Boom!!!
With a tremendous crash, a massive shadow descended from the sky, slamming into the stone table below.
Ningguang, staring in disbelief at the lifeless dragon corpse on the ground, quickly approached the dragon's head to confirm the situation. Clenching her fist slightly, she turned around and solemnly shouted, "The Emperor has been slain! Seal the area!"
As Ningguang's voice echoed, the discussions in the square surged to an intense level. Numerous Millelith soldiers rushed in from all sides, sealing off the entire Rite of Parting ceremony.
"Impossible!!!"
Keqing's eyes were fixed on the massive dragon corpse at the center of the square, and she shook her head repeatedly in denial.
"Impossible! Impossible!"
"How could such a powerful Emperor have been slain?!"
Holding her mouth in disbelief, Keqing staggered back, her voice filled with confusion and sorrow.
"Keqing! Calm down!"
Lumine embraced Keqing, who was on the verge of collapse, and comforted her softly, "Don't worry, don't worry."
"Think about it, the Geo Archon is such a powerful deity. Even Archon Astaroth, the strongest of the gods, couldn't defeat him."
"How could he be slain?"
Holding tightly onto Lumine, Keqing closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Slowly exhaling, she opened her eyes to meet Lumine and Klee's worried gazes and forced a smile.
"I'm fine now. Sorry to make you worry."
With thunder flashing in her eyes, Keqing swept her gaze across the entire area, sternly declaring, "Right now, the most important thing is to confirm the Emperor's status and to identify any suspicious individuals present."
She looked towards the lifeless dragon corpse at the center of the square, mumbling softly, "Emperor..."
Keqing waved her hand and opened the chat group, a blue panel appearing before her. Ignoring the rapidly scrolling messages, she quickly navigated to the member list.
Her finger moved swiftly up and down the list, but her body began to tremble as no matter how much she searched, she couldn't find the Geo Archon's ID.
Suddenly, Keqing's trembling stopped, her finger froze as she came across a certain message.
riku: Why???
riku: How could the Geo Archon die? Why is this happening? He defeated the strongest god, didn't he?!
Kazuma Satou: No idea, I'm just as confused.
Aqua: So scary... This world is too scary!
Aqua: Waaaah, I'm never coming to Teyvat again!
Aqua: How could such a powerful Archon just die like that?!
Luo Xiaohei: @Hiroshi, Hiroshi, you're at the scene. Did you notice anything?
Keqing: @Zhongli, who are you?!
Keqing: Why are you in the chat group?!
Keqing: Are you the Emperor?!
Luo Xiaohei: ??? Zhongli, is he in the group?
Kazuma Satou: I don't remember him being here, and it's not time for new members to join either.
Vanir: Oh ho ho, this is interesting.
Vanir: Seems like there's more to this than we know.
Hiroshi: Zhongli, care to say a few words?
Kuroneko: Hiroshi, this is the "exciting" Rite of Parting you mentioned?
Kuroneko: Did you know something like this would happen?
Keqing: ???
Keqing: Hiroshi, quickly tell me what's going on!
Hiroshi: @Zhongli, old man, it's better if you explain it yourself...
Zhongli: Liyue has reached the time to part ways with the gods.
Zhongli: Therefore, the Geo Archon, Morax, has chosen to leave.
Keqing: Emperor? So you really are the Emperor!
Keqing: Emperor, what do you mean?!
Venti: Heh heh! That name really fits Morax's style.
Venti: It suits you, old man Zhongli.
Venti: Heh, Zhong and Li.
Zhongli: Haven't I gone too long without inviting you for drinks?
Venti: Ah!!!
Venti: Looks like I should get on stage for my performance. Gotta go, gotta go.
Zhongli: Keqing, there's no need to be too surprised.
Zhongli: Just as you once said, the Geo Archon has protected Liyue for millennia, but can he continue to guard Liyue for another millennium, or even longer?
Zhongli: Three thousand years ago, the War of Gods and Demons began, deities and demons alike rose up, and though I had no intention to fight for power, I was aware of the suffering of mortals.
