Episode 174.9: Society of Wasted People (?) Self-Monologue
『 The two walked away, and Zhongli calmly turned his head, his gaze gently falling upon Lumine.
"So, while no one's around, is there anything else you wish to ask me?"
Lumine waited until all the Fatui had dispersed before plucking up the courage to ask the question that had long been buried in her heart:
"I'd like to know what the Cryo Archon offered you that made you willing to exchange your Gnosis?"
What kind of price could make someone willingly place the Gnosis, a symbol of divinity, on the negotiating table?
Moreover, this was a transaction between existing deities,
The result of which was the disappearance of a god.
In this, who would believe there wasn't a huge sacrifice involved? 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "Indeed, for such a major transaction, the price paid shouldn't be too small, right?" ]
[ Hook (Honkai: Star Rail) "A transaction between adults." ]
[ Tsaritsa (Genshin Impact): "My transaction with Morax was fair." ]
[ Tsaritsa (Genshin Impact): "Everyone, please stop messaging me privately." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "There's no need to ask further about this transaction." ]
[ .....]
『 Even Paimon, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Right, right, Zhongli, you always say: 'In trade, fairness is the golden rule!'"
"But then again, what else in this world could be worth a Gnosis?"
At these words, Zhongli shook his head helplessly.
"Ordinarily, there truly isn't anything." Zhongli's tone shifted, and he spoke seriously: "But as the God of Contracts, I have handled tens of thousands of contracts over these thousands of years.
"If there were no benefits for me in a transaction, I would never interfere. This transaction with the Cryo Archon is my final work as the Geo Archon, a contract that ends all contracts."
"As for what weighty chips the Tsaritsa placed on the other side of the scale, you'll just have to uncover the mystery step by step on your future journey."
With that, Zhongli indicated that the topic was closed.
He suggested they leave together and await the start of tomorrow's Rite of Parting.
As Zhongli departed, Lumine also quickly followed, until the scene gradually faded, and everything returned to darkness. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Xianyun (Genshin Impact): "Moon Carver, you must have known for a long time that the Geo Archon was fine, right?" ]
[ Xianyun (Genshin Impact): "Why didn't you say anything sooner?" ]
[ Moon Carver (Genshin Impact): "The Rex Lapis instructed me not to." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "I asked Moon Carver to do it." ]
[ Xiao (Genshin Impact): "Lord Rex Lapis must have his reasons for doing this." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "Xiao." ]
[ Raiden Shogun (Genshin Impact): "Morax, don't be as unreliable as that Anemo Archon from Mondstadt." ]
[ Barbara (Genshin Impact): "?? What does that mean?" ]
[ Raiden Shogun (Genshin Impact): "It means nothing." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Is this a conversation among gods?" ]
[ Artoria Pendragon⦍Lily⦎ (Type-Moon) "How amazing, three gods." ]
[ Yuri Nakamura(Angel Beats): "…" ]
[ Tanya von Degurechaff (Youjo Senki) "… (God Detector, activating)" ]
[ .....]
『 The live broadcast screen restarted, and the time had already skipped to the day of the Rite of Parting.
"Look, isn't today the opening day of that grand Rite of Parting?" Paimon grumbled to Lumine as they walked, her tone a mix of helplessness and anticipation. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Now that I know Rex Lapis is Zhongli, watching this feels a bit like déjà vu." ]
[ Venti (Genshin Impact): "Hahahaha!" ]
[ Raiden Shogun (Genshin Impact): "…" ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): "…" ]
[ Venti (Genshin Impact): "Zhongli, how does it feel, watching your own funeral?" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "Rationally speaking, this is an inevitability of history." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "I have lived for six thousand years since my birth; it's time for me to retire." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Lord Rex Lapis, Liyue is the best place to retire." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "The Qixing can provide you with the best service." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "You better not try to snatch my Zhongli; we don't need you." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "I still want Zhongli to attend a few more funerals for me. He keeps asking me for reimbursements; finally, I can break even!" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): ".." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "The Qixing will periodically provide a certain amount of funds to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "??" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "As a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I should naturally participate in its activities." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "Hahaha, that's my good consultant." ]
[ Hu Tao (Genshin Impact): "It's not for nothing that I've reimbursed your bills all these years, even if it was Grandpa's instruction." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "As long as you're happy (looking at her with a fatherly gaze)." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "Not bad, he's directly living off the state now." ]
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Why does this feel so wrong?" ]
[ .....]
『 "Although the star of the show is fake, we've spent so much time trying to organize it. It would be a real shame not to go there now." Paimon's small hands gestured in the air, as if tallying their difficulties along the way.
"If we don't step into Yujing Terrace and witness this grand show we personally orchestrated, wouldn't it be too unfair to ourselves?" Lumine's lips curved slightly upward at the words, her eyes glinting with amusement and agreement.
So, on their way to Yujing Terrace, Paimon's little mouth didn't stop, a mix of complaints and self-mockery.
They had meticulously prepared to bid farewell to an imagined deity, only to discover, just as everything was ready, that the immortal who was supposed to be sent off was not only alive and well but had also been quietly accompanying them all along.
