"Although this method is quite dishonorable, I can endure it for the sake of Her Majesty's will," Tartaglia said with a smile, glancing at Akio, who showed no intention of stopping him.
"Sealed away for thousands of years, do you think this god will be filled with rage?" Tartaglia smirked. "Let's wait and see if a nation without the protection of its god will be swallowed by the ancient malice once more."
In an instant, the sky outside darkened, clouds gathered, lightning flashed, and rain poured down. The sea churned violently, and tornadoes whipped up hundred-meter-high waves, as if the Ocean God was announcing its return to the world.
"Akio! Akio, stop him! He's going to destroy Liyue!" Paimon turned to Akio, who was just watching, and shouted anxiously.
"It's none of my business. I'm not Liyue's god," Akio waved his hand helplessly. He and Morax had already agreed during their meeting not to stop Tartaglia from releasing Osial. This was Morax's test for Liyue. If Liyue couldn't defeat Osial, he would naturally reappear to protect the nation. It would just mean his retirement plan failed.
"Ahhh!" Paimon and Lumine were speechless! Are all gods so heartless? Just because it's not their nation, they can coldly watch a country be destroyed?
"If you don't want to drown with the people of Liyue, you'd better leave now," Tartaglia turned into a stream of water and disappeared before their eyes.
"Damn it!" Lumine gritted her teeth, glared at Akio, and ran outside with Paimon. She had to help Liyue fight the god!
"Tsk tsk, it seems Lumine sees me as a villain now. What a shame," Akio pouted. "Morax, I'll be taking your little treasure trove."
With that, Akio also disappeared.
By the seaside, Zhongli was leisurely fishing, though his attention was entirely focused on the distance.
"Tartaglia has already released Osial. As you requested, I didn't stop him," Akio appeared in front of Zhongli. "Instead, Lumine now sees me as an evil god. So, how are you going to compensate me?"
"..." Zhongli looked at Akio. "What do you want?"
"I've heard that the God of Dust, Guizhong, left behind something called the 'Memory of Dust,' which contains her great wisdom," Akio said. "Have you unlocked it?"
"No," Zhongli shook his head. Perhaps it wasn't that he couldn't unlock it, but that he wanted to keep a memento of his dear friend.
"In that case, why not give it to me?" Akio said. "We'll consider our debts settled."
"The Memory of Dust is a keepsake from my dear friend. Akio, how about you ask for something else?" Zhongli shook his head.
"I only want the Memory of Dust," Akio insisted. Zhongli sighed, thinking of their contract, and asked, "The Memory of Dust has no divine power. Why do you want it so badly?"
"I have my own reasons," Akio waved his hand.
"Given our contract, I can't refuse," Zhongli sighed. "But this is the only relic left by my dear friend. I ask that you take good care of it."
"Of course," Akio nodded.
Zhongli nodded, and a golden square lock appeared in his hand, which he handed to Akio.
Akio took it, examined it briefly, and stored it away.
"Detected that the host has obtained the Memory of Dust. Unlocking the Herrscher of Truth template. This template has no level restrictions and can comprehend and create all things in the world, with the upper limit being the Herrscher's energy level," the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"The Herrscher of Truth?" Akio's eyes widened! That's the Herrscher of Truth! He couldn't help but feel ecstatic!
"What's the Herrscher's energy level limit?" Akio suddenly asked.
"It's the highest level of your Herrscher template. Currently, your highest level is SS as the Herrscher of the Void. You can create anything at or below that level," the system explained. "However, compared to Teyvat, you can basically create anything."
"I see," Akio nodded.
"The Herrscher of Truth doesn't require you to comprehend creation; instead, creation comprehends you," the system's voice continued. "This is the true Herrscher of Truth."
"Amazing!" He didn't even need to study so-called knowledge. He could create anything and then understand it.
Akio snapped out of his thoughts and saw Zhongli still fishing, so he sat down beside him.
"Hmm?" The fishing rod twitched, and Zhongli reeled it in. Surprisingly, a large octopus was caught.
Looking at the slowly wriggling octopus, Zhongli's face showed a rare expression of extreme disgust.
Throw it away? Zhongli considered it but felt it would be a waste. He turned to Akio and asked, "Akio, do you want this octopus? Just say the word, and it's yours."
"Sure, hand it over," Akio smiled faintly. Making some takoyaki wouldn't be bad, especially with the Magical Kitchen.
After handing the octopus to Akio, Zhongli cast his line again. Soon, the rod twitched once more, and Zhongli quickly reeled it in.
This time, it was a squid, its tentacles still flailing.
After a few more casts, all he caught were squids.
Zhongli's face darkened, and a sense of irritation welled up in his heart. His millennia of patience was shattered in just a few minutes.
Zhongli's gaze turned toward the distant, massive figure, filled with displeasure.
"Pfft…" Akio couldn't help but laugh at Zhongli's rare display of frustration. "What's wrong? Don't you like seafood, Zhongli?"
"Not exactly. It's just that seeing these reminds me of a… rather unpleasant time," Zhongli shook his head. "The slimy texture and the lingering fishy smell…"
"As for the reason, well… it's a long story. Being a god with an impeccable memory isn't always a good thing."
"Give it to me. I'll make something delicious that you'll definitely enjoy," Akio took the squid and tossed it into the Magical Kitchen, preparing some grilled squid.
"Want to try it?" Akio handed the grilled squid to Zhongli, who looked at the still-recognizable squid with disdain. But after smelling the aroma, he took a bite.
"How is it?" Akio asked.
"Hmm, no fishy smell, and the slime has been completely removed. It's quite a delicacy," Zhongli nodded. If it was prepared like this, he could accept it.
"So, mental blocks are easy to overcome," Akio patted Zhongli's shoulder. The two sat there, eating grilled squid while watching the increasingly gloomy weather in the distance.
"I never expected that even with Liyue on the brink of disaster, the Geo Archon would still have the leisure to fish and enjoy seafood by the sea," a haughty voice sounded behind them.
"I have faith in Liyue's capabilities, so I can afford to relax," Zhongli said.
"What? Is that not allowed, Rosalyne?" Akio knew from the voice that it was Rosalyne.
"It's you!"
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