Aila darted forward with a sudden feint, forcing Tartaglia to pivot as a rippling Hydro afterimage flared into being behind him. In that instant of stolen focus, she unleashed the Hydro slash she had long prepared, sweeping in from the flank.
Watching from not far away, the nearby Debt Collector felt his breath seize. If that had been aimed at him, he knew—he would have been utterly unable to withstand it.
"Heh."
Yet at this so-called 'critical' moment, Tartaglia let out a low laugh. Violet lightning surged across his frame, a mask manifesting over his features as he raised his hand. Hydro and Electro intertwined, warping into a single violent current. His twin Hydro blades dissolved—replaced in the next heartbeat by a spear of pure, crackling violet.
With speed beyond mortal sight, Tartaglia seized the spear and met Aila's incoming Hydro slash head-on.
"Boom!!!"
The impact detonated outward. The earth beneath Tartaglia's feet sank a few inches, shockwaves of Hydro and Electro bursting from the point of clash.
"…."
Kuki Shinobu's brows knit. With a swift movement she drew several talismans and scattered them in all directions.
If this elemental surge ran unchecked, nearby buildings would not escape unscathed.
Futsu Mitama's house, purchased only two days ago, sat directly beside them. A direct hit from this outpouring of elemental force… they would likely be spending the night at an inn.
No sooner had Kuki Shinobu thrown her talismans than Hu Tao, from who-knows-where, produced her own and flung them outward. A barrier of warded light flared to life—jointly erected by the two—shielding the street from the aftershocks of Aila and Tartaglia's clash.
"It was blocked—"
Aila's complexion had gone pale. Watching her strike fail to break through Tartaglia's guard, a faint disappointment stirred in her gaze. She had anticipated that he might be capable of stopping it. Still, she had used a Hydro afterimage to draw away even a sliver of his attention.
She had never intended to kill him—merely wound him with the strongest blow she could muster.
Yet the result was failure. She had already expended Mirrors Reflection of Tranquility in her earlier battle against the Primo Geovishap. To activate it again now against Tartaglia left her at her limits; only one decisive strike remained, and she could not produce a second.
And despite the loss, a strange serenity settled in her chest. No anxiety. No outward regret. She had lost—but she had also gained.
Through her exchange with Tartaglia, Aila had seen a glimpse… a path to push Mirrors Reflection of Tranquility even further.
"Swish!!!"
Tartaglia lunged once more, lightning spear in hand, laughter bubbling up with fierce exhilaration. "Beautiful attack! Truly splendid!!! Come!!! Let's continue—don't stop now!!!"
High on the thrill of battle, Tartaglia had long forgotten he was in Liyue Harbor. With his Vision and Delusion awakened…
He felt as though he could fight Aila for hundreds more rounds. Aila steadied her trembling hand on the tachi. Even drained of strength, she met his approach without fear—already calculating where a weakness might lie, how she might counterstrike.
"Clang—!!!"
Just then, Futsu Mitama stepped forward. Musou Isshin flashed, intercepting Tartaglia's lightning spear. He had noticed Aila's aura fall from the state of Mirrors Reflection of Tranquility.
She had warned him and Kuki Shinobu on the way back to Liyue Harbor: her control over the technique was incomplete. She could only strike three times before collapsing, helpless.
Two had already been unleashed against the Geovishap. The third—against Tartaglia—had just spent the last of her strength.
Though her face remained calm, Futsu Mitama could see the subtle tremor running through her frame. Thus, he stepped in.
"Finally making a move?" Tartaglia's excitement only grew. He barked a laugh. "I've heard much about you. I don't care for Scaramouche nor for the Harbinger rank, but their power speaks for itself. The fact that you can contend with them says enough. From that clash just now—I can feel it. You're strong. Strong enough for me to go all out!"
Without waiting for an answer, he thrust forward again, spear jabbing with relentless ferocity. He who had tempered his martial skill within the Abyss itself fought with monstrous refinement.
