Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [450]

Gu Sanqiu frowned slightly. "You're putting a lot of trust in me here. What if I can't take you down?"

Albedo glanced at him, his usual calm demeanor barely concealing the weight of his words. "This isn't about trust; it's about necessity. If I lose myself to wear or control, someone has to be able to make the hard decision. And I trust you to do that."

The conversation had started with light-hearted banter, but Albedo's tone turned somber as they entered the heart of the cavern. The once-echoing void felt suffocating, as if the walls themselves were closing in to hear the secrets being exchanged.

"Let me ask you something, Sanqiu. Do you know why the Abyss Order calls me the 'Imperfect Original'?"

Sanqiu raised a brow. "Because they love drama?"

"Not quite." Albedo pointed to himself, his expression unchanged. "I am flawed. A creation of my master, Rhinedottir. A being forged in pursuit of perfection, but one that ultimately fell short."

"Alright, enough." Sanqiu held up a hand to cut him off. "I know Rhinedottir's name—it rings a bell. So, let me guess: you're telling me this because you're confused about your identity, right? About whether you count as human?"

Albedo nodded slowly. "Correct. I have the appearance, the intellect, the relationships... Yet, deep down, I've never truly considered myself human."

Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "Oh, stop being so dramatic. Your ability to solve problems with surgical precision would make half the politicians in Liyue jealous. You're overthinking this."

"Politicians?"

"Let me explain it this way: they're people who work within the system to get things done for themselves and their backers. Whether they're good or bad doesn't matter—they're all just trying to make things work for them. Like you do, except you're way less corrupt."

Albedo seemed thoughtful. "But unchecked political maneuvering can lead to chaos. Like what happened to Mondstadt's upper ranks in the past."

"Sure. But guess what? If the world falls apart tomorrow, I'll laugh in its face, think about the people I care about, and flip the apocalypse my middle finger before it swallows me whole."

Sanqiu leaned back, his tone light but firm. "It doesn't matter if you're human. What matters is that the people around you think you are. If it helps, one of my ancestors was a qilin—an immortal beast—and she still managed to thrive in Liyue's mortal society. Heck, she even pushed her employees to overwork because of her immortal stamina. Now that, my friend, is crossing the line."

Albedo allowed himself a faint smile at the absurdity.

Sanqiu continued, "You're a master alchemist and the captain of the investigation team. Sure, you might not be the most outgoing guy, but when people talk about you, they're full of praise."

"Big events shape life, but life isn't just about big events. Most of it's about the little things. And you're part of those little things, Albedo—people remember the difference you make."

Albedo mulled this over before saying, "You may not fully grasp what I'm saying, but that's alright. If it's you, I can be more direct."

"All things in this world erode over time. Everything returns to the elements and ley lines from which it came. That's one of the ultimate laws of existence."

"For humans who only live decades, erosion doesn't mean much—it's indistinguishable from the process of aging. But for someone like me, created in pursuit of perfection, any erosion could prove catastrophic."

He paused, meeting Sanqiu's gaze with startling intensity. "And there's another layer. I was created—not born. My maker, Rhinedottir, is my 'father' in the loosest sense. If she ever issued a command... I would have no choice but to obey."

Albedo took a deep breath. "Sanqiu, as my friend, I have a favor to ask."

"If one day, I lose control because of erosion or her command—if I become a threat to Mondstadt—please, stop me. Even if it means killing me."

His voice softened. "I want to die as Albedo of Mondstadt, not as a monster or a puppet. My future rests at a crossroads, and I need you to stand at the fork, ready to act."

"If by then Alice hasn't returned, please take care of Klee. When she's old enough to understand, tell her that her brother couldn't be there for her anymore."

"If she throws tantrums or causes trouble, deal with it however you see fit. But before you take her away from Mondstadt... take her to Windrise."

"Help her plant a Cecilia flower there. Tell her that her brother has simply gone on a journey. That when the winds of Mondstadt make a full circle across Teyvat and the Cecilia blooms again, I'll return."

"And when I do, I'll use that flower she planted to make her the most beautiful wreath, decorating her world with a sea of blossoms."

Sanqiu stayed silent, gripping his spear tightly. The weight of Albedo's request pressed down on him like the snow-heavy air in the cavern.

He finally exhaled, breaking the stillness. "...You better not make me do this, Albedo."

"I'll try my best not to," Albedo replied, his faint smile betraying the pain behind his calm demeanor.

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T/N: im gonna cry