SWNOVELXO Chapter 81: 81: Liyue
Reisen Riou's group encountered a fish school, hauling in a hefty catch. But the real spectacle was the sea beasts and monsters, akin to Inazuma's youkai but mostly physically strong, lacking mystical powers. They posed no threat to the fleet. A single Electro spear from Reisen Riou dispatched a beast, and stronger allies made it even easier.
Sea beasts, however, were stubborn and fearless, often retaliating if not handled carefully. Against this crew, though, they only left more corpses.
Propelled by an unusual wind, the fleet reached Liyue swiftly, passing Guyun Stone Forest—Morax's petrified spears—and docking at Liyue Harbor, Teyvat's bustling heart. Named for its nation, the harbor was Liyue's political, economic, and cultural core, a vibrant hub of a thousand ships and merchants, the world's center.
"Such prosperity," Reisen Riou marveled. "I thought Inazuma City was grand, but Liyue Harbor's on another level. Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, huh?"
"Liyue's envoy, the current Tianquan, is here," Yurei noted.
Guided by the Tianquan, Inazuma's delegation passed Chihu Rock and Feiyun Slope, entering Yujing Terrace and settling into a guest lodge. In Reisen Riou's past life, bringing a "human nuke" like Narukami near a nation's core was unthinkable, but in Teyvat, he'd grown used to it. After greeting Yae Miko, Yurei, and Torachiyo, he followed a Yuehai Pavilion secretary to his room—next to Narukami's, a perk of being Attendant Recorder.
"The Seven Archons' Banquet hasn't begun," the secretary said. "Only Mondstadt's Anemo Archon and Sumeru's Dendro Archon have arrived. Inazuma's guests may roam freely for now."
"Any Sumeru attendees?" Reisen Riou asked, hoping for Banna. The old sage's Life Level had climbed, but his age worried him.
"Sumeru's high-ranking attendees are the Great Sage and two Sages. Other scholars are housed elsewhere."
Reisen Riou nodded. Sumeru's lesser scholars, like Inazuma's Okuzume and clerks, were likely at Feiyun Slope. Inazuma's delegation was large, reflecting close Liyue ties: Yurei (Yashiro Commission proxy), Torachiyo (Tenryou Commission proxy), Tong Dong (Kanjou Commission proxy, a minor figure), Yae Miko (Grand Narukami Shrine Palace Maiden), Raiden Makoto, and Raiden Ei (publicly counted as one). "Banna Polirs, the Great Sage, is leading them?"
"Yes," the secretary confirmed.
"Old friend. I'll visit later," Reisen Riou said.
…
He didn't make it. After settling his luggage, Narukami summoned him for a meeting. She and Raiden Ei were meeting the Archons, and as Attendant Recorder, he'd accompany them—alongside Ganyu, Yuehai Pavilion's half-Adeptus secretary. "Accompany" was Makoto's jest; they'd record the Archons' words and actions, not sit at the table.
Reisen Riou endured etiquette training, freed only just before the Banquet. They headed to a celestial garden-like venue, unfit for mortal grounds. Transforming into streams of light, they arrived to find Morax and Ganyu preparing tables, with Adepti serving food as hosts.
The Archons arrived gradually. Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, stumbled in drunk, bottle in hand, earning headshakes from Makoto and Morax. Nahida, the Dendro Archon, entered with Banna, who exchanged a knowing nod with Reisen Riou. The Pyro and Hydro Archons followed, then the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya, a young-looking goddess under 300, the junior among them.
Eight attended: the Seven Archons and Raiden Ei, Makoto's Shadow Warrior, who sat quietly, sipping tea and tackling desserts. Governance wasn't her strength, and the Archons' talks leaned heavily on statecraft. Morax was stern, Barbatos carefree, the Cryo Archon earnest, others balanced. They mixed provocations—Hydro and Pyro Archons clashed, Morax found Barbatos embarrassing. Barbatos, drunk early, spouted nonsense, irking most.