"Oh~ swear before the God of Games? No problem." Noah smiled brightly.
For Heavenly Principle himself to swear before his subordinate god—this was practically turning the world upside down. Even the faintest hint of displeasure from him would be enough to scare her to death.
Qingque quickly raised her fist, and Noah, still smiling, raised his as well.
[We swear before the God of Games, Tet, to uphold the fairness of this game.]
For gods of Almighty rank, even speaking their name aloud was enough to instantly draw their awareness, along with knowledge of the cause and effect.
Within a single great universe, an Almighty God truly was omniscient and omnipotent. Of course, even omnipotence had levels of scope. In the Main Universe—an ultra single-universe of supreme scale—such omnipotence was no longer absolute.
But outside the Main Universe, they were omnipotence incarnate. Creating a first-sequence universe was a feat they could accomplish with ease.
Though Almighty Gods could not be entirely omnipotent within the Main Universe, invoking their names still carried great power. Even from beyond the Main Universe, they could sense it, though not with full clarity.
...
Fontaine.
After returning from Celestia, Tet had already ascended to the rank of standard single-universe.
Though Tet had no pantheon affiliation, she resided in Fontaine, and so was regarded as a nominal local god of air.
Her reputation was not the best, but her relations with the upper ranks of many pantheons were quite good. At this moment, she was engrossed in experiencing Fontaine's newest technological creation: a simulation game of the multiverse.
This game was developed through the collaboration of the Aeon of Erudition, Nous, the God of Doubt, Holou, and a number of Primordial God-level deities of the scientific path.
Its purpose was to simulate multiversal changes and unravel the mysteries of the multiverse.
When Focalors, master of the Fontaine pantheon, heard of this, she immediately invested heavily.
This device was practically a super artifact of support. Even if it could derive only a fragment of Truth, it would bring immense benefit to the whole pantheon.
"So they say it simulates the multiverse—but really, it's no different from virtual reality, just on a far higher level."
Tet was fully immersed within the multiverse simulation.
Everything here was based on the combined knowledge, mysteries, and cosmic data of Fontaine's gods. The simulated range already covered one-thousandth of Teyvat's size—though entirely virtual.
In just a few days after its debut, this super device had already triggered breakthroughs in many of Fontaine's long-stagnant technologies.
"Exactly," said Nous, in the form of a mechanical being, his voice calm and wise. "This is indeed virtual reality. Here, we can derive everything, explore all secrets.
"To create universes, to destroy universes, to simulate the rise of civilizations, or the fusion of universes—things impossible to attempt in reality can all be modeled here. Even if only one in ten thousand simulations is correct, it will ignite an explosion of knowledge."
"I cannot directly peer into the mysteries of the multiverse. Even a second's direct observation would completely destroy my cognitive core.
"So I devised this compromise."
"In truth, this idea came from two of my Emanators."
"They originally intended to use it to probe the mysteries of the Aeons."
The God of Doubt, Holou, perched atop an ink jar, clutching the simulation's control switch. "We've only completed part of it. To fully realize it, according to calculations, would take at least several hundred billion years."
By now, Holou was rich with emotions. After nearly ten thousand years of learning, she was no longer the stiff, robotic figure of the past.
Her curiosity about all things had only grown stronger. She longed to know everything.
Tet muttered in exasperation: "Hundreds of billions of years, huh… I'll never understand how you researchers can endure such boredom."
"But still, what you've created is really fun."
She had already used this machine to simulate the creation and destruction of universes thousands of times.
She had to admit, for any god desiring to create a universe, practicing with this device first would be invaluable experience.
Nous folded his arms behind his back. "Billions of years may seem unbearably long to lifeforms, but for a normal great universe, its lifespan rarely exceeds ten trillion years.
"But to use just a few hundred billion years to restore even a fraction of the secrets of the multiverse—that is still an unimaginable miracle."
Tet waved dismissively. "Well, I don't understand you weirdos anyway. Hehe, let me play around with some other functions first." She rubbed her hands together eagerly.
