Code Teyvat: Rebellion of Zero

[Wild Transient]

The harem will start off with Keqing, Ayaka and Kokomi, although it's a question of how to best decide who punches Lelouch's V-card first

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If they're the starter three then hands down it should be Kokomi.

 

[StrifeHavoc]

If they're the starter three then hands down it should be Kokomi.

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I agree, but would Ayaka and Keqing still want to join the harem if they don't get him first?

 

[Wild Transient]

I agree, but would Ayaka and Keqing still want to join the harem if they don't get him first?

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Probably, depending on how emotionally close they are to him that not being his first really matters so long as they're part of his life in a romantic sense. Oh to be sure maybe they'll be a bit envious but that's about it.

 

[Jason Wu]

I agree, but would Ayaka and Keqing still want to join the harem if they don't get him first?

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I know Genshin is it own universe and it's own culture and all but considering Liyue and Inazuma are based on Japan and China, I don't think they would mind the harem stuff as much.

 

[StrifeHavoc]

I know Genshin is it own universe and it's own culture and all but considering Liyue and Inazuma are based on Japan and China, I don't think they would mind the harem stuff as much.

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True, and that is what we are going off of, so in that light among other discussions I've been having with my server, its been decided that any further harem candidates will come from Code Geass, Fontaine, Liyue, Inazuma, Mondstadt and maybe Sumeru, because those are the nations Lelouch has spent most time in and therefore would've had more chances to build friendships and potential romances. I just don't see Lelouch spending sufficient time in Natlan or Nor-Krai long enough for anyone to gain a romantic inclination towards Lelouch, enough of one that they wouldn't mind sharing. Now Lelouch has visited these places, but just not as long as some of the other places he has been to and stayed in.

So after a very wonderful turn out for the story, I have concluded the poll with fourteen winning, although six and seven were close through, and this is combined from all three polls on different sites, so thank you all for voting.

So the max harem size will be fourteen, BUT let's see if that can be done, but regardless fourteen is the max. The only reason I am doubtful is because I am having a hard time trying to ensure it starts, with founding members Keqing, Ayaka and Kokomi. Now a meeting scene is planned where Yae Miko would suggest it, but I am wondering on anything I could do speifically for the starting trio to ensure their inclusion into the harem, but also open to allow others to join. Then its just a question of which characters would be willing to join after that trio and would it be enough to fill fourteen spots.

Locked in members:
1: Keqing
2: Kamisato Ayaka
3: Sangonomiya Kokomi
4: Furina de Fontaine
5: Navia Caspar
6: Eula Lawrence
7: Lumine (The Abyss Sibling)
8: Kuki Shinobu
9: Yun Jin
10: Arlecchino/Peruere (I am still skeptical on her, so Lynette is set as back up choice if she doesn't work out)
11:
12:
13:
14:

Possible candidates and/or back ups if someone in the main line up doesn't make it in, those in bold are those aware of Lelouch being Zero, or being from another world, or possibly both.

Inazuma Yomiya, Kujo Sara, Yae Miko, Raiden Shogun/Raiden Ei, Yumemizuki Mizuki

Liyue Hu Tao, Shenhe, Ganyu

Fontaine Charlotte, Chiroi, Chevreuse, Clorinde

Mondtshat Noelle, Amber, Barbara, Mona Megistus (technically doesn't live in Mondtshat, but Lelouch would encounter on his travels)

Sumeru Layla (I haven't decided if she should be aware of Lelouch being Zero or not, even if she did help Lelouch with designing some of the navigation pools for his sub), Collei, Nilou, and Faruzan

Nor-Krai Lamua (She might be the only one I could see, even if working her in would be difficult as I can't see Nefer or Jahoda), Columbina (The problem with her is that there wouldn't be enough opportunity for any kind of relationship to form with Lelouch, and given her past experiences it would make it more difficult)

Natlan: Chasca, Mualani, Xilonen, Citlali, Varesa (these are characters who could work, although Xilonen I am very skeptical on, but if I did decide to include someone from Natlan I would have to choose one and only one since there wouldn't be time for anyone else I fear)

---

The harem talk aside through, I have been working on the civil war, but the time skip did leave me with one issue that must be resolved before I get into the civil war properly, originally the main reason I wasn't going to do a time skip was because I was having a hard time trying to decide on how much of a following or how far along Lelouch has formed the Black Knights on Teyvat, so I was going to go through the six years he was on Teyvat to better gauge the following he could gain.

So I made a new poll to see what you guys think he should have and what would seem believable. Lelouch has not only a bone to pick with the serial disappear in Fontaine, which was where he first appeared as Zero trying to take them down by him, and he made MORE progress in doing so before leads quickly dried up causing his effort to stall, while becoming a newspaper sensation especially for escaping the police. Escoffier working for Lelouch was part of Furnia's influnce and as an alternative sentence of temporarily exile from Fontaine instead of going to prison, as another note.

Then you got the Fatui whose actions in Mondtshat nearly got his sister killed, so he could gain some like minded followers with Diluc's help, and then there is Liyue where he clearly has Keqing as a powerful ally and friend, and Liyue is also supporting him unofficially too, especially against the Fatui.

He'll likely gain more from Watatsumi and those fleeing Inazuma as the civil war drags on.

And I was thinking he would hire some mercenaries to help in training and boosting his group's combat strength, like Dehya's Blazing Beasts, but I admit the biggest problem in all of this are ensuring no traitors slip in and what can be done to best protect Lelouch's identity. So that is why I am uncertain of how much of a following Lelouch could have that is both believable and loyal to him, so what do you guys think?

 

[Icysnowsage]

I know Genshin is it own universe and it's own culture and all but considering Liyue and Inazuma are based on Japan and China, I don't think they would mind the harem stuff as much.

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See I didn't think so either. I feel reasonably they would be okay within reason. I just had to advice havoc within reason was all.

 

[Jason Wu]

So after a very wonderful turn out for the story, I have concluded the poll with fourteen winning,

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So the max harem size will be fourteen, BUT let's see if that can be done, but regardless fourteen is the max.

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Hmmm. Let's see indeed. The good thing about gacha games is that with such a large cast of characters that I'm sure you can stitch out a reasonable reason for them and Lelouch to find common ground and get along somehow

 

[StrifeHavoc]

See I didn't think so either. I feel reasonably they would be okay within reason. I just had to advice havoc within reason was all.

