
Paimon looked confused.
[Why can't he say it?!]
[Because the devs won't allow it]
Lumine's expression dimmed slightly, disappointment clear in her eyes.
"Why can't you tell us?"
"This is really important to us!"
Paimon pressed.
"I understand. But I'm sorry—this is my contract."
Zhongli explained.
"Is it like Azhdaha's situation… where you also have your own difficulties?"
Paimon asked.
"This contract…"
"Was formed before everything began."
"As one who abides by contracts, I must remain silent."
Zhongli said, arms folded.
"That's not fair…"
Paimon pouted, clearly upset.
Lumine closed her eyes, equally disappointed.
"I consider you a friend."
"Causing you disappointment is not my intention."
"But as the God of Contracts, I cannot break this agreement."
Zhongli said gently.
"And besides… I said I cannot say…"
As he spoke, Zhongli glanced toward Qiu Nian.
It was as if he was hinting at something.
"Hahaha! Zhongli can't say it—but that doesn't mean Guixu can't, right?"
"Alright, alright!"
Xuehua burst out laughing.
[I can't take it anymore]
[Zhongli looking at Qiu Nian is hilarious]
[I can't say it… but someone else can!]
Lumine and Paimon suddenly realized.
Their pupils shrank slightly.
Right—Zhongli couldn't speak…
But that didn't mean Qiu Nian couldn't.
He was a god as well.
A being who had lived for over six thousand years.
"Oh! Right!"
"Qiu Nian, can you tell us?"
Paimon asked eagerly.
Lumine looked at him with the same hopeful expression.
"Of course."
"In this world, there is nothing I cannot speak of."
"Morax is bound by contract… but I am not."
"So—what would you like to ask?"
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
Both Lumine and Paimon lit up with excitement.
At the same time, three dialogue options appeared on Xuehua's screen:
The fall of Khaenri'ah and the punishment of the gods
The Abyss Order is investigating you
The legend that you split the Abyss with a single strike
"Wait… I can actually ask this?"
"And I won't just get vague answers?"
Xuehua stared at the screen in disbelief.
[Click it, quick!]
"The fall of Khaenri'ah… and the punishment of the gods."
Lumine chose.
"'They' ignited a flame… yet could not extinguish it."
"The fire spread across the grasslands, growing ever stronger…"
"Until it devoured those who had started it."
"But the flames did not stop there."
"They spread further… consuming countless other lives."
"So tell me—"
"Should the source of that fire… be extinguished?"
Qiu Nian spoke calmly, presenting a metaphor before asking his question.
Lumine was sharp.
As she listened, her pupils trembled slightly.
At the same time, she recalled what Qiu Nian had said during the Lantern Rite—
Five hundred years ago, an endless black tide of beasts invaded the seven nations of Teyvat.
A calamity that engulfed the entire world.
And the fall of Khaenri'ah…
Also happened five hundred years ago.
Could it be—
That the disaster which swept across Teyvat…
Originated from Khaenri'ah itself?
"There is no need to answer now."
"In your journey ahead…"
"You will find the answer yourself."
Qiu Nian said steadily as he looked at the thoughtful Lumine.
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