Chapter 122. You Ask Mora on Archons?
The Three Archons walked toward the dessert shop, conversing calmly along the way. Their discussion did not touch upon anything particularly profound. Instead, they spoke of ordinary matters—events that had occurred within their respective lands, and the talents they had encountered there.
Venti remarked that this generation of Mondstadt was quite commendable, and that he was very satisfied. Although many of the strong individuals within Mondstadt City were not native to the land, since they had come here and chosen to settle down, they were now Mondstadters all the same.
Zhongli, in turn, spoke of the Rite of Descension. He noted that the current Liyue Qixing had already begun reforms, a development that greatly pleased him. Moreover, he would determine whether to advance his plan based on the Qixing's subsequent actions, gently guiding Liyue into its next era.
Simply put, Zhongli was preparing to carry out a plan—one that concerned the future of Liyue itself.
Hearing this, Raiden Ei nodded slightly. She now understood why Zhongli wished to conceal his identity and pass the Geo Archon's legacy to Futsu Mitama.
It turned out that he hoped Futsu Mitama would provide cover.
Yet—Raiden Ei soon fell into brief contemplation. Mondstadt and Liyue both seemed brimming with talent—but what of Inazuma?
She considered this quietly. Kamisato Ayato, head of the Kamisato Clan, was indeed outstanding, but his methods and disposition were too similar to Yae Miko's. If he were not wholly devoted to Inazuma, she might even need to admonish him.
Kujou Sara, on the other hand, was loyal and upright, skilled in martial prowess, and truly worthy of the title of hero.
Both were excellent—but other nations possessed individuals of similar caliber, making it difficult to single them out.
Although Raiden Ei currently pursued eternity, a competitive spirit still burned within her. As a warrior—and as one who had inherited Makoto's will to govern Inazuma well—she would not concede defeat in this regard.
"Futsu Mitama, on my side, is very good," Raiden Ei said calmly as they walked through the streets of Mondstadt. "His talent is exceptionally high, carrying the potential of an Archon. Moreover, he inherited my legacy from five hundred years ago, through Yae Miko."
"Yae Miko also entrusted him with the Electro Archon Authority. He did not disappoint either of us, attaining this level of strength in less than a month. My Inazuma now has a successor."
There was unmistakable pride in Raiden Ei's tone as she spoke of Futsu Mitama. If nothing unexpected occurred, Futsu Mitama would one day stand second only to Shogun—or perhaps even as her equal. This succession did not refer to an ordinary inheritance, but to the position among The Seven Archons.
Zhongli and Venti naturally understood her meaning. Both smiled faintly, well aware of Futsu Mitama's potential. Had his potential not been so extraordinary, had his identity not been so special, Zhongli would never have entrusted him with the Geo Archon's inheritance, nor would Venti have granted him the Anemo Archon Authority.
And now, in a sense, Zhongli still needed to rely on Futsu Mitama's Chat Group to accomplish certain matters. Venti understood this as well—and thus harbored his own ulterior motives.
As the Three Archons conversed, they soon arrived at the dessert shop. The maid at the entrance, upon seeing Zhongli, Raiden Ei, and Venti, felt her knees weaken slightly. For reasons she could not explain, the three before her exuded an aura of awe—one that compelled reverence, even the urge to kneel.
And that purple-haired, violet-eyed woman—hadn't she seen someone like her before? In a similar place, perhaps?
The maid pondered this, yet her movements did not slow. She politely asked Zhongli, the most reliable-looking among them, whether they wished for a private room or seats outside. Zhongli requested a private room, as the matters they intended to discuss were not suitable for others to overhear.
The maid nodded quickly and led them into a tastefully decorated private room. Afterward, she stood to the side, assuming the role of exclusive attendant, awaiting their instructions.
"Hello! May I see the menu?" Venti spoke first, intending to order some desserts. As the host, he felt it only proper to treat the others.
