Genshin Impact: I Became The Son Of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata

After Yu left, one of the Scarlet King's researchers hesitantly asked a question.

"Boss, why are we putting so much effort into building this thing? Even if we need something like it, wouldn't making it half this size be enough for decent firepower?"

The Scarlet King turned to him with a serious expression. "Do you know what I had in mind as the hypothetical enemy for this?"

"What would that be?"

"In all of Teyvat, which nation is the hardest to attack and easiest to defend?"

The researcher thought for a moment.

"It's… to the north of us…"

"Exactly. Fontaine. I've heard their defenses are said to be impenetrable. Their landmass is elevated, the entire nation standing a layer above others—making it incredibly difficult to attack and easy to defend. The purpose of this cannon? My original idea was to carve a slope into their elevated plateaus, creating a path for an advancing army."

---

"Is this Sumeru?" Aether asked as he and Dainsleif approached the grand Xuanwu Gate.

"Yes, this is Sumeru," Dainsleif confirmed, gazing at the gate. "It's… well, I don't even know how to describe it properly. Let's just say that this place is changing rapidly. Sumeru has grown into the most advanced nation in Teyvat, home to its greatest institution of learning, the Akademiya. It's a true land of wisdom."

"Do you know what the Dendro Archon is like?"

"I'm not sure. From what I've heard, the Dendro Archon, the Overlord, is a dignified god. However, I've been told that we can sit in on public lectures at the Akademiya. The Archon is also the headmaster, so he might give a speech at the start or end."

"In that case, why don't we find a student and ask?"

"Good idea."

---

"Excuse me, are you a student of the Akademiya?"

"Hello, yes, I am. What can I help you with?"

"We're travelers. My name is Aether, and this is Dainsleif. We've come to Sumeru to meet the Dendro Archon."

"The Dendro Archon? You should head to the headmaster's office." The student hurriedly pointed them in the right direction before rushing off.

"Uh… okay?"

They stopped several other students wearing Akademiya uniforms, but each one seemed busy and quickly excused themselves after pointing them toward the headmaster's office.

"What's going on?" Aether muttered.

"I don't know, but at least we now know where the office is. Let's head over."

"Alright."

---

The headmaster's office was located in a separate area, a fair distance from the main Akademiya grounds. Curiously, while the Akademiya was heavily guarded, this exclusive section seemed to lack any security personnel.

"This doesn't make any sense. Why doesn't a place this important have a single guard?" Aether wondered aloud.

"No one dares to attack the strongest being in Teyvat."

A voice interrupted them from above. Both looked up to see a young girl wearing a red hat, sitting inside a wooden cage that hung from a massive tree. She grinned mischievously as she answered their question.

The girl was Alice. A few days ago, she had been teaching Yu's younger sibling how to make bombs when the headmaster caught her in the act. While she might have avoided punishment out of deference, Alice had panicked, especially when told she couldn't use bombs in the city anymore. She hid a timed explosive beneath Yu's Throne to cover her tracks. Unfortunately, it detonated, landing her in even more trouble. Since the confinement room was still under repair from a prior explosion, the headmaster resorted to hanging her in the tree instead.

"Do you need us to let you down?" Dainsleif asked.

"Absolutely not!" Alice cried. "This is my punishment! If you so much as touch this cage, the headmaster's enchantment will extend my confinement. Please, don't!"

"Well… alright then. Can you at least tell us where the Dendro Archon is?"

"he should be in the backyard right now."

---

In the backyard of the headmaster's office, a family of three was gathered.

Nahida sat on her mother's lap, gently swinging on a wooden swing. She gazed at her older brother with an apologetic expression.

"Brother, are you alright?"

Yu sat on the ground, looking utterly defeated. "I'm fine," he muttered lifelessly.

Yu's mother, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, stroked her daughter's hair and smiled. "Don't worry about your brother, Nahida. He's tough. If you ever face danger out there, just hide behind him."

"Really? Won't it hurt him?"

Yu sighed and answered, "Usually, no."

As he spoke, he noticed two unfamiliar figures entering the yard. His demeanor instantly became serious.

"Who are you? You don't look like students."

Aether stepped forward. "Excuse me, are you the Dendro Archon?"

"That's right. I am the Dendro Archon, Hercules, but you can call me Yu. What brings you here?"

"Mr. Yu…" Aether began, though his tone betrayed his hesitation over the casual address.

---

As they left, Dainsleif whispered to Aether, "I think Yu might be the most dignified god we've met. Every word and action of his exudes authority."

"I agree, but he didn't really tell us anything useful. I feel like he's hiding something," Aether replied.

"At least we weren't declared wanted criminals this time. That's a first. In the last three nations, we've always ended up with bounties on our heads." Dainsleif stretched, looking relieved.

"Isn't not being wanted the normal state of things?" Aether said, exasperated, rolling his eyes.

"Do you think he has any hobbies? Maybe if we get on his good side, he'll share more information with us."

"That could work."

As they wandered through Sumeru, they marveled at the countless shops selling everything from food to unusual items, including Fungi. They discovered that Fungi battles were wildly popular among Sumeru's citizens—arena matches where trainers directed their Fungi in combat.

They watched a match but still couldn't figure out what Yu might like.

"I heard Sumeru's Overlord is the strongest being in Teyvat. How about we forge him a weapon as a gift?" Dainsleif suggested.

Aether nodded in agreement, his craftsmanship skills making it a feasible plan.

As they made their way to the blacksmith, Aether suddenly stopped in front of a pet shop.

"Why are you stopping?" Dainsleif asked.

"I think I just saw Yu in that store," Aether said, pointing at the shop, which was filled with adorable pet accessories.

Dainsleif stared at the cutesy storefront. "The Overlord… shopping in a pet store? That's impossible. Let's keep moving."

~~~

Advance Chapters!

P@treon: [email protected]/JustaPasserby