Qin Yu, having concluded his journey across the Seven Nations, finally returned to Inazuma.
The once small tea house had expanded countless times.
The reason?
Much like Qin Yu, who claimed to have many wings upon reaching Sky Island.
Sumeru, Liyue, Fontaine, Snezhnaya...
More and more girls decided to move in permanently.
Accommodating their luggage and meeting their diverse living needs was no simple feat.
Qin Yu, as the instigator of it all, was instead cheerful every day, taking different girls sightseeing.
It was better to have more liveliness.
It was fine, he could handle it.
His smug demeanor naturally earned him glares from all the girls.
His true nature as a lecherous scoundrel had long been seen through.
A greedy, bad fellow.
...
And so, time slowly flowed by.
The peaceful days quietly stirred with ripples.
What was strange was that the Komore Teahouse seemed to be preparing for something, becoming increasingly lively.
Finally, on a certain day, news spread.
Lord Qin Yu, who stood beside Her Excellency the Raiden Shogun, was getting married.
This grand wedding would be held soon.
"?"
Who was the bride?
The public, naturally, adopted a spectator's attitude.
Coincidentally, the Yae Publishing House initiated a discussion topic and announced they would be covering it.
The topic of discussion was, of course, Qin Yu's bride.
They even launched a voting event.
As expected of Yae Publishing House, they were always at the forefront of sensational events.
The public found it novel and interesting, and many participated.
Its popularity was so immense that the chief editor himself had to appear to explain the rules.
"Heh~ Everyone, please participate enthusiastically."
"Yae Publishing House accepts votes from anyone in the Seven Nations."
"Below is the list of voluntarily participating candidates—"
A curious citizen took a flyer and let out a soft gasp.
"The General is also here?!"
"Is that true? Let me see!"
"No way—"
There indeed was the Raiden Shogun.
As Yae Publishing House was a seasoned producer of Raiden Shogun fan content, readers were already accustomed to this.
At the same time, a bold idea formed in their minds.
Ahem.
Why not vote for Her Excellency the General?
An unspoken understanding was reached.
"We want to vote for Her Excellency the General!"
The lively and festive atmosphere naturally made the voting process exceptionally fierce.
Initially, Her Excellency the General's votes were indeed leading far ahead.
They were even significantly higher than those of the other Archons.
As for why the Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nahida, the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa, and Miss Furina were also among the voting options.
Who cared? Just vote!
...
But soon, an unexpected event occurred.
"The bride must be the lovely and well-behaved Miss Kamisato."
A certain mysterious man, who passed by and enjoyed drinking milk tea, along with a large group from the Yashiro Commission, rallied votes for his young lady.
Numbers indeed brought strength.
In just half a day, the votes for the young lady of the Yashiro Commission were almost catching up to the Raiden General!
"?"
This action was naturally noticed by those with discerning eyes.
Therefore, the next day, Kamisato Ayato of the Yashiro Commission was punished by the Raiden Shogun for stepping into Tenshukaku with his left foot.
He was forbidden from drinking milk tea for a month.
"Your Excellency the General, please listen to your subordinate's explanation—"
The head of the Kamisato family lost his dreams.
...
After the Yashiro Commission incident, the nature of the voting changed.
The first to make a move was a certain mischievous pink-haired fox.
And so, at the prosperous Narukami Shrine, you could see—
"Look, look!"
"Participate in the vote and choose Guuji Yae, and it is said you will receive extra blessings~"
Yae Miko joined the fray!
The girls observing from the shadows no longer held back.
They each employed their own methods to garner votes.
Such as making promises with children to vote for Yoimiya's fireworks girl.
Or mobilizing relatives, friends, and subordinates from far-off Liyue to vote for the Cow Offal Master.
Asking the round and plump Aranara to vote for Lesser Lord Kusanali.
A certain Snezhnayan toy merchant who wished to remain anonymous.
And so on...
The voting ultimately became dazzling, akin to a battle of deities.
In fact, there were indeed deities among the popular vote candidates!
"..."
Beneath the shade of a tree outside Yae Publishing House.
A golden-haired youth in exotic clothing held a voting flyer.
His gentle gaze quietly rested on a name.
"Little brother, are you here to vote too?"
A passerby curiously asked.
"..."
The golden-haired youth smiled upon hearing this and slowly replied:
"I couldn't refuse my sister, so I came to help her cast a vote."
"Is that so? Then who does your sister want to vote for?"
"To... the Traveler who has found her home and belonging."
The golden-haired youth smiled slightly, gestured with the flyer in his hand, and leisurely departed.
Lumine, my sister.
She has finally grown up.
