"Longhua, what did Ye's letter say to make you react like that?"

At Lumine's question, Longhua fell silent for a moment.

Then, softly, she replied: "That man claimed there's a way to bring Guizhong back to life. But I don't know whether his words are true."

"Bring Guizhong back? Wasn't she an God?" Paimon's eyes widened. "Even… even the Seven wouldn't be able to resurrect a dead God, right? This isn't Yu-Gi-Oh!—you can't just play a Monster Reborn and bring a hero back!"

Longhua nodded slightly. "That's why I said I don't know if it's true. Even with my authority over Abundance, I can only resurrect myself. Reviving another God—or even a human—is beyond my power."

"Huh? Sect Master, your authority lets you come back from the dead?!" Elysia blurted out in shock.

[Damn, that's wild… but actually, makes sense for Abundance.]

[Abundance is the cycle of life and death—self-resurrection fits perfectly.]

[Still OP though.]

Elysia glanced at the chat and nodded. "Yeah, when you put it that way, I guess it's not that surprising."

Still, the idea of power over life and death was undeniably alluring—even to her.

Meanwhile, though equally stunned, Lumine didn't press further. Instead, she said gently: "It is shocking… but if Ye said it, it's probably true."

Longhua turned to her. "You trust him that much?"

Lumine shook her head. "No. I wouldn't believe a single word he says… but if you believe him, then he won't lie to you."

"That's a contradictory statement."

"It is. But it's how I honestly feel."

Watching this exchange, Elysia turned off auto-play and tapped her chin playfully. "Hmm… doesn't this sound awfully similar to how a certain someone described the Supreme Bishop during his inauguration? Ah-ha! See? This just proves that Furina and I are soulmates!"

[MY EYES—TOO BRIGHT!]

[Elysia ditching the Supreme Bishop for Furina now?!]

[Supreme Bishop: Am I a joke to you?]

[Supreme Bishop: Two-timing harlot! We're through!]

[They were never together! I'M the Supreme Bishop's wife!!!]

"Ehe~" Elysia smirked and resumed auto-play, unfazed.

---

"Do you have any proof for your claim?" Longhua asked quietly.

"None. But if I had to give a reason…" Lumine's expression turned serious. "He's the type who lies constantly… yet paradoxically hates lying."

"Still baseless."

"True. But if you trust me, then maybe you can trust the version of him I've seen."

"WAAAH—!!"

Elysia clapped her hands over her mouth, grinning at the screen where Lumine smiled faintly.

"Kiana finally gets it! Now this is the chemistry the Supreme Bishop and I deserve! Exactly! Who wants friends? We want romance! Plant those flags early—even if it doesn't go anywhere, at least hint at it!"

So far, only a handful of characters had even vague romantic undertones: Mei, Ayaka, Shenhe. And even those were mostly fan-projected.

Male players wanted deeper bonds with female characters. Female players wanted the same with male characters. Yet in the end… they all stayed just friends.

That was Kiana's decision.

Pleasing both sides was impossible—not everyone could be like Elysia, who swung both ways.

How many female players actually wanted to flirt with female characters?

How many male players would enjoy an otome game with male love interests?

Genshin's explosive success had long killed any chance of it becoming a dating sim.

So… yeah. Elysia was just memeing.

---

"Staking your reputation on him is reckless," Longhua chided lightly. "He isn't worth that sacrifice."

"I'm just adding weight to the scales." Lumine smiled confidently. "A man as prideful as him? Who knows what he likes—but I know he hates owing debts. Whether voluntary or forced."

"What exactly happened between you two?" Longhua studied her, surprised. "I never thought you'd defend him so fiercely."

After a pause, she sighed. "Fine. If you're this certain, I'll take the chance. Honestly, even without your word, I wouldn't dismiss that 'what if'… But your assurance does give me a little more hope."

And that was it.

What if?

However impossible it seemed… what if?

Ye came from beyond this world. Longhua knew exactly how terrifying the Path of Original Sin was—because she wielded a fragment of it.

If that power had once been his… then nothing he did would surprise her.

Resurrecting an God? Absurd.

But if he claimed it… maybe, just maybe…

Why he wanted to revive Guizhong? What schemes lay beneath?

None of that mattered now.

Of course it didn't.

Compared to Guizhong's return, everything else could wait.

If…

If…

If…

…Then forgiving him wouldn't be completely out of the question.