The atmosphere at Yujing Terrace was electric, though not in the way a vision-wielder would expect. The air was thick with the scent of high-grade incense and the nervous chatter of tourists. In the center of the terrace, a massive stone altar stood surrounded by the Lotus Pond, where lilies bloomed in silence.
Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, stood with regal poise, flanked by her three personal secretaries. The Millelith guards were stationed at every corner, their polearms gleaming under the midday sun. To the average citizen, this was just another year of the Rite of Descension, a tradition that had stood for millennia.
But for Hiroshi, watching through a high-definition lens from a nearby balcony, this was the ultimate content for his new platform.
The Livestream: "God Is Dead? (Maybe?)"
On the Teyvat Cheers app, the "Pokémon Home Official Channel" was currently the most-watched stream in history. The viewer count was ticking toward a million.
[Teyvat Cheers Bullet Chat / Danmaku]
"Wait, is Manager Hiroshi actually livestreaming the Rite?!"
"Liyue's architecture is so pretty compared to Mondstadt's."
"I'm from Mondstadt, thank you Hiroshi for the tour! Our Lord Barbatos hasn't shown up since... well, forever."
"Liyue people are so lucky. Their god actually gives them financial advice."
Hiroshi leaned against the railing, his Pokédex floating in front of him. Beside him, Zekrom stood in a semi-cloaked state, its red eyes reflecting the golden architecture.
"Manager," Zekrom's deep voice rumbled, only audible to Hiroshi and those nearby. "The energy in that altar is stagnant. The dragon they wait for... it is an empty shell."
"I know, Zekrom," Hiroshi whispered, glancing at the camera. "That's the beauty of the theater. Watch the chat."
Hiroshi leaned into the microphone. "Hey everyone. Before we start, let me ask you a hypothetical question. If you saw a ruling god—a being who has protected this land for six thousand years—suddenly die right in front of you... what would be your first reaction?"
[Bullet Chat]
"???"
"Manager, that's a dark joke even for you."
"Don't jinx it! Rex Lapis is eternal!"
"Is this a spoiler for the new Pokémon game?"
Hiroshi didn't answer. He simply pointed the camera at Ningguang.
The Fall of the Dragon
The "Auspicious Time" arrived. Ningguang's hands moved in a delicate arc, her Geo Vision glowing with a brilliant amber light. She struck the sacrificial tripod, and a pillar of golden light pierced the clouds, screaming toward the heavens.
Suddenly, the sky turned dark. A heavy, suffocating pressure descended upon the terrace. A massive, winding shadow obscured the sun.
THUMP!
The ground shook. The altar table shattered. A massive dragon, its body covered in gold and brown scales, crashed into the center of the terrace. It lay motionless, its eyes vacant, its divine light extinguished.
The secretaries screamed. The crowd fell into a deathly silence.
Ningguang, normally unshakable, froze for a heartbeat. She quickly regained her composure and stepped forward, checking the divine body. Her voice rang out, cold and commanding: "The Emperor has been killed! Block all exits! Question everyone!"
The Millelith swarmed. In the crowd, Lumine (Ying) and Paimon looked at each other in sheer terror. They had just arrived in Liyue, and within five minutes, the local god was a corpse.
"Manager," Zekrom's tail began to spin, blue electricity crackling. "Should I intercept the guards? The Traveler is in danger."
"No," Hiroshi said, his eyes fixed on the dragon's body. "Wait. Look at the data."
System Analysis: The Ancient Body of the Rock God
Hiroshi's system, the Pokémon Popularization System, triggered an automatic scan of the "divine corpse." A window popped up, visible only to him.
[Mythical Resource: The Exuvia of Morax]
Description: A vessel of rock and gold, witnessing 6,000 years of history.
Status: Suspended Animation (Lacks the Gnosis and the True Spirit).
Potential: Extremely High.
Function: Can be used as a catalyst to create a "False God" rank Pokémon.
Warning: Only suitable for Champion-level (Lv 80+) or Legendary Pokémon. Lesser Pokémon will be crushed by the weight of the Rock God's authority.
"A False God..." Hiroshi's pupils shrank. "So even if it's a fake, the combat power would be comparable to Dialga or Palkia. It wouldn't have the edict of the Heavenly Principles, but it would have the strength to level a mountain."
Hiroshi realized that in the world of Pokémon, "Gods" were often just incredibly powerful biological entities. If he could use this corpse as a resource, he could create a protector for Liyue that was independent of the Archon system.
