Caelus sat along with Makoto and the introduced Ei who had a personality resembling that of a block of wood. They listened intently as Caelus told them the story of his journey in the world of Lord of the Mysteries but also the story that Klein would have gone down.
The three listened as they went over their most favourite quotes and the lessons learnt.
Makoto sighed "I think that Mr Fool is right, there are always some things more important than others."
Saiguu remained silent, "While I think that his cause and thinking is admirable. I don't agree with his thinking. The very phrase, I wont lose much, just myself is stupid. A selfless idiot that fails to realise others need him."
Ei was a bit dull as she didn't participate much in the discussions. Yae listened intently at his stories as she marveled at the different snippets. Makoto sighed "So, in the end... Did he win?"
Caelus shook his head "He woke up. However, he will never win in the long run. It is impossible for him to win against the Tianzun."
Makoto nodded "I see, such a ending is also acceptable I suppose." Caelus sighed as he got up, "Welp, now I suppose it's right on schedule to grant your wishes."
Saiguu perked up "Oh and what can the great Merlin do?"
He grinned, "Anything~" Saiguu hummed for a bit before asking. "I've always wanted to wish upon a star." Saiguu looked up as Merlin pointed to the sky. Instantly a star in the sky disappeared and as if it was a miracle, it appeared in the hands of Merlin."
"You may wish upon this star."
Makoto without hesitation asked, "Let Inazuma be safe and come visit more."
Caelus nodded "Easy wish to grant. Inazuma is more peaceful to stay. I'll visit often."
Ei who couldn't express much answered from the bottom of her heart, "I don't know. Can I save my wish for later?" Caelus nodded "No worries, one single wish no matter what. Any time in the future." Yae sat in his lap as they continued to snack and drink.
"And for you little one? You did wish for tofu before, but what do you truly want?" Yae thought about it before shaking her head. "Tofu." Caelus chuckled, truly this little fox was nothing like the scheming Saiguu yet. "I'll allow you to make the wish when you grow up and are sure that your wish is to have tofu."
"Very well, I will take my leave then. See you some time in the future." Caelus tipped his hat as the door of the palace led to somewhere else as he slowly finished the rest of his journey. Perhaps it was more interesting to see Barbatos wish for alcohol. But, then again, he was the laziest god and a bad image, a drunkard.
Slowly along the years, Caelus reduced his presence as Merlin. Only tales of the wandering magician Merlin spread through Teyvat. While some stories may have been exaggerated, the facts remained rooted in reality.
Khaenri'ah was established and became a prosperous godless country. Inazuma bloomed into a beautiful country with all of it's residents in harmony. Liyue's Yaksha remained strong and moved back into the city without risk of karma. Snezhnaya also had a much easier time as even crops could be grown in the country of winter. Small villages in Sumeru were graced with may oases scattered throughout the deserts providing sustainable life.
Eventually all sightings of Merlin disappeared. They said that he disappeared among the sea of stars to travel. Of course, Merlin was gone but another identity was born. He had taken the years to cement his identity as Odysseus Drake, an adventurer with no destination hidden from him.
Even the highest mountains and most treacherous terrain was a peace of cake. The master of decryption and seals. No door would remain closed in front of him. All treasures were his for the taking.
Caelus sailed on his boat as he read the letters from his friends. Zhou had changed his identity to his old identity Klein, but as the last living relative of Dwayne Dantes. It seems Zhou was immersed in playing factory tycoon. Amanises had become the biggest info broker in all of Teyvat. However, tragedy struck.
The battle of Khaenri'ah had begun and the tragedy that struck Teyvat itself. Klein was going insane from the market prices while Amanises seemed to be grabbing each mora she could get. Caelus sighed as he continued to adventure while leaving messages occasionally on random stones in the wilderness.
Caelus sighed, it was time to give up the identity of Drake. He sent out his avatars to act as law enforcement.
The whole public watched in Liyue as Caelus smiled with the blade upon his neck.
"I put everything there! All the treasure and weapons I've ever found! It's all there! The ONE PIECE!"
"THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!"
Even as his head fell, the smile remained as the crowd went on an uproar. Meanwhile far away, the real Caelus watched as chaos ensued. He truly did leave something signed by Odysseus Drake in some hidden area, in a hidden chest.
But it was for them to find out and for him to never say.
A quick snap of his fingers as Merlin returned. The bowtie, wand, cape and hat all came into view as he continued to venture through the lands. Once again, granting wishes every now and then before disappearing for another few years.
~~~~
Turns out, Teyvat had conspiracy theorists too. They thought that Odysseus Drake had found the corpse of Merlin Houdini which could grant wishes, and hence the One Piece was the corpse of the legendary wish granting magician. At least, that was the newest theory, and considering he only appeared briefly before disappearing from history once again, it was quite a credible and potential theory.
But the moment had come according to Huang Tao using Amanises's info. A traveler had appeared and defeated a dragon. Herta had visited a few times in regards to the regulations regarding the Spirit World. So she made a few suggestions, in regards to his weakness...
A weakness for cute and fluffy things.
BEHOLD!
Ruan Mei's Creations!!! Cute cake cat looking creatures soft in texture, smells good and perfect for calming sleep. Cuteness overload. A tuskpir to help sleep? Tell Lingsha that her pet can retire.
Herta managed to deliver a Kafka looking cat and a Herta looking cat. When asked why a Herta cat, she simply responded "You have one of my dolls, might as well start a whole collection." She shrugged before asking for Spirit World travel monopolisation.
Caelus sighed as he agreed to it as Herta asked one more question, "Are you not going to ask about your adopted little sister or your blessed?"
Caelus stared before drawling "And how is my beloved little Kafka, what of my blessed?"
Herta snorted "It seems like the journey to find home has made you a lot more snarkier. Your little Kafka is doing fine, as for you blessed, Tingyun seems to be taking full advantage of the swindling abilities provided to her."
Caelus chuckled "You do have a heart eh?" Herta continued to stare, "It's what friends do no?" Caelus blew into laughter, "You're learning to be more human together with me."
Herta turned her head away before disconnecting from the doll.
The grey fog of history descended and with his exit from Sefirah Castle.
He arrived to help the poor traveler in finding her brother. The greatest detective Teyvat had ever known.
Sherlock Moriarty