"First,"
Ronova held up one finger:
"As long as their body hasn't died, you can save them however you like. It's none of my concern. But if their body has already died and their soul has left it, you must soothe the Ley Lines' hunger yourself if you want to save them. You must also notify me so I can witness it and ensure your actions do not defy the rules established by the Heavenly Principles."
"And as for souls that have already completely merged with the Ley Lines-which generally happens twenty-four hours after a soul leaves the body-you are forbidden from trying to forcibly extract them from the Ley Lines. That would damage Teyvat's Ley Lines, and it is absolutely forbidden."
"That sounds reasonable," Wu Yi said with a nod. "It's only natural."
"Very good."
Quite satisfied with Wu Yi's attitude, Ronova continued:
"Second, I respect your professional conviction as a physician that you cannot stand by and watch someone die, but you may only save living beings who happen to die in front of you, as you said."
"I forbid you from revealing your ability to resurrect others in any way. Otherwise, wouldn't countless people come asking you to resurrect someone for them? That won't do. Where would that leave the dignity of death?"
"So you must keep it strictly secret. As for the human you saved on Watatsumi Island, you must also change your story and say you saved him before he actually died."
"I don't mind," Wu Yi said, "but what about the Raiden Shogun and the Traveler? They saw La Signora get cut down with their own eyes."
"That's for you to figure out," Ronova said, glancing at Wu Yi. "Your desire to save people caused this whole string of problems, so naturally, you should be the one to make the lie convincing. I can only help you erase the deceased's memories of this period."
"All right, that's reasonable too," Wu Yi said with a nod. "I'll count it as postoperative follow-up."
"Third, since your actions have given me a great deal of extra work, you are also obliged to help me shoulder some of it."
Ronova spoke with conviction:
"For every person you save who was supposed to die, you will have to do one thing for me afterward. As for what, I'll naturally let you know when the time comes, and you may not refuse. Counting from last time, you've made me work overtime twice, so you owe me two things now... Mm, yes."
Apparently quite satisfied with this last condition, Ronova looked at Wu Yi again:
"When you work for me in the future, you should at least bear in mind that you are the Ruler of Death's apostle. Do you understand?"
"Apostle of Death? Me?"
Hearing that, Wu Yi couldn't help freezing on the spot.
"What? You're not willing?"
Ronova lightly bit her lip, while one finger gently hooked a strand of her hair and wound it around itself.
"To serve me, or rather, become my apostle... You agreed to the first two conditions, but this one alone displeases you?"
It seemed she was quite displeased by Wu Yi's question... perhaps more than merely displeased.
Perhaps even she hadn't realized it herself... but those little gestures betrayed the unease in her heart.
Because this was the first time she, as "death," had tried to find a companion.
"No, I'm just... a little surprised."
Taking in her little gestures, Wu Yi blinked and immediately said:
"How should I put this? I'm a doctor, you know. You want someone like me to be the Apostle of Death? Just so you know, I'm no good at fighting, and I have no intention of killing anyone. I'm a little worried I might not be able to complete my tasks and end up bringing shame upon death instead."
"Hmph, I wondered what it was. Is that all you're worried about?"
Ronova snorted, but the unease and displeasure in her heart vanished in an instant, and she resumed her lofty manner:
"Don't worry. I'm not so unreasonable. I won't give you troublesome tasks like that. I'll only give you work like ferrying souls or soothing the Ley Lines."
"Then there's no problem." Wu Yi saluted and said with a smile, "I guarantee I'll complete my tasks, commander."
"You should call me Lady Ruler of Death..." Ronova started to correct him, but after thinking it over, she changed her mind. "Never mind. A purely hierarchical relationship isn't interesting either... Call me whatever you want. As you please."
As she spoke, Ronova pointed lightly at Wu Yi again. A spatial rift suddenly appeared in front of him, and a pitch-black feather drifted out of it and landed in his hand:
"This is my token. If you want to find me, hold this feather and softly call my name. If some blind fool tries to hurt you, it can protect you too."
"But if you don't have a good reason, don't disturb me. I'm very busy."
Oh, so as long as I have an excuse, I can disturb her whenever I like, right?
But before Wu Yi had a chance to make another quip, Ronova waved her hand and opened another rift in the air:
"Then, goodbye, my apostle."
"When I've decided what I want you to do, I'll come find you again."
With that, the spatial rift closed, swallowing her figure.
The moment Ronova disappeared, Wu Yi also noticed that the oppressive atmosphere that had filled Tenshukaku was now gone.
Then a soft moan came from behind him. From the sound of it, Rosalyne seemed to have woken up.
"Ugh... Strange, how did I fall asleep... Where am I..."
Immediately afterward came a startled cry:
"Wait! Tenshukaku? Why am I here? What happened?!"
Listening to Rosalyne shouting behind him, Wu Yi sighed.
It looked like Ronova really had made Rosalyne forget a lot about her death and resurrection... He would have to explain it all over again.
Still, this worked out well enough. At least he could make up a good deal of it and bluff his way through...
With that thought, he slowly turned his head:
"Ah, that's a long story... Just listen, and I'll explain it bit by bit."
Seeing Wu Yi, Rosalyne's eyes widened again:
"Wu Yi? Why are you here? No! Wait, don't turn around yet! Where did all my clothes go?!"
"Wu Yi, you bastard! Did you do something to me?!"