World Journey

"Mavuika, it seems like you have something you want to say."

In the hot spring, Felina glanced at Mavuika, who looked hesitant to speak.

"Ah…" Mavuika scratched her head. "Is it that obvious?"

"Of course," Furina chimed in. "You've been absent-minded the entire trip."

"We're leaving tonight. If you don't say it now, it'll be too late."

"Sigh… fine."

Mavuika sighed helplessly. "Actually, I want Fontaine's missiles and mechanized troops."

"You both should know that Natlan is the nation most severely eroded by the Abyss. Even today, Natlan's people are still fighting against it."

"To be honest, at most, we have three years left before Natlan meets its end. And that's the most optimistic estimate. Given the current situation, we might not even last three years."

"The threat of the Abyss is growing closer. Fontaine's missiles and mechanized troops could effectively help us resist the Abyss's invasion and reduce our casualties."

Mavuika revealed her helplessness.

Back when she was in Fontaine, she had already set her sights on its missiles and mechanized forces.

But she had secretly inquired with Venti and Zhongli.

After learning that they had each paid the price of their Gnosis in exchange for Felina's assistance, she fell silent.

Because in the plan to resist the Abyss and preserve Natlan, the Pyro Archon's Gnosis played a crucial role.

To fight the Abyss, the power of the Gnosis was necessary.

Simply put, she wanted missiles and mechanized troops but couldn't afford them.

She wanted Fontaine's military aid but had nothing of equal value to offer.

Because of this, Mavuika had been hesitant to speak the entire trip.

It could only be said that every god had their struggles.

Upon understanding Mavuika's predicament, Felina couldn't help but smile.

"I completely understand your dilemma. How about this? I have a proposal."

Felina then laid out her conditions.

Now that the desert's environment had completely transformed, what was once barren land had become fertile.

However, the desert people, having lived in poverty-stricken sands for generations, had little to no agricultural knowledge.

On the other hand, Natlan's land was rich and produced an abundance of crops, and it was also adjacent to the desert.

Thus, Felina proposed that Natlan send people and crop seeds to the desert to teach the desert dwellers how to cultivate, improving their living conditions.

As the Nation of Water, Fontaine had limited arable land, and the desert, despite its newfound fertility, wouldn't be able to immediately produce a harvest.

In other words, Fontaine—already producing minimal grain—now had to feed the desert people as well. With more mouths to feed, the food shortage would only worsen.

Since Natlan had a surplus of crops, Felina struck a deal with Mavuika for a 20-year continuous grain supply.

And in exchange, Felina agreed to provide Natlan with 20 high-explosive missiles, a mechanized army of 10,000, and 10,000 automatic rifles.

Such conditions left Mavuika wide-eyed in astonishment.

Back in Fontaine, she had already inquired with Venti, Zhongli, and Nahida.

According to them, while Felina was gentle and approachable in certain aspects, she never compromised when it came to national interests.

Even Mavuika herself hadn't expected Felina to agree to provide such large-scale destructive weapons like missiles.

Yet, to her surprise, Felina actually agreed!

Sending people with seeds to teach farming in the desert? A 20-year grain supply?

Compared to what Felina was offering, this price was practically nothing.

Moreover, Mavuika had already stated that in at most three years, the Abyss would completely descend upon Natlan.

Whether Natlan would even exist after three years was unknown, yet Felina still signed a 20-year grain supply contract.

In other words, these weapons were essentially a gift from Felina, with no real cost attached.

"This… this deal is way too generous for me," Mavuika murmured, feeling both surprised and honored.

"It's fine."

Felina smiled. "Against the Abyss, the seven nations stand as one. If Natlan fails to hold back the Abyss, it will inevitably spread to the other nations as well."

"Consider these weapons my contribution to the fight against the Abyss."

In the hot spring, Mavuika stared at Felina for a few seconds before smiling warmly and extending her hand.

"On behalf of the people of Natlan, I thank you for your aid. The friendship between Natlan and Fontaine shall forever be engraved upon Natlan's monument of honor!"

...

After leaving Natlan, Felina traveled to the desert.

Since integrating into Fontaine, the region could no longer be called a desert.

The entire nation of Fontaine was now divided into two regions: the original Fontaine territory was designated as the Water Region, while the former desert lands were renamed the Forest Region.

A god descended to inspect the Forest Region.

The people of the Forest Region were overjoyed, hosting a grand bonfire festival to welcome their divine visitors.

They offered fine wines and fresh fruits as gifts to the great gods.

...

A day later, Furina and Felina departed the Forest Region and headed to Sumeru.

Since Furina had always been fond of and curious about the Aranara, Nahida brought them to their home—Vanarana.

The arrival of the Hydro Archon and the Dendro Archon sent the entire Vanarana into joyous celebration.

That night, Furina spent hours playing with the Aranara, even hosting an impromptu concert with them.

Her voice, clear and melodious like a flowing spring, coupled with her professional singing skills, left the Aranara in awe.

The few Aranara who were also singers immediately regarded Furina as their idol, clinging to her eagerly to learn singing techniques.

