As we entered the subspace, four of us were greeted by arrows shot from guards overlooking the entrance. Kor'vas instantly sprung into action, deflecting all projectiles coming our way. At the same time, multiple Wardens moved from my shadow toward the attackers, unleashing carnage with their umbra crescents. In a few short moments, all enemies were eliminated, while only those who had any value were left alive.
-"I'm always impressed by your people, Yue."-Athena commented as we entered the enemy camp.
~"Leave the trivial tasks to them. I'll deal with what remains of the magic circle here and some physical clues. You two check for any traces of divinity and try to identify them."
-"Sure, leave that to us."-Artemis assured me and started to look around.
I walked to the middle of the camp and, by waving my hand to blow the sand from the ground, uncovered the Runes carved on the floor. It was easy to recognize them, as their hard corners and simple layout made them easy to engrave, which was a dead giveaway of their Dwarven origin.
Not to be dismissive of those Runes, as their simplicity had advantages that the complexity of Elven Runes couldn't possess, but with every upside, there is a tradeoff. While Dwarven Runes were easier to learn and use, they were also not subtle, so my job to restore them and trace their engraver will be much easier.
For Runes to behave differently from normal inscriptions, one had to imbue them with meaning, energy, and intent. In Runecraft, the meaning of the rune is represented by the engraved shape or letter, while the intent is given by the engraver. That's why master Runesmith can create the exact same inscription as a novice, but their effects will differ by a great amount.
Lastly, the energy is rather self-explanatory. Depending on what energy runes are used, they will have differing properties. This is also the most important element for me, as the only energy that is used in Runcrafting in this world is magical energy, which can be identified and traced to a person.
By finding Runeshith, I will be able to form a solid connection between this place and some party, giving us the first avenue for a breakthrough in our game of cat and mice.
I also swept the whole subspace with my perception, looking for any item that might give us some leads. Sadly, aside from some correspondence and illegal materials, there was nothing worth noticing here. That left only the last thing to do: interrogate the captures.
Approaching a man who appeared to be the leader of the people hidden here, I nodded to the Warden guarding him. Understanding my command, they removed the gag from the kneeling captive.
-"Bah."-The man spit some blood after coughing a few times.
~"Are you willing to talk?"
-"Hah. Go to hell!"
~"Good, that makes it easier."
I raised my hand slightly, elevating the man into the air. Runes on my [Wyrd] started to shimmer as I began looking through the Karma of the captive. Instantly, I witnessed countless acts of barbarism that the man committed, from murder and rape to robbery and betrayal. One could understand what means he used to climb to this position. Ignoring those, I focused on what mattered to me and found a couple of names that were worth looking into. Finishing my divination, I ordered a nearby Warden to keep him alive.
After a little over fifteen minutes, everything that I needed to do here was completed, so I looked at Artemis and Athena, who were talking about what they found. Walking up to them, I joined their discussion.
~"Anything worth pursuing?"
-"Yes, aside from obvious traces left by Ares, I found some that belong to Surtr, one of the leaders of Ragnarök."
~"Then we can finally move forward with our plans."
-"Would you mind taking me to Loki? I want to work with her on the further plans."
~"Sure, I'll open a portal for you when you are ready. What about you, Artemis?"
-"I'll go back to Hold."
~"Then we have settled what had to be done by us. The rest can be left to Elves and Marshal Hua."
-"It's up to you."
~"Then let's go back."
After we returned from the subspace, everyone went their way, with me dissipating that avatar and focusing on matters elsewhere.
In Hold, most of my attention was focused on the coffer that was now open on my desk. There was no trap hidden nor some mechanism to open it safely, just simply unhooking the latch and revealing three items held inside.
The first thing inside was also something I was expecting: a letter. Tsaritsa penned it herself. In it, after some pleasantries, she expressed her sincere wish for cooperation. To prove that, she sends me two things.
The Delusion, a man-made version of the Vision that Fatui possesses. It's an interesting piece of alchemy, but nothing I haven't seen already. The second item was something much more important. Gnosis. Cryo Gnosis, to be exact.
