Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
A nervous tapping sound echoed through the room. Hair that usually flowed like silk was now tangled and matted, having lost its luster.
It was a sight she would never normally show. At least, that was the image everyone else had of her until now.
As the General Secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, representing hundreds of people, she could not afford to lose her composure. Agitation ruins emotions, and ruined emotions ruin work.
She was someone who believed that negative displays should be restricted to private spaces. Or rather, she wasn't exactly a 'person,' was she?
“...Miss! Miss Ganyu!”
“Miss Ganyu!”
“Ah? Oh. Yes.”
Her unfocused eyes, which had been staring blankly as if possessed, finally found their light. Ganyu shook her head slightly as she looked at the secretary who had suddenly appeared before her.
“Is something the matter?”
“An official document has arrived from Inazuma.”
“Inazuma... you say?”
The envelope the secretary held out had a vivid Electro crest engraved on the seal.
Once the secretary returned to their desk, Ganyu broke the seal and slowly opened the envelope. Another secretary watched cautiously as Ganyu read through the official document, which was wrapped in elegant light-purple paper.
“What... does it say?”
“It’s nothing major. The remnants of the gods in Inazuma are becoming too toxic, so they are requesting assistance.”
Ganyu spoke nonchalantly as she quietly folded the light-purple document.
While Rex Lapis was working hard to maintain the peace and prosperity of Liyue, there were no Yakshas or Adepti to spare for a dispatch to Inazuma.
Even if there were, Liyue was located at the heart of the Teyvat continent. Even without divine remnants, there were plenty of enemies threatening Liyue’s security. It was absurd to send manpower abroad when Liyue’s own situation wasn't fully settled.
Unless it was a prisoner of Liyue, or perhaps a potential enemy...
A potential...
“Then I shall inform them that we are declining.”
“No, wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
Ganyu turned around and spent a long time rummaging through the bookshelves, pulling out all sorts of papers. She then sat down and began reading through the documents one by one.
To avoid disturbing her, the secretary quietly set the Inazuman document aside and returned to their seat.
#
Thump! Thump!
“Ugh... Mm...”
My eyes felt gritty. The morning sunlight was streaming brightly through the gap in the curtains.
As Gyeoul tried to sit up, he felt a small weight on his body. He stopped moving and turned his head.
Soft, flowing white hair.
As always, Nahida was sleeping peacefully like an angel, her tiny breaths rhythmic and soft.
He carefully moved Nahida’s leg off him and stood up from the bed.
“Mngh...”
Sensing her leg being moved, Nahida tossed and turned slightly. Seeing this, Gyeoul reached out his hand.
“Mmm...”
As he gently placed his hand over her eyes to block the light, a comfortable moan escaped Nahida’s lips.
“Whew...”
Only then did he let out a small sigh of relief.
He quietly straightened Nahida’s body, which had tilted to the side, and tucked her in. Perhaps sensing Gyeoul’s touch in her sleep, a faint smile played on Nahida’s lips.
After patting her head, Gyeoul left the room. When he opened the door that had been thumping so loudly, there was no sign of anyone, as if the sound had never happened.
Watching a single bird fly off into the sky, Gyeoul brought the thick stack of papers left at his doorstep inside.
“Budget allocation for salt refining and quality improvement at Eunwon Pavilion, road maintenance and improvements for...”
The Chief Overseer of the Golden House.
The job description was simple: when Yuehai Pavilion needed Mora, they sent an official document to the Golden House. The Overseer would then judge the validity of that document and authorize the release of Mora.
The actual moving and counting of Mora was handled by subordinates in the Finance Department. Strictly speaking, the Chief Overseer was a 'living scanner.'
However, because it was a position personally appointed by Rex Lapis, the people of the previous generation had agonized over it. They needed a way to control the position without disrespecting the Lord of Geo’s authority.
This was a seat that could easily be exploited to manipulate the very Mora that kept the world turning. How could they keep it in check?
The solution they came up with was 'information priority.'
[All documents approved by the heads of each department must also be made available to the Overseer of the Golden House.]
Thus, while the Overseer of the Golden House had no real power, they gained access to all information. Publicly, this was framed as a way for the most important figure in Liyue to ensure the transparency of the nation's administration.
The resulting position had no duties and no rights, yet it knew better than anyone how Liyue was being run—a command center that couldn't issue commands.
“Hmm, I have no idea what any of this means.”
Of course, Gyeoul, who knew absolutely nothing about Liyue’s internal affairs, flipped through the stack of papers before tossing them into the fireplace and lighting a fire. Black smoke drifted out through the chimney.
