"We're heading to the Jade Chamber—the residence of Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing," Lora said to Rhodeia.
As the two of them set off, Lora suddenly remembered something and gave her a reminder.
"Oh, right. My current identity in Liyue Harbor is that of an Adeptus of Purifying Water and Judgment. Don't let anything slip."
"Adeptus of Purifying Water and Judgment?" Rhodeia looked confused.
"My lady, as the God of Hydror, why would you take on the role of a Liyue Adeptus? I lived in Qingce Village for five hundred years and heard plenty about the Adepti—aren't they all followers of Morax, the Geo Archon?"
"Yes, that's right," Lora nodded. "At least on the surface, my current identity is Morax's follower—a Liyue Adeptus known as Purifying Water and Judgment."
"Why?"
Rhodeia couldn't accept it, her indignation plain. "With your status, my lady, why should you lower yourself like this?"
In her eyes, her mistress was the God of Hydro—an existence on equal footing with Morax himself. And yet now, she had become his subordinate. Rhodeia simply couldn't reconcile it.
Lora quickly moved to placate her follower.
"Oh, it's just a public front. The time isn't right to fully reveal my true identity yet. Besides, what's about to happen in Liyue is extremely troublesome. I have an agreement with Morax—he'll lend me his help regarding the 'prophecy' in Fontaine, and in return, I'll assist Liyue through its coming calamity. With the identity of an Adeptus, it's also more convenient for me to use certain powers."
It took quite a bit of explaining before Rhodeia—an ardent devotee of Egeria—finally calmed down somewhat. After all, no follower wanted to see their own god placed beneath another.
Such matters might not trouble the gods themselves, but to their followers, they were of utmost importance.
Lora led Rhodeia to Yujing Terrace.
When the attendant operating the floating platform to the Jade Chamber saw Lora, her face lit up with delight.
"Miss Lora, you're finally back!"
Seeing how excited she was, Lora felt a little puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know the details, but Lady Ningguang seems very anxious. She's been asking about you constantly, as if she's been desperately waiting for you to return," the attendant replied.
"I see. It's nothing serious," Lora said calmly. She understood perfectly well why Ningguang was eager to find her. "Please take us up to the Jade Chamber."
"Miss Lora, and this is…?" The attendant's gaze shifted to Rhodeia, who stood behind her.
"This is my attendant," Lora explained. "Take both of us up. I'll explain things to Ningguang myself."
The attendant nodded and activated the floating platform, carrying Lora and Rhodeia toward the Jade Chamber.
Midway up, Rhodeia asked in confusion, "My lady, why are we coming this way? Couldn't we just fly up directly?"
"Some courtesies must be observed," Lora replied unhurriedly.
"Tianquan Ningguang is the head of the Liyue Qixing and the one who truly holds power in Liyue right now. Basic respect is necessary. Besides, Morax doesn't pay wages—being an Adeptus without money is no joke. Even though we now have Northland Bank as a place to reimburse expenses, more options mean more leeway. We can't afford to sour relations with Ningguang."
As she spoke, she was also teaching Rhodeia the subtleties of dealing with people.
"I understand," Rhodeia said thoughtfully. "The more people willing to cover expenses, the better."
Lora clapped her hands together. "Exactly. Smart—truly worthy of being my follower."
Being praised like that made Rhodeia's heart race. Her cheeks flushed slightly as excitement bubbled up inside her. As expected of the gentle and benevolent Lady Egeria—even her praise was so warm.
Completely unaware of the thoughts racing through her follower's mind, Lora watched as the floating platform came to a stop at the Jade Chamber.
She stepped forward onto its polished floor. Rhodeia followed closely, automatically positioning herself behind Lora, posture respectful and deferential to the extreme.
Having already been informed by the attendant that Lora had returned, Ningguang emerged with several secretaries in tow. She smiled as she looked at Lora.
"You really surprised me," Ningguang said lightly. "You went out early in the morning, then didn't come back for days on end. I thought you'd run off."
"How could I?" Lora laughed along with her. "Lady Ningguang pays my wages—how could I bear to run away?"
Both of them knew it was nothing more than playful banter.
Ningguang's gaze then shifted to Rhodeia standing behind Lora. "Is this your attendant? Did she come from Fontaine as well?"
"Yes," Lora nodded.
"I went to Qingce Village this time specifically to find her. She may be from Fontaine, but she's lived in Qingce Village for a long time—half a local, you could say."
Ningguang inclined her head slightly, then stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"The Adepti have sent word. They'll arrive in Liyue Harbor today to confront the Liyue Qixing. Everyone has already set aside their work and is waiting here at the Jade Chamber. Oh—and Ganyu is here as well."
Lora nodded.
"Perfect timing. That's exactly what I came for. Leave the negotiations with the Adepti to me."
Hearing that, Ningguang couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief. She led Lora into the main hall of the Jade Chamber.
Inside, the other members of the Liyue Qixing were already present, along with Ganyu. When they saw Lora, they smiled and greeted her.
Keqing's expression, however, was somewhat complicated. Back then, she had opposed Ningguang's decision to let someone suspected of involvement in Rex Lapis' assassination stay in the Jade Chamber.
Now, they would be relying on that very person to negotiate with the Adepti.
Compared to the others, Keqing's views were more radical. To Lora, that radicalism carried a hint of fearlessness born from ignorance.
The era of human governance was inevitable—it would arrive sooner or later. But the real question was whether the people of Liyue were truly ready for it.
Keqing herself didn't dwell on such thoughts. Her dissatisfaction lay more with the development framework Rex Lapis had imposed on Liyue.
She wanted Liyue—and the Qixing themselves—to no longer be bound by his directives, to chart their own path forward.
After exchanging greetings with Ganyu, Lora took a seat. Rhodeia stood neatly behind her, fulfilling her role as an attendant.
The moment Lora sat down, an aura of authority naturally radiated from her—something that could never be cultivated overnight, but only by those long accustomed to positions of power.
The Qixing were no ordinary figures, and they all keenly sensed that presence.
Ningguang glanced from Lora to Rhodeia standing behind her, quietly speculating about Lora's true identity.