"No need," Raiden Ei said, shaking her head slightly. She turned to the maid and spoke calmly. "Bring us one of every dessert in your shop."
Since she had come all the way to Mondstadt, Raiden Ei naturally wished to try everything. She was also curious about how Mondstadt's desserts compared to those of Inazuma.
Venti's expression froze.
One of every dessert?! Wait—!!! He didn't have that much mora from half a day of busking!!!
"Just bring me a pot of clear tea," Zhongli said calmly to the maid. "And some tea snacks as well. As for the quantity, a moderate amount will suffice."
At that, the maid's gaze shifted to Venti, her eyes sparkling.
This order alone would earn a considerable amount of mora—especially Raiden Ei's portion.
"I… I brought my own drinks," Venti said, lifting his dandelion wine with an awkward smile.
The maid, who had been quite pleased, now let a trace of disdain flash through her eyes as she looked at him.
Another Mondstadt drunkard.
Drinking alcohol in a dessert shop—look at him (Zhongli)! He knew to come for tea and pastries. And that other guest had ordered all the desserts at once—clearly a generous young lady.
The maid had briefly wondered if these three were individuals of extremely noble status.
Now, seeing Venti's behavior, that notion shattered.
The other two might indeed be nobles—but this drunkard certainly was not.
Though displeased, the maid said nothing. She maintained a standard service smile, said, "Please wait a moment," and excused herself.
"Sigh~"
Venti let out a long sigh. Turning to Zhongli and Raiden Ei, he said awkwardly, "I don't have enough mora on me. I wonder if this Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant could lend me some. After all, the mora I earned from busking today isn't enough to treat you. I can only ask to borrow a little."
Raiden Ei remained silent. She wasn't carrying any mora herself.
"…" Zhongli shook his head calmly. "I didn't bring any mora either. Our previous expenses were all paid by Albedo and Kuki Shinobu."
"So…you don't have enough mora?"
Zhongli looked at Venti with faint confusion, as if asking how the venerable Anemo Archon could be so impoverished.
Venti immediately retorted, "You, the venerable Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant, don't have mora either?! I'm just a bard—how could I possibly have that much?"
Venti truly had no mora at the moment. He simply hadn't expected Zhongli to be in the same situation. One had to remember—Zhongli was currently the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant, not Rex Lapis! With a proper job, hadn't he saved any mora at all?
"…" Zhongli fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. "Even as a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I have never actively paid for anything. Most of the time, friends treat me, or the bills are sent directly to the Parlor or the Northland Bank."
"So I don't carry mora when I go out. That hasn't changed."
Raiden Ei, still waiting for the desserts, looked at Zhongli in confusion. "Morax—ah, no, Zhongli—Even if you don't carry mora, aren't you still capable of producing it?"
After all, mora bore Morax's divine name.
"I am Zhongli, not Morax." Zhongli looked at Raiden Ei and Venti, his tone steady. "Since I am Zhongli, I cannot create mora. That would be unreasonable. But it doesn't matter. Even if Barbatos cannot afford the cost, someone will come to pay."
Zhongli was utterly calm. With the Chat Group, he felt no concern at all. At worst, he could simply trouble Albedo or Kuki Shinobu for assistance.
Both were in Mondstadt City; asking them would be trivial.
"I see. I understand," Raiden Ei said, accepting this explanation. She said nothing further. If the Geo Archon insisted on this distinction, it meant he truly valued his current identity. This dispelled some of Raiden Ei's lingering suspicions. She felt that Zhongli must indeed have a matter requiring Futsu Mitama's help.
After all, he was so principled that he would never reveal his true identity to him.
As for Anemo Archon Barbatos—even now, Raiden Ei still harbored doubts. She could not believe that Venti's decision to give the Anemo Archon Authority to Futsu Mitama was entirely without ulterior motives.
But lacking evidence, she said nothing.
She would simply wait until Futsu Mitama resolved Dvalin's issue—and see what excuse Venti would use to justify letting him keep the Anemo Archon Authority.
