Harbinger of Destruction

Chapter 8:Old friendships may bring out the Mara, and others might calm it down

After finishing to make the perfumes Blade quickly left the Wanmin Restaurant, with Lumine and Paimon in tow. They have to find Zhongli at the statue in front of the Harbour.

He really wishes this mission will end soon. He knew something like this would happen at some point.

Mara, although chaotic and destructive in all aspects, followed a certain line. The Mara within Blade was made to activate by memories.

And now he was in Liyue Harbour of all places. This city held too many memories for the Mara to stay dormant.

In fact, the Mara began to stir as soon as he put foot on the Harbour. And as ge remembered more, it became harder to contain it.

It was just a matter of time before the golden gkow of madness would burst out. And then he'd became in every sense the monstrous abomination he was for centuries.

He doesn't want that to happen. Although this place held nothing but pain, Blade didn't want to destroy it.

He supposed such a thing was inevitable. This was his homeland, after all.

The place where he had grown and refined his crafts and talents. The place his greatest friendships were formed, and also the place those very friendships fell into ruin.

Jing Yuan...Dan Feng...Jingliu...Baiheng...

He just...He needed to get put of here. He needed Columbina. He needed...

Blade came back from his spiralling as he felt a hand on his shoulder. It seems they have arrived at the stature already, and now Zhongli gently grasped his shoulder with a concerned look.

Clever old man, he always knew when something was wrong with him. The oldest Archon may understand more about humans than he believes.

Blade shook his head, somehow the Mara seemed to suspside as his head cleared. It calmed down, for now.

Paimon:Uh...What's going on with you two?

Zhongli:I happened to notice Mr. Blade looked a bit pale. I wanted to make sure about his condition.

Paimon:His condition...That's right! Blade just came by boat all the way from Sneznhaya and after our meal he had to begin helping us immediatly. He didn't even eat that much...Paimon's sorry, Blade! She should've been more considerate! We even legt you to make all those perfumes.

Lumine:Paimon's right, we were being inconsiserate. Do you need a break?

It seems an idea of what might be happening formed in the heads of those two. Even though it was far from the truth, Blade was used to far worse work situations.

Blade:I'm fine. I just had fo fet some air after being cooped up in there. Let's just get this over with.

The two girls nodded their heads. Seems they were decided to work harder to make up for their neglicence.

Paimon:Right, so...We've brought the perfumes, Mr. Zhongli! Did we take too long? You were just staring up at the statue...

Zhongli:Don't worry, I haven't waited long. Compared to the watch that Rex Lapis' statues have kept over Liyue, this was but a brief moment.

Paimon:Haha, well, how can a person compete with a statue?

Zhongli:That is true. Well, have you brought the perfumes?

Paimon:Three sets and not one less!

Zhongli:Thank you both. Let us offer them up.

He seemed to be really dedicated to this beat. Blade almost forgot that the ancient god had an mischieviour side to him as well, although he rarely showed it

Blade took out the three perfumes. He was gonna walk to the statue, but he stopped omce he felt someone tugging on his coat.

Blade:Hm?

Turning around, he found the culprit to be Lumine. The presented him her hands.

Lumine:I can carry them for you.

Ah, sheust still think he was feeling unwell. Well, he supposed he can fuel this charade for now fine.

Blade:Fine.

Blade hands the perfumes over to Lumine. The girl took a few steps back, settling the Golden House Maiden perfume to the statue.

Paimon:This is the first kind of perfume. Ms. Ying'er said that it's sweet as a dream, and it's liked by younger ladies.

When she saw that did nothing, Lumine then presented Valley Weaver. But this yielded no results either.

Paimon:This is the second kind. It's got an elegant smell, and the daughters of high society love it!

Finally, Lumine put down Fate's Yearning. However, this time the cube in the hand of the statue glew with elemental power.

Paimon:The third kind has a gentle but lingering fragrance, something something like the dusk mist, and it's a favorite of mature ladies.

Paimon noticed the glow of the statue, finally getting a reaction. As the two girls stared at the statue, they failed to notice Zhongli's eyes glowing the characteristical gold of Geo.

Paimon:Oh...What was that?

Lumine:Looks like Rex Lapis really likes this one.

Paimon:That's the one older ladies like, right? Does that mean that Rex Lapis is actually an older lady?

Blade:Perhaps gods aren't so easily limited by their physical form.

Zhongli:Haha, perhaps, perhaps. Rex Lapis has taken on countless forms. Perhaps that really was one of them.

Paimon:What a shame, we only got to see the giant dragon form, and...Let's hope the Qixing can catch the real killer.

Zhongli:We can leave that to the authorities. Let us focus on the fond farewell for Rex Lapis.

Lumine let out a hum after hearing that. She really wonders what the ulterior motives do Childe and the Qixing have?

Paimon:So, we've finished another step in our preparations. What's next?

Zhongli:Next, I would like the two of you to help me borrow the Cleansing Bell.

Paimon:Cleansing Bell?

Zhongli:At present, a friend of mine named Madame Ping is the guardian of the Cleansing Bell. She lives near Yujing Terrace. If you ask her, she will know what to do.

Paimon:Sure, but...Aren't you going to come with us?

Zhongli:Ah, I have certain reasons why I cannot be there in person. Please do this for me.

Paimon:Man, why's he got to be so secretive this time?

Blade began to pounder about this Madam Ping...Ah, he must be talking about Streetward Rambler. Then it makes sense why he wouldn't want to go, she'd give him an earful.

As the three departed, Lumine and Paimon missed Blade giving Zhongli a grin. A grin that screamed "I'm gonna tattle on you", which prompted Zhongli to sigh.

Zhongli:Well, I suppose it was inevitable...