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Right.

Hmmm. Let's see indeed. The good thing about gacha games is that with such a large cast of characters that I'm sure you can stitch out a reasonable reason for them and Lelouch to find common ground and get along somehow

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True, but a big question is to ask and what I am trying to work out as I explain in more detail below, is which one would be worth including that could better the story?

The only reason I am doing a poll (the new one I just made above) was because my original plan was to work out over the next six years in story who Lelouch meets and how his relationship with them grows to determine if they would be worth considering for the harem. (I will do a part two for other characters tomorrow, hence the twenty four hour time limit on the poll.)

Unfortunately for me, doing a six year time skip kinda derailed all of that.

With that said the primary purpose of the poll is to work out among those who Lelouch has met, and who among those he knows would develop romantic feelings for, and wouldn't mind sharing him as part of the harem.

Amber, Hu Tao, Noelle, Chiori and Escoffier are aware to some extent about the truth regarding Lelouch while Chiori and Escoffier are fully aware as of this moment.

Chevreuse, Ganyu, Shenhe, Clorinde and Mona know Lelouch on a personal level, but are not aware of the fact he is from another world and/or is Zero. Lelouch would know Clorinde very well due to their shared friendship of Navia while Lelouch knew Chevreuse as well, having even been forced to train alongside her while in Fontaine to get him better in shape, but this "suffering" would help him later as Zero since he would know how the Speical Partol operates, so he could evade and escape them more easily.

Mona through I am not sure of what kind of relationship she would have for Lelouch through.

The issue is through that while I know each character has their pros and cons, some has more cons than others, I do favor each of them for the harem in some way, so what I am seeking is to pick which ones would be worth the effort of including them and who could give me more bang for my buck.

Probably the ones who I see having more issues than including them could be worth would be.....

Ganyu and Shenhe (both have trouble with showing affection, and not to mention Shenhe has trouble with soical do and don'ts, while Ganyu is quite busy. I don't think trying to include both could work, but one of them might be easier, since a certain adopted mother of theirs might try to ship one of them with Lelouch.)

Chiori, while she is aware of Lelouch being both Zero and from another world, but of course too Lelouch did use some of his wealth to give her a nice start. But given her character and drive for goals, and lack of interest in a relationship I am skeptical of her joining the harem.
,
Chevreuse, it would depend on how well she reacts to Zero and Lelouch being one and the same, and when she finds out about it what might happen then? By that point Lelouch would've gotten a full pardon from Furnia for his actions as Zero.

Escoffier and Clorinde: Well I don't see much that could stop them from joining the harem, but its a question of it they would given Clorinde seemingly lack of knowledge on romance and Escoffier focused on expanding her cooking skills, but I could see her family trying to ship her and Lelouch together out of worry so someone could keep an eye on their daughter since she does tend to lock herself away for days or weeks at a time.

Amber and Noelle I see little issue with them possibly joining, but it boils down to what they could offer. Althrough Noelle's character flaws I do worry about be an issue.

Mona is more of a question of what kind of relationship she and Lelouch could have and would she be worth making her part of the harem, since the big question is what can she bring to it?

Hu Tao is the same, although I can see her as the most winning to join the harem, but what could inclusion bring and would she be better than some choices?

Hopefully this helps out.

 

[StrifeHavoc]

A/N: I am not dead, and thanks to Greatratking88 for the beta work on the chapter, next chapter the fun stuff, we begin the civil war arc.

Chapter 7

Shadow Achievements
​

The following morning, after a well-made breakfast courtesy of Escoffier, Lelouch offered a full tour of the Nautilus to both Nahida and Nilou, beginning in the Lounge. Keqing declined to join them, having already been on a tour. When Nilou and Nahida arrived they found Lelouch waiting for them, wearing a white turtleneck shirt with a black uniform with gold buttons and matching pants and shoes.

Nahida had changed back to the decorative white, black and green dress she usually wore. Nilou wore her dancer outfit: a headdress with gold and black horns, akin to a crown with a white veil, and a white and blue cropped top with billowing detached sleeves with gold details upon the cuffs and the upper arms.

"I figured we could start here," Lelouch began. "I can show you what we have available for rest and relaxation."

"I noticed you have a lot of books, and paintings," Nahida commented.

"Yes the art is quite beautiful," Nilou agreed.

"Thank you. Some were hand-picked by me, others were suggested to me. Living in an underwater metal container for months on end, with no day-and-night cycle, takes a mental toll even on the best of us," Lelouch explained. "The design of this craft is a technological marvel in itself, but without considering the wellbeing of its crew, it would all be pointless."

"So that is why you have someone like Escoffier as chef aboard the ship, to provide everyone with good meals to keep up morale?" Nahida deduced.

"Exactly. Good food always helps a person's mood, and thanks to her skills and creative ideas she has made the most of that," Lelouch explained with pride. "Our vessel uses induction cookers, which use direct electrical induction, reducing the risk of harmful smoke or fumes."

"Not something commonly used on ships or in kitchens, so you needed someone who could devise recipes for the mood boosting food you wished to serve to the crew. I assume you didn't invent it," Nahida said.

Lelouch hesitated for a moment before answering, "No, but it was something from my home that is used on such vessels like mines. I just adapted it for use on the Nautilus with a little help"

The former prince smiled faintly. Lelouch had made use of his Geass to enlist the assistance of some of Sumeru's finest minds to refine the designs for the Nautilus. Once done, he had made them erase all evidence of their involvement. Lelouch had been hesitant using his Geass like that, but their uptight, arrogant dismissal of anything they deemed illogical and childish very quickly demolished any hesitation he had. However, there were a few exceptions.

"Sounds like this vessel was quite a collaborative effort," Nahida remarked.

"It was," Lelouch said, glad to steer the conversation elsewhere before anyone asked about the details. "Layla, a student from the Rtawahist Darshan, helped me with creating the navigation tools for using the stars that are much more user-friendly, and helping by making improvements to the navigation systems through extensive testing. Thanks to her contribution, this ship has redundancies and back up methods of navigation if our standard systems fail."

"Layla," Nilou said before recognizing the name. "Oh I recall seeing you two together, having lunch at the Puspa Café last week."

"Yes, I've taken her out for lunch when I could, so she could at least enjoy a proper meal."

"A proper meal?" Nahida asked, while Nilou looked just as curious.

