Liyue Harbor's crisis was resolved. No one was injured, and the Jade Chamber did not disappear, hanging perfectly above Liyue Harbor.
The Seven Stars of Liyue provided a reasonable explanation to the people of Liyue Harbor regarding Durandal's transformed appearance: she was a God who had once signed a contract with the Geo Archon. Although she looked terrifying, she was actually very gentle.
The Geo Archon recognized this and signed a contract with her, allowing her to stay somewhere in Liyue Harbor as long as she did not harm it, and hoping that she would help when Liyue Harbor faced a crisis.
This was a statement certified by the immortals, so the residents of Liyue Harbor accepted this explanation, somewhat surprised that such a kind God still lived within Liyue's borders.
The issues with the populace were handled, and the issues with the immortals were also settled during this joint operation. They would continue to live in seclusion as before, secretly observing Liyue Harbor's development.
Once they discovered any improper behavior by the Seven Stars of Liyue, they would appear and deal with the problematic Seven Stars of Liyue.
The common folk were unaware of the immortals' issues; they noticed one thing: Durandal was missing.
She, who often practiced medicine in Liyue Harbor for those with severe illnesses, had recently disappeared from Liyue Harbor. What was going on? Where had she gone?
At first, they thought she was just taking a break, but even on a break, she should at least be seen somewhere in Liyue Harbor.
Many people recalled Durandal's actions of evacuating the crowd at the harbor when Osial appeared.
Could it be... could it be that while she was evacuating the crowd there, she was accidentally swept away by the turbulent waves?
For a time, various rumors about Durandal spread in Liyue Harbor, many of which involved Durandal's sacrifice.
In this atmosphere, the Rite of Descension began. Everyone bid farewell to the Geo Archon who had protected Liyue Harbor for thousands of years.
Lumine and Paimon also came to participate in this Rite of Descension, because they knew someone would definitely attend. Although his attendance at the Rite of Descension always felt a bit strange, he would definitely appear.
Sure enough, just as they thought, on the platform on Yujing Terrace overlooking Liyue Harbor, they successfully spotted their target—Zhongli, or rather, the Geo Archon.
Zhongli, standing alone, noticed the movement behind him and turned his head slightly.
"You've arrived."
"Yes, we have something very important to ask you, Zhongli. Do you... do you know Durandal's whereabouts?"
During this time, Lumine had been searching for Durandal's whereabouts, but no matter where she went, she found no trace of Durandal.
Not only them, but even Jean and Klee joined the search party, but the result was still the same.
They thought Durandal had returned to Mondstadt. When Jean was about to take Klee back to search, Venti appeared before them and told them that Durandal had not returned to Mondstadt.
"If that guy really returned to Mondstadt, the winds of Mondstadt would definitely tell me. But she didn't return to Mondstadt; I can feel that she is in Liyue."
These were Venti's original words. Although she usually slacked off, her words were credible on important matters.
Since she was still in Liyue, she might be hiding from everyone, not wanting to be found.
That fool, she actually thought that if she showed her true appearance to them, they would fear her and be afraid of her. What kind of self-delusion would lead her to such a conclusion?
In any case, the search for Durandal continued. Jean had to deal with matters in Mondstadt, so she temporarily returned, entrusting Klee, who refused to go with her, to Lumine and asked Lumine to look after him.
Klee was currently resting at home; he had stayed up too late last night and was now with White Oriole, who was asked to look after him when the two left.
Their only hope at the moment was Zhongli. This Geo Archon should be able to give them some useful answers.
"Her, yes, I do know. But if you get the answer from me, even if you rush over, she will definitely hide. You know very well that if she doesn't want to see you, you won't be able to find her."
Durandal had very convenient means of movement. This move was somewhat similar to teleportation, but others needed coordinates for teleportation, Durandal did not. Others needed to count seconds for teleportation, Durandal did not.
In such a situation, if Durandal could hide from them, they would definitely not be able to find her.
"Then... what should we do? Durandal clearly doesn't want to see us again."
Paimon was a bit anxious. Durandal's last look at them when she left clearly showed that she wanted to remember them, meaning she was prepared not to see them again.
If Durandal deliberately avoided being found by them, wouldn't they never be able to find her for their entire lives?
It wasn't just Paimon who thought of this; Lumine also realized it, and her mood immediately dropped when she considered that their search might be in vain.
"It's too early to give up now. Actually... you already possess the method to find her; you just haven't discovered it yet."
Zhongli smiled slightly, looking at the disheartened Lumine, and reminded them.
