The news of Morax's "death" in the video instantly divided the chat group.
Some found it too suspicious to believe.
Those inside the situation might feel lost in confusion,
but those outside could analyze it calmly.
And through analysis, the conclusion was clear—
almost no one could assassinate Morax silently,
and those who could… had no motive to do so.
[Ningguang]:While we still have time, I hope the video reveals why the Archon fell. That way, we can prepare in advance.
[Moon Carver]:That's all we can do for now.
In the video, the Qianyan Army was making rounds, questioning anyone who'd been close to the scene.
"What do we do? We were… kinda too close to the body…" Paimon fidgeted nervously.
"Did we assassinate the Geo Archon?" Gu Chen asked with a smirk.
"Of course not!" Paimon shook her head furiously. "Lumine still has tons of questions for him! Why would we kill him?"
"Exactly. We have no motive and did nothing wrong. We were just near the site, wanting a glimpse of the Archon. Our conscience is clear—why fear?" Gu Chen patted her tiny head comfortingly.
"Ohh! That makes sense!"
Paimon floated up with her hands behind her back, grinning.
"It's so nice having you here, Gu Chen~"
Even Lumine, who'd been anxious, felt her heart calm.
Morax dying isn't my fault, so why should I run?
She even wanted to take a closer look at the "body."
After all, she'd never seen a half-dragon, half-qilin creature before.
[Paimon]:Just to be clear, it definitely wasn't me or Lumine!
[Gu Chen]:So you're saying it was me, huh? (shrugs)
[Paimon]:No no no! I just meant—if the Geo Archon does really die, please don't suspect us, okay? We're innocent!
[Ningguang]:Understood. You two will be properly received when you arrive. There's no intent to accuse you—as long as there's no evidence, you'll be free to go.
[Lumine]:Remember that! I'm a traveler—my conscience is clean!
[Venti]:Right, and who was it that stole the Holy Lyre again? (curious)
[Lumine]:...
[Kaeya]:Life sure hits you with those surprise face slaps, huh?
[Keqing]:Rationally speaking, if Gu Chen hadn't been there, judging by Lumine and Paimon's faces, they looked about ready to bolt. What were you two thinking? (Keqing)
[Heizou]:If you've done nothing wrong, why panic? Lumine, confession gets leniency!
[Lumine]:I don't even know! (Collei·error404)
As Lumine walked toward Liyue Harbor, her mind drifted.
In Mondstadt, she'd met a man named Dainsleif,
who had told her many things.
But in the previous life, when she'd traveled with Gu Chen,
she'd never met him.
Did that mean her former self had sensed something was different?
"Lumine, Tianquan Xing said she'll treat us well! She's the richest person in Liyue—there'll definitely be lots of yummy food!" Paimon cheered.
Lumine snapped out of her thoughts and smiled.
No use overthinking. The video's helped me a lot already.
Before even arriving, she'd already befriended Liyue's big shots—
traveling would be so much easier now!
"Lumine! Wait—something's wrong!"
Paimon suddenly shouted.
Lumine turned to the glowing screen.
In the video, the trio stood calmly among the crowd,
studying Morax's body.
"Looks weird. Not quite a dragon, not quite a lizard… kinda like a mudfish," Paimon muttered, rubbing her chin.
[Azhdaha]:Morax's new title—'The Mudfish God!' (Klee·yay)
[Vortex God]:That's what he looks like? Yellowish scales, dark body… looks like a lump of dung.
[Zhongli]:...
[Keqing]:Vortex God, mind your words!
[Azhdaha]:Good insult! (Venti·confetti)
[Ganyu]:Elder Azhdaha, you've been eroded too much… (Ganyu·sigh)
[Baizhi]:@[Vortex God]Be careful. We still don't know if Morax is truly dead!
[Vortex God]:@[Baizhi]Oh, he's dead alright! I just insulted him like that and he didn't come smack me. Morax was never that patient.
When the Rite comes, join me in breaking my seal—we'll free Azhdaha too! Together, we'll rise again!"
[Azhdaha]:Hahaha! Excellent! Once I rule Liyue, we'll march north to Mondstadt, west to Sumeru, south to Inazuma, and east across the seas! The world will be ours—half each! (Paimon·leave it to me)
[Nahida]:Uh… (blank stare)
[Furina]:And what about Fontaine? You're just skipping us? How insulting! (Qiqi·flat on the ground)
[Neuvillette]:...
Neuvillette sighed. Ever since Furina joined the chat,
she barely showed up at the Opera Epiclese—
instead, she was constantly online, stirring chaos.
Furina, please! Do you really want Fontaine to be invaded?!
[Keqing]:Stop joking around, something's happening!
In the video,
just as Gu Chen's trio was about to be questioned by the Qianyan troops,
several blasts of Hydro power shot from afar,
knocking the soldiers down.
Then, a tall figure in a deep-blue coat and white mask,
carrying a staff—a Hydro Abyss Mage—appeared,
waving at them cheerfully.
"Ahahaha! Partners, mission accomplished—let's retreat!"
[Prince (Aether)]:?
Why is an Abyss Mage showing up inside Liyue Harbor?
I never ordered this!
In the video, the mage's loud voice turned every head nearby.
"Who are you?!" Paimon blurted.
Gu Chen's lips twitched.
They'd been standing there innocently, ready for inspection—
and this guy just barged in, attacked the guards,
and acted like they were best friends.
Do we even know you?!
"Seize them!" shouted the Qianyan soldiers.
"That Abyss Mage is faking it—he's framing us!
The problem is, our strength isn't weak,
so they'll think we could have done it.
Even if it's nonsense, the suspicion will grow.
Even if we clear our names, it'll waste months…
We have to run." Gu Chen sighed helplessly.
[Kaeya]:Just when I thought I was already morally bankrupt, someone proves me wrong. Whose subordinate is that guy?
The trio had no choice but to flee with the "Abyss Mage."
Once outside the city, the mage shed his disguise—
revealing a tall, orange-haired young man with a mischievous grin:
Tartaglia!
"Welcome to the game, my friends."
He spread his arms wide, beaming.
[Paimon]:Wait, WHAT?! @[Tartaglia] You disguised yourself as an Abyss Mage to FRAME us—what good does that do you?!
[Tartaglia]:Don't ask me! I'm confused too! (Collei·error404)
[Lumine]:@[Ningguang]@[Keqing]@[Ganyu] My ladies, I swear I'm innocent!! (crying hard)
—— Holy crap! Huge thanks to [Against the Light] for the 1000 V-coins + a monthly pass!!
—— Thanks also to [Lord of All Things – Azathoth] and [Wandering the Clouded Seas] for the monthly passes!!
—— Wishing you all perfect ten-pulls—may every gold be on-banner! ✨
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