But Futsu Mitama did not falter. Violet lightning shimmered in his eyes, the Chakra Desiderata manifesting behind him, and Musou Isshin parried each blow with unerring precision.
"Bang bang bang bang—!!"
"Boom—!! Zzzzzzzzz—!!!"
Blade and spear—both born of Electro—rang against each other, thunder cracking with every impact. In scarcely thirty seconds, the two had exchanged more than a hundred blows.
Tartaglia's arts were sculpted in the Abyss.
Futsu Mitama's were forged through merciless rotation under the tutelage of three Raiden Shogun's.
In a drawn-out contest of pure technique, Futsu Mitama lagged behind and could be forced into a disadvantage…perhaps even injured. But technique was not all he possessed. He had not yet called upon the combat forms taught directly by Raiden Ei.
"Clang—!!!"
They broke apart on mutual instinct, stepping back to widen the distance.
"Invigorating! Absolutely invigorating!!! Hahahahaha!!! Since arriving in Liyue, I've never had such a satisfying fight!"
Tartaglia's eyes blazed, sensing his opponent still held power in reserve. He held back too—out of necessity. Their environment was ill-suited for full-strength elemental combat. If they were in the wilderness, he would be hurling Hydro and Electro techniques freely.
Futsu Mitama, he suspected, must have similar reservations.
If he knew Tartaglia's thoughts, he would've corrected him immediately. His strongest move—Musou no Hitotachi, wielded with the Electro Archon's authority—was devastating but precise.
He simply saw no reason to reveal it here. Tartaglia could not be killed, and exposing his trump card to a battle-hungry Harbinger would be…inconvenient.
"Then let's settle this!"
Tartaglia lifted his spear, voice trembling with thrill. "Time is short—but a fight demands a victor!"
Before the words even faded, he became a streak of lightning and charged.
"Swish—!!"
An arrow laced with icy air whistled across their path.
"!"
Tartaglia swerved aside, instantly alert, gaze snapping toward the rooftop.
There, a young woman with long blue hair and Qilin horns stood poised, her voice cool and steady. "Within Liyue Harbor, combat is prohibited. You have overstepped, Snezhnayan Diplomat."
Her eyes shifted to Futsu Mitama. "And you as well, Retainer of the Raiden Shogun. Should either of you persist, I will ask both of you to leave Liyue Harbor."
She drew her bow once more, a chilling aura coalescing along the string. Her intention was unmistakable—continue fighting, and she would remove them by force.
Fighting was forbidden in Liyue Harbor. Such was the decree of Rex Lapis.
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding—we were simply sparring." Tartaglia dismissed his stance with a bright laugh. "My hands were itching, so I exchanged a few blows with Futsu Mitama."
"By Liyue law, sparring in public warrants a fine. This is ours."
At his gesture, the Debt Collector stepped forward again, offering a pouch of mora.
The blue-haired woman caught it silently, accepting the settlement. Their identities were too sensitive—a Harbinger, and one bearing the Electro Archon's authority. And the street bore little damage; the heaviest penalty would be a week's imprisonment.
"Well then—until next time. That was an excellent bout. Let's continue it outside Liyue Harbor."
Tartaglia waved jauntily at Futsu Mitama before departing with the Debt Collector. Kuki Shinobu and Hu Tao retrieved their talismans at last.
"I didn't expect you to know talisman arts too," Hu Tao remarked, surprised. A ninja wielding technique descended from Liyue's own traditions?
"I used to be a shrine maiden," Kuki Shinobu replied plainly. Then she looked toward the rooftop and asked, "Who is she?"
"Oh, her? You must've heard of her. Secretary of the Qixing—Ganyu."
Hu Tao waved up at the Qilin woman cheerfully. "Sister Ganyu! Why are you here?! Dinner with me?!"
"!"
