"Lotes… she's also living well in this world."
In the inn room, Durandal was still thinking about Tina. This old friend from the past, aside from her familiar way of speaking, no longer had the same feeling as before in other aspects.
It made sense. In the past, she was an enormous octopus, so huge that Zhongli would have an adverse reaction.
But now, she was just a little girl, under 1.4 meters, who hadn't fully grown up. Having lived as a human for several years, her human scent was far, far stronger than hers.
"What's wrong? Still thinking about little Tina?"
At this moment, Lumine, who had just finished showering, hugged Durandal from behind, resting her head on her shoulder, and asked.
"Lotes… she is now completely a 'human.' Aside from still having that memory, the current her is already the human 'Tina.' Unlike me, I'm still just a monster in human skin."
"Why are you talking like that again? Don't always think of yourself as a monster, okay? You are my very important companion, a very important person. When you belittle yourself like that, it makes it seem like my judgment is poor."
Lumine poked Durandal's cheek in dissatisfaction. This person was good in every way, except for her lack of self-confidence. With so many excellent qualities, why did she always cling to that one thing?
However, the fact that she was not a complete human was not uncommon on the continent of Teyvat; there were similar beings like Diona the cat girl, Klee the elf, and Venti the God.
Besides these, there were many other races that were not entirely human, so there was no need to dwell on this point; she was being a bit stubborn.
"But, I didn't expect your friend from another world to transmigrate into this world. Transmigration, a plot I only read about in Inazuma novels, I never thought I'd witness it firsthand."
Transmigration itself wasn't rare; Hu Tao had once taken them to the border to see, where there was a large crowd waiting to be reincarnated.
But Lotes, strictly speaking, was not a resident of the Teyvat continent, yet she was able to transmigrate as a member of the Teyvat continent, which was still very miraculous.
"Yes, it indeed exceeded my expectations. At the door, I sensed a familiar aura and thought it was my imagination, but it really was her."
"Your unusual behavior then, was it because you noticed the situation inside? And that familiar feeling? What familiar feeling?"
"She, like me, is an Apostle. There is a connection between Apostles. Every Apostle has gathered before, and I clearly remember the feeling each Apostle gave me. Although thousands of years have passed, I haven't forgotten that feeling."
Yes, it was clear, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to give such accurate information, allowing Tina, who was hiding at home, to open the door without much hesitation.
But, from hiding in the water to hiding in bed? Did she live in the water before her transmigration? What did she look like before?
Noticing Lumine's gaze, and understanding what she wanted to ask, Durandal didn't make her wait long and directly gave the answer.
"An octopus, a very huge one. That's what she looked like."
Durandal displayed Lotes's appearance when the Apostles gathered, in the form of an illusion, for Lumine to see.
Have you all seen Pirates of the Caribbean? There's a very terrifying sea monster in it, and Lotes was a hundred times more terrifying than that sea monster.
It was like a monster appearing in a horror movie, and Durandal even showed Lotes's face up close to Lumine, Lotes's sharp teeth were only a few meters away from her, as if she could still feel Lotes's sudden attack.
Lumine's body instantly stiffened; she felt her sanity plummeting. Who would have thought that the terrifying Tina used to look like this? Lumine felt that Durandal's black plague form was easier to accept.
"I surrender, I surrender. Quickly send me back, quickly send me back!"
Before her sanity completely dropped, Lumine quickly asked Durandal to send her back. She was worried that if she continued watching, she would have to make a will check.
Before Durandal sent her back, Lumine noticed that besides Lotes, there were other beings around. She vaguely saw a giant bird in the sky and several other figures; they must have been the other Apostles.
Durandal dispelled the illusion, and Lumine immediately collapsed onto the bed, trying to restore her sanity with the soft mattress.
"ε = (' ο ｀ * ) ) ) Ah~ I suddenly understand Zhongli's feelings. If I had fought a monster like that, I would also have a phobia of seafood."
"Don't worry, despite her appearance, she rarely acted in the Demon Realm and usually stayed in the sea. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been ambushed by that woman Hulder during hibernation, transported onto the Celestial Megabeast, and left without the water she depended on for survival."
