Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Inside the waiting room in Liyue.

The words that flowed from Famas's mouth—"abundance of material goods," "distribution according to need," and "no class"—were like obscure ancient incantations from a foreign land to the traveler, their syllables unfamiliar and difficult to pronounce.

But the grand aspirations that surge beneath those words, the fervent blueprint for a paradise free from hunger and cold, free from dependence, and free from deceit and treachery, are as pure and lofty as a resounding bell, piercing through the barriers of language and reaching the depths of the traveler's heart.

It was an ideal that was almost divinely ordained, so beautiful it made one's heart tremble, yet so illusory it was like a bubble.

But when this lofty vision finally came to fruition, what stirred in the traveler's heart was not passion, but an unprecedented sense of bewilderment, like sinking into an icy lake.

Because all of this is just too disconnected.

Why does FAMAS, with such a bright ideal, find its path to realization fraught with cold thorns, viewing everything, including itself, as a disposable pawn?
This lofty ideal, which is enough to reshape the universe, forms an absurd and terrifying paradox with FAMAS's current attitude of being completely indifferent to the foundation of his own existence and accepting the identity of a clone.

Did Famas never doubt himself, never fear that he might not be his original self, but merely an exquisite imitation carrying the memories of others?

If the real FAMAS had already perished in a battle before Munata was born, and the original FAMAS had already been quietly usurped by an unknown entity, then the current FAMAS is merely a substitute born through the Resurrection Ritual...

Does FAMAS not care about these issues at all?

The traveler's chaotic thoughts entwined like vines, tightening ever more. Doubts stemming from existence itself instantly froze her bones. Her amber eyes were fixed on Famas's calm and expressionless face, as if trying to discern even the slightest hint of fear within it.

But suddenly, a flash of inspiration cleaved through the fog like lightning.

authority!

That belongs to the supreme authority unique to the demon god.

"and many more!"

The traveler's voice was strained, carrying an urgent tone that almost cracked.

"Your demonic authority... such power can't possibly be copied and then distributed to those so-called copies, can it?"

"Now that you hold this unique authority, aren't you undoubtedly the original being?"

Hearing the girl's words, Famas raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval flashing across his face, even nodding in agreement. However, this approval was fleeting, and the boy then shrugged casually, as if brushing dust off his shoulders.

"The authority of the demon god is indeed unique in the realm of common sense."

Famas spoke slowly and deliberately, his fingertips twirling casually, a faint orange spark flickering between his fingers, just like the elusive nature of his words.

“But my authority is not a gift from the heavens… The being who made the pact with me has generously granted me the right to be capricious.”

The boy raised his eyelids, a mysterious curve forming at the corners of his lips. Deep within his molten pupils, a seemingly weak flame contained a subversive power, was reflected.

"One of the terms of the transaction agreement is that I can transfer this authority according to my own will, and even give it all to complete strangers."

Famas smiled slightly, a smile that, in the eyes of the blonde girl, was more chilling than an abyss.

"Imagine if I were to bestow this power of the Demon God upon every citizen who has the blood of Munata without reservation and equally, wouldn't every Munata person become a vessel to bear my power?"

"Or perhaps the concept of Dharma is also pervasive among all living beings, omnipresent?"

The boy spread his hands, his palms empty, just like the self that dissolves in his words.

Famas's words, like a world-ending divine punishment, ruthlessly struck the traveler's consciousness!

Yingmei stared wide-eyed in shock, as if for the first time truly glimpsing the terrifying power behind the words "transfer of authority," a power capable of utterly shattering the foundations of Teyvat's existing order.

Amidst this shock of having their understanding overturned, two distant scenes simultaneously appeared in the traveler's mind.

One section is Zhongli's somber and solemn questioning, while the other is the recollection of Vikas, the late Munata leader, filled with awe and sorrow in the lingering echoes of his soul:

"The intercalary month in the mortal world!"
This astonishing act once greatly angered even the false heavens.

Famas utterly shattered the divine authority bestowed upon him by the heavens, distributing its inherent divinity and power indiscriminately to every citizen of Munata.

So that's how it is! This was the path that FAMAS had already embarked on and practiced long ago.

"you……"

The traveler's throat felt as if it were blocked by invisible grit; he managed to squeeze out a single word, but could not continue.

She gazed at FAMAS, her amber eyes churning with a storm of confusion and shock. Countless questions swirled and collided on her tongue, but she ultimately fell silent.

FAMAS's ideals soared like stars, yet her actions were buried deep in taboo darkness. This stark contrast left her feeling suffocated with bewilderment.

Silence, like a solid block of lead, pressed heavily between the two.

After a long while, the traveler finally mustered a bit of strength and asked the question that had been lingering in his heart:

"Then... Famas, who exactly is the being who granted you the power to perform 'intercalation'?"

Upon hearing this question, Famas's expression froze for a moment, a rare occurrence. His gaze became deep and unfathomable, as if piercing through the girl before him and looking towards a distant and dangerous dimension, seemingly weighing whether to tell her the truth.

Finally, FAMAS spoke slowly, his voice low and tinged with an inexplicable restraint:
“My initial authority, or rather, my position as the chief ruler of the Seven Earthly Courts, came from a shadow deal.”

Famas's words became extremely cryptic, as if the air was filled with invisible ears and eyes.

“I led my followers into the abyss of darkness and brought back a vibrant, ever-beating heart. Then I used this heart as a bargaining chip to make a deal with the master of time.”

When mentioning the owner of time, Famas' tone suddenly lowered, filled with deep-seated disgust and contempt. He even subconsciously glanced around, as if the name itself contained indescribable power and gaze.

"A transaction? The master of time?"

The traveler unconsciously murmured the unsettling title, his amber pupils widening slightly with curiosity.

Upon seeing this, Famas sighed, a sigh filled with a weary warning.

“She’s a very petty woman. Just mentioning her name might attract her attention… and I don’t want to have anything to do with her for the time being.”

"So, as for the truth, I'm afraid you'll have to find it for yourself on your future journey."

Famas looked at the traveler with a complicated expression, then paused, the seriousness on his face quickly fading, returning to his usual nonchalant ease, as if he himself had not been the one discussing taboos just now.

"So, have I answered all your questions?"

"Can you understand what I've done now?"

Famas tilted his head slightly, strands of hair falling to his temples, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Before the traveler could respond, the boy took a step forward, his posture casual yet carrying an indescribable certainty:

"In any case, Ying, we are not enemies."

"If I had to put it that way, we are fellow travelers on the same long journey."

"The journey may eventually come to an end, but until then..."

Famas deliberately dragged out his words, and a familiar, radiant, almost dazzling, sunny smile suddenly bloomed on his face.

That smile dispelled all the gloom and heaviness, as if those heavy topics about the abyss, trade, clones, and soulless beings had never happened.

The boy reached out and, with the familiarity of an old friend reuniting, gently patted the traveler's stiff shoulder.

"Let's go! Let's go watch Zhongli and Chongyun's match!"

"The Geo Archon of Liyue personally taking to the field to fight—this is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle; you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you miss it!"

"Oh, right, there seem to be some fried potatoes at the stalls outside the stands. Let's go buy some." (End of Chapter)