"Yes. When Layla first enrolled she was scammed into spending all of the Mora from her scholarship and savings on Super-Effective Sleep Gummies for two-hundred-thousand Mora, which left her broke for a year, forcing her to survive off of cheap vegetables. She deserves better, I feel," Lelouch explained, with a sigh.

Nilou's eyes went wide in shock at such a price tag.

"How well did those gummies work?" Nahida inquired.

"I never noticed a difference, Layla has been suffering from a congenital sleep condition she calls it where she is perpetually exhausted and has considerable difficulty sleeping at night," Lelouch replied.

I am almost considering using my Geass on Dori, maybe find out who the supplier is so I can at least see if I can get them from the source at a discount, Lelouch thought, making a mental note.

"Maybe I could help you find alternative remedies," Nahida offered.

"She would appreciate that," Lelouch said before gesturing with his right hand. "For now, let me give you a full tour."

—--------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Keqing was tagging along with a group of divers from the Nautilus. Like the other divers, she wore a waterproofed canvas suit that insulated them from the cold temperatures of the depths. She wore a metal backpack with oxygen tanks, a battery and a built in heater to keep the inner layers warm. The suit also had a metal breastplate that had a small oxygen tank attached to it above the stomach as auxiliary oxygen tank, with a metal helmet attached to it to form a watertight seal. An electric lamp attached to the helmet, while two rubber hoses were attached to the base of the metal collar. Most of the divers lacked the lamp on top of the helmet, but they carried the same equipment: a diving knife, black gloves, weighted boots, a timer on the right wrist to keep the wearer aware of their oxygen and heater status, and a specialized gun for use underwater that fired harpoon-like projectiles that upon contact would release a deadly electrical shock. Each gun carried six harpoons, while the belt had six extra projectiles.

All around them were the wrecks of lost ships, a ship graveyard. Many of them were hundreds of years old, marine life growing all over the broken hulls, but were otherwise surprisingly well preserved.

I can't believe this is where Lelouch's "bank" has been, Keqing thought as she inspected the exteriors of a wrecked ship.

According to Lelouch, during a previous underwater voyage during the Nautilus's sea trials, they had stumbled on this ship graveyard. They had investigated the wrecks, providing a good opportunity to field test the diving suits, their equipment and weapons, before discovering the ships contained chests full of Mora, jade statues and priceless artifacts, honest-to-god sunken treasure.

The discovery of an ornate metal statue of a large, horned creature, a Mitachurl, and the unique statues recovered allowed the ships to be identified. The one with the figurehead of a Mitachurl mask and horns belonged to a pirate ship known as the Bao Chuan, belonging to infamous pirate of the time Zheng Shih. He had been notorious following the cataclysm, attacking ships and survivors fleeing Inazuma and Sumeru, attempting to make for Liyue. He and his fleet of Liyue junks had lurked near places like Guyun Stone Forest or the cliffs south of Liyue Harbor, where they would approach ships pretending to be trading ships before attacking once they were close enough.

The pirate was finally stopped after he and his fleet attacked a small fleet of ships, transporting large amounts of Mora to help in the reconstruction following the Cataclysm. Ships from Fontaine, Sumeru, Inazuma and even Snezhnaya came together to hunt down Zheng Shih, cornering and sinking his fleet in the deep waters south of Liyue Harbor. But efforts to recover the Mora and other treasures he had stolen failed, due to the considerable depths the wrecks were sunk at and the hostile marine life, even using the power of a Vision all attempts ended in failure.

I am pretty sure one of the reasons Lelouch built the Nautilus was to locate wrecks like these and salvage the Mora from them. The story of this fleet was common knowledge in Liyue as a popular pirate story, Keqing thought as she entered the sunken pirate ship, with two members of the crew following her to provide assistance and back up against anything hostile. As such, she didn't fully believe Lelouch had simply stumbled upon this site; he likely looked for it, aware of the considerable fortune he would have at his fingertips.

I know you didn't want to unintentionally make any enemies with the people of Liyue by trying to say you were searching for the wreck, or be troubled by the attention recovering the Mora from these ships could've brought, Keqing mused. Now let's see if I can find my family's heirloom, Keqing thought, focusing on her own objective.

—----------------------------------------------------------------

Fontaine was known as both the nation of Water and Justice, and in it the city called the Court of Fontaine stood at the center. At the center of that towering city, was a looming building, not quite a palace but with grandeur to match its importance. It was the heart of the nation of justice, standing above the waters that made up the enormous elevated landmass it sat upon. The palace-like structure had a single tower towards the end of the building and two smaller towers on its side, the aptly named Palais Mermonia, the heart of Fontaine's government and home of the Hydro Archon.

Within one of its private chambers, reserved for matters not meant for public spectacle, two figures met for quiet deliberation while one stood guard, protecting the only other woman in the room. The woman who sat upon an elegant sofa was the Hydro Archon herself.

She had long white and light blue hair with blue eyes, with tear-shaped pupils. She was dressed in an elegant blue suit, a white button blouse with a blue cravat, matching shorts, white gloves and heeled buckle shoes. She even wore what appeared to be a crown integrated into her blue top hat. In complete contrast to her more stoic and serious guest, the Hydro Archon was more expressive in her words and gestures, brimming with the assured self-confidence one would expect of a goddess.

Her bodyguard stood tall and composed, with long dark-blue hair tied neatly into a low ponytail streaked with lighter hues, and piercing violet eyes that missed nothing. She wore a fitted uniform of black and violet with gold accents, a cape draped behind her shoulders, and at her side rested the unmistakable presence of a duelist prepared for violence at a moment's notice.

Sitting opposite the Hydro Archon, Furina de Fontaine, was the General Mahamatra of the Akademiya.

He sat upright, posture rigid and composed, his presence calm yet imposing. His medium-length gray hair framed a face that betrayed little emotion, while his red-orange eyes remained steady and unwavering. His attire, dark and adorned with gold, bore the influence of the desert, most notably the jackal-headed adornment that symbolized his authority and role as judge and enforcer.

"General Mahamatra," Furina began, her tone light, almost welcoming. "You have come a long way from Sumeru."

"I have," Cyno replied evenly. "And I will not waste your time."

After a brief pause, Cyno revealed his true reason for the meeting.

"I am here regarding Zero."

Furina's smile deepened slightly, "Of course you are."

She reached for a newspaper resting on the table and slid it toward him where the headline spoke for itself.