To be honest, Raiden Ei still did not truly approve of Venti's casual conduct. While she could understand it on a rational level, acceptance and fondness were two very different matters. After all, Futsu Mitama—who already bore the Authority of the Electro Archon—was, in name, a retainer of the Raiden Shogun, and in truth, an Eternal Guardian.
Now that the Authority of Anemo had been added to his being, would that not make him both the retainer of the Electro and the Anemo Archon? What kind of absurd arrangement was that supposed to be?
Raiden Ei could not accept it. Not easily.
As the three continued their discussion concerning mora, the maid entered the room, carefully arranging an abundant spread of desserts and pastries upon the table, accompanied by a pot of finely brewed tea whose fragrance lingered softly in the air.
She explained apologetically that she could not bring all the desserts at once, and then turned to Zhongli with a courteous bow, adding that the shop only carried a limited selection of teas. Should he find them unsatisfactory, he need only inform her.
Before departing, however, her gaze lingered—brief, sharp, and unmistakably disdainful—on Venti, who had brought his own alcohol.
Venti, for his part, pretended not to notice at all, calmly sipping his dandelion wine as though nothing were amiss. After all, bringing alcohol into a dessert shop was already inappropriate enough.
Raiden Ei did not drink. Zhongli did not drink either.
As host, Venti had no choice but to allow them tea and desserts instead.
And yet, according to the voice of [Wind], this dessert shop was reputed to have the finest service attitude in all of Mondstadt. Why, then, could they not tolerate a customer enjoying his own alcohol?
When the assortment of Mondstadt desserts was fully revealed, Raiden Ei's eyes shimmered faintly, reflecting a light entirely her own.
Both Zhongli and Venti could sense it immediately.
Her fondness for sweets was unmistakable.
Without ceremony, Raiden Ei began sampling the desserts, while Zhongli quietly lifted his teacup, sipping with the unhurried composure of one long accustomed to such moments.
Before long, the plates were empty.
Raiden Ei inclined her head slightly and spoke with measured calm. "The flavor is excellent. Even better than some of Inazuma's desserts."
Her tone was even, restrained—but both Zhongli and Venti could hear the subtle trace of satisfaction beneath it.
Indeed, sweets had a way of soothing both body and spirit. Even Raiden Ei, who had spent countless years secluded within the Plane of Euthymia, was no exception.
Smiling faintly, Venti took several photographs of Raiden Ei and sent them directly into the Chat Group, intending for Raiden Makoto to see.
As host, he had not mistreated her sister.
After the last dessert was finished, Raiden Ei turned her gaze toward Zhongli, who was still sipping tea with the quiet serenity of an old man, and asked, "By the way, Zhongli—you said there was something you wished to discuss. What was important enough to draw you away from Liyue and bring you all the way to Mondstadt?"
She was genuinely curious.
If it had been Venti, she would not have found it strange. Such behavior aligned perfectly with the Anemo Archon's nature. Ever since the establishment of The Seven, she had heard countless accounts of his peculiar deeds.
He had even once visited Inazuma as a guest, hosted jointly by her and Makoto.
But Morax was different. Except for matters of great importance—Archon gatherings, or events of similar gravity—he rarely left Liyue.
Much like herself and Makoto, he was not one to abandon his nation without reason.
Futsu Mitama, at present, was an exception. His talent and potential were such that she was willing to temporarily leave Inazuma to guide him personally.
She had her justification.
But what of the Geo Archon?
Before the next wave of desserts arrived, Raiden Ei asked directly. As one of The Seven, if another god faced difficulty, she would assist—if assistance was possible.
"Actually," Zhongli said, his voice calm and steady, "it concerns this."
With a subtle application of authority, he opened the group files and retrieved a special husk doll, placing it carefully beside him.
"I need to replicate this puppet," he continued, meeting Raiden Ei's gaze. "It is…extremely important to me. That is why I temporarily left Liyue."
