In Mondstadt, a sense of peace and stability had returned. Master Diluc's overwhelming strength and Acting Grand Master Jean's unwavering protection allowed the city, which had long been troubled by Stormterror, to regain its vitality.
The taverns were livelier than ever. For three days, Stormterror had not been seen in the skies above Mondstadt. Previously, the dragon had appeared almost every other night, its presence haunting the dreams of the city's children.
Even the Abyss Order was at a loss. A traveler of significant skill had appeared, Diluc had grown even more powerful, and most terrifyingly, Jean now possessed a magical artifact.
Could Stormterror break free from the Immortal-Binding Rope? The Order wasn't willing to let the dragon test those odds just yet.
In Inazuma, while the atmosphere wasn't as boisterous as Mondstadt, the izakayas and social clubs were filled with heated discussions about the broadcast.
Kujou Sara led the Tenryou Commission in maintaining order, keeping a close eye on those who were still hopping on one leg or crawling across the ground in exhaustion.
"Lady Kujou Sara seems to be in a very good mood lately."
"I heard she received a lucky reward—a high-quality, life-sized body pillow of the Shogun."
"Lord Sara respects the Shogun more than anyone. She must truly treasure it."
"She probably has it displayed on an altar at home."
In reality, she was likely at home holding it while doing somersaults of joy.
Kujou Sara: "What are you all whispering about? What is the status of the front lines?"
"Reporting to Lady Kujou Sara, the resistance forces seem to have retreated significantly."
Sara pondered this. It seemed her opponent was thinking exactly what she was.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was indeed of the same mind. Her strategy was to retreat and preserve their strength. The mysterious broadcast had shown events from Mondstadt, and it was highly likely that Inazuma would be next. Since even the Shogun was a forced participant, waiting for more information might prevent unnecessary sacrifices.
While Kujou Sara followed every order of the Shogun, even she knew deep down that there were flaws in the Vision Hunt Decree.
Kujou Sara: "The resistance must be planning something. Have our men pull back to our defensive lines and maintain a strict guard. Do not give them an opening."
"Understood!"
Within the Yashiro Commission, Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka were playing a game of chess.
Kamisato Ayaka: "Checkmate!"
Thoma: "The Eldest Young Lady wins! Incredible!"
Ayato clapped and stood up. "I'm going out for a walk. Inazuma has regained some of its energy thanks to that mysterious broadcast."
Kamisato Ayaka: "Then I shall begin my work as well. Thoma, please help me continue organizing the data we've collected."
In Liyue Harbor, the most crowded place in the city, the hottest topic was being discussed at Iron Tongue Tian's storytelling stage.
"Mr. Zhongli, you're here too." Yun Jin hurried over and sat beside him.
Zhongli: "Please, sit, Director Yun." He took a slow sip of his tea.
For the past two days, this spot had been packed with people eager to hear the latest tales. Iron Tongue Tian held his fan, his legs still visibly trembling from his previous punishment. He snapped his paper fan open with a flourish.
"Last time, we spoke of how that broadcast appeared before everyone like a god!"
"Impossible to wave away, impossible to escape—it clings to the body like a restless spirit!"
"Every living soul was forced to participate."
"This tale concerns the Darknight Hero of Mondstadt."
"Whoosh! The flaming phoenix of judgment burned the monsters of the Abyss to ash!"
"And the mortals who participated... can you guess what happened to them?"
Tian slapped his thigh and sat down on the ground. "They ran until their legs nearly fell off!"
"Hahahaha!""Hahahaha!"
Tian stood back up. "Could you have imagined it? Either Mora falls from the sky into your arms, allowing you to order a table full of fine wine and food—or you are forced to hop on one leg for a day, or be locked in your home. And who, pray tell, was the most pitiful of all?"
Who? the crowd wondered.
"The most pitiful were those who had just received their money and tried to share the answer, only for the system to snatch it back and add ten or twenty more laps to their sentence! A tragedy indeed!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Well said!"
The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious, though there were many topics of gossip. People talked about Xingqiu being forced to wear a dress—many who were there had genuinely thought he was a girl—and the passionate exorcist Chongyun. Then there was Lady Ningguang, who now spent time every day flying around on her Charizard to clear her mind.
At the Jade Chamber:
Ningguang: "Baishi, Baiwen, Baixiao—mobilize all our resources. Collect as much information as possible on the other nations."
"Understood, Lady Ningguang."
Ningguang spoke seriously: "We must be fully prepared. Gather every scrap of news, especially rumors. We must achieve a higher accuracy rate in this mysterious broadcast. It will surely be of great help to the Qixing and all of Liyue."
Keqing nodded beside her. "The era of Liyue's Adepti has passed. The future of Liyue belongs to the era of human management. Ningguang, you have my full support."
Ganyu nodded as well: "I will do everything in my power to help."
Everyone was preparing, for this power was simply too incredible to ignore.
At high noon on the seventh day, the screen appeared before everyone once again.
「Ding—Welcome to the second session of the Live Q&A. This session's theme is: 'Heroes Need Not Ask for Origins'」