After hearing Zhongli's question, Lora fell silent.
However, Zhongli did not seem inclined to pursue the matter further. He continued, "You've changed far more than you were five hundred years ago."
"The Egeria of five hundred years ago is dead. I am Lora now," Lora said softly, looking at him.
Zhongli nodded.
"Yes. You are Lora now. Egeria from five hundred years ago is gone. In the more than six thousand years I have spent in this world, you are the only god I have ever seen return from death. Presumably, this is due to your unique nature as the heart of the Primordial Sea."
Seeing the faint trace of regret in Zhongli's expression, Lora asked, "Are you thinking about… Guizhong?"
Zhongli glanced at her, then smiled. "To be honest, yes."
"Let's go. This isn't the place to talk. We can chat on the way back." Lora rose onto her toes and patted Zhongli lightly on the shoulder, then led Rhodeia forward.
Zhongli followed alongside her.
"Guizhong and I met before the Archon War. Our ideals aligned, and our peoples lived together in harmony as a result. We established a settlement on Guili Plains—those who had wandered returned, hence the name 'Guili.' Later, calamity descended upon the land, and the people migrated south to Liyue Harbor. From that point onward, the Archon War began."
"The cruelty of the Archon War was something neither Guizhong nor I anticipated. Gods emerged one after another across Liyue, waging war without restraint, leaving the people barely able to survive. Though I had no desire to vie for supremacy, I understood the suffering of the masses. Thus, Guizhong and I joined forces to uphold the heavens and earth of Liyue."
"Unfortunately… in the end, Guizhong died at the hands of the 'Chi' while protecting the people of Liyue."
"To be frank, when you appeared before me, a thought once crossed my mind—since you could return from death, might Guizhong be able to do the same? But later, I realized that you and the other gods are ultimately not the same."
Lora and Zhongli walked side by side along the road toward Liyue Harbor.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse.
Zhongli's voice in the night carried a sense of calm and reassurance. Even when speaking of the past, his tone remained steady and composed.
With her hands clasped behind her back, Lora gazed up at the moonlight. "If only I knew how to revive other gods."
"Lora, you need not place such burdens upon yourself," Zhongli sighed. "Life and death follow the mandate of heaven. Those who once stood beside me have departed one after another—this is the 'erosion' imposed upon me by the Heavenly Principles."
Lora fell silent as she walked beneath the moonlight with Zhongli. Rhodeia followed behind them, equally quiet, lost in her own thoughts.
The glow of lights ahead in the night drew Lora's attention. She looked over, raised her hand, and pointed as she said to Zhongli, "Wangshu Inn. Shall we go find Xiao and have a meal?"
"Mm, that would be good," Zhongli replied with a nod.
Xiao was not often at Wangshu Inn, but with Lora and Zhongli arriving, even if he was absent, he would have to be summoned.
Once they were seated, Xiao appeared somewhat uneasy.
"Your Grace… Lady Hydro Archon…"
"With others present, there's no need to use that title. Just call me Zhongli," Zhongli said.
Lora nodded as well. "And call me what you used to. 'Lady Hydro Archon' doesn't really fit anymore."
"Uh…"
Xiao blinked and chose to remain silent.
"Hey, how about spending this year's Lantern Rite with us in Liyue Harbor?" Lora looked at Xiao and extended the invitation. "There'll be beautiful Xiao Lanterns and Mingxiao Lanterns."
"Well… I think I'll pass," Xiao said hesitantly. "Crowded places don't suit me. A yaksha burdened with karmic debt shouldn't enter Liyue Harbor during such festivities. Besides, the lanterns can be seen from Wangshu Inn as well."
"That's not the same at all!" Lora shook her head and said seriously. "Are you really going to refuse an invitation from me and Zhongli?"
"Well…" Xiao glanced at Lora, then at Zhongli. Faced with two calm, unflappable figures—his superior and his superior's longtime associate—he had no idea what to say.
"And you don't need to worry about the safety of Dihua Marsh. I'll arrange for someone to take your place," Lora added. "You don't have the option to refuse, Conqueror of Demons, Xiao!"
"D-don't… don't call me that…" Xiao grew even more flustered and quickly said, "I'll go. I agree!"
"There we go. That's better," Lora said with a satisfied smile.
"Food's up!" The attendant from Wangshu Inn brought over all the dishes they had ordered.
After the meal, Zhongli and Lora stayed at Wangshu Inn a while longer, chatting with Xiao. When it was time to leave, Zhongli reminded Xiao not to push himself so hard and to remember to rest properly.
Back in Liyue Harbor, Zhongli and Lora parted ways—one heading to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the other returning to the Jade Chamber.
Upon arriving at the Jade Chamber, Lora stopped and turned to look at Rhodeia, who had followed behind her in silence the entire way. Seeing the gloom on Rhodeia's face, she smiled and asked, "You've been quiet all this time. What's on your mind?"
Rhodeia froze for a moment.
Before she could speak, Lora raised a hand to stop her.
"Wait—don't say anything yet. Let me guess. You're thinking about what I said to Zhongli back at Sal Terrae, right?"
Rhodeia fell silent, then finally nodded.
"Then tell me—do you think I'm Egeria?" Lora asked.
"Of course!" Rhodeia answered without hesitation. "No matter what you've become, you are Lady Egeria. You are the Mother of Pure Water, the Queen of All Waters. That will never change!"
"If you believe that," Lora said gently, "then why keep thinking about what I said to Zhongli?"
Rhodeia let out a soft sigh. "It just… bothers me a little."
"What about it?" Lora asked.
"Why did you have to say that you died five hundred years ago? You're clearly still alive! Why bring up something so ominous? What if… what if something happens to you again? What are we supposed to do then?" Rhodeia blurted out everything she'd been holding back.
"Ah… so that's what you were thinking…" Lora froze for a moment.
She had underestimated just how deeply the pure water spirits cared for Egeria.
"So please, don't bring up what happened five hundred years ago ever again," Rhodeia said seriously.
Lora nodded awkwardly. "Alright. I won't mention it anymore."
"You promise?" Rhodeia looked at her intently.
"I promise," Lora replied.
Rhodeia studied her in silence for a moment, then finally smiled.
"Let's go, my lady."