Lotes, the Eighth Apostle, "Long-Legged" Lotes, who wielded countless weapons, dominated the oceans of the Demon Realm during his time there.
He could control the actions of living beings by manipulating their mental consciousness, and also possessed the ability to create illusions, capable of killing people invisibly.
He was ambushed by that woman Hulder while hibernating, and was teleported to the temple on the back of the Giant Beast of the Heavenly Curtain, far away from his most important source of life—the ocean.
Ultimately, he was annihilated by the Adventurer, just like herself. Now it seems his soul did not dissipate after death, but came to this world and reincarnated as a little girl named Tina.
Thanks to Durandal, Lumine and her party successfully entered the house, observing the interaction between these two old friends.
"When I first heard of a divine healer named Durandal, I thought it was just a namesake, but I didn't expect you to come to this world too."
Sitting on the sofa, Tina looked at Durandal, who was pouring her Milk, and couldn't help but say, "You were a symbol of death back then; I never thought you would have a day where you saved lives. Hmm, this Milk is very good. Remember to leave some for me when you leave later."
"I also never thought I would be able to save lives, not by changing the form of their lives, but by rescuing them from illness."
Perhaps it was seeing an acquaintance, but the smile on Durandal's face hadn't stopped since just now, especially when she saw this acquaintance in their current state, her smile became even more uncontrollable.
"You can have as much Milk as you want, but after becoming a Children, has your appetite also become that of a Children?"
"Hmph, got a problem with that? I am not the Apostle Lotes now, but Tina, who is only eight years old. It's perfectly normal that you, an old woman, can't understand me."
"Eight years old? You're quite the talker, Lotes. Although you've reincarnated, your powerful mental strength allowed you to retain all your memories. You are now just an old geezer in a little girl's skin."
"But at least I still have the body of a little girl, while you are a complete old person, aren't you?"
The sharp words exchanged made people's eyebrows twitch, yet their interaction was so intimate, not at all like an argument.
Perhaps this is how Apostles converse; such bickering is quite interesting, at least Lumine and Venti watched with great relish.
"You've only been in this world for eight years? You were defeated by Adventurers earlier than me, yet you arrived in this world later than me."
"Perhaps it's because you weren't killed, but I was. Moreover, you were brought here by a space-time rift; time there can be an instant or eternity. My soul drifted endlessly before arriving in this world and reincarnating as a human."
How time within a space-time rift is controlled is unknown even to them, the Apostles, but it's quite interesting. After all, they arrived in this world through different means, and to meet with such a slim probability, she was actually quite happy.
Especially when she saw Durandal could control her abilities, no longer uncontrollably spreading plague as in the past, and even had a group of trustworthy friends around her, she was very happy.
Although she didn't explicitly acknowledge Durandal as a friend, as a fellow Apostle, seeing Durandal's tragic past, she had hoped for her to have a better life.
After all, she wasn't an evil person; the truly evil one was only that woman.
"Speaking of which, in these eight years, you've lived very honestly as Tina. You haven't shown any extraordinary qualities or abnormalities, just like a little girl."
"Because the current me… is no longer 'Long-legged' Lotes, but Tina. Since I have a new life, why should I live with the shadows of the past?"
She quite liked her current life. Although her parents couldn't always be with her due to their Knights of Favonius work, their tenderness towards her never diminished, which ultimately led her to accept her current identity.
It's just… they eventually left her. During a certain mission, they were harmed by monsters, and in the end, she could only see their cold gravestones behind the Cathedral of Favonius.
"Do you care about them, Lotes? If you need, I can…"
"No, Durandal. Why are you still thinking that way? I know what you want to say, and I understand you want to help me, but I don't need that kind of help."
Lotes naturally understood what Durandal wanted to say, but she didn't need that kind of help, nor did she want anyone to disturb them.
Even though she was now alone, she would live well according to her parents' expectations, and she would never disappoint them.
"Live well? Can you call your current situation of hiding at home and never going out 'living well'?"
