In an open-air garden outside Sumeru City, a refreshing breeze carried with it the fragrance of blooming flowers.
It was in this picturesque setting that the five archons had chosen to meet for negotiations.
Inside, the garden was tranquil and serene—but outside, the atmosphere was taut with tension.
Acting Sage Alhaitham was personally present to maintain order, while elite mercenaries patrolled the perimeter. On Snezhnaya's side, the Tsaritsa's personal guard stood watch over the venue, accompanied by four mysterious Fatui Harbingers.
Given the Fatui's past actions in Sumeru, every Sumerian who looked upon them did so with anger in their eyes. Clashes had already broken out several times, the air thick with hostility, as though fire and water had been forced into the same space.
Just moments ago, the two sides had nearly come to blows over a trivial dispute.
Alhaitham massaged his temples in irritation. He had never wanted to be the Acting Sage in the first place, and now everything felt like one endless hassle.
With three Archons supporting the Dendro Archon, security here was beyond question. But with the Tsaritsa's arrival, spies from Snezhnaya had poured into the city like ants.
And as if that weren't enough, his position forced him to deal with the four Harbingers. Aside from Tartaglia, who was at least tolerable, the others were all disagreeable in their own ways.
"Once this month is over, I'll be handing in my resignation to the Dendro Archon..." Alhaitham muttered with a weary sigh.
...
Within the garden, Venti sat at the long table, cheerfully laying out bottles of fine wine.
Zhongli gazed at the blossoms surrounding them, his expression thoughtful, as if remembering the glaze lilies that had once withered in the frost outside his door.
Ei sat silently beside Lu Chen, not saying a single word since the arrival of the Cryo Archon.
At the head of the table sat Nahida, her emerald eyes fixed on the Tsaritsa she was seeing for the very first time.
The silence lingered for a long time.
"Uh..." Lu Chen finally cleared his throat, breaking the quiet.
The woman with hair as white as snow and a face like carved ice turned her gaze toward him.
"Shouldn't we at least talk? You didn't come all this way just to sit here staring at each other, did you?"
"Then let's start with a drink." Venti smiled, waving his hand. A goblet filled with wine slid smoothly across the table and stopped before the Tsaritsa.
She lifted it slowly but did not drink.
Her eyes swept over the archons present, and she said calmly, "I can feel your power. It seems greater than it was five hundred years ago."
"Oh? Is that so?" Venti feigned ignorance. "Maybe slacking off does wonders for body and soul. You should try it sometime."
"Barbatos, you're still as humorous as ever." Tsaritsa, however, seemed intent on pursuing the matter. "I've never heard of such a thing. Even without faith or authority, could one's strength still change like this?"
"This is thanks to him." Zhongli turned his gaze from the flowers to Lu Chen.
Tsaritsa regarded Lu Chen with a searching look.
Lu Chen smiled, raising the glass Venti had slid his way before drinking. "Well, that's a long story."
Then, with a hint of mischief, he added, "But if you were to join us, I might be persuaded to share the secret of growing stronger."
Tsaritsa shook her head. "I don't ask out of selfishness. If you all grow stronger, I would be glad to see it."
She then turned her eyes to Zhongli.
"Morax, does the 'contract to end all contracts' we once made still hold?"
The gathering of the Archons of Anemo, Geo, and Electro in Sumeru City—and their disruption of her plans—was an outcome she had not foreseen. It was only natural that she would begin to question the Geo Archon's promises.
"Those who break their word shall be punished by stone," Zhongli replied with a slight nod. "I will keep our agreement."
"But you've gone too far," Nahida finally interjected, unable to restrain herself. Thinking of all the Fatui had done in other nations, she could not accept it—even if it had been born from lofty intentions.
Ei too frowned, recalling the recent turmoil in Inazuma. "The Fatui infiltrate the other six nations, spreading disaster and chaos wherever they go. People displaced, lives ruined. Is this truly what you wanted?"
"I know. I know all of it..." For the first time, a ripple of emotion stirred in the Tsaritsa's icy gaze.
She looked around at them, her voice rising with passion.
"Everything comes at a price. Show kindness to all, and you condemn them all to the harshest fate. It is because we dream of peace that we must declare war on the world!"
