There were differences even among the adepti.
Morax—Rex Lapis—stood as the progenitor of Liyue's gods, a being none of the remaining adepti could rival.
During the Archon War, much of the adepti's strength had been directly granted by him.
That war had never been one humanity could participate in.
Zhongli, speaking calmly in the chat channel, explained the truth of his battle with Azhdaha.
He himself had been the main force, restraining Azhdaha head-on.
Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver had focused solely on constructing the Adeptal Subspace Sealing Array.
Only after Zhongli lured Azhdaha into the formation—combining the strength of all four—had they succeeded in sealing him.
Zhongli stopped there.
He didn't need to say more.
Everyone understood the implication.
Just like the future shown on the light screen—
Without Morax, no one could stop Azhdaha's advance.
Without his protection, Liyue stood no chance.
Humanity alone was powerless.
Even humans and adepti together could do nothing.
And it was painfully obvious—
Had Cloud Retainer not strengthened the Millelith with adeptal talismans,
the human defensive line would have collapsed long ago under the Geo Vishaps' assault.
[Keqing]: "Without the adepti… humanity would've been wiped out already."
[Ganyu]: "K-Keqing…"
[Beidou]: "Didn't think I'd ever hear that from you."
[Xianyun]: "Hmph. And didn't you once claim we adepti were arrogant? That we looked down on humans?"
[Keqing]: "…I was wrong. My understanding was shallow. I've never experienced war—I didn't know how terrifying it truly is."
Keqing exited the public channel and immediately opened a private chat with Ningguang.
She was terrified.
Terrified that Aerin might release Azhdaha into reality.
"That really shook Keqing," Ningguang murmured with a faint smile.
Keqing wasn't flawed as a person.
Born into wealth, yet stubbornly self-reliant—mining, dock work, bookkeeping—
she had always thrown herself wherever Liyue needed her.
She had done everything a human could do.
The only thing she lacked was experience with true calamity.
And her tsundere nature didn't help.
"Do you think… he'll truly release Azhdaha into the real world?"
Yelan asked quietly.
"The people are terrified. They're afraid the future will become reality."
Ningguang fell silent for a long time before replying simply:
"He is that kind of existence. Who could ever truly fathom his intentions?"
Yelan frowned.
"You and Keqing really are opposites. No wonder Beidou never listens to you."
Ningguang's composure was legendary.
She knew exactly what to say—and what never to say.
Trying to pry truth from her was futile.
Yelan sighed and left.
But Ningguang already had her answer.
If Aerin merely wished to correct Liyue's obsession with human rule, the light screen had already done that.
Teyvat was filled with unknowns far beyond human comprehension.
Without guidance, humanity would inevitably march toward destruction.
Liyue would never again blindly cling to the illusion of self-rule.
Her worry lay elsewhere.
"The correction isn't the problem," Ningguang whispered.
"It's the test he chooses to use."
The Battlefield — Total Collapse
The war was completely one-sided.
Azhdaha shattered the newly formed sealing array with ease.
The violent lightning backlash severely injured Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver.
Despair spread across Liyue's lines.
Ningguang had no choice.
She ordered the evacuation of Liyue Harbor.
High above, Morax was frantic.
If Azhdaha continued advancing, countless civilians would die.
Evacuation speed meant nothing before the Dragon King's stride.
"…My lord," Morax pleaded.
"They understand now. Truly."
"They won't speak of human rule again."
"I will never speak of abdication again."
He could hear them.
The people of Liyue crying out his name.
Every scream pierced his heart.
Aerin pointed toward the city.
"Look."
Morax froze.
Within Liyue Harbor—
Treasure Hoarders had begun looting.
Civilians followed suit in the chaos.
Only a handful of young Vision bearers remained to hold the line.
Hu Tao. Xiangling. Chongyun.
Under Yelan's command, they struggled to maintain order.
"Protect the children and the elderly first!"
Yelan shouted, shaking with rage.
Her greatest fear had come true.
Disaster stripped away restraint.
The wealthy plotted escape.
Some hired thugs to clear paths—trampling the weak in the process.
"HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?!"
Xiangling yelled after subduing a looter.
"Everything you have came from Rex Lapis' guidance!"
Xingqiu shouted.
"Have you forgotten his teachings?!"
A voice screamed back:
"He's dead! Saying that changes nothing!"
"Without him, Liyue is finished! You want to die here—fine!"
Order collapsed.
Keqing returned from the front, panting.
She shouted. Pleaded. Commanded.
No one listened.
The authority of the Qixing meant nothing anymore.
High above—
Aerin looked down coldly.
"I understand now."
"I'll proceed."
"As for Azhdaha…"
"He left behind a fragment of memory when you sealed him—
a safeguard against madness."
"That fragment exists to guide you back to reseal him."
Morax understood.
Azhdaha had served his purpose.
Two god-level calamities—Osial and Azhdaha—
Had proven humanity's fragility.
And more importantly—
They had dragged humanity's hidden malice into the open.
Without a god, their unity shattered instantly.
Judgment Descends
A blinding light fell from the sky.
It enveloped all of Liyue Harbor.
Everyone froze.
The clouds parted.
A colossal sword of pure energy hovered above the city.
"A… sword…"
Blood dripped from Xianyun's lips as she stared upward.
Even Azhdaha halted.
Fear crept into his voice.
"Morax…?"
"No. This isn't him."
Liyue fell silent.
Keqing collapsed, staring at the light.
Is this the end?
Shenhe whispered in shock,
"This strike would erase all of us…"
Xianyun steadied herself.
"Do not fear. He targets only those who committed atrocities."
"The innocent will not be harmed."
Still—
Keqing covered her eyes.
She had openly challenged divine rule.
And human rule had failed in moments.
What fate awaited her?
Morax, closest to the blade, felt its terror most clearly.
A mere trace of sword intent could cleave mountains.
"To control power like this… with precision…"
His heart broke.
Then—
Aerin stopped.
The world held its breath.
[Furina]: "Why did he stop?"
[Diluc]: "He sensed something."
[Traveler]: "Please don't say it's the Abyss…"
[Nilou]: "It has to be Bella…"
The name sent chills through everyone.
Bella.
Keqing's vision darkened.
Please—no—
[Bella has heard your prayer.]
Keqing screamed once—
Then fainted.
A New Target
"My lord?"
Bennares stepped forward.
"No disturbance detected."
Aerin sneered.
"Someone is attacking Irminsul."
He closed his eyes, then smiled.
"As expected."
"Bella."
"No need to act," Aerin said calmly.
"She can't break my safeguards."
"She's preparing in Sumeru."
Aerin looked down at Liyue, then laughed softly.
"One Archon more absurd than the next."
Morax forced a smile.
"Please… guide us."
"Go deal with Azhdaha," Aerin said.
"I'll handle the rest."
He raised his hand.
A white figure appeared.
A small girl—white hair, white dress, shackles on her ankles.
"…Huh?"
Nahida blinked in confusion.
"Why… am I here?"
Aerin smiled faintly.
"Perfect timing."
"It's time someone educates you properly."
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