Venti showed no surprise. Zhongli had already discussed the matter with him beforehand. Every god possessed their own areas of expertise—knowledge refined over countless ages.
Zhongli understood many things, but mastery of all things was impossible. Alchemy, for instance, was not his strength. In that domain, he could not compare to Albedo.
And that was nothing to be ashamed of. Albedo was a genius alchemist, a direct disciple of Rhinedottir—"Gold" herself. One of the greatest alchemists in all of Teyvat. Having earned her acknowledgment and permission to "graduate," Albedo's abilities needed no further explanation.
Similarly, what Zhongli required now was Raiden Ei's expertise.
Specifically—her mastery over [puppets].
The Raiden Shogun. Scaramouche, the Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers. Creations of such precision and authority could only be born from unparalleled puppet craftsmanship. If Raiden Ei examined the husk doll, there might be unexpected discoveries—perhaps even insight into its core material.
This matter was already known within the group.
Guizhong agreed. Raiden Makoto agreed. Futsu Mitama, naturally, raised no objections.
In fact, Futsu Mitama himself had raised the topic the previous night. Since it involved Makoto's resurrection, it was only right that Raiden Ei be involved. If she or the Raiden Shogun were to depart afterward, it would not matter. They could wait for Yae Miko's arrival and discuss everything in full.
But since Raiden Ei remained in Mondstadt, Zhongli presented the special husk doll now.
"This is…"
A flicker of surprise crossed Raiden Ei's eyes. She rose from her seat and approached, placing her hand gently upon the puppet's surface.
Her eyes closed.
Moments passed.
Then she opened them slowly, disbelief evident in her gaze as she looked at Zhongli.
"Was this…your creation?"
She realized the foolishness of the question almost immediately. If it were Zhongli's work, there would be no need for him to come here.
"No," Zhongli replied, shaking his head lightly. "I obtained it by chance. You understand its function, do you not?"
Each of The Seven possessed unique means of perception. Some stronger, some subtler—but all sufficient to sense the extraordinary.
Venti, too, felt it the moment he saw the puppet.
"Who do you intend to revive with it?" Raiden Ei asked directly.
This puppet was anything but ordinary. Even a cursory perception told her it could house the consciousness of a Demon God. More than that—it could reshape itself at will, endure the full might of its bearer, and remain intact.
Most unsettling of all—
Raiden Ei sensed that, were she to obtain it, her consciousness could potentially separate entirely from the [Shogun].
She could place the Shogun's consciousness within the puppet.
Or enter it herself.
Two bodies.
Equal power.
The implications sent a different light flickering through her eyes. Such an item was unimaginably rare. If the one holding it were not Morax—
She would have taken it. Without hesitation.
At present, the Shogun's body was her body. Her consciousness resided mostly within the Plane of Euthymia. Though she could perceive Inazuma's affairs, she spent most of her time in meditation. The Shogun, meanwhile, governed from Tenshukaku, acting only when necessary.
They appeared divided, yet shared one vessel. Which was why interference between them was possible.
Though Raiden Ei could fight using consciousness alone, against foes of Archon or Demon God caliber, reclaiming her body was unavoidable. If she possessed this puppet—
Then should catastrophe strike Inazuma again—as it had five hundred years ago—
The Shogun could defend the nation, while she herself advanced toward a more dangerous battlefield.
Yet Morax's intent was clear. He sought resurrection. And replication.
Perhaps he, too, wished to create another [himself] to guard Liyue.
"An old friend," Zhongli said quietly.
Guizhong.
And if another puppet could be made, Raiden Makoto would follow. Maha Rukkhadevata, however, had shown no desire for revival. Even after joining the Chat Group, she remained bound by her own concerns and taboos.
No one pressed her.
"Have you discovered anything?" Venti asked curiously.
He felt familiarity, distant and vague—but could not grasp its source.
