Liyue Harbor – Docks
On the day before the Lantern Rite, dockworkers were still laboring through the last half-day shift. By noon, they would begin taking time off for the festival.
Had Nolan and Cloud Retainer come later in the afternoon, they might not have found anyone to sell them timber.
"Hah, the docks truly are bustling." Cloud Retainer stood atop the steps, taking in the busy sight with a sigh of sentiment.
To her right, she noticed stacks of timber piled high—but no sign of a merchant, only busy workers hauling cargo.
"Whom should we ask to buy timber? And would anyone bother selling us just a few logs?" she wondered aloud, scanning the area.
"We'll just ask one of the workers—"
Before Nolan could finish, he spotted a familiar figure on the shore, waving toward them.
Her long black hair swept sideways across her forehead, partly veiling an eyepatch. She wore a red qipao, thigh-high folded-heel boots clinging to her legs.
It was Beidou.
Nolan's heart lifted. The Crux Fleet transported countless goods, timber among them. Surely Beidou would know the merchants who supplied it. Asking her for help would solve everything.
He waved back, then turned to Cloud Retainer with a smile:
"Come, True Lord. I know how to get our timber."
"Mm." Cloud Retainer nodded, having noticed Beidou as well.
They descended the steps and, after a few minutes, reached the waterfront.
"Hey, Beidou. Long time no see. Looks like the Lantern Rite has you busy too," Nolan greeted warmly.
"Haha, most of my crew are already off for the holiday. The Alcor just unloaded a shipment, and now I'm ready to relax a bit myself."
Beidou laughed heartily.
Noticing the woman beside him, she tilted her head in curiosity.
"Well now, every time I see you, there's a different lady at your side. And this one is…?"
"Ahem, this is Cloud Retainer," Nolan coughed softly, warning her before she could accidentally offend the adeptus.
"Uh—" Beidou had just been about to uncork her hip flask with a joke, but instead smoothed down her coat and chuckled twice.
"So it's an adeptus in the flesh. Forgive my bluntness. What I meant to ask was—what brings you both to the docks? Is there anything I can help with?
"Say the word—there's no boss or worker here I don't know. If I ask, they'll all give me face."
Though not one to fear adepti, she had no reason to cross them either, and she was genuinely grateful for Nolan's warning.
[Beidou Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 320 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.6 (370/600).]
Her long blue cape swayed in the sea breeze as Cloud Retainer regarded the captain with mild surprise. She hadn't expected such warmth from a mortal, and felt a touch of approval.
"Captain Beidou, you are thoughtful. This Adeptus wishes to purchase a few logs. Might you inquire on my behalf?"
"A few logs?" Beidou blinked in puzzlement. Surely Cloud Retainer's mountain abode had no shortage of trees.
"She wishes to craft a giant lantern as a gift for her disciples. Timber is needed for the frame. If we can buy it here, there's no need to chop trees outside," Nolan explained.
"Ah, I see. A fine gesture indeed." Beidou slapped her chest and laughed.
"That's easy! My ship still has timber aboard.
"With the festival approaching, we replaced several worn planks on the Alcor. The leftover wood is good quality.
"For a lantern—even a large one—it should be enough, so long as it's not the size of a house. And you'll need a workspace, won't you?
"Come aboard the Alcor. You can use my deck."
"Oh? Sounds perfect." Nolan glanced at Cloud Retainer. "What do you think, True Lord?"
"Then this Adeptus thanks you, Captain Beidou. Please, lead the way."
Cloud Retainer nodded gladly.
Indeed, the matter of where to build had been troublesome. She had considered working in Yuehai Pavilion, but it might disrupt official business there—and spoil the surprise for her disciples.
It was far better to prepare the lantern in secret, then present it complete.
"Haha! Excellent, follow me then." Beidou raised her flask, took a swig, and spoke with her usual boldness.
Nolan and Cloud Retainer nodded and followed her toward the Alcor moored nearby.
The Alcor would remain docked for several days. Most of the crew had returned home for the holiday, and sailing off only to return quickly would be troublesome. With the whole of Liyue on break, there was no harm in leaving her at the pier.
Soon they boarded the ship, where Kaedehara Kazuha and Sea Drake were chatting by the mast. Both looked surprised to see Nolan.
"Yo, isn't this Nolan? Planning to spend the Lantern Rite aboard ship?" Sea Drake called.
Kazuha gave a calm nod in greeting.
"Sea Drake, Kazuha—it's been a while. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm only here to borrow some timber."
Nolan waved and smiled, then explained the plan for the giant lantern.
"Sounds like a massive project. Need a hand?" Sea Drake offered.
"No need. This… ahem, we'll manage ourselves," Cloud Retainer replied firmly.
A gift for her disciples had to be crafted by her own hand.
"Alright then. Sea Drake, why don't you and Kazuha go enjoy the festival on shore? I'll take care of things here," Beidou suggested.
"Good idea. Kazuha, how about dinner at my place tonight? My braised pork is famous all around," Sea Drake grinned.
"Why not," Kazuha answered serenely, as though it were the most natural thing.
"Then, Boss, we'll take our leave. Happy Lantern Rite, everyone!"
Sea Drake waved farewell to Beidou and offered the blessing to all.
"Happy Lantern Rite!" Nolan echoed.
