"…help."
Paimon drifted suspiciously closer to Lumine. "Eh? You mean it this time?"
Tartaglia's lips curved upward. "Give me a little time. Time to find the right person."
"I'll locate someone capable of breaking this stalemate."
His tone brimmed with confidence, as though the board had already been arranged in his favor.
"Oh, this is the interesting part. The calmer and stranger things seem before the final eruption, the more spectacular the chaos will be when the dam finally breaks."
He turned to leave, offering one last remark over his shoulder:
"So stay sharp. Stay alive. I'd hate for you to miss the grand finale."
With that, the Fatui Harbinger strode off.
The livestream feed abruptly cut to black.
"Today's broadcast has concluded. Tune in tomorrow at the same time."
Reactions (Reforged Bullet Comments)
Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius:
"Among the Liyue Qixing, who would dare orchestrate such a bold move before the eyes of all?"
Beidou, Captain of the Crux Fleet:
"It's not Ningguang. She's got the authority, sure—but she despises Fatui."
Ningguang, Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing:
"No member of the Qixing would collaborate with the Fatui to deceive the Adepti."
"The Exuvia's location is known only to the highest levels within the Qixing."
Paimon:
"So that 'Childe' guy was just talking nonsense?"
Tartaglia:
"I only shared my deductions based on observation."
Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing:
"If you want the truth, wait until tomorrow. @Tartaglia — behave yourself. No more schemes."
"Until the true assassin is revealed, the Fatui remain the prime suspects."
A Fatui Member:
"We Fatui have rights too!"
A Mondstadt Citizen:
"After what you did in Mondstadt, you dare talk about rights?"
Paimon:
"And what you did to the bard! I haven't forgotten!"
Venti, the Anemo Archon:
"Hehe~ It's fine, dear Paimon."
Paimon:
"I'm defending you!"
…
The Next Day — Prelude to the Rite of Parting
Morning sunlight bathed Liyue Harbor.
Having completed a few Adventurers' Guild commissions—and with Paimon temporarily "fed" by the livestream system—Lumine felt at ease.
"Hey! Mr. Zhongli!"
Paimon spotted the tall figure ahead.
Zhongli turned gracefully. "Good morning, Traveler. Paimon."
"Mr. Zhongli," Lumine asked politely, "where can we find authentic, affordable Liyue cuisine?"
Zhongli smiled faintly.
"Ah? You grasp quickly. Cuisine is indeed the finest gateway to a nation's culture."
"If you seek the finest example of Liyue's culinary spirit, follow me."
They stopped before a fragrant restaurant.
"Zhongli! Traveler! Paimon!"
Xiangling rushed out eagerly. "Welcome to Wanmin Restaurant!"
"Xiangling! So this is Wanmin!" Paimon beamed.
"If one speaks of Liyue's culinary heart," Zhongli explained, "Wanmin Restaurant stands unmatched."
"Come in! I'll cook my specialties myself!" Xiangling insisted.
The aroma was irresistible.
Paimon clutched her stomach mournfully. "I still have to wait twenty days before I can eat again… I can only smell it…"
Then she turned to Lumine with pleading eyes. "Save lots of Mora! When I can eat again, I'm trying everything!"
Lumine laughed. "Deal."
They had barely sat down when—
"Ding! Today's livestream is about to begin!"
Reforged Live Comments
Arataki Itto:
"Hahaha! First one here!"
The Great Sage of Sumeru:
"Yesterday's punishment was absurd. What kind of Archon cooks like that?"
Kujou Sara:
"Her Excellency's… mishap was merely an accident."
Raiden Shogun (Ei):
"…"
Yae Miko:
"…"
Xiangling:
"What's so hard about cooking? Just cook with heart!"
Xingqiu:
"Xiangling's culinary genius is innate."
Chongyun:
"Even beneath frost, the heart burns hot for cuisine!"
Drauff of Mondstadt:
"I still dream of that hunter's dish she made!"
Xiangling:
"I've practiced recreating it—it should be seventy to eighty percent close now!"
Drauff:
"I must visit Liyue!"
Olaf:
"Me too!"
Diona:
"Dad! Get a grip!"
Traveler Lumine:
"@Xiangling — one grilled meat skewer for me. And one for Mr. Zhongli."
Zhongli:
"Much appreciated."
Paimon:
"Paimon wants some too, but…"
Act Two: The Rite of Parting
The livestream shifted to the Northland Bank.
As agreed, Lumine and Paimon arrived to meet Tartaglia.
"Welcome, honored guests of Lord Childe," greeted Ekaterina, the receptionist, with professional poise. "May your future in the Fatui be prosperous."
Lumine replied bluntly, "I'm not his friend. Nor do I intend to join Fatui."
Ekaterina merely smiled coolly.
"Heh… We are but mortals, not the eternal Tsaritsa. Mortal thoughts are ever changing."
Her words trailed off with quiet confidence.
Inside the grand hall, Tartaglia awaited.
The next move in Liyue's grand game of contracts was about to begin.