Chapter 7: Lively Discussion

...Hmm.

 

This is quite different from what I expected.

 

With my arms crossed, I slowly surveyed the faces gathered around the table.

 

Each has taken on the appearance of an ordinary human, but their inner selves are anything but.

 

Like the Subduer of Demons sitting next to me.

 

Even though I had some information about them, I never imagined the meeting would be this...

 

"Liu Yun. How is that mechanical art you were working on last time coming along?"

 

"Surprising, Li Shu. Have you suddenly taken an interest in my mechanical arts?"

 

"I was just curious, that's all."

 

...They're closer than I thought.

 

"Hey, Xiao Yue. By the way, your body seems to have gotten stiff. How about sparring with me like last time?"

 

"No, Xiao Suo."

 

"Why?"

 

"...Just no."

 

So that's Xiao Suo, the Sky-Soaring Falcon's personality. It suits a martial artist more than an adeptus.

 

...I wonder if he'd accept if I asked to spar.

 

Surprised anew by experiencing firsthand a situation different from the memories floating in my mind, I sat quietly and observed them.

 

"The flowers are already starting to bloom. A good season."

 

Jia Zhen, the Wolf of the Western Winds. That is... Grandma Ping... Hmm. A cognitive dissonance is coming. Let's just call her Jia Zhen.

 

Jia Zhen mumbled softly while looking somewhere.

 

Speaking of flowers.

 

I slightly turned my head, trying to find the flowers.

 

Where are they... Ah.

 

Blue petals holding snow-white petals, as if a brush dipped in blue paint had lightly swept the earth, began to appear in my view.

 

The sight of them blooming now, finally releasing the scent of spring they held all winter, was incredibly beautiful.

 

The name of that flower is probably...

 

...What was it again?

 

As I tilted my head slightly and frowned.

 

"Glass Lilies. You seem to like flowers?"

 

Someone told me the flower's name.

 

I flinched and looked to the side.

 

Hair the color of the Glass Lily's blue petals sways and melts into the sunlight.

 

"...Yes. I do like them."

 

"That's great! Liyue has many kinds of flowers!"

 

At my answer, Ganyu smiled brightly and spoke.

 

"Of them, I like Qingxin the most. It's bitter, but the taste is the best."

 

I see. The taste is good...

 

...?

 

She said the taste is good?

 

Doubting whether my ears had deteriorated from long confinement, I glanced at Ganyu and traced my memories.

 

Come to think of it, I vaguely remember that adepti follow a vegetarian diet.

 

Well... It's probably better to eat them and use them for more practical purposes than to pluck flowers and use them in strange places.

 

"Could you describe what kind of flower Qingxin is?"

 

At my words, Ganyu's expression brightened further, and she soon began describing Qingxin's appearance, scent, and taste at an incredible speed.

 

She's completely excited.

 

Still, with the feeling of filling in new memories, I listened intently to Ganyu's story and soon... knew everything about the flower called Qingxin.

 

"You really are different from ordinary humans. Humans usually can't hold such long conversations with adepti..."

 

I don't think that's solely because they are 'adepti'.

 

Well. In a way, it might be because they are adepti. Having lived as adepti, they might not know much about humans.

 

"Well. Humans tend to struggle with beings different from themselves."

 

"...It almost sounds like you're saying you're not human, Gawain?"

 

"Um... As you know, I'm a bit peculiar, am I not?"

 

In truth, it was because I hadn't met people for 80 years and felt awkward, but there's no need to say that.

 

"Is that... so?"

 

Ganyu seemed to have something to ponder, bowing her head deeply for a moment.

 

The conversation ended like that. As the silence continued.

 

"Alright, alright! Let's slowly start preparing for the meeting!"

 

Guizhong, walking while waving her hands energetically, pulled Rex Lapis along and sat at the table.

 

And behind them.

 

Five men and women silently landed and sat down.

 

Familiar appearances.

 

I instantly raised my eyebrows and engraved their images in my eyes.

 

...Good grief. Could it be?

 

Yakshas?

 

Among the five yakshas, the particularly noticeable one of small stature.

 

...Bosacius. It was Bosacius, right?

 

I recalled Bosacius's name and moved my gaze in turn, struggling to remember the names.

 

"Ah. Come to think of it, this must be your first time seeing the yakshas. From left to right: General Huashe, Yingda; General Laquan, Bonan; General Shenyuan, Mino; General Jinpeng, Bosacius; and Marshal Dengshi, Fusa."

 

"Ah... I see. Thank you, Ganyu."

 

"Not at all."

 

Ganyu smiled bashfully and bowed her head again, and I looked at the yakshas.

 

Strange.

 

Having reached the Heavenly Flower Scattering realm and with my inner energy enriched, I had been using protective energy constantly, and since yesterday, to not miss a single moment of enlightenment, I had been pouring inner energy into my eyes, using observation techniques every moment.

 

From most adepti, I felt the energy of nature as if they had melted into it.

 

For example, from Liu Yun, the Subduer of Demons, an energy swirling like wind.

 

And from Ganyu, snowflake-like crystals were emitted, feeling cold yet warm, before scattering.

 

And as for Rex Lapis and Guizhong.

 

........

 

I kept lifting my head but finally stopped.

 

A stone pillar stretching endlessly into the sky, and a great mountain piled with countless dust.

 

Is this what a god truly is?

 

Just observing the divine energy makes my upper dantian tingle, threatening to burst forth with enlightenment.

 

Countless precursors flowed in my mind, beginning to branch into multiple paths of enlightenment.

 

But now... is not the time.

 

I instinctively feel it.

 

I must first complete the Three Realms sword technique.

 

For anything, the foundation must be solidly laid to build endlessly upon it.

 

Nevertheless. Indeed. I made the right choice accepting the contract. Just observing brings this much.

 

By staying with Rex Lapis, I might observe or even participate in battles between illuminated beasts.

 

If that happens, those experiences will become the stepping stones for me to advance to the next realm.

 

Anyway, when I looked at the yakshas through the observation technique I had activated like that.

 

I unknowingly frowned.

 

Energy typically emits a subtly different aura for each creature.

 

Because the methods of accumulating energy differ, the intensity of training differs, and the ways of embodying that technique are each unique.

 

But the yakshas' energy was surprisingly similar.

 

Blood-red. Dripping.

 

A sinister and unpleasant energy.

 

But I could know, I could feel.

 

The energy resembling a clear breeze blowing from the relatively young Bosacius.

 

That unpleasant energy was not theirs.

 

As I stared at them blankly, perhaps they sensed my energy too, as the gazes of all five yakshas instantly pierced me.

 

...Hmm. I stared too much.

 

I stealthily shifted my gaze back to Ganyu.

 

Then my eyes met Ganyu's again, and she hurriedly lowered her gaze.

 

I can see she's still feeling awkward.

 

"Alright, alright! Let's slowly start the meeting! Today, there are many items, so it's expected to take a long time!"

 

Guizhong, clapping her hands together loudly, opened her mouth.

 

"First, we must talk about this, right? Ahem!"

 

Clearing her throat audibly, Guizhong's expression became somewhat more serious.

 

The adepti, seeing this, simultaneously closed their mouths.

 

Though she looks like a delicate girl, in reality, Guizhong is the most 'Wise God' among them.

 

Naturally, she deserves respect.

 

"First. As the adepti who went to meet the illuminated beast of Qingce last time know, the illuminated beast of Qingce refused talks and declared war."

 

...Straight to the point from the very start.

 

As Guizhong threw out words reminding everyone of reality without any preparation, all the adepti present chose silence.

 

"Until now, there have been battles with illuminated beasts that couldn't be called large-scale, ones that Morax alone could handle, but from now on, that won't be the case. Recently, the sea-dwelling illuminated beasts Osial and Beisht, along with Baqiu and Orobas, plus the illuminated beast of Mt. Tianheng and the Lord of Vortex. And the many illuminated beasts existing everywhere."

 

Each name is extraordinary.

 

Human lives will be swept away like fallen leaves...

 

Before an illuminated beast, humans are merely tiny beings swept away with a single gesture.

 

Moreover, it's not just one or two illuminated beasts; we have to face at least six major ones...

 

Probably nowhere was as fierce a battleground in the Archon War as Liyue.

 

"So. From now on, we must formally prepare for war. So today! We will hold a meeting about what we need to have before waging war. Anyone with opinions?"

 

As soon as Guizhong finished speaking, all the adepti simultaneously raised their hands and spoke.

 

"We must protect the humans of Guili, so I believe that is the most important item."

 

"No, we have to fight illuminated beasts, so securing weapons using adeptal arts should come first, right?"

 

"I agree. How about using mechanical arts to create weapons to use against illuminated beasts."

 

"Shouldn't exterminating demons come first? What will we do if demons invade and sweep through Guili while we're at war with illuminated beasts?"

 

"Instead of thinking about such things, let's just attack first! In warfare, the first strike wins! We have our Lord, don't we!"

 

...My, my. A variety of opinions.

 

Ganyu and I blankly watched the arguments flying back and forth.

 

But Ganyu seems to have been with them for a long time; is she used to it?

 

I turned my gaze to look at Ganyu.

 

Ganyu was still bowing her head deeply and twisting her fingers.

 

...It seems there's no room for us to intervene.

 

I let out a small sigh and lifted the Noctilucous Jade sword placed beside me, giving it a small swing.

 

A distant Glass Lily was cut by my sword force, caught in the sword wind, and fluttered lightly towards me.

 

I snatched it and handed it to Ganyu, who looked at me, startled.

 

"Th-thank youuu..."

 

The way she received the flower with trembling hands somehow reminded me of a small animal.

 

"By the way, they're really passionately debating. Is it always like this?"

 

"N-no. I think everyone is particularly like that this time... They've never faced a major figure like the illuminated beast of Qingce before..."

 

"Hmm. I see."

 

The road ahead is long. At the very least, six illuminated beasts must be completely slain for the Archon War to end.

 

As I pondered briefly, Ganyu carefully plucked an outer petal of the Glass Lily, a piece of the blue petal, and put it in her mouth.

 

"...Mmm!"

 

As if she had eaten something incredibly sweet, a smile blossomed on Ganyu's lips.

 

Is it... tasty? That?

 

...Come to think of it, as someone who ate bugs, I probably shouldn't talk.

 

"Alright, alright! Everyone, hold on a moment! It's getting too heated!"

 

Amazingly, the adepti's arguments were settled with a single word from Guizhong.

 

"As you all know, the reason we gathered is to protect humans. Right, Morax?"

 

"...Indeed. I could not stand idly by watching the people's suffering."

 

"Everyone heard that? What's most important to us is not victory. It's the safety of the people, that is, our subjects."

 

...Truly, Guizhong.

 

Before I knew it, I had raised my head and was listening carefully to Guizhong's words.

 

"So we must focus on the humans. And it would be even better if we could hear the humans' opinions, right?"

 

...?

 

Guizhong looked at me.

 

"And look, there just happens to be a human representative over there?"

 

...Ah.

 

Everyone's gaze pierced me.

 

But unlike before, there was not a hint of disregard.

 

As if treating me as a full-fledged adeptus.

 

Even Ganyu raised her head and looked at me with sparkling eyes.

 

This is maddening. At this point, even I'm starting to doubt if I'm human.

 

"Alright! Gawain? As a human, can you tell us what we need?"

 

"Uh... I'm not that wise, so I might soil the adepti's ears."

 

"It's fine! I, the wise one, will filter and listen!"

 

.......

 

In the end, before speaking, I began to ponder.

 

War. War. 

 

War is ultimately about taking and being taken from.

 

Therefore, the most important thing is to not be taken from, but only to take.

 

"...If I may venture a word. I believe fortifying the village should come first."

 

"Hmmm?"

 

Is that a 'why?'.

 

"...If we wage war with illuminated beasts, enemies attacking the humans we wish to protect will inevitably appear. To counter that, I think fortifying the village's defenses and preparing things like food and clothing in advance should come first. That way, we can prevent even one more death."

 

For a moment, silence roamed over the table.

 

...Did I say something wrong?

 

"Good! Exactly! Isn't that the same as my thoughts?"

 

But contrary to my worries, Guizhong clapped and spoke.

 

"Morax and I also thought strengthening that aspect should come first. Moreover, if war breaks out, chaos will surely increase, so we said we should establish rules to prevent that and work on it! So! Here!"

 

As Guizhong grunted and tried to lift something, Rex Lapis approached and lifted it for her.

 

A snow-white scroll unfurled, revealing a white plain.

 

And Guizhong prepared to inscribe black characters upon it as she spoke.

 

"So this time, we'll establish those rules. If anyone has thoughts, speak up...!"

 

"I think internal strife is the most problematic issue so we should add content regarding that to prevent it beforehand..."

 

"That's also important but of course content regarding the Lord of Geo and the God of Dust and the Stove God should..."

 

...Hoho.

 

As the arguments heated up again, Ganyu and I naturally buried ourselves in our chairs and looked at each other.

 

And as soon as Ganyu met my eyes, she quickly lowered her head again.

 

This time, her face seemed a bit reddened too.

 

...By the way, I'm starting to doubt if this will end today.

 

But surprisingly, the ongoing arguments were interrupted again.

 

Because.

 

"Oh. You've come."

 

As small Stove Gods came running with food balanced on their heads, Rex Lapis greeted them with a bright expression, and the arguments naturally ceased.

 

Marchosius placed food before each person on the wide table, then this time ran to the yakshas and gave them food.

 

I briefly looked at the clear soup placed before me and soon lifted a stone spoon to taste the soup.

 

...!

 

It's delicious.

 

...But it feels like something is missing.

 

It's... bland?

 

That can't be. A Stove God wouldn't make such a mistake.

 

That means perhaps.

 

"God of Dust. May I ask one question?"

 

"Huh? Go ahead."

 

"Where do you obtain salt from?"

 

At my question, all the adepti looked at me.

 

Perhaps the previous clash with Rex Lapis was the catalyst.

 

The adepti no longer disregarded me as human and instead reacted sensitively to each of my opinions.

 

"Hmm... In the past, the people of Guili used to get it from the sea, but recently, sea-dwelling illuminated beasts like Osial and Beisht have been running rampant, so we've been getting it from rocks. But the quantity isn't great. Why? Is the food not salty enough?"

 

...Just as I thought.

 

Good. I've gained my justification.

 

All that remains is to persuade Guizhong.

 

"God of Dust. How important do you think salt is to the people?"

 

"Hmm? Are you giving me a quiz? Okay. I'll try to answer."

 

Guizhong frowned her fine brows slightly and began to ponder, and some of the adepti who heard my question also frowned, perhaps pondering too.

 

"...Hmm. It seems important, I suppose. It's used in more places than one might think."

 

"Correct. But salt is even more important to humans than you think."

 

I cleared my throat and began to explain.

 

"The human body, unlike adepti, absolutely requires salt. For the heart to beat. For red blood to flow. All are roles of salt."

 

At my words, Guizhong, who seemed to have gained new knowledge, opened her mouth slightly and her eyes began to sparkle.

 

"And?"

 

"And salt can also prevent food from spoiling."

 

Xiao Yue, the Deer of Solar Essence, who had been listening to my explanation, asked.

 

"Is that truly so? If you've spoken without evidence, your words will lose their power from now on."

 

Hmm. Evidence?

 

After pondering, I looked at Xiao Yue and tilted my head slightly.

 

Even at that moment, my eyes, concentrated with inner energy, had my observation technique constantly active, emitting a bluish light.

 

...?

 

I think Xiao Yue just flinched. Must be my imagination.

 

"If you get a fish and preserve it in salt, it will last longer than one that isn't."

 

"...I have seen humans do that."

 

Humans are already salting and preserving? ...That can't be.

 

Maybe Xiao Yue is mistaken.

 

Anyway. Good. Everyone is starting to come around, bit by bit.

 

I continued my explanation.

 

"When war officially begins, a method to obtain and store food will be needed. Salt will be necessary there, but humans also need to eat salt. Using rocks that require time and effort to mine would be problematic."

 

"...So. To summarize your opinion, what is it?"

 

Liu Yun, the Subduer of Demons, who had been listening carefully to my words, asked.

 

...Whew.

 

I took a small breath and looked at Morax and Guizhong.

 

Guizhong was smiling as if she understood something.

 

...May this become the half-step that alters the future.

 

"I have heard there is an illuminated beast of salt. If you permit it, I will go to persuade the illuminated beast of salt. If we have the illuminated beast of salt, it will help strengthen the village's foundation."