"As you know, I have lived in this world for over six thousand years. It was three thousand seven hundred years ago that I established Liyue alongside the Adepti. Even the Geo-Force that cannot be shattered by a vortex will be worn down by the erosion of time. I had merely been convincing myself that the day the cracks would appear had not yet arrived..."
Translation: I want to retire!
"Until one slightly rainy afternoon, I was strolling through the harbor when I overheard a merchant praising his subordinate: 'You have fulfilled your duty. Now, go and rest.'
—At that moment, I stood still amidst the bustling crowd for a long time, repeatedly asking myself: 'Has my duty... been fulfilled?'"
As he spoke these words, there was an unconcealable weariness in Zhongli's voice.
Even raindrops could pierce stone, let alone the river of time that washed over him.
Not long ago, he and Hu Tao had gone to the neighboring Mondstadt to scout locations for a branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He had paid close attention to the way the people of Mondstadt lived.
Barbatos, who guarded Mondstadt, had not restricted the people of Mondstadt's own development. Instead, the Knights of Favonius governed themselves, leading Mondstadt into an era of human rule.
This discovery further solidified his conviction: Barbatos had retired so long ago, and Mondstadt was perfectly fine. Why couldn't he?
"Zhongli..."
"When I began to consider whether I should step down from godhood... I realized that there were still many reasons why I could not leave. Liyue, the land where gods walked, was it ready to enter the next era? I had to create an opportunity for careful observation before making a decision, which is why I orchestrated this fake death, involving the 'Childe,' the Adepti, and the Liyue Qixing in the chaos..."
Speaking of this, Zhongli admired Barbatos' decisiveness.
Barbatos had immense trust in his nation and his people, nurturing their independence from the very beginning. This was incredibly farsighted.
"Then Zhongli, if Liyue were truly to fall into peril because of this, would you appear?" Paimon asked softly.
"Yes... However, if an enemy were to appear that even the Adepti could not withstand, and the Liyue Qixing would be even more powerless, then this trial would lose its meaning. I would personally cleanse all evil." Zhongli's answer was without a hint of hesitation.
"That's good, that's good."
"Yes, as it stands now, everything is proceeding smoothly. The Gnosis I've held onto for so long seems to have lost its significance."
Listening to Zhongli's explanation, the Eleventh Harbinger understood clearly that as long as Morax was alive, no one on the continent of Teyvat would dare to cause trouble in Liyue.
For example, Osial, the Vortex God released by the "Childe." If Morax hadn't kept him for a purpose—to test the Liyue Qixing's ability to handle crises—he could have easily slapped him back into the sea with one hand.
In the Eleventh Harbinger's view, just as children who lose their parents quickly mature, this city named Liyue had also grown in the face of the "god's death"...
Zhongli was also extremely satisfied with the outcome of all these events, even exceeding his expectations:
The secluded Adepti... they possessed the least information, yet they first maintained the greatest restraint, then were willing to cooperate with the Qixing in times of crisis, and finally chose to trust the Qixing and the people of Liyue.
The Qixing's handling of the situation was decisive. They seized the vacuum period after his "death" to replace the divine, quickly taking control of all power in Liyue. Zhongli found this to be excellent; it prevented Liyue from falling into chaos and stopped other factions from taking advantage of the situation.
He was especially impressed by Ningguang, the Tianquan, who was willing to sacrifice her proud Jade Chamber in the end.
Feng夷's ability to create something from nothing, a divine power that touched upon the laws of the world, also amazed him. Fortunately, Feng夷 was a friend, not an enemy.
In addition, some Liyue individuals who controlled elemental power took the initiative to maintain order and assist in repelling foreign enemies, showing him the responsibility and courage of the Liyue people.
Such a Liyue... was the Liyue he had hoped to see.
"This 'Eleventh Harbinger'... as an envoy sent by the Cryo Archon to fulfill a 'contract,' at my request, she kept her colleague, the 'Childe,' completely in the dark, never revealing the truth she knew. I myself walked the world as the mortal 'Zhongli' and ultimately, as a mortal, honored Liyue's traditions. This journey, thank you for accompanying me..."
With this, Zhongli could finally live a retired life of drinking tea and watching plays every day.
"Hey, what about me? You played me for a fool. Aren't you going to express some apologies?" Tartaglia felt like an "ugly duckling." He thought he was the strategist, only to find out he was merely a pawn. His life was so tragic!
"Heh heh... perhaps I should say thank you? Your 'disruption' was actually part of the 'scheme.' The Geo Archon should be grateful for your spectacular performance. If not for the immense pressure you created for the battle between Adepti, humans, and gods... then this piece of coal that the Geo Archon has been playing with for millennia—Liyue—could not have become a glittering diamond."
The Eleventh Harbinger lightly scoffed at the "Childe," while also becoming even more wary of the Geo Archon. Even the "Childe's" rampage and the release of the Vortex God were within the latter's plan. Truly, an old, cunning, immortal being.
"Hmm? Why are you mocking your colleague from the perspective of another nation's god? Do you want to fight?"
"Haha, this Childe is just too weak~" Paimon laughed heartily, being mocked by her own colleague.
"Ah, damn it... 'See through but don't say it out loud.' Didn't the Liyue people teach you that... cough cough..." Tartaglia felt that he had lost more face in the last half-day than in the previous half of his life.
"Heh heh heh... Well then, the Gnosis has been obtained. Idle chatter is meaningless. It's time for you and I to return to 'Snezhnaya' and pay our respects to the Tsaritsa."
"Sigh... Alright, but I'll be back later. I don't want to share a boat with you."
"Hmph, as you wish." The Eleventh Harbinger snorted and turned to leave.
"Zhongli, you always say that transactions should be fair. But... is there anything in this world truly worth exchanging for a Gnosis?" After the Eleventh Harbinger left, Paimon felt the air here lighten considerably and suddenly asked Zhongli curiously.
"From a universal rational perspective, indeed there is not."
"Eh???"
"But I am the God of 'Contracts.' Over millennia, I have made countless contracts. I would not act easily unless there was profit to be gained from a transaction. The transaction with the Cryo Archon was my final act as the Geo Archon, a 'contract to end all contracts.'"
There were some things Zhongli could not tell others. If the Cryo Archon perished in the final plan, Snezhnaya would be incorporated into Liyue under his care.
But if he were to perish in that plan as well...