UNREST IN SUMERU FOLLOWING ARCHON'S DISAPPEARANCE!

"The situation in your nation has become rather difficult to ignore," Furnia's gaze lifted to meet Cyno's. "What was once contained within Sumeru, is now known across Teyvat."

Cyno did not respond immediately.

"Fontaine has taken notice," Furina continued. "As have Liyue, Inazuma…even Snezhnaya."

She tilted her head slightly.

"And the consensus is…not favorable."

"The sages have been condemned," Cyno said.

"Very openly might I add," Furina confirmed. "Their treatment of their own Archon has drawn widespread criticism…and ridicule."

Cyno's gaze hardened slightly.

"Their authority was built upon the belief that they governed in the Archon's name. That they represented wisdom while protecting her." Furnia's smile thinned as she said, "That belief no longer holds."

"They have lost political legitimacy," Cyno said.

"Yes," Furina replied softly. "What remains is control, and even that appears fragile, but it seems they have help in holding onto what power remains."

A brief silence settled between them.

Cyno spoke again, "Zero is responsible for exposing the truth."

Furina's eyes gleamed faintly. "Responsible?" she echoed. "Or…simply the one who revealed what was already there?"

Cyno did not answer.

Furina rose from her seat, pacing slowly across the room.

"In Fontaine," Furina began, "he was far less…dramatic."

She glanced back at him.

"His actions were quieter. More precise."

Cyno's attention sharpened.

"A few months ago," she continued as her tone remained composed, "Sinthe dealers began turning up dead. It wasn't random nor was it done carelessly…they were questioned first."

"Sinthe distribution networks were exposed," Cyno said.

"Yes," Furina nodded. "In a matter of months, he accomplished what our law enforcement had struggled to achieve in years."

"He did not act blindly," Cyno observed after a short pause.

"No," Furina agreed. "He applied pressure where it mattered most."

She returned to her seat, sitting cross-legged now.

"Hidden dens uncovered. Smuggling routes exposed. Corrupt officials implicated," Furina explained before her gaze sharpened slightly. "And then, something far older surfaced."

"The serial disappearances case," Cyno said. "A crime that has continued for twenty years with no end to it."

Furina's expression shifted subtly before saying quieter now, "For nearly twenty years young women vanished without a trace. No consistent pattern, no clear suspects…until recently."

Cyno leaned forward slightly.

"He identified a connection," he said.

"He suggested one," Furina corrected. "Between the Sinthe trade…and those disappearances."

Cyno considered that, "If true, then he uncovered something your authorities could not."

"Or something they were never meant to uncover," Furina replied, silence filled the room.

"What followed?" Cyno asked.

"The investigation advanced, old cases reopened. New leads pursued," Furina said before her expression darkened slightly. "And then…it stopped."

"Those involved were eliminated," Cyno said.

Furina nodded, "Witnesses silenced. Suspects removed. Trails erased."

Cyno's voice lowered slightly, "Someone intervened."

"Or ensured the truth remained buried," Furina replied.

A pause settled between them.

"And Zero?" Cyno asked.

"He vanished," she said, simply allowing a pause between them until. "And now, he appears in Sumeru where he dismantles the authority of your sages in a single act."

Cyno's expression remained composed.

"This was deliberate," he said.

"Yes," Furina replied softly.

She studied him for a moment, "You see, General Mahamatra…what interests me is not merely what Zero has done, but how consistently he operates."

Cyno remained silent.

"He appears only when the conditions are optimal," she continued. "When information has already begun to surface…when pressure can be applied most effectively. Almost as though he knows exactly where to position himself."

Cyno's eyes narrowed slightly.

"He prepares his actions in advance," he said.

"Carefully," Furina agreed before adding another pause between them. "Nothing he does feels improvised."

Silence stretched between them.

Cyno rose to his feet, "I would like to speak with Captain Chevreuse."

"Yes," Furina said. "She came the closest to capturing him."

"Thank you, I would appreciate that," Cyno turned to leave.

However, he stopped near the door.

"Lady Furina," Cyno began as Furnia looked at him expectantly. "What do you intend to do about Zero?"

A brief silence followed as Furnia brought one hand to her chin in quiet contemplation.

"Nothing," Furnia replied after a moment of silence, having intentionally paused for dramatic effect.

Cyno's eyes narrowed slightly.

"For now," Furina added as a faint smile curved her lips. "A man capable of shifting the balance of power between nations…"

She tilted her head slightly.

"…is far too valuable to act against prematurely."

Cyno said nothing, but as he left the chamber only one conclusion lingered.

Zero was no longer an isolated actor, he was a catalyst, and across Teyvat, the consequences of his actions were only just beginning to unfold.

—---------------------------------------------------------

Keqing continued her search of the wreck. It didn't help that through much of the ship's interior, the floorboards had rotted away; it was like walking on eggshells. She decided to begin from the captain's cabin at the stern of the ship.

She cautiously advanced. The sound of creaking and the feel of the floor she was on slightly sinking gave her pause, yet she still pressed forward.

It feels like this ship could come apart at any moment, Keqing thought, resisting the urge to move more quickly.

Reaching the rear of the ship, Keqing pushed the door open. Rotted off its hinges, it fell on the floor ahead. Turning up the lamp on her helmet, she drew her diver's knife as a precaution, and to clear away the seaweed growing ahead to clear it to enable an easier search. Little by little she cleared it away, sending small fish running away. She found an old table with most of its legs having rotted away and collapsed, scattered chairs, a skeleton, and a chest built of iron that drew Keqing's attention.

Picking up the small chest, she infused the dagger with electro, allowing her to cut the lock. Expectantly, she pulled the chest open. She smiled triumphantly.

There was a dragon sculpture, made of jade coiled around a diamond built on a base made from the same substance from which Mora was made. A gift from Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, when the founder of her family, an ancestor, donated the land for the Golden House, the place where all of the Mora in Teyvat was minted through the power of the Geo Archon.

Its almost perfectly intact. It needs a little cleaning, but otherwise its condition is surprisingly good, Keqing thought as she inspected it.

Her grandfather had once told her how their family had secured their place among Liyue's oldest noble families and the lands that would grant them generations of prosperity. The statue was to be offered as a gift to the Cyro Archon, a donation by her family to be offered along with Mora stored aboard the ships, but it had never reached its destination.