"Hehe, in here it feels as though I've become Lord Heavenly Principle herself—omnipotent, destroying universes with a flick of my wrist, reviving them with another.
"It's just too exhilarating~"
But just as Tet was basking in her glee, a sudden forceful oath descended, leaving her dizzy and reeling.
"Huh? What's going on? What kind of oath could be so strong it makes me see stars? Could it be some peer of mine trying to prank me?"
Oaths sworn by lower beings would never affect her like this. Only someone of equal or higher standing could.
This was a clash of status—like a friend dropping to their knees, begging you for something. It was pure provocation.
"Unforgivable! Do they not know I, Tet, am the god most favored by Lord Heavenly Principle? To provoke me like this!"
Tet was furious. She immediately projected her divine will outward, determined to see who had dared be so bold.
After all, she was the Heavenly Principle's appointed grand judge of all Gift Games.
This was no longer a slap to her face alone—it was an affront to Lord Heavenly Principle.
Even if her opponent were the likes of Zhongli or Venti, those long-established powerhouses, she would still fight back.
Fight… even if she couldn't win. Lord Heavenly Principle would surely appear.
"?" Nous and Holou exchanged a puzzled glance, then quickly returned to their research. For scholars like them, nothing outweighed their experiments.
...
The Cat's Tail.
Barely a second after Noah and Qingque swore their oath to the God of Games, an overwhelming aura descended—deep, mysterious, carrying the crushing pressure of an entire universe.
It was terrifying beyond words.
Hiss—
Both Qingque and all the players froze in place, overwhelmed. For many, it was their first time experiencing a power of this magnitude—it felt like they were about to be annihilated.
No way! The God of Games had directly turned her gaze upon them?
But this was just an ordinary little game!
Venti, who had been bragging and drinking, stiffened instantly, his mouth falling open in shock.
"Huh? What's going on? Wait—what is that Tet up to now? And this anger I'm feeling… don't tell me I somehow offended her, and she's come to cause trouble at this moment?"
"Ah?"
Qingque was utterly dumbfounded. Having lived in Mondstadt for so long, she had long been used to swearing before mighty gods. Normally, it was just a faint sensation—not even a true gaze, merely an automatic response.
Never had she imagined that this time would directly draw down a true gaze—and not an ordinary one at that.
As one from the Star Rail Universe, she understood all too well what the gaze of an Aeon represented.
[Eh—]
The instant Tet's divine thought arrived, she came face-to-face with Noah.
As one who had once been in closest contact with Heavenly Principle, she recognized him at once.
Even now, though Noah appeared utterly ordinary, she knew.
Noah smiled faintly, sending his thought directly: "That was me just now. You can return now. Oh~ but if you'd like to join the game, you're welcome to come in the guise of an ordinary god.'"
These days, any great god of renown had multiple disguises, and of course Tet had more than most.
With a whoosh, the oppressive pressure vanished without a trace, like a crushing mountain dissolving into nothing.
Tet, being among the cleverest of gods, followed proper form before departing, declaring the round fair.
She had understood what was happening from the very first moment.
As if Heavenly Principle could ever cheat? Even if he did, that itself would be rightful and absolute. Every act and thought of Heavenly Principle was supreme law.
"Whew~ I broke into a cold sweat there. This is the first time I've experienced something like that."
Qingque wiped her brow nervously, still shaken.
That had nearly scared her to death.
"For the great God of Games to truly cast her gaze… it's unbelievable."
"And over such an ordinary game—it's terrifying."
"Maybe she was just bored, taking a peek."
"Surely so. How could we presume to guess the will of such a great god?"
The other players, drenched in sweat, echoed with lingering fear.
Even the weakest among them were True Gods—beings who, within the Endless Planes, would reign at the very peak of a divine realm.
Yet here in the Main Universe, or even in a first-sequence great universe, they barely counted as having stepped onto the threshold of strength. Only Supreme Gods were true powerhouses.
As for Almighty Gods who could create great universes—those were as far above them as a Creator God was to a mortal who had never touched spirit power.
