"So this is… Umaru when she's at home… My lazy, good-for-nothing himouto sister…"
From the brother's perspective, a tiny figure appeared before Amber—clothes tossed everywhere, books scattered about, snacks lying all over the floor.
Looking at chibi Umaru sprawled on the ground asleep, snacks still in her hands, Amber's mouth twitched.
"I think I finally understand what himouto means…"
Even while complaining, Amber's interest in the manga only grew stronger.
A fairy in public, a shut-in slob at home.
That kind of contrast was actually pretty interesting.
Before she knew it, Amber was laughing nonstop while reading.
Meanwhile, in Liyue…
On the Liyue side, Lumine and the others moved quickly and soon found the remaining Adepti.
Upon hearing that Rex Lapis had been assassinated, every one of them was furious.
They all agreed to accompany Cloud Retainer to meet the Liyue Qixing and demand an explanation.
Lumine was about to go with them, but just as they entered Liyue Harbor, Paimon's sharp eyes spotted a familiar figure.
"Lumine, look over there! Isn't that the guy who helped us earlier?"
"Huh? It really is him! Did he get released already?"
Seeing Childe walking along the road, Lumine's eyes flashed with surprise.
And it looked like he was heading somewhere with a purpose.
Thinking for a moment, Lumine turned apologetically to the Adepti beside her.
"Cloud Retainer, I ran into an acquaintance. I'll come over a bit later."
"It's fine. This is Liyue's internal affair anyway. Thank you for your help."
Cloud Retainer's attitude toward Lumine was quite friendly.
Not just because Lumine seemed close to Boss Han, but also because she had helped them a great deal earlier.
Of course—
Things would have been even better if that emergency food weren't tagging along.
After that, the two groups split up.
Cloud Retainer led the Adepti toward the Jade Chamber to meet Ningguang and the others.
Meanwhile, Lumine, Paimon, and Klee went to find Childe.
Childe's Misfortune Continues
"Ah… finally out."
Childe walked along the road, sighing heavily.
After he surrendered, Ningguang and the others took the opportunity to detain him with the Millelith.
The reason was simple: provoking the Millelith.
Normally, that kind of thing could be treated lightly—or seriously.
And the moment Childe was arrested, the Fatui immediately made their move, putting pressure on Ningguang.
After some consideration, Ningguang and Keqing decided that they hadn't intended to detain him for long anyway.
It was just meant to be a warning.
And with Rex Lapis's assassination being such a critical moment, they didn't want to create further trouble.
So they agreed to release him.
Even so, Ningguang still kept him locked up for a short while.
He had only just been released.
And right after getting out, he received a dinner invitation from a friend.
Wanting to relax a bit, Childe gladly accepted.
He was currently on his way to the dinner.
Just then, a voice came from behind him.
"Hey, you—the one who got blasted into the sky—you're out already?"
"Who got blasted into the— huh? You guys?!"
Hearing "blasted into the sky," Childe turned back in annoyance, ready to retort—
Only to see Lumine and Paimon.
And beside them was a red-clad little girl staring at him curiously, as if he were some strange creature.
"Paimon, is this the guy you said got blasted into the sky? How did he fly up there?"
Klee asked curiously.
Paimon had already briefly explained what happened earlier, so Klee was extremely interested in the "flying."
"He rode in on something, and then someone fired a cannon and blasted him away!"
Paimon explained, gesturing with her hands.
"Ohhh, I see! Then this big brother is really amazing!"
Klee nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Childe.
"Big brother! When Klee makes new bombs later, can you come test them? You can fly again!"
Childe: (⊙_⊙)
Listen to that—
Is that even something a human would say?!
Even if he didn't manage to save them, he still tried, didn't he?!
If you're not going to thank him, at least don't suggest blowing him up with bombs!
Childe didn't bother arguing with the two little ones and instead looked at Lumine.
"Why are you here?"
"We just went to gather the Adepti…"
Lumine gave him a brief explanation.
"The Adepti have already stepped in?"
Childe was surprised.
He'd only been locked up for a short while, and they'd already accomplished so much!
That actually aligned quite well with his original plan.
Originally, after rescuing Lumine and the others, he planned to coax them into heading to Jueyun Karst.
Now it seemed unnecessary.
"But I wonder what role that Boss Han is playing in all this…"
Hearing that Boss Han had guided them, Childe's expression grew serious, his brows knitting tightly.
He hoped that Boss Han wouldn't interfere—
Otherwise, his plan to obtain the Gnosis might fail.
After thinking for a moment, Childe smiled at Lumine and the others.
"As a return favor, I have some information for you."
"What information?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"The reaction of the Liyue Qixing to the death of a god is… quite intriguing.
Previously, they publicly declared that since the true culprit hasn't been found, no one is allowed to view the divine remains, and they even tried to suppress the news.
But the Rite of Descension sees countless visitors— even the Qixing can't completely silence rumors."
Childe spoke with a faint smile.
This was information he'd gathered after being released.
"Divine remains?"
Paimon looked confused.
"What's that?"
"By Liyue's common understanding, Rex Lapis is also an Adeptus.
After the Geo Archon's soul ascends to the heavens, the body left behind— why would the Qixing hide it?
Highly suspicious."
Childe shook his head, looking deeply concerned.
"If that's the case, then this could get troublesome."
Lumine frowned.
She came here specifically to meet the gods.
If the Qixing hid the divine remains and barred access, then her goal of visiting all Seven Archons would be completely derailed.
Seeing Lumine frown, a smile slowly spread across Childe's lips.
He didn't know why she wanted to meet the Seven—but he could use that.
"Don't worry. I can help you with this.
The person I'm about to meet is the one who can break this deadlock.
Want to come along?"
"The one who can break it? Who's that?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"A person from… the underground."
Childe replied with a mysterious smile.
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