The journey like the wind had finally ended.
Xiao raised his gaze to the towering gates ahead and murmured, "We've arrived—Mondstadt."
Setting foot on solid ground again, Collei still felt a little dizzy.
Kirara, with her unique constitution, showed no ill effects at all, bouncing with excitement. "We're here already? So fast! If I had a speed like yours, I could deliver packages to clients instantly! I'd get so many five-star reviews!"
Seriously? With that kind of speed, all you'd think about is courier work?
Talk about setting the bar low.
Xiao glanced at the cat but said nothing.
Collei steadied herself, checked her belongings to make sure nothing was lost, then exhaled in relief before looking at the city gates.
It had been a long time since she'd come here.
Would Amber still remember her?
She was probably out right now.
First things first—deliver the gift from the Dendro Archon.
Xiao nodded to them. "Let's go."
Kirara hopped along cheerfully. "Lord, can't you just fly us straight in?"
Xiao's voice was soft. "Within Mondstadt, it's not proper to use elemental power freely."
"But in Liyue, you did it without issue?" Kirara asked curiously.
Xiao paused, then answered, "Liyue is different. I have special rights there."
Liyue was home. He could act as he pleased.
Mondstadt was another matter. Barbatos himself was inside—sure, they'd gamed together last night, and Xiao had even kill-stolen him several times—but face still had to be given in reality.
Kirara nodded, enlightened. "So that's why."
Led by Xiao, the two entered the city and headed toward the Knights of Favonius' headquarters.
Soon, they stood at the Library's entrance.
Xiao gave Collei another look.
Her body was wrapped in bandages—clear signs of past wounds.
As one who'd long battled evil, he could sense the traces of Archon Residues clinging to her… and darker still, a faint Abyssal Aura.
If he'd met her in the wild, he would've pursued her past and identity without hesitation.
But since she carried the Dendro Archon's trust, delivering a gift from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, he held his tongue.
He pointed. "Miss Collei, your recipient is over there—behind the third row of shelves."
Collei bowed slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao."
He gestured in another direction. "Miss Kirara, yours is that way—behind the second row."
Kirara grinned. "I know, it's Miss Xia Zhen."
And with that, the cat darted off.
Collei remained where she stood, facing the vast, quiet Library, hesitation written all over her face.
"Miss Collei," Xiao said gently, "shall I escort you?"
"Th-thank you…"
Ah, classic social anxiety.
---
"Miss Xia Zhen."
Since they were in the Library, Kirara lowered her voice so as not to disturb the readers.
"Lady Miko asked me to deliver this letter to you."
"Thank you for the trouble."
"Hehe, don't forget to leave me a good review!"
"Of course."
Xia Zhen nodded, smiling as she accepted the letter from her hands.
"I'll head out now. Still got a few Mondstadt packages to deliver."
"Mm. Once you're done with your deliveries, remember to come back and play with us."
"Got it!"
Kirara dashed off, her paw pads muffling her steps—silent as a cat.
Xia Zhen set aside the book she'd been reading and opened the envelope.
She unfolded the letter. A faint fragrance of cherry blossoms wafted out.
"Lady Baal, I've received your letter…"
There wasn't much written inside.
Aside from greetings, Yae Miko gave a brief account of Inazuma's current state and expressed her wish for Xia Zhen to return.
Xia Zhen slowly folded the letter.
Now that she was fully revived, her earlier concerns about Ei no longer existed.
But there was no rush.
According to the plan, in a few days she'd head to Inazuma together with everyone.
At that time, she'd also need to address Inazuma's governance issues.
The three Commissions…
Xia Zhen shook her head, picked her book back up, and returned to reading.
---
"Miss Xia Ci, I've brought her."
"Thank you, Vigilant Yaksha."
Xiao turned silently and left.
Collei stared blankly at the girl sitting beneath the bookshelf—someone who looked strikingly similar to Lady Nahida.
Xia Ci watched her with interest. "What's wrong? Didn't Nahida tell you who I am?"
"N-no…"
"Then what did she say?"
"Lady Nahida told me to bring some things to Mondstadt. Once I arrived, someone would come find me."