As an elder brother, I am very pleased.
"..."
Hundreds of years ago, countless heroes who ascended to Sky Island vanished without a trace.
Much like Sumeru's beehive system, their brains became components maintaining the laws of Sky Island.
Even he was abducted by the gods of Sky Island and confined within the "Laws."
As for later joining the Abyss Order, it was a clone created by Ishtar using the World Tree.
After all, the Traveler was an existence with extraordinary talent.
"Now, the conflict is over."
"The Heavenly Principles that correct the laws of the world are not the stars, nor the abyss."
"But..."
"My brother-in-law?"
...
Time continued to move forward.
The external clamor did not affect the Komore Teahouse.
It remained a place of quiet harmony.
Finally, the promised wedding day arrived.
"Hey— Wake up!"
Qin Yu was awakened by the floating Paimon, looking helpless.
"Why is it just you? Where are the others?"
There could only be one bride.
This vote, after all, was won by Ei.
The other "unsuccessful" candidates would naturally become bridesmaids.
This was the rule of the Archon War.
"Hmph, they said they were waiting for you outside."
Paimon put her hands on her hips and urged Qin Yu to get up.
"Alright, alright. You get your own table during the meal."
"Really? Yay!"
...
He opened the window. The sun was bright.
The morning breeze was cool and comfortable.
Qin Yu looked at himself in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction.
Still so handsome.
"Okay, let's go."
"Leading the Great Leader to the pinnacle of life begins today!"
He left his residence and arrived at the lawn in the spacious courtyard.
"Where is everyone?"
Qin Yu looked at the empty venue, feeling puzzled.
The wedding venue was ready.
The groom was present.
Where was the bride, adorned in a pure wedding dress, with flowing hair?
There wasn't even a bridesmaid!
Just then, the babbling stream in the distance lit up with colorful light.
"Honest child, who is your bride?"
A gentle voice, solemn and reverent.
But it seemed to be suppressing a chuckle.
"..."
Qin Yu smiled, sensing the anomaly.
"My dear, please stop teasing me!"
"Take it. It will guide you to your bride."
In the pool, a transparent crystal appeared.
"What is this?"
Qin Yu instinctively picked it up.
Divine power flowed, it was the familiar power of the God of Flowers.
Wait, the God of Flowers and the Tree King?!
A bad premonition flashed through his mind.
In an instant, the crystal radiated light, enveloping the tea house.
"Heh heh..."
"Want to play a little game?"
"You know, the one you understand."
...
The light slowly dissipated.
Qin Yu's eyes widened as he looked at the girls who appeared simultaneously.
Each unique, yet all stunningly beautiful.
The key point was that they were all wearing pure white, immaculate wedding dresses.
The next moment, as if by agreement, they spoke in unison.
"Qin Yu— Quickly hold hands with your bride!"
"...?"
Qin Yu instinctively walked to Ei and took her small hand.
But at that moment, something unexpected happened.
"Idiot, I'm your real sister!"
"Ah?"
Qin Yu instinctively looked at Makoto, then at "Ei."
"Guessed wrong again, I'm Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."
"Ei" covered her mouth and smiled, winking playfully.
The dream authority of the God of Flowers could disrupt everyone's souls.
This meant...
The current bride was a bridesmaid.
And the bridesmaid was also a bride?!
"This, this isn't right. Then who am I supposed to hold the wedding with today?"
Qin Yu couldn't quite figure it out, his gaze sweeping across the girls who were secretly smiling at their successful prank.
Makoto, Ei, Yae Miko, Kitsune Saiguu.
Ayaka, Yoimiya, Kokomi, Shiori.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Nahida, the God of Flowers, Nilou.
The Tsaritsa, Columbia, Dottore.
Miss Furina.
Lumine.
Keqing, Yelan.
And other bridesmaids.
"Come on—"
The girls exchanged glances and smiled, opening their slender, fair arms towards Qin Yu.
"Quickly choose your correct answer."
"If you choose wrong, there will be a punishment."
The duration of the punishment was indefinite.
"..."
"Heh, I knew the wedding wouldn't go smoothly."
Qin Yu smiled, his gaze soft and content.
It was fine to be wrong, for he was willing.
This journey, though fraught with hardships.
The ending was warm and beautiful.
Everyone.
Let's always stay close like this, from now on.
—The End.
...
...
...
Phew, it's finished.
A new book is being prepared, and the author will rest for a while.
If you want to keep up with the release, you can join the fan club at van.
Thank you all for your companionship, and I hope everyone's affairs go smoothly and they are happy every day.
So, this is truly goodbye.
Bye bye.
^_^
— Meng Hong Ye