Zhongli: All I wished for was to bring peace to the lands, to protect one corner of the world.
Zhongli: This was the original contract with Liyue. But now, the people I once protected have grown.
Zhongli: So, it's time to let go.
Keqing: Emperor...
Zhongli: From now on, call me Zhongli.
Zhongli: I've seen your potential for a long time, Keqing. You're different from most of Liyue's people.
Zhongli: Facing the gods, you neither blindly believe nor follow. You always keep an independent mind, asking questions boldly and pursuing answers tirelessly.
Zhongli: That is the correct attitude. After all, who can guarantee that gods don't make mistakes?
Zhongli: Keqing, keep up your resolve and pass the upcoming trial.
Zhongli: When the time comes, you'll be able to fulfill your dream of leaving your mark in this land that has walked alongside the gods for millennia.
Venti: Heh, in short, Morax sees his people have grown up and plans to retire.
Kamijou Touma: That sounds about right.
Kazuma Satou: True, considering Zhongli has worked for a thousand years straight, it's about time he retired.
Hiroshi: Understandable.
Megumin: =-=
Aqua: Kazuma! I want to rest too, I want to retire!
[Ding, member Aqua has been muted by admin Kazuma Satou for 24 hours]
Keqing: Is the Emperor really leaving...?
Zhongli: Pass the upcoming trial, and I will leave in peace, becoming Zhongli, a free wanderer in this mortal world.
Keqing: A trial?
Zhongli: Yes, go ahead. I believe in Liyue's people, so let me leave without worries.
Keqing: Yes, Emperor!
In the real world, Keqing looked up at Zhongli, who was smiling at her, and straightened her posture.
She strode forward, passing by Zhongli, and stepped onto the central platform.
"Silence! The Emperor has been slain. Millelith soldiers, investigate any suspicious individuals immediately. Guests, please remain calm; we will not wrongly accuse any innocent person!"
Turning to Ningguang, Keqing quickly said, "This incident has significant implications. The aura of the Emperor's demise must have been sensed by the adepti. We must send envoys to explain the situation to them at once, to prevent any sudden attacks on Liyue Harbor."
"Indeed."
Ningguang gently placed her hand on her chest, gradually calming her emotions.
She glanced at the enormous dragon corpse, still struggling to accept the truth. But as the news of the Emperor's death would inevitably bring chaos to Liyue, there was much she needed to handle.
Taking a deep breath, Ningguang looked at Keqing and said, "First, let's hide the Emperor's remains. Recently, the Fatui from Snezhnaya have been active in Liyue, and even one of their Harbingers is here. They surely won't let this opportunity slip by, so we have our work cut out for us."
"The adepti likely won't trust the Liyue Qixing now. Do you have a candidate to send as an envoy to them?"
"Of course. There's no time to waste; I will ask them right away!"
Keqing walked directly up to Hiroshi, looking at him seriously. "Hiroshi, you've heard everything. Can I trouble you with this task?"
"Huh???"
Pointing at himself in confusion, Hiroshi stared at Keqing with a bewildered expression. "Why not Lumine?"
"Because Lumine needs to help me handle official documents next."
"Lumine has been handling documents with me for the past two days. She's now familiar enough to assist me, so I can only rely on you."
Scratching his head, Hiroshi turned to look at Lumine, who was completely stunned, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Alright then, I'll take care of it."
Turning to Kuroneko, Hiroshi said softly, "Then I'll leave Noelle and the others in your care, Kuroneko."
"Mm."
Holding Hiroshi's hand, Kuroneko nodded gently.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. You take care too, Hiroshi."
"Got it."
Hiroshi patted Klee and Qiqi on their little heads, smiling. "How about you two come along with me for this mission?"
"Really?! Can Klee come?!"
Klee hugged Hiroshi excitedly. "Yay! It's an adventure!"
"Mm... Qiqi will... do her best."
Gently taking Hiroshi's hand, Qiqi said seriously.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you both."
With a nod to Kuroneko and Keqing, Hiroshi took Klee and Qiqi, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing.