Elliot's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. Time and again, at the most critical moments, he would appear without warning—and resolve the crisis at hand.
"Your Majesty, where have you been all this time?" Cloud Retainer asked curiously.
"I've been wandering about," Elliot replied casually.
Wandering?
Clearly, none of them believed that.
If he had truly just been wandering, his return now was far too conveniently timed. It was far more likely that Elliot had never actually left, but for reasons of his own had chosen not to show himself. That would explain why he always seemed to know exactly what was happening in Liyue.
Yet, none of them called him out. With a shared understanding, they simply let his answer stand. After all, everyone had secrets. If Elliot did not wish to explain his, pressing further would only be improper.
"Brother, won't you join us in this campaign?" Morax asked.
"I trust that even without me by your side, you'll handle it splendidly," Elliot said as he stepped through the air to stand before Morax, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's getting late. You should go."
"Understood! We shall achieve a glorious victory!"
Bolstered by Elliot's words, Morax's confidence surged to its peak. He had always worried about what would happen if they found those seven Gods—if everyone went to battle, Liyue would be left unguarded. But if one of them had to stay behind to defend, then either he or Azhdaha would have to be absent from the battlefield, making victory all but impossible.
Now, with Elliot stepping forward at this crucial moment to watch over Liyue, all of those worries vanished. Their morale steadied, and the greatest problem was solved.
With Elliot guarding Liyue, they could march without hesitation. All that remained was to focus their strength on defeating the seven Gods.
"Do you remember," Morax called out, standing tall before the Millelith, "the sight of Liyue three years ago—when the Gods invaded our land?"
The Millelith instantly understood his intent. Their eyes burned with purpose as they shouted in unison, "We remember!"
"Then today," Morax declared, "is the day we settle that old debt."
"Geo-solid foundation, unshakable fortress! Shield of the city, armor of the realm—subdue demons, quell evil!"
"Geo-solid foundation, unshakable fortress! Shield of the city, armor of the realm—subdue demons, quell evil!!"
"Geo-solid foundation, unshakable fortress! Shield of the city, armor of the realm—subdue demons, quell evil!!!"
The entire Millelith roared with passion, their voices echoing across the mountains.
Their spirits soared. Their faces were firm and resolute, filled with absolute confidence.
Not a single one showed fear. Not one faltered.
They had waited for this day for years—training endlessly, honing their spear techniques—all for this moment.
"Millelith! Hear my command!" Morax bellowed.
"Yes!"
Their unified response shook the heavens, a deafening roar like that of a great beast awakening from slumber.
High above, cranes and starlit deer circled before stepping down through the air, landing at Morax's sides.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Beside Tianheng Mountain, a colossal figure emerged—Azhdaha, towering like a mountain. Upon its head stood a young woman with qilin horns, her presence radiant.
"March forth!!"
"Rooooaaaaar!!!"
Azhdaha's bellow split the skies, the tremor rippling through every inch of Liyue.
Across the land, the people stirred with excitement. They all knew what this meant—knew it better than anyone.
This was the first time the Geo Emperor himself led humanity into battle. Their goal: the seven Gods who once sought to destroy Liyue.
Under Morax's command, the army advanced like a tide, vast and unstoppable, toward Dragonspine.
The disciplined Millelith needed no aid or transport. Even clad in heavy armor and armed with stone spears, they marched for hundreds of miles on foot—swift and unwavering.
This was the first generation of the Millelith—the warriors who yearned to strike down the Gods.
...
From atop Tianheng Mountain, Elliot watched them disappear into the horizon.
During the three years of his absence, he had visited only one place—the very place he once avoided at all costs.
Qingce Village, where the Chi once dwelled.
Elliot had spent three years there.
He had gone to uncover why that place stirred his karmic energy so intensely, yet paradoxically brought him such peace.
It was as though, in the blazing heat of summer, when the world outside burned with stifling heat, that place alone remained cool—like a room blessed with air conditioning.
He stayed for three years to find an answer, yet discovered nothing—only that those three years had passed in a strange, soothing comfort.
At Qingce Village, though the karmic energies were active, they never invaded his mind or caused him pain.
Of course, that was only if he regularly used the Calming Mind Mantra to fortify his spirit. If he neglected it for too long, the energies would once again attempt to invade and seize control of his body.
To avoid growing dependent on that tranquility, Elliot made a rule for himself: he would only visit once a week, spending the rest of his time roaming throughout Liyue.
Thus, he remained fully aware of everything that transpired in the nation.
On the fifth day after Morax led his army into battle, one God, followed by a host of followers, set foot in Liyue.