Chapter 8: The Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine

"The Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine?"

After hearing Ganyu's report, Ningguang couldn't help but pause for a moment, her gaze drifting to the photo on her desk.

The photo had only circulated from Fontaine half a year ago, and Ningguang had spent 100 million Mora at an auction to acquire it.

In the photo was a man.

A man with black hair and black eyes, dressed in a long black robe with blue accents. His expression was so calm it was almost emotionless, and even through the photo, one could feel an overwhelming sense of authority.

This man was none other than the world-renowned Supreme Archbishop of the Grand Cathedral of Fontaine.

—Ye.

He was also the man Ningguang had idolized since she was a child.

Liyue was the city of commerce, the hub of Mora circulation, and a nation ruled by merchants.

The Liyue Qixing were the seven most powerful merchants in Liyue—but to the man in the photo, the so-called Liyue Qixing were nothing.

"The Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine sent me a formal invitation?"

Even Ningguang, who was rarely fazed, felt a rare sense of being both honored and overwhelmed.

Although she was one of the Liyue Qixing and, in the absence of Rex Lapis, one of the rulers of Liyue, she didn't truly believe her status was equal to his.

Three hundred years ago, Liyue and Fontaine had engaged in an economic war that affected all seven nations.

The cause was three alchemical products from Fontaine that drained Mora from the other six nations. At the time, the Liyue Qixing didn't realize the danger and even thought it was a good thing—after all, they were making a lot of money. The details were too complicated, but the result was that Fontaine tied these products to a new currency, causing the Mora to depreciate significantly. Mora nearly became a mere commodity, and the economic center of Teyvat shifted from Liyue to Fontaine, with vast amounts of wealth flowing into Fontaine.

By the time the Liyue Qixing realized something was wrong, it was too late to stop it—and they couldn't bring themselves to stop it.

Because even in this situation, the Liyue Qixing were still making money, as were all the merchants in Liyue and across Teyvat. Who would want to stop that?

Rex Lapis did.

Yes, in this situation, the Geo Archon finally intervened.

If he didn't, he would become a mere laborer for Fontaine—producing Mora as a "commodity" for Fontaine to buy in large quantities with their paper currency, the "Gold Notes."

Unwilling to be reduced to a laborer, Rex Lapis personally entered the fray, engaging in an economic war with the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine that shook all seven nations.

It was the only time in Liyue's history that Rex Lapis sat in Liyue Harbor every day, fully exercising his authority.

For twenty years, a war between a god and a human stunned the world.

It wasn't a real war, but its intensity was no less than one.

"I have never seen such a brilliant human."

"His wisdom and talent would make even a god feel ashamed."

"If you are willing to come to Liyue, I will make you my envoy and grant you authority over Liyue."

"Focalors is truly fortunate."

These were all direct quotes from Rex Lapis.

Yes, in that economic war, Rex Lapis was ultimately defeated.

Later, when Rex Lapis expressed his desire to go to Fontaine to negotiate with the Hydro Archon and the Supreme Archbishop, effectively seeking a compromise to end the economic war, the Supreme Archbishop unexpectedly said, "It would be too disrespectful for Rex Lapis to come personally. I will represent Lady Furina and visit Liyue. I hope to have the honor of meeting Rex Lapis then."

Rex Lapis smiled and said, "I will prepare a warm welcome."

—That was the kind of person the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine was.

A being who could stand on equal footing with Rex Lapis.

Facing such a figure, even Ningguang, a proud woman, couldn't muster any pride.

After all, it was no exaggeration to say that he was the person she admired most.

And though he was human, a human who had lived for centuries was no different from an adeptus.

Ningguang felt she should treat him with the respect due to an adeptus.

No, even more than that.

"How can we let the Supreme Archbishop come to us? That would be too disrespectful. Ganyu, where is the Supreme Archbishop staying now? The embassy?"

"No, according to reports, the Supreme Archbishop is currently at Wanmin Restaurant, having a meal with Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"Mr. Zhongli?"

Ningguang raised an eyebrow in surprise.

She had heard of the knowledgeable Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but she hadn't expected him to be acquainted with the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine.

Or was it just a chance encounter that led to a conversation?

That wasn't impossible.

Perhaps the Supreme Archbishop was a down-to-earth person.

Thinking this, Ningguang looked at Ganyu, who seemed to be lost in thought, and asked again, "Ganyu, you've met the Supreme Archbishop before, right? What kind of person is he?"

Ganyu snapped out of her thoughts and bit her lower lip. "He's… a terrifying person."

"Terrifying?"

"In the presence of the Supreme Archbishop, there's a suffocating pressure that makes even breathing difficult. When he came to Liyue as an envoy, I was the one who greeted him. At the time, I was even instinctively afraid to speak loudly in front of him."

Ningguang couldn't help but glance at the photo on her desk again.

Although the photo conveyed his imposing presence, the level of authority Ganyu described was beyond imagination.

Without seeing him in person, it was hard to fully grasp the feeling Ganyu was describing.

"Let's go, Ganyu. Let's pay a visit to this Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine, the man who has left a five-hundred-year legacy."