"I'm only eight years old, do you understand eight years old? Even if I wanted to do something, do you think those adults would allow it? Children labor, Children labor, Children labor isn't allowed here either. Since that's the case, what else can I do besides staying at home? Play with other Children?"
That's right, Durandal didn't think from Tina's perspective and forgot that it's hard for human Children to find work. That little flower-selling girl, despite looking so young, was actually an adult; she was just a legal loli, don't misunderstand.
Tina is only eight years old; even if she wants to do something, she needs to grow a bit taller, otherwise, it would be too difficult.
"Then what do you plan to do in the future? Even without your previous strength, you must have inherited some of your mental power, right?"
"Yes, I inherited some. I've decided to pursue the path of a mage. Although I haven't obtained a Vision yet, I still have the memories of those mages who fought me, aside from the demon world inhabitants. While I can't compare to that woman, I do understand a bit."
Unlike Durandal, she didn't arrive directly in this world. The current her doesn't have Durandal's powerful abilities; at most, her mental power is extraordinary.
She has already planned to visit the Sumeru Akademiya when the right opportunity arises, as she seems to be able to learn a lot of knowledge there.
The two chatted briefly, then Tina's gaze turned to the others who came with Durandal.
"What is their relationship with you? From your appearance, you seem quite close."
"I'm traveling with them, preparing to go to other nations to learn certain secrets from the Seven Gods."
"Heh-eh~ Traveling together? So, companions. How rare. From their looks, they seem to know about our matters too."
The reason Tina spoke so casually with Durandal about past events was that she could tell Lumine and Shenhe had some understanding, which made her feel at ease.
To be able to earn Durandal's trust, and to such an extent… these guys are quite something.
I just don't know if there are other situations I'm unaware of besides being companions. Perhaps their relationship is even closer than she thinks.
"What a pity. If I were still as powerful as before, I could directly browse their memories and understand your story."
ε=(´ο｀*))) Ah~ In the past, I used to rely on mental power to understand what I wanted to know, but now I can't do that. This feeling is quite helpless.
"Um, excuse me. Were you and Durandal… friends before?" Lumine finally couldn't help but ask.
"No. Although we are both Apostles, that doesn't mean our relationship was good. You know her situation back then; even other Apostles weren't very willing to approach her. Without even approaching, let alone being friends."
"Not friends? Then why are you…"
"Perhaps it's seeing a familiar face in a different world, and we can't help but want to have a good chat. Although our past relationship wasn't good, we aren't enemies, are we?"
Durandal nodded cooperatively. Besides that woman, she was willing to chat with other Apostles, provided that Apostle wasn't looking for trouble.
She also didn't think other Apostles would reincarnate into this world like Tina. Even if other Apostles were to be eliminated in Hulder's plan, the probability of them coming to Teyvat together was minuscule.
"You came to see me this time because of those uncles from the Knights of Favonius? I know why you're here. When you return to the Adventurers' Guild, just tell them I'm doing very well and not to worry about me. I just wanted to rest properly then, which is why I didn't want to meet them."
"Rest properly?" Durandal looked at Tina, puzzled. "What? Even in human form, you need to hibernate?"
"Mind your own business. I just don't want to do anything; I just want to lie in bed. Do you have any objections?"
When she used to dwell in the ocean, hibernation was just closing her eyes to pass the time, but now, sleeping was truly enjoyable. After all, there's nothing more comfortable than lying in bed, hugging a blanket.
The only regret was needing to eat, otherwise, sleeping on an empty stomach was a very uncomfortable experience.
"Since it's a reunion of old friends, how about we have dinner here tonight? May we borrow your kitchen, little Tina?"
"…No objection, as long as you don't blow up my kitchen, everything else is fine."
Speaking of which, she hadn't had dinner yet. She originally planned to have some snacks to tide her over, but now with a free dinner, she naturally welcomed it.
However, when she saw Durandal enter the kitchen with them, she couldn't help but call out to her: "Wait a minute, are you helping too? Can you do it? I don't want dinner to put my life in danger."
"Hmph, just you wait, you smelly octopus."
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