"Eh? Is... is it already time to go back? Klee doesn't want to go back so soon, she still wants to stay in Liyue Harbor, by Durandal-jiejie's side."
"I understand how you feel, Klee. But if you do that, Acting Grand Master Jean and the others will worry about you. You've already stayed in Liyue Harbor for so long, isn't it about time to go back?"
In the morning, as everyone gathered for a meal, Lumine brought up the matter of sending Klee back to Mondstadt. As soon as she heard about going back, Klee became anxious.
"Don't be willful, Klee. You've already stayed in Liyue Harbor for a long time this trip. It's time to go back and see everyone in Mondstadt."
She patted Klee's hat, noticing Klee still wanted to say something. She bent down and looked into her eyes.
"Didn't I already give Diko to you? The last incident won't happen again. Whenever you want to talk to me, you can contact me through Diko. As long as I'm free, I'll respond to you."
"Diko..."
Klee looked at Diko, who was eating at the dining table. Noticing Klee's gaze, Diko stopped, chirped twice at Klee, indicating Klee shouldn't worry, and hugged herself.
"Klee understands. Klee will go back obediently."
"Good, that's a good Children. It just so happens we have things to deal with in Mondstadt this time, and we'll be staying there for a few days. During this time, you can also come find us."
Klee, who had been gloomy, heard that Durandal and the others would be staying in Mondstadt for a few days. Her eyes lit up, the gloom on her face completely disappeared, and she became the cheerful little sun again.
Before returning, Durandal still had a few people she wanted to visit to inform them that she and the others were preparing to go back.
First, they arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. When Durandal, Lumine, Klee, and Paimon came, they saw Hu Tao excitedly preparing to go out. Seeing their arrival, she greeted them happily.
"Yo-ho~ Why are you free to come here today? Are you thinking of doing business with me? Or are you here to recommend some new clients to me?"
"No way! No matter how you think about it, there's no way we could bring you new clients, right? And how do you expect us to do business with you, with a lineup like ours?"
"Hmm... you're right."
Hu Tao scratched her head. The lineup of this team was truly too luxurious. Instead of expecting anything to happen to them, it was better to expect something to happen to those who opposed them; *they* were the most likely to become clients of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"So, is there anything you need from me? Although This Funeral Parlor Director has a lot of time, I'm not as free as you might think."
"What? Are you busy? Do you have something urgent to do?"
"Oh my~ Ever since a new consultant arrived, This Funeral Parlor Director's pressure has greatly decreased. Oh, right. Zhongli told me that Azhdaha was introduced by you, which was a huge help."
Under Zhongli's recommendation, Azhdaha very smoothly became a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Don't let his burly appearance fool you; his knowledge is not inferior to Zhongli's.
With an additional consultant similar to Zhongli, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor expanded its business in other areas and earned a lot of extra Mora.
Moreover, this new consultant was different from Zhongli; he wouldn't send bills to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for no reason. He would carry some Mora himself.
Since he joined the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, its bills have significantly decreased, which further increased Hu Tao's friendship towards Azhdaha.
(Zhongli: A new wallet has appeared.)
What concerned Hu Tao was that Azhdaha was introduced to Zhongli by Durandal. Anyone personally introduced by Durandal was not simple, so she didn't treat Azhdaha with the attitude she would treat ordinary people.
"That has nothing to do with me. He needed an identity to integrate into Liyue Harbor. I just helped him find a channel; it's no big deal."
Durandal didn't want to talk too much about Azhdaha: "We came to see you this time to tell you that for the next period, we're planning to return to Mondstadt to send this little one back. She's been out for a while, and it's time for her to go home."
Durandal pushed Klee forward and patted her hat.
"If you have anything to say to her, say it now. If you want to see her again, you'll have to wait until she comes to Liyue Harbor next time, or you go to Mondstadt."
"Oh? The little darling is going back to Mondstadt? Hmm~ I'll miss her a bit."
Hu Tao was also captivated by the adorable Klee. Whenever Klee happened to meet Hu Tao in Liyue Harbor before, she would play with Hu Tao.
Hu Tao and Klee's personalities got along quite well, and they became very good friends. Their closeness could be seen from how they hugged each other.
"Big Sister Hu Tao, Klee will miss you."
Klee hugged Hu Tao reluctantly. Hu Tao looked at the little darling in her arms dotingly. Although their time together was short, she already regarded Klee as a younger sister.
"Just remember Big Sister. If I have time in the future, Big Sister will also go to Mondstadt to see you. If possible, should the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor try opening a branch in Mondstadt?"