A faint symbol of danger seemed to flash above Ganyu's head. She quickly shook her head, her previous composure slipping. "No, no—I am here to speak with Futsu Mitama, the Raiden Shogun's Retainer."
She leapt down gracefully. Of course, she knew Hu Tao. Everyone in Liyue Harbor did—Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, constant source of headaches…but also an endearing junior.
A junior who, unfortunately, kept trying to feed her meat dishes. And Ganyu could not eat meat.
"Looking for me?" Futsu Mitama tilted his head. He had considered this possibility. Returning to Liyue Harbor after the Geovishap incident and the Abyss traces in the abandoned mine…a summons from the Qixing was unsurprising. Tianquan Ningguang, in particular, seemed the likeliest.
"Yes." Ganyu's tone remained composed, though her goodwill had waned after seeing him engage a Diplomat in combat. Minimal damage or not, she was displeased.
It felt almost like…a neighbor's child barging into her room and nearly knocking over her treasured belongings.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself."
Despite her irritation, she spoke with formal clarity. "I serve as emissary of the Qixing. My name is Ganyu, Secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion. I have been sent to meet with all of you."
"Secretary? Ganyu?" Aila stepped closer to Futsu Mitama, examining the Qilin woman curiously.
Something felt odd to her. Azhdaha had once said that in her youth, Ganyu was so fat she choked a beast to death. Yet the woman before her looked…quite delicate.
Could she transform? Did she have a second form—so round and heavy she could choke a monster to death?
The thought filled Aila, weakened as she was, with sudden curiosity. Just how fat had she once been?
Kuki Shinobu, too, stared with intrigue. She had never met the Secretary in person.
And…she was definitely not fat. How peculiar.
But asking that question outright? Kuki Shinobu had a strong instinct that it would be dangerous. So she wisely held her tongue.
"Yes," Ganyu continued, trying to ignore their strange stares. "To be exact, I serve as the secretary overseeing all Qixing affairs, and at present, I also act as Lady Ningguang's envoy."
"Mr. Futsu Mitama, as a Retainer of the Raiden Shogun, your arrival slipped past our awareness. Lady Ningguang regrets our lacking hospitality. She requests that you and your companions join her as guests in the Jade Chamber."
Her gaze fell to Futsu Mitama, awaiting his answer. If he refused, she could not force him.
"Ah? The Jade Chamber?" Hu Tao wilted at once. "But I prepared dinner…!"
She had planned to redeem yesterday's embarrassment—prove her cooking was edible. She had even bought ingredients specifically for today.
"!!!!" ×4
At her words, Futsu Mitama, Aila, Kuki Shinobu, and Ganyu all stiffened.
"My apologies, Director Hu." Futsu Mitama straightened, expression serious. "If Lady Ningguang is inviting us, we should make haste."
"Surely she has something she wishes to discuss. Wouldn't you agree, Miss Ganyu?"
Hearing Futsu Mitama's words, Ganyu nodded at once, gently aligning herself with him as she said, "Yes—let's head over quickly. Miss Ningguang has been waiting for you for quite some time."
"Ahh truly? Well, forget it There'll be plenty of time later" Hu Tao sighed with exaggerated helplessness, then brightened instantly. Flashing a sun-drenched smile, she leaned toward Futsu Mitama. "We're neighbors, after all. I'll be waiting for you to come back. Then you can try the dishes I make."
Her cheer was radiant enough to warm the air—yet in that moment, Futsu Mitama once again felt the same quiet dread as that unspoken middle-aged neighbor who had moved out without warning. The man's willingness to accept financial loss rather than remain next door said everything about how fearsome Hu Tao truly was.
"…" Ganyu looked at Futsu Mitama with a trace of sympathy. For a breath, she genuinely felt that this retainer of the Raiden Shogun was rather pitiful.
And so, with Ganyu leading the way, Futsu Mitama and the others followed her toward the Jade Chamber.
Hu Tao waved them off from behind, calling for them to take care on the road.
