All things come with a price.
That is an unchanging law.
There is no such thing as a pie falling from the sky.
Free things are often the most expensive.
Every gift from fate already has its cost written behind it.
Venti knew this well.
So did Taro.
Only, neither of them were particularly worried about it.
The first had given up long ago.
The latter, too, accepted everything with a clear conscience.
He would think about the future when it came.
For now, he cherished the present.
Because everything he had was earned with his life.
He had already gambled his life away once. Now he deserved to enjoy it.
If not for the sake of enjoyment, what had he been fighting for?
To suffer for fun?
So, Taro felt no guilt.
He had earned this peace.
Coming from that hopeless, false utopia, the fact that he wasn't anti-social or anti-human was already proof of his strong mind.
Everything was fine now. There was no need to think about anything else.
Under the night sky, fireflies continued to dance.
The funeral had come to an end.
Taro and Venti simply stood there, quietly watching.
They both had thoughts, of course—
but none related to the funeral.
They were wondering what to eat when old man Zhongli arrived.
There was supposed to be a feast.
"Gentlemen, I've kept you waiting."
Zhongli's steady, composed voice sounded from behind.
When they turned around, he had already lifted his robe and sat down on the stone bench, posture impeccably straight.
"So formal, old Zhong?"
Taro's brow twitched; he already had a guess what these two were planning.
"As one should be."
Zhongli smiled. "When you seek something, you should show sincerity."
"Fine, go ahead."
Taro nodded, expression growing serious.
"Then I'll be direct," Zhongli said, inclining his head. "What I seek is the same as this drunkard beside me—a retreat."
"If Teyvat cannot survive the coming calamity, I wish to secure a place for Liyue within your Heavenly Domain."
At his level, there wasn't much he still desired.
Liyue was his last remaining attachment.
He was the god of Liyue, after all; he had witnessed humanity's rise and fall.
One day, Liyue would truly stand on its own.
It would face storms and hardship.
But until that day—
until Liyue no longer needed him—
he would remain quietly behind it, supporting from the shadows.
So he wished to build a haven early, one that could withstand any storm.
If it was never needed, all the better.
But it still had to exist.
"...A haven, huh?"
Taro understood at once. "You know what I'm like, old Zhong."
"You both know my temperament."
"This 'haven' of yours isn't exactly a good retreat."
"Once you enter my world, your lives rest in my hand."
Within his Heavenly Domain, he was the sole, absolute ruler.
Unlike the Heavenly Principles or any Archon.
Though Taro might favor humans emotionally, it was only within limits.
If someone entered his world and still dreamed of defying heaven or replacing gods, he would slap them down without hesitation.
You want freedom? Fine.
Leave my world, face the Abyss and Chaos head-on.
If you survive, you can have all the freedom you want.
Born human, I am me, and you are you.
He spoiled no one.
"I understand."
Zhongli nodded lightly, expression calm.
"If Teyvat truly falls, retreating will be the only path left."
"As for what comes after… my attachments will be gone."
"I'm the same~"
Venti flicked his wrist lazily. "Whatever old man Zhong thinks, I think too."
"Everyone must take responsibility for their own choices, right?"
"Besides, if that time comes, as the mortal rulers of Teyvat, our mission will already be complete."
"After that, it's up to humanity."
"..."
So carefree, huh?
Watching Zhongli and Venti reach an agreement, Taro felt oddly melancholic.
Was this the detachment of the old?
Young people thought differently—
"My fate is mine, not heaven's."
"Why should birth decide greatness?"
"Better to die standing than live kneeling."
Freedom, responsibility, defiance...
And deep disdain for those who bowed to destiny.
Frankly, Taro was one of them.
Nothing to hide there.
Everyone had their own mindset.
Right and wrong couldn't be judged—
different standpoints, different lives, different answers.
The older generation only wanted to pave the road for the young.
That was the wisdom of experience.
Just like Zhongli and Venti now.
Whether the young accepted that road or not was their own choice.
They had expected that.
So they prepared an escape.
Whether anyone walked it—that was up to them.
Two words: let go.
"You sure know how to give me trouble."
Taro rubbed his chin in thought.
"I'll leave a way for you… but there's a price. Let's change your line of work."
"Can't have you freeloading off me, can I?"
"You'll both have to work for me."
"..."
Zhongli and Venti froze, both wearing odd expressions.
Work?
What…?
"What, not happy about it?"
Taro raised a brow. "Then I'll just take back the offer—"
"Wait, wait!"
Venti grabbed his sleeve at once.
"Everything's negotiable, right? Neither of us said no!"
"Uh, about that job—does it come with pay?"
"Food and lodging covered? Any wine? What about vacations?"
"Surely we won't have to work nonstop till we drop?"
Looking at Venti's grin, Taro stayed calm.
"No vacations. No pay. No meals or housing. In fact, you'll have to pay me."
"Eh?"
Venti went blank.
That… wasn't right.
What kind of job had no pay?
He could accept no meals or housing, but no pay and paying out of pocket?
What kind of slave-driver was this?
Zhongli's face also twitched, but deep down he sensed something more—
as if there was a secret they didn't yet know.
If they knew the truth, they wouldn't complain.
They'd probably fight to sign up.
Strange. Could such a thing exist in this world?
"I'll ask once more," Taro said, narrowing his eyes.
"Do you accept or not? Offer expires soon."
"I accept."
Zhongli agreed without hesitation.
Something told him this was a good thing.
Hopefully, his instincts weren't wrong.
"Since old man Zhong agrees, so do I."
"Guess I'll rely on you for meals from now on, Taro-nii~"
Venti blinked playfully.
He trusted Zhongli's judgment.
Besides, it wasn't like Taro would work them to death.
Right?
"..."
Taro snapped his fingers.
The two instantly sensed something.
They froze, then exchanged looks.
No reaction?
After a moment, they still felt nothing unusual.
"Heh~"
"Try touching that."
Taro chuckled softly and curled his fingers.
A glowing green slime core floated into his palm.
"Let me."
Venti raised his hand and unleashed a wind blade.
Crack!
The slime core shattered instantly.
At that moment, both Zhongli and Venti stiffened.
Their strength had increased—
barely, faintly, almost imperceptibly.
But it was real.
"..."
(End of Chapter)
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