Despite Lotes's evil appearance, she was actually quite kind. When she first arrived on the Celestial Megabeast, it was only out of necessity that she used her mental power to control the believers there to do her bidding.
So that's it, a terrifying appearance but a kind heart, just like Durandal.
Lumine nodded. So were the other Apostles present in the same situation? The only exception was that woman named Hulder.
According to what Durandal had told her, all the tragedies were caused by that woman, seemingly to achieve some goal.
What did she want to achieve? Lumine was quite curious, but no one knew the subsequent developments, so no matter how curious she was, she couldn't get an answer.
"Ah~ I've taken DMG, the previous scene caused me DMG. If I don't get a kiss and a hug from Durandal, I won't be able to get up."
Lumine pouted and held out her hands to Durandal, looking like she wanted a hug (づ . ? ? ? ? . )づ, acting like a Children, which made Durandal smile helplessly and prepare to go over and hug her.
As soon as she got close, Lumine eagerly pulled Durandal into her arms and hugged her tightly, rubbing against her.
"Didn't you say just a hug? Your current actions are more than just a hug, you silly."
Durandal struggled, but this fellow even used her feet to prevent Durandal from breaking free. Durandal couldn't break free without hurting her.
After several attempts, Durandal could only give up helplessly and fix her gaze on the ceiling.
She had seen the inn's ceiling many times, and it usually meant nothing, but this time it made her ponder.
While they were resting at the inn, what was that silly Venti doing? Was he resting on the big tree at Windrise? Or in his flower field at Cape Oath?
No matter where it was, he could only lie outdoors. She didn't care about this before, after all, as a God, it would be too embarrassing if he caught a cold.
Now their relationship was different, and the thought of him being out in the wind made Durandal feel a little unbearable.
This wasn't about caring for him; she just thought it would be damaging to his image. If someone saw him drunk and lying on the tree at Windrise, she, as his friend, would also be embarrassed. She wanted to avoid this, and there were absolutely no other intentions involved.
"I remember... the Windblume Festival is a festival of freedom, the spirit of wind, and the Anemo God, right?"
"I think this festival is more like the Anemo God's festival... Indeed, some people say that, why?"
Durandal shook her head. Since it was Venti's festival, it made sense for her to give him something during this festival, right?
Before the Windblume Festival began, she would spend some time looking. If all else failed, she could go to Diluc; with his influence in Mondstadt, he should be able to help her solve this problem.
"...How long are you going to hug me? Let go quickly!"
"Hehe~ Just one hug, let me hug you again, just for a moment."
"That's what you said last time, and then a whole night passed, and you didn't let go. I won't fall for your trick again, let go quickly."
"No way. Really, is it because our feelings have faded? You wouldn't say such things when you hugged me like this before."
"That's because you're not behaving. The position of your hands is very strange right now. If you don't let go, I'll make you squat in the toilet all night, understand!"
"Wuwuwu~"
The distraction method failed. It seems next time she touches the little butt, she needs to be more discreet and not let any flaws be discovered.
————
The next day, Durandal went out alone, leaving Lumine, Paimon, and Shenhe to do commissions together, as usual.
While they were helping Flora at "Flora's Shop," they noticed a couple buying fruit at a nearby fruit stall.
"Huhu~ They're preparing things for the Windblume Festival. After all, the Windblume Festival is a festival of freedom, the Anemo God, and lovers."
"I always feel like this Windblume Festival is a festival for so many things. I only heard about freedom and the spirit of wind before, so why is 'lovers' an option now?"
From yesterday to now, they had heard many different versions. Besides freedom, the other explanations were varied. Could anything be associated with the Windblume Festival?
"Huhu~ Because in addition to offering the windblume to Lord Barbatos as a sign of Yearning and love, people also give it to their beloved and important ones. So, in a sense, the Windblume Festival is also a festival for lovers. Recently, many people have come to my shop to buy flowers, mostly to prepare surprises for their loved ones. I'm already very familiar with this process."
Wow~ She still looks like a Children, but she's so knowledgeable. She's a master!
But... will they offer the windblume to their beloved?
They, who originally had little to do with this festival, were somehow connected to it.
It's just... this time, if they're offering the windblume to the Anemo God as a sign of love, will Durandal send flowers to Venti?
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