The journey passed in tranquil silence. Ganyu did not speak—she simply guided them along the mountain paths with quiet diligence.
Futsu Mitama, however, found himself wanting to initiate a conversation. After all—this was Ganyu. The open-world's premier archer: two charged shots, and most foes would fall. Beautiful, unfailingly polite, and with years of service as Liyue's Secretary… she was surely quite wealthy as well.
More importantly, her power was undeniable. The arrow she had loosed earlier—driving Tartaglia back—made it clear that although she disliked conflict, her raw strength was absolute.
This was, after all, a being who had taken part in the Archon War.
And on top of everything else—building a good relationship with Ganyu in Liyue could only bring benefit, never harm.
With such thoughts simmering, Futsu Mitama silently opened the Chat Group.
[Futsu Mitama: "I've met Ganyu, the Qixing's Secretary. We're headed to the Jade Chamber now."]
[Raiden Makoto: "You've met that qilin? Also, what exactly is this 'Jade Chamber'?"]
[Azhdaha: "Turn on livestream. Let me see what Ganyu looks like now. It's been ages. I wonder if she's grown stronger."]
[Azhdaha: "I told her long ago—qilin can eat meat. Her parents did. Why can't she? Yet she insists on eating vegetarian every single day."]
[Zhongli: "Qilin are benevolent beasts of the adepti. They drink only sweet dew and eat only fine grains. They tread on no insects, break no living grass, gather not in groups, and do not fall into traps. At rest, they are graceful; in motion, dignified. They are a gentle and refined race."]
[Zhongli: "It is perfectly normal that she does not eat meat."]
[Azhdaha: "Normal? If she doesn't eat meat, her body will only grow weaker. What if she meets a powerful foe and Morax is not by her side?"]
[Yae Miko: "Sister Ganyu's body is a little frail, but if you forced her to eat meat, Azhdaha, she would probably fight you to the death."]
[Azhdaha: "Fight me to the death? It can't be that serious~ It's just meat. That little one wouldn't go that far."]
[Futsu Mitama: "@Yae Miko, sea ganoderma."]
[Yae Miko: "Oh my Little one, your information network is quite impressive You actually know the gift I gave Sister Ganyu back then was fresh sea ganoderma."]
[Yae Miko: "Though sea ganoderma is simple, this batch was handpicked by the wise and beautiful Lady Yae herself. Could you not show a little appreciation?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "@Sangonomiya Kokomi @Kamisato Ayaka Help me!!! Please send fresh sea ganoderma."]
[Yae Miko: "Eh?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Ah? Sea ganoderma? Give me a moment—I'll send Gorou to gather some."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "I've sent Thoma to collect a batch. It should arrive soon."]
[Yae Miko: "Little one!!!!!!!"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "…"]
[Aila: "As expected of the young master."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Hahaha, what an amusing scene."]
Outside the Chat Group, the corner of Futsu Mitama's mouth quirked upward. Truly hilarious. Sea ganoderma grew everywhere in Inazuma. With both Ayaka and Kokomi willing to help, he hardly needed to rely on Yae Miko.
And besides…teasing that sly fox was strangely addictive. Not that Futsu Mitama wanted to bully her; she simply always played around in such a mischievous manner that refusing to indulge her felt only natural.
"Oh—right."
At that moment, Ganyu broke the silence. Perhaps the wordless walk had begun to feel awkward to her.
She turned slightly toward Futsu Mitama and asked, "How is Yae Miko faring these days?"
Ganyu and Yae Miko were friends; before the Sakoku Decree, the two handled many matters between Liyue and Inazuma. To her, it was only natural that a retainer of the Raiden Shogun would be well-acquainted with the Guuji.
"Hm…" Futsu Mitama glanced at Yae Miko—currently filling the chat with curses—then answered solemnly, "She's doing very well. When she came, she also entrusted me to deliver fresh sea ganoderma to you."
