Decarabian's downfall had been inevitable, brought about by the people's desire for freedom, shattering the mighty Fierce Wind in their pursuit. Of course, historians painted this story in simple, palatable terms, a comforting fairy tale to soothe ignorance. But the truth? The King of the Tower was overthrown only after brutal warfare, with freedom as the sole creed, even as the leaders of that rebellion paid with their lives.
And Decarabian, even as a fallen god, was proud.
It was precisely because of his pride that Gu Sanqiu was willing to bet that this god wouldn't just casually turn on his own convictions, making a decision he would loathe.
Moreover, it wasn't like he'd asked anything bizarre, such as the color of Decarabian's undergarments. As far as he saw it, he'd asked a question entirely within the bounds of Decarabian's rules.
Had he done anything wrong?
Not in the slightest!
For a Teyvat native, the idea of an eternal god, one who would merely return to the elemental cycle if "killed," was just common knowledge. But for Gu Sanqiu, a visitor from another world?
An undying god?
He didn't buy it. Not unless he could test it for himself.
High EQ: Pursuing practical, innovative inquiry—an ambitious leap toward Teyvat's new era and its uncharted challenges.
Low EQ: Peak self-destructive behavior.
"Hahaha!"
Decarabian laughed heartily, the mighty winds he summoned blowing everyone back several paces. Behind him, the wild gales formed a towering pillar that seemed to reach the sky.
"A classic 'laughter of grand statements,' huh? But I suppose it's worth a laugh," Gu Sanqiu thought, eager to hear what Decarabian might say next. Perhaps the Fierce Wind would have something unique to reveal?
If he'd tried a question like this in Liyue, he'd be lucky if Rex Lapis didn't appear the next day to personally "escort" him to a lifetime of house arrest in Liyue Harbor. But this situation was different—this god had crafted the perfect setting for exactly this kind of inquiry.
An unmissable opportunity!
"A curious question indeed," Decarabian replied with another laugh, his tone deeply entertained. "You're quite the amusing one!"
"All right, this tactic of doubling down on each line, expressing one's heart—only students use that in essays these days," Gu Sanqiu said, smiling. "Shall we get to the point?"
"Fine, fine. Straight to it, then. So you want to know how to truly kill a god—and leave them completely, utterly destroyed?" Decarabian laughed again. "Most people have only dreamt of overthrowing the rule of the gods, but actually killing one? Ha!"
"Very well! I'll tell you all I know!"
Decarabian raised a single finger.
"The first method: Sealing, like the one used by the guardian of Liyue. With an overwhelming force, one buries the god under layers of strength. Essentially, you half-kill them and sever their access to any source of power. Over endless years, they gradually weaken, until even they fall to the level of mortals."
"The second? Pure strength—destroy them completely. Reduce them to broken fragments of awareness, able to cling only to a few objects, barely alive."
"In that state, it may as well be death."
"The third method is one of willpower. Shatter a god's purpose and dreams with an opposing resolve—"
He chuckled darkly, "—just as I am now."
"The fourth way: Destroy the leylines. End the elemental cycle itself, reducing everything to dust, even including yourself."
Hah.
Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. After all, a certain boss' dear friend was currently dwelling in the leylines; this idea was ridiculous! An idea so close to self-destruction had virtually no reliability.
"That's not really killing, is it? At best, it's suppression," Gu Sanqiu grumbled. "I'm asking how to truly destroy them."
"Oh? And who told you combining these methods couldn't completely finish them off?" Decarabian sneered. "Didn't I just say I'd tell you all that I know? Nowhere did I promise I'd tell you how to kill a god."
"In this world, perhaps only time can truly harm gods."
"Time dulls everything, it changes everything, and even a god cannot escape it," he admitted, his tone revealing a rare flicker of fear. "Time itself—and whatever lies hidden behind it."
"If you could master time…well, not even Liyue's Martial God could do anything but bow to you."
Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell on Gu Sanqiu.
This guy wasn't even from Mondstadt—he was from Liyue, and personally appointed to his position by Rex Lapis!
Is this god giving Gu Sanqiu a step-by-step guide to treason?
"Mastering time? I'd say that's a bit optimistic," Gu Sanqiu replied dryly. "So…my question was pointless?"
"Whether my answer holds meaning is not for me to decide. That lies entirely with the one who hears it."
Decarabian's tone held a touch of amusement. Now, every eye in the room was trained on Gu Sanqiu—even more than when Tartaglia had asked his question.
At most, that Harbinger was just a battle-hungry madman with some future potential, but Gu Sanqiu's desire to truly kill a god? That was madness of an entirely different level.
"All right. My answer's given, so let's continue."
Decarabian's tone grew distant again. "Whether my response brings you anything useful…is no longer my concern."
The remaining questions turned somewhat mundane. After all, Kaeya, Diluc, and Jean had already asked what Mondstadt's citizens wanted to know most, and no one suggested anything specific to the others.
Bennett, in his turn, asked about his bad luck, only to have Decarabian cryptically tell him that it was a matter for self-discovery. Revealing too much could, in fact, seal his fate.
Albedo asked about what "perfection" meant to a being at a godly level, only to receive a deep, thoughtful look in response, with no direct answer. After all, gods, by nature, were themselves far from perfect.
As for Klee…this curious little one asked when she'd grow up—and if Decarabian had any high-grade explosive formulas he could share.
In truth, some of the following questions became so bizarre that Gu Sanqiu felt like he'd been transported to a market back in Liyue Harbor, with a few neighborhood charlatans attempting to sell curious concoctions to middle-aged shoppers.
In this case, though, the "charlatan" was Decarabian.
The difference, of course, was that anything he chose to reveal—no matter how strange—would undoubtedly be true.
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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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