Chapter 167 The final act is about to begin, and the gods soothe and refuse...
The deal fell through, and Mainkuhn expected to be anxious about it.
But unexpectedly, looking at Zhong Liyin's angry face, he felt a sense of peace.
This seems more reassuring than a successful transaction.
“Zhongli, Zhongli…”
"Touch my head a little longer..."
"good."
The immortal carried a fragrance that Mainkun couldn't quite describe. The scent wasn't strong or overpowering; even in a sealed room, its presence was barely noticeable, as understated as a rock.
But with each caress, the rich fragrance began to leak out, gradually spreading from Zhongli's palms and settling on Mainkuen's hair, as if marking a territory.
Upon hearing this, Mainkuhn purred and went back to sleep.
…
[Sino: Travelers, Paimon, is your next destination still Mount Sumeru?]
[Paimon: No, no, no! Of course I'm going to Fontainebleau with you guys!]
[Paimon: Absolutely, absolutely not, will I miss the moment the plan succeeds!]
[Sino: Great, Paimon.]
[Sino: Now that everything's over, we can play cards in peace in Sumeru.]
[Tinari: Stop trying to get people to play cards! They're travelers, they want to experience the rainforest properly.]
[Tinari: Alright, Paimon, I remember you and the Traveller were recently investigating Mainkun's biological parents with Sessos and the others? Any findings?]
[Paimon: Ah, Yae no Miko does indeed have a few stories about cats. One of them has a timeline that matches Mainkun, and she did indeed form a family with a human woman...]
[Kavi: !]
[Kavi: So, just as we suspected, Mainkun was born with a heart full of loving wishes, right?]
[Empty: Hmm... That should be correct.]
[Kavi: Huh? Why this reaction? Don't scare me! What's wrong?]
[Cesos: Don't get excited, don't get excited. It's true that Mainkun was born of love.]
[Sesos: But how should I put it? The story that Lord Yaegami told us is...weird? Anyway, I find it hard to believe it's true.]
[Kavi: Huh? Huh? Isn't it one of those romantic love stories where a monster and a human bravely fall in love, defying worldly conventions and rules?]
[Cesos: Haha, I feel like this would be a huge hit as a comic book, too bad it isn't.]
[Cesos: If I had to put it in perspective, this story, while not as grand as the history of Gül, is still enough to give some timid children a fright...]
…
[Abedo: Mount Dama is ready; everything is prepared.]
[Nasita: I'm also on my way from Nata to Fontainebleau, it's so far!]
[Nasita: How did Mainkun manage to run so many times? Just thinking about it makes me feel exhausted.]
[Wendy: Wait, Nasita, didn't Fontaine reject your diplomatic request? Won't you get stuck at the port if you go to Fontaine like this?]
[Scattered soldier: Hahahaha! Isn't that easy?]
[Scattered Soldier: A lawsuit! We filed a complaint with the opera house accusing Fontaine citizen Mainkuhn of interfering in the internal affairs of Sumeru and instigating national conflict. That woman named Furina immediately approved our entry application and even sent a bunch of letters seeking peace. It's hilarious!]
[Wendy: Wow! Isn't it bad to scare her like that?]
[Kaiya: Hey, bard, did you know that serious cases like this, involving the internal affairs of other countries, are usually not open to foreign tourists in the audience? It's for fear there might be foreign spies inside! Even if you came to Fontainebleau, you'd be kicked out of the opera house.]
[Wendy: Huh? No way! I only came to Fontainebleau to be a spectator! What am I going to do now?]
[Kaiya: Simple! The Knights have already filed a lawsuit with the Opera. The Mainkun case is being heard concurrently, and we will appear as both plaintiff and witness!]
[Kaeya: Each knight can be accompanied by two family members. Bard, would you like me to save a spot for you?]
[Wendy: ! So we did it too? Okay, okay... But what were the charges we brought against Mainkuen?]
[Diluc: Intending to halt Mondstadt's economic development.]
[Wendy: What a terrible charge!]
[Erhesen: He probably doesn't have that ability.]