As he spoke, he raised his hand. A flicker of violet lightning flashed—and several freshly harvested sea ganoderma appeared in his palm.
"!!!"
Ganyu's lips parted slightly in astonishment. She stared at the sea ganoderma, wide-eyed. "Your preservation method is incredible…It looks as though it was harvested moments ago."
"There's even moisture beading on it! Is this a technique Lady Raiden taught you?"
Futsu Mitama's expression tightened subtly, while Aila and Kuki Shinobu both looked away.
With access to the Chat Group, they naturally knew the truth: these had indeed been freshly picked. Gorou had reportedly sprinted straight to the shore the instant Kokomi gave the order—returning with the harvest in under a minute.
From there, the sea ganoderma simply passed into Futsu Mitama's hands.
"Ah… yes…" Unable to explain the Chat Group, he could only nod lightly.
Ganyu lifted one to her lips and took a gentle bite. A soft brightness warmed her usually serene expression. She was clearly pleased. Sea ganoderma could be eaten raw, and the flavor was surprisingly good. Futsu Mitama had tried one shortly after transmigrating and found it delightfully fresh.
"It's very fresh—more delicious than the ones Miko brought me." Ganyu finished them in a few delicate bites, her gaze toward Futsu Mitama subtly shifting.
In her eyes, it now seemed obvious that Tartaglia must have deliberately provoked the conflict earlier. A young man who bore the Electro Archon's authority, showed proper manners, and even presented a gift—such a person hardly appeared to be a troublemaker.
By contrast, that Fatui Harbinger was well-known for being anything but peaceful. As Liyue's Secretary, Ganyu received a stream of intelligence reports every day; she was well aware of the Fatui's unrest. Still, because of the assistance they once provided in sealing The Chasm, Liyue maintained a diplomatic leniency—as long as their actions did not cross the line.
Thanks to the sea ganoderma, Ganyu's attitude softened markedly. The two chatted lightly, and before long, they reached the point of ascent to the Jade Chamber. With Ganyu accompanying them, no guards intervened, and they swiftly rose toward the palace in the skies.
Kuki Shinobu exhaled softly, never having imagined she would one day set foot upon the Jade Chamber. Aila, meanwhile, stared in open wonder. In her eyes, such a marvel was undoubtedly a "miracle." Yet according to Young Master and Kuki Shinobu, this structure had been built entirely by the current Tianquan.
In other words…a mortal had accomplished this. Was that not far too incredible?
Futsu Mitama felt similarly. Though he had seen the Jade Chamber fall and be rebuilt in the game, the sensation of ascending it with his own body—legs subtly weak from acrophobia—was exhilarating in a way he had never anticipated.
When they arrived, Tianquan Ningguang was already waiting. She and her three retainers stood outside, letting the breeze play through the silks of their garments as they welcomed the approaching group.
"Miss Ningguang, the Raiden Shogun's retainer has arrived," Ganyu reported in her usual businesslike tone.
"Thank you for your hard work, Ganyu."
Ningguang, dignified and poised, offered her a polite nod before turning her gaze toward Futsu Mitama, Kuki Shinobu, and Aila.
Her eyes lingered on Aila briefly, a hint of surprise surfacing. "This maid," she asked with a pleasant smile, "may I trouble you to tell me…your surname?"
Aila's brows knit. Ever since arriving in Liyue, people seemed strangely interested in her surname. Zhongli had asked earlier. Now Ningguang asked the same. Were they truly that curious?
Noticing Aila's reaction, Ningguang seemed to reach a conclusion of her own. "Don't be concerned," she reassured gently. "You simply resemble a few old acquaintances of mine."
"They are well-known merchants of ore and textiles in Liyue Harbor. But many people resemble one another in this world—there is no need to read too much into it."
But the more Ningguang spoke, the more Aila's unease grew. Zhongli had mentioned it. Ningguang had mentioned it. Even the Shopkeeper's Daughter had given her strange looks. Her thoughts churned. The Mind Eye meditation she had just comprehended nearly shattered.
