"It seems we arrived just a moment too late."
Tartaglia stood atop the ridge, overlooking the scene below where Futsu Mitama and the Millelith were gathered. His sigh carried a hint of frustration. "So this was his target after all?"
"To be honest, I didn't expect him to pinpoint the Primo Geovishap's location this quickly."
The Fatui agents behind him remained silent. Truthfully, they too were baffled—how had someone who had only just set foot in Liyue discovered a Primo Geovishap's nest before even the Fatui?
They themselves had only recently received intelligence that, near the borders of the South Gate and Tianqiu Valley, Geovishap Hatchlings and full-grown Geovishaps were behaving abnormally. Based on the Doctor's earlier research, this was likely a precursor to their king awakening—an instinctive mobilization of the species, expanding outward in preparation.
Such territorial skirmishes were not unusual for the creatures, but the current activity far exceeded their normal range. After careful investigation, previous minor disturbances had always proven to be nothing more than natural predation.
Geovishaps fiercely guarded their territory. They would attack any intruder—monster or human—without hesitation. It was not uncommon for monsters to fight among themselves.
But today's situation was undeniably different.
Before either the Millelith or Fatui could fully investigate the anomaly, Futsu Mitama had already arrived and seemed to have fought an intense battle with the Geovishap. The disturbance caused by the Electro Archon Authority earlier had not gone unnoticed. Their intelligence confirmed it was indeed Futsu Mitama who wielded it—the newly acknowledged retainer of the Raiden Shogun. His strength was said to rival a Harbinger.
If not a Harbinger-level opponent, only overwhelming numbers could hope to subdue him. Someone like that would hardly struggle with a single Primo Geovishap. At the very least, escaping intact would pose no challenge.
"Quite a shame, really. And that earlier surge of power—was that truly the Electro Archon's Authority?" Tartaglia looked toward the dissipating thunderclouds overhead. The sight ignited the familiar fire in his eyes. "If not for the Millelith surrounding him right now, I'd be tempted to jump in and test myself against him. After all, this is the Liyue wilderness. As long as we don't endanger civilians, no one will object."
A Fatui agent approached cautiously. "Lord Harbinger…what are your orders? Futsu Mitama must have obtained information from the Primo Geovishap. The Doctor has expressed keen interest and ordered us to—"
"Give the information to him," Tartaglia replied dismissively. "But I doubt that Primo Geovishap will linger after crossing blades with a retainer of the Shogun. Nothing more for us here. We'll return to Liyue Harbor. As for whatever Futsu Mitama gained—handle it."
He turned slightly, his expression sharpening. "And remember: regardless of what he acquired; we must purchase it at a high price. The Doctor needs it…and I wouldn't mind earning some goodwill."
Even now, Tartaglia wished to befriend Futsu Mitama. A powerful ally was always valuable—and before he made any move regarding Morax's Gnosis, having such a figure on his side would be a tremendous advantage. Snezhnaya's relations with Liyue were currently amicable, but the Fatui had already given the Liyue Qixing ample reason to be cautious. To avoid further complications, Tartaglia's attention naturally shifted to Futsu Mitama's group.
Those three possessed strengths uncommon even among seasoned warriors. Rumor had it that even La Signora had once suffered a minor setback against them. If someone could inconvenience her, then winning them over would make his future plans much smoother.
With that optimistic thought, Tartaglia's mood visibly lightened. He ceased paying attention to the figures below and departed.
Some Fatui agents remained to gather information; the rest followed their Harbinger.
Down below, Futsu Mitama finally lifted his gaze toward the distant mountaintop. Those presences had been impossible to miss, yet he had been too occupied speaking with the Millelith to mind them.
But…did they truly retreat so quickly?
After receiving Futsu Mitama's detailed account of the abandoned mine, the Millelith General expressed gratitude.
"Thank you for the intelligence. Please provide your residence. Once we verify the information, you will be rewarded accordingly."
Liyue never withheld rewards for merit, and the information Futsu Mitama provided would save significant manpower and casualties.
"We're staying beside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The specific address is—" Futsu Mitama relayed their lodging.
