After Severin finished laying out his reasoning, Zhongli remained silent.
Clearly, he was still unwilling to let go of the contract he had signed with the Tsaritsa.
So Severin continued.
"Morax, you once carried out a secret experiment in Liyue together with the Dust God Guizhong—an experiment of Heaven-and-Earth Fate Enclosure."
"Using Qingyun Peak as the heavens, Taishan Mansion as the earth, and an adeptal realm as the cage, you simulated the destiny of a miniature world."
Zhongli's expression changed instantly.
That past was the greatest secret shared between him and Guizhong.
Guizhong had once conducted research based on mechanical arts, combined with yin–yang principles. Later, she realized the research was far too dangerous—touching upon forbidden knowledge—and halted it in time.
That the Prince of Snezhnaya knew of this…
Snezhnaya's intelligence-gathering methods were truly unfathomable.
"In truth, I know you also harbor the desire to overthrow the Heavenly Principles," Severin said calmly.
"But because of Liyue's people, you could not act rashly. When you learned that the Tsaritsa intended to defy the heavens, you went along with the tide and signed a contract with her. She was eager to advance her plan, so she accepted your conditions."
"But since I now fully represent her," Severin declared,
"I formally announce that from this moment onward—
that unfair contract is void."
If Zhongli had remained obstinate, Severin still had many ways to force the issue.
Not long after, Zhongli finally responded.
"I agree to annul the contract with the Tsaritsa. I will also no longer compel you to serve as Liyue's Regent."
"But do not think that means I will willingly hand over the Geo Gnosis. Overthrowing the Heavenly Principles is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have never had much confidence in Snezhnaya."
"If you cannot prove your capability and dispel my concerns, you will not gain my support. The Heavenly Principles stand supreme—charging headlong to death serves no purpose."
Hands clasped behind his back, Zhongli walked to the open window, gazing out at Liyue's mountains, rivers, and seas of clouds.
"I have never been defeated in my life. Prince of Snezhnaya—if you refuse to prove yourself to me, then hand over the Cryo Gnosis instead. I will challenge the heavens myself!"
A victor forged in the Archon War, Zhongli possessed not only the ambition of a conqueror, but also the pride of the strong.
Severin had no need to prove anything.
Likewise, Zhongli would never entrust Liyue's future to another—unless that person could prove themselves stronger than he was.
"I will make you hand over the Gnosis willingly, Morax," Severin said calmly.
He rose, flicked his sleeve, and departed.
For someone as unyielding as Zhongli, only something harder would suffice.
By the time Severin returned from the auction, half the day had already passed.
Back at the Snezhnayan delegation's residence, the core members of the Fatui stationed in Liyue were already waiting.
"Your Highness."
They knelt in unison.
Severin asked, "What did you find?"
During the negotiations in the tea room, he had transmitted orders for an investigation into Wanwen Bookhouse.
"Reporting, Your Highness. The major shareholder behind Wanwen Bookhouse is the Tianquan, Ningguang. Those Millelith were dispatched by her," reported a Mirror Maiden.
"Your Highness."
A man emerged from the inner room and greeted Severin respectfully.
He had long hair, wore glasses, and spoke in a soft, almost effeminate voice.
"Pantalone—you've arrived," Severin said.
The newcomer was the Fatui Harbinger Pantalone, also known as The Regrator. Upon receiving Severin's orders, he had rushed to Liyue at once, arriving yesterday afternoon.
"Why are you alone?" Severin asked.
His original order had been for both Pantalone and Sandrone to come.
"Sandrone said that when Your Highness arrived in Liyue, instead of meeting us, you first took the beautiful Captain Beidou to a small fishing village, and then attended Wanwen Bookhouse's auction."
"So she got upset. She's probably off exploring some ancient ruin by now."
Severin smiled faintly.
"That foul temper of hers… who knows when she'll ever fix it."
"Your Highness, I'll go fetch her back at once," Pantalone said immediately.
"No need. Make preparations—this evening, accompany me to Jade Chamber for a banquet."
Pantalone frowned, then sighed.
"Ningguang's banquet… I won't lie, Your Highness, it makes me uneasy. I've suffered several losses at that woman's hands. I've developed a bit of a psychological shadow."
"Oh?" Severin raised an eyebrow.
"So even you've been outplayed by her?"
That was genuinely interesting.
"Please return to your room first, Your Highness. I'll report everything in detail shortly—this way."
He bowed deeply once more.
Pantalone's admiration for the Prince of Snezhnaya was absolute.
Back in Snezhnaya, both he and the Tsaritsa received constant reports of Severin's diplomatic missions.
In Inazuma, the Prince debated philosophy with the Raiden Shogun, earned the praise of millions, persuaded Yae Miko, and successfully obtained the Electro Gnosis. Soon after, the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree were relaxed.
In Mondstadt, under the banner of restoring the Lawrence Clan, he turned the city upside down. The Fatui defeated the Knights of Favonius with ease and forced Barbatos to personally appear and hand over the Anemo Gnosis.
With Severin acting personally, two Gnoses had been taken as effortlessly as plucking items from a pocket.
The Tsaritsa herself had laughed openly in the Zapolyarny Palace more than once because of it.
After years of her icy detachment, the ministers of Snezhnaya had almost forgotten what her smile looked like.
That day, the court stood in silent awe—yet their hearts were stirred beyond measure.
In the entire nation, the only one capable of making the Tsaritsa smile
was the Prince of Snezhnaya.
Inside the room, Pantalone stood respectfully to the side and recounted his past confrontations with Ningguang.
One incident, in particular, caught Severin's attention.
Pantalone had once sent a trusted subordinate, using Zhi Yi, to seize the position of Tianshu among the Liyue Qixing—attempting to infiltrate Liyue's power core.
Instead, the subordinate was outmaneuvered by Zhi Yi.
The entire operation was exposed, and Yelan wiped them out in one sweep. The Fatui suffered heavy losses.
"Pantalone," Severin said calmly,
"your plan was elegant—but you underestimated Zhi Yi. When you tried to use him, he was using you just as much."
"Your Highness is correct," Pantalone admitted.
"But this time, my plan is flawless. I will reclaim what was lost."
He made his resolve clear.
As night fell and lanterns lit the streets, Liyue bustled with life.
Severin and Pantalone ascended straight into the sky, arriving atop the Jade Chamber in a single step.
The principal figures of the Liyue Qixing and Eight Bureaus were almost all present.
To Pantalone's shock, the gathered officials saluted in unison.
"Welcome, Regent!"
Pantalone froze on the spot.
Our Prince… became Liyue's Regent?
Ningguang smiled radiantly.
"This afternoon, Rex Lapis transmitted a decree. The Prince of Snezhnaya is hereby appointed Regent of Liyue—his authority and status equal to the Archon's, with command over the Qixing and Eight Bureaus."
Severin stood by the Jade Chamber's railing, gazing toward the distant Wanwen Bookhouse tea tower.
Through the window, a familiar silhouette could be seen.
It was Zhongli.
Morax…
Do you really think this is enough to appease me?
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