"Everyone, it's rather windy out here. Please, let us continue inside the Jade Chamber. The tea is brewed, and the refreshments are prepared."
With that, Ningguang turned and walked in with her retainers.
Ganyu followed.
Futsu Mitama glanced toward Aila. "Are you alright?" he whispered.
Kuki Shinobu also regarded her with concern, sensing the faint instability in Aila's emotions—and understanding its cause. For both Zhongli and Ningguang to ask the same question… clearly, there were people in Liyue Harbor who resembled Aila, and those people likely held significant status.
From the Shopkeeper's Daughter—left alone to manage the Guiyan Assembly while her parents traveled—it was clear they were confident that even if she made mistakes, someone in Liyue would be able to support her.
"It's nothing." Aila shook her head lightly. Then she looked at Futsu Mitama and said firmly, "Young Master, don't worry. I'm only a little irritated."
Futsu Mitama's expression grew complicated. He wanted her to face her past—but he had already promised that she could choose for herself whether to pursue her memories or remain as she was now. And for the moment… she chose the latter.
"What's the matter?"
Ganyu peeked out from the entrance, puzzled. "Did something happen?"
Aila did not wish to delay them. "It's nothing. I just have a bit of acrophobia and needed a moment to adjust."
Then she glanced at Futsu Mitama as if reminding him gently—Young Master, we should go in.
"…Sigh." Futsu Mitama exhaled helplessly, saying nothing more—but he committed the matter firmly to heart.
The three quickly followed Ganyu into one of the Jade Chamber's rooms.
Fragrant tea and delicate pastries had been set out in advance.
Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Kuki Shinobu seated themselves opposite Ningguang. Ganyu took a seat nearby, while Ningguang's young retainers stood quietly at the side.
"Please, have some tea," Ningguang said, offering a cup to Futsu Mitama.
"You're too generous." He accepted it, taking a small sip—only for a spark of surprise to flash in his eyes. The aroma was exquisite.
Even more fragrant than the tea Zhongli brewed at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Clearly, both the leaves and the brewer were exceptional.
After the tea, Ningguang began with light conversation—Futsu Mitama's impressions of his three days in Liyue, what had left the deepest impression, whether the cuisine suited him.
He answered honestly: Liyue was wonderful—far better than Inazuma. The food was delicious, he felt utterly safe, the skewer vendor was kind, and even the monsters were hospitable.
But soon, the pleasantries ended.
Ningguang's gaze sharpened slightly. "Actually," she said, "I wished to ask you about the Primo Geovishap and the abandoned mine."
"That the Primo Geovishap reappeared after several centuries is unexpected—but still within reason."
"However…regarding the abandoned mine, I hope you can tell me more."
The resurgence of Primo Geovishaps did not surprise Ningguang too greatly. Ever since taking the seat of Tianquan, she had understood well the dangers that slumbered beneath Liyue's lands. Matters that seemed trivial to the Geo Archon were serious concerns for the Qixing. Liyue could not rely on the old man for everything. If they did, then what purpose would the Qixing serve?
She disagreed with many of Keqing's views—but on one point, they were fully aligned: They were no longer children sheltered beneath the Geo Archon's hand. They had the ability—and the responsibility—to resolve the problems before them.
If they called upon the Archon for every matter, hoping for divine might to eliminate all threats, then the very existence of the Qixing would lose its meaning. The Primo Geovishap could be entrusted to the Adepti, yet those of another mind—whether it was Keqing in the abandoned mine or Ningguang now—sought to reveal the truth through their own methods.
"As expected." Futsu Mitama had, of course, realized that Ningguang's true purpose in calling him here concerned this matter. The idea that she had prepared tea and pastries solely because she learned he served under the Raiden Shogun was far too naïve to consider.
