Yae Miko blinked, then smiled. "Haha, the Anemo Archon is truly an amusing fellow. As you wish—I've already written it down in the light novel."
In truth, she didn't need Barbatos's reminder. While recording the storyteller's tales, she had not only captured the moving stories but also noted every word and action of the gods around her. All of it was prime light novel material. Even a portion of it, published separately, could earn a fortune in Mora.
Beside them, Ei looked at Barbatos with disdain. "I didn't expect you to be not only lazy but also so thick-skinned."
Barbatos looked wronged. "How cruel! My skin is very thin."
Ei: "…"
Just then, the Raiden Shogun spoke. "We've been away from Inazuma for a week. Should we check in? In case anything unexpected happens."
She was referring to the resistance on Watatsumi Island. When the Shogun was still in Inazuma, her presence kept them in check. But now that all three Electro Archons were in Liyue, if Sangonomiya Kokomi decided to act rashly and attack Narukami Island, it could cause some trouble.
Ei scoffed. "That little Sangonomiya Kokomi is only capable of making small moves on Watatsumi Island. The moment she steps off the island, it will be her end."
It was true. Once they left Watatsumi, the Shogunate forces led by Kujou Sara could attack freely. Defeating the resistance would be easy.
Ei smiled. "Don't worry. Though we've left Inazuma, the Kujou and Kamisato clans are still there. Those old foxes are more than a match for Kokomi."
The Raiden Shogun nodded. "You're right."
Barbatos chuckled. "Hehe, well said. You should all learn from me—let your people develop happily on their own."
Ei retorted, "That's called laziness. Irresponsibility."
The gods traded barbs. Apart from Zhongli, who remained aloof, quietly sipping his tea, everyone was enjoying themselves.
The only one who wasn't was Tartaglia. When dealing with just one god, Zhongli, he always had to be cautious. Now, five gods sat before him, drinking the wine he bought, savoring the tea he paid for, eating the expensive sweets he covered—and they barely gave him a kind word. Whenever he tried to join the conversation, he was quickly shut out. It was exhausting.
Barbatos noticed Tartaglia's glum expression. "Eh, Mr. Tartaglia, why do you look so down? Are you thirsty? Innkeeper, two more jugs of wine—put it on Mr. Tartaglia's tab."
Tartaglia: "Ah—I was just moved by La Signora's story. I never imagined she had such a tragic past."
He was, after all, a skilled liar. Not only La Signora, but every Fatui Harbinger had a painful past they would rather forget. Few stories could truly move them.
Barbatos waved it off. "Enough talk. Drink up."
Tartaglia forced a smile. "Thank you."
It was unbearable. He regretted coming to this inn. Not only had he failed the Tsaritsa's mission, but La Signora had also fallen under the spell of the stories—essentially losing a valuable ally. Completing the Tsaritsa's task was now impossible.
What a headache. How would he explain this to Her Majesty? Should he notify her and invite her to see for herself?
...
While the audience and gods chattered, on stage, Li Mo let out a long sigh after finishing the eleventh life's story.
To be honest, this life was neither the most spectacular nor the most heartbreaking of his reincarnations. For Li Mo, once Rostam died, the eleventh cycle was over. But Rostam's death had devastated Rosalyne, driving her to become the Crimson Witch and a Fatui Harbinger. That weighed on him. He wanted to save the fallen La Signora.
After finishing, he immediately looked at her. When he saw her Pyro energy erupt again, he grew worried and wanted to rush down to help her. When he saw Shenhe and the others successfully suppress it, he was relieved. In that moment, he glimpsed the kindness of Rosalyne beneath La Signora's cold exterior.
Just then, a long-awaited system notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding! System notification: The stories of "Bosacius the Yaksha" and "Knight Rostam" you told have resonated deeply with the audience.]
[99% of listeners expressed sorrow, 30% shed tears, 10% wept bitterly.]
[System reward: 4000 Storytelling Points!]
[Ding! System notification: Your stories have successfully moved the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, to tears, and successfully moved La Signora to tears.]
[System reward: Gacha Ticket x2.]
Because the rewards for the tenth life had been postponed when it ended, both lives' rewards were now distributed together.
The next moment, another system notification appeared.
[Use the gacha tickets to draw now?]
Without hesitation, Li Mo said, "Draw now."
As before, the familiar giant roulette wheel spun before his eyes. The pointer swept past each prize and finally stopped on an item.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained 200,000 Storytelling Points.]
Li Mo's profile showed an increase of 200,000 points.
Without delay, he used the second ticket.
The draw completed swiftly.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained Wish Fragment x1.]
Neither draw yielded a full [Wish], leaving Li Mo a little disappointed. But it didn't matter. There were many more reincarnations to tell and many more draws ahead. Even if each draw only gave a single fragment, he would eventually merge dozens of [Wishes]—more than enough to remedy every regret.