Chapter 162. The Great Astrologist Mona
Since Liyue Harbor's founding, Ganyu had never known rest.
She'd helped establish the Qixing. Staffed the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Trained the Millelith. Thousands of years of nonstop labor, and she'd never complained. The workload that would crush a human was just… another day for her.
But now? The Age of Humans and Adeptus was nearly a year old.
Talented recruits had flooded into every department. The Qixing's subordinates had multiplied. Responsibilities once held by the Geo Archon and Adeptus now belonged to mortals.
Ganyu's workload? Distributed.
Her schedule? Light.
And for the first time in millennia, Ganyu stood on the Jade Chamber at dusk with nothing to do and felt her chest tighten.
She'd been like this for months. Nobody noticed—everyone was too busy, and Ganyu never complained.
But Keqing wasn't everyone.
"Ganyu." Keqing said, appearing beside her like a purple lightning strike. "Futsu Mitama returned today. Dinner at Wanmin Restaurant. You're coming."
Ganyu's eyes lit up.
Then dimmed. "I… I need to watch my weight recently."
Keqing stared. At Ganyu's waist. At Ganyu's face.
This woman was worried about gaining weight?
"Wanmin has vegetarian dishes." Keqing said flatly. "They don't make you gain weight. I checked the before."
Ganyu exhaled, relieved.
"When is dinner?"
Keqing glanced at her phone.
"Now."
"Now?!" Ganyu panicked. "I haven't dressed! I can't meet the next Geo Archon looking like—!"
"It's a casual meal, Ganyu. Come on."
Keqing grabbed her wrist.
Ganyu let out a helpless noise but followed.
—
Chef Mao nearly cried when Futsu Mitama walked in.
"Everything's free! Today, everything is on the house!"
He ushered them to a private room before Futsu could protest.
"Xiangling's out gathering ingredients, but I'll send her to you the moment she returns!"
Futsu listed the headcount.
Chef Mao vanished into the kitchen like a man possessed.
They'd barely settled when Paimon zipped in.
"Oh! We're not late, are we?" She beamed, landing in the seat Futsu pointed to. "Long time no see, everyone!"
"Long time no see. You're as energetic as ever."
Mitama chuckled.
Then Lumine entered.
And behind her—
"Eh?!"
The Astrologist froze in the doorway, eyes locked on Futsu Mitama. She whipped her head toward Lumine, voice cracking.
"This is the 'ordinary friend' you talked about?! Are you kidding me?!"
Lumine's smile was pure mischief.
"Yes. An ordinary friend. Didn't your Astrology confirm that?"
"I told you—Astrology isn't omnipotent!"
The Astrologist snapped. Then, lower, to Futsu Mitama
"For an existence like you—only the Old Hag would dare use Astrology to peer into beings of your kind."
Futsu raised an eyebrow.
"And you are?"
Lumine shrugged.
"Her name's too long. I forgot. She goes by Mona."
Mona shot Lumine a glare, then cleared her throat, straightening her posture.
"Astrologist Mona Megistus. The greatest Astrologist. You can call me Mona. If you need my help, don't hesitate to ask."
She was polite. Careful. Because sitting at this table were:
Sangonomiya Kokomi, Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island
Kuki Shinobu, the ninja who always shadowed Futsu Mitama
Shenhe, Adeptus Disciple and Primo Geovishap slayer
Aila and Black Aila, twin maids whose power made Mona's skin crawl
Futsu Mitama himself, whose reputation spanned Teyvat
"Hello, Mona."
Kokomi smiled gently.
"I'm Kuki Shinobu. Please take care."
Shinobu gave a small bow.
Aila and Black Aila said nothing, but their eyes studied Mona with quiet curiosity.
"Shenhe."
Futsu leaned forward.
"You should recognize me, but I'll introduce myself anyway. Futsu Mitama. Please take care of me in the future."
"Aila. Young Master's maid." ×2
Mona kept her composure. Inside, her mind was screaming.
This is the resistance leader. This is the Adeptus Disciple. These maids could kill me without breaking stride. And HIM—
"Sit. More guests are coming."
Futsu Mitama said.
Mona sat beside Lumine, whispering,
"You made me look foolish on purpose, didn't you?"
"Sorry, sorry~" Lumine grinned. "I just thought you should meet them. You've helped me a lot these past few days."
Paimon snickered.
"Hehehe! Didn't you always brag about how amazing your Astrology was? You didn't predict this, did you?"
Mona's eye twitched.
"Do you believe I can divine how many people will arrive next?"
Paimon blinked.
"Ah?! You can even do that?!"
The table turned to watch.
Mona hummed, extending her hand. A water mirror shimmered into existence, starlight rippling across its surface.
"Is this Astrology?"
Shinobu leaned forward, intrigued.
"Divination? Master taught me something similar…"
Shenhe murmured. Not Cloud Retainer—Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver. She'd learned the basics, but preferred spears and Talisman Arts.
Futsu watched, curious.
Can she divine Zhongli?
Divining an Archon—especially Rex Lapis—would either shatter Mona's scryglass or give her a revelation that broke her mind.
Mona's eyes narrowed. She saw—
"Three more people will arrive." she announced. "One is a member of the Liyue Qixing. Another has half-human, half-Adeptus blood. The third, I can't discern her background, but she holds a very noble identity. Not human."
Paimon's jaw dropped.
"Amazing?! Is Astrology that powerful?!"
She knew—Keqing, Ganyu, Zhongli. And Zhongli wasn't human, not really.
But Futsu's eyebrow arched.
The third one… might not be Zhongli.
"Excuse me." Zhongli stepped into the room, calm as ever. "Everyone, long time no see."
"Ya~! Zhongli!" Paimon zipped over. "Mona just used Astrology to predict you! Isn't it amazing?!"
"Oh?" Zhongli glanced at Mona, mildly surprised. "Is that so?"
He hadn't felt any divination attempt. How had she—
Mona was frozen. Her eyes darted from Zhongli to the water mirror.
That's… not him.The third person I divined… wasn't this Zhongli.Which means—
Her hands began to tremble.
There's someone else coming. Someone I couldn't see. Someone whose identity is so noble, so beyond human, that my Astrology couldn't pierce it.
Who—?
The Old Hag's warnings echoed in her mind.
There are beings even the stars fear to name.
And Mona realized, with dawning horror.
Today's dinner… is not ordinary.