"What's wrong, Eula?"
Koji returned home to find Eula looking pale, a letter trembling in her hand.
"It's nothing… My uncle, Schubert Lawrence, was caught cooperating with the Fatui—trying to leak information about Mondstadt. The Knights found out and arrested him."
Eula pressed a hand to her forehead, clearly exhausted. The cursed reputation of the Lawrence family weighed heavily again.
"Don't think too much about it." Koji said calmly. "Since your uncle did such a thing, punishment was inevitable. But the Knights found out, and soon the whole of Mondstadt will know. This won't stay quiet for long."
Because this time the Knights themselves had acted—not Eula or the Traveler—the news would spread quickly across the city.
"Eula, our house is big," Lumine said suddenly. "Join us."
"Huh?"
Eula froze, then blushed when she realized what Lumine meant. That was… rather direct.
But honestly, she was tempted. Returning to Mondstadt now would be unbearable. The people would only despise her more for her family's crimes.
Koji gave a crooked smile. "So that's what the majesty of the main wife looks like, huh?"
He chuckled to himself. Well, at least she's expanding the harem for me.
"This has nothing to do with you, Eula," Noelle said helplessly.
Given the Lawrence name, even if Barbatos himself came to explain, the citizens likely wouldn't listen.
"I don't know… Maybe it's just running away, but I tried so hard, and it never mattered," Eula said weakly.
No matter how much she struggled, it couldn't erase her uncle's sins.
She knew Schubert's ideals—childishly naive. Even if he succeeded, Barbatos would only overturn it again.
Caught between the Lawrence family and Mondstadt, she truly had nowhere to stand.
"What else did the letter say?" Koji asked.
"Jean told me not to return for now. I understand what she means."
Jean didn't blame her—she just wanted Eula to stay away until the anger died down. But even if she returned later, people's opinions wouldn't change.
Eula sighed. "Forget it. I've worked hard for so long. Maybe I can finally rest."
"Guili Plains has gotten livelier," Lumine said from the balcony. "More Liyue merchants have set up stalls there."
Koji glanced outside. "Guess the Qixing are planning to develop the area. There are no godly remnants here, so they can build a new city."
He was impressed by their efficiency.
They'd first mark out the land. Guili Plains was vast—too big to use entirely. Then, Millelith troops would clear monsters from the construction zones. Thankfully, there were no Rift Hounds or Abyss creatures—just Hilichurls and other small threats.
"Lumine, if you're bored, you could take some monster-slaying commissions," Koji suggested.
Not only the Millelith but even the Adventurers' Guild had begun accepting extermination requests.
Lumine waved him off. "No thanks. I'll just open a few chests here and there."
She wasn't short on Mora anymore, so there was no need to work nonstop.
And honestly, she didn't even feel like opening chests lately. The thought that her brother had already looted them once—and taken all the good stuff—made her mood sour instantly.
Now she only opened a few for the fun of it. Most of her time she spent sightseeing, enjoying the scenery, or just relaxing at home—or in her Serenitea Pot.
Koji chuckled softly. "Rich people always get lazy."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"One, two, three…"
Hu Tao was counting the new staff members. "Zhongli, are you sure these people you brought back aren't like you— freeloaders?"
She eyed the recruits suspiciously. Knowing Zhongli's habits, she couldn't be too sure.
Azhdaha and the others exchanged looks of disbelief. Zhongli? A moocher? Impossible.
"Don't worry, Hu Tao," Zhongli said calmly. "They won't be putting anything on Wangsheng's account."
He had long expected this day and prepared himself mentally.
"Zhongli doesn't have money?" Azhdaha asked, genuinely puzzled.
He remembered clearly—Mora was created by Morax himself. So how could the creator of money have none?
"Uh, Zhongli never carries money," Guizhong said, covering her face. "And when he does shop, he insists on buying everything. It's embarrassing."
Azhdaha was speechless. He was starting to think Morax's erosion might have been worse than his own.
"Zhongli, are you an adeptus?" Hu Tao asked, glancing at Bosacius and his four arms. "And what about him? He looks like one of the Yaksha."
"Hu Tao, try guessing a little bolder," Guizhong said with an amused smile.
She liked the playful director—no wonder Zhongli had taken a liking to her.
"Wait—" Hu Tao's eyes widened. "Don't tell me…!"
Zhongli sighed helplessly. So his identity was about to be exposed. How was he supposed to face her after this?
"But hold on," Hu Tao continued, frowning. "If Zhongli really is the Geo Archon Morax, then why doesn't the Geo Archon have Mora?"
"In general economic theory," Zhongli replied seriously, "if Morax had infinite money, it would destabilize the market."
"I'm not saying you should print it yourself! I'm asking why you never bring any!" Hu Tao scolded, hands on her hips.
Zhongli fell silent, genuinely pondering. "Perhaps… I simply never developed the habit."
Hu Tao rolled her eyes. After years working with him, the reverence had long worn off. Knowing he was the Geo Archon didn't change the fact that he was hopeless in daily life.
Cloud Retainer and the others watched the exchange with quiet amusement. No wonder Morax favored this quirky girl—she treated him like anyone else.
(End of Chapter)
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