Keqing sought this heirloom not out of any deference to the Geo Archon or her family, but rather because of what it represented. It served as proof of her family's contributions to Liyue, and proof of the Geo Archon's favor, which in a nation that believed in him greatly was a valuable symbol. Such a potent symbol could be useful in gaining support of Liyue's business leaders and others to cement and even increase her support among local leaders and businesses. This was partly because her skepticism of the Geo Archon wasn't popular among those of a nation who believed in him greatly, but this heirloom would help silence any naysayers. Not only could this give Lelouch a much more powerful ally among the Qixing, but together with his own growing business enterprise, would give Keqing in turn a self-made powerful and wealthy ally. Keqing also hoped her newer and stronger base of support could be potent enough to keep a fellow member of the Qixing she had concerns about in check.

Keqing hoped it wouldn't be necessary.

Securing the artifact in a special pouch on her belt, she quickly grabbed what other valuable gem stones lay within the box as well. She turned to leave, but before she could exit the doorway, a large shark-like creature burst through the rotted wooden window.

The shark's jaws barely missed, snapping at her terrifyingly close, and Keqing desperately grabbed for her knife, pulling it from her belt. In the narrow space, the shark couldn't maneuver well, and Keqing slashed it across the nose with an electro-infused slash. Surprised by the sudden pain, the creature wriggled away the way it had come. Keqing kept moving back, her heart thumping. She had to pause to steady herself. The attack seemed to have made the ship more unstable, as she could feel the floor beginning to give away. She had to leave, now.

She had just reached the exit to the hold, when the shark came back, smashing through the wall of the cabin and getting to the middle of the hold where Keqing had been moments ago.

She lifted her harpoon gun, infusing the projectile with electro and fired. But in her haste and terror she missed the harpoon embedding in the roof. The shark briefly lost track of her, and Keqing took aim with the harpoon gun, infusing it again with her element before firing. This time she didn't miss, the harpoon striking the shark in the head. It froze, twitched and then went limp, but Keqing wasn't taking any chances. She quickly stabbed her knife deep into its eye socket, before quickly moving on.

Another shark was closing in, lured in by the smell of blood. Keqing retreated, firing another harpoon and jumping over the side of the ship, then hurrying away the moment she sank to the ground near the Nautilus. Luckily the shark went for easier prey, the freshly killed shark.

Keqing was joined by other divers, taking aim as they all retreated back to the submarine.

One by one, while some watched over those boarding, Keqing boarded the submarine, jumping up to grab a ring that had been lowered to pull her back into the ship. Exiting the diving chamber, a member of the crew helped in removing her helmet.

"Are you alright ma'am?" A crew member asked, concerned.

"I am fine. As shark attacked me, but I got him," Keqing replied, unfazed by the experience. "Pretty hard to move in these heavy suits, though.

"Its unfortunate, but without the weight of the suits, staying on the bottom would be difficult," The crewmember replied, helping her remove the cumbersome backpack unit off of her.

"Yes, but I found what I was looking for. Those sharks didn't bother you guys, did they?"

"They didn't. We finished loading up as much Mora as we could salvage from the wrecks. We have a full load, but it could take a few more stops to claim the rest," The crewmember replied. "Given the dangers, we try to work as quickly as possible."

"Makes sense," Keqing replied. She was well aware the seas of Teyvat were home to predators far more dangerous than sharks. Minutes later, she was out of the diving suit and returned to her cabin to clean upher prize.

—---------------------------------------------------------

Soon after, the Nautilus got underway, heading for its next destination of Watatsumi Island. Lelouch led Nahida and Nilou back to the lounge, having just finished the tour of the vessel. Lelouch's mouth was feeling dry from the explanations and answers he had to give. Lucky for Lelouch, Escoffier had prepared some drinks and refreshments, having anticipated both their return and how sore Lelouch's throat would be from long winded explanations.

The refreshments were apple cider and a plate of Feast-Os, with O-shaped rings combined with onion rings and chicken meat while the balls included on the dish were the result of potatoes and fish combined together then fried complete with individual dips for each person who would consume it.

"Thank you, Escoffier," Lelouch said with a grateful smile, taking a welcome sip of apple cider to refresh his throat.

"Not at all, it's what I am here for," Escoffier replied, but Lelouch was sure that also meant constantly reprimanding them when they didn't meet her standards, which for someone with a reputation as a Demon Chef, spoke well of how high those standards she placed on herself and other chefs working for her.

Lelouch wisely decided to keep that part to himself. After everyone enjoyed drinks and snacks for a few minutes, Nilou seemed hesitant for a long time, before asking,

"Lelouch, if you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Lady Keqing, and how did she become involved with all of this?"

Lelouch, thinking of a good way to answer it while swallowing a golden ball, was interrupted by Keqing who had entered the room, overhearing the question.

"First, Lelouch and I met during our days at Tongwen Academy, an academy in Liyue that teaches law, commerce and politics, along with other subjects related or connected to those three main subjects," Keqing explained. "I had been studying multiple subjects around the time when I met Lelouch, and then two years later another friend of his he had met as a child in Inazuma enrolled, Miss Kuki Shinobu."

"When did he first enroll?" Nahida inquired, curious.

"It was around the time he lived in Fontaine when he was twelve years old, but he had been commuting to Liyue to the attend the academy. Lelouch continued to attend until he graduated even after relocating to Mondstadt, after which he was invited to the Akademiya by a scholarship he was offered on the recommendation of a former student living in Mondstadt," Keqing explained, trying to give Lelouch a break.

"Why didn't he attend school in Fontaine?" Nilou asked, curious as well before sipping more Apple Cider.

"The education of Fontaine was too restrictive. While a basic education was guaranteed, anything more specific was heavily dependent on wealth and status," Lelouch explained, joining the conversation. "Although we were living in the upper class section of the Court of Fontaine, it became obvious the teachers of the more prestigious academies were open to taking bribes, so I didn't feel comfortable seeking an advanced education there."

His distrust and opinions of the upper-class of Britannia no doubt tainted his view, but considering all I've heard about Fontaine I can't blame him, Keqing thought, aware that despite being hailed as a nation of justice with impressive technological innovation, its beauty as a nation was only a surface facade.

