I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [156]

"You may have won against me… but what if I simply choose to close my heart? What if I refuse to uphold the contract and offer you my guidance?"

"Do you truly believe this outcome is ideal?"

Echidna’s lips curled into a slow, sharp smile—a witch’s smile.

"So, let us form a new, fair contract."

"This time, we wager everything."

"If I lose, then I, Echidna, the Witch of Greed, will become Natsuki Subaru’s pet."

"I will serve at his command, at his disposal. My knowledge and my power shall be his to wield—I will devote myself wholeheartedly to his purpose, crafting the most perfect route for him to achieve the most perfect outcome."

"But if I win—"

"Natsuki Subaru, you shall become my possession. I will still guide you toward the perfect ending… but in return, you must dedicate yourself to satisfying my unending Greed. You will reveal every possibility you encounter, every secret you uncover, and expand the boundaries of my knowledge."

"The terms are identical to our previous contract."

"But this time, for the sake of fairness, I am adding two additional clauses."

Subaru’s smile abruptly vanished. His mouth shut tight, his expression turning serious.

He glanced at Echidna. Then at Zhongli.

And finally, back to the white-haired witch.

After a brief pause, he exhaled and spoke.

"What are the conditions?"

Echidna’s smirk widened slightly.

"First, your five otherworldly companions may not provide direct combat assistance."

"Second, the number of loops granted by our contract will be reduced to one."

"In exchange, you will be able to converse with me at any time in your mind—to seek my opinions, my guidance."

"For example… if you encounter the Great Rabbit, you may ask me how to defeat it."

"I will write out several suggestions for you in your mind."

"If you ask me how to clear the trials, I will provide several correct answers for you to choose from."

Echidna fluttered her long, white eyelashes, her smile laced with confidence.

"Consider this a trial period for your personal Echidna-brand omniscient guidance system. I promise, Subaru-kun, you’ll come to love it."

"No deal."

Subaru rejected her immediately, shaking his head with conviction.

"I refuse both conditions."

"This contract strips me of all external support and gives me nothing but your help. That’s not fair."

Echidna let out a lighthearted sigh, raising her hands in feigned exasperation.

"Very well, very well~. I suppose I do have a soft spot for foolish, reckless boys with unwavering determination."

"How about this?"

"Your companions, Zhongli, Guizhong, and the dragon maid over there, cannot provide you direct combat assistance."

"But your two human allies may help you in battle."

"Would that be acceptable?"

Subaru hesitated.

This… might actually be enough to win.

He knew Accelerator possessed disaster-class destructive power. He knew Puri Puri Prisoner had the unbreakable will of a hero.

With the two of them as his trump cards, he was far from defenseless.

But this was Echidna.

She was devious, cunning, and utterly unpredictable.

He couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

So, Subaru turned his gaze once more to Zhongli, who had been silently observing from the start.

"Hmm…"

Zhongli finally spoke, his deep voice carrying weight.

"Witch, you are still withholding information. That is not fairness."

"Can you guarantee that the guidance you provide Subaru will truly be the best possible path?"

"Merely giving correct answers is not enough."

"You might tell him to find Emilia—because failing to do so would lead to her emotional collapse and death. But if he follows that path, then Rem may be lost forever. Would you consider a path that sacrifices one for another to be ‘correct’?"

"Or, even if Subaru follows the most ‘correct’ route, if you omit certain details—details that cause him to make a mistake—what then?"

Echidna’s response was immediate.

"Naturally, I will only provide correct suggestions. However, choosing among them shall be Subaru-kun’s responsibility. I will not interfere with his decisions."

Subaru exhaled sharply.

"Glad I didn’t agree right away."

"Alright, then I have a counter-condition, Echidna."

"You must provide me with a single, definitive best answer to each of my questions."

Echidna tsked playfully.

"Now, now, Subaru-kun, that would be too generous, wouldn’t it?"

"How about this?"

"I will give you two answers for each question—one correct, and one most correct."

"You may choose between them. That is my final concession."

"Subaru-kun, don’t be so harsh on a lady, or you’ll never find love~."

Subaru hesitated.

And once again, he turned to Zhongli.

But this time, Zhongli remained silent.

Instead—

A voice that had been quiet until now finally spoke up.

Guizhong.

"This Witch prides herself on knowledge and wisdom, does she not?"

Guizhong’s soft yet firm voice carried through the dreamscape.

"Then, I propose a counter-contract."

Echidna’s expression shifted slightly, her interest piqued.

"Oh?"

Guizhong stepped forward, her long sleeves flowing as she stood before Echidna.

"A simple agreement."

"After Subaru poses a question, you may provide three answers—two correct and one most correct."

"But after that, I will pose three questions to you—questions that challenge the validity, reasoning, or consequences of those answers."

"You may choose to remain silent, deny them, or confirm them."

"And then—Subaru will make his choice based on the full discussion."

Echidna’s brows lifted slightly.

"And what do you offer as collateral?"

"If Subaru fails to achieve his goal—if he does not fulfill his wish—then I shall provide you with comprehensive knowledge of Teyvat."

"After all, I was once called the God of Dust and Wisdom."

Guizhong smiled serenely.

Silence hung for a moment—then Echidna closed her eyes, contemplating.

Then—

She smirked.

"A fascinating request."

Her dark lashes fluttered open as she nodded.

"I accept."

With that, Guizhong turned to Subaru and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Subaru-kun, from here on, it will be up to you."

And so—

The long-discussed new contract was finally forged.

As Zhongli watched, Subaru’s hand and Echidna’s hand clasped together.

A strange, indescribable force emanated from Zhongli.

This unseen power wove itself around their joined hands, binding them together like an invisible golden thread.

Then—

A voice—deep, boundless, and incomprehensible—reverberated through Subaru’s mind.

It was not something that could be translated into words.

It was not something human language could encapsulate.

But he understood it.

[This moment, as was the moment before.]

[The contract is sealed.]

[Justice shall not be denied.]

[Rejoice.]

[For the Witch of Contracts and Justice is born.]

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This is a fan translation of 我，21亿岩王帝君加入聊天群 by 大一统. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!