Soon after, another Millelith squad arrived, and the noises within the cave diminished. Explosions and monster cries grew sporadic—clear signs that the Hilichurl army and the Geovishaps were nearing exhaustion.
The General, now adequately reinforced, prepared to lead an inspection team inside. Although the Geovishaps' motive was known, the Abyss Mage's intentions remained unclear. If possible, he hoped to capture one alive.
While he led his men inside, Futsu Mitama absentmindedly continued patting Guoba—Marchosius. The more he stroked, the more addictive it felt. Truly befitting a creature designed after a panda.
"Lu~" Guoba squinted happily under his touch, much to the envy of everyone watching in the Chat Group.
[Ayaka: "He's so adorable… I want to pet him too."]
[Kokomi: "But… is this really a God? One that looks harmless but is fearsome in battle?"]
[Makoto: "The strength of Gods varies, but Marchosius…his current form might reflects the sacrifices he made for Liyue."]
[Azhdaha: "Indeed. Seeing an old friend again…it stirs memories. I'm grateful to have joined this Chat Group."]
The discussion turned emotional as they spoke of Marchosius' past.
Just then, another large Millelith force arrived—over two thousand strong—led by a young woman with violet hair, feline ears, and unmistakable authority.
Aila and Shinobu exchanged looks of surprise—they knew her, though not her true status. Few in Liyue could mobilize the Millelith so swiftly. Because this incident involved a Primo Geovishap, Aila and Shinobu guessed a member of the Liyue Qixing would come personally.
Their guess proved correct.
"So we meet again."
Keqing stepped forward, her expression both resigned and mildly exasperated. She had encountered Futsu Mitama three days in a row—each time with an unexpected twist.
First, their philosophies aligned. Second, he treated her to Golden Shrimp Balls and claimed divine craftsmanship. Third…he located an actual Primo Geovishap. Even she found the sequence unbelievable.
"Yes, we meet again, Master Ke." Futsu Mitama smiled lightly. "I didn't expect the master of beef hawkers to also be a commanding Millelith official. Were you living among the common folk?"
His teasing struck true—as she could tell he already understood her identity.
"You're not slow. You've already guessed, haven't you?" Keqing sighed. There was no longer any point in hiding. "Then, allow me to reintroduce myself properly."
"I am Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing."
"I did not intend to conceal it from you. I simply wished to wait for the right moment…because, truthfully, I admire you."
Her words froze Futsu Mitama in place. His hand halted mid-pat as he instinctively retreated two steps. Admired by Keqing? In one sense, an honor. In another…a nightmare.
Anyone she admired, she tried to recruit. If Rex Lapis later "dies," Keqing's workload would surge—and she would gather every competent person she could find. Tireless as Ganyu, relentless as herself.
Futsu Mitama had come to Liyue to retire, not to work overtime under Yuheng Keqing.
Keqing blinked. "Why are you backing away?"
The Millelith behind her watched with silent sympathy. Everyone knew Keqing's work ethic—those under her command would toil tirelessly. Her treatment was fair, but the work was unending.
Futsu Mitama forced a polite smile. "No, it's nothing. Anyway—you're here for the Primo Geovishap, right? Let me share the information I just obtained."
He recounted everything. Keqing listened carefully. None of it sounded exaggerated—she already knew the three possessed exceptional strength. Yet one detail surprised her.
"You possess the Electro Archon's Authority?"
In all Liyue, no one had ever wielded an Archon's authority. God craftsmanship and God authority were worlds apart.
"That anomaly earlier…so it really was you."
"Yes." There was no point hiding it from a Qixing member. Anyone with sufficient perception would detect the power the moment he used it.
Keqing exhaled, a faint note of regret crossing her expression—clearly believing that someone with Archon authority could never remain in Liyue long-term.
A misunderstanding Futsu Mitama welcomed.
"How strong is the Primo Geovishap?" she continued. "Our records are incomplete…and its power is unclear."
Futsu Mitama answered honestly.
"It's very strong. The size of a small mountain, incredibly durable, intelligent, and openly hostile toward humans. The three of us couldn't defeat it. With my authority, I can injure it and drive it away, but killing it…that would require Adepti support or an elite strike force. Ordinary troops won't suffice."