"Too little time," Raiden Ei replied, shaking her head. "I can sense its extraordinariness, but little more."
Then she spoke with confidence. "If you trust me, and allow me to keep it for a time, I may be able to replicate it."
Her secret puppet arts were rare. The Raiden Shogun was her masterpiece. If she identified its materials, replication would not be difficult.
"No."
Zhongli shook his head. The husk doll was too precious. Even Futsu Mitama had not entrusted it to ordinary members—only to the administrator and himself.
It concerned Makoto. It concerned Guizhong.
The risk was unacceptable. Raiden Ei was trustworthy—but circumstances were uncertain. Should she act independently during research—The outcome would be unpredictable.
Raiden Ei felt some disappointment, but did not press the matter. If Zhongli succeeded in his research, she could always negotiate later.
Morax was not stingy—provided the exchange was fair.
She continued observing the puppet in silence.
Then Zhongli stored it away.
Raiden Ei returned to her seat.
The maid arrived again, bearing more fragrant desserts. As Mondstadt's finest dessert shop, their variety was immense—nearly a hundred types, gathered from across nations.
That was why the maid's eyes sparkled when she looked at Raiden Ei. A wealthy foreign guest, devoted to desserts. Even if she could not finish them all, the profit would be considerable.
Her gaze drifted once more to Venti, tinged with disdain. One was a valued patron. The other, a local drunk with his own alcohol.
She departed swiftly.
Zhongli retrieved the puppet once more. Raiden Ei ate slowly, studying it with quiet focus. Venti drank and relayed events to the Chat Group.
A text-based live broadcast, perhaps.
Time passed. An hour slipped by. And far away—
In Futsu Mitama's home.
Futsu Mitama slowly opened his eyes. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, yet carried a faint sense of familiarity. After a brief pause, he pushed himself upright.
"Tsk…she really didn't hold back at all."
He pressed his fingers to his temples. Pain radiated through his body, lingering in every muscle and joint.
Raiden Ei's teaching methods had never been gentle. Yet there was no denying their effectiveness. In just half a day, Futsu Mitama could clearly feel it—his foundation had been reinforced, compressed, and tempered into something far more solid than before.
And Musou no Hitotachi—
That technique was never something driven purely by elemental power. Sitting on the bed, fragments of Raiden Ei's movements replayed vividly within his mind. With each recollection, the ache in his head deepened.
There was simply too much. It would not all fit at once.
No wonder the gods stood so far above mortals. Just what Raiden Ei had taught today alone would require considerable time for him to slowly digest.
This had nothing to do with talent. Martial arts of this level demanded time—time for the body and mind to settle, to integrate, before true mastery could even be approached.
"You're awake?"
A voice came from nearby. Kuki Shinobu stepped forward, a trace of surprise in her eyes. She clearly had not expected him to regain consciousness so quickly. Logically speaking, after exhausting oneself to that degree, it should have taken more than ten hours to recover.
Yet Futsu Mitama had awakened in less than three.
His recovery speed was, without question, astonishing.
"Yes, I'm awake."
Futsu Mitama looked at her calmly. He wasn't particularly surprised—he had already considered this outcome before losing consciousness.
Raiden Ei would leave him in Kuki Shinobu's care. And she herself would go settle accounts with Zhongli and Venti.
Futsu Mitama swung his legs off the bed and stood. With the Chat Group as his advantage, his rate of improvement—and recovery—far surpassed that of ordinary people. Simple exhaustion would only cause temporary discomfort. After resting through the night and absorbing part of what he had learned, he could continue seeking Raiden Ei's guidance.
She was clearly teaching him in a cram-style manner.
He would learn first—then assimilate slowly.
Still, there was something else that concerned him more at the moment.
"Oh, right."
Futsu Mitama turned to Kuki Shinobu and asked, "Where did the Raiden Shogun go? She didn't get into a fight with Venti, did she?"