Paimon, managing to hold back her grumbling until now, was actually being quite patient.
Naturally, there was still some regret in her heart, but then she thought, this effort after all condensed too much of their hard work and time.
If they were to miss it now, how could a single "loss" suffice?
However, on their journey to Yujing Terrace, the surrounding pedestrians caught their attention.
On every face, there was nothing but heavy sorrow and reluctance, as if everyone's heart carried an unspeakable sadness.
This atmosphere added a touch of solemnity and unreality to the impending Rite of Parting.
But then again, it made sense. Rex Lapis had led Liyue peacefully through three thousand seven hundred years of contracts.
Yet this year, unexpectedly, something unannounced had descended.
Leaving the still-recovering residents of Liyue a bit unprepared to deal with it for a while.
This series of events, in the eyes of Lumine and Paimon, who knew the inside story, tasted very complex.
Upon entering the Rite of Parting, the discussions of the surrounding common folk made the two secretly happy.
And when Paimon and Lumine arrived at Yujing Terrace,
Right at the main entrance, they heard voices coming from inside.
"Speaking of which, since this Rite of Parting has already been decided to be moved, it basically means those rumors are set in stone, right?"
"So Rex Lapis is really… but the problem is, why haven't they caught the murderer?"
"Isn't that obvious? Anyone who could assassinate Rex Lapis certainly isn't an ordinary person. The suspicious individuals mentioned in the rumors, I don't think any of them are reliable."
"There's only one real possibility in my mind. I've heard that the assassin was that Fatui fellow. Youngish, pretty high in rank— I think they called him Childe."
"The Fatui? That's certainly highly suspicious. Everyone knows they're a bunch of greedy scoundrels, using crooked methods…"
"Shhh! Keep your voice down! What if the Fatui target us? There's no Rex Lapis to protect you now." 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Tartaglia, your Fatui's suspicion has been temporarily cleared. You Fatui need to compensate for this loss to Liyue." ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "No problem, I admit my mistake." ]
[ Keqing (Genshin Impact): "You better be careful, don't let me catch you. Millelith, withdraw with me." ]
[ Millelith soldiers (Genshin Impact): "Yes!" ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "Then you're putting all the blame on us for this…" ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Hmm?" ]
[ Tartaglia (Genshin Impact): "Nothing, I'll pay." ]
[ Dori (Genshin Impact): "My Mora!" ]
[ .....]
" In Between "
〜Genshin Impact World〜
In Liyue Harbor—
Tartaglia, secretly hiding, witnessed this scene, and a complex, unspeakable emotion surged in his heart.
Just now, he had received news that the Millelith had retreated, but this feeling of being caught in the crossfire, even when lying low, truly made him feel aggrieved.
He muttered to himself: "Are you being polite?"
Although the Fatui usually had many tricks up their sleeves, being so blatant was unlikely, probably.
Sigh, Childe himself wasn't sure.
He wasn't the mastermind behind this farce, yet he was inexplicably saddled with the blame. It was all that cunning Signora's fault!
After much thought, Tartaglia decided to go find Zhongli and pour out his grievances.
All those videos online said he assassinated Rex Lapis, which was a huge injustice. He felt as bitter as an innocent little cabbage.
The videos all said he assassinated Rex Lapis, but he really didn't. He felt so wronged.
Thinking about it, he prepared to return to Liyue. Anyway, the money for compensation belonged to Dori, not to Tartaglia!
—
『 Just as Lumine was listening with relish, not far away, Fengyan, the Millelith instructor, paced to the entrance of Yujing Terrace, pulled out a proclamation, and prepared to read it.
After the crowd gathered, Fengyan began to speak.
"Hear ye, the official decree from the Liyue Qixing:"
"All must know: Though a dragon soars ageless as the mountains, it too must return to dust. This is common knowledge."
"Gods and adepti live glorious lives, but both light and shadow have their season. So, too, must they face divinely-appointed trials."
"Rumors and hearsay abound on the streets that Rex Lapis was murdered. Now, let the truth be revealed."
"Having been thwarted in his trial, Rex Lapis' soul has recouped the celestial heights. He beseeches the people of Liyue to grieve not, and to let not their hearts be saddened."
"Nor are they to believe street-borne rumors or indulge in baseless speculation."
Fengyan solemnly read the Qixing's proclamation, and after finishing, he left. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Sawamura Eriri (Saekano): "???" ]
[ Sawamura Eriri (Saekano): "Why did the Qixing say the Rex Lapis died from a trial?" ]
[ Sawamura Eriri (Saekano): "Didn't he fall in front of everyone?" ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "The Qixing are doing this to avoid panic in Liyue." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Lord Rex Lapis's ascension to heaven must have a reason." ]
[ Ningguang (Genshin Impact): "Knowing that the Rex Lapis is still alive, this reason is the best, as it can both avoid panic and explain the Rex Lapis's passing." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "But Zhongli is clearly still alive!" ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "After the matter is concluded, I will inform the Qixing myself." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "I see." ]
[ .....]
『 "Ah... Um, Paimon needs a translation of what the Qixing's announcement said. Traveler" Paimon listened but didn't understand.
