"You know, you Fatui Harbingers are really weird."
After spending some time together, Lumine had formed her own impression of the man before her.
Not nearly as terrifying as Jean and Lisa had warned.
More of a troublemaker than a villain.
Not exactly evil— just someone who loved pranks a bit too much.
Of course, that was only based on what she'd seen so far.
He was still a self-proclaimed villain, and she wasn't about to let her guard down completely.
But knowing a little more about him couldn't hurt.
"One is arrogant to death, another tries to be friends the second we meet, and yet another begged me to save him right away."
She ticked them off in her head.
The Lady— she at least acted like a proper villain.
But these two men she'd met afterward?
Pathetic.
The Lady had snatched Barbatos' Gnosis.
And this guy?
He got captured by the Raiden Shogun… as a husband?!
"…Isn't that better, though?
If every Harbinger were terrifying, your journey ahead would be unbearable.
You'll probably be our enemy for a long while yet."
Su Ran sounded genuinely concerned for her.
And it wasn't unfounded.
The Balladeer and the Doctor were not people to take lightly.
As for Arlecchino— fierce in appearance, but gentle at heart.
Still, she was Fifth Seat of the Fatui.
And anyone ranked above her… were beings on the level of demon gods.
"…That's true."
The thought of fighting one Harbinger after another filled Lumine with gloom.
She came here to find her brother, not to fight every powerhouse on the continent.
Why did everyone only care about her strength?
Didn't anyone appreciate her incredible puzzle-solving skills?
Her treasure-hunting expertise?
"Anyway, since you want me to save you in Inazuma, why don't I just go there right now?
You said there'd be clues about my brother.
Honestly, Liyue doesn't matter that much."
Liyue hadn't even suffered any disasters.
Morax went missing, sure— but was that really a big deal?
Barbatos had been sleeping for centuries, and no one had rioted about that.
As for Childe's commission?
She didn't care.
Fatui were Fatui— flaking on one job to take another was fine.
Especially since her other client was a higher-ranking Harbinger.
If Childe had any sense, he'd know which way the wind blew.
"You really don't want to build some connections first?"
Su Ran wasn't opposed to her skipping Liyue, but something about it felt… incomplete.
"Connections?
I fought alongside the Anemo Archon, and I'm your future savior.
You think I'm lacking connections?"
One Archon.
One Second Seat Harbinger.
That was enough network for a lifetime.
Quality over quantity— hadn't this guy ever heard the phrase?
"But if you solve Liyue's troubles, you might meet Ningguang.
She's the richest person in all of Teyvat."
Lumine froze.
Her suspicious gaze flicked toward him.
"…The richest?"
"The wealthiest~"
Su Ran winked.
"In that case… there's no need to rush Inazuma!"
She didn't hesitate.
Decision made.
She hadn't met many rich people yet, but earning the gratitude of the continent's wealthiest?
That was an investment with guaranteed returns.
Ei, who had been silent until now, glanced at Su Ran.
A subtle signal passed between them.
He caught it.
"…Since you're my future savior, how about this: I'll allow you to withdraw 300,000 Mora from the Northland Bank as an advance.
Complete the task, and there will be an even greater reward."
"Three hundred thousand?!"
Before Lumine could react, Paimon was already clutching her cheeks in shock.
"You're not tricking me?"
Even Lumine was stunned.
She hadn't lifted a finger yet, and already she had an advance payment?
And that much?!
What kind of god-tier client was this?!
"You can go claim it right now.
If anyone asks, say it's on Genius' orders.
Even Childe won't stop you."
"…Then I'll go test your sincerity!"
With righteous determination, Lumine and Paimon marched toward Liyue Harbor.
Three hundred thousand Mora— and they were gone.
Su Ran turned to Ei.
That had been her idea.
Not even when he'd slandered her earlier
had she looked this serious.
So why now?
Had she noticed something?
Just then, a sudden gust swept through the area.
From the skies descended— a bird.
A very large bird.
"…Lord Baal?"
The bird spoke.
Even though Su Ran had been mentally prepared, he was still stunned to hear a human voice coming from a crane's beak.
Yae Miko might be a fox in truth, but she still spoke in her human form.
This— this was just a giant talking bird.
His fingers actually itched to examine its throat.
"It has been a long time, Cloud Retainer."
Ei greeted politely.
Back before Makoto's death, she had occasionally accompanied her sister to Liyue.
In those days, Cloud Retainer's disciple Ganyu had been good friends with Miko.
So they'd met before.
"Indeed, it is you.
Then do you know what has become of Rex Lapis?"
Relieved that it was Baal, Cloud Retainer's guard dropped somewhat.
She was glad to see Ei free of her inner demons, walking the land once more.
But the disappearance of Rex Lapis was pressing.
If a god stood here, perhaps they could help uncover the truth.
"…This—"
Ei looked toward Su Ran, unsure how much to reveal.
"And this person?"
Until now, Cloud Retainer had been focused on Ei.
Only now did her sharp eyes fall upon Su Ran.
Strangely… she sensed a faint trace of Rex Lapis' aura upon him.
How bizarre.
"Su Ran. A 'Descender.'"
Whether "Harbinger" or "Emissary,"
such titles meant little to a reclusive adeptus.
So he chose a word she would understand.
And it worked.
The crane's eyes widened instantly.
Another Descender?
Could it be… that the balance of this world
was about to shift once more?
~~--------------------------------------
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