The atmosphere changed the moment the words fell.
The women exchanged glances, none speaking immediately.
After all, most of those present were the Seven Archons of the mortal realm.
Any single word could alter the course of Teyvat.
It could even draw the gaze of the heavens.
So…
They shifted their gazes, all looking towards Qin Yu in unison.
Meanwhile, he was reaching out, wanting to eat something.
"?"
Being suddenly grabbed felt a little awkward.
"You don't all have to be so serious,"
Qin Yu coughed lightly.
Why were they all staring at him so intently?
In the end, wasn't this supposed to be a harmonious and loving meal?
"Yu, you are the key to why we can all gather here,"
Raiden Makoto smiled gently, pushing the food closer to him.
"You liked it earlier, so eat more to replenish your strength."
Having said that, she casually glanced at the Tsaritsa.
Her smile was warm, like a hostess entertaining guests at home.
She was the host, the Tsaritsa was the guest.
During the Archon War, her sister was no pushover.
"?"
The Tsaritsa narrowed her cold eyes slightly.
She hadn't expected Ei to have backup.
But what did that matter?
She stared at Qin Yu, her fingertips lightly tapping her perky, black-stockinged thigh, which jiggled.
The domineering CEO, her aura fully unleashed.
She could choose whoever she wanted to "eat" first.
She wouldn't object.
"..."
Qin Yu sensed the unspoken tension between the two women and didn't dare move.
Given the current situation, tasting either side first would be dangerous!
He looked at Lesser Lord Kusanali, who was smiling wordlessly, and blinked.
"Madam, danger, need a hug!"
"Heh heh... then let's start with this lady,"
Lesser Lord Kusanali's gentle smile broke the stalemate.
"It seems you've already sensed it,"
Furina said meaningfully, looking up.
"Indeed, the authority of the Hydro Archon is very sensitive to mental energy,"
Kusanali looked at Nilou.
Furina's being carried the aura of two Hydro Archons.
"Alright... simply put, my soul has been contaminated by the previous Hydro Archon."
"She is waiting for an opportunity to possess my body and seek resurrection."
Furina's gaze became more serious as she spoke softly.
Everyone's expression changed at her words.
"Do you think we can still trust you?"
The Tsaritsa narrowed her eyes, her scrutinizing gaze seeming to pierce through Furina.
If the previous Hydro Archon was still around, then all their actions would be under heaven's surveillance.
All their plans would fail.
"Her soul's power has been mostly depleted by me, there's no need to worry."
"When the time is right, I will end it myself."
"... Through self-judgment."
Speaking of judgment, Furina let out a cold laugh, her gaze turning icy, even revealing a hint of obsession.
Justice and fairness, she would uphold them to the very end.
In the name of the Hydro Archon, Furina.
Qin Yu had never seen Furina like this before and frowned.
His intuition told him that Furina's mental state was having some issues.
Or rather... contamination.
"What does the Fatui need to do?"
The Tsaritsa continued to question.
When she realized the people needed the gods' tenderness and love, she decided to gradually change the Fatui's strategy.
Of course, the main reason was Qin Yu.
A "Transcendent" who could challenge the Heavenly Principles.
Now that Qin Yu was here, the Fatui's initial goal had already been achieved.
"The Fatui in Fontaine will proceed as usual. I will use this opportunity to thoroughly purge the judicial court established by the previous Hydro Archon."
Furina calmed down slightly, regaining her elegance and composure.
Hundreds of years of planning were all for the arrival of judgment.
Now, only one thing remained...
Standing with the fated person.
"My Mr. Judge, please come to Fontaine City and witness the arrival of judgment with me."
"Mhm."
Qin Yu's heart stirred, and he nodded.
He still wore the brooch Furina had given him.
With it, he could instantly teleport to her side.
"..."
Furina nodded slightly, indicating she had finished speaking.
Next, it was time for the other Archons to speak.
"What about you, Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
Raiden Makoto looked at Kusanali, wondering how the situation in Sumeru would be handled.
The unspoken message was, you should return to Sumeru and clean up the Akademiya like the Hydro Archon.
Staying at the Komore Teahouse every day, what were you planning to do?
Qin Yu, who wrote papers whenever he had nothing else to do: ...
"What a coincidence, the Fatui in Sumeru will also remain unchanged."
Lesser Lord Kusanali looked at Qin Yu with a gentle gaze.
The promise to Nahida had to be fulfilled.
Whether it was the Grand Sage of the Akademiya or the Fatui Harbingers.
The challenges Sumeru faced were far greater than these.
The rainforest, the desert.
Whether Nahida, as the second Dendro Archon, could govern these lands with fractured faith and territories would be a difficult problem.
A test Kusanali set for her beloved daughter.
Upon completion, Nahida would naturally grow into a wise and virtuous Dendro Archon, even more accomplished than Lesser Lord Kusanali.
Therefore...
"I will accompany Nahida to unite the desert factions and reorganize the Akademiya."
Qin Yu nodded and said earnestly.
Nahida was a kind girl.
So, dealing with the Grand Sage would be his job.
"..."
The Tsaritsa shook her head.
After discussing around, the Fatui had no changes in deployment.
She then looked at Raiden Makoto.
The latter smiled slightly and said,
"Don't forget the Abyss Order, Yu."
"Going to Enkanomiya to maintain the balance of the Three Realms is an agreement between Ei and the Cryo Archon."
And to obtain the Everlasting Flame.
The power of fire would be a crucial aid on your path to godhood.
"..."
Qin Yu realized belatedly, feeling strange.
Wait, wasn't this a meeting of Archons?
Why did they all turn to him in the end?
