Chapter 52

As the time for the Rite of Descension drew closer, Liyue Harbor became even more bustling than before. 

Soon, a week had passed, and on this particular morning, Akio and his companion were awakened by the noisy commotion outside. 

"The annual Rite of Descension in Liyue is today, Saiguu. Do you want to go and see it?" Akio stretched and asked. 

"Of course," Kitsune Saiguu replied, having already changed her clothes. She nodded and said, "As a traditional ceremony of Liyue, it's a rare opportunity to witness it while we're here. Naturally, I'd like to attend." 

After breakfast, Kitsune Saiguu transformed back into a snow-white fox and nestled in Akio's arms. Walking around with her fox ears and tail exposed would attract too many strange glances on the streets. 

The streets were filled with the clamor of people. After all, it was the day when Rex Lapis would descend to deliver his divine decree. Every word from Rex Lapis would determine the direction of Liyue's future for the coming year. Many people hoped to seize this opportunity to strike it rich. 

Thus, all the merchants of Liyue Harbor were rushing to the Rite of Descension. Only by obtaining useful information first could they stand out among the crowd and make a fortune. 

"Too bad, you're hoping to profit from this? After this year, you'll never see your beloved Rex Lapis delivering his divine decree again," Akio thought to himself, watching the hurried crowd with a leisurely demeanor. 

Just as he passed by Xinyue Kiosk, Akio heard a familiar voice nearby. 

"Oh, right! About the Geo Archon Morax, the Mora we use is named after this deity." 

"But if we foreigners refer to the Geo Archon as Morax in Liyue, we'll be seen as rude outsiders." 

"So, it's better to follow the locals and use titles like Rex Lapis." 

It was the voice of that emergency food! Akio looked over and saw a golden-haired girl and a small floating humanoid figure talking. 

Yes! It's Lumine! 

(Abyss Order: Ugh, it's the Prince again!) 

"Paimon, do you know where the Rite of Descension is?" Lumine asked, her voice cool yet sweet. 

"I don't know. Let's ask someone," Paimon shook her head, scanning the surroundings. Her eyes immediately landed on Akio, as handsome guys always attract the most attention. 

Paimon flew over, and Lumine quickly followed. 

"Hello there!" Paimon waved as she floated in front of Akio. 

"Hello," Akio smiled, glancing at Lumine who had caught up. "And you two are?" 

"Hi! I'm Lumine," she introduced herself briefly. 

"And she is?" Akio looked at Paimon, unable to sense any significant power from her. Some people say Paimon is mysterious—could it be that she's lost all her power now? 

"She's my emergency food," Lumine said nonchalantly. 

"Hey! Not again!" Paimon stomped her feet in the air, hands on her hips, glaring at Lumine. Then she added, "I'm her best companion, Paimon." 

"Ah, so you're Paimon," Akio nodded. "I've never seen a creature quite like you before." 

"So, what brings you to me?" Akio asked. 

"Lumine and I want to attend the Rite of Descension, but we don't know where it is. Can you tell us the way?" Paimon asked, while Lumine nodded in agreement. 

"Of course, no problem. I'm heading there myself, so we can go together," Akio offered. 

"Yay! You're such a nice person," Paimon exclaimed happily, then turned to Lumine. "Lumine, let's go together." 

Lumine nodded and walked side by side with Akio toward Yujing Terrace. 

Truly the Traveler's external vocal organ! Lumine barely spoke, maintaining a cool demeanor, while Paimon's little mouth kept chattering non-stop. 

"Akio! Your little fox is so pretty! Can I pet her?" Paimon pointed at Kitsune Saiguu in Akio's arms. 

"If you randomly pet someone else's fox, you might end up being eaten as food," Kitsune Saiguu suddenly spoke up, clearly not allowing anyone but Akio to touch her. 

"Whaaa!!!" Paimon was startled by the talking fox and quickly flew away, afraid of being eaten. 

"Akio… Akio, your fox can talk?" Paimon asked cautiously. 

"Of course, she's not just my little fox. She's similar to the adepti of Liyue, but with so many people around today, my wife is a bit socially anxious, so she's taken her original form and is staying close to me," Akio explained. 

"An adeptus!" Paimon was shocked. She knew about Liyue's adepti—the Three Eyes, Five Manifestations, each of them incredibly powerful. 

"She's your wife? Are you an adeptus too?" Paimon looked at Akio, curiosity brimming in her eyes. 

Akio didn't answer, just smiled and shook his head. 

The trio (and the fox) chatted and laughed as they made their way to Yujing Terrace. 

"Wow! There are so many people here," Paimon marveled at the scene before her. 

"Of course, most of them are waiting for Rex Lapis to descend and deliver his divine decree," Akio said. "And some, like you, are here just to witness the Rite of Descension." 

"Mm-hmm!" Paimon nodded, then noticed an incense burner for making wishes nearby. She turned to Lumine and said, "Lumine! I heard that if you make a wish during the Rite of Descension, Rex Lapis and the adepti will bless it! Let's go make a wish." 

Lumine nodded and looked at Akio. 

"You two go ahead, I'll pass," Akio smiled and shook his head. Wishing? He'd never seen a deity make a wish for a deity's blessing. 

"Alright," Lumine nodded, waved goodbye to Akio and Paimon, and went off to make her wish. 

"Akio, is this Traveler the one you mentioned before, the one who could bring change to Inazuma?" Kitsune Saiguu asked curiously after they had walked away. 

"Of course! These two are such useful tools… I mean, they can carry the will of Inazuma's people, enough to shake Ei's resolve." 

"With their current strength?" Kitsune Saiguu was skeptical. She could tell that while the two were stronger than the average Vision bearer, they were far from being able to challenge Ei, let alone Yae Miko. 

"They need time to grow," Akio smiled. "The Traveler is special. She can resonate with different elemental powers. Let her train in Liyue for a while, and when she reaches Inazuma and resonates with Electro, she'll be able to carry the will of Inazuma's people. Who knows? She might even pull off a power-up and barely defeat Ei." 

"That's why I say the will of the people can change even a god's mind," Akio explained. 

Couldn't Akio carry the will of the people? Of course he could. His soul was even more resilient than Ei's. But while he disliked the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree, it didn't mean he was willing to bear the will of the masses. Defeating Ei through sheer force alone would be meaningless. 

Besides, why not use Lumine, such a handy tool?

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