Raiden Ei had come to Mondstadt specifically to guide him. Naturally, she would also seek out Zhongli and Venti.
The only question was—had the three gods already started fighting?
With Zhongli present, Raiden Ei likely wouldn't act rashly. But knowing Venti—
Who could say whether he wouldn't suddenly get playful and provoke a situation where Raiden Ei ended up drawing her sword and chasing him through Mondstadt?
"It's fine," Kuki Shinobu replied. "Venti took the Raiden Shogun to eat desserts. As for the details—why don't you check the Chat Group? Venti is currently doing a text live stream. It seems Mister Zhongli brought out a special husk doll and asked the Raiden Shogun for guidance."
A trace of doubt flickered through Futsu Mitama's eyes. Wasn't Zhongli being a little too straightforward?
Venti was openly the Anemo Archon. Raiden Ei was the Raiden Shogun. And yet Zhongli—a mere consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—was accompanying them so openly.
Wasn't that practically announcing his true identity?
Moreover, within the Chat Group, Raiden Makoto, Guizhong, Maha Rukkhadevata, and Yae Miko—all four of whom had never formally met Zhongli—seemed to have already guessed the truth, yet deliberately avoided mentioning it.
No one here was foolish. They understood Zhongli was concealing his identity because he had something important to accomplish.
Only Venti continued dancing on the edge.
Time and again, he all but climbed onto the neck of this "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant," practically shouting that he was the Anemo Archon and demanding proper respect.
And then there was Azhdaha.
To be honest, Futsu Mitama still couldn't tell whether Azhdaha truly didn't know Zhongli's identity—or was simply pretending not to know.
These thoughts passed quickly.
He had been unconscious for nearly three hours. Whatever had happened during that time, he could only learn from the chat history.
Futsu Mitama opened the Chat Group.
The moment he entered, he began scrolling.
Venti: "What a terrifying appetite. Ei has already eaten over eighty kinds of desserts. I'll roughly calculate the price. The mora for these desserts probably adds up to hundreds of thousands of mora."
Kamisato Ayaka: "It doesn't seem particularly expensive."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Hundreds of thousands of mora is indeed not particularly expensive. The daily mora expenses of our Resistance are much higher than that number."
Raiden Makoto: "What is mora? If Ei can be happy eating desserts, then let her eat more."
Albedo: "Strictly speaking, eating dessert shouldn't be that expensive, but considering the quantity ordered… it may be higher."
Yae Miko: "That's normal. Desserts are more expensive than ordinary food. Hundreds of thousands might not be enough—perhaps even a million mora. Lord Anemo Archon, do you have enough mora? If not, I can have the Kamisato Clan's young lady pay."
Kamisato Ayaka: "If it's for the Raiden Shogun, paying some mora is nothing. My brother gives me pocket money, and I've saved it all. As long as it doesn't exceed thirty million mora, I can afford it."
Kuki Shinobu: "This… as expected of the Kamisato Clan's young lady."
Aila: "So rich."
Klee: "Klee has mora too!!! Mama left me over a dozen boxes of mora, and one box has all sorts of beautiful gems!"
Albedo: "Please don't casually use the things Aunt Alice left behind."
Klee: "Eh? Mama said Klee can use them freely! They're Mama's pocket money for Klee!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Over a dozen boxes of mora and a box of gems? How large are the boxes?"
Klee: "[Image] See, that big!"
Kuki Shinobu: "From the volume…wouldn't that be roughly ten million mora per box?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "The focus should be on the gems! Those are extremely rare. I've seen several listed in the 'Teyvat Gemstone Guide.' They're valuable forging and alchemy materials. Any one of them would fetch a sky-high price."
Yae Miko: "Roughly calculated, that's probably three to four hundred million mora."
Kamisato Ayaka: "These… are all Klee's pocket money?"
Futsu Mitama: "Ah… I suddenly feel the wealth gap. I slaughtered a Primo Geovishap for mora, and it barely compares to Klee's pocket money?"
