Today was, without question, the most surreal day Kamisato Ayato had ever lived through.

First, he had brought his sister home, only to discover that her companions carried identities far too overwhelming—like walking bombs across all of Teyvat, anyone who touched them would surely meet their end.

Then, from Ayaka herself, he learned that Liyue's strength had far surpassed anything imaginable.

That three great nations had already forged an alliance, pledging to advance and retreat together.

And now—his sister had signed a contract with the Geo Archon himself?

Never in his life had Ayato thought such absurd things could all happen in one day.

Even for someone as brilliant as he was, his mind felt numb.

"You… signed a contract with the Geo Archon?"

Ayaka pressed her lips together.

"Because I personally witnessed the secret they had hidden away—the kind of secret that absolutely cannot be allowed to spread.

I signed the contract. If I dare leak it, the Three Archons and the adepti will hunt me down. The allied armies of the three nations would march on Inazuma…"

Ayato suddenly rose to his feet, glaring at her with frustration.

"How could you carelessly sign such a contract?"

Ayaka lowered her head slightly.

"Brother… I just don't want to see Inazuma continue on like this…"

Ayato stared blankly at his sister. After a long silence, he sighed.

"This sort of burden… should never have been yours to carry."

If he had known Ayaka would encounter such things on her journey, he never would have let her leave.

Yes, the intelligence she had brought back was important—but a dangerous contract with the Geo Archon? That should have been his responsibility to sign, not hers.

As her older brother, how could he ever allow his sister to take on such risk?

Even without the threat of three Archons hunting her down—the adepti alone would mean certain death.

Not even the Raiden Shogun could protect her.

Ayato took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. After a moment's thought, his eyes lit up, as if an idea had struck him.

"You signed it as an individual, didn't you?"

Ayaka nodded.

Ayato let out a breath of relief, chuckling softly.

"In that case, then I too shall sign a contract with the Geo Archon. Would that be acceptable?"

He had expected Ayaka to hesitate. Yet to his surprise, Ayaka only exchanged a glance with Lumine—before both of them broke into smiles. She immediately drew from her sleeve a contract she had already prepared.

"Brother, quickly—sign it! Once you do, I can tell you everything!"

"…"

In that instant, Ayato realized what had happened. His concern had clouded his judgment, and his clever little sister had set him up perfectly.

Thinking back, from the moment she began describing Liyue's situation—feeding him truths so difficult to accept—she had been leading him step by step.

And in the end, she used his protective instincts against him, until he himself said the words she had been waiting for.

Ayaka…

"No wonder. You truly are my sister."

Ayato gave a helpless laugh, taking the contract and carefully reading it over.

There were no hidden clauses.

It simply stated that should the signer ever leak Liyue's secrets, they would be hunted to the death.

And that those who signed must share life and death with the alliance of the three nations.

Ayaka stuck out her tongue a little, embarrassed.

"Sorry, Brother… but with only me and Lumine, it's far too difficult to resolve Inazuma's situation quickly."

"Only by pulling you aboard do we stand a chance."

Although Kamisato Ayato normally didn't mind such things, being tricked by his own little sister still left him a bit embarrassed. He shook his head in exasperation.

"Next time something like this comes up, just tell me directly.

Before I am the head of the Yashiro Commission… I am your brother."

Ayaka's heart warmed. She replied softly:

"Thank you, Brother…"

Off to the side, Lumine watched with a trace of envy.

Back when she traveled with Aether, he too had always been the image of a good older brother.

And now… why was he hiding away, refusing to see her?

Without further hesitation, Kamisato Ayato signed the contract.

In that very moment, he felt three pairs of majestic gazes descend upon him from the void above—watching him, judging him. Then, in the blink of an eye, they vanished.

Ayato understood at once. The Three Archons had noticed him.

Now, he was fully aboard their ship. But judging by Ayaka's description, this was no mere vessel—it was a battleship worth boarding.

Steeling his resolve, Ayato looked back at his sister.

"Now, you can tell me everything, right?

I need to assess the situation comprehensively, then decide how to resolve Inazuma's chaos—and join the alliance as quickly as possible."

If anyone else had spoken such words, Ayaka would have thought they were joking.

But this was Kamisato Ayato.

She believed in his mind, his cunning.

All he lacked was some martial support—something Lumine, of course, would provide.

Gathering her thoughts, Ayaka began to explain:

"Simply put… the three nations of Liyue, Mondstadt, and Snezhnaya are now cooperating with a single being.

That being… is a Master of Worlds."

Ayato's eyes widened.

"A Master of Worlds? Could it be…"

"Yes."

Ayaka nodded firmly.

"He controls an entire, vast, complete world.

And the very basis of the alliance between the three nations—is this world."

…

For the next three hours, Ayaka carefully explained to Ayato the cooperation between Ryen and Liyue's leaders.

She described the bizarre, unfathomable things within Ryen's world.

Firearms. The Nether. The End. Dragon Riders…

Even after personally witnessing alchemical potions, enchanted gear, Ender Eyes, and Totems of Undying—despite all his mental preparation—Kamisato Ayato still found it all utterly…

Absurd.

Utterly absurd!

What kind of world could possibly possess such strange and impossible resources?

Immortality. Resurrection. Elements. Magic…