Chapter 312

Takumi looked at the residents of Liyue gathered before him.

At this moment, they all looked back at Takumi, wondering what the new emperor was about to do.

Takumi waved his hand, and suddenly, a microphone appeared in his grasp.

Speakers and other audio equipment gradually materialized around him.

"Cough, cough."

"Everyone, listen to me."

Takumi's voice echoed across the area, reaching far and wide.

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Even those who couldn't make it to the scene could hear Takumi's words.

"The emperor has left us."

"Before he passed, he declared that I would become the new Geo Archon."

"But I don't think I deserve it."

"We have only one emperor, and that is Morax."

"A second-generation Geo Archon? I don't even possess a Gnosis."

"So I believe this title is misplaced."

"That's why I have decided..."

"I will not take up the mantle of the Geo Archon!"

"From now on, Liyue's affairs will be decided collectively by the Liyue Qixing."

"Before his passing, the emperor stated that Liyue had entered the Age of Humanity."

"Since this is the era of human rule, why do we need another Geo Archon?"

"So, the emperor must have been out of his mind in his final moments when he made such a decision."

"We can't take those words seriously!"

The crowd was stunned by Takumi's declaration.

No one had expected him to say such a thing.

Zhongli, standing not far away, sighed deeply.

Good grief.

This guy just openly said the emperor lost his mind.

Zhongli was tempted to give Takumi a beating.

Listening to Takumi's words, the people exchanged glances, shocked and unsure how to respond.

"It seems like no one has any objections!"

"Then it's settled."

"The emperor will always live on in our hearts."

"If you insist that I must be the Geo Archon, I can step down right now."

"Mr. Zhongli can take the position instead."

The moment those words left Takumi's mouth, Zhongli, who had been watching quietly, immediately objected.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Damn it.

This sly little fox!

He was just about to retire, and now Takumi was trying to dump the role back on him?

Seeing Zhongli's reaction, Takumi smirked slightly.

"Why not?"

Zhongli cleared his throat and responded.

"Since the emperor chose you as the new Geo Archon, he must have had his reasons."

"Perhaps he was in a hurry and misspoke."

"Maybe he simply wanted you to lead Liyue forward."

"Otherwise, why would he say such conflicting things?"

Hearing Zhongli's explanation, many people nodded in agreement.

Both Takumi and Zhongli made valid points.

The emperor must have been in a hurry before his passing.

Otherwise, why would he say something so contradictory?

"Yes, that must be it."

Takumi rolled his eyes at Zhongli's reasoning.

Then, he continued:

"If Mr. Zhongli believes the emperor had his reasons, then I still refuse to be the second-generation Geo Archon."

"So, we will proceed as I said before."

"From now on, the Liyue Qixing will govern Liyue."

"As for the Geo Archon?"

"Our emperor will always be in our hearts!"

"Starting today, the Rite of Descension will be changed to an annual memorial for the emperor."

"Let us remember our departed ruler."

"One day, we will also avenge the emperor!"

"As long as the Fatui still exist, our vengeance will never fade."

Hearing Takumi's words, the crowd's emotions surged with fury.

Yes, the heart of their Geo Archon was still in the hands of the Fatui.

The people were enraged.

They were ready to hunt down the Fatui and make them pay.

At this moment, Zhongli frantically gave Takumi a meaningful look.

Alright.

Was Takumi trying to stir things up and push Liyue into full-scale war with Snezhnaya?

The Tsaritsa was probably cursing his name right now.

Takumi, knowing he had gone far enough, decided to stop.

With that, the matter was settled.

Baiwen had already instructed reporters to record everything.

From this day forward, Liyue would no longer have a Geo Archon.

The Liyue Qixing would govern together.

With this official declaration, the decision was finalized.

Takumi felt relieved after wrapping things up.

The emperor had been sent off properly.

Now, he could return to his own work.

With that thought, Takumi urged everyone to return home.

That evening, the news stations deliberately re-broadcasted his speech.

Many citizens of Liyue agreed with his decision.

The emperor must have been confused before his passing to suggest Takumi take his place.

Takumi was just a mortal—how could he be a god?

And the Gnosis had been stolen.

Even if Takumi wanted to be the Geo Archon, it would be an empty title.

This made sense.

Thus, the people quickly accepted Takumi's words.

The matter was settled without much resistance.

With this settled, Ningguang and the others began rounding up members of the Fatui.

Yelan had already provided a list of names.

Anyone who had collaborated with the Fatui faced punishment.

Liyue had no place for traitors.

After handling Zhongli's matter, Takumi returned to Guili Plains with Keqing and the others.

Upon arrival, Takumi immediately sought out Shenhe.

"Everything alright in Guili Plains?"

Hearing Takumi's question, Shenhe nodded.

"Everything is fine."

"Some sea beasts tried to land before, but Beidou and her fleet stopped them."

"So, there's nothing to worry about."

When Osial commanded the sea creatures, they had not only targeted Liyue Harbor but also other areas.

However, Beidou, Albedo, and Mona had successfully prevented them from coming ashore.

Hearing Shenhe's report, Takumi nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good."

"Then let's begin preparations."

"The school project should start soon."

"Keqing, are the desks, chairs, textbooks, and equipment ready?"

Ensuring the safety of Guili Plains, Takumi immediately focused on his next objective.

The school initiative was ready to launch.

Keqing, hearing Takumi's question, promptly reported.

"The school has been under preparation for some time now."

"All the furniture and materials have been ordered, and they should have arrived by now."

"As for textbooks, Zhongli has already confirmed the contents."

"In other words, we're ready to begin enrollment at any time."

"Then let's proceed."

With everything in place, the school's opening was finally set in motion.