Oh no, he was caught between the women again.
"The stronger you are, the more you have to work to satisfy everyone."
Kusanali chuckled and, under the table, stretched her long leg and gently placed it on Qin Yu.
Her jade foot hooked him, inadvertently rubbing against him.
Qin Yu's body trembled.
"Heh heh..."
Kusanali's eyes glinted with amusement.
"Alright, I understand."
Facing the women's expectant gazes, Qin Yu feigned composure.
To summarize.
Inazuma, the Abyss Order in Enkanomiya.
Sumeru, the desert and the Akademiya.
Fontaine, the Hydro Archon's judgment.
Don't rush, everyone will get their turn, each one has a piece.
"So... is that it for the discussion?"
Furina yawned lazily.
"It's over, but not over."
The women stared at Qin Yu and nodded.
Qin Yu: ...
For some reason, he felt a chill down his spine.
"Don't forget, the cooking competition hasn't concluded yet."
Raiden Makoto smiled faintly.
"I won't lose to you."
The proud Tsaritsa crossed her arms, her gaze full of confidence.
With that, both women looked at Qin Yu, who was preparing to retreat.
Even more terrifying were the delighted Kusanali and the amused Furina, who also wanted to join the "battle."
"My sun, where are you going?"
Kusanali's lips curled, her toes hooking Qin Yu's pants.
"Be good, my Mr. Judge, there's something urgent you need to eat."
Furina held up a Fontaine bread.
Do you want to eat it all in one go?
"Ms. Furina, you're a devil!"
The pitiable Qin Yu was once again caught in the middle.
Where was the caring little cotton jacket, Nilou?
She covered her eyes with her hands, peeking through her wide fingers to witness the entire process.
In that moment, Nilou grew.
So, a teacher could also be on the receiving end.
...
Time passed slowly.
The harmonious and loving meal came to an end.
"Uh... I'm definitely done for... I can't eat anymore."
Qin Yu, his clothes disheveled and stuffed full by the dishes made by the women, lay on the grass, spread-eagled.
The cooking competition ultimately ended in a draw.
Rather than someone getting hurt, Qin Yu decided to bear it himself.
After all, if an ordinary girl was unhappy, she would just punch your chest.
But these women...
It was likely to trigger another Archon War 3.0.
Just as Qin Yu sighed.
"Teacher, are you feeling better?"
A sweet voice sounded from above.
At the same time, a strand of hair brushed against his ear, tickling him.
"Much better, Nilou."
Qin Yu looked up at the concerned girl and smiled.
After speaking, he shifted his head, making himself more comfortable.
"T-Teacher, please don't move... your hair... it's so ticklish..."
Nilou blushed and whispered.
"Sorry Nilou, it's just too comfortable to rest my head on."
Qin Yu closed his eyes contentedly and smiled.
Yes, Nilou was giving him a leg pillow.
Feeling the soft, springy, and firm touch, while enjoying the gentle massage of her soft hands, was truly a great pleasure.
Qin Yu inhaled the girl's faint scent, a look of satisfaction on his face.
This life was so comfortable.
Qin Yu had a quick recovery and forgot his pain.
"I'm glad if Teacher is satisfied. It's Nilou's fault for not being able to help Teacher earlier."
Nilou pouted, a little disappointed.
She was, after all, just an ordinary girl. How could she possibly get along well with Archons?
"Who says that? I want you to complete that task now."
Qin Yu opened his eyes and sat up directly.
Even if he didn't want a leg pillow anymore, he wanted Nilou to build her confidence.
"But... Teacher, do we really have to do that?"
Nilou sat obediently beside Qin Yu and quietly glanced at the cold silhouette in the distance.
It was Ei, who had switched back to her account.
"Go quickly. Nahida has already gone to the Tsaritsa, you have to be brave too."
To ensure everyone lived in harmony and love, Qin Yu's plan began.
...
Ei closed her eyes and meditated, her body surrounded by Electro fluctuations, emanating a regal aura.
The "Great Leader" was unhappy.
The reason was simple: she had left in a hurry and forgotten to bring her dango and light novels.
She had brought Qin Yu, but it wasn't dark yet.
So, she could only meditate to pass the time, patiently waiting for nightfall.
"Sister Ei... hello."
Suddenly, a young girl's voice rang out.
Ei slowly opened her eyes. "What is it?"
It was the little girl with the power of the Flower God.
"I made some pastries, would you like some?"
Nilou looked down at her restless little feet and asked softly.
So, so nervous.
Would an Archon really like such ordinary food?
Just as Nilou was feeling nervous,
"This... is delicious."
Ei had already unwrapped the packaging and tried a piece.
She looked at Nilou, her eyes lighting up.
"Huh...?"
Nilou blinked, seeming not to have registered what happened.
The majestic Raiden Shogun seemed different from her imagination.
She also liked eating pastries and showed a satisfied smile.
...Just like herself, who sometimes craved sweets.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck the girl.
"Teacher, I understand," Nilou murmured.
So, an ordinary her, making ordinary pastries with ordinary methods, could also gain the approval of an Archon.
Just like dancing, as long as she poured her sincere heart into it, it would work.
The girl clenched her small fists.
Then, what reason did she have to doubt herself and betray her teacher's trust!
At that moment, in Nilou's beautiful eyes, something was shining.
It was the radiance of a girl's confidence.
Thank you, Teacher, I love you the most!
"Come and sit with me, Nilou."
Ei looked at the somewhat naive girl and extended her hand.
She felt a good impression of this little girl who could make pastries.
"Okay, Sister Ei!"
On that day, Miss Nilou successfully latched onto the true empress, Ei.