"I see." Keqing frowned slightly. "If human-wave tactics are ineffective…then this may indeed become troublesome."
Futsu Mitama understood better than anyone how formidable a Primo Geovishap truly was. Kuki Shinobu fought well, but even she could only force the creature to roar in irritation, never pierce its hide. Aila's newly-mastered technique granted her enough force to break through its defenses, yet the most she could achieve was a shallow wound.
As for Futsu Mitama himself—in a battle to the death, drawing upon the Raiden Shogun's authority, he could seriously injure the beast. But if either side chose to withdraw, neither possessed the means to stop the other.
Thus, he informed Keqing plainly: If she truly wished to slay the Geovishap once and for all, the strength of the Adepti would be required.
"Conventional encirclement tactics won't work…Then this matter may prove troublesome."
Keqing touched her chin thoughtfully, her gaze drifting toward Futsu Mitama. Archon authority flowed in his body. In Liyue's eyes, he was no different from an exceptional combat asset.
Should she ask for his aid? He was the Raiden Shogun's retainer—hardly someone in need of mora.
And after his fierce struggle with the Primo Geovishap, even the blood left behind could be used to cultivate a Bloodjade Branch. By such logic—he had no reason to intervene further.
Yet the Geovishap had awakened. Even if it fled, it was bound to act again somewhere within Liyue. That alone rendered it a threat to the people. And Futsu Mitama had already stated: the creature harbored deep hostility toward humankind.
Leaving it unattended would bring disaster.
Keqing was just about to speak when a Millelith soldier rushed out from the abandoned mine.
"Lady Keqing!"
He saluted, expression solemn. "There has been a…situation inside the mine."
"What situation?" Keqing asked without hesitation.
The soldier hesitated. His eyes flickered toward Futsu Mitama—this report was classified, after all.
But Keqing, perceiving everything in an instant, spoke first.
"Report it. Futsu Mitama has already provided us with crucial information, and his help will be needed later. There is no need to hide anything."
Receiving her approval, the soldier steadied himself.
"We discovered signs of intense combat—fresh ones. But no Hilichurl bodies, no Geovishap Hatchlings, and no Geovishap corpse."
He continued, voice dropping lower.
"And… the mine is completely silent now. The monsters that were fighting earlier—every last one of them—has vanished. Our captain sensed something abnormal and sent me to report immediately."
Just moments ago, the Millelith inside had still been hearing the sounds of battle. But when the soldier returned—everything was gone.
"What?" Keqing's brows furrowed sharply. "All disappeared?"
Kuki Shinobu looked equally stunned. Just minutes ago, the fighting had been fierce. Neither the Abyss Mage nor the Geovishaps were opponents who would end a battle so abruptly, let alone clear away corpses. Battle traces remained—yet all combatants were gone, as if the entire conflict had been swallowed, erased without a trace.
Such a thing should be impossible… unless some unseen power had acted, plucking away every monster in the blink of an eye. But who in Teyvat possessed such ability?
"…."
Futsu Mitama remained silent. Because he knew one possibility. On this continent, aside from the Fatui, there was only one other force capable of orchestrating such an event:
The Abyss Order.
Hidden from mortal eyes, locked in opposition to the Heavenly Principles…and to the Fatui themselves. Even the Harbingers had ventured into the Abyss to fight—Tartaglia, Scaramouche, and others.
The Abyss Order has moved? If an Abyss Mage had appeared here, then the Order clearly had designs on this location. And their target could only be the Primo Geovishap.
Everything else in the mine was insignificant.
"It's all true," the soldier insisted. "Less than a minute after the fighting stopped, every sound vanished. Every monster disappeared. I do not know how… but it happened."
Keqing exhaled sharply, then issued orders without delay:
"Seal off the mine. I will inspect it myself. Send messengers back to Liyue Harbor—notify Lady Ningguang and the others immediately. Have them pass word to the Adepti. Whoever is plotting in the shadows—this is Liyue. We will not permit such insolence."
Though she advocated for human strength, Keqing would never reject Adepti aid when a crisis warranted it.
