Chapter 257

【Geo Archon Morax, said to possess the mighty power to move mountains and fill seas.】

【His elder brother, the Sword Archon Bueris, is even more terrifying.】

【With a raise of his hand, he could casually slice a great mountain clean in two.】

Yuanshang: "Bueris? That's Su Ye's Archon name?"

Paimon: "Hehehe, no wonder he threw it away, it doesn't sound good to be honest."

Furina: "You should call him Furina-husband."

Buer: "You're good at word games, second-generation Hydro Archon."

【Havria felt a slight headache coming on.】

【She was very weak, but that did not mean she could not think.】

【A while ago, she heard that near Liyue, a bear-form Stove Archon named Marchosias had been born.】

【The Sword Archon fought a great battle with him, the outcome unknown.】

【But after that, Marchosias began teaching the people of Liyue to prepare more nutritionally rich ingredients.】

【During that period, Liyue and the Land of Salt had very close exchanges, mainly trading supplies for the salt crystals in Havria's hands.】

【Moreover, the extra supplies were offered in hopes that Havria could process these salt crystals into edible fine salt.】

【"Lord Havria..."】

【The guard's voice interrupted Havria's thoughts.】

【She gave a slight nod, signaling the guard to bring Zhong Li and the other two to her meeting room for a private discussion.】

【Once the guard had departed.】

【Havria let out a deep sigh.】

【Relying on a woman's sixth sense, she always felt that Zhong Li's visit this time was not like before, simply to discuss trade.】

【After all, based on past experience, if it were merely a trade discussion, Liyue's side would not have sent the Geo Archon Morax himself.】

【He had even brought two adepti as his companions.】

【......】

【The Land of Salt.】

【In Havria's dedicated meeting room.】

【The contents of Zhong Li's exposition made her expression grow increasingly grim.】

【"So in other words, the purpose of Geo Archon Morax's visit this time is to want me, like Marchosias, to go to Liyue and serve Liyue, isn't it."】

【Havria confirmed meekly.】

【"Correct." Zhong Li responded immediately.】

【"My elder brother has taken a liking to your salt-making ability, and hopes you will surrender to him."】

【Since he had chosen to come.】

【Zhong Li did not wish to beat around the bush with Havria.】

【According to the meaning Su Bai had previously conveyed to him, what they needed to do was not to interact with the Havria before them as allies, as they once had.】

【The two sides exchanging supplies for supplies.】

【What Su Bai now wished to do was to bring Havria under his own hand, making her serve Liyue.】

Yuanshang: "As expected of Su Ye, alliances and such still require exchanging supplies, he just goes straight to resource integration on you."

Aether: "Yuanshang, whose subordinate are you exactly? You're sucking up to your brother-in-law way too blatantly. He clearly took a fancy to Havria's ability, and then wants to annex her. Speaking of which, he's actually just an invader."

Dainsleif: "During the Era of the Divine War, it was all mutual invasion. They killed until only a handful of Archons remained, and seven were picked to serve as the Seven Rulers."

Irmin: "Actually, Su Bai's plan of Unified thoughts is something that could let many Archons survive."

Rhinedottir: "But the prerequisite is loyalty."

Alice: "Sigh, but Archons themselves all have considerable pride. Most of them would rather die in battle than choose to surrender. If Zhong Li and Su Bai weren't a pair of Archon brothers akin to twins, a great war would definitely have broken out between these two as well."

Zhong Li: "Sorry, good luck, nothing to be done about it."

Venti: "Old man, you won't be dropping a Meteor on our Mondstadt, will you?"

Zhong Li: "Uh, judging by the current situation, if you don't choose to surrender to us, it might not be as simple as just Meteor."

Hu Tao: "Eh? Lord Rex Lapis, you're going to beat up the Anemo Archon Barbatos?"

Barbara: "Wuwuwu, you Liyue people are just bullying people. I'm going to accuse you Liyue of invasion."

Diluc: "Don't get worked up first. Given Lord Barbatos's personality, a few cups of wine and he might just sell out Mondstadt."

Venti: "Master Diluc, you..."

Dvalin: "The Geo Archon and Su Ye had a little chat at night, and never had such an easy battle."

Venti: "No, this time I absolutely have to stiffen my spine once."

Tianquan Ningguang: "Lord Anemo Archon, is the wine from Wanmin Restaurant good?"

Venti: "Ehe, don't even say it, it's really not bad."

Jean: "......"

Xiangling: "Looking at it this way, Guoba is still sensible. After getting beaten up once, he immediately joined in and lit up the stove."

Guoba: "?"

【Seeing Havria remain silent.】

【Zhong Li continued: "I think you should also be clear on my elder brother's strength. The reason I was sent to find you this time is that my temperament is much gentler than his."】

【"The rules set down by Celestia, the people above will not interfere with our Teyvat Archons' competition."】

【"With Elder Brother Su Bai's ability, becoming the Archon Emperor of Teyvat is only a matter of time."】

【"And with your ability, it seems you cannot protect your own people."】

【Having her weakness exposed by Zhong Li.】

【Heulia suddenly felt a wave of despondency.】

【Indeed, if Liyue truly wanted to wage war against her, Heulia could only sit and await her destruction.】

【But, as a God, submitting to another was no different from betraying the citizens who trusted her.】

【Just imagine — if her citizens learned that the god they believed in so deeply had pledged loyalty to another god.】

【How painful that would be for them.】

【As if he had seen through Heulia's inner thoughts.】

【Zhong Li waved a hand and said calmly, "I know you are also a benevolent god who deeply loves your citizens."】

【"You surely don't wish to truly lead them into welcoming the invasion of other gods."】

【"At least if you submit to my elder brother, the Salt Land will belong entirely to Liyue, and then the citizens here will be citizens of our Liyue. We will not allow any god to wantonly trample them."】

【"You..."】

【Heulia had just wanted to denounce Zhong Li and Su Bai's domineering act of aggression.】

【But in the end, she still closed her mouth and said nothing.】

·· ······Seeking flowers··· ···

【The God War was, after all, a game of gods slaughtering one another.】

【Even if Su Bai and Zhong Li truly took her Salt Land, so be it.】

【"Heulia, this is an excellent opportunity for you. I hope you will consider it carefully."】

【"The sooner you make a decision, the sooner the citizens of the Salt Land can receive our protection."】

【"In the cruel God War, only powerful strength is the best way to protect one's citizens."】

【Zhong Li continued to lay out the pros and cons, applying pressure on Heulia.】

【However, after both sides were silent for a long while...】

【Heulia said lightly, "Take me to meet the God of Swords, Brues..."】

【Hearing this, Zhong Li's brow furrowed slightly.】

【He cut off Heulia's words and said, "I can take you to meet my elder brother, but I must warn you in advance."】

【"My elder brother long ago abandoned the name Brues."】

【"You may address him as the God of Swords or Su Bai, but absolutely do not mention his god-name."】

【"Otherwise, I truly will find it very difficult to keep you safe."】

【...】

【Along the way, Heulia had already made her calculations.】

【The reason Su Bai wanted her to submit was likely because he had set his sights on her salt-making ability.】