[Kavi: Isn't there some mistake? We can't just make up accusations like that, can we?]
[Diluc: 'I'm going to destroy Mondstadt's brewery,' he said it himself, in public, everyone knows it.]
...
[Diona: I was a criminal??]
[Liu Yun Borrows the Wind: Hmph, look at you all, acting so convolutedly. In my opinion, I only need to reveal my identity as a member of the Liyue Immortal Clan, and the gods of Fengdan will treat me with courtesy. Why go through all this trouble...]
[Keqing: Dear immortals, unfortunately, all your applications to enter the realm have been rejected.]
[Keqing: Although Ganyu and my applications were approved... we hold important positions and probably won't be allowed to observe Mainkun's trial.]
[Leaving Clouds and Borrowing Wind: Why is this? Differential treatment!]
[Liu Yun Borrows the Wind: Isn't everyone saying the Goddess of Justice acts madly and recklessly? Why is she preventing us from entering this and that? This immortal thinks she's clearly a coward!]
[Rotuo: I guess she's wary of the immortals' power. Most of the people in Fontaine are ordinary humans with limited protective measures. If something unexpected happens... it seems that Funina is quite protective of her people.]
[Xiao: Are we going to have to take Mainkuhn to court just to get a chance to appear in court?]
[Zhongli: Sigh, it's not like we can concoct a good charge in such a short time.]
[Rod: He really didn't do anything bad in Liyue...]
[Ke Qing: We will also try our best to help the immortals. Also, Mr. Zhongli, the personal information you submitted in your materials is incomplete, for example, the section on past immortal titles...]
[Zhongli: I am the True Lord of the Moon-Shaving and Sun-Building Sect, thank you.]
…
Mainkun slept soundly in his dreams, unaware that his final days were drawing near.
“Zhongli…”
After waking up weakly for what seemed like the umpteenth time, he saw the immortal smiling as he entered the house.
"Very happy?"
Confused, Mainkuen pulled the crown from beside the pillow, turned his head to look at him from the pillow, and gently bit the diamond on it.
Zhongli: "Shall I put it on for you?"
"...No."
After some thought, Mainkuhn declined with some regret.
"I can't wear it."
The adamant gold fused the wishes of all people into one, its colors vibrant yet not vulgar. Kavi possessed keen insight and skillful hands, but even he could not change the essence of those wishes.
Heavy, very heavy.
"It can't hold on any longer..."
The cat complained softly, "Anyway, I'll be asleep soon, so I won't be able to wear it for very long."
Despite saying that, he never stopped gently biting the diamond.
"You should still wear it."
Zhongli, however, did not comply with his wishes this time.
"...?"
As Mainkun was feeling bewildered, he felt a strong arm reach down his back and lift him from his soft, flowing clothes.
"Zhongli?" The cat struggled uncomfortably. "Are we going out?"
"right."
Zhongli helped him to the head of the bed and let him lean against the cushions. She took out two sets of understated yet elegant clothes. "Do you want this satin one or this silver-trimmed one?"
"It should have a high collar to protect your neck."
"Should the belt have a deer pattern or a crane pattern?"
"It must have your scent."
"I see."
Zhongli roughly understood his needs, found a slightly worn set of clothes among his everyday attire, repaired it, and placed it in front of him.
"Is this okay?"
The cat lowered its head to sniff, quite satisfied.
"It's very safe."
A low chuckle seemed to come from above.
"Then put them on."
After being dressed in full attire, a crown rested atop her gray hair.
“…Zhongli?”
“I’ve cast a spell on it to make it lighter. Wear it.”
After dressing up, the ailing Mainkun looked much more energetic. The way he blinked curiously while wearing the crown reminded Zhongli of the seemingly proud and unruly young king from a few years ago.
However, that untamed spirit was a facade, and now it is almost entirely destroyed.
"Zhongli, since you're going out, give me an injection of the confiscated medicine."
"No, Xiao En."
Zhongli patiently refused him.
"Your body can no longer heal the needle marks; it will be very painful, and the bleeding won't stop."
"But, but...do we really have to go out? I just want to stay home with you, and I'm not scared."
