The golden Geo element surrounding his entire body shines like the sun.
Watching Zhongli brush back his hair, I grumbled quietly about how unfair the world could be. His long, brown-tinted hair swayed gently in the breeze.
“Forgive me if the hospitality is a bit modest.”
“It was plenty intense.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
With a faint smirk, Zhongli sat down. On the table, which was adorned with elegant patterns, sat a cup of steaming tea.
I sat across from him and carefully rested my hands on the table. Nahida, who had been looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings, cautiously climbed down from my arms and stood on the tabletop.
In the distance, the sun was rising, and below us lay a sea of clouds with mountain peaks piercing through the mist.
Is this the sky island above Qingyun Peak?
“Is the view not magnificent? This place was constructed by Cloud Retainer using Plaustrite. Originally, it was intended as a sanctuary where one could escape the tedious affairs of the mortal world and focus on cultivation without distraction.”
“It’s nice, but...”
Nahida clung tightly to my hand, refusing to let go. Her white skirt fluttered violently in the wind.
“The wind is too strong.”
I carefully cupped my palms around Nahida to shield her. Leaning her back against my hand, Nahida’s expression finally softened into one of relief.
“I was inconsiderate.”
As soon as Zhongli spoke, a protective shield enveloped both Nahida and me. I felt my hair, which had been whipping wildly behind my back, settle down instantly.
Nahida reached out, fascinated by the translucent barrier surrounding her, but her hand didn't touch the membrane.
She took a step forward with a puzzled look, but the shield moved in perfect sync with her body.
After spinning in circles for a moment, Nahida looked up at me. Her expression seemed to ask, 'Why is this happening?'
After a brief hesitation, I slowly moved my hand toward her. The shields met, preventing me from getting any closer to her.
Nahida watched my hand approach, and seeing it blocked by the translucent film, she looked bewildered and reached out her own hand.
With a soft thud, the translucent barriers repelled each other, and Nahida’s hand could not reach mine.
“I added it just in case a bird might fly into you. You might be fine, but the little lady would not be.”
Hearing Zhongli’s explanation, I looked down at Nahida. She kept reaching out, making little tap, tap sounds against the barrier, and when she realized she still couldn't touch me, her eyes began to redden. Tears welled up in her clear eyes.
Seeing that, I hurriedly waved my hand at him.
“Then release mine.”
“As you wish.”
The Geo element of the shield shattered, and the wind immediately began to toss my hair and clothes again. Having my bangs brush against my forehead was annoying, but the moment I saw Nahida—who had been on the verge of tears—grab my hand and break into a bright smile, all those thoughts vanished.
“You seem to cherish the girl dearly.”
“...”
“What is her name?”
“Nahida.”
“Nahida? A unique name.”
The conversation flowed so naturally that there was no sense of awkwardness.
Come to think of it, I spoke casually to Rukkhadevata and Osial as well.
Logos. Who exactly is he?
“Your thoughts seem complicated.”
“Just... you know.”
“If there is something you wish to ask, then ask. My knowledge is not infinite, but I can share what I know. However, please choose your questions carefully.”
“Carefully?”
“By all rights, you and I are fated never to meet.”
“Why?”
“Is that a question?”
“No.”
I shook my head at his serious inquiry. To say yes now would be a waste when I needed so much more information.
I thought it over, organizing the things that had been floating in my mind.
'The Archon Quest said there was a war. How long has it been since the Archon War started?'
'No. That’s information I can get later just by stopping someone on the street.'
'Rukkhadevata, Nahida, Osial, Archon War, Zhongli, Yakshas.'
I slowly opened my closed eyes.
“Who am I?”
“That is far too abstract.”
When I stiffened my face at his answer, a small meteor from Planet Befall appeared beside Zhongli’s head and began to orbit him. I let out a small chuckle at the sudden appearance of the meteorite.
Thanks to that, I regained a bit of my composure.
“What does my Demon God name mean?”
“Logos (λόγος). It means 'Story.'”
The Demon God of Stories.
And a trait written as 'Dream.'
Thinking about it, unless there was a specific tool like a Death Note, there was no setting more convenient than 'Dream' to make things happen as one desired. It made sense.
“Am I a Descender?”
Beings revealed during the Sumeru Archon Quest. Beings who do not belong to this world, having come from another.
In the Genshin Impact story, the Traveler played by the user is called a Descender.
Characters who use concepts not found in Teyvat are often speculated to be Descenders, but since nothing had been confirmed, I asked.
I didn't even know if the weapons I was summoning existed in this era, yet they appeared anyway.
“A Descender... If you are referring to your body, then no. You were certainly born of this world.”
Vague. Does he know I’m not the original owner of this body? Or is there some special characteristic to the body of the Demon God Logos?
“How do I rank?”
“Be more specific.”
“How strong am I?”
“Within your own domain, there are very few beings who would ever wish to be your enemy.”
So, there are many who might dislike me, but none who can ignore me. But it means those beings do exist.
Zhongli lifted his teacup to his lips. Since he placed such importance on dignity and elegance, I also grabbed my cup and downed the tea in one gulp.
I didn't know why, but Zhongli seemed quite amused by this.
“This is the final question.”
“That’s not many.”
“It cannot be helped. She is watching us right now.”
“She? The Heavenly Principles?”
“Is that your final question?”
“No.”
I shook my head quickly. My opponent was the God of Contracts. There would be no lies in what he had said so far.
Questions about what I should do next and where I should go flooded my mind. Just a moment ago, the Yakshas had come to capture me. And the Fatui, who shouldn't even exist yet, were appearing.
I thought. First, I set aside everything regarding the situation.
What should I ask? What can I gain? What must I do?
What is my goal right now?
“Are we friends?”
“...Ho.”
Letting out a voice full of admiration, Zhongli set down his teacup. The tea, which had been sitting for quite some time, no longer gave off the warm steam it had earlier.
“Why are you being so favorable toward me?”
I didn't know the reason, but Zhongli wanted to do something for me. He shielded me from his own falling meteor, he didn't attack me alongside the Yakshas when he could have, and he was answering questions he didn't have to.
But I didn't know why. So, I asked that.
“It was an expected question, yet still surprising. To put it into words... yes, I suppose we could be called friends.”
“Friends. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that word. Well, I do not know exactly how our relationship would be defined, but borrowing the broad perspective of mortals, we could certainly be designated as such.”
“Hah.”
I exhaled the breath trapped in my lungs. I calmed my hand, which was trembling slightly from tension, by stroking Nahida’s head.
“You said we’re friends.”
“Indeed.”
“Then I have a favor to ask.”
“Hmm? And what might that be?”
Looking at the God who seemed curious, I quietly opened my mouth.
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