Their protests were swiftly answered when a woman wreathed in blazing crimson flame appeared before them.
"Executing those infected by monsters is now Liyue's official policy," she declared. "If you're dissatisfied, I can grant you permission to leave Liyue."
"But let me make this clear—once you choose to leave, you are never to return. If you wish to stay, then abide by our laws. And if you insist on staying yet continue to cause trouble... don't blame us for showing no mercy."
Indarias swept her gaze across the gathered crowd, her tone calm and steady. Yet the quieter her voice, the more oppressive her presence became.
The protesters froze, exchanging bewildered looks. By all logic, the authorities should have offered an explanation—some reasoning behind such a harsh decree.
But not this time. There were no excuses, no justifications. Only a cold ultimatum: either leave Liyue, or stay silent.
The sheer bluntness left them stunned.
"I don't have much time. You have one minute to decide."
Seeing their hesitation, Indarias didn't waste another word and immediately began to count down.
Panic spread through the crowd. Some feared that one day they too might contract the strange purple plague and face execution. Yet others thought of the Adepti and the Millelith—surely, as long as they stayed cautious, kept indoors, and avoided reckless wandering, they would remain safe.
When the minute was up, Indarias said evenly, "Those staying—stand on my left. Those leaving—stand on my right."
At her command, the people faltered, glancing around anxiously, some shuffling left then back right in indecision.
"I'll repeat myself," Indarias said sharply, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "I have no time for games."
That tone alone was enough to make them decide.
Ten people chose to stay. Sixteen stepped to the right.
"Those who've chosen to stay—don't let me see anything like this happen again. If it does, I won't be as lenient next time."
Indarias turned toward them, her words like steel. The ten nodded furiously, their faces pale and filled with visible fear.
Then she led the sixteen dissenters to the city gates and said coldly, "Remember this: the moment you step beyond these walls, you cease to be citizens of Liyue. And don't ever think of setting foot here again."
Though they hesitated briefly, their resolve held. Without another word, they left.
With the matter settled, Indarias vanished.
...
"Is it handled?" Bonanus asked while summoning torrents of water around her.
"It's infuriating," Indarias replied wearily. "We're already overwhelmed, and yet they still find time to cause trouble. They've lived too comfortably for too long—they have no idea how serious things are."
"Don't be too hard on them," Menogias said softly. "They truly don't understand the gravity of the situation. 'Execution' is the harshest punishment under Liyue's laws. Now that infection alone warrants it, it's only natural they can't accept it right away."
Indarias shook her head, forcing herself to let it go. Her eyes flicked around the area before narrowing slightly. "Where are Bosacius and Alatus? What happened to them?"
"They went to escort the people from Guili Plains," Bonanus replied.
"Are we ready to start moving them here already?" Indarias asked, scanning the area and sensing that the preparations were still incomplete.
"Almost," Menogias answered. "But time is running out. Azhdaha said the corruption would reach the surface within three months—it's already been over half a month. The monsters in the sea are only getting stronger."
Her brow furrowed deeply, anxiety written all over her face.
"Has His Majesty the Emperor returned yet?" Indarias asked. Without Morax's presence, none of them could feel at ease.
"He should be back soon."
Days earlier, Morax had received a plea for aid from the Electro Archon, Baal of Inazuma.
Inazuma, being a chain of islands cut off from the mainland, was especially vulnerable to the sea-born monsters. The shogunate's Tenryou Commission forces had already lost a third of their soldiers—and this was only the beginning.
If things continued, annihilation was inevitable.
Desperate, Baal had sent out a call for aid to the other six Archons.
Morax raised two great mountains on Narukami Island. The Cryo Archon created a massive iceberg to act as a barrier. Around the island, Barbatos unleashed unending winds, forming a continuous storm to hold back the tide.
Together, they served temporarily as guardians until the evacuation of Watatsumi Island and Yashiori Island was complete. Only then did the Six Gods depart Inazuma.
This catastrophe was a calamity that spanned all of Teyvat—no one could escape its reach. In such times, cooperation was not just a choice, but a necessity.
...
BOOM!!!!
A deafening explosion shook the entire land of Liyue, the ground trembling violently as if the earth itself was splitting apart.
Both the Yaksha and the Adepti froze in alarm.
ROAR!!!
A deep, ancient cry echoed from below—like the furious roar of some primordial beast.
"The ground is shaking!" Alatus shouted, his eyes narrowing. "The sound—it's coming from Cuijue Slope and Tianqiu Valley!"
They had barely finished escorting the people from Guili Plains to Jueyun Karst. Before they could even rest, disaster had struck again.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
A series of heavy impacts reverberated from beneath the ground, as if something immense was trying to break free.
Cracks began to tear through the distant earth—deep, gaping fissures spreading like scars across the land.
Everyone stared in shock, their faces pale and tense.
Then, from within one of those vast crevices, a gigantic dark-purple hand burst forth.
Moments later, colossal figures began to emerge one by one.
"Archons... Archons..." Cloud Retainer Xianyun's voice trembled, her mind blank with disbelief.
"I finally understand the source of that unease in my heart," Menogias murmured bitterly.
"This is... complete hell," Bosacius muttered, his entire body prickling as if thousands of ants crawled beneath his skin.
From the depths of the earth, the ancient Archons who had once been sealed beneath Liyue had broken free of their bonds.
Each one was tainted by the Abyss—skin and form consumed by a deep violet hue, dark energy spilling from their bodies like smoke.
Under the blackened, cloud-filled sky, the corrupted gods loomed tall, gazing down upon the fragile mortals below.
And from the widening rifts in the earth, more continued to crawl out—countless in number.
At a glance, the world had transformed into a vision of hell itself.