The Tenshukaku was very quiet at night.
Moonlight poured over the vast courtyard, and no other figures were in sight. Only Yu Xie and Ei walked side by side.
The rock garden seemed to be draped in a layer of gauze under the moonlight, and Ei's figure appeared even more beautiful in its glow.
"Ei, what exactly do Makoto need me for?" Yu Xie couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know either, but she said it was very important," Ei replied.
With that, Yu Xie didn't press further and simply followed Ei, walking slowly.
Before long, under Ei's guidance, Yu Xie arrived in front of a small standalone house.
This place was a bit of a distance from the main hall of the Tenshukaku and could be considered a corner of the entire compound.
Typically, houses in such corners were used for storing miscellaneous items, but this one clearly bore signs of someone living there.
The small garden in front of the house had some flowers and plants that looked recently transplanted. The corridor by the door was immaculately clean, with not a speck of dust in sight.
"Ei, is Makoto really here? I thought her room was in a different place," Yu Xie asked, slightly puzzled.
"My sister just moved here recently. She said she likes the tranquility," Ei explained, resolving Yu Xie's confusion. Then she stepped forward, knocked on the door, and said, "Sister, I've brought Yu Xie."
After waiting for a moment, there was no response from Makoto.
"Sister?" Ei called out again.
Finally, a reply came from inside.
"I'm coming—"
Soon, the door opened, and Makoto stood inside. She was wearing a beautiful nightgown that revealed her fair shoulders and an elegant, sensual collarbone.
Makoto rubbed her drowsy eyes, looking as if she had just woken up.
"Sorry, I fell asleep while waiting," Makoto said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"It slipped my mind for a moment. This is my fault, Sister," Ei admitted.
"It's alright. What matters most is that you enjoyed yourself," Makoto replied, giving Ei a gentle smile. She then reached out and patted Ei's head. "Alright, come in. Let's talk inside."
Yu Xie and Ei stepped into the room.
The room's overall decor was neither luxurious nor sparse. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but many of the details were carefully chosen, reflecting the refined taste of its owner.
More importantly, as soon as Yu Xie stepped into the room, a faint, pleasant fragrance filled his senses. It might have been some kind of incense or perhaps simply Makoto's natural presence.
"Mr. Yu Xie, please have a seat," Makoto said with a smile, gesturing politely.
"Thank you, Miss Makoto," Yu Xie replied with a smile of his own before sitting down.
Makoto and Ei also took their seats.
"Alright, so what is this all about?" Yu Xie asked.
Makoto looked at Yu Xie, hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her hands and placed them on her chest.
A soft glow emerged from her chest, and her hair began to flow gently as if stirred by an invisible breeze.
The sight was divine, like a goddess of creation lovingly cradling the world she had brought into existence.
As the light faded, something appeared in Makoto's hands—a small object that at first glance resembled a chess piece. However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that it was no ordinary item.
It radiated a powerful aura, far beyond what a mere chess piece could possess.
"This is…" Yu Xie had a vague idea of what it might be.
"Gnosis," Makoto said.
"Sister, are you planning to…" Ei began but trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
Makoto gazed at the Gnosis in her hands, her expression growing solemn. Then she lifted her eyes to look at Yu Xie.
"Yu Xie, if possible, I'd like… to entrust the Gnosis to you."
"What?" Yu Xie was utterly shocked.
There was no doubt that the Gnosis was an extremely important artifact. Yet now, Makoto was saying she wanted to give it to him—a mere mortal.
"Why?" Yu Xie asked immediately.
"Yu Xie, you'll be traveling to Mondstadt, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and even Snezhnaya in the future, won't you?" Makoto asked in return.
"…Yes," Yu Xie nodded.
"You'll visit many places, but Ei and I can't go with you. Let this Gnosis take our place and stay by your side. It will protect you and shield you from calamities. Moreover, I don't know why, but I'm increasingly convinced that, aside from the Seven Archons, you're the only one qualified to safeguard the Gnosis," Makoto said.
Halfway through her words, Makoto suddenly paused before continuing:
"But you probably already know—the Fatui from Snezhnaya are searching for the Gnosis in the other six nations. Carrying the Gnosis might bring trouble."
"Yeah, I know," Yu Xie nodded again.
"While I hope the Gnosis can stay with you in place of Ei and me, we don't want you to encounter unnecessary difficulties. So, whether or not you choose to accept this Gnosis is entirely up to you. We'll respect your decision."
"..." Yu Xie fell silent.
Makoto also lapsed into silence, her heart conflicted.
On one hand, she wanted Yu Xie to accept the Gnosis because doing so would signify his acceptance of her feelings and intentions.
But on the other hand, she hoped he would refuse. Carrying the Gnosis might draw him into countless complications. Even though she believed Yu Xie was capable of handling such challenges, she still didn't want to see him embroiled in danger or trouble.
On the other hand, a certain feeling in Makoto's heart grew stronger—Yu Xie was someone capable of confronting Celestia. Perhaps the Gnosis was meant to be entrusted to him. Receiving it might not be a burden for Yu Xie but a necessity.
"Yu Xie, I…" Makoto began to speak again, but Yu Xie interrupted her.
"Makoto, I think I can guess what you're thinking," Yu Xie said with a smile. "I'll accept this Gnosis. Let's consider it a keepsake from you and your sister."
Before Makoto could respond, Yu Xie reached out and took the Gnosis into his hand.
Makoto seemed about to say something, but Yu Xie spoke again:
"You've waited for me for so long, so let me do what I can for you. Any troublesome matters—I'll take care of them."
Looking at the Gnosis in his hand, Yu Xie was clearly referring to any issues related to it.
Matters involving the Gnosis could bring both good and bad outcomes. Yu Xie had just decided that he wouldn't let the bad ones disturb Makoto and Ei anymore.
"I suddenly regret it. I really shouldn't have taken out the Gnosis or brought this up…" Makoto paused and then gave a helpless smile.
"Regret what? Not wanting the Gnosis to take your place and accompany me?" Yu Xie joked.
"Of course not. It's because I don't want you to get caught up in troublesome matters…" Makoto said softly. "I should've known. You're always like this—always putting others first and never thinking about yourself properly… But it's too late to regret now, isn't it? From the start, no one but you has ever been able to change your decisions."
"Don't worry," Yu Xie said, smiling confidently at Makoto and Ei. "With your feelings accompanying me, no trouble will be too much to handle. Besides, I don't do things for just anyone without considering myself. It's because it's you two that I'm willing to do this."
The night was serene, but Yu Xie's words caused the hearts of a certain pair of twin sisters to tremble deeply.
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