Hoshimi Miyabi slowly crouched down, reaching out to touch a sword mark on the ground. The moment her fingers brushed it, she sensed a faint trace of lingering energy.
Electric—and a very pure one at that.
There were not just sword marks, but also traces left by a spear...
The scene felt strangely familiar.
After a moment of thought, it clicked.
She had seen similar sword and spear marks in the Hollow just yesterday—left behind by Keqing and Xiao.
With that in mind, Hoshimi Miyabi frowned. "Don't tell me... they're the ones who took out the high-ranking Ethereal that was here?"
Soukaku blinked in confusion. "Who are you talking about, Section Chief? Someone from the Defense Army? The Public Security Bureau? Those guys wouldn't step foot in Hollow A37..."
Hoshimi Miyabi explained seriously, "Do you remember Keqing, Xiao, Ying, Hu Tao, and the others we ran into in the Hollow yesterday? The traces here look just like the ones they left behind."
Asaba Harumasa looked surprised. "We just pulled them out of the Hollow yesterday. No way they went back in to get themselves killed, right?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi gave a slight smile. "They're not walking to their deaths. Even if we hadn't helped them yesterday, they still would've been able to take out ninety percent of the Ethereals in the Hollow. With their strength, the Hollow would've entered decline either way…"
However—
Things were different now.
Hollow A37 wasn't even on the same level as the one from yesterday.
It had more high-ranking Ethereals, higher Ether concentration and activity, and pressure values just a notch below Hollow Zero.
More importantly—
A37 and Hollow Zero were closely linked, with more than one spatial rift connecting the two.
That's precisely why A37's Ether concentration, activity, and pressure were so similar to Hollow Zero. Suppressing it was no easy task—New Eridu's authorities had attempted it several times, all without success.
Soukaku thought for a moment. "So... could they already be in danger?"
Asaba Harumasa shook his head. "Unlikely. They wouldn't just recklessly dive into the Hollow's depths. The environment there's almost the same as Hollow Zero. Even we in Unit Six can't enter easily..."
But before he could finish—
Tsukishiro Yanagi suddenly noticed another change on her observation device.
The Ether concentration and activity had dropped again.
Which meant—another high-ranking Ethereal had been eliminated.
It seemed Hoshimi Miyabi had been right. It had to be that same group from yesterday.
Hoshimi Miyabi spoke seriously. "Can we pinpoint their location?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi pulled out a device. "Only by tracking major fluctuations in Ether activity. That's how we locate where high-ranking Ethereals have died..."
With that, she activated the device.
After checking the readings, her expression darkened. "It's in the Hollow's depths. They really did go in."
Asaba Harumasa paused, then asked, "Section Chief, what should we do?"
Hoshimi Miyabi replied coolly, "They're part of this investigation too. We'll head into A37's depths and see for ourselves."
As soon as she spoke, she stepped forward. Soukaku, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and Asaba Harumasa followed close behind.
The depths of Hollow A37 were terrifying.
They could already tell—a fierce battle awaited them.
...
While Keqing and the others, along with Unit Six, were fighting Ethereals inside the Hollow...
At the same time—
On the other side of New Eridu, inside Hare's House.
Sam Li, Nicole, Billy, Anby, and Nekomata had just returned from the orphanage, still buzzing from the whirlwind of emotions.
Their trip—following Nicole to the orphanage—had been full of twists and turns.
They'd worried Nicole might catch on to them, been heartbroken over the boy's condition... and finally, watched as Sam Li cured the boy's Corrosion symptoms.
Even now, Billy could hardly believe it.
"Sam Li, I didn't know you were a doctor…"
"Billy, shut up. I'm exhausted. Let's just rest."
"Nicole, that plot of land you bought in Carrytown—was it to rebuild the orphanage?"
"Yes, yes, now stop talking. I need to lie down..."
...
Nicole, looking drained, trudged back to her room.
Billy, on the other hand, felt anything but tired. He was practically bouncing with excitement, already thinking about what gifts to bring the kids next time.
After some thought—
He decided on Starlight Knight figures and posters.
He'd always treasured those items... but giving them to someone who truly loved them felt like the best use they could have.
Starlight Knight wouldn't mind.
Smiling to himself, Billy ran back to his room.
After a bit more fussing around, he flopped back onto the couch.
"If only Brother Arataki were here... He always called himself the king of the kids. He'd definitely know what those little guys like better than me…"
Nekomata gave him a puzzled look. "Since when do you like kids so much, Billy?"
Billy replied earnestly, "You don't get it. They're just like me—they're all Starlight Knight fans."
There was a saying among Starlight Knight fans: fans help fans.
And Billy—he wasn't just a fan.
He genuinely liked those kids.
At that moment—
Anby glanced at Billy, then at Sam Li, and said seriously, "Arataki Itto's from Sam Li's hometown. Maybe he can help you get in touch."
Billy's eyes lit up at once and he spun to face Sam Li. "Can you really contact Arataki Itto?"
Sam Li shook his head calmly. "No."
Billy's excitement immediately deflated. "Oh… alright."
Back when Arataki Itto was still in New Eridu, Billy had even given him a phone and added him as a friend on KnockKnock Chat.
But ever since Itto left, he hadn't been able to reach him.
No replies to his messages...
No answer on the phone...
Billy let out a long sigh. "Brother Arataki, don't tell me you blocked me the second you left New Eridu..."
No way.
It couldn't be that.
...
While Billy was missing his good buddy Arataki Itto...
At that very moment—
In another world, on the continent of Teyvat, in Liyue Harbor...
Arataki Itto, Kuki Shinobu, Kazuha, and Sayu had been searching the harbor for half the day—but there was no sign of the Traveler.
Didn't she say she was coming to Liyue?
Could she have already left?
Scratching his head, Arataki Itto muttered, "You don't think the Traveler and Paimon already went back to Natlan, do you? I was hoping to invite them to New Eridu…"
Kazuha thought for a moment. "If the Traveler really came to Liyue, it's likely related to the authorities here. Let's go ask Miss Keqing at Yujing Terrace."