"Although this isn't something I'm supposed to discuss with ordinary people, I feel something familiar from you that tells me it wouldn't actually matter."
"…"
"Unfortunately, my friend, I have a contractual obligation which forbids me from giving this away." He closed his hand and the Gnosis was gone again. "You were but one day too late."
"Sigh… So she got here first… Are you not afraid of what the Tsaritsa is planning to do if she gathers all the Gnoses?" Sai decided to get a bit aggressive.
"You even know about that… You are making me deeply ponder your identity…" Zhongli looked at Sai as if he was searching for treasure. He continued:
"Hmm… I only regret not doing it myself when I had the chance…" His semblance darkened as he was reminded of a painful past.
Sai was hoping that he got to Zhongli before Signora did, and that he could somehow convince the god to give him the unwanted Gnosis. That plan seemed to just go down the drain, and there was little he could do about it.
"Is there really no way?"
"I'm bound by the contract, I'm afraid."
"…"
"But since you were a respectful listener, I can give you a suggestion."
"?"
Zhongli sipped on his tea again.
"It seems to me that you have no hopes of ever obtaining a Vision, so the only alternative you could think of is a Gnosis. Am I correct?"
"…Yes."
"I don't know if you would be willing to pay the price, but there is at least one more thing that could grant elemental power to someone."
"What is it?"
"A Delusion."
"Delusion?" A frown appeared on Sai's face. He had not heard good things about them.
"It is even more powerful than a Vision, and can grant bottomless power to those who can wield it."
"What is the drawback?" Sai got to the point.
"There is indeed a cost… I'm not too sure on the details myself, since I don't know how exactly they are made, but… I heard that once your wish is granted, the Delusion will take back everything it gave you."
"…"
"*Sip*"
"How can I get one?"
"I only know that the Harbingers each possess one. As for any others, I don't know."
"Sigh… Alright, thank you, Mr. Zhongli. I hope I haven't offended you in any way, though I know my request was preposterous."
"Not a problem. It has also been interesting to me, though I now possess more questions than answers. Are you going to leave already?"
Sai pondered about what to do next. Chen would probably only get back at nightfall, so he had many hours until then. On the other hand, hunger started afflicting him.
"Mr. Zhongli, due to some reasons, I've come here without a single Mora to my name. I'm penniless right now, and by a stroke of luck managed to find a place to sleep for a while. What I want to say is… Can you lend me some Mora so I can have lunch? I can promise to answer truthfully any one question you might have. Sorry if I can't offer more than that…"
Though he felt embarrassed to ask that, it would be worth it if he could get rid of his hunger.
"Hmmm… I would like to help you, but I do not have a single Mora on my name either… But I can go have lunch with you and put the bill on the parlor's tab. I wonder if that works for you?"
Sai's eyes shone as he answered:
"That's perfect! Thank you!"
…
"You remind me of a friend I made just recently. Have you heard of the Traveler?"
Zhongli and Sai now were at a restaurant the latter had never heard of. It was fairly luxurious, more so than any Sai had been on in this world. They did not have a problem entering it, since Sai didn't look like a beggar anymore and Zhongli was a 'famous' figure there.
'As expected of the real thing… there are probably dozens of restaurants just like this around the city.'
Hearing the question, Sai lowered his eyes in thought.
"Yeah… It can be said that I know him quite well."
"Hm? Could it be that you are an old friend of his?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that. It's complicated, but he doesn't know me."
"Is that so?"
Not too long after they settled on a seat, a waitress appeared to take their orders.
"Sai, may I call you that? Sai, do you drink?"
"Sai is just fine. And… yeah, I do." He doesn't.
"Good. Do you have any preferences?"
"Not really… Oh, wait!" He recalled Zhongli's most famous voice line and continued: "I have heard that Osmanthus wine is a great delicacy but never tried it myself. I wonder if they have it here?"
"Osmanthus wine… I don't think that's a good option at the moment."
"Oh…"
"Hmm… since it's your first time trying it, let's go with it anyways. Young lady, please bring us the one-course meals and two bottles of Osmanthus wine."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry, did I ask for something inappropriate?" Sai regretted asking for the wine.
"Osmanthus wine is usually connected with reunions and specific social gatherings. It is not something drank frequently outside those cases, and that's why I mentioned it wasn't a good option. But don't worry, it has a charming flavour so you won't regret drinking it."
"I see. Thanks for telling me."
"…" Zhongli nodded.
"…"
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, the god addressed Sai once more:
"Now, I think it's time for that one question you promised."
"Uh… I thought you had forgotten about that already."
"A contract must be followed no matter what."
"Right, almost forgot you were the God of— Ahem. Anyways, do you already know what you want to ask me?"
"Hmm… yes…"