With swift strides, she led the Millelith into the depths of the mine. And as the soldiers began cordoning off the area, Futsu Mitama, Aila, Kuki Shinobu, and Xiangling could only prepare to withdraw. They were not officials of Liyue—remaining here would only hinder the Millelith.
Thus, under escort, the group began the journey back toward Liyue Harbor, each carrying doubts heavier than the ores in their packs.
"How odd…" Even Xiangling couldn't hide her curiosity. "Could someone have used spatial magic to take all those monsters away? But that's something only Adepti can do… Could an Adeptus have acted secretly? No… I must ask Master when I get back—he'll know!"
"If an Adeptus acted, they would not hide their traces." Kuki Shinobu shook her head, analyzing calmly. "The Hilichurls attacking the Geovishap Hatchlings wasn't just retaliation. Someone was directing them. And aside from the Abyss Order, who else has the means?"
Kuki Shinobu had never met the Abyss Order directly, but her studies in Liyue had taught her enough of their nature: A shadowy force of non-human beings, hostile to the surface world, seeking to overturn divine rule.
Abyss Mages alone were troublesome—slippery, resilient, and impossible to catch once they chose to flee.
Shinobu turned to Futsu Mitama.
"What do you think?"
He sighed helplessly. "Even I can't say for certain. But the group moving inside the mine is most likely the Abyss Order."
Keqing, the Qixing, the Millelith—they would deduce the same. Only a few entities in this world could perform such a feat. But why the Abyss Order had chosen this place remained unclear.
"Even you don't know?" Kuki Shinobu raised a brow, half-teasing. "That's rare."
"I'm not a god," Futsu Mitama muttered. "I can't know everything."
Glancing toward the Chat Group stream, he saw Zhongli still conversing with Azhdaha and Raiden Makoto. A thought struck him.
[Futsu Mitama: "@Zhongli Mr. Zhongli, I have a large batch of ores I don't need. Where can I sell them?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Preferably somewhere they won't try to bargain me into poverty."]
[Kokomi: "You're finally moving those ores? Wonderful! Gorou and Kazuha will return soon, and I've been agonizing over how to explain those mountains of minerals."]
[Yae Miko: "It's fine~ Our divine and adorable Priestess can do no wrong."]
[Ayaka: "That is indeed a problem. If I stored mountains of ores at home, my brother and Thoma would certainly be… concerned."]
[Azhdaha: "You have so many rare ores—why not forge more weapons? Your craftsmanship is good. I can tell from the weapons Aila and Kuki Shinobu wield."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Indeed. You could earn far more mora by forging weapons."]
[Futsu Mitama: "No thank you… I have trauma from selling weapons."]
[Zhongli: "A place where you won't be haggled down…? Guiyan Assembly is suitable. You're already one of their regulars."]
[Zhongli: "Though forging weapons would earn more mora. I know merchants who specialize in acquiring forged arms."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Let's not go that far."]
[Yae Miko: "Ah, yes. The little one was crushed by that incident back then~"]
[Yae Miko: "Touching the interests of the Tenryou Commission…of course they suppressed you."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Sigh… The Tenryou Commission has truly decayed."]
Futsu Mitama felt a twinge of sympathy. Ever since she joined the Chat Group, Raiden Makoto had struggled to reconcile the Inazuma she knew with the Inazuma that now existed.
Before long, Liyue Harbor came into view.
The Millelith hurried off to deliver Keqing's message. Xiangling and Guoba rushed back to Wanmin Restaurant, eager to present the Primo Geovishap meat to Chef Mao—and to begin experimenting with new dishes. She promised Futsu Mitama that once she perfected a recipe, she would invite him to taste it.
He simply told her to take her time. First, the ores needed to be dealt with.
After parting ways, Futsu Mitama and his companions headed straight for Guiyan Assembly.
Kokomi's patience was wearing thin—if Gorou and Kazuha returned and found their pile of ores suddenly missing, she would have no way to explain it.
Thus, before their return, Futsu Mitama needed to retrieve Kokomi's ores and the Primo Geovishap scales and sell a portion for mora.
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