The issue with the Inazuman Ley Lines alone was enough to make Zhongli treat the matter with utmost seriousness.
Rover couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of catastrophe would befall the continent of Teyvat if the Irminsul were truly compromised.
Would the Abyss Order target the Irminsul in their attempt to overthrow the nations under divine rule?
Rover was already considering this possibility.
"Alright, let's end today's discussion here. You can head back to Gandharva Ville first. I'll gather some more herbs nearby."
After Tighnari finished speaking, Rover seemed to remember something and called out Abby.
"Since you're already helping, might as well go all the way."
Abby crossed his arms mid-air.
"Heh, piece of cake. Finding things is my specialty."
After sniffing the herbs in Tighnari's hand, Abby led the two of them to gather more.
With Rover's assistance, Tighnari was able to collect a plentiful amount of herbs without trouble.
"I really must thank you both this time."
Feeling the satisfying weight of his backpack, Tighnari expressed his sincere gratitude for Rover and Abby's help.
...
By the time they returned to their destination, Aether and Paimon had already been waiting for a while.
"Long time no see! How come you didn't call us for another adventure? Tell us, what did you run into?"
Just as Rover was about to share, Tighnari—who had noticed a Stellaris Parrot perched on the railing—suddenly tensed up and hurried over.
Aether and Rover exchanged glances. Something urgent must have happened, so they followed.
"That Stellaris Parrot is specially trained to deliver emergency messages for Haypasia—the scholar you met earlier."
Paimon's face filled with worry as she quickly asked,
"What's going on?"
Tighnari took the letter from the bird, glanced at it, then half-closed his eyes, his lips twitching for a while before he finally put the letter down.
Seeing Tighnari's unusually strange expression, the group was left baffled.
Paimon took the letter, which only had three crooked lines drawn on it.
"She's been meditating so deeply that she hasn't eaten for nearly three days. She probably forgot to prepare rations again, so she had to ask for our help."
Aether, sensing the awkwardness, quickly raised his hand.
"I'll go this time. I want to help too."
But Paimon immediately stopped him.
"But what about the Harra Fruit incense? Won't you have another episode, Aether?"
Tighnari took out the previous incense ball, and after Aether sniffed it, he found that he no longer felt dizzy like before.
"According to my prescription, you should be able to adapt to this scent now. And don't worry too much—last time, she drew five lines, and she was still perfectly fine."
Paimon was left speechless.
Once Tighnari had walked a short distance away, Rover recounted what he had said earlier.
"What he described… is very similar to my hallucinations…"
Aether lowered his head, murmuring to himself.
Tighnari's ears twitched. He crossed his arms and spoke slowly:
"Yes, those weren't hallucinations. But I don't plan to apologize for lying earlier. What you saw is of immense importance—not just to Sumeru, but to the entire world.
"My ancestors once received immense kindness from the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. We swore an oath to protect this land alongside her. So, it's my duty to determine whether you are worthy of Sumeru's trust.
"Mr. Rover's actions along the way have already earned my respect. Despite possessing immense power, he has never committed any atrocities. Instead, he's been willing to lend us a helping hand. I believe that you, as his companion, are the same kind of person.
"Therefore, I will no longer keep this secret."
Aether was stunned. He glanced at Rover beside him, clenching his fists briefly before sighing inwardly.
In the end, it was still Rover who resolved everything, while he had done nothing.
"So… what exactly did Aether see?"
Seeing that Aether was still lost in thought, Rover asked the question on his behalf.
"At that time, Aether's consciousness connected to the Irminsul. What he saw were either the memories of the Irminsul itself… or a prediction of events yet to come, based on the information it has gathered."
Aether frowned. The raging flames and Rover emerging from them—didn't that mean Rover would destroy the Irminsul in the future?
"Sometimes, seeing isn't necessarily believing. Anyway, I've already prepared the meal."
As if sensing Aether's thoughts, Tighnari patted his shoulder reassuringly before handing him the packed meal for Haypasia.
Aether still looked troubled. Rover shook his head and decided to go with him.
.....
"Rover… I still can't forget what you looked like in that dream. Will you… really destroy the Irminsul?"
As they walked, Aether finally couldn't hold back any longer. He turned to Rover, his eyes filled with a desperate hope for reassurance.
Rover fell silent for a moment before offering a relaxed smile.
"After all this time traveling together, don't you know what kind of person I am by now?"
Aether thought about it. Most of the things Rover had gotten involved in were because of him. Take Inazuma, for example—Rover hadn't cared about the Vision Hunt Decree at first, but for Aether's sake, he had indirectly taken part.
Seeing Aether still deep in thought, Rover decided to lighten the mood.
"If one day I really do burn the Irminsul and become an enemy of all Teyvat… would you still believe in me?"
This time, Aether didn't hesitate. He nodded firmly.
"I'll always believe in you, Rover. Even if you really do burn the tree… there must be a good reason for it."
Rover was taken aback. He hadn't expected Aether to answer so decisively. He could only chuckle wryly to himself.
Would his future self really burn the Irminsul? But… why would he do such a thing?