Although the god had been defeated, Liyue Harbor still suffered damage and would need reconstruction afterward.
"Koji! Explain to me—when did I ever agree to become an Executive Officer?!"
Inside the Northland Bank, Lumine had her hands clamped tightly around Koji's neck, shaking him violently.
She had only come to watch the commotion, yet somehow she'd ended up as one of the Fatui Harbingers!
"I was just keeping you company. I'm the Twelfth Seat, codename Traveler. Who would've guessed the Fatui worked so fast? They just confirmed it outright."
"Lumine, since you're already an Executive Officer, I have a tiny little stockpile of resources—you can use my token to summon subordinates."
Rosalyne's tone was utterly matter-of-fact.
"I want Electro Cicin Mages, Cryo Abyss Mages, and Mirror Maidens—the pretty ones. That way they can fight and warm the bed."
Lumine stared at Rosalyne's chest, wanting to ask if her sexual orientation was functioning normally.
All her subordinates were women.
"Hahaha! Partner, you'll find the ones you want out in the wilderness near Liyue—but you'll have to track them down yourself. Otherwise, you'll just have to wait until Snezhnaya sends reinforcements."
Childe laughed, the thin ribbon around his neck swaying slightly.
"It's fine," Rosalyne said calmly. "The ones stationed outside Liyue are idle right now. Use your token, and they'll come."
Because Koji and Lumine hadn't operated directly in Snezhnaya, few among the Fatui actually recognized them.
"Alright." Lumine nodded. Since she was now an Executive Officer, she couldn't keep farming Fatui for Mora like before.
"Morax, we can bring the Gnosis to Her Majesty, can't we?" Rosalyne looked toward Zhongli, who was sipping tea leisurely—not at all like the game's depiction of confrontation.
"Mn."
Zhongli nodded, taking out the Gnosis. He had no use for such a thing anymore.
"Mr. Zhongli, you sure hid yourself well. Rosalyne, when did you find out who he really was?"
Childe sighed helplessly. He'd once tried asking Zhongli about the Geo Archon—only to later discover Zhongli was the Geo Archon. Truly the model fool among Fatui.
"When did you know who I was?" Zhongli asked.
"The Zhongli Crystals are the remains of the Third Descender, aren't they?" Koji said suddenly, dropping a bombshell.
"…Mn." Zhongli froze for an instant, surprised Koji knew such a thing. Only the first generation of the Seven might know that. Even the Irminsul contained no record of it.
"Yes," he finally admitted.
"Zhongli, since there are seven Gnoses, that Third Descender must have commanded all seven elements, right?" Lumine asked curiously.
"That's right," Zhongli said with a nod. "The Third Descender possessed all seven elements—and a will powerful enough to rival an entire world."
He knew Lumine herself was a Descender. But Koji…
That being was something even more terrifying.
Koji thought simply: I'm just a transmigrator.
"Didn't think I'd hear something like that," Childe muttered, intrigued. "Rosalyne, you think Her Majesty's collecting Gnoses to recreate that so-called Third Descender?"
Seven elements, total control—it sounded incredible. He already wanted to challenge it.
"Her Majesty's decisions aren't ours to question," Rosalyne replied coolly. "We only carry out her will."
She had no interest in the Descenders at all.
"Childe, take the Geo Gnosis to Her Majesty. I'll head to Inazuma afterward."
Rosalyne tossed the Gnosis to him and turned to leave.
"Tsk tsk… the Lady sure is efficient," Childe said with a grin. "Already two Gnoses down—and now going for a third. A true model of the Fatui."
"Koji, do you think I'm a Descender?"
After leaving the bank, Lumine asked abruptly.
She could wield two elements already. Someday, she might command all seven.
"Wow! Zhongli said Descenders have the power to rival an entire world. Does that mean you could fight a whole world, Lumine?" Paimon asked in shock.
"To 'rival a world'… what does that even mean?" Lumine frowned. "To destroy a world—or to influence it deeply?"
She didn't really understand what being a Descender meant.
"Koji, are you one too?"
"No, I'm a transmigrator."
"Then I must be the Descender. Maybe I'll be a savior someday…" Lumine murmured.
Koji glanced at her with mild pity. A savior… sounds like a setup to take the blame for everything.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles hadn't expelled them precisely because both Lumine and Koji were still useful to Teyvat. Otherwise, they'd have been erased already.
"Being a savior's too heavy for me. I'd rather just stay a traveler," Lumine said quietly.
Still, she couldn't stop thinking about her brother. What was he doing now? Why hadn't he come to find her after waking up?
Mondstadt
Koji returned with Noelle and Eula. They'd been gone for quite a while.
"Ahh… Lord Venti actually went to Liyue?"
Jean sighed, pressing a palm to her forehead. Days had passed without seeing their Anemo Archon.
Of course—the God of Freedom truly lived up to the name.
"I've heard all about what happened in Liyue. Are you three alright?" Jean asked, concerned.
"We're fine, Acting Grand Master. Lord Venti asked us to tell you he'll return once the Geo Archon's funeral is over," Noelle said politely.
Jean let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. Gods really did love their games.
Venti dying in Liyue? Impossible. More likely, Morax's "death" was a trial for Liyue itself.
If Mondstadt faced such a challenge now, they'd never withstand it—especially since Farfalla and many strong knights had left on an expedition.
"I see. Will you continue traveling with Koji afterward?" Jean asked.
"We'll stay in Mondstadt for a while, then join him when he heads to Inazuma."
Jean nodded. After all, even her own god had gone off wandering.
"Koji, someone wants to see you."
Jean suddenly remembered, leading him out of the office. Eula and Noelle followed.
The confinement room.
Both girls knew it well—it was where Klee was often sent after blowing up fish.
Over time, it had been converted into a warm, cozy little room.
Could it be that Klee wanted to see Koji?
Jean knocked lightly, then opened the door.
Koji stepped in—
and froze.
(End of Chapter)
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