After escaping from Wanmin Restaurant, Mona wandered around Liyue aimlessly.
She definitely wasn't going back—not when Xiangling would immediately force her to taste-test more experimental dishes.
Just thinking about the food she'd suffered through the past few days made her stomach twist.
Thankfully Kael had returned. If he'd stayed away any longer, she really would have died.
But… now that Kael was stuck there, would he end up suffering too?
Mona hesitated, but she'd guarded Wanmin Restaurant for days.
She deserved a break.
Worst-case scenario… she'd compensate him later. Somewhere else. Somehow.
With that comforting thought, she continued exploring Liyue guiltlessly.
She hadn't had time to enjoy the most prosperous city in all of Teyvat.
Knowing she had no money, Kael had given her one million Mora.
Not nearly enough for specialized astrology tools or rare manuscripts, but plenty for sightseeing and snacks.
Mona tried all kinds of street food as she walked.
She bit into a piece of Grilled Tiger Fish, smiling contentedly.
Kael's cooking was much better, of course.
But these snacks were full of Liyue's charm.
As the sun dipped low, she eventually reached Liyue Harbor's docks.
The sea breeze brushed her cheeks, lifting her hair.
Looking at the view, Mona suddenly wished Kael were standing beside her.
If only he could see this with her.
Judging by the time, it should be safe by now.
Those bizarre dishes should all be gone—defeated by Kael's stomach.
She decided to return.
She hadn't seen him in days. Even if she would never admit it out loud, both her heart and body missed him.
She missed him.
Just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye—a glint of reflected light.
A few dock workers had set down a wooden crate and covered it with a white cloth.
For some reason, the cloth had slipped, revealing what was inside.
Mona leaned closer and her eyes widened.
It was the Sacrificial Fragments.
A script worn by time, freed from the curse of erosion from the winds of ages—A relic she'd once seen in her master's collection.
She had never expected to see the real thing here in Liyue Harbor.
Drawn in by irresistible temptation, she walked toward the crate as if bewitched.
Her eyes burned with longing.
It was real.
A genuine Sacrificial Fragments tome.
A dense magical aura flowed from its pages.
Mona reached out slowly.
Just one touch…
Just one…
She only wanted to feel what it was like.
Just one brush of her fingers..
A surge of danger shot at her from the right.
Mona sprang backward.
A bolt of lightning struck the ground where she'd just been standing.
A woman in a red-and-black short qipao, wearing an eyepatch and carrying a massive Sword, glared down from the deck of an enormous ship.
"Where did this little thief come from? You dare steal from the Alcor?"
---
Bruh, I finally uploaded 7 chapters successfullyyy! Next target is 500 powerstones.... let's gooo....