In her frozen eyes, Lu Chen seemed to glimpse a fire—a flame fierce enough to burn away the entire old order.
"A nation that runs too swiftly will draw the gaze of the gods. And like weeds, it will be torn from their garden."
Her words grew more fervent. "Before the Archon War, countless civilizations rose and fell. In this world, every joy, every heartbeat, has always ended the same way. None can escape it. If the Heavenly Principles could, they wouldn't even grant us wisdom—they would only want pitiful creatures in a glass sphere, bred to be fed upon."
"But we are living beings—not livestock. We feel, we love, we hate..."
"The so-called 'life' cherished by the Heavenly Principles is pathetic indeed."
"If there is no way to escape a fate already written, then what meaning does such an existence hold?"
When her words ended, silence once again descended upon both sides of the table.
Tsaritsa's stance was unmistakable—she was pressing them, trying to draw each one present onto her warship.
Lu Chen studied her quietly. This was the leader of Snezhnaya, of all the Fatui. She had never wavered in word or deed. Her followers believed in her because they trusted that one day she would raise the banner of rebellion against the Heavenly Principles, and break not only Snezhnaya's fate, but that of all Teyvat.
"I understand your intent. The very fact we are here already shows where we stand." Once more, Lu Chen broke the silence.
"Other than the Hydro Archon, closest to Celestia, and the Pyro Archon, whom we cannot contact, every archon who shares your conviction is already here. Our differences lie only in method—our goal is the same."
"That is good." Tsaritsa's expression smoothed again. She looked at Lu Chen. "Then allow me to sincerely thank you. It is you who has united these four archons. Your contribution is invaluable."
"Appreciate the praise."
"But—" Lu Chen drew out the word.
He fixed his eyes on her. "Your strength is still lacking. Courage to rebel is not enough. Without higher power, you don't even have the right to challenge them."
Snezhnaya might have the most advanced technology of the Seven Nations, factories burning through the night, the most loyal supporters, and war machines ready at any moment.
But to Lu Chen, it still wasn't enough. If she raised her banner with only blood and fire, the end would be the same as Khaenri'ah's—nothing but tragic ruin.
"You're driving everyone onto a chariot bound for destruction," Venti murmured, sipping his wine. Until now, he had remained an observer, unwilling to see his people fall to such an end.
"But if we don't even dare take the first step, how can we talk of resistance?" the Tsaritsa countered.
"Perhaps there is another path," Lu Chen said, smiling faintly.
"Another path?" Doubt flickered in her eyes.
Lu Chen recalled what Zhen had told him, and shared with those present a glimpse of the truth above the heavens.
"Do you remember the battle of the Funerary Year?"
"I do." Tsaritsa nodded.
"The Dragon Nibelung gained the power of the Abyss from beyond this world. When he returned to Teyvat, he brought with him a cataclysmic war, one that nearly destroyed everything. The world's boundary grew thinner, and the Abyss seeped in ever deeper. Celestia no longer has the luxury to focus on much else."
"I know this." Tsaritsa's voice was steady. "That is why this is humanity's best chance in countless cycles."
"They fear the Abyss more than they fear challengers beneath their feet," Lu Chen hinted.
"Wait..." Tsaritsa's eyes widened in shock. "You mean to draw their gaze toward the Abyss instead? Are you insane? That isn't a plan—it's suicide! You saw what happened to Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago. Everything beyond this world is deadly!"
"I'm not that reckless..." Lu Chen said helplessly.
"Then what are you suggesting?"
Lu Chen's eyes seemed to meet each of theirs—but in truth, they were fixed on the glowing system interface before him.
This was likely the final mission of the [Reality Teyvat System].
[Plane Mission: Boundary Guardian]
[Defeat the Abyss Order's "Loom of Fate" plan, repel the Abyss' invasion, and aid in repairing the fractured boundary.]
[Reward upon completion: Ark Technology Energy Shield Blueprint]
[Current Archon Quest Completion: 96%]
[To ensure the proper functioning of the Gate of Teyvat, you have been chosen as the new candidate for the Throne. Strive for peace between both worlds—message left long ago by the system.]