Keqing lay stiff on her couch, staring at the ceiling.
She had only exchanged a few words with Aerin, yet somehow, he had led her step by step—until she had laid bare every thought she harbored toward the adepti.
That she believed the adepti were arrogant.
That they looked down on mortals.
That even Rex Lapis' death had not been enough to make them question humanity.
That Liyue's future should be forged by human hands alone.
That the adepti would one day fade away, just like gods.
Thinking such things was one matter.
Saying them aloud was another entirely.
"…I've definitely been marked."
Keqing collapsed back, utterly drained.
She could already imagine it—
Aerin had sought her out on purpose.
He wanted to see her defiance, her pride, her sharp tongue—
And then crush it.
Now that she thought about it, it made perfect sense.
If Ningguang supported human rule, she would never voice it so recklessly.
Silence always left room for retreat.
Words did not.
"This is humiliating…"
"What's said can't be taken back."
"I'm done for."
["Why does the sky suddenly look so dark?"]
["Who knows—maybe a storm's coming."]
["I'll head home and bring in the laundry."]
Most of Liyue's citizens paid little attention.
To them, it was nothing more than a change in weather.
But atop the Jade Chamber, Ningguang's expression was darker than the clouds themselves.
Black lines of tension creased her brow.
Thunder rolled.
Winds screamed.
Over the sea, towering waterspouts twisted upward, linking ocean and sky.
From the depths came a low, monstrous roar.
Baishi swallowed hard.
This was the first time she had ever seen Ningguang look so grim.
"Lady Ningguang…!"
"Could it be… that with the Geo Archon's fall, the seal has weakened?"
"Is the god Rex Lapis once suppressed—Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex—returning?"
Ningguang's fingers clenched.
This was something she had never accounted for.
ROAR—!
BOOM—!
The sea exploded.
A colossal form surged from the depths—
Five necks, each hundreds of meters long.
Five heads, roaring in unison.
A demon god stood upon the sea.
"So he released Osial after all…"
Zhongli sighed softly.
He had assumed Aerin would appear personally—to show Liyue what it meant to lose divine protection.
But once again, he had underestimated him.
"Perhaps he believes that even without lifting a finger… this alone will be an unforgettable trial."
Zhongli knew Osial's strength well.
Even weakened after centuries of suppression, it was far beyond what humans could withstand.
"During the Archon War, I empowered the Millelith with adeptal seals…"
"But now… I can no longer do even that."
"All I can do is watch—and hope."
[Ningguang]:"Is that… the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial?"
[Xianyun]:"Indeed."
[Osial]:"Hahaha! Morax—watch as I trample Liyue once more!"
[Morax]:"Unexpected… that you are present here as well."
[Lisa]:"We're witnessing a true god of legend."
[Venti]:"At least it's Osial."
Liyue's people were stunned into silence.
Yet… Venti wasn't wrong.
If Aerin himself had appeared, there would be no distinction between who lived and who died.
Osial, at least, attacked indiscriminately.
Cold comfort—but comfort nonetheless.
Tianheng Mountain
Aerin paused mid-step, then turned back.
He rested a hand lightly on Keqing's shoulder.
She jumped as if struck by lightning.
"You… what did you just say…?"
"I said," Aerin replied calmly,
"a monster like that appearing out of nowhere is quite troubling."
"Lady Yuheng… surely you'll find a way to deal with it?"
Keqing felt dizzy.
From Liyue's records, only one being matched such a description.
Osial.
"You want me… to deal with that?!"
Her twin ponytails shook violently as she shook her head.
Aerin put on a concerned expression.
"Lady Yuheng, are you unwell?"
"You must hold on—what will become of Liyue's people otherwise?"
At the mention of Liyue's people—
Keqing's eyes hardened.
"…Find somewhere safe."
"I'll rally the Millelith."
"We cannot let it reach Liyue Harbor."
Jade Chamber
Ningguang massaged her temples.
"So this is how the Fifth Descender plays his games…"
Keqing, at least, would never forget this lesson.
"She just spoke proudly of human rule…"
"And the next moment, a god emerges from the sea."
"It's like she bared her fangs—only to be slapped down instantly."
"…She's going to socially die."
The Battle Begins
Adepti descended.
Xianyun, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver arrived atop the barrier.
Ningguang understood instantly.
She smiled faintly.
"Then let this be… an adeptal fate."
Adeptal power surged into the Guizhong Ballistae.
Their firepower increased drastically.
Yet Osial roared in fury.
Five necks rose high.
A beam of condensed Hydro shot skyward—
Then shattered into countless spheres of destruction.
The barrier shattered.
The ballistae were destroyed.
Ningguang's expression turned resolute.
"…I have one final plan."
"I will abandon the Jade Chamber."
Keqing's breath caught.
She knew what the Jade Chamber meant to Ningguang.
Her childhood poverty.
Her lifelong dream.
Her ambition to let its shadow cover all seven nations.
And yet—
She cast it aside without hesitation.
To protect Liyue Harbor.
Keqing broke down.
"I talked so boldly…"
"And yet did nothing."
"I'm useless…"
Her tears fell freely.
High above the skies—
"Well done," Aerin said softly.
Then his gaze turned cold.
"Benellus."
"Release the sealed Azhdaha."
"And summon every monster within Liyue's borders."
"The war—"
"Begins now."
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