Ningguang was a shrewd fox, no less cunning than Yae Miko herself. Within Liyue Harbor, her reach in information was second to none—and with Beidou as one of her channels, very little escaped her notice. If Beidou had brought him to Liyue, then Ningguang had almost certainly obtained a full report on him before he even set foot in the harbor.
And even if Beidou had said nothing, the Fatui discussed him so incessantly that news of someone wielding an Electro Archon's authority would inevitably reach Ningguang long beforehand. As for whether he was a "Retainer" of the Raiden Shogun—to Liyue, any foreigner who carried divine authority—save perhaps the Harbingers—would naturally be regarded as such.
Knowing exactly what she wished to discuss, Futsu Mitama saw no reason to conceal anything. "What do you want to know? Actually, everything I could say, I've already told that General."
Ningguang's lips curved into a soft smile, tinged with a rare hint of apology. "I must trouble you regardless. I would still like to hear the account from your own mouth."
She knew he had already explained matters once. Yet details shift each time a story changes hands. As the foremost broker of intelligence in Liyue Harbor, Ningguang would never accept a report dulled by second- or third-hand retellings. Thus, she simply wished to hear how the one who lived the experience would recount it.
"Alright." Futsu Mitama did not refuse. Enjoying the rare pastries placed before him, he calmly began recounting everything that had transpired in the abandoned mine.
Their initial mining efforts. The battle with the Geovishap Hatchlings. The moment they heard the deep "snoring" of the Primo Geovishap. Following that breath—only to encounter dozens of Vishaps.
At that time, as he weighed the two options before him—force his way through, or… force his way through—
A voice echoed from the exit: the unmistakable chant of an Abyss Mage.
"Wait a moment."
Ningguang raised her hand, interrupting his narration. "Are you certain it was an Abyss Mage? How many were there? Could you infer anything from the sound of its voice?"
Now it was Futsu Mitama's turn to be taken aback. "Didn't the Millelith see the Abyss Mage too? Why do you sound so concerned about whether they were present or not?"
Ningguang offered no evasions. "Actually, the Millelith did not see any Abyss Mages. When they arrived with Xiangling of Wanmin Restaurant— They only saw the Hilichurl Shamans at the end. From the intensity of the commotion deeper inside the mine, they inferred the possible presence of Abyss Mages."
Indeed, the Millelith who arrived first had never seen them directly. Their conclusion had been speculation, stitched from limited evidence.
"I can confirm it was an Abyss Mage."
Kuki Shinobu spoke up at last, her voice calm and even. "I've studied a little of the Abyss language."
"Hmm?!" All seven present turned simultaneously toward her—eyes wide, stunned—each expression seeming to say: You learned what? How?
Futsu Mitama gazed at her with pure admiration. As expected—Kuki Shinobu truly had dabbled in everything. A miniature walking encyclopedia of Teyvat, more reliable than Paimon by far. Paimon might call herself a guide, but sometimes she knew absolutely nothing.
Futsu Mitama felt increasingly vindicated in his decision to recruit Shinobu back then. Her presence had made countless matters far easier.
Ningguang regarded Shinobu with clear intrigue. She now understood: the trio before her were not simply visitors—they were talents.
The maid, Ayaka—her usefulness was still unknown, yet her poise and conduct suggested someone exceptionally adept at tending to people.
Futsu Mitama—Inazuma's rising figure whom even Keqing wished to recruit. Ningguang trusted Keqing's eye; she would never set her sights on someone without true ability.
And now Kuki Shinobu—trained in shrine arts, clad like a ninja, educated in Liyue's legal studies and apparently capable of deciphering the language of the Abyss itself.
Ningguang's gaze drifted among the three, sharp and calculating. She was already pondering how best to employ talents such as these; leaving them idle would be nothing short of a waste.
"So—what did they say at the time?"
Aila, ever curious, tilted her head slightly.
Kuki Shinobu thought for a moment, then replied slowly, "At that time—I heard the Abyss Mage say: 'Kill all these crawling insects on the ground.'"
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