During their stay, Nahida also informed Felina about her plan to reform the Akasha System.

She intended to make all the knowledge stored in the Akasha accessible to everyone.

However, this so-called accessibility was not quite what people might expect.

To put it simply, the reformed Akasha System would function like the Internet.

The Akasha itself would act as a massive server, while those equipped with Akasha Terminals would be akin to users with smartphones, able to freely search for information.

But just like in reality, where vast amounts of knowledge, research papers, and scientific theories can be found online, whether someone chooses to search for them and is able to comprehend them is another matter entirely.

For example, information on how to build an atomic bomb is available on the internet, but whether someone is willing to look it up, capable of understanding it, or even able to acquire the necessary materials and equipment is a different issue.

With this reform, Nahida was making knowledge available to the people, while also granting them the freedom to choose.

"I give you the freedom to pursue knowledge. All knowledge is there—if you wish to change your fate, go and learn. If you are content with the status quo, then you may choose not to learn."

"It is all up to you. I respect your freedom and will to seek knowledge."

...

After concluding their journey in Sumeru, Felina and Furina continued their travels through Liyue, Mondstadt, and even Snezhnaya.

In Liyue, they shared a meal with Zhongli and helped promote the Liyue branch of KFC.

In Mondstadt, they drank and made merry with Venti—though this time, Dvalin absolutely refused to let them drink on top of the tower again.

In Snezhnaya, they conversed with the Tsaritsa and gazed upon the vast, snow-covered lands.

Finally, their last stop was Inazuma.

As per tradition, they dueled the Raiden Shogun and Ei.

Afterward, Ei prepared a lavish banquet for them, followed by a grand fireworks display.

...

On Tenshukaku, Felina and Ei leaned against the railing, watching the fireworks bloom over the city.

These fireworks were crafted by Yoimiya from Naganohara Fireworks, and they were exceptionally beautiful.

The vibrant colors illuminated Felina and Ei's faces.

Suddenly, Felina broke the silence.

"Do you still have any missiles left?"

The unexpected question made Ei pause.

"Yes, we still have a dozen or so."

Ei turned to look at Felina. "Why do you ask?"

Felina gazed at the night sky. "You should already know—the Abyss is coming soon."

She continued, "Before arriving in Inazuma, I went to Natlan, Sumeru, Liyue, Mondstadt, and Snezhnaya. In each nation, I exchanged or supplied them with some missiles and military equipment."

"Additionally, using the power of the Law of Water, I have left a Healing Spring in every nation. As long as someone is still alive—no matter how severe their injuries—if they are placed into the spring, they will recover quickly."

"The Healing Springs will last for about one year. Since you still have plenty of missiles left, I will set up a Healing Spring for Inazuma as well."

Felina finished speaking, but she immediately noticed a subtle shift in Ei's expression.

Her reaction did not go unnoticed.

Felina narrowed her eyes. "Why are you making that face?"

"You look like you're actually unhappy about me setting up a Healing Spring here."

"Haha!"

Hearing Felina's words, Ei chuckled. "It's nothing. I'm just not used to seeing you being this generous all of a sudden."

"Are you underestimating me?"

Felina rolled her eyes at Raiden Ei.

"In the face of the Abyss, the seven nations are one. Do you really think I lack that level of foresight?"

...

After setting up the Healing Spring, Felina bid farewell to Ei and the Shogun before disappearing into the night.

She had called it a world tour, yet her heart remained burdened with the world's affairs.

Her footsteps were hurried, as though time itself was chasing her.

Watching Felina's figure gradually vanish into the darkness, Raiden Ei's expression turned somber with concern.

Because today, Felina felt different.

...

Felina had always been firm in her decisions, cautious in her dealings, and never one to easily offer benefits to other nations.

It was true that helping the world fight the Abyss made logical sense.

Yet, for some reason, something about it felt off.

It was a change that Ei had seen before—a change that gave her an unsettling sense of déjà vu.

As a warrior and a general, Ei had led countless battles and witnessed the shifts in soldiers before they faced their deaths.

Every soldier had their own nature:

The greedy would suddenly donate all their wealth to their country or family.

The drunkards would bring out their finest wine and share it generously.

The loners who once avoided others would suddenly grow warm, spending their time teaching younger recruits.

This wasn't kindness.

It was the behavior of men who knew they would not return from battle.

Before death, people tend to let go of grudges, abandon their reservations, and try to leave something behind for the world.

And today, the way Felina had spoken and acted reminded Ei of those very same soldiers.

Felina, who once calculated every move, who never gave anything for free, who was always cautious about national interests—

—was suddenly giving so much away, as if she was preparing for an end.

Ei clenched her fist, her gaze darkening.

"…I hope it's just my imagination."

"She's so powerful… who in this world could possibly kill her?"

With a heavy sigh, Raiden Ei turned and walked back into Tenshukaku.

...

By now, it was deep into the night.

Earlier, Felina had asked Furina to sleep early, so she wouldn't notice anything unusual.

Now, with Furina resting peacefully, Felina quietly left Inazuma.

Her final destination—

Celestia.

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