The Empress, as pure and aloof as ice and snow, fell into Qin Yu's embrace.
The moment she was held, Qin Yu was slightly taken aback.
Contrary to her imposing, unapproachable, and cold demeanor.
When truly holding the Empress…
She smelled nice, felt soft, and was very comfortable.
Ahem… No, she felt warm.
That doesn't seem right either.
Qin Yu couldn't quite put it into words.
In the storm, the divine being lightly closed her eyes, appearing to sleep in her exhaustion.
Shedding her pride and coldness, she revealed a touch more gentleness and warmth.
Much like ice slowly beginning to melt.
Winter ice is by no means absolutely cold.
She endured through a harsh environment, seeking a way to break free from the shackles of her fate.
And when the spring sun cast its light, she would melt herself, nurturing this world.
The fate of the Cryo Archon was this world of Teyvat.
Even if the ending seemed inevitable.
She still chose to raise her sword and did not take a single step back.
The Archon was a very gentle deity.
But it was precisely because she was too gentle that she chose to seal herself away.
Even if it pained those who followed her and gazed upon her retreating figure.
Forgive me…
For making you bear the sorrow of this world with me.
This was her final murmur.
"…"
As if recalling something, the Empress slightly furrowed her beautiful brows.
Qin Yu gazed at her exquisite yet weary face, his eyes flashing with complexity.
He sighed softly in his heart.
At this moment, she was not a god high and mighty, looking down on everything.
Instead, she was like a lost girl in the woods, utterly exhausted.
Giving her all, just to return to the right path.
Alone, surrounded by confusion and fear, you ran endlessly.
When you came to your senses, you were already covered in wounds.
Perhaps you would persevere until the day of success.
But before that…
Don't you think it's too hard to keep pushing yourself like this?
"…"
Qin Yu shook his head and fell silent.
The wind no longer lifted them to reunite with Ei and the others but let them fall.
Even if it was only for this brief moment.
Forget the past like this and rest well.
Qin Yu did not know what the Empress's heavy burden truly was.
But…
Regrets would eventually be mended.
Great Viashraya, Raiden Makoto, YaeMiko, Kazari…
Qin Yu had no grand ideals of saving the world.
He just wanted to spend his days being close and bringing the promised happiness to the girls around him.
Fighting for beauty, this was Qin Yu's gentleness.
Cryo Archon.
I wonder if you can accept this answer now?
"…"
The Empress's beautiful eyelashes trembled, but she did not respond.
Her hair was disheveled, and it brushed against Qin Yu's cheek inadvertently, feeling silky smooth.
Qin Yu's eyes widened slightly.
Suddenly, he felt that the Archon doll wasn't that cute anymore.
He had already found a bigger and cuter one.
…
They landed slowly on the island.
"Where is this now?"
Qin Yu, carrying the sleeping beauty in his arms, looked around.
Rumble—
Lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a drizzling rain fell from the sky.
Elemental energy was surging between heaven and earth.
Seirai Island was already a place shrouded in thunder, with a harsh environment.
Now, it had become the main battlefield of the Archon War 2.0, and it was pierced through with an arrow.
It was known that eight Archons were involved in the battle.
Electro, Dendro, Cryo, Hydro, Anemo.
These mixed elemental reactions were very harmonious.
"Let's go find shelter from the rain first. Ei and the others should arrive soon."
Qin Yu murmured, then looked down at the Empress in his arms and was instantly stunned.
Why isn't she awake yet?
Did he shoot the arrow too hard and cause some kind of problem for the Empress?
"Hello?"
He called out tentatively, but there was no response.
The Empress seemed to have completely let down her guard, letting the rain soak her clothes.
Silver-gray hair cascaded down, her sleeping face exquisite.
A slender, firm waist, a pair of straight, long beautiful legs, and bare, fair feet in high heels.
And a proud chest that was in no way inferior to that of his wife and the married Ei.
The damp fabric clung to her skin, outlining her graceful and alluring curves.
The proud and cold Empress remained motionless.
To be honest, after watching for a while…
It felt a bit see-through.
"Cough, cough."
Qin Yu quickly dispelled the inappropriate thoughts.
He was a decent person!
[Ding, you have successfully won the Archon War and picked up the Cryo Archon in a princess carry.]
[Card-Punching Reward Complete]
Qin Yu: What reward?
[Liyue, Mondstadt, Sumeru, Fontaine…]
[The muddled and adorable trainee ranger
The scumbag senior who likes to be called a sweet girl
The desert village guardian skilled in interrogation
The mysterious aunt cultivating in the mountains
The female knight of the City of Freedom who works overtime every day]
[Are you still troubled by being trapped in Inazuma and unable to meet the girls from the other six nations?]
[The reward is here: Spatial pinpoint teleportation]
[You can freely travel to the main regions of the seven nations.]
[Go and get closer to more girls!]
Qin Yu: …
System, what do you mean by that? Is he that kind of person?
He's going on an adventure!
And he, Qin Yu, loved adventures the most.
"Cough… Stay calm."
Qin Yu muttered softly, carrying the Empress in search of a place to shelter from the rain.
But clearly, this place was not simple.
He soon encountered a small cat.
The cat was translucent blue all over, and it had been waiting for a long time.
"Water manifestation?"
Qin Yu suspected, where did this thing come from in Inazuma?
But he quickly realized.
This was something only a Pure Water Spirit could summon.
"Hydro Archon, are you there?"
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes and shouted to the surroundings.
This time, he received a response.
Qin Yu entered a mental world.
[We meet again.]
[Before we chat, relax with me first.]
A girl's elegant and cheerful voice rang out again.
The Hydro Archon, Furina.
A voice communication began.
"Okay."
Qin Yu's eyes flickered, and he agreed.
Let's see what this somewhat lively Hydro Archon was up to.
[Let's begin.]
As soon as she spoke, a crisp finger snap echoed.
The next moment, a soothing melody began to play from Furina's side.
After afternoon tea, it was time for a concert.
Qin Yu listened for a while.
It was a musical style he had never heard before, but it was surprisingly pleasant.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
The Hydro Archon was truly a refined deity who enjoyed life.
Like an elegant noble lady.
…
[The performance is complete, how did you feel?]
Furina asked, with a hint of pride in her voice.
From modifying instruments to composing the music,
This was a concert she had personally organized.
The audience, naturally, consisted only of her and Qin Yu.
"It was good."
Qin Yu spoke the truth.
[Ah… With an answer like that, you won't win a lady's heart.]
Furina expressed her regret. kuAiδugg
"Are you referring to yourself as a lady?"
Qin Yu felt strange and asked curiously.
[Otherwise, who else would it be?]
"There are more questions… it feels like a blind date."
Qin Yu said casually, without holding back.
But he was immediately stunned.
[Blind date? That's an interesting way to put it.]
[But if your answer satisfies me…]
[Considering being a partner… is a possibility.]
The god of justice chuckled meaningfully.
Qin Yu, did you really think I came to find you just to chat?
So…
Do you want to accept the challenge?
Qin Yu: "…"
Are you serious?
…