"If The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had foreseen this day, why didn't it warn us beforehand so we could prepare?"
Morax seemed to immediately sense something amiss.
Upon hearing this, Baal also paused slightly, then lowered her head in deep thought. After a long while, she lifted her head slightly.
"Perhaps... he didn't know when these monsters would appear."
"You mean he didn't know the exact time of their birth?" Morax asked.
"Yes."
"So, he only knew this day might come? Because he didn't know the exact timing, he didn't warn us in advance?" Morax found this highly unreasonable.
"Hmm, let's consider a hypothetical scenario."
"Suppose he didn't know the exact time of their emergence, yet he warned us long ago. We obediently began gathering strength and preparing in earnest. Then those monsters arrived much later. Before they could appear, The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had already found a solution and completely eradicated them."
"Then he informs us, 'The monsters are already destroyed; no need to prepare.' If that happened, put yourself in our shoes—wouldn't you feel like you'd been toyed with for millennia by The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles?"
"You've spent thousands of years preparing for this war, every soldier ready for battle. But after waiting for thousands of years, all you get is, 'The monsters are gone, no need to prepare'? What do you think happens then?"
"The Seven Archons would never trust The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles again. And the fury of being toyed with for millennia would be unleashed upon The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. Every person across Teyvat who prepared for war would vent their rage upon Celestia."
"The ultimate outcome will be the Seven Archons leading warriors from the Seven Nations into a great war against The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles."
"Moreover, The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles has forbidden the development of technology. Even if we were warned in advance, without technological support, humanity is but an ant shaking a tree."
"After all, this corrupting force can even consume us. Once corrupted, one attacks indiscriminately, friend or foe—just like Azhdaha. At that point, those humans won't just be useless; they might become a threat."
"Put yourself in The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles' shoes. If I were The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, I wouldn't warn the gods in advance either."
"The greater the power, the higher the position, the more complex the considerations become. Weighing the pros and cons grows ever more troublesome. I believe The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles' decision not to inform them beforehand was for the best. Even learning now isn't too late, is it?"
Baal's words prompted Morax to ponder deeply. After mulling over her statement several times, he realized she was indeed correct.
Tianli had informed them of a massive demonic invasion approaching Teyvat, instructing him to prepare for war. Morax then began mass recruitment of humans into the Millelith. The Adepti and Ghizhong redoubled their efforts in crafting mechanical arts. The Yaksha frequently engaged in combat to hone their skills.
This continued for millennia. The Millelith swelled to a hundred thousand strong. The Adepti and Ghizhong produced vast quantities of mechanical devices. The Yaksha's prowess advanced by leaps and bounds. Everything was meticulously prepared, awaiting the arrival of the great war.
Yet, at that very moment, news arrived from Celestia: "The monsters have been vanquished. No further preparations are needed."
At this point, anyone would feel an unparalleled rage. They wouldn't rejoice over "the war being over." Perhaps the "monsters" and the "war" never truly existed in the first place. They'd be more inclined to believe that "the monsters and the war were just a cruel joke played by The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles."
It was like parents promising to buy you the thing you'd always dreamed of if you got first place on an exam. You'd stay up late studying, giving up all entertainment, just for that one thing. Finally, you got first place, only for your parents to say, "We were just joking."
"In terms of universal theory, that is indeed the case," Morax agreed with Baal's perspective.
"Then hurry back and inform them of this," Baal promptly added.
Soon, they flew back to The Chasm, carrying the note from Celestia. After relaying the news, Azhdaha lost all hope.
He had clung to a sliver of faith, wondering if The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles—which even the Seven Archons feared—might offer a way to expel the entities within him. But the message they brought back made him abandon his struggle.
Ultimately, at Azhdaha's earnest plea, the Seven Archons united to temporarily seal him away. After all, The Abyss's corrosion progressed at a relentless pace.
Though the Seven Archons shared portions of their divine power with him every few days to sustain him, why should the other six Gods—besides Morax—be obligated to bestow their power upon him so frequently? In such critical times, all six deities needed their divine power to protect their own people.
Even if they were willing, Azhdaha couldn't bear the humiliation of relying on their aid to barely survive. Sealing him away was the better option.
After completing the sealing, the six deities dispersed, each returning to their own realm to prepare for the coming war.
"Geo Emperor, what shall we do next?" Bosacius finally asked after the Six Archons departed.
"I'll return first to discuss strategy with Ghizhong. She's intelligent and should offer unique insights," Morax replied, his brow furrowed.
"For now, keep this matter confidential."
With those words, Morax vanished from the spot.