This counterintuitive gift served a rather simple and direct purpose. If I don't agree with her idea, I can keep it so that she can't go forward with her plans. This was her sincerity to find a common ground with me. As this wasn't a pressing matter, I decided to observe everything longer before making any decisions.
-"Master Yue."-A sudden call brought me out of my thoughts.
~"What the matter, Nilou?"
-"Lady Tingyun sent back a report from the First Mortal World."-She passed me a binder containing documents detailing that world's economy.
~"I see that Yukong, Ji Xuanyuan, and Tingyun have done some solid work there. What ought to take five or so years was achieved by them in months. Now, we only need to ascertain some more control over the governments and gain the hearts of people, and our plan of integrating Mortal Worlds will be halfway done there."
-"Because of that, Lady Ningguang asked me also to pass a message to hurry up with other Motral Worlds."
~"Soon, I'll go with Elysia and the rest of Flame Chasers to take care of Second Mortal World. I also made a final decision on the Third Mortal World. Makoto asked me to bring people from Inazuma there, and as I already agreed, that concludes plans for that Mortal World."
-"I'll notify Lady Ninggaung about that."
~"Fourth and Fifth Motal Worlds are still up to debate, but the general idea is to take those interested from Nobu's world for some adventure for one of those."
-"Are there any instructions I should convey to Lady Ningguang on this matter?"
~"Just ask her about some detailed needs that I should keep in mind when locating the worlds."
-"As Master wishes, please excuse me."-After bowing to me, Nilou left to deliver my answer while I returned to the papers that were continuously stacking on my desk.
-"It's a pity that you won't let us entertain you any longer, Yue."-Jean spoke as we stood at the gate of Mondstadt.
~"Not only I, but also my friends can't allow ourselves to spend more time here, but I welcome you to visit Hold at some time."
-"I'll do so for sure, but sadly, matters of the Mondstadt can't be delayed."
~"Just think of going to Hold as a vacation. Don't get too overworked."~I suggested seeing her exhausted look.
-"That's a great idea. I think I'll do just that."-Jean smiled after considering my suggestion.-"Have a safe journey back."
~"Thank you, stay safe."
After bidding our farewells, our Chat Group began the journey back to Liyue Harbor. Along the way, we once again took every occasion to fight with monsters that appeared so that everyone could gain some more insight into Elemental Energy. By the time we entered the Harbor, everyone could faintly feel the Elemental Energy on their own. This should be enough to allow them some control of Elemental Energy, even in their home worlds.
-"Sigh."
~"Why are you sighing so much, Elysia?"~I asked after hearing her sigh for the tenth time in the last hour or so.
-"I'm just sad that our travels have come to an end."
~"There is still a Muse concert we are invited to and a trip to Rias' world sometime later."
-"I know, but it's still more than halfway done."
~"You can always talk with them."~I comforted her.
-"It's not the same..."
-"Sister Elysia, would you like to play with us?"-Aletia asked after she walked to us.
-"Sure! Let's go!"-Elysia instantly bounced out of her 'depression' and grabbed Aletia's hand, dragging her to the rest.
Looking at her, I marveled at the speed of changing faces. After shaking my head and clearing my thoughts, I walked to where Stephen, Sora, Accelerator, and Korosensei were drinking.
-"Oh? Yue, come sit with us."-Korosensei spoke as he grabbed a nearby chair and brought it here in a split second.
~"Sure."
-"Want a drink?"-Sora asked after downing his glass.
~"Alcohol won't work on me, so no, thank you."
-"Pity."
-"True, that is quite a shame."-Accelerator agreed with Sora.
~"From what I remember, you were never drinkers. How come you sound like seasoned alcoholics now?"
-"As I was a doctor once, I know how harmful alcohol can be, but thanks to Cultivation, I can be drunk when I want and sober when I need."-Stephen answered my question with a simile.
-"Yes, after getting to know everyone here, I have come to appreciate some good liquor."-Sora added.
-"I always like some cold beer."-Ignored octopus cut in.
-"It's Tsunade fault."-Accelerator was the only one who didn't take any blame."