"Zekrom, we're keeping an eye on that body," Hiroshi muttered. "But first, we have a tournament to save."
The Encounter at Northland Bank
Lumine and Paimon had managed to slip away from the Millelith, only to be cornered in a narrow alleyway near Northland Bank.
"Wait! We're innocent! We just like Pokémon!" Paimon shrieked.
"Relax, little one," a smooth voice called out. Tartaglia (Childe) stepped from the shadows, his hands raised in a peaceful gesture. He looked slightly different than his usual battle-hungry self; he was wearing a lapel pin that identified him as a "Teyvat Cheers Verified Creator."
"I'm a fan of your vlogs, Paimon," Childe smirked. "And as a fellow 'influencer,' I can't let my competition get arrested. Here, take this Sigil of Permission. Go to the mountains. Find the Adepti. They'll protect you."
Lumine gripped the sigil, looking hesitant. "But... the Trainer Competition starts tomorrow! If I leave now, I'll miss my match!"
"Don't worry about the competition," Childe said. "Under these circumstances, no one is going to be—"
"Actually, the competition will proceed exactly as scheduled."
A calm voice interrupted them. Hiroshi descended from the air, his psychic power allowing him to float gracefully. Zekrom manifested behind him, its presence causing Childe's eyes to narrow in an instant.
"Manager Hiroshi," Childe said, his hand twitching toward his Vision. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I have a business to run, Tartaglia," Hiroshi said, looking at Lumine. "Lumine, stay in the city. Don't go to the clouds. I've already spoken to the Qixing. You are not a suspect."
"Wait, really?" Paimon blinked. "But the guards were chasing us!"
"I took care of it," Hiroshi said, glancing at Childe. "And as for the 'Sigil of Permission'... it's a nice souvenir, but you won't need it. The Adepti are already on their way, and I'll be the one to greet them."
Childe laughed dryly. "You're very confident, Manager. But the city is in chaos. Liyue is a dragon without a head."
"Liyue is a city of people, not just dragons," Hiroshi countered. "And tomorrow, the people will prove it in the arena."
The Jade Chamber: Meeting of the Minds
Hiroshi teleported to the Jade Chamber, the floating palace above Liyue. Inside, the atmosphere was grim. Ningguang, Keqing, and Uncle Tian were gathered around a table. Ganyu was frantically sorting through reports.
"The emperor is dead, and the first thing you talk about is a Pokémon match?" Keqing snapped as Hiroshi entered the room.
"Especially a match with a million viewers," Hiroshi said, walking to the window. "Ningguang, if you cancel the tournament now, you're admitting that Liyue is paralyzed. You're telling the world that without Rex Lapis, you cannot function."
Ningguang looked at him with a weary smile. "The pressure of the mortal world is manageable, Hiroshi. But the Adepti... they will not see it that way. They will demand an explanation, and they will likely want to take control of the city."
"Let them come," Hiroshi said, his voice echoing in the hall. "I will handle the immortals. Your job is to ensure the Millelith keep the peace and that the arena is ready by sunrise."
"Hiroshi," Ningguang said, her eyes searching his. "There are rumors starting already. Some say the Qixing killed the god. Others... they see your power. They see your dragon. They wonder if the 'Creator of the Pokémon Era' decided Liyue needed a new king."
Hiroshi turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I have no interest in a throne, Ningguang. I am a store manager. I sell bonds and friendship. But if anyone tries to stop the progress of this era—be it a Fatui Harbinger or an ancient Cloud Retainer—they will have to deal with me."
The Dawn of the Competition
The sun began to rise over Liyue Harbor. Despite the "assassination" of the god, the city was buzzing with a different kind of energy. Thousands of Trainers were lining up at the gates of the newly built Feiyun Arena.
On the Teyvat Cheers homepage, a new announcement flashed:
[OFFICIAL]: THE TRAINER SWORD TRIAL PROCEEDS.
Match 1: Hu Tao vs. Xingqiu.
Commentary by: Manager Hiroshi & Special Guest Zhongli.
In the shadows of a tea house, Zhongli sipped his drink, watching the livestream on his phone. He looked at the empty seat across from him.
"It seems," Zhongli murmured to the wind, "that the 'retirement' I planned is going to be far noisier than I expected. But a world where children lead dragons... that is a future worth watching."
Zekrom landed beside Hiroshi on the commentator's platform. "Manager, the arena is full. The 'Adepti' are approaching the city limits. The tension is at its peak."
"Good," Hiroshi smirked, putting on his headset. "Let's give them a show they'll never forget."