The next day, Chu Xi accompanied Lumine and Paimon back to Mondstadt.
Instead of visiting Rola immediately, they detoured to the northwest outskirts of Mondstadt to gather a large pile of Sunsettias.
The trio arrived behind the cathedral, laid out all the Sunsettias, and arranged them neatly before Rola's grave.
"Rola, Paimon's here to see you! And we brought your favorite Sunsettias!"
Lumine remained silent, carefully arranging each Sunsettia one by one.
Rola's grave was immaculately clean, suggesting it was regularly maintained.
Chu Xi stood silently behind them, not knowing Rola personally. But since she was a friend of Lumine and Paimon, Chu Xi bowed her head in quiet mourning.
"You've come."
Diluc's voice suddenly came from behind them, startling Paimon and Chu Xi.
"If Rola could see you here, she would be very happy," Diluc said.
Carrying a meal, Diluc approached Rola's grave and laid out the dishes.
"Master Diluc, have you been watching over Rola all this time?" Paimon asked.
On their way here, Paimon had noticed a small cottage beside the cemetery, which appeared to be regularly inhabited.
"I did live here at first, never leaving her side," Diluc said. "To guard against the Abyss, and to keep Rola company. I still remember how afraid she was of the dark."
"But one night, I had a dream. Rola spoke to me at length. A few days later, I realized what she meant. She wouldn't have wanted to see her brother so utterly despondent..."
"Master Diluc..." Paimon's voice was soft with sorrow.
"Thank you for visiting Rola," Diluc said. "Please forgive me for not being able to entertain you properly."
"It's no problem," Lumine replied. "We were planning to leave after paying our respects."
Diluc paused briefly, then began eating the food laid out before Rola's grave.
"Huh?" Paimon exclaimed in surprise.
"Food shouldn't be wasted. After every offering, I eat the memorial meal myself... My apologies, I forgot to ask if you'd already eaten breakfast. In Mondstadt, many people are quite particular about eating food offered to the deceased."
"We don't mind," Lumine said, "but we've already eaten."
"Mm-hmm," Diluc nodded.
-
Around noon, the trio arrived in Liyue. Lumine made some meat pies, and they went to Tianheng Mountain to visit Qingge.
After spending an hour at Tianheng Mountain, they headed to a nearby Teleport Waypoint, preparing to leave.
Just as they were about to depart, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Zhongli, are you here to see Qingge too?"
Zhongli's gaze lingered on Chu Xi for a moment, his expression momentarily blank.
Chu Xi's expression became slightly awkward. She already knew that the man before her was Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon of Liyue.
Seeing the Geo Archon again stirred mixed emotions within Chu Xi. She averted her gaze, refusing to look at Zhongli.
Zhongli turned to Lumine. "I merely happened to be passing by. May I inquire what has befallen this young friend?"
Lumine hesitated to answer immediately, as this was Chu Xi's personal matter.
Chu Xi's eyes darted nervously around, but when she realized everyone was looking at her, she sighed and said, "L-Lord Geo Archon, I..."
"There's no need to be nervous," Zhongli reassured her. "Tell me what troubles you."
"I..."
Chu Xi's current feelings were strikingly similar to the sensation of being bullied outside and then being pressed for answers by her parents at home.
She wanted to speak, but she knew that if she did, she would inevitably cry and shed tears.
To spare the Geo Archon from witnessing her unsightly state, she forcefully suppressed her words.
Lumine could see that Chu Xi wanted to speak but didn't know how to begin. She sought Chu Xi's permission with a glance.
Receiving silent consent, Lumine took over, explaining to Zhongli the circumstances that had led to Chu Xi's current state.
"Hmm... the Doctor..." Zhongli's gaze turned slightly cold.
Seeing Zhongli's expression, Chu Xi realized that the Doctor wouldn't have an easy time in Liyue anymore.
Sorry about that, she thought. I accidentally stirred up some more trouble.
"What are your plans for the future?" Zhongli asked Chu Xi.
Chu Xi glanced at Lumine. "I want to stay with Lumine..."
Zhongli shifted his gaze to Lumine. "Traveler, what are your thoughts on this?"
Lumine replied, "As long as Chu Xi wishes it."
Lumine knew Chu Xi craved power and loathed the Abyss. Zhongli likely wanted Chu Xi to remain in Liyue, but Chu Xi would never agree to that.
"Very well," Zhongli said. "Then you may accompany the Traveler. If you encounter any difficulties, remember to call upon us."
-
Inazuma.
Yuna's memorial offering was tiramisu.
Lumine and Paimon had prepared many portions, arranging them all around the small dirt mound where Yuna's ashes were entombed.
Two concentric circles of tiramisu were piled high, yet even the notoriously gluttonous Paimon refrained from sneaking a bite.
Chu Xi sat before the mound, speaking softly to herself, though it was uncertain if Yuna could hear her.
"Chu Xi, let's go. We need to get to Sumeru before sunset. We still have to find Rukkhadevata to check your health."
Chu Xi folded a paper crane and placed it on the mound before rising to her feet. She then followed Lumine and Paimon.
-
Sumeru.
The trio teleported directly to the entrance of the Sanctuary of Surasthana and walked inside.
"Oh, it's the Traveler, Paimon, and Chu Xi! Long time no see! How have you all been?"
"Nahida, is Rukkhadevata not here this time either?" Paimon asked, looking around curiously.
Nahida smiled gently. "Mom should be with the Great Sage right now. Do you have something to discuss with her? Perhaps you can tell me instead—I might be able to help too?"
"Great Sage?"
The name immediately reminded Paimon of Azar, who had left a very bad impression.
Nahida: "You all know the new Great Sage. It's none other than Mr. Alhaitham, the previous Scribe."
"Alhaitham?! That guy actually agreed to become the Great Sage?!"
Nahida: "Mom recommended him. Because of her absolute authority in Sumeru, no one opposed it, not even Alhaitham himself. After initially refusing, he eventually took the position."
Paimon scratched her head. "I still can't quite picture him as the Great Sage..."
Lumine: "Nahida, we came to you because..."
Lumine explained Chu Xi's situation and the help they sought from Sumeru. Nahida's small face grew serious as she listened.
"So it's that fellow again? I never imagined he would still be conducting these forbidden experiments! I'll inform Mom about this immediately."
Nahida approached Chu Xi and extended her adorable little hand, green energy swirling within it.
Enveloped in the green energy emanating from Nahida's hand, Chu Xi felt a warm, soothing sensation.
After a long moment, Nahida withdrew her hand.
"The Doctor did indeed leave a consciousness mark on Chu Xi. However, it's extremely weak, serving only to track her location."
Lumine: "Nahida, please help us remove this mark!"
Nahida: "Rest assured, I've already removed it. But... according to the Traveler's description, if the Doctor values Chu Xi so highly, shouldn't he have left a more elaborate contingency plan than just this?"
"Unless... his true focus was never on this mark at all!"
Nahida turned her gaze to Chu Xi and noticed that ninety percent of her body was mechanical, immediately understanding.