Noah tapped the table. "The God of Games herself has confirmed I did not cheat."
"I dare say, when it comes to cards, there isn't a soul in Mondstadt who can match me. I am the God of Cards."
"So then, Miss Qingque—are you ready to lose your purse entirely?"
Qingque rolled her eyes. "What a boast. Fine, I admit your skill and luck are excellent. Since even the God of Games confirmed you didn't cheat, let's play on."
"Hehe, God of Cards, is it? Well, I've beaten Supreme Gods before. Come, one battle to the end."
The crisp clatter of tiles rang out.
Shuffle, build, draw, reveal…
Third round.
"Ah! You won again? How?!"
Fourth round.
"Why? This defies both science and divinity!"
Eighth round.
"This is absurd! Don't tell me even Heaven itself sides with you!"
Ninth round.
"Hahaha, I win at last! Your luck has run out!"
Noah replied lazily, "Oh~" It was deliberate. If he willed it, he could never lose. But seeing her on the verge of tears, he had let her win a single hand.
Thirty-sixth round.
"I've lost… everything…"
Qingque stared blankly at her tiles, eyes hollow. She shook her purse lightly, and a single coin of the smallest denomination tumbled out.
"This is troublesome, isn't it~" Noah said playfully. "After all, this was a game declared fair by the God of Games herself. To quit halfway would be sacrilege, you know~"
"So then, Miss Qingque, what else can you stake as your wager?"
Qingque's face crumpled, her lips trembling as if she were about to burst into tears.
"N-Nothing… I have nothing left…"
Timaeus frowned. "This is troublesome. If it weren't a game judged fair by the God of Games, it could end at any time. But now…"
Marjorie looked equally worried. "Indeed."
She herself had lost a lot as well, though as the leader of a large community it was just her personal treasury shrinking a bit.
"But for Miss Qingque, this is quite a problem."
A game ruled fair by a great god must be played through to the end…
After all, if a god had certified the fairness of the match and you threw up your hands saying you couldn't accept defeat, where would that leave the god's dignity?
Qingque looked at Noah pitifully. "Th-Then what… what should I do?"
Noah spread his hands. "Either borrow money, or by the rules—fulfill a reasonable request of the winner."
Of course, such requests had to be proper. Like dining without paying—either you worked off the debt by washing dishes, or you had a friend cover the bill.
Many communities had used such loopholes, tricking ignorant gods into years of unpaid labor.
But it was never slavery. At worst, you worked for free for a few years, but with decent treatment. Abuse was forbidden—violating a divine contract would bring punishment.
"Borrow money…" Qingque glanced at Timaeus and Marjorie, then immediately shook her head.
"No, no… I can't borrow money."
Borrowing from fellow players was taboo, and she didn't want to risk her friendships.
Which left only the other option—fulfilling his request.
Heavens, that was just as painful.
She had volunteered to come to Mondstadt precisely to slack off and play cards instead of working!
If she ended up laboring here, how would she laze around and gamble anymore?
After a long internal struggle, Qingque finally looked at Noah with pleading eyes. "I-I'll just work, then. Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
"But I warn you—if it's too much, I'd rather borrow money after all."
Noah looked solemn. "Don't worry, I'm famous in Mondstadt for my gentleness."
Timaeus blinked in surprise. "You're famous in Mondstadt? I've never heard of you."
Noah replied with utter seriousness, "Of course. Mondstadt's divine realm is vast, its population in the countless quadrillions. Even Lord Barbatos himself couldn't possibly know one or two in ten."
At the side, Barbatos shivered, nearly leaping to his feet.
Oh no! Lord Heavenly Principle just addressed me as 'Lord'? Won't that cut my lifespan short?!
Qingque let out a breath of relief. "Then… what do you want me to do?"
If she hadn't known about divine contracts—if she hadn't been sure nothing bad could happen—she would never have agreed.
Noah smiled pleasantly. "Oh, nothing much. My shoulders are a little sore. Please, Miss Qingque, give me a massage. Simple enough, right?"
—
—
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven