Chapter 12: Explanation

"Master?"

Liam lay on the Shogun's lap, staring blankly into her indifferent eyes.

"Is there something you want to say?" The Shogun gently stroked Liam's now snow-white temples.

Feeling the Shogun's surprisingly gentle touch, Liam felt uneasy. Despite her tenderness, her expression and tone remained impassive.

Realizing the Shogun was waiting for an explanation, Liam's face darkened as he recalled the events of the previous night. He had tried to communicate with the Gem of the End but had nearly lost control, barely managing to suppress its power in time. If he hadn't, Teyvat could have been reduced to ruins.

"System, didn't you say I could use a portion of its power? Why did I nearly enter a full awakening state?"

He was frustrated, feeling tricked.

[Ding~! The Gem of the End has fully fused with the host. The host can directly harness the power of the End. Communicating with the gem initiates the awakening process!]

The system explained.

"Why didn't you mention something this important?"

Liam asked angrily.

[Ding~! Awakening poses no danger to the host. Since the host did not inquire about this, the system did not provide the information.]

Liam: "..."

Alright, fine! If that's how it is!

Liam nearly choked in frustration, knowing the system wouldn't offer information unless asked directly. He checked the gem's status:

[Herscher Core Development Progress: 30/100]

[Gem of the End Activation: 10/100]

"Damn, just that little bit of time, even while trying to suppress it, it activated to ten percent!"

Liam felt helpless. It seemed best not to tamper with the gem. He then met the Shogun's gaze again, remembering he owed her an explanation. Clearing his throat, he spoke,

"Master, you want to know about what happened last night, right?"

The Shogun nodded.

"Do you remember the story I told you and Master Ei about beings called 'Herschers'?"

Liam decided it was time to reveal his current identity. After all, the Shogun hadn't harmed him despite what happened last night. If she wanted to, he could always teleport away.

The Shogun nodded. Even though it seemed like Ei had been listening, she was aware of the existence of Herschers through Liam's stories.

"Well, I am the final Herscher, the 'Herscher of the End'. But I haven't fully awakened yet. Last night, I tried to use some of that power, but as you saw, I lost control."

Liam rubbed his nose, feeling slightly embarrassed. While the lap pillow was comfortable, it made him uneasy.

"End? That name doesn't sound good at all. I remember you saying that the ultimate goal of civilization in that world was to surpass the end. Were they referring to this 'Herscher of the End'?"

Raiden Ei's voice echoed in her mind, addressing the Shogun.

"Liam, do you destroy civilizations?"

The Shogun asked directly.

"No, like I said, I haven't fully awakened. Despite bearing the name 'End', I'm still my own person. I don't want to destroy civilizations, but some things might be beyond my control."

Liam waved his hand, hoping not to be seen as a destroyer.

The Shogun pondered for a moment before asking,

"What are these things beyond your control?"

"Uh—like you saw last night. Even though I don't intend to cause harm, my awakening can trigger a catastrophe that could wipe out all life in Teyvat. There might be a few survivors, but not many."

Liam explained after a brief hesitation.

The Shogun: "..."

Raiden Ei: "..."

Raiden Makoto: "..."

Liam's words almost overloaded the Shogun's processing capabilities. Even Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei, who were eavesdropping, fell silent. Though Makoto had learned some details from Liam and Yae Miko's conversations, hearing Liam's true identity left her speechless.

An ender of civilizations, even more terrifying than the Abyss!

"Haha, Master, I'm not hiding anything. So, what are you going to do now?"

Liam shifted his position, smiling.

"Is your power gradually awakening?"

The Shogun asked.

"No, it's a different power. My awakening progress, aside from last night's partial awakening, has been stagnant. As long as I don't actively use that power, I shouldn't awaken fully. You can rest assured."

"I trust you."

The Shogun nodded slightly after hearing Liam's explanation, showing no doubt or intent to fight him, which surprised Liam. Considering the Shogun's intolerance for instability, her lack of action after learning about his identity was unexpected.

She trusts me this much? Liam didn't think his charm alone could quickly win over the Shogun. It must be for some other reason.

Realizing this, Liam wondered if he could bring up the Vision Hunt Decree.

"Master, do you truly believe the Vision Hunt Decree is correct? Or that Master Ei's pursuit of 'Eternity' is right?"

Liam, though not a scholar, knew Ei's pursuit of 'Eternity' was a way to approach Celestia, driven by her encounter with 'that thing'. Though Liam didn't know what 'that thing' was, it was likely related to Celestia.

Liam had once seen an interesting theory online: Five hundred years ago, Ei experienced the painful loss caused by 'erosion', referring to Raiden Makoto's departure. 'Erosion' was a curse imposed by Celestia on beings of longevity. Seeking 'Eternity' was Ei's way to avoid further losses.

"Eternity? Does it truly mean never losing anything again?"

[Ding! Task Triggered: Persuade Raiden Shogun!]

[Task Reward: Imaginary Points: 1600, Erosion Inhibitor: 1 portion]

Liam was stunned as he looked at the sudden task prompt, and his face turned dark. Raiden Shogun's stubborn nature is like a mule that can't be led, yet he's supposed to persuade her? And the task reward is so minimal?

As if understanding his thoughts, the system chimed in:

[Ding! System rewards are all random!]

Liam sighed and immediately checked the details of the [Erosion Inhibitor].

[Erosion Inhibitor: Eliminates mental damage caused by erosion and prevents future mental erosion.]

"Hiss—! What a great item! I didn't expect the system to have something like this!"

Meanwhile, Raiden Shogun, upon hearing Liam question her pursuit of eternity, paused but didn't react violently. Instead, she asked,

"What is wrong with the eternity that this body pursues?"

Raiden Shogun's expression remained calm, making it hard for Liam to read her thoughts.

"Master, may I ask if you and Master Ei pursue eternity to combat erosion and to ensure the continuity of Inazuma?"

Liam spoke slowly, still wanting to give it a try.

"You know about erosion?"

Raiden Shogun was a bit surprised. Liam had only been in Teyvat for a short time as a Descender, yet he knew about erosion. Still, she nodded.

"The purpose of this body's creation is to combat internal erosion!"

Liam stood up and looked Raiden Shogun in the eyes, smiling.

"Master, don't be surprised. I have some methods to acquire information about Teyvat! Master Ei should also be listening, right?"

Suddenly, the surroundings changed dramatically. In an instant, Liam was transported to a special space with a blood-red moon, gloomy skies, and countless torii gates.

Seeing this familiar place, Liam understood that he had been brought into the Plane of Euthymia by Ei. He also saw Raiden Ei not far away.

"Master Ei!"

Liam walked up to Ei.

Ei: "..."

Although I'm the one who accepted you as a disciple, why do you call me "Master" with my name in front of it?

"Say what you want to say here!"

Ei looked at Liam and said softly.

"Can the Master hear what I'm saying here?"

Ei: "..."

She understood that Liam was referring to Shogun. Damn it, why does it feel like I'm the extra one now? But she still said,

"Don't worry, the Shogun can hear as well!"

Since Shogun could hear, Liam felt relieved. After all, the system's task was to persuade Shogun. He then spoke,

"Master, I understand that the eternity you pursue is to prevent Inazuma from becoming another Khaenri'ah. But eternity is the eternity of people. Master, you probably haven't been to Inazuma City in years, right?

Although I don't know what Inazuma was like hundreds of years ago, I'm sure it wasn't like it is now. According to your concept of eternity, Inazuma should be unchanged, right? Master, do you understand what I mean?"

Hearing this, Raiden Ei lowered her head in thought.

"Then what is your view of eternity?"

A cold voice sounded. Liam turned and saw a figure identical to Ei. So Shogun can appear in the Plane of Euthymia too?

But Liam didn't mind that for now. He looked at Raiden Shogun and smiled.

"Master, you asked me the same question before. At that time, I said it was not the right time. Although it's still not the right time, I have decided to tell you anyway!"

"Hehe, as I just said, eternity is the eternity of people. Even though there is birth, aging, illness, and death, the continuation of humanity is a form of eternity. True eternity is the continuation of spirit. Even if life is as fleeting as a lightning bolt, as long as the spirit continues, isn't that person eternal?

Master Ei once spoke of 'granting the people a dream,' indicating that you want to fulfill the people's wishes. But is the eternity that cuts off the future really what the people want?"

Liam paused and looked at Raiden Ei again.

"Master Ei, do you truly have the confidence or ability to achieve the eternity you described? Face reality, Ei. The eternity you speak of is just an unrealistic fantasy born from too much loss!"

"I..."

Raiden Ei opened her mouth to speak but didn't know what to say.

What Liam said was obvious, but no one could give Raiden Ei a wake-up call to make her see reality clearly. This was understandable, as most of Raiden Ei's friends were dead.

At this moment, Liam realized he was supposed to persuade Raiden Shogun, but he had ended up lecturing Ei. He then looked at Raiden Shogun again.

"Master, what do you think?"

Raiden Shogun frowned and thought deeply. As the guardian of eternity, she was supposed to be unwavering in her commitment to it. In the game, even when Ei tried to change her mind, she fought against it alone for five hundred years. But now, Raiden Shogun was questioning the necessity of guarding eternity if it was the wrong path.

"I'm not sure," Raiden Shogun finally said.

Liam noticed Raiden Shogun's unusual behavior. Usually, she was unwavering in her stance on eternity. Even in the game, it took Ei five hundred years of struggle to change her mind. But now, Raiden Shogun was already questioning her pursuit of eternity.

"Master, are you okay?"

Liam asked with concern. Despite Raiden Shogun's usual cold demeanor, she had been kind to him during their time together. He didn't want her to suffer any harm.

"I'm fine. You may be right," Raiden Shogun said, shaking her head.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the task. The reward has been issued!]

The system's sudden notification startled Liam. He was amazed that Raiden Shogun had accepted his words so easily.

"Master..."

Liam began, but Raiden Shogun interrupted him.

"Don't call me Master anymore. I haven't taught you much. Instead, you've helped me see clearly. From now on, just call me Shogun. And stop calling her Master too," Raiden Shogun said, referring to Ei.

"Um... Alright, Shogun. What about Ei? Is she okay?" Liam asked, looking at the still dazed Raiden Ei with concern.

"No worries," Raiden Shogun replied, shaking her head gently.

At that moment, Liam thought of something. With a thought, the system-issued Erosion Inhibitor appeared in his hand.

...

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