"I see. But by now, you've probably guessed who I am, haven't you?"
Collei hesitated, then whispered, "Are you… Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?"
Xia Ci smiled softly. "That's right."
Hearing the confirmation, Collei's eyes filled with disbelief.
In the minds of Sumeru's people, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had been gone for five centuries, long presumed fallen.
"The items you brought?"
"Here."
At her question, Collei quickly slipped the ring off her finger and presented it with both hands.
But Xia Ci didn't take it right away.
Her gaze drifted past the ring, falling on Collei's hands wrapped in bandages.
Feeling the scrutiny, Collei instinctively tried to hide her hands behind her back.
But before she could move, Xia Ci's hand gently took hold of hers.
Collei flinched, almost fearful. "Lord Rukkhadevata…"
Having once suffered the corrosion of [Forbidden Knowledge], Xia Ci instantly sensed the malicious aura festering beneath those bandages.
And beyond that—she felt the taint of Demonic God.
Two forces no mortal should bear, yet they both coexisted in this one girl.
Even more shocking—she realized Collei had endured this torment for years.
How could someone who looked so timid, so fragile, survive such suffering for so long?
Sadness filled Xia Ci's eyes. Her voice softened. "Poor child…"
Such gentle words pulled Collei's mind back to memories of her mother. She faltered, dazed.
Xia Ci released her hand, took the ring, and reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll cure you."
At the word cure, Collei's body tensed again—bad memories rising unbidden.
After a moment, she whispered, "Thank you, Lord Rukkhadevata."
Xia Ci gave her a thoughtful glance, then pulled out her phone and messaged Nahida:
"The item has been delivered."
Inside the House of Daena.
Nahida stared at the message her sister had just sent, momentarily stunned.
That's not right.
According to her calculations, Collei should've just reached Liyue by now. How had the package already arrived in Mondstadt?
As if sensing her doubt, Xia Ci sent another message.
"I had the Vigilant Yaksha deliver her."
Ah. Of course.
Nahida instantly understood.
She knew the speed of Xiao.
After thinking a bit, she opened her chat list, found Xia Zhi's profile picture, and sent him a message.
"Brother Xia Zhi, are you there?"
On the Library's second floor, inside the alchemy workshop.
Xia Zhi felt his phone buzz in his pocket.
A message.
"Miss Lisa, let's pause here for the morning."
"Will you be back this afternoon, Mr. Xia?"
Lisa's gaze was warm, almost burning.
"This afternoon I plan to head to the Alchemy Workshop. I've long heard Mr. Albedo is the Knights' Chief Alchemist. I want to exchange ideas with him—see if we can solve the issue with these reagents that can't be brewed into potions."
"Then I'll go with you. More minds, more solutions."
"Good."
Lisa stayed behind to tidy the lab.
Xia Zhi stepped out, waited until no one was around, and checked his phone.
It was from his little cousin Nahida.
He typed back.
"I'm here."
"Brother Xia Zhi, I need your help."
"Tell me."
"I sent the Akasha Terminal with someone. Her name is Collei. She's had Eleazar since childhood. I want you to cure her."
"Eleazar…"
"It's an illness unique to Sumeru, named for the gray-black, scale-like growths on the skin. At first it just causes numbness. But as it worsens, strength fades, fingers and toes lose feeling. In the end, the patient loses all control of their body."
"I'll treat her properly."
"Thank you, Brother Xia Zhi."
Xia Zhi pocketed the phone.
Normally, with Nahida being the Dendro Archon, her combat prowess might not be great, but her supportive abilities had to be strong.
In theory, any ordinary disease should've been easy for her to heal.
But if she couldn't cure [Eleazar] and had to send Collei to him… this illness was no ordinary affliction.
He headed downstairs.
By the shelves, he found Xia Ci, reading. Beside her sat a girl he didn't know, struggling to read a Sumeru children's tale, finger tracing each word.
Xia Ci looked up with a smile. "Cousin."
Xia Zhi nodded. "Mm. And this is…?"
"She's Nahida's messenger. Her name is Collei."
Xia Zhi glanced at her bandaged hands and said gently, "So you're Miss Collei."