Chapter Text
"A…ballista?"
"Yes, an advanced breed of crossbow turret! The primary function is to be fired upon command, but, should the need arise, it may fire in its own volition as well."
Zhongli hums in response. Though Guizhong's enthusiastic tone briefly lifts his spirits and prompts a small smile in his face, this smile quickly fades as he weighs his thoughts on her proposal. Looking around the Guili Assembly in this stroll with her, he ruminates whether it was possible that he was doing the opposite of what he swore to Guizhong -- to protect their land. Had he been away too frequently, fighting battles he deemed needed to be fought, when he was supposed to always be right here with her?
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of her sweet voice, seemingly worried. "Zhongli, dear? Are you all right? Or are you simply not interested?"
He shakes his head and takes her hand to reassure her. "Guizhong, would it be to your liking if I never left your side? The corrupted spirits have dwindled. I should no longer need to seek them out as much."
She sighs and stops them on their tracks. "Oh, I would want nothing more." She giggles softly, and in Zhongli's periphery, he sees the glaze lilies around them glowing in response to the sound of her laughter.
"But I ask of you to not think of my proposal as an indication of my wavering faith to you. Rather, consider it as a...fulfilment of my end of our oath. You and I will protect this land, not just you. It may not turn out as mighty as yourself," she starts to walk again and takes his hand to follow her, "but I will do my best. Now come, we are almost at my domain."
His reservations quelled, he nods. "Your worst is my best, my flower. I do not doubt it will be remarkable. Thank you for trusting me with your invention, and for letting me come with you in your domain to claim the materials."
Guizhong faces him, with a slight blush on her cheeks after hearing his endearment, and back with her enthusiastic tone. "So you are interested?"
"Always."
"By which I wish to say, will you share your forging experience with me in this endeavour? We can call it Guili Ballista."
Zhongli laughs. "I'm afraid these hands know only of the primordial ways of the craft. I would say Cloud Retainer is the more fitting collaborator."
"But of course, and she has agreed to it! Perhaps we will name it Guizhong-Cloud Ballista."
She laughs, and the glaze lilies laugh with her again.