"Isn't the term 'troublemakers' a bit too much?" Ningguang's expression was a little subtle. From this title, she sensed a strong feeling of disgust.
"Then let me tell you something about the Mond people," Smith said, seeing that both Keqing and Ningguang were intrigued. "Have you heard of the Tornado Demon God, Dekalapian?"
The well-informed Ningguang frowned slightly and responded, "I recall that he was the demon god ruling the Mond region before the Wind God Barbatos. He is now referred to by the Mond people as the 'Tower Tyrant.'"
"Tyrant?" Smith sneered. "The Rock King Emperor has told you before that, long ago, Mond's environment was similar to the current Winter Kingdom.
Back then, Dekalapian used his divine power to create an unbreakable wind wall to shield his people from the harsh cold, offering them a city free from bitter winters. However, the Mond people saw this as Dekalapian enslaving them and taking away their freedom."
"Ridiculous!" Keqing was dumbfounded. "They enjoyed the protection of a god, yet they resented him?"
"Exactly. With Dekalapian's divine power, he could have dispelled the cold winds. But don't forget, this was during the Demon War, and Mond still had Andrius, the Wolf King. If Dekalapian had exhausted his divine power maintaining the climate, he would have been vulnerable to Andrius," Smith explained. "Yet, despite everything, the Mond people betrayed Dekalapian. For some reason, Barbatos was born, and together they overthrew Dekalapian's rule. Now, he is remembered only as a tyrant."
Keqing and Ningguang fell silent, contemplating his words.
If they had been so unhappy under Dekalapian, why hadn't they simply left? They could have braved the cold if they truly believed freedom was worth it.
From Dekalapian's perspective, the Mond people indeed seemed ungrateful.
"And then there's Rosaline, now one of the Fatui Harbingers. You should look into her past when you have time.
And let's not forget the case of Dvalin.
Tell me, how many Mond people do you think truly believe in Barbatos?" Smith sneered. "Mond may be a future ally, but unless they resolve these deep-seated issues, they will always be unreliable."
Ningguang nodded thoughtfully. "It seems we still don't know enough about Mond."
"Alright, next, I'll leave the cooperation with Jean to you. I'm off to get lunch," Smith said.
"Then let's eat together. The Yuehai Pavilion has a special chef, and their skills are exceptional," Keqing suggested.
Ningguang sighed helplessly. "I'll have to pass. I still need to entertain Jean, given that she is Mond's acting Grandmaster. Besides, we need to ensure that the Winter Kingdom sees our friendly relations with Mond."
Just as Smith was about to say something, a sudden notification from the guild rang in their minds.
"A dimensional commission has been detected from the Ultimate Class World: Help the Ultimate Class fight against the Black Dragon, eliminate the greatest demon in the Golden Time and Space, and ensure that the good side retains its full combat power.
Reward: 15,000 dimensional points. Up to three participants. Points are distributed according to contribution, with a minimum of 5% per participant."
The sudden notification made the three exchange glances.
Zhongli: "A mission? With a reward of 15,000 points? It doesn't seem like I'll be needed for this one. The president should be able to handle it, right?"
Smith: "I don't know. This world is strange. The combat power fluctuates significantly. Some individuals can destroy all life and reset time itself.
In theory, they're incredibly strong, but it's uncertain how that translates in reality."
As he spoke, Smith uploaded all known details about the Ultimate series, including the often-mocked Ultimate Class 5.
Keqing: "I don't even know where to start complaining about this world.
But what's the deal with Iron Time? When the power of psychics weakens, they get captured and subjected to human experiments? Even though they were the ones protecting Iron Time?"
Smith: "That's human nature for you.
Human experimentation is disturbingly common. Even in Teyvat, similar things happen.
For instance, the Fatui's Doctor has conducted human experiments across multiple nations, including Snezhnaya, Fontaine, Mondstadt, Sumeru, and Inazuma.
I just don't know if anyone from Liyue has been taken."
Ningguang: "...I'm not sure."
Zhongli: "Some have, but they voluntarily approached the Fatui and agreed to be experimented on.
As long as they aren't forcibly abducting children, I cannot interfere directly.
It was their choice."
Keqing: "No! Even if it's voluntary, they can't just sell themselves to the devil!"
Hu Tao: "Alright, alright, let's focus. The real question is: who will take this mission?
I want to participate. Maybe my secret arts from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will work against these so-called demons.
Plus, I can play musical instruments! I'll bring my suona and play the Demon Suppression Trilogy. That should help, right?"
Ningguang: "Based on the information uploaded by Smith, blindly entering Iron Time could be very dangerous.
We might not even have time to prepare the Demon Suppression Trilogy.
And if we're noticed by the Flame Messenger, we won't necessarily be in danger, but the people we're trying to save might be.
If our actions indirectly lead to the destruction of an entire timeline, we'll be responsible for it."
Zhongli: "If my guess is correct, the guild can shield us from higher-dimensional beings.
When I contacted Naruto before, the Sage of Six Paths didn't notice me immediately.
Similarly, when we took Mewtwo, Arceus didn't react at all.
Of course, this is just speculation."
Smith: "Maybe. We'll find out when the time comes. But I won't go easy on the Black Dragon.
If there's no other option, I'll simply kill it."
The Black Dragon was an important character, but not irreplaceable. If completing the mission required its death, so be it.
Keqing: "In that case, I'll participate as well."
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