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A glow of dark green-blue and cyan mist could be seen. It seems that Alatus had come to visit Rex Lapis up in the mountains.
Alatus or Xiao, with his undying loyalty, bowed down to ‘Rex Lapis’.
The Geo Archon chuckled dearly at Xiao.
“Xiao, I already told you to stop with the formal gestures. I am no longer the Geo Archon.” Xiao looked up to Rex Lapis, and opened his mouth only to simply be cut off.
“And before you speak, call me Zhongli. Please do not call me ‘Rex Lapis’ or ‘Morax’”. Xiao then thought of what he was going to say to Rex— Zhongli.
“In my eyes, Mr. Zhongli, you are still the honourable Geo Archon. My respect and loyalty to you will not waver.” He then said,
Zhongli only softly sighed. “You will never stop will you? Now, onto our topic on why I called you here.” The both of them then became serious.
He continued, “The topic on why I called you here is actually similar to what we were already conversing about.” Xiao only listened and never once interrupted Zhongli.
“Since I am no longer the Geo Archon, my contracts will now also be set in stone. I am talking about our contract, Xiao. The contract is about you and the other Adepti and Yakshas. You lot will no longer need to obey me. You are now granted freedom, and are no longer needed in Liyue.”
Xiao didn't react, as he told himself that even if he didn't need to serve Liyue anymore, he would still protect it from evil.
As for the other Adepti, well, Xiao didn't really mind them. As long as they dont get in his way.
“Knowing you, you would probably still protect Liyue.—’ Zhongli chuckled mid sentence. ‘—Well then, I hope you meet someone to make you realise the freedom that you have been granted.”
Xiao was speechless— more accurately confused. Why would someone get close to him when his Karma affects people? Why would he meet someone to make him realise the freedom he was granted? Who even is this presumed ‘someone’?
“Very well so, you are dismissed Xiao. Live and be free. You are no longer needed to protect Liyue.” With that simple statement, Xiao had disappeared.
Even if Xiao was not there anymore, he would still continue to wonder who this ‘someone’ was going to be…