There was an old saying passed around Liyue.
They said that long ago, the Lord of Geo once wandered alone through the mountains.
In a deep fissure within the earth, he heard a sound never heard before—
At times mournful like a lament, at times terrifying like thunder.
Following that sound, he eventually discovered an unusual stone embedded deep within the rock strata.
Moved by its spiritual resonance, the Lord of Geo personally carved it, shaping it into a colossal dragon—
So exquisite and lifelike that it seemed ready to soar at any moment.
With a final stroke, he gave it eyes.
Lightning split the heavens.
Thunder roared.
A true dragon was born.
That dragon followed the Lord of Geo into countless wars, crossing mountains and seas together.
But there was another version of the tale.
They said the dragon later roared forth from the Chasm, battling the Geo Archon all the way to Nantianmen.
Only through the combined efforts of the adepti was it finally sealed away.
In present-day Liyue, only the adepti still knew the truth.
Yet when the projection revealed the Dragon King's existence—
Every half-forgotten legend suddenly came alive.
And despair spread like wildfire.
[Ningguang]:"If the storytellers were telling the truth… did it truly take Rex Lapis and the adepti working together just to suppress Azhdaha?"
[Beidou]:"Then the Dragon King is on the same level as a god."
[Yelan]:"Stories exaggerate—but even so, that's not something humans can resist."
[Furina]:"The pace is terrifying… does Liyue even have another weapon like the Jade Chamber?"
[Hu Tao]:"That thing took Ningguang decades to build. Liyue can't just conjure another one overnight."
[Venti]:"Mondstadt really is peaceful in comparison… Liyue keeps sealing nightmares under its feet."
Then Venti added cheerfully—
[Venti]:"Oh, by the way. I once heard that when Morax fought Azhdaha back then… Azhdaha was holding back."
The chat exploded.
Holding back?!
Did that mean Azhdaha was even stronger than the Geo Archon?
[Xingqiu]:"Lord Barbatos, please don't joke at a time like this."
[Chongyun]:"Y-Yeah, that can't be real, right?"
[Xianyun]:"Hmph. Perhaps the Anemo Archon should spend less time chatting and more time reviewing Mondstadt's records."
[Venti]:"Ehe~"
[Zhongli]:"…It is true."
The room fell silent.
[Hu Tao]:"Zhongli—why did you hesitate just now?"
[Zhongli]:"In that battle, I prevailed… but it was not because he was weaker."
"Stone remembers little, yet preserves emotion well."
"He still harbored affection—for me, for Liyue, and for all life upon this land."
"But after so many years of sealing… I do not know what he has become."
Inazuma · Tenshukaku
Led by Kujou Sara, Aerin and Skirk passed through layers of hidden corridors until they reached a sealed chamber.
"Lord Aerin," Kujou Sara said solemnly, kneeling.
"The Shogun and Lady Guuji await inside, prepared to atone."
Skirk glanced sideways.
This looks less like atonement and more like a secret cult gathering.
The door opened.
Inside, Raiden Ei knelt at the front, with Yae Miko, Kamisato Ayaka, and Sangonomiya Kokomi behind her.
All four were pressed to the floor, hands flat, heads lowered.
Before them lay their Visions.
Raiden Ei had placed her Gnosis, her blade, and Musou Isshin neatly in front of her.
Aerin rubbed his temples.
"…Good. I thought you were about to start arranging clothes as well."
He sat down slowly.
Inazuma, in his eyes, was a nation overflowing with small cleverness and lacking real wisdom.
Even Raiden Makoto—counted among its few capable minds—had died.
Two sisters, one civil, one martial.
Side by side for millennia.
And yet—
Makoto went to Khaenri'ah alone.
Ei ran between battlefields—and protected neither.
Makoto died.
Kitsune Saiguu fell.
Inazuma collapsed.
Chain reactions spanning centuries.
Aerin exhaled.
"Rise."
None dared move.
"Speak plainly," he said.
"Where are the officials of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions?"
Yae Miko answered immediately, "Imprisoned. Awaiting judgment."
"We destroyed the Delusion factory and confiscated all Delusions."
Aerin nodded once.
"Execute them."
Skirk's fingers twitched.
She regretted her life choices more with every passing day.
Orders followed swiftly.
Kokomi and Kujou Sara — Tenryou Commission
Kamisato Ayaka — Kanjou Commission
Narukami Shrine — Rituals and culture
Then—
Raiden Ei looked up.
"…And me?"
Silence.
"You?" Aerin glanced at her.
"Cleanse Inazuma's regions affected by excessive Electro."
"Beyond that—do as you please."
"But do not involve yourself in governance."
Ei froze.
"That's… all?"
Aerin smiled faintly.
"In the future you were a symbol because the world didn't know me."
"Now everyone does."
"There is no meaning in you sitting on the throne."
Ei's chest tightened.
"This… isn't what Yae said."
Yae Miko coughed lightly.
"Lord Aerin, please forgive her. She's… a bit slow."
Aerin studied Ei carefully.
A god who had ruled too long by force—and too little by thought.
She was hurt.
Truly hurt.
"I want to change," Ei said stubbornly.
"I know my mistakes. Let me help."
Aerin sighed.
"Raiden Ei."
"It seems you require… special instruction."
The others were dismissed.
Only Ei remained.
Skirk bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Meanwhile · Beneath the Earth
At the Sealing Tree—
Pillars towered like heaven-supporting spines.
A massive barrier pulsed with Geo energy.
Azhdaha's eyes opened.
Space twisted.
A silver-haired girl stepped through.
"So this is the Dragon King."
Benellus observed calmly.
Four-legged. Crocodilian.
Crystal horns of ancient jade.
"You fear me," Azhdaha rumbled.
Benellus smiled faintly.
"I'm here to release you."
"What you do afterward…"
"…is your choice."
In Liyue—
A roar tore the sky apart.
"MORAX!"
The mountains trembled.
"It's Azhdaha," someone whispered.
And all of Liyue understood—
This war had only just begun.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito