However, whether the Tsaritsa's Prince's plans would truly succeed once put into practice was another matter entirely.
Regardless, the Liyue Qixing would prepare themselves seriously for what was to come. Their opponent this time was the Prince of Snezhnaya—someone who absolutely could not be underestimated.
"Your Highness," Keqing said softly, "I still wish to ask you about human rule."
"I firmly believe that the age of human governance has already arrived… yet all I see before me is darkness."
This opportunity was rare. Taking advantage of it, Keqing finally voiced thoughts she had never dared to share with anyone else.
In the eyes of outsiders, she was always the decisive, sharp, efficiency-driven Yuheng of the Qixing, someone who demanded perfection in all things. But even she experienced moments of doubt.
Just like now.
Isolated by her colleagues, regarded as an oddity by many, she often wondered whether the path she insisted on—human rule—had truly been a mistake.
Severin smiled faintly.
"When a beam of light shines into the abyss," he said calmly, "the filth hidden within is exposed—and the light itself is blamed for it."
"Lady Keqing, you are that small beam of light. And so am I."
He continued, his voice steady and profound:
"Upon the tombstones of the gods, humanity shall become the god of gods.
Upon the ruins of lies, humanity shall become the king of kings.
To mankind, the concept of gods was unnecessary from the very beginning."
In a world ruled by the Seven, Severin believed that on the day Heavenly Principles fell, neither gods nor demon gods would have any reason to exist.
Any form of divine rule ultimately hindered humanity's growth.
One day, Teyvat would become a godless nation.
In essence, Severin stood firmly on the side of human rule.
The difference was this:
Keqing was a single ray of light shining upon Liyue—
while Severin was the blazing sun illuminating all of Teyvat's darkness.
Keqing was overjoyed.
So the Prince of Snezhnaya supported human rule as well. That meant the direction she had stubbornly upheld was not wrong after all.
"Your Highness," she said earnestly, "you've given me confidence. In return, I'll speak honestly."
"My support for human rule has never been opposition to Rex Lapis. On the contrary, I deeply respect him. He protected Liyue for five to six thousand years—he deserves the reverence of all."
"But gods can decay. Gods can fall."
"We cannot rely on them forever. Matters concerning humanity should be resolved by humans themselves. I want to prove that humans can do better than gods—better than adepti!"
Her words implied something bold: even Morax would one day perish.
Severin could tell—Keqing had truly grown.
"People often say the Yuheng looks beautiful in purple silk and black gauze," Severin said lightly. "Today, your thoughts are equally pleasing to behold."
Keqing smiled shyly—sweet, genuine, and captivating.
It was the first time she had ever smiled this way at a man.
"Remember this, Lady Keqing," Severin continued.
"Humanity's fate must remain in humanity's own hands."
"Once you learn the amount of mora in the Golden House's strategic reserves, send it to the diplomatic residence. Give it to the Mirror Maiden."
With that, he finished his tea and rose.
But suddenly, Keqing stepped in front of him.
She bit her lip, as though she had made a difficult decision.
"Your Highness… I hope you defeat Rex Lapis."
Severin stopped.
"…Hmm?"
Keqing's expression was complicated, but she forced herself to speak.
"I've realized that your commercial war against the Qixing is, in truth, aimed at winning against the Geo Archon."
Severin chuckled.
"For the Qixing to see that much doesn't surprise me."
"You refused the position of Regent," Keqing continued. "I suspected then that a conflict had arisen between you and the Archon. He needed something from you—that was why he offered the position. You refused. And now you challenge the Qixing."
"We are his proxies. To challenge us is to challenge him."
"Morax is not worth my challenge," Severin replied flatly.
"The one I challenge sits in the heavens."
The Seven were never his true opponents.
If anything, they were the ones who should fear challenging him.
"Lady Keqing," he said coolly, "if these words of yours were made public, you would lose your position—and your family would be ruined in Liyue."
"Tell me your true purpose. Do not lie."
"I… I don't know how to say it."
"Do you harbor a personal grudge against Morax?"
Keqing lifted her gaze, firm and resolute.
"I want someone to defeat him—even through commerce. I want proof that gods are not invincible."
"That proof is essential for Liyue's future under human rule."
"I can grant that wish," Severin said calmly. "But I never act without reason."
Keqing's hands trembled, gripping the hem of her skirt.
After several seconds of hesitation, she suddenly reached back and undid her hair. Her long violet hair spilled down freely, lending her a mature, alluring air.
Then she loosened her waist sash.
Unfastened the buttons at her back.
Her purple dress slid to the floor.
Her flawless, unblemished figure was revealed beneath the light—
like a seeker finally parting the clouds to glimpse an open immortal gate.
"I may not be the most beautiful woman in the world," she said softly, eyes misted, "but I will not shortchange Your Highness."
"If you defeat Rex Lapis… then Keqing is willing to offer herself as the price."
She closed her eyes slightly, her posture fragile and submissive, tears welling at the corners.
Severin lifted her chin gently with a single finger.
Her breathing faltered. Panic surged within her.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Perhaps it was fear—of losing her purity, her dignity.
Perhaps it was humiliation—of being forced to resort to such means.
Through half-closed lashes, she saw the Prince calmly appraising her body.
So in the end, she thought bitterly, men are all the same…
Even a man as peerless as the Prince of Snezhnaya would falter before beauty.
"Lady Keqing," Severin said quietly,
"you are ill."
"I'm not!" she snapped.
She thought he was mocking her.
Yes—how pitiful. A Qixing offering herself so cheaply. She despised herself in that moment.
Then she froze.
Severin removed his cloak and gently draped it over her bare body.
"Dark elemental masses have formed near your chest and abdomen," he said seriously.
"They are the result of excessive, prolonged use of elemental combat techniques—draining your life force."
"If this continues, your lifespan will shorten, and your nerves will deteriorate."
As he spoke, his fingers moved swiftly across acupoints along her back and shoulders.
"Elemental power is a poison to mortals. Even with a Vision, side effects cannot be completely avoided."
"I know a method to neutralize these aftereffects."
More than ten minutes later, Severin withdrew his hand and left the room.
Keqing chased after him, tears in her eyes.
"Your Highness—"
"Lady Keqing," Severin said without turning back,
"have some self-respect."
He left the villa.
Keqing wiped away her tears and stood silently in the courtyard, staring at the cherry tree.
Its branches were heavy with unopened buds.
In a daze, the blossoms seemed ready to burst into spring.
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