Three years ago, after Severin began governing Snezhnaya, the entire nation was given a single, unmistakable objective—
To overthrow the Heavenly Principles.
At the very beginning, the Eleven Harbingers advised him to continue the Tsaritsa's previous policy and keep the truth hidden from the people.
Severin rejected it outright.
He believed that resisting the Heavenly Principles carried the very real risk of ending like Khaenri'ah, wiped from history. Precisely because of that danger, the truth should not be concealed. Instead, it should be made public, to win the people's wholehearted support.
The struggle for Snezhnaya's survival was never meant to be fought by gods alone.
It required the unity of the entire nation.
And those seated here tonight were Liyue's highest authorities. There was no harm in letting them know Snezhnaya's ultimate goal.
Mondstadt's main forces were currently campaigning in the northern borderlands, struggling against monsters emerging from Khaenri'ah's ruins, suffering heavy casualties.
Inazuma's Shogunate Army could not even defeat the resistance led by Sangonomiya Kokomi, and its combat effectiveness was mediocre at best.
Sumeru, for all its size, relied on the mercenary Eremites to defend the nation and lacked a proper standing army.
As for Fontaine and Natlan, their internal situations were even more complicated, and their military strength comparatively weak.
Among the remaining six nations, only Liyue's army truly stood out.
When Snezhnaya reached the moment of life and death, the Millelith might very well fight alongside them.
Moreover, after this diplomatic journey, Zhongli would inevitably inform the Liyue Qixing himself, urging them to prepare for what lay ahead.
After hearing Severin's explanation, the head of the Kun family felt sudden clarity wash over him.
He had once speculated that Snezhnaya's soldiers were strong because of special alchemical agents. Only now did he understand—
The entire nation of Snezhnaya bore an immense pressure of survival.
The destruction of Khaenri'ah by the Heavenly Principles was no secret among Liyue's upper echelons. Placing that same pressure upon any other nation would have crushed its people's will.
Yet Snezhnaya had the Tsaritsa, and it had the Prince of Snezhnaya.
They transformed that crushing pressure into conviction.
That was the true reason Snezhnaya's soldiers were so fierce.
In truth, today's Snezhnayan army resembled the Millelith at their absolute peak during the Archon War—when their battle formations were capable of standing against gods themselves.
The Kun family head clasped his fists solemnly.
"Thank you for enlightening me, Your Highness. I now know how the Millelith should be trained from this day forward."
"Train them well," Severin replied calmly.
"When Morax gives the order one day, Snezhnaya and Liyue may very well fight side by side."
The Kun family head immediately felt the weight of those words.
If the Prince dared say this openly, then he must already have reached a tacit understanding with the Geo Archon.
If Snezhnaya opposed the Heavenly Principles, Liyue might not be able to remain uninvolved.
And yet—
A fierce light ignited in his eyes.
The Millelith had grown stagnant. What they needed was a true war to reclaim their lost glory.
"If the Geo Archon commands it," he declared,
"the Millelith will march through fire and blood without hesitation!"
Next, the Tianji Star, Director Xiao of Liyue's maritime affairs, raised his cup and spoke.
"Your Highness, my family has managed Liyue's shipping fleets for generations, accumulating both wealth and honor. But while the world sees our prosperity, few know our suffering."
"To open new trade routes, my ancestors once led fleets deep into the southern seas—seven expeditions in total. In that region shrouded by perpetual storm clouds, their fleets vanished without a trace."
"Later merchant ships found only broken masts and scattered wreckage floating on the sea. Entire fleets—gone."
"To uncover the truth, our family sent more expeditions. None ever returned. By our tradition, when my time comes to retire, I too must personally sail there."
His fear was unmistakable.
"I once sought guidance from the Geo Archon," he said quietly.
"He told me that place lay beyond even divine light. I wish to know—what exactly is that sea?"
Severin's expression turned grave.
"That sea is called the Dark Sea."
Even for him, it was a place to be treated with caution.
"Some call the gathering of monsters 'chaos.' Yet without chaos, how could demons exist?"
"The Dark Sea is the birthplace of chaos itself. After the Archon War ended, all surviving gods who refused to submit gathered there. It is a place of true danger."
"Frankly speaking, your ancestors were extraordinarily brave—or extraordinarily foolish. Even the Seven Archons avoid that place. To venture there was to court death."
"The Dark Sea…" the Tianji Star murmured, committing the name to memory.
"Then our family rules must be revised. Sigh."
He could tell the Prince knew far more about that place—but what he had learned was already enough.
What he did not know was that, in Severin's intelligence records, the Dark Sea was far more than a refuge of defeated gods. Long before, after Phanes descended upon Teyvat and defeated the Seven Sovereign Dragons, those ancient elemental beings who refused to submit had all fled there.
And the true scale of the Dark Sea… was far greater than anyone imagined.
After several others asked their questions, the head of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, the Kaiyang Star, finally spoke up, unwilling to miss this rare chance.
"Your Highness, to be frank—though our guild controls most of Liyue's textile and clothing trade, business has grown increasingly difficult these past two years."
"Besides raw fabrics, Liyue-made garments are no longer as popular as before."
"Speak plainly," Severin said. "No need for roundabout words."
The merchant sighed.
"In the past, Snezhnaya was our biggest client. Every spring, dozens of ships would arrive to purchase massive quantities of finished garments."
"But in the last two years, our trade volume with Snezhnaya has plummeted. Now, Snezhnaya only buys fabric—no finished clothing at all."
"I asked several Snezhnayan merchants, but they all dodged the question. Since Your Highness is here, I beg you to tell us the truth."
"Has the quality of Liyue's clothing declined?"
Severin shook his head.
"Snezhnaya was never good at producing garments—neither in equipment nor technique. Two years ago, I presented the merchants with a business opportunity."
"They invested heavily, developed their own clothing industry, and Snezhnaya's textile sector grew rapidly—eventually replacing imports from Liyue."
The Kaiyang Star's eyes lit up.
"Your Highness… what business opportunity?"
Severin cleared his throat lightly.
"This opportunity," he said slowly,
"has something to do with Ningguang and Keqing."
Ningguang and Keqing both blinked in surprise.
Almost simultaneously, the same thought flashed through their minds—
He didn't tell Snezhnayan merchants to copy the dresses we wear… and sell them en masse, did he?!
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