“Burning these every morning is getting tedious.”
Muttering to himself, Gyeoul poured a cup of cold water and gulped it down. The cold water hitting his throat cleared his head a bit.
“Mmm...”
“Oh, you’re awake?”
“Yes...”
“Want some water?”
Nod, nod.
He tried to get a new cup for the nodding Nahida, but she grabbed the cup he had been using and held it out to him.
Gyeoul offered her the fresh cup instead.
“Nahida, use this one. That one’s mine.”
“...”
Despite his words, Nahida shook her head with sleepy eyes. She simply lifted the cup she was already holding.
‘I guess it doesn’t matter.’
Thinking he was being fussy for no reason, Gyeoul poured water into the cup Nahida held. Nahida pressed the cup to her lips, her small throat moving as she made little gulping sounds.
Her eyes, which had been half-closed with sleep, quickly became bright and clear.
“Is it refreshing?”
Nod, nod.
Seeing Nahida nod vigorously, Gyeoul reached out. He felt her fine, soft hair against his palm. Nahida leaned her head further into Gyeoul’s hand as he stroked her hair.
Knock, knock, knock.
What now? I already got the documents.
He took his hand off Nahida’s head and opened the door again. A civil servant with an incredibly exhausted face was knocking on his door.
“Lord Gyeoul, Lord Gyeoul? I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Well... this arrived.”
It was a golden envelope sealed with a Geo element crest. Regardless of who was watching, Gyeoul tore it open on the spot and pulled out the contents.
“An official document?”
“Yes.”
He unfolded the neatly creased paper.
‘Sender: Inazuma Shogunate. Recipient: Liyue Yuehai Pavilion. The Inazuma Shogunate wishes to establish a national agreement to recognize the symbolism and cause Liyue holds within the process of the Archon War.’
So what?
‘As a strategic hub and the site of the most intense battles on the continent, Liyue will be highlighted as a leader in global peace and secure the legitimacy to enjoy its benefits. We, the Inazuma Shogunate, hope for mutual prosperity in Liyue’s events...’
‘What is this even saying? The phrasing is weird.’
He folded the light-purple paper after skimming it and unfolded the golden paper beneath it.
Amidst the sentences that were so long he didn't even want to read them, one line stood out particularly.
‘...We have recommended Lord Han Gyeoul.’
“What is this?”
“May I ask what it says?”
“You don’t know?”
“No, sir.”
“Then... no, never mind. Go back to your work.”
“Yes, sir.”
Letting out a small sigh, Gyeoul burned the documents as he always did. The black smoke from the burning paper stung his nose.
‘Why is this one so smoky?’
If I go all the way to Inazuma, who’s going to look after Nahida?
Shaking off the useless thoughts, he looked at the mountains outside the window. The fact that there was nothing out there was a disadvantage, but also an advantage. It was usually dull as can be, but at times like this, it was perfect for zoning out.
Gyeoul muttered quietly to himself.
To be honest, I don't want to do anything at all.
I wonder what it would have been like if I lived a hamster-wheel life—just doing the work I was given like a regular salaryman, going home when the work was done, and doing what I wanted on my occasional days off.
Instead of me coming to this world, it would have been better if Nahida had come to reality. I could have raised her so much better then.
If that had happened, I would have sent Nahida to school and looked for a job where I could get off work early.
But those thoughts soon shattered into nothingness. Futile fragments of emotion scattered in his heart.
Living in this world would have been hard even without Nahida.
What is the real reason I’m struggling?
“Dad. Dad.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s do this.”
Nahida had approached him before he knew it and was holding something out.
It was the book he had bought earlier, ‘The Perfect Common Language for Children.’ It was his own attempt at education.
Nahida was following along with a bright smile, showing no signs of dislike.
Setting aside his complicated thoughts for a moment, he opened the book and placed it between himself and Nahida.
“Alright, Nahida. Do you want to try reading this?”
“In the fields where the breeze blows, under the trees swaying in the autumn wind, before the harbor where the sea breeze blows, the wind carries me. The clouds welcomed me. The whole world was the color of the sky.”
It was only natural, but Nahida was very smart.
“Good job.”
As she finished reading the passage he chose, he placed his palm gently on her cheek as she looked up at him. Nahida squinted her eyes and smiled broadly, rubbing her cheek against his hand.
[Mission Complete - Cheek Rubbing]
I always think this, but it makes it feel like I’m only doing this to clear daily commissions.
After enjoying the soft sensation for a moment, he moved on to teach her the next sentence.
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