After being invited to the Jade Chamber, the trio struggled to figure out how to reach the floating island in the sky. With Keqing's help, they finally arrived exhausted and t Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
After greeting Lumine, Ningguang turned her gaze to Astrea.
"You must be Astrea? I've heard about you from Fontaine's Supre Bishop."
"Huh? L-Lady Ningguang… you've t His Excellency, the Supre Bishop?"
Astrea seed slightly timid under the gaze of the powerful Tianquan.
"He visited Liyue recently and discussed a business deal with ."
"A business deal? What kind?"
"Sothing called a 'computer.' I haven't seen one myself, so I'm not familiar with it. But the terms he offered were too favorable to refuse, so I agreed to act as his distributor in Liyue."
「?????」
「?????」
「?????」
A flood of question marks filled Monkey's livestream chat. He himself was equally baffled.
In the ga, Lumine also seed shocked. Dialogue options appeared:
『There are computers in this world?』
『Computers? As in the ones I know?』
"Folks, breaking news! I thought Teyvat was set in an ancient world after seeing Mondstadt and Liyue. Who knew computers existed?! I an, hearing 'Fontaine Research Institute' in Mondstadt felt off, but I didn't expect Fontaine to actually have a science academy!"
Monkey marveled as he selected the second option.
"So Fontaine's a tech-focused nation? This is wild! I can't wait—how long until Fontaine's released? I can't stand waiting in 1.1 anymore!"
"But hey, props to the Traveler for being so worldly. Makes sense, given they've journeyed through countless worlds."
In the story, Ningguang looked at Lumine in surprise.
"Traveler from beyond the clouds… Do you know what a computer is?"
"It's… hard to explain."
"I see. Then we'll have to wait until the product arrives… But that's unimportant now."
Ningguang walked to the edge of the platform, overlooking the mountains and Liyue Harbor below.
"This is no ti for business. Traveler—may I call you that? I know you've interacted with the Adepti and distrust the Qixing. That's why I invited you here—to clear up misunderstandings."
Lumine watched Ningguang's back and asked softly, "Keqing said the Qixing didn't assassinate Rex Lapis?"
"We would never do such a thing. We lack the motive, the courage, and the power. Have you heard of the Archon War?"
"Only the na."
"Long ago, countless gods waged war for dominance. Two thousand years ago, it ended, leaving only seven victors. They built nations upon the ruins and began the era of the Seven Archons."
Ningguang pointed into the distance.
"See Guyun Stone Forest? That is no natural formation. It was forged by massive stone spears cast by Rex Lapis during the war. Beneath them lie the defeated gods who failed to claim the title of Archon."
She sighed faintly.
"Even if we could assassinate a god as mighty as Rex Lapis—which we cannot—why would we? What purpose would it serve?"
『To seize power?』
『To overthrow divine rule?』
Monkey chose the second option.
Ningguang chuckled dryly. "You truly don't understand. Even the Seven Archons are not eternal. Over two millennia, so have been replaced. Rex Lapis's death is a catastrophe for Liyue, but the Seven Archons system remains. A new Geo Archon will rise in ti. If we sought power, why murder a god who descends but once a year, only to invite an unknown successor?"
She turned to Astrea.
"This, Miss Astrea, should be clear to you. Fontaine's current Hydro Archon is already the second generation."
Lumine glanced at Astrea.
Astrea shrank back timidly, then nodded. "Y-Yes. While I… have reservations about the Seven Archons system remaining unshaken, Lady Ningguang is correct. If a god dies, a new one will inherit their seat—so long as the divine throne remains intact. To this day, no mortal or god has ever defied Celestia's laws to destroy an Archon's throne."
"Foreshadowing alert, folks!" Monkey exclaid excitedly. "If a throne is destroyed, the Seven Archons system collapses! No doubt this'll co up later—but which god's throne gets wrecked?"
"Take notes, everyone! This'll be relevant!"
anwhile, Tingyun, miHoYo's PR director watching Monkey's stream, facepald.
Foreshadowing my foot. Kiana just keeps digging plot holes without filling them. How is she gonna handle this later?
This PR job is too stressful. If the story crashes and burns, how do I spin it? Maybe I'll just jump ship when it happens.
In the ga, Ningguang studied Astrea with surprise.
Astrea's words contradicted common knowledge—that the Seven Archons system was unbreakable. Did she believe soone, even Celestia, could destroy a divine throne?
But Ningguang didn't press further. Now wasn't the ti.
She turned back to Lumine.
"Do you understand now, Traveler? The Liyue Qixing would never—and have no reason to—commit such a foolish act."
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