Yae Miko: "Hmm? Awake little one?"
Zhongli: "You're awake? Your recovery after exhaustion is indeed remarkable."
Venti: "Ah! Futsu Mitama! You woke up just in time!!! I can't afford to pay!!!"
Raiden Makoto: "Can't afford to pay? You didn't bring mora?"
Venti: "Do you carry mora when you just wake up? Back when you were alive, did you carry mora everywhere?"
Raiden Makoto: "I did. Transactions require it."
Maha Rukkhadevata: "I carried small amounts. Often, I exchanged knowledge instead."
Yae Miko: "Isn't carrying mora normal?"
Azhdaha: "Yes. When mora first spread in Liyue, Morax and several of us carried bags of it. Those were joyful days. The citizens would give us goods in exchange. Even Morax carried mora back then. Why don't you?"
Venti: "I have some, but after busking for half a day, it's only tens of thousands. And some went to wine. But Zhongli doesn't have mora. Raiden Ei doesn't have mora either!!!! Tell me, what should I do about this debt?"
Azhdaha: "Zhongli doesn't have mora?"
Zhongli: "Indeed. I forgot it at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. In Liyue, my expenses were billed there or to the Northland Bank."
Raiden Makoto: "Then what will you do now?"
Venti: "We could just run away Ehe"
Albedo: "It's manageable. I'll pay—but you'll need to wait. I'm at the Knights of Favonius headquarters."
Klee: "Why is big brother Albedo there?"
Albedo: "Acting Grand Master Jean called a meeting regarding the Fatui. Klee, stay home and behave. You'll have important duties later."
Klee: "Klee understands!!!"
Futsu Mitama: "I'll go. I just woke up—paying for my Archon is reasonable."
Venti: "Which Archon? Oh my~ I didn't expect you to recognize me so quickly."
Raiden Makoto: "Please don't be narcissistic, Barbatos."
Azhdaha: "He's clearly referring to Beelzebub."
Maha Rukkhadevata: "Or perhaps someone else."
Azhdaha: "Someone else?"
Zhongli: "…"
Maha Rukkhadevata: "The Raiden Shogun."
Azhdaha: "That puppet… yes, she governs Inazuma."
Albedo: "@Futsu Mitama, I'll trouble you."
Aila: "Young Master, do you have enough? I have savings."
Kuki Shinobu: "We have enough, Aila."
Venti: "Good! Sending coordinates—wait."
Venti: "@Zhongli, you Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant! Send them already!"
Zhongli: "…Alright."
Reading this, the corner of Futsu Mitama's mouth twitched slightly.
He said nothing.
He simply hoped Barbatos would survive Zhongli's embarrassment unscathed. Given Zhongli's temperament, he likely wouldn't act. After all—it was only a harmless joke.
By now, Futsu Mitama had recovered somewhat.
He stood up.
Though it was early, he wanted to head over and ask Raiden Ei about several techniques. Memorization alone was insufficient—some things required direct clarification.
"Let's go."
He looked at Kuki Shinobu. Like Zhongli, he had grown unused to carrying mora. With Aila and Kuki Shinobu around, the habit had faded naturally.
Once, he had been diligent about carrying money. Now—he couldn't be bothered.
"Okay."
Kuki Shinobu nodded, a full bag of mora already prepared. A trace of helplessness passed through her eyes.
The situation was…frustrating.
Venti lacked mora. Raiden Ei didn't carry any. Zhongli didn't carry any either.
Back in Liyue, Zhongli's habits were tolerated. Everyone knew him.
But this was Mondstadt.
No Northland Bank. No Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
How did he dare go out like this?
If Futsu Mitama hadn't awakened, she might have had to carry him—along with the mora—to rescue these three "young masters".
No matter what—
Raiden Shogun was her faith. Zhongli had taught her invaluable talismans. And Venti…was still Mondstadt's Archon.
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