"Let's not, I think Mondstadt probably doesn't follow Liyue's customs."
Every place has its own way of handling funerals. If Hu Tao really opened a branch in Mondstadt, it would probably go out of business soon.
"Not necessarily. In fact, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has also received business from other nations. Although rare, it's not unheard of. Let This Funeral Parlor Director investigate the situation to expand the scope of business."
Alright, it seems she's really planning to open a branch in Mondstadt. Let's just hope she doesn't go too far. Although Mondstadt is relatively free, this freedom has its limits.
There weren't many people they specifically needed to say goodbye to. They simply packed a few things. As they were about to set off, Durandal noticed Lumine putting a very special pot into her luggage.
"That pot has a very special aura. How did you get it?"
"You mean this Serenitea Pot? It was given to us by Grandma Ping. It's an adeptal treasure she specially made to thank us. With this, we won't have to sleep in the wilderness anymore."
This was a treasure. Previously, if they didn't have a tent in the wild, they could only sleep in the wilderness. Danger aside, mosquitoes and other insects often appeared.
Now it's good; with this Serenitea Pot, they can live comfortably outside in the future, completely fearless.
"An adeptal treasure, I understand."
She probably saw that they would go to other places in the future, so she specially prepared this item, right? When she left Ningguang feeling upset, did she call out to her just to talk about this Serenitea Pot?
Considering their situation on the way to Liyue before, this item was quite useful, but she didn't know the internal structure.
"Let's get ready to depart. Are you planning to come to Mondstadt with us, Shenhe? Or will you stay here in Liyue? I've already removed your lonely fate, so even if you don't tie those red ropes, there won't be any problems."
Durandal had completely resolved Shenhe's fate issue. As the red ropes decreased, Shenhe's emotions also became richer and richer; she no longer showed that indifferent demeanor towards everything as before.
The reason one rope remained was to consider Cloud Retainer's feelings, to avoid her getting upset if she saw Shenhe without the red ropes next time they met.
In her current state, staying in Liyue Harbor was perfectly fine. Her daily life could also be entrusted to White Oriole; she could do whatever she wanted.
Recently, she had been seen staring at a photo at night, which should be her old home. She must want to go back and see it.
"...Let's go together."
She really wanted to go back to her old home, but she preferred to stay by Durandal and Lumine, the two people she cared about.
Only by staying with them did Shenhe feel more comfortable. Even though her lonely fate had been removed by Durandal, Shenhe still wanted to be with them.
After speaking, Shenhe looked at Durandal and Lumine and asked, "Is... is that not allowed?"
"Of course it's no problem. We welcome your addition, Shenhe."
Lumine smiled broadly and took Shenhe's hand. How could she mind Shenhe joining? Just like her friendship increase plan for Durandal, she also had a plan for Shenhe.
Previously, due to the red ropes, the increase in friendship had been very slow. Now that Shenhe had untied the red ropes, the much more emotional Shenhe was already showing small gestures like blushing, which was truly adorable.
Klee watched from afar as Lumine gently stroked Shenhe's hand up and down. She then glanced at Durandal beside her, noticing that her eyes were fixed on their hands, and her aura inexplicably surged.
But when Lumine looked at her, Durandal's aura would disappear, returning to her usual calm appearance.
Durandal was a bit scary at this moment. Klee understood that Durandal became like this because of Lumine's actions towards Shenhe, but she didn't dare to warn Lumine, and even if she did, Lumine would probably forget very quickly.
This has happened before; Lumine had similar behavior. Klee kindly reminded her, and she agreed on the surface, but then immediately forgot.
Perhaps this is what adults are like, unable to learn from their lessons. I hope when Durandal punishes her later, she won't be too harsh.
It was in this strange atmosphere that the group set off for Mondstadt.
Walking on the familiar mountain road, the group chatted and laughed. It was mainly Paimon and Klee livening the atmosphere, while the others watched from behind.
"Finally, you're here. I was so bored I almost fell asleep."
On a high platform not far ahead, a Damselette, dressed... very gracefully, stretched lazily, looking at them with an unbearable expression.
"Not just you, but even the inheritor of great knowledge is here. This saves me a lot of trouble."
After speaking, a special space appeared in front of the Damselette, through which she quickly arrived before Durandal and the others.
"Who are you?"
"I am Astrologist Mona Megistus. Considering you might misremember my name, you can just call me Mona. I am an Astrologist, and the person I'm looking for this time... is her."
Mona pointed at Klee, saying with full confidence.
"Looking for Klee? What do you need her for?"
"To have a showdown with her."
"...A showdown?"
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