"Um… your family of three was quite fortunate to receive the protection of the adepti," the Millelith captain said as he tried to comfort Lora. He clearly had no idea how to console a woman—and besides, Lora wasn't actually crying. There was no way she would be soothed by just a few words.
Calm down too quickly, and it would look fake.
Stay upset for too long, and that would look fake too.
Even fake crying required proper pacing.
"Yes, the adepti have done us a great kindness," Lora said, wiping at her tears and nodding.
The Millelith captain continued, "You should leave this area as soon as possible. It's hard to say whether anything else might happen. Do you need me to send someone to escort you back to Liyue Harbor? It doesn't seem entirely safe there either."
"That won't be necessary. We'll return on our own," Lora waved her hand dismissively.
The Millelith soldiers didn't insist.
After reminding the three of them to be careful, they hurried off toward Mt. Hulao.
Once they were far away, Lora turned back to Zhongli and Zhongyue, flashed them a V sign, and asked cheerfully, "Well? How was my acting?"
"I've never personally seen Focalors perform," Zhongli replied thoughtfully, "but based on what I've witnessed since your arrival in Liyue Harbor, I would say your acting is no worse than hers."
"Nice! Not bad at all," Lora laughed.
"I think I could try my luck at the 'Furina Award.' Who knows—maybe I'd win."
Zhongyue asked curiously, "After a thousand years, the Hydro Archon has started acting?"
"Extra skills never hurt," Lora said with a grin.
Then Zhongyue suddenly asked, "What about that person, though?" She continued, "The one who ambushed you at the top of Mt. Hulao earlier. His power was very strange—something I've never seen before. But before I broke the seal, I think I'd sensed it once."
"I'll have the pure water spirits who left Fontaine investigate the Abyss Order's movements," Lora said, her expression turning cold once more.
"Once we learn their exact location, I'll let them experience the might of a god again—and judge their sins."
Even Zhongli couldn't help but remark, "You are far more decisive now than you were in the past. That's a good thing. Indecision only brings needless trouble."
"If a woman isn't ruthless, she can't hold her ground," Lora said calmly. "Back in Mondstadt, I'd just revived and my strength hadn't fully returned. I let the Abyss Order jump around in front of me once—and it seems that made them underestimate me."
"Huh? You died?" Zhongyue asked blankly.
Lora: "…"
"Yes, I died. Want me to demonstrate?"
"Uh… that's something you can demonstrate?"
Zhongyue was utterly stunned.
Zhongli sighed. "Don't joke around with her. Azhdaha—Zhongyue—you've only just emerged, so it's normal that you're not used to many things in this era. Once we return to Liyue Harbor, I'll explain everything to you slowly."
"Alright. I'll listen to you, Morax," Zhongyue nodded.
"Call me Zhongli," Zhongli said. "Now that I've stepped down from my role as the Geo Archon, it's inconvenient to be addressed as Morax in public."
"Zhongli…" Zhongyue looked up at him, then sighed. "I suppose I'm still used to calling you Morax."
Standing on Zhongyue's other side, Lora said, "How about this—when there are outsiders around, you call him Zhongli. When there aren't, you can call him Morax. And if you think 'Zhongli' is hard to say, you can always just call him Dad!"
"…"
Zhongyue stared at Lora in silence for a moment, then turned to Zhongli and asked, "How do you manage to get along with her?"
"Remain calm," Zhongli replied.
Hearing Zhongyue's question, Lora spread her hands.
"Honestly, I think my suggestion is spot-on. Just look at you right now—those eyes are practically carved from the same mold as Zhongli's! If you walked around together, who would believe you weren't father and daughter?"
"My hair is still water-blue," Zhongyue shot back. "If I go out with you, am I supposed to call you Mother, then?"
"…"
This time, Lora was the one left awkward.
She coughed lightly.
"Well… that probably isn't necessary. I already have plenty of children."
Chatting back and forth, the three of them soon drew close to Liyue Harbor.
Just as they reached its outskirts, a green wind tinged with corruption swept past. Xiao appeared before them, holding the "Primordial Jade Winged-Spear." Wearing the "Yaksha Mask," he radiated an imposing aura.
The other adepti were working with the Liyue Qixing to stabilize the city itself.
After the Osial incident, Xiao alone had come here to guard against the great battle in the northwest. With his perception, he could naturally sense how terrifying that clash had been—it was unquestionably a battle on the level of gods.
After appearing, Xiao quickly put away his mask and weapon. Seeing Zhongli, then glancing at Lora, he hesitated, clearly wanting to ask something.
Understanding what Xiao was thinking, Lora glanced at Zhongli. Zhongli had no intention of hiding the truth—Liyue's affairs were settled now, and there was no longer any need to keep things from the adepti.
Zhongli looked at Xiao and said calmly, "Your handling of the Osial incident was commendable."
Xiao stared at him, eyes burning with emotion, and replied, "The Yaksha stand by the contract of the Geo Emperor, guarding Liyue!"
Zhongli gave a slight nod. "Come. Let's return to Liyue Harbor."
"Understood!"
Xiao nodded.
Only then did he notice the small girl standing between Zhongli and Lora. He froze for a moment, staring at her.
"Emperor… she is…?"
Where did this child come from?
That hair… those eyes…
"This one is Azhdaha," Zhongli said plainly, without teasing. He introduced Zhongyue's identity before adding, "Her name is Zhongyue. You may address her as such."
"Azhdaha… Zhongyue?" Xiao showed an expression of shock that was almost never seen on his face.
He quickly regained his composure.
"So it is Azhdaha. I thought it was the Emperor of Geo's… ahem!"
He swallowed the rest of his words and clasped his hands toward Zhongyue.
"Greetings, Azhdaha."
Zhongyue looked at Xiao strangely, then said, "I remember that before I was sealed, you weren't this… how should I put it… shy? Reserved? Is that the right word? I haven't described people in a thousand years, so I'm not sure."
"That's exactly it," Lora nodded from the side.
The group didn't linger.
Xiao followed Lora and the others as they headed back toward Liyue Harbor.