Fontaine was a deeply flawed nation, in desperate need of reform. The lower classes were segregated, made to live in sewage systems below the Court. No laws protected orphan children, and in practice no law applied to the nobility due to their exalted status, influence and wealth. Court trials were little more than theatre, meant to bind the lower classes rather than protect them. The last positive change happened four hundred years ago, with the improved treatment of the Melusines.

"It is a corrupt nation, where the lower classes are treated worse than animals while the upper classes live in luxury. I don't hold anyone from that nation responsible individually, of course," he said, looking at Escoffier.

She sighed, clearly understanding. "It's fine, I am well aware of the issues my nation has. Both Lady Furnia and Chief Justice Neuvillette have tried to enact reforms and new laws, but have been met with limited success or none at all. In fact, I've wondered if Lady Furnia encouraged me to work with you and even find out more about you, so I could support you in this capacity without directly asking me."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "You suspect she supports me indirectly?"

"I didn't think much of it then, but now I am wondering if Lady Furnia suspected you were Zero, or had somehow figured it out,"

"She hides it, but it's clear to me she's a big fan of Zero," Escoffier remarked with one finger on her chin.

"Even the Hydro Archon is supporting you, unofficially, huh?" Keqing remarked, her expression a mix of amusement and surprise. "Considering the progress you made in just a few weeks on the serial disappearance case, compared to the twenty years of nothing the Maison Gardiennage and the detectives from the Marechaussee Phantom have to slow for their efforts, it's perhaps not that surprising."

"Uh, I think we're getting off topic, not that I don't find this interesting," Nahida said, having been hesitant to interrupt out of curiosity to learn more about Lelouch.

"Right we did veer way off topic," Keqing acknowledged. "I met Lelouch during our time as students together. We didn't really have much of a relationship beyond classmates, until he was caught gambling at Yanshang Teahouse."

"Gambling at a tea house?" Nilou said while Escoffier and Nahida were awaiting context.

"It was a teahouse on the surface, but in the cellar was a casino that sold questionably legal goods," Keqing said with a sigh. "It only catered to a wealthy clientele, but Lelouch was technically wealthy thanks to the allowance he got from his guardians who collected large sums of Mora from high risk, high reward commissions from the Adventure's Guild."

"What about Miss Kuki?" Nahida asked.

"She basically ran away from home, leaving Inazuma to get away from her controlling family," Keqing answered, followed by Lelouch offering context, before adding something extra that surprised those listening. "She was so determined to leave that life behind and strike out on own that she got her own Electro Vision."

"Shinobu comes from a family who have served as shrine maidens for the Grand Narukami Shrine for many generations, but Shinobu detested being a shrine maiden, despite being pretty good at it. Her mother absolutely refused to even let Shinobu be anything but a Shrine Maiden, until everything came to a head and she fled to Liyue to study law."

"That means she probably didn't have much money," Nilou deduced.

"Enough to get to Liyue and enroll with the academy, but trying to provide a roof over ahead with food and anything else she needed did become problematic. No one was willing to hire her either, because she lacked the qualifications or her work schedule would've conflicted heavily with her time at the academy, sometimes both," Keqing explained. "I did arrange for her to get temporary work with some of the businesses my family owned."

"There weren't any places available for her to live, not without being extorted, so I provided her a room at our home in Fontaine and later Mondstadt when we had to relocate, we had a spare room. Not to mention Nunnally was ecstatic to meet Shinobu again," Lelouch remarked, recalling how Shinobu at times, with Yae Miko's blessing, would spend time with Nunnally.

Given her growing disillusionment with being a shrine maiden, I wonder if Shinobu happily accepted such opportunities as a welcomed excuse to get away from her duties with the shrine, Lelouch wondered.

"Yet, like Lelouch she soon became an accomplice in his gambling crusade at the teahouse. Those two became legends for destroying anyone who tried to play against them, some called them as the Twin Demons of the Yanshang Teahouse, or for Lelouch in particular the Adepti of Gambling," Keqing said, recalling the headaches those two caused.

"Did they lose a lot?" Nilou asked, but Keqing shook her head while Lelouch began smiling pridefully.

"The opposite happened, Lelouch and Shinobu dominated the casino. Anyone who played chess, cards or dice against them, would lose… badly," Keqing answered, although they frustrated her, she couldn't help but smile upon recalling times she left many patrons who challenged them in tears, without their clothes, or both.

—--------------------------------------------------------

Two and a half years earlier

—--------------------------------------------------------

Lelouch, dressed in a black and gold Shenyi, and Shinobu, dressed in a similar uniform with her long light green hair styled in a top-knot ponytail, were next to each other on the second floor terrace of the Yanshang Teahouse. The two teenagers were seated at a round table, playing a card game called Guandan, in a two vs two format. The rules of the game were that the first two players to get rid of their cards first won, and they had to use various combinations of three, four or five cards of the same rank to clear out their cards faster.

Their opponents were obviously wealthy, judging by their clothing and the amount of Mora they were offering, which by now formed a considerable pile at the heart of the table. They were sweating nervously, trying to get rid of as many of their cards as possible, while Shinobu and Lelouch's shared deck was looking smaller and smaller. Their game was drawing a crowd, with people having placed bets on the ongoing match. The odds had of course favored the older couple of players at first, but now those who had put their money on the teens stood to win big.

The problem was, as Lelouch noticed using elemental sight, there was something off about the cards. At first he'd thought they were coated in elemental energy, now he was not so sure. Whatever they had used gave each card a very slight if different feel, which meant each card in their personal deck had been tampered with. During shuffling they could deal the cards in a way to favor them, ensuring they could draw cards in a specific sequence to ensure they could clear their hands ahead of their foes.

It was a clever strategy, but whatever they used had trace amounts of elemental energy, a serious oversight on their part but easy to miss since they lacked Visions, and presumably many of their opponents weren't Vision holders.

Lelouch said nothing, keeping a stoic expression as he shuffled the cards, turning the table on the cheaters by using their own trick against them, sensing which cards he needed.

They both knew they could turn their foes' own attempt to cheat back against them, and if they tried to call it out, then they would have to explain how they knew it without exposing themselves in turn.

Lelouch could only struggle to keep a straight face, knowing the would-be cheaters were able to get slaughtered.

And they did…

Minutes later Lelouch and Shinobu emptied their cards, winning the match to the cheering of some to the crying of some and the angry glares of others. Soon after, Shinobu and Lelouch were heading out of the city towards the north. Once the pair were far enough away and out of sight, they would teleport to the beacon outside of the city of Mondstadt where the pair would return home for the evening.

