Genshin Impact: Pool Character, Nirvana of the Demon God

(Missing characters will be added later.)

Candice's expression was indifferent, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "As a fellow desert dweller, I understand one thing far more deeply than you do—"

"Even if the Red King were to be resurrected, he would bring no blessings, but rather the flames of war that would engulf the oasis and the desert... No one truly desires war."

Her gaze swept over the three of them, her voice low and sharp: "We have lived here for generations, and we are not obsessed with the name of gods or the weight of their power."

"Even if the wind and sand are bone-chilling, and the days and nights are arduous, even if we carry a heavy burden on our shoulders, all we ask for is to protect this homeland where smoke rises from the chimneys and to maintain this hard-won peace."

"And once war comes, it will burn everything like a raging fire: fields will turn to scorched earth, wells will dry up and become cracks, and loved ones will be scattered at the end of the yellow sand... That will be a sin that you are simply unable to bear and cannot atone for."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhaqi hurriedly bowed his head, his voice trembling, "I understand! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

Deliva and Ngur, standing to the side, were even more ashen-faced, sweat beading on their foreheads, repeatedly bowing and apologizing, incoherently pleading for mercy.

Fearing that hesitation for even half a second would mean enduring that soul-shattering interrogation torture once more.

Perhaps they haven't truly understood the consequences of their words and actions. Their current remorse stems more from an instinctive fear of pain and unknown punishment.

But for Candice, that didn't matter.

Whether they were sincere or fearful, it didn't matter; at this moment, they had no other choice but to answer truthfully, hoping for a glimmer of hope.

Zhaqi's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice dry and urgent: "I...I am willing to atone with what I know—I only beg your forgiveness!"

Candice's gaze sharpened slightly, and she uttered only one word: "Speak."

Zhaqi dared not delay and hurriedly said, "Even if you don't believe me, I must report the truth—this was not something we did on our own. A few days ago at the tavern, a masked man appeared and asked us to spread rumors: the Red King is about to awaken..."

"They also claimed that the 'mad scholar' exiled to the depths of the desert was the most crucial sacrifice in the resurrection ritual. As long as we take his life, everything we crave—water, shade, and even past glory—will be returned to our grasp."

Seno stepped forward slowly, his robes brushing against the sand, his voice cold and sharp: "Please call them 'village guardians.' I don't want to hear any more contemptuous or distorted terms."

Zhaqi nodded vigorously, his forehead hitting the sand: "Yes! Yes! Village guardians! We've got it!"

He took a breath and continued, "That man also ordered us to spread the news of the Red King's impending arrival and to help lure and surround him... In return, he promised to personally facilitate the Red King's resurrection."

Paimon tilted his head, his tone full of disbelief: "That's it? Not even a single Mora?"

Zazi shook his head with a wry smile: "There really aren't any..."

Ying smiled lightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "Heh...you guys are really cheap—a few words and you're willing to be someone's scapegoat."

"Uh... well..." Zhaqi scratched his head awkwardly, his ears turning red. "At the time, I just thought that since I had nothing better to do, I might as well cause some trouble and smear some mud for those high and mighty scholars of the Order of the Fathers—especially the followers of the Grass God... who would have thought..."

He swallowed hard, then stopped abruptly—

If I had known I would run into these ruthless individuals who were always following me, I would have negotiated and signed contracts before taking action, even if it meant working for free or receiving ten times the amount of money.

Just as Zhaqi's breath hitched slightly and he hesitated to speak—

A cold, emotionless smile curved Sano's lips, his voice like icy drops falling on stone steps:

"one."

Zhaqi was taken aback: "Huh? What... what does this mean?"

Sino's gaze was deep and unfathomable, his tone calm to the point of cruelty: "This is the first count of your testing others' patience. Of the three of you, one will surely lie here forever."

—Iya was not present.

—So, at this moment, Sino, there is no need to worry about the child's tears.

"Wait! We really didn't lie!" Zazi exclaimed in surprise, stretching his hands forward in vain.

Sino, however, had already lowered his eyes, his fingertips tapping lightly, his voice neither hurried nor slow:

"two."