Time returns to the present.
Lin En explained to Aikefei how his ability differed from a Vision.
She clicked her tongue in amazement.
"So… in other words, you now wield authority comparable to the Pyro Archon's? Does that mean you've basically become another Pyro Archon?"
"…Uh."
Lin En paused.
That wasn't how he had framed it.
Her interpretation was… slightly off.
But after thinking about it—
In a certain sense, she wasn't entirely wrong.
Everyone knew that in Natlan, every Pyro Archon had been human.
Succession occurred through combat in the Sacred Flame Arena—the strongest inherited the throne and obtained the portion of Pyro authority belonging to the divine seat.
Lin En was human.
He now wielded half of the Pyro Elemental Authority.
Round it up a little—
Couldn't he count as another Pyro Archon?
He chuckled.
"Then Mualani and the others would be thrilled."
Aikefei laughed too.
In any other nation, the idea that an Archon's authority was no longer unique would spark anxiety.
Only in Natlan would the reaction differ.
They had fought the Abyss for centuries.
If anything, the people of Natlan wished for more power, not less.
Preferably enough to steamroll the Abyss outright.
"What? You're worried about instability because divine authority isn't unique?"
That's tomorrow's problem.
But as he smiled, Lin En's gaze drifted toward Natlan—
And something dim flickered in his eyes.
Regret.
Reluctance.
…Shame I can't go back yet.
He would never forget the real reason he left Natlan.
"Collecting enough phlogiston" had merely been the surface excuse.
For all its isolation, Natlan was still one of the Seven Nations.
In the past year, Lin En had built solid connections there.
Acquiring Primordial Seawater through Natlan's channels wouldn't have been impossible.
It would've taken time—
But it could be done.
The problem was—
He had risen too well.
And the Abyss had noticed.
Thinking back on the past year, Lin En's expression grew distant.
He hadn't planned to go to Natlan.
Enjoying it in a game was one thing.
Actually transmigrating into a country where Abyssal gates could spawn at any time?
Not exactly appealing.
But fate had other plans.
Shipwreck.
Rescue.
He couldn't exactly resent the Flower-Feather Clan for saving him.
That wasn't his character.
Lin En believed in clear gratitude and resentment.
Even if the World Seed's resistance to rejection had brought him misfortune—
That didn't make rescue something he was owed.
Especially when they treated him sincerely.
They healed him without demanding repayment.
Only saying they wished to form good ties.
What was he supposed to do?
If he had landed in Mondstadt or Liyue, he would've found a way to reach the higher-ups and tell them stories.
The "stories" in his head.
Even in Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine—or even Nod-Krai—
He could have selectively revealed certain information.
Not to profit from it.
Just this:
If you treat me sincerely, I hope you fare better.
As for me?
I have a cheat.
Being down is temporary.
I don't need to build my future on leaked secrets.
But Natlan was different.
The Abyss had even infiltrated the Night Kingdom—the resting place of souls.
Its information-gathering was relentless.
If he spoke—
The worst-case scenario?
The Abyss might learn of it immediately.
And if that prematurely triggered the final war?
Natlan currently lacks Dumeni.
The Six Heroes weren't assembled.
What would they fight with?
Foreknowledge meant nothing if you couldn't win.
So in Natlan—
Even knowing the "plot" was useless.
Strength mattered.
Thus Lin En focused on industry.
On logistics.
On alleviating the material shortages caused by endless war.
Improving livelihoods.
With a bit of foresight, making money wasn't hard.
Coupled with his unusual qualities, he soon attracted attention from Natlan's leadership.
Because everything began with goodwill—
He responded with goodwill.
And the high-level figures who approached him did so in kind.
Back and forth—
His ventures grew.
So did his importance.
His standing in Natlan rose.
That was how he met Mualani and the others.
His bond with Aikefei was also connected to that chapter of his life.
And then—
It stopped.
The Abyss targeted him.
They seized an opportunity to deploy a large number of Abyssal monsters near him, intending to eliminate him.
It wasn't surprising.
War runs on logistics.
Lin En may have appeared to simply be improving livelihoods—
But in reality, he had strengthened Natlan's war effort considerably.
If not him—
Then who?
He didn't even suspect his bad-luck trait had exposed him.
He had been building for nearly a year.
Even discounting the early small-scale phase—
It had taken the Abyss almost half a year to act.
If anything, they'd been slow.
But it reminded him of something important.
It was time to leave.
Not because he feared death.
He trusted Natlan would protect him.
Mavuika had even granted him a residence early on—
Near the Speaker's Hall.
Right beside her own quarters.
Security couldn't have been higher.
Liyue Harbor might be safer overall—
But what about the journey?
Teyvat had its realities.
No—
He left because he didn't want Natlan's people to sacrifice more for him.
Perhaps that, too, was a form of arrogance born of foresight.
He believed he could walk away.
Grow stronger.
Return later.
And repay everything—
On his own terms.