In the next instant, Severin reacted.
Less than a month had passed since his visit to Inazuma—there was no way Yae Miko could be pregnant already.
Moreover, due to the interference of Heavenly Principles, gods found it exceedingly difficult to leave behind descendants. Otherwise, after thousands of years, divine bloodlines would have long since spread across Teyvat.
To this day, not a single one of the Seven Archons had produced offspring.
Even Severin himself, despite now standing on par with the gods, would find it extremely difficult to leave behind a child.
Which meant there was only one explanation—
This was that sly fox's trick.
Sure enough, as Severin continued reading, Yae Miko's explanation appeared.
"Were you frightened? Good. That's how you know the great Prince of Snezhnaya feels guilty~"
He could almost hear her smug laughter echoing in his ears.
The rest of Yae Miko's letter was mostly teasing, mixed with serious matters regarding Inazuma. She thanked him in detail for influencing Ei and the Raiden Shogun, helping them loosen their rigid understanding of Eternity, and for the gradual relaxation of the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree.
Toward the end, she mentioned that Mikoshi Chiyo, after spending several days with Ei within the Plane of Euthymia, had finally dispersed completely—her soul fading away at last.
"I hope you'll overthrow Heavenly Principles soon and fulfill your promise."
"Revive Kitsune Saiguu. Revive Yougou Saiguu. Revive Mikoshi Chiyo, Sasayuri… and even Makoto."
"If you fail, that's fine too. You can always marry into the Grand Narukami Shrine as compensation for the Gnosis~"
"Worried about freeloading? Don't be. This Guuji can support you."
Still the same incorrigible fox.
Yet Severin could tell—after that night they shared, the inscrutable Guuji of Narukami Shrine had subtly changed. Just a little.
He then opened the letter from Kamisato Ayaka.
A faint scent of cherry blossoms drifted from the paper—clearly prepared with care.
"It feels as though our parting was only yesterday. I have been practicing the Kamisato Art daily, so that when Your Highness completes your great endeavor, I may perform it for you once more."
"Um… about your defiance of Heavenly Principles—Lady Guuji told me in secret. She specifically asked me not to tell you."
"You'll keep this secret too, won't you…?"
"Please succeed, Your Highness."
Most of the letter spoke of her daily life—small, gentle details.
Severin understood. She wanted him to know her world a little better.
This journey through the Six Nations had brought him relentless romantic entanglements. He recalled Yae Miko once interpreting a blank fortune slip for him at Narukami Shrine, warning him of peach-blossom calamity—a harem in flames if he wasn't careful.
Now that he thought about it… she might not have been wrong.
Pulling himself back to the present, Severin took out another letter.
This one had been written before he arrived in Liyue—by the Tsaritsa herself.
The letter stated that should he ever need assistance in Liyue, he could seek out a contact with the codename "Golden Shrimp Balls."
Severin walked to the window and released the letter into the air.
The moment it met the wind, it transformed into a white dove, flapping its wings as it flew into the distance.
The Tsaritsa had imbued the letter with a trace of divine power—it would guide him to the right person.
Severin followed the dove down the streets, passing through the bustling city before entering a quiet, secluded alley.
Elegant courtyard villas lined both sides, rich with classical Liyue aesthetics.
This was Liyue Harbor's wealthiest residential district. Not only did members of the Liyue Qixing live here, but countless magnates as well. Property prices here were the highest in the entire harbor.
The dove flew into the courtyard of a villa, circled once, let out a sound with a strange rhythm—and vanished.
Moments later, the gates opened.
A woman hurried out.
"Your Highness…?"
"Miss Keqing," Severin said calmly. "We meet again."
"I heard the call of the dove and knew someone from Snezhnaya had come," she replied quickly. "I just didn't expect it to be you. Please, come in."
She lowered her voice as she led him inside.
"This is my home. You can rest assured—there are no prying eyes here."
Keqing's villa was luxurious beyond comparison. No family members were in sight—she had clearly sent them away in advance.
Pavilions, carved beams, antiques, calligraphy, and priceless art filled the grounds. Its splendor rivaled even Ningguang's Jade Chamber.
Born into a noble family and controlling Liyue's most profitable real estate sector, Keqing more than deserved such a residence.
They crossed several clear artificial waterways filled with lively koi before entering the main hall.
Keqing personally prepared tea.
"Please," she said, offering the cup.
Severin accepted it and nodded.
"Tell me about your history with the Tsaritsa."
Keqing smiled faintly.
"When I was eighteen, I was rebellious. I hated the constraints of my family."
"My parents tried to force me into a political marriage with another merchant family. I refused outright."
"We fought. I left home and vowed not to return until I'd made a name for myself."
She started small, but progress was slow—until one day, a blond-haired man approached her.
"He said the Fatui were willing to provide substantial funding in exchange for a favor in the future. I agreed."
"With their support, my business finally took off. I earned enough to help my family through a crisis."
"Later, after I became the Yuheng, that same man told me his name—Tartaglia, codename 'Childe.' He said he had come on the Tsaritsa's orders."
"He also said that when the time came for me to repay the favor… I would hear a white dove singing in the sky."
So from beginning to end, Keqing had never met the Tsaritsa herself.
Everything had been arranged through Childe.
"Your Highness," she said seriously, "I will honor the contract. I owe the Tsaritsa a debt, and I intend to repay it."
"Tell me. What do you need?"
Severin replied calmly, "Nothing extreme. I only need you to find out how much Mora is in the Golden House's strategic reserves."
Keqing exhaled in relief.
Truthfully, that contract had weighed on her for years. She had always feared the Fatui would one day demand something unlawful—or bloody.
"…May I ask what you intend to do with that information?" she asked.
"To wage a commercial war against the Liyue Qixing."
Keqing frowned and tried to persuade him.
"Then I must advise you against it. Even if you know the reserves, you still won't win. Public sentiment, intelligence, and all commercial resources are on our side."
"This gamble… you have no chance of victory."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/SwritesTL