At the border between the continent of Teyvat and the “Shell” lay a nation without divine rule, a godless land.
Its people were self-sufficient, their technology exceptionally advanced, and they firmly believed their nation would prosper more and more.
The people of Khaenri'ah never interacted with the outside world; they had once considered exploring it, but the high-ranking officials forbade it, and no one dared to defy Khaenri'ah's rules.
Khaenri'ah was a land with a strict hierarchy, where commoners had no choice but to obey the decisions of the upper echelons.
Within the palace of Khaenri'ah, a man holding a wine glass spoke to a young man before him: “Dain, why do you not support our contact with the outside world? We have already confirmed that there are beings like us out there.”
Dainsleif (Captain of Khaenri'ah's Royal Guard) snorted, “Don't think I don't know what you're planning.
Khaenri'ah's technology is advanced, and you view ‘Field Tillers’ as a ruthless policy for conquering land—aren't you just trying to invade the outside world?” (Ruin Guards were once used by the people of Khaenri'ah for tilling land).
The man opposite Dain burst into laughter.
“Dain, oh Dain, you are as foolish as Pierro. How many people can the current Khaenri'ah sustain? With the population growing, where would we find enough land to distribute to those commoners?”
“Hmph, I won't listen to another word of your nonsense. One day, you will pay the price for your actions!” Clotho Alberich (a member of Khaenri'ah's royal family) watched with a grim face as Dain walked out.
“Dain… you will understand.”
Dainsleif sighed deeply after stepping outside, when suddenly someone patted him.
He turned his head but found no one.
When he turned back, he saw Halfdan making a funny face in front of him.
Dain punched him and said, “Very funny, isn't it? As a palace guard, instead of standing guard and patrolling properly, you come here to scare me?”
Halfdan chuckled foolishly, “Oh, didn't I just get off duty? Captain Dain, let's go have a couple of drinks! My treat!”
Dainsleif replied, “Oh? For you, the ‘wage guardian,’ to pay for drinks, I must be getting a great deal today.”
Halfdan said, “How could I? Captain, you don't know the cost of living until you run a household. Come on, let's go, let's go!”
With that, he pulled Dain towards the tavern.
Inside the tavern…
Dain was listlessly drinking, and after Halfdan had boasted to the people next to him for a while, he also noticed Dain's mood.
He patted his captain's shoulder and said, “Captain, did you argue with that Clotho fellow again?”
Seeing Dain remain silent, Halfdan continued, “That guy is just a scoundrel who only cares about his own interests. Hmph, Captain, you don't need to get angry with him.”
Still, Dain said nothing, so Halfdan changed the subject: “Captain, Surtalogi (Extremely Evil Knight) wants to challenge you to a duel every day. Rerir (Hunter of the Moon) has already fought him several rounds these past few days.”
Just as Halfdan was complaining, Dain spoke up and asked, “What has my brother been doing lately?”
Halfdan took a sip of his drink and said, “Oh? Vedrfolnir (Prophet) is discussing matters with Hroptatyr (sage). I didn't hear the specifics.”
“You're a ‘Black Serpent Knight,’ how can you be so timid?” Dain teased with a smile.
Halfdan replied, “But I'm only a palace guard, Captain Dain~~~”
Dain nudged Halfdan with a punch and left.
Halfdan looked at the almost untouched wine and said, “What a waste! If you're not drinking it, I will. Hmph!”
Leaving the tavern, Dain went to the room of Gold Rhinedottir (Khaenri'ah's Chief Alchemist).
“What are you doing?” Dain asked as he entered.
Rhinedottir replied without turning her head, “The ‘King’ wants me to create a new energy source for Khaenri'ah, and it must never run out. How is that even possible?”
“Besides, I have another experiment going on: artificial lifeforms. How about that? It's pretty amazing, right?” she said excitedly.
Dain said indifferently, “That's certainly amazing. By the way, have you seen my brother?”
Rhinedottir continued her experiment while speaking, “Him? He's with the ‘sage’ looking for a new power. It seems they've found some clues, but I don't have a good feeling about the power they're seeking.”
Dain asked why, but Rhinedottir only said it was her intuition, leaving Dain speechless.
Before Dain left, Rhinedottir said, “Clotho is also involved in this matter. He's the supporter behind the (sage). You'd best warn your brother to be careful.”
Dain said nothing, only noted it down, and then went to find his brother.
Meanwhile…
Vedrfolnir slammed his hand on the table and declared, “I do not agree to use Forbidden Knowledge and bio-alchemy to summon this energy!”
Hroptatyr said, “Don't be so anxious. Haven't you seen Rhinedottir research this energy before? It's powerful and very useful. She didn't say anything about it.”
“Even so, no. You've seen the side effects of this power. If it goes wrong, it will ‘destroy’ Khaenri'ah.”
“Don't be so dramatic, Vissfarnir. This is the ‘King's’ request; we have no choice but to follow orders.”
Vedrfolnir knew that with royal support behind it, he was under immense pressure.
“Think it over carefully. In a few days, the ‘King’ will announce the start of the research. If you still want to keep your position… Hmph!”
The (sage) left after speaking, and Vedrfolnir slumped into his chair, thinking about the previous prophecies concerning ‘Khaenri'ah.’ He had to do something, for the people of Khaenri'ah, and for Dainsleif.
When Dain found his brother, he noticed Vedrfolnir's poor state and said, “Brother, why don't you go back and rest?”
Vedrfolnir looked at Dain and said, “No need. I'll go back once I've finished these matters.”
“You go back first. The family still needs your help,” Dain said, reminding him to take care of himself before leaving.
Vedrfolnir vaguely had a plan in his heart.
The next day, Rhinedottir met the “King” and stated, “Your Majesty, I have discovered an energy that possesses the ability to infinitely reproduce, and ordinary creatures become incredibly powerful after gaining this strength.” (Rhinedottir said nothing about the disadvantages).
The “King” was overjoyed and demanded that this power be displayed before all the people of Khaenri'ah soon, to let them know that Khaenri'ah would only get better and better.
Dain also heard this news shortly after, but his brother told him not to meddle in this matter.
Dain had seen the power Rhinedottir spoke of and witnessed its consequences.
He risked his life to seek an audience with the “King,” but the “King” ordered him confined.
When Vedrfolnir came to see him, Dain thought he was there to release him, but Vedrfolnir only spoke a few words to Dain before leaving.
“Dain, if one day I am no longer myself, you must not show mercy. If you can't win, you must run, and don't look back.”
Dain pondered for a whole day but couldn't understand the situation.
At this moment, Rhinedottir and the royal family members had already begun preparations.
And Vedrfolnir was deep in thought, unaware that Khaenri'ah's “catastrophe” was about to begin.
