The calamity raged on.
Everyone fought desperately to resist, but amid this calamity, something happened that no one had expected.
Across Teyvat, the Hilichurls joined the war under the leadership of the Abyss Mages.
But they attacked not humans, but monsters.
Vast ranks of Hilichurls joined the fighting, attacking monsters under the Abyss Mages' command and helping humanity withstand the calamity.
This development truly caught everyone off guard, but on reflection, it made sense.
As Ellin had said, this was a calamity that every living being in Teyvat had to face.
Teyvat was the home they all shared.
In the face of calamity, every nation, region, and race had to set aside their prejudices and hatred to fight together and protect their home.
Otherwise, if Teyvat itself were destroyed, how could any of its inhabitants survive?
Aether had his own considerations as well.
What did he want to accomplish?
1. Rewrite the order.
2. Restore his nation.
3. Continue traveling with his sister.
Ellin had already promised to rewrite the order. She had also promised to lift the Hilichurls' curse after the calamity, restoring their human forms and ensuring Khaenri'ah a place in the future.
Once the calamity ended, he would also be free to leave this world with his sister and continue their travels.
Ellin had shown the utmost sincerity, and most importantly, she was simply too powerful!
He had no reason to refuse her terms, nor did he have the power to do so.
But although the Hilichurls, Abyss Mages, and their kind had once been survivors of Khaenri'ah, they had been cursed and become monsters in the eyes of the world.
Even if those Hilichurls became human again in the future, their image as "monsters" would remain.
People would inevitably harbor prejudice against the people of Khaenri'ah.