"Lelouch, how long do you think we can keep winning before the owner of the teahouse finds some excuse to ban us?" Shinbou asked as the pair walked together. "Not that I am complaining about the extra money, but…"

"Well, the owner has taken to warning people about challenging us because of our winning streaks, but don't tell me you haven't been enjoying taking all those cocky, arrogant, rich folk down a peg or two," Lelouch mused with a coy smile.

"I blame you for that," Shinobu said with a faint smile while shrugging her shoulders. "I think you do less for the money and more to put them in their place."

Lelouch chuckled while shrugging his own shoulders, "Maybe I do, but as you said, the extra money is always good to have."

"How about sharing that money with us?"

The pair turned around to see a group of twelve masked men emerging from hiding places along the road. Some were holding sacks that seemed like bombs, others were armed with shovels, while the rest had daggers.

"Treasure Hoarders," Lelouch remarked with barely concealed contempt.

To call The Treasure Hoarders an organization might be too generous of a description. They were little more than common bandits, plaguing most of Teyvat. Each ragtag group in each nation operated independently from others, the only thing they had in common being their obsessive search to treasure by any means necessary. More often than not, that meant robbing travellers.

"How about no?" Lelouch replied, summoning his weapon. A short sword came into his hand, while Shinobu summoned her own weapon, an exorcism dagger, glowing as Shinobu infused it with power from her Vision. The two exchanged looks before Lelouch raised his free hand, unleashing a bolt of lightning from his fingertips, striking a treasure hoarder holding a large sack full of an elemental-infused bomb. The unfortunate bandit was electrocuted and his bomb detonated, catching a couple of his fellows in the explosion.

Shinobu dashed to take down the other bandit holding another pseudo grenade, slashing him across the chest before roundhouse kicking him in the head to send him falling onto the ground. She backed away as the grenade went off, catching a few more Treasure Hoarders in the explosion.

Lelouch crafted a shield of lightning to stop the Treasure Hoarders dead in their tracks while ensuring they couldn't quickly surround him or Shinobu, they blindly ran face first into the barrier. One of them managed to get past the shield, attempting to hit Lelouch with his shovel, but Lelouch vanished from sight in a burst of lightning as the towering bandit felt his stomach was cut open.

Shinobu, sent another Treasure Hoarder to the ground with a punch that broke teeth, only to follow up her attack, using the falling foe to take to the air to strike down three bandits at once with kunai knives, infused with electro with the blades hidden on her person. Lelouch was teleporting around the scene, vanishing with a bolt of lightning, before reappearing behind an unsuspecting enemy to cut them down, sometimes when waiting to teleport away so when he did the charging bandits would crash into one another, making them easy prey. It all happened terribly quickly, the two teens tearing through the mob in seconds until one remained, holding a dagger. The nervous Treasure Hoarder clearly wanted to run away, but knew he would be cut down.

"Why don't you just drop your weapon, and get on the ground," Lelouch said, pointing his sword at the trembling bandit.

"Mommy!" The man cried, dropping to the ground after tossing his weapon away.

"Geez, I started looking for you two, and here I find you in a spot of trouble… again," Keqing said, approaching the two from behind with two men dressed in yellow and white uniforms, with armor on their arms, chest and waist armed with spears. "Did you know those two you beat at the Yansheng Teahouse contracted these bandits to ambush you in retaliation for beating them?"

"And they really thought bandits who can't even afford useful weapons would be effective against a pair of Vision holders?" Shinobu replied, folding her arms above her chest.

"How did you find out about this?" Lelouch asked.

"A friend of mine with the Millelith told me about when they overheard it." Keqing sighed, before adding. "You two are among the best students in class, and yet you always get into trouble."

"Not intentionally, trouble finds us," Lelouch replied.

"Because you keep putting yourself in the way of trouble. Why don't you quit the gambling a bit and stop making me, your friend, worry about you? And maybe spare Shinobu from having to mend her school uniform again," Keqing said, pointing toShinobu's uniform, which was torn around the legs. "And before you two try to give me excuses, I have a well paying temporary job you two should consider."

"What kind of job?" Lelouch asked, curious.

"Assistants to the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Keqing answered.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So you and Shinobu ended up working at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Not a job I would've expected for you, even if it was temporary," Nilou commented.

"Neither did I, but the pay was surprisingly good," Lelouch said, "No, scratch that, the pay was insane. We were paid almost a million Mora a day. Shinobu got more through, but still, Zhongli pays insanely well."

The room went silent, although Nahida was curious, but everyone was shocked into stunned silence.

"How could he afford that? No, how could the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor afford such pay for him and you? I know Mr. Zhongli sometimes offers himself as an appraiser, but to have that kind of money far exceeds his level of pay," Keqing said, as she was trying to figure how could Zhongli possess such money.

"I have my suspicions, but I should note it was him who recommended me to see Cloud Retainer, and he was the one whose big investment not only led to my company Lamperouge Logistics being born and eventually becoming successful, but also the Nautilus and the Order of the Black Knights as an indirect result of that extremely generous investment," Lelouch explained.

"Cloud Retainer?" Nahida asked, while Nilou and Escoffier were curious.

"She is one of the Adepti, the divine guardians of Liyue who have a contract with the Geo Archon to protect the land. Cloud Retainer lives on Mount Aocang, according to Zhongli, she has a hobby of tinkering with mechanisms, being an engineer who has created a number of impressive inventions," Lelouch answered. "I was granted a Sigil of Permission by Zhongli, but reaching her mountain home was difficult, a lack of a trail and pathway up the mountain didn't help."

"Seeing that the Natulius is here, I guess that means you made it, and I can assume she was among those who helped with designing it," Nahida asked.

"She was one of the main designers along with…Alice," Lelouch replied while saying the name caused his expression to change as if recalling an unpleasant memory.

"Alice? Who is that?" Keqing asked.

"Right I never mentioned her before to you," Lelouch said, sighing that he was in for another long explanation.

Taking a deep breath he began.

"Alice is famous as both a legendary adventurer and the author of the Teyvat Travel Guide, even less known to the public at large is that she is the founder and leader of the Hexenzirkel," Lelouch answered.

"The Hexenzirkel?" Nilou asked.