Once the two men disembarked, Beidou led them to the ship's storage.
Inside, they found a neat stack of timbers—more than enough for both the lantern's frame and the alchemically-synthesized paper.
"Come, let's haul them up to the deck."
Nolan summoned the wind, lifting the beams smoothly from the warehouse and guiding them outward.
Before long, all the timber floated neatly onto the deck.
"The frame of the lantern shall be crafted by this Adeptus. As for the lantern paper, I leave that task to you," Cloud Retainer said to Nolan.
"Alright." He nodded.
[Cloud Retainer Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 300 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.8 (660/800).]
Dividing the work made things efficient. Nolan gathered several large logs, left the ship, and headed for the alchemy crafting table.
With his grasp of simple alchemy, turning wood into paper was effortless.
Soon he arrived at the table. At this hour, no one else was using it.
He cut the logs into pieces and placed them one by one onto the platform, chanting incantations as the synthesis began.
The process was quick—feed wood in on one side, sheets of lantern paper condensed on the other.
Before long, all the wood had been used, forming a single massive sheet of paper.
Rolling it up into a giant scroll, he secured the lantern paper and made his way back. The trip was short, only a dozen or so minutes.
When he returned to the Alcor, the enormous lantern frame was nearly complete.
"You work fast. Hurry, bring out the paper," Cloud Retainer said.
"Mhm." Nolan unfurled the roll, and together they draped the lantern paper across the frame.
Within minutes, a pavilion-sized lantern stood before them. All that remained was to add floating stone fragments and light the candle—then the lantern would be ready.
But since it wasn't evening yet, the stones could wait.
A faint smile touched Cloud Retainer's pale face as she admired their work.
"Not bad. Only something of this scale is worthy of my disciples."
[Cloud Retainer Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 300 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.9 (160/900).]
She also felt a little more fondness for Nolan, who had helped so much.
Seeing the prompt on his panel, he smiled lightly and asked,
"So, when will you gift it to your disciples?"
"They're still at work. After they finish in the afternoon, I'll give it to them."
"Actually, I had an idea," Nolan said, as a thought struck him.
"Oh? Let's hear it." Cloud Retainer looked at him curiously.
"What if we launch this giant lantern from the Jade Chamber tonight? We could invite everyone to celebrate the Lantern Rite there—share a meal, watch the thousands of lanterns rise over Liyue Harbor, and release this one together.
"I think the view from the Jade Chamber would be spectacular."
Cloud Retainer rested her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… not a bad idea."
"If you agree, I'll speak with Ningguang. If she has no objection, I'll notify the others."
Using Lumine's affection skill through the waymark, Nolan contacted Ningguang and explained the plan.
"Very well," Ningguang replied. "It will be good for the Jade Chamber to feel lively."
"She's agreed," Nolan said with a smile. "True Lord, please bring the lantern up first. I'll go invite everyone."
"Very well."
Cloud Retainer nodded, then with a wave of adeptal power, stored the lantern and took off toward the Jade Chamber.
Watching her depart, Nolan turned to Beidou nearby.
"Beidou, how about celebrating the Lantern Rite at the Jade Chamber tonight?"
"Haha, I usually spend it with Ningguang anyway. Since you're inviting me, of course I'll come."
Beidou crossed her arms and laughed.
[Beidou Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 330 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.7 (100/700).]
"Good. Why don't you head up first? Or I can escort you directly with teleportation, if you'd like."
"Either way works," Beidou nodded.
After that, Nolan began notifying the others—mainly the girls he was close with.
Through the waymarks, he contacted Yanfei first. She agreed without hesitation, and her fondness rose.
[Yanfei Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 320 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.7 (220/700).]
Next, he invited Lumine and Paimon, Hu Tao, Yun Jin, Yelan, Fischl, Sucrose, Mona, and more.
The Lantern Rite was Liyue's grandest festival, and it was worth inviting friends from abroad too.
Those with waymarks were easy to reach. Those without required a personal visit.
So he traveled briefly to Inazuma—seeking out Kamisato Ayaka, Kujou Sara, Kuki Shinobu, and Kirara.
As friends, it was only natural to invite them to Liyue's Lantern Rite.
They were intrigued and agreed once assured that Nolan could quickly teleport them back in time for their duties tomorrow.
Each showed a small rise in affection—around +300:
[Kamisato Ayaka – Affection Level Lv.7 (80/700)]
[Kujou Sara – Affection Level Lv.6 (400/600)]
[Kuki Shinobu – Affection Level Lv.8 (620/800)]
[Kirara – Affection Level Lv.6 (100/600)]
In Sumeru, he extended the invitation to Collei, Nahida, Layla, and Dehya.
Hearing that Amber would be there, Collei immediately agreed.
Nahida declined politely—reluctant to intrude on another Archon's land—but still gained affection.
Layla was thrilled to be invited personally, but upon hearing of the large gathering, her shy nature held her back. Nolan didn't press, simply promising another time.
Dehya couldn't come either, as she was guarding Dunyarzad, whose health had not fully recovered.
Even so, their affection rose slightly, about +300 each:
[Collei – Affection Level Lv.7 (100/700)]
[Nahida – Affection Level Lv.8 (680/800)]
[Layla – Affection Level Lv.8 (560/800)]
[Dehya – Affection Level Lv.6 (20/600)]
(End of Chapter)
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