"Half a year ago, I led the Adepti, Azhdaha, and three thousand seven hundred and twenty elite warriors from Liyue to Dragonspine, to vanquish the seven gods who once invaded our land.
Half a year later, we returned victorious—having slain the seven gods and eradicated two thousand two hundred of their followers.
But though we achieved victory, we paid a heavy price for it."
"Of the three thousand seven hundred and twenty fearless Millelith soldiers who left to defend our homeland, only two thousand three hundred returned alive after six months of war. One thousand four hundred and twenty heroes fell in battle."
"Until their dying breath, they never took a single step back. They lived with greatness—and died with glory."
"On the battlefield, they fought without fear of death, shedding their blood only for a better Liyue. Their names shall be engraved upon eternal stone."
When his words fell, Morax raised his hand and swept it through the air.
BOOM!!!!!!
A thunderous explosion echoed nearby.
Everyone turned instinctively toward the sound.
Not far to the left of Mt. Tianheng, the ground began to rise and swell. Trees were torn from the earth, and a massive slab of rock jutted abruptly upward from below.
Morax skillfully wielded his elemental power, reshaping the platform on a grand scale. He cleared the trees from its surface, carving out a staircase that extended up to the newly formed plateau. Then, with a gentle lift of his hand, thousands of stone steles rose upon it.
"These tombstones stand as proof of their loyalty, symbols of their devotion to Liyue. Liyue shall never forget their existence."
"I have made a contract with the fallen heroes. Those who are scattered shall be reunited. Those who break their oaths shall be punished. Those who have lost loved ones, who have been wronged, or who grieve over what was taken—they shall be compensated."
"Liyue will forever stand with you."
When his voice faded, silence swept across all of Liyue.
Then, within moments, a tidal wave of voices thundered through the mountains and valleys.
"Liyue will forever be with you!!"
"Liyue will forever be with you!!!!"
"Liyue will forever be with you!!!!!!!"
The entire nation erupted in unison, their cries shaking the heavens. It was as if the living were telling the fallen that they would never be forgotten—that as long as Liyue endured, they too would live on.
In that war, one thousand four hundred and twenty lives had been lost. Families would forever remain separated across the boundary of life and death.
That day, Liyue wept—mourning the heroes who had given their lives. Their deaths left countless homes broken. Some families had only two children; now neither had returned.
Their names would be forever carved upon the stone. Their parents wept with pride and sorrow, proud of their children's courage but grieving the emptiness left behind. They cried—proudly.
Those who returned alive embraced their families and wept together, grateful to still draw breath. They were the fortunate ones.
This war had changed the Emperor as well. He had seen his own people torn apart by the hands of the enemy. He had seen warriors who, even with half their bodies gone, still clutched their spears, striving to strike one last blow before death claimed them.
Over a thousand lives had vanished before his eyes. They were not distant strangers, not outsiders untouched by his rule. They were Liyue's warriors—his people, his children.
"You've returned."
Elliot spoke slowly, meeting Morax's eyes—eyes that had changed completely.
"Yes, we've returned," Morax replied.
Beside him stood the Adepti and Ganyu, all of whom had endured much through the long and grueling war.
"These are the Yaksha," Elliot said directly. "After you left, their master attempted to invade Liyue. I drove him off and kept them here."
He gestured to the five Yaksha standing beside him.
"My name is Bosacius."
"I am Bonanus."
"I am Indarias."
"My name is Menogias."
"Alatus."
Each introduced themselves in turn.
"They've been in Liyue for half a year now," Elliot continued. "They're trustworthy. You can bring them along on future campaigns."
After they finished, Elliot offered his explanation. After all, he had once personally declared that no children of the enemy should be accepted, to prevent unexpected dangers.
Now that he had broken that rule himself, an explanation was necessary. Otherwise, it would seem far too arbitrary.
Morax had grown—he now had his own convictions. Things could no longer be as they once were, when Elliot made all the decisions alone.