But... they already had the method to find Durandal? Why didn't they know? Why did he know?
"How do you know?" Paimon couldn't help but ask.
Zhongli didn't explain Paimon's question, simply replying with three words: "I know."
Alright, the riddle game has begun again. Why do these people dislike speaking plainly? What would happen if they just spoke completely?
Despite her rich inner monologue, Lumine couldn't say anything. She could only confirm a few more things with Zhongli before leaving, no longer in the mood to continue attending the Rite of Descension.
As soon as she returned to the villa, Klee ran towards them. Compared to her usual liveliness, Klee now clearly lacked some vitality, and there was a hint of sadness on her face. It seemed Durandal's departure had hit her hard.
Just as Lumine was about to comfort Klee, she suddenly noticed Diko, who was following Klee. Her mind immediately recalled Zhongli's words: "You already possess the method to find her."
Lumine's eyes widened. She exchanged a glance with Paimon, who had also realized, and shouted,
"That's it!"
——————
Mt. Aocang, the location of Cloud Retainer's abode. Durandal had been staying here for some time.
This was the residence of an Adeptus, and usually, no one would come here. Durandal could stay here with peace of mind, without worrying about being found by others.
She sat alone by a pool, surrounded by various adorable small animals. They seemed to sense Durandal's sadness and were doing their best to comfort her.
With their company, Durandal's mood wasn't as bad, but... she was still very worried.
Lumine, that fellow, was fine for now; she had that carefree little darling comforting her. But Klee was different; she... must be very sad.
But it was also possible she felt nothing, after all, the true appearance of the Sister Durandal she had always loved and cared about was actually like that. Her image in Klee's heart must have been shattered.
Now, giving Klee a little more time to calm down, once she had more or less accepted this reality, she wouldn't feel sad anymore.
"Are you really not going back to see her?"
Cloud Retainer appeared behind Durandal, looking at her, surrounded by various small animals, and asked.
"Although it has nothing to do with This Immortal, those few humans have been searching for you during this time. They still care about you. It would probably be better if you went back to them."
"I... I really want to go back, but... I can't go back anymore."
This feeling was more painful than her lonely existence in the Demon Realm, being defeated by Adventurers, and having her body torn apart by space-time fissures.
She also really wanted to go back and meet her, but... they had seen her in that form, the original appearance of the black plague, herself, symbolizing death.
"Symbolizing death? So be it. This is something you need to deal with. This Immortal will not discuss it further with you. However... This Immortal is still very grateful for your care of that Children these past few days. Because of you, that Children has been in a very good mood recently."
Cloud Retainer had a disciple. When Durandal arrived at Mt. Aocang, she happened to see her resting by the pool.
The other party possessed astonishing talent, a talent that made many Adepti favor her and impart their Adeptal arts to her.
She did not disappoint the Adepti's expectations and eventually cultivated a set of Adeptal techniques in her human form.
However... her fate was somewhat special; she was a 'lone star of calamity.' Because of this, she brought misfortune to those around her from a young age and was always regarded as a harbinger of disaster.
Fortunately, an Adeptus took her in, but with her constitution, besides the Adepti, no one else was willing to approach her, even though she was very beautiful, it remained so.
It had been this way for years, and she had accepted this fact, but Durandal's appearance changed everything. The 'lone star of calamity' aura that had always enveloped her was absorbed by Durandal. Even without the red string Cloud Retainer gave her, there would be no ill effects.
Because of this, during this time, besides cultivating, she would mostly come to find Durandal. Although Durandal always appeared calm, she didn't dislike Durandal like this.
For her, as long as someone was willing to sit by her side and enjoy the scenery with her, she was already very content.
"I didn't do anything. I was just interested in the never-before-seen 'poison' on her, and I couldn't help but absorb some."
"...Is that so."
Cloud Retainer didn't expose her. She understood Durandal's personality very well, and as for why she understood... she had nothing to explain.
Seeing that Durandal had no intention of continuing to converse with her, Cloud Retainer flew away. She still had to check on the Children's cultivation, calculating that it should be nearing its end.
After Cloud Retainer left, Durandal remained there. She quietly looked at her reflection on the lake's surface. Although it was her human form, for some reason, she always saw herself in the form of the black plague.
Actually... it couldn't be considered a mistake, because that face was also herself, wasn't it?
At this moment, a familiar figure descended from the sky and landed on Durandal's shoulder.
Durandal's nerves were slightly stirred by its appearance. When she clearly saw the figure, her eyebrow twitched.
"Diko... if you're here, that means..."
"Sister Durandal!!!"
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