"I have no more questions."
After experiencing so many things, Lumine now just wanted to rest well for one night, and then explore Natlan with Paimon the next day.
"Traveler, there's one last thing I want to tell you." Mavuika spoke up, "I'm planning to have Xilonen forge an Ancient Name for you."
Hearing the red-haired woman's words, Lumine was slightly stunned: "Isn't it said that only Natlan people can have an Ancient Name?"
"Indeed so from most people's perception, but I believe that with Xilonen's craftsmanship, this is not a problem." Mavuika said full of confidence.
"Good thing Xilonen is busy with work and didn't come to the banquet; otherwise, she would definitely scold you." Rios teased.
"You mentioning it like this, I just remembered—after the banquet ends, I still need to bring her some wine and meat." Mavuika said with a smile, "Take advantage now to appease her, and then she shouldn't get so angry."
======
It was already very late. After the celebrations, everyone chose to sleep one night in the Stadium of the Sacred Flame and return to their respective tribes tomorrow.
Rios arrived at the door of a certain person's room and gently knocked. Soon after, a girl's tender voice rang out from inside the door.
"Coming."
Kachina opened the door. Upon seeing that the person knocking outside was Rios, she was immediately startled: "P-Pyro Archon, do you have any business?"
"Don't be nervous; it's not a big deal." Rios comforted the girl, then said, "Let's go inside to talk."
Kachina nodded like a chick pecking at rice, welcoming the Pyro Archon inside, not daring to neglect him in the slightest.
For the Pyro Archon to secretly come find her so late at night, he definitely wanted to discuss something important.
Perhaps it even concerned Natlan's survival.
"Kachina, I heard from others that you seem to have taken the Traveler as your master?" Rios asked right after entering the room.
Hearing the question, the little girl was stunned for a moment, then nodded while answering: "Before coming to the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, I learned many combat techniques from Traveler sis."
Although she hadn't been able to achieve victory in the individual competition, she could feel that she was much stronger than her previous self.
"Then, have you paid tuition to the Traveler?" Rios said.
"Ah?" Kachina blinked her eyes, her cute little face showing a surprised expression as she couldn't help exclaiming, "T-Tuition?"
"That's right. The Traveler imparted precious combat techniques to you, so as a student, you should also pay the corresponding remuneration." Rios said with a straight face, "Otherwise, if people from other countries see it, they might think us Natlan people have no money."
"This..." Kachina lowered her head, somewhat at a loss for words.
What the Pyro Archon was saying to her was indeed a major matter concerning Natlan.
It was just that this matter didn't concern Natlan's life and death, but rather Natlan's face.
After pondering for a moment, Kachina felt that she should indeed pay some tuition to her master, so she sincerely asked: "Pyro Archon, what should I give to Traveler sis?"
Her first thought was ores, but the Traveler still had to explore Natlan next and might pick up a pile of ores on the road, so she probably wouldn't fancy what she gave.
As for other things... she couldn't think of anything at all.
"Clothes." Rios slowly said, "If you're sending gifts as tuition to the Traveler, I recommend clothes as the best option."
After all these years, our Traveler should change into a new set of clothes.
Even Amber, Lisa, and Kaeya—the three royal family members—have gotten new skins. Giving the Traveler a new set of clothes is perfectly normal.
Rios thought it over and felt that it would be better for Kachina of the Children of Echoes to select the clothes.
After all, the Traveler's hair is yellow, and the clothing colors of the Children of Echoes match it the best.
The positioning of these clothes is that shortly after completing the main storyline quest, Kachina will give them to the Traveler, delivering a hard surprise to the players.
"Sending clothes?" Kachina thought about it and felt it was indeed quite suitable.
For the Traveler, compared to sending expensive gifts, good-looking clothes might be even more attractive.
"Then after I go back, I'll discuss with my family what clothes to send to Traveler sis." Kachina said.
"Remember, in terms of color, they need to match the Traveler's hair color well." Rios reminded.
"I'll pay attention." Kachina promised that she would absolutely remember it.
This was choosing a gift for her master; she had to pick carefully and select the best-looking clothes for her master.
"Pyro Archon, is there anything else?"
Seeing that Rios hadn't left yet, Kachina continued to ask.
"I just remembered something." Rios was somewhat amused, "Since we're selecting clothes for the Traveler, shouldn't we also select one for Paimon?"
Earlier, he'd been so focused on the Traveler that he'd forgotten about Paimon.
Picking one is picking, picking two is also picking, so he might as well include Paimon's too—maybe he could even get some emotion value from Paimon.
"We do indeed need to prepare one for little Paimon too." Kachina agreed.
Although little Paimon hadn't taught her any combat techniques, since they'd decided to send clothes to the Traveler, deliberately leaving out little Paimon might make the latter feel uncomfortable.
Since that was the case, they might as well select a set of clothes for Paimon too.
However, with Paimon's personality, compared to good-looking clothes, she probably liked delicious food even more?
"When the time comes, you give the clothes to the Traveler first." Rios made the arrangements, "When Paimon asks if there's a share for her, you say you didn't prepare one."
"When she feels disappointed, you then take the opportunity to bring out the clothes you'd prepared in advance for her." Rios said.
The girl listened somewhat confused and puzzledly asked: "Pyro Archon, why do it this way?"
"This is giving Paimon a surprise." Rios said with a smile.
This Paimon looked silly; whatever others said, she would believe it.
With this back and forth, wouldn't he scam double the emotion value?
"Is this really a surprise?" Kachina slightly lowered her head, expressing doubt.
Rather than calling it a surprise, it seemed more malicious.
But since the Pyro Archon had required it this way, the obedient Kachina could only follow along obediently.
After continuing to discuss some details about the clothes—like needing to include a leg ring, making it asymmetrical on left and right, and absolutely requiring gloves, and other common Hoyoverse design styles—Rios left Kachina's room.
Just as he was thinking of going up to the top of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame to check if any abyssal monsters had suddenly launched an attack, a white-haired girl appeared before him.
"Rios?" Mualani's surprised voice rang out, "I was just about to go to your room to find you."