"The Hexenzirkel is a mysterious and somewhat secretive coven of witches, its core members possess powers and abilities on par or exceeding the Archons. They conduct Irminsul explorations seeking the truths of the worlds, influencing things behind the scenes while protecting Teyvat's borders from the Abyss, and hosting…tea parties," Lelouch said, causing some to stare at him in disbelief.

"Tea parties, so they host meetings?" Nilou asked.

"That's one way to put it," Lelouch replied. "They all don't meet very often in person, using communication devices when they must communicate with one another."

"I see, but it sounds like you are acquainted with them since Alice."

"I met her shortly after my sister and I moved to Mondstadt. She taught me magic while she began teaching Nunnally alchemy, but that was after she restored my sister's sight."

"Wow she sounds impressive?" Nilou said, but Lelouch's thoughts were different.

Alice is without doubt one of the greatest mages on Teyvat who could clash with this world's gods easily, but she is chaotic and sometimes destructive eccentric, Lelouch thought recalling times he saw Alice experimenting with monsters by using as a kind of power source for inhumane and destructive experiments. Thankfully, she does have something of a moral compass and is defending Teyvat's boarders.

Yes, she is also a genius engineer who worked together with Cloud Retainer to design the submarine," Lelouch said, but in truth Lelouch was afraid the two would come to blows when she stepped in upon finding out that Lelouch sought out Cloud Retainer instead of her.

The problem was that Cloud Retainer was a very competitive streak that nearly spiraled out of control, until Lelouch defused the situation by having them collaborate instead.

"It sounds like you were blessed with many allies," Nahida remarked.

"Yes I suppose I have been," Lelouch said, but recalling that time between Cloud Retainer and Alice made him slightly skeptical of that.

Not sure if I can say I am blessed, or lucky those alliances didn't explode in my face, including those who didn't give me much choice, Lelouch thought.

Better to have more allies than enemies after all.

—---------------------------------------------

Later that same night, the Nautilus hummed softly as it cut through the dark waters, its engines steady and unrelenting. Lelouch returned to the lounge, which had grown quieter since Nilou and Nahida chose to retire for the night, but it had been a few hours ago. Their curiosity had been satisfied for now, but he knew sooner or later more questions would come.

One lamp was in use leaving the rest of the room darkened as he entered, but the observation window remained open. Soon Lelouch noticed he wasn't alone, Keqing was standing near the observation window, arms folded, her reflection faint against the glass. Beyond it the endless black ocean stretched beyond, broken only by drifting particles or fish caught in the ship's light.

Keqing stood near the observation window, arms folded, her reflection faint against the glass. The endless black ocean stretched beyond, broken only by drifting particles caught in the ship's light.

She didn't turn when he entered.

"I was wondering when you would come," Lelouch said calmly.

"You already knew I would?" Keqing replied.

"Of course."

There was a pause before she finally turned to face him. Without a word, she walked over to the table between them, revealing the heirloom she had recovered earlier, the jade dragon gleamed under the light.

Lelouch's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I see you were successful."

"Barely," Keqing replied. "Your bank is more dangerous than you let on."

"That is why I entrusted it to professionals."

Keqing scoffed lightly, "Professionals don't usually get ambushed by sharks."

Lelouch stepped closer, examining the artifact, but not touching it. It looked valuable to be sure, but Lelouch's expression suggested he thought differently.
"You risked your life for this."

"It wasn't just about the artifact," Keqing said, dismissive of its value as an artifact, but what she said next came with a sharpener tone as she stepped forward. "This changes things, because this gives me leverage in Liyue, I'll have stronger influence and support."

Keqing's eyes locked onto Lelouch's own eyes.

"And that means you gain it too."

Lelouch smiled faintly.

"Mutual benefit. Just as planned."

Keqing didn't smile back.
"That's what concerns me."

Silence lingered between them.

"I've been watching you, Lelouch."
There was no hostility in her tone nor was she being accusatory, just certain.

"You manipulate people. You plan ten steps ahead. You use whatever means you need to win," Keqing paused for a moment. "And now you're doing it here."

Lelouch didn't attempt to deny it, but instead countered, "Would you prefer I didn't?"

Keqing hesitated, but it was only for a moment. "…No."

The answer came quieter than expected.

"I've seen what happens when people don't act," she continued. "When they hesitate. When they cling to ideals instead of results."

Her gaze hardened again.

"But that doesn't mean I trust you."

Lelouch chuckled softly.

"I would be disappointed if you did," Lelouch said, but he paused before he stepped closer, close enough that the distance between them felt intentional before speaking in a low and deliberate tone. "Tell me, Keqing, now that you've seen what I'm capable of…"

His eyes gleamed faintly.

"Will you stand with me?"

Keqing didn't answer immediately as her gaze drifted briefly to the jade dragon then back to him.

"…I will," she said at last. "But not because I believe in you, because I believe in what we can achieve."

Lelouch smiled, that same calculating, dangerous smile.

"Then we understand each other perfectly."


"Thank you I appreciate that Keqing," Lelouch said, but didn't notice Keqing's gaze lingered upon him for longer than necessary.


"I did have one question, with your liberation of Nahida, what do you think is happening? I have no doubt you just humiliated Sumeru and the Akademiya on an international level, exposing their care of their Archon as imprisonment. No doubt they are hunting you, but you probably didn't make it easy for them?"
"No I couldn't, especially since they have someone as capable as their famed General Mahamatra, and there was that second ranked Harbinger to worry about. So dozens of false trails had to be prepared, and why I went as far to use my Geass on those necessary to present the narrative I wanted, while ensuring the truth was spread beyond Sumeru's borders, the chaos will impede any effort to track me down as they'll forced to contain the unrest and deal with their enemies in the desert who will no doubt seize on the chaos," Lelouch answered. "The other nations who actually care about their Archon, will not likely aid Sumeru in Nahida's recapture, and even if they do it would be limited if the story had been different."

"How long do you think it will persist?"

"Long enough until I achieve my goals in Inazuma hopefully," Lelouch replied with a smile.

The Nautilus continued forward into the abyss, unseen and seemingly unstoppable. And far above the waves, the world of Teyvat waited unaware of what was coming, particularly Inazuma.

 

[Jason Wu]

Glad to see you back my guy. I was getting worried

 

[StrifeHavoc]

Glad to see you back my guy. I was getting worried

Click to shrink...

I badly needed a break because I wasn't very motivated and I needed time off to take care of myself emotionally and physically while avoiding burn out.