"They said the Rex Lapis wasn't assassinated, but died because of a divine trial," Lumine couldn't comprehend the Qixing's actions.
"Huh? The Qixing's explanation has actually changed like this."
"Something's not right. How could they give up tracking the murderer so quickly? And this reason feels like it was thought up on the spot."
"Could it be that the Qixing already know that Rex Lapis isn't dead? But Zhongli clearly said that the Qixing and the Adepti didn't know."
"Could it be that Zhongli secretly told them after completing the Gnosis transaction?"
Paimon proposed a bold hypothesis.
"That makes sense. Paimon's guess is quite accurate this time," Lumine felt it was reasonable.
"Right, right? Oh, the Rite of Parting seems to have started a long time ago. Let's hurry over and take a look, or it'll be over soon!"
Next, the two noticed that the Rite of Parting was about to begin not far away.
They quickly rushed to the site of the Rite of Parting, which they had painstakingly prepared, even though the farewell subject was unclear.
In the center of Yujing Terrace, Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu stood side by side before the incense burner, explaining the current situation to the crowd.
"...As said previously, Rex Lapis' soul returning to the heavens is the end of the contract, and it is also the end of an era," Ningguang announced the truthfulness of the proclamation.
"Three thousand seven hundred years of contracts, burnt and reduced to ash...," said Shitou sadly after hearing this.
"We, the people of Liyue, were indeed prosperous. But blinded by our prosperity, we forgot that time can be pitiless." Ningguang continued to speak.
"The long, unending dream of our archon walking among us..." Ying'er expressed her view as she took over the conversation.
"Now that we have awoken from our dream, we must learn to say farewell."
"Will you stand with us as we reestablish our contracts— as we build a new age of prosperity?" Ningguang explained the beginning of the next era.
"So concludes the words of her Eminence, the Tianquan," Ganyu said, then looked at Keqing, "Does Her Eminence the Yuheng have anything to add?"
But Keqing looked towards Lumine, and Paimon felt Keqing's gaze on Lumine and said,
Keqing walked in front of Lumine.
As Keqing moved, everyone's attention also focused on her.
"Traveler," Keqing called Lumine.
The surrounding common folk started to discuss among themselves after hearing this.
"Is that the traveler who they say defeated the ancient god?"
"So young,"
Keqing said to Lumine, "The Liyue Qixing always repay their debts. And as you have heard, our eyes see far, and our reach is long."
"Tell us what reward you desire, for it is what you deserve to receive." 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Traveler, I want lots and lots of Mora!" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Benefits from the Qixing, I wonder what this Traveler will ask for?" ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "The Qixing have vast connections, so the Traveler will surely gain great benefits." ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "I think, what I want is…" ]
[ .....]
『 However, under Paimon's expectant gaze,
To everyone's surprise,
Lumine looked around and said that just helping her post a few missing person posters would be enough. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "….Traveler, why didn't you ask for Mora!" ]
[ Dori (Genshin Impact): "Mora is so good!" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "I like Mora, but I don't really need it." ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "The future me needs the Qixing's intelligence network." ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "I posted missing person posters all over Mondstadt, you know!" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Amber, you're so kind." ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "Hehehe." ]
[ Anthony (Genshin Impact): "So those posters on the city walls were put up by you." ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "You posted them so randomly." ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "Wherever they fly, that's where I stick them!" ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "That way, more people can see them. This is a trick I learned as an Outrider Knight!" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "I feel like that trick isn't very useful." ]
[ .....]
『 Although the request sounded a bit strange, once the words were out, Keqing and Ganyu still asked for the specifics carefully, and then proceeded to prepare to put up the missing person posters.
Next were the other segments of the Rite of Parting. After everything had settled, Lumine saw Zhongli by the railing and walked over to him.
As she reached Ying'er's side, Ying'er looked at Lumine and said somewhat happily.
"Ha, and to think I'd put my best perfume on before coming here, thinking you'd like it..."
"But it seems as if those perfumes really were meant to be offered to Rex Lapis."
"Well, that's fine. Suffer no rivals in love, they say, and that's three gone in one stroke. chuckles"
Lumine somewhat awkwardly quickened her pace and left.
Reaching Zhongli's side, Paimon called out to him.
"Hey, Zhongli!"
"Look, the people of Liyue all think they'll never see Rex Lapis again. Just look at this atmosphere of remembrance and nostalgia."
"...And here you are, looking all relaxed!"
Paimon pointed at the sad crowd behind them and asked Zhongli.
"Hahaha. Why would I not feel more at ease after laying down the burden I have borne for three thousand seven hundred years?"
"Right, if the two of you can spare the time, I should treat you to a meal at the Xinyue Kiosk."
Zhongli said with a relaxed expression.
"Hah! That sounds like big talk, Zhongli. Paimon might have believed you if you were treating us to some 'Third-Round Knockout', but you'd have to pay out your nose just to stand inside Xinyue Kiosk. Are you sure you can afford it?" Paimon didn't believe Zhongli had money.
"Hmm... how should I put it, I do lack the Mora." Zhongli was broke. 』
『 .....』