~"Well, I understand you. Do you want to try some of my drinks?"
-"Didn't you say that you don't drink?"-Sora asked, not understanding my question.
~"I don't drink alcohol, but there are countless other things that can get you drunk. Though those also don't work on me, they are at least much more in line with my taste."
-"Why not? Let us try."-Stephen answered for everyone else at the table.
I nodded and took out three different drinks. One was the liquor that Ling loved almost more than her life, one was ceremonial Elven wine brewed in honor of Elune, and the last was sake given to me by Shen Meng. Each of those drinks had different properties and flavors, but what connected them all was the ability to intoxicate one's spirit and Soul.
~"I would bring out some more, but you can't enjoy them now."
-"Why?"-Korosensei asked while pouring everyone some of Ling's liquor.
~"I brewed some special sake and wine using fruits from [Yggdrasil]. The trouble is that even gods will get drunk after one sip of those. For those of weaker Soul, you can imagine..."
-"I'm even more interested now."
~"I'll give you some when you can digest it in the future."
Five of us drank together for the rest of the night. Or rather, I drank with four of them until the last of them was lying on the table, after which Elysia dragged me to play some games with the girls. Everything was fine up to the point when Elysia convinced the rest of the girls to play truth or dare.
As all the remaining boys were out cold, and even the youngest of the girls present was tipsy, the game quickly turned into sharing shameful secrets and pushing boundaries as far as they could. I decided to call it quits when Tsunade dared Umi to kiss me, and after noticing serious contemplation behind the shy look of the young girl, I had to put my foot down.
So, by the end of this party, I not only was robbed of my Veli and my outer shirt, but all but a few shy girls left their lipsticks somewhere on me. Remembering my poor history with alcohol, I shook my head at the thought that even immunity to it couldn't help me with that. Well, it's not that I lost something, and despite some more inviting gestures, I decided to preserve what was left of purity in our relationship and just send girls to their rooms before finding a place with a great view of the Harbor to spend what was left before morning.
As the new day started in Hold and Teyvat, I encountered something unexpected in Chaos. I was traveling toward the Mortal World I had chosen to visit with Flame Chasers, and in the middle of the way, I felt a disturbance in the surrounding Laws.
Looking more into my discovery, I found two beings fighting just outside some world nearby. One of them was an abhorrent Outer God with a twisted look that words couldn't describe. Just by the nature of it being close, people would fall into insanity as the Laws around started to disintegrate back into Chaos.
The other being appeared humanoid, but after looking at it, I found out it was a slime. After marveling at the height such a seemingly weak monster could climb to, I stepped it to help prevent the Outer God from destroying the world they were fighting near.
I teleported into the fray, and despite space Laws not being stable in Chaos, I forcefully solidified it by manifesting Asgard and bringing both combatants into it. The moment the [Space] was under my control, I used Al'maiesh to restrict the Outer God.
It instantly began to fight back, trying to overwhelm me and shatter the Asgard that I manifested. While it was unsuccessful in affecting Asgard, resisting the sealing power of Al'maiesh proved no problem to the Outer God.
At this time, the slime stepped in, engaging the Outer God in combat once again. Sadly, while its power was impressive, the slime was still some distance from Transcendent being, such as an Outer God, and so dealing any real damage to it was beyond its current capabilities.
I also started to mobilize my other powers to deal some damage to the monstrosity, though most of my powers were not exactly the best tools to combat Outer Gods. Any physical methods won't work against a Transcendent being, and the chaotic nature of Outer Gods made it immune to any Divinations and, by proxy, Soul attacks targeting their Karma, Destiny, or Fate.
Only a direct method of striking Soul would work on it, but then, the difference in strengths between me and it was not big enough to deal any real damage this way. Regretting that I was lacking in the avenue of spirit and will, I tried some other means but achieved similarly pitiful results.
If the battle were to continue as it is now, we would emerge victorious, but the time required to do so will need to be measured in millennia. Thinking of other approaches to the current predicament, I changed the strategy to a more creative and radical, but offering the possibility of finishing before the thermal death of some universe.