The people of Liyue were not always satisfied with the work and policies of the Liyue Qixing.
At times, complaints and resentment simmered beneath the surface.
Yet under the overwhelming influence of the Geo Archon, such dissatisfaction rarely found its voice.
Because the people all believed one thing—
The Liyue Qixing were merely carrying out the will of the Geo Archon.
Coupled with years of deliberate narrative-shaping by the Qixing, Liyue's social atmosphere gradually began to skew:
To criticize the Liyue Qixing was equivalent to criticizing the Geo Archon.
To oppose the Liyue Qixing was equivalent to opposing the Geo Archon.
And who would dare oppose the Archon?
Thus, dissent in the common folk slowly faded away.
From a certain perspective, the Geo Archon and the adepti had become protective talismans for the Liyue Qixing.
"Today, when I refused the position of Regent," Severin said calmly,
"you were all rather disappointed, weren't you?"
"You had hoped to use me as a shield—someone to stand in front, weathering the storm for you… just as you've long done with Liyue's gods and adepti."
The Prince of Snezhnaya had, in front of everyone at this banquet, torn away that final veil of pretense.
For a moment, the Seven Stars fell into complete silence.
Eyes half-closed, some appeared to be reflecting—others, quietly anxious.
They had assumed the Prince supported divine rule.
Instead, they found themselves exposed more harshly than even Keqing had been.
As for the heads of the Eight Bureaus from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, who were merely present as accompaniment—
They dared not speak at all.
Some were even secretly frightened, wondering if they might be silenced outright.
After all, if anyone else had dared speak this way to the Liyue Qixing, they would already be in chains—or dead.
Only the Prince of Snezhnaya could say these things… and live.
Among the Seven Stars, the one with the lightest heart was ironically Keqing.
Her concept of human rule had been criticized—
but so too had the others' hypocritical version of divine rule been utterly dismantled.
In a debate concerning Liyue's future destiny, there were no winners.
With her straightforward temperament, Keqing immediately asked, respectfully,
"Your Highness… then what should we do next?"
Severin replied evenly,
"Whether Liyue's future follows human rule or divine rule is a responsibility shared by the Liyue Qixing and Morax himself."
"In fact, that is the very reason the Qixing exist."
"You sit in positions of power. How to design Liyue's future, how to make its people live better lives, how to find the path most suited to Liyue's long-term development—these are the questions you should be asking."
"You have hidden behind the gods for far too long."
"It's time you stepped forward and faced everything yourselves."
"And if your only purpose in holding these positions is to earn Mora—then I suggest you withdraw voluntarily, and let those who truly worry for the nation take your place."
The core problems of Liyue had all been laid bare.
As for how to solve them—Severin naturally had methods.
But since he had already refused Morax's offer to become Regent, there was no need for him to spell them out.
Liyue was not Snezhnaya.
He bore no obligation to govern it.
In truth, throughout his journey—Inazuma, Mondstadt, and now Liyue—he had already discussed each nation's fundamental problems with their rulers.
Whether they chose to change, and how they chose to change, was their own affair.
Too much interference would only be seen as foreign meddling.
Let Raiden Ei, Venti, and Morax worry about it.
Especially Morax—
Who was currently eavesdropping from Wanwen Bookhouse, hearing every word.
Morax had countless ways to replace the Liyue Qixing.
But these people were, after all, his own appointees.
Even if they had erred, they deserved a chance to correct themselves.
This, too, was an expression of the Geo Archon's benevolence.
The Seven Stars were all shrewd individuals—they would understand this mercy, and be grateful for it.
Enjoying wealth also meant bearing responsibility.
From this moment on, the Liyue Qixing carried the expectations of the people upon their shoulders—
To solve the problems Severin had raised.
To reflect on Liyue's future.
To design a path forward.
To lead the nation through hardship.
And Morax himself could finally step back, retreat into the shadows.
A perfect outcome.
Ningguang raised her cup and said with genuine respect,
"Your Highness speaks truly. In the past, Liyue's direction relied entirely on the Geo Archon's proclamations during the Rite of Descension. The Qixing merely executed those orders."
"From now on, we must learn to think independently."
"Everyone—let us raise our cups, in thanks for the Prince's guidance."
After the toast, Tian Shu asked hesitantly,
"Your Highness… Lady Ganyu once said that Mora is the measure of Liyue's lifeblood. I agree deeply."
"So I must ask—do you truly intend to mass-produce counterfeit Mora, engraved with the face of the Harbinger The Regrator?"
"Oh, right," Tian Shu added awkwardly.
"Ganyu is the Qixing's secretary—an adeptus. She was invited tonight but declined due to work, and asked me to pass along her apologies."
Ningguang smiled faintly.
"Tian Shu, you've had too much to drink. That was merely a joke His Highness used to enlighten a subordinate."
The old man laughed.
"My mistake, my mistake. I'll punish myself with a drink."
Next, the head of the Kun family—controller of the Blackcliff Forge and commander of the Millelith—posed a question.
"For the past three years, the Fatui and Snezhnayan troops have shown execution, sacrifice, and loyalty that deeply impress us."
"I even established a research division to study Snezhnaya's training methods… but found nothing especially different."
"Yet despite similar training, Snezhnaya's soldiers far surpass the others. Why?"
Even Ningguang and Keqing looked surprised.
The Millelith were widely regarded as the strongest army among the Seven Nations.
Their predecessor, the Thousand岩 Legion, had followed Morax through the Archon War.
A thousand years ago, they fought beside him against the rampaging Azhdaha.
Five hundred years ago, under Bosacius, they repelled the Abyss at the Chasm.
Three great wars had forged their unmatched prestige.
Yet tonight, Liyue's own grand general openly admitted inferiority to Snezhnaya.
"The answer is obvious," Severin said calmly.
"Every citizen of Snezhnaya believes—without a shred of doubt—that the Prince of Snezhnaya will lead them to victory."
"Faith of the spirit unlocks potential, forging willpower and combat strength beyond the ordinary."
He did not mind revealing this truth.
Because it was something the other six nations could never replicate.
The Kun family head frowned.
"But Your Highness, the Millelith also believe the Geo Archon is invincible."
"Completely different," Severin replied.
At that moment, his gaze lifted toward the clouds—toward Celestia, half-concealed above.
"Snezhnaya fights for the overthrow of Heavenly Principles itself."
"And Liyue? Your Archon?"
"How could they ever compare—to Snezhnaya…"
"…or to me?"
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