I'm sorry.
Uncharacteristically firm, Zhongli pushed over a wheelchair and, ignoring Mainkuhn's resistance, placed him on it, lowered the crossbar for securing it, and adjusted the curvature of the chair back.
Mainkuhn pushed the bar several times, but couldn't move it.
So sturdy!
The feeling of being imprisoned made the cat anxious again. Unable to control himself, Mainkun stuffed his empty right sleeve into his mouth, biting, shaking, and tearing.
"We still have some preparations to do before we leave, Xiao En."
"Hmm?"
The supple fabric was gently pulled out from between the fangs. Mainkun, who had just woken up, instinctively snatched the fabric back, only to feel a cool sensation on his tongue as something soft was stuffed into his mouth.
"!"
Mainkuhn immediately opened his mouth as if to vomit, but Zhongli quickly pulled the chopsticks out from between his teeth and covered his mouth with one hand.
"chew."
"..."
Mainkuhn obeyed instinctively, and with one chew, the delicious flavor burst on his tongue.
"Delicious! It's so good!"
He immediately discarded his tasteless sleeves, pricked up his ears, and stared intently at the chopsticks in Zhongli's hand.
It's not easy to see Mainkun eating so enthusiastically. Zhongli smiled slightly and picked up a slice of raw fish as thin as a cicada's wing, stuffing it straight into his mouth.
"The heart and soul of a thousand-year-old sea beast is something that can only be encountered by chance, but to have you like it is its good fortune."
Cats really do prefer seafood, how awful.
After using his long chopsticks to elegantly and swiftly pick up half a plate of meat, as if feeding a bird, Zhongli waved the glistening slices of meat in front of Mainkuen with a hint of regret.
"You really can't eat anymore?"
"Gurgle."
"You should eat some more to conserve your energy."
"Gurgle."
Mainkuhn squinted, a satisfied look on his face.
"All right."
Setting down the plate of precious food that no one would touch again, Morax reached out and began to rhythmically stroke Maine's ears and massage his head.
The exquisite technique made the cat drowsy and sleepy, in a blissful state.
"Zhongli..." he called softly.
"Um?"
You seem especially nice today.
"Have I been bad to you all the time?"
"Everything is fine, but today is especially good... Why is that..."
A series of soft snoring sounds vibrated in Zhongli's palm, and Morax knew that he was now extremely satisfied with the stimulation, and this was the perfect moment.
"...Why...Is today a special day?"
The hands that had been kneading her ears suddenly and slowly released their pressure.
"Mr. Xiao En."
"Um?"
A deep, warm embrace, carrying a familiar scent, slowly enveloped the young man locked in his wheelchair.
"do not be afraid."
The gods spoke in his ear.
"Nothing bad will happen."
"Um?"
As the embrace loosened, Maine opened his eyes in confusion. Through his comfort-induced hazy vision, he saw two familiar figures, one in yellow and one in green, who had been standing behind the door for who knows how long.
"A... Elhesen!"
The lazy, fluffy ears tensed instantly as Mainkun pressed his right arm behind his back.
"W-What are you doing here?!"
Did Sino tip you off?
"I came here to bring you..."
Mainkun felt a cold gaze, unchanged for ten years, sweep over him, from head to toe, from his crown to his old clothes, and down to his beautiful face, which showed a hint of fear.
"...Tsk."
The hawk's eyes drifted away from its prey, and Alhesen raised his leg and lightly kicked the stunned Kavi.
"you say."
"Don't push all the work you don't want to do onto me! I'm not the Great Tree King! ... Um, that Wise King..."
After wiping the sweat from his palms, Kavi knew that asking Elhesen would only make things worse, so he forced a smile and tried to comfort him.
"Just think of it as acting in a play with us. A lot of it is fake, not real. Once the play is over, everything will be fine... You don't have to act either. Just stay there and sleep quietly. When you wake up, just space out and don't worry about anything..."
Mainkuen covered his face with his hand. "Where are we...where are we going to put on a show, Kavi?"
"Maple, Fontainebleau".
...
"I'm not going—!!!"
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