"Overlord, we've lost a sandworm recently."
"Damn it! Investigate immediately! Every day these people fill their bellies and start thinking of ways to improve their lives. Let's see who dares to sell my sandworm without permission!"
"Yes, Overlord."
Khaenri'ah
"What a docile sandworm… Hmm, what's this number written on it—9527?"
"Whatever, I don't care about your past. From now on, you'll follow me, and I'll make sure you shine brighter than ever."
---
Deep in the heart of the oasis, the Jadeplume Terrorshroom was in a foul mood. It had just been happily dozing off when a wild, white-haired man suddenly burst onto the scene, declaring that it would become his mount. How could it tolerate such humiliation? Of course, it immediately resisted. Who do you think you are…
Before it could retaliate, Yu pressed the Unforged against its neck and stomped on it a few times.
The Jadeplume Terrorshroom seethed in rage, feeling deeply insulted!
Then Yu summoned a "small" wooden figure. By small, it meant a few hundred meters tall. One strike was enough to subdue the creature.
At last, the Terrorshroom gave in. Yu was overjoyed—finally, a new mount! Ever since he had ridden Ganyu, he felt a bit odd whenever he ventured out without a mount. Lately, he had been riding Little Blue a little too much, and since she was aquatic by nature, she was starting to suffer from dehydration. He decided to let her rest for a few days.
Yu was preparing for war again. He wanted to eliminate all nearby gods—not just to neutralize potential threats but also to strengthen his power and expand his territory. More land meant more farming opportunities.
However, this plan posed a dilemma. Years of war could plunge the people into endless suffering. Whether they won or lost, the common folk would bear the brunt of the hardship. Although Yu's reputation was at an all-time high and his people had long stopped fearing death, that only made him more reluctant to send them into a meat grinder.
After some contemplation, Yu decided on a rather unorthodox strategy: assassins.
Little did he know, this decision would give birth to a notorious organization that would strike fear into all of Teyvat—even the Fatui wouldn't dare provoke them.
The Assassins.
Yu gathered orphans from across the lands and subjected them to rigorous military training from a young age.
Yu's mind was filled with knowledge from another world, including the "Scout Training Manual," "The Art of Command," large-scale warfare tactics, infantry-tank coordination, blitzkrieg strategies, and special operations techniques.
Meanwhile, Apep was left in charge of defending the homeland. Though battered and barely alive, it still proved to be somewhat useful.
Yu himself would infiltrate enemy territories in secret and eliminate their rulers. If any forces resisted afterward, the assassins would take out the rebel leaders. Should resistance persist, they would strike again until…
There was no resistance left.
These assassins were not only fierce in combat but also excelled in stealth and theft. No one ever knew when they had come and gone.
Yu couldn't help but wonder why he had bothered giving them hidden blades when they always returned from missions with their blades looking brand new. Strangely, however, the wear and tear on their spears and greatswords was significant. And to his further confusion, someone had somehow picked up an axe, despite the fact that he had never taught them how to use one.
Unfortunately, Yu soon faced a grim reality. In one particularly rebellious region, the resistance was too fierce. Yu could see it plainly—forcing them into submission would only lead to future uprisings. Reluctantly, he resorted to a ruthless solution.
Under Yu's leadership, Sumeru expanded rapidly. This was why, in later eras, Sumeru's territory became the largest among the Seven Nations. Only Snezhnaya rivaled it, though most of their land was uninhabitable.
Of course, such methods could only work in an era dominated by small, fragmented states. No matter how skilled the assassins were, they would be ineffective in large-scale, prolonged wars. Naturally, Yu never intended to send them into direct combat. Once this era of constant warfare ended, their utility would diminish.
Yu planned to disband the assassins when the wars were mostly over. Some of them would settle down and lead normal lives, while others would remain in case they were needed again. A few, with Yu's tacit approval, would take their skills abroad to wreak havoc elsewhere.
After resolving external threats, Yu found himself feeling unusually restless, as if brimming with energy and constantly seeking something to do.
Why not start by digging a grand canal to connect the desert and the forest? Then build roads to link the villages.
Excavate some mines, expand Sumeru City, and construct underground tunnels with minecarts to transport raw materials from quarries to construction sites. Dig more canals, build a few dams… I'll turn the entire desert into farmland!
The sandworms: …
---
Years passed. Yu lost track of how much time had gone by. Alhaitham had long since passed away, as had the little jackal who had once followed him into the desert to mine. Looking at his ever-youthful body, Yu couldn't help but feel old. A profound sense of loneliness crept in, and he found himself growing increasingly fond of children. He spoke less, often lost in thought. Sumeru had enjoyed peace for many years, and now, when Yu noticed areas that needed improvement, he no longer barked orders like a crazed monkey.
Lying on the Great Tree, with Little Green (the Jadeplume Terrorshroom) and Little Blue by his side, Yu sighed.
"Everything feels so strange. My strength keeps growing, the people are happier than ever, but… why don't I feel any joy?"
Motionless, Yu let his mind drift, recalling the times when Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had reprimanded him. Strangely, he felt a warm sense of nostalgia and even missed those moments.
~~~
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