"Is what you said true?"
Raiden Ei stood up at once.
There was no trace left of her earlier composure and calm.
If it had been anyone else claiming they dreamed of Sasayuri's reincarnation appearing in Mondstadt, she would have simply smiled it off. She would never have reacted like this.
But the one who delivered this news was Yae Miko.
Yae Miko—also known as Lady Guuji—served as the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
It was said that Lady Guuji rarely dreamed.
Because when she did, her dreams either reflected reality—
—or foretold the future.
No matter which it was, both possibilities meant the same thing.
Sasayuri's reincarnation had already returned to this world.
"What exactly did you see?"
Raiden Ei asked anxiously.
"I saw two scenes," Yae Miko replied with a knowing smile.
"One good, one bad. My dear friend—would you like to hear the good news first, or the bad?"
"At a time like this, you're still teasing me?"
Raiden Ei snapped, clearly irritated.
"All right, all right~ Look how flustered you are."
Yae Miko knew just how important Sasayuri was to her, so she raised a finger and said,
"The first dream is exactly what I mentioned earlier. Sasayuri's reincarnation has appeared in Mondstadt."
"In this life, his name is Mode Ganqing. He serves as a diplomatic envoy of the Knights of Favonius."
"…That's the good news, right?"
Raiden Ei nodded, then asked again,
"What about the bad?"
"The bad news is…"
Yae Miko's gaze grew solemn.
"I saw Sasayuri standing on Celestia, surrounded by the seven elements—drawing his sword against the Heavenly Principles."
"The Heavenly Principles…"
A flash of killing intent crossed Raiden Ei's eyes.
"If you choose to stand against Eternity, I will not hold back."
"Easy, easy~"
Yae Miko waved her hand with a laugh.
"That's something from the future. It's still a long way off~"
"You said before that you planned to go to Mondstadt,"
Raiden Ei asked.
"Is it to see Sasayuri?"
"Yes."
Yae Miko nodded.
"I want to confirm it myself—see whether he still remembers anything from back then."
As she finished speaking, a playful glint flashed through her eyes.
"But what's this? You look troubled~ Are you embarrassed that Sasayuri might find out you built an Eternal Nation just for him?"
"That's not it!"
Raiden Ei turned her head away, flatly denying it.
"Oh? Then why haven't I heard you say you're coming with me to Mondstadt?"
Yae Miko asked curiously.
She knew very well that this dear friend of hers valued Sasayuri no less than she did.
Yet now, Raiden Ei seemed strangely hesitant about meeting him again.
"I… I still haven't fulfilled something I promised Sasayuri…"
Raiden Ei stammered, her voice uncertain.
"I'm afraid he'll scold me again…"
She was clearly feeling guilty.
"Hm? A promise?"
Yae Miko raised an eyebrow.
"Sasayuri said… he wanted to try a bento I made with my own hands…"
"But I still haven't learned how…"
"…Hiss."
Yae Miko sucked in a sharp breath, staring at Raiden Ei in disbelief.
"Sasayuri…"
"Good thing you passed away early back then~!"
…
…
Meanwhile, Lin Mo had no idea what was happening in Inazuma.
When he woke up, he found that Eula was no longer in the room.
Getting out of bed, he noticed a note left on the bedside table.
[Acting Grand Master Jean asked Klee to invite us to discuss the dragon crisis.]
[You were sleeping so soundly—I didn't have the heart to wake you.]
…
"Damn it, how did I forget something this important!"
Lin Mo slapped his thigh in frustration.
Lust really was a blade hanging over one's head.
Last night had been far too enjoyable—afterward, he'd drifted off blissfully, forgetting everything else.
He'd even forgotten the very reason he was supposed to help Lumine obtain a permit—
—to find a chance to arm-wrestle Paimon.
Lin Mo hurriedly glanced out the window.
The sun was already high in the sky. It was nearly noon the next day.
They had probably finished discussing countermeasures for the dragon crisis long ago.
They might have even left Mondstadt already to deal with it.
Lin Mo quickly dressed himself, hoping he could still catch up to the main group and take part in the main storyline.
Because…
He was genuinely worried that some unnoticed detail might cause the plot to derail.
If possible, he wanted to participate in the story from start to finish—
to monitor its progression and pull it back on track the moment it began to stray.
After tidying his clothes, Lin Mo headed straight for the bedroom door.
Click.
But just as he opened it—
A familiar figure appeared, causing him to freeze.
Clatter.
A broom fell to the floor.
Standing in the corridor, the maid Noelle stared at Lin Mo in disbelief.
She covered her mouth, trembling with excitement, as if she couldn't trust her own eyes.
"…This is bad,"
Lin Mo thought grimly.
"Lord Lin Mo…"
Noelle's voice shook as she spoke, joy overflowing.
"I never imagined… you were the Knights' new member…"
"Lord Lin Mo? My name is Mode Ganqing."
Lin Mo feigned confusion.
"Who are you talking about?"
That's right.
He had no intention of admitting it.
"But… you're the Lord Lin Mo who guided me in my dreams!"
Noelle said hesitantly.
The man before her was exactly the life mentor she had seen in her dreams.
So why wouldn't he acknowledge it?
"What dream? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Lin Mo turned his face away, denying it to the end.
Because in that previous lifetime's invitation quest—
titled Guiding Noelle of the Knights of Favonius to Become an Independent Knight—
Lin Mo had chosen an encouragement-based teaching method.
Every time Noelle completed a major goal, he would grant her a small wish.
But by the time she had grown so strong that people in Liyue jokingly called her the "Geo Archon Princess,"
she had only made two wishes.
Which meant—
He still owed her five wishes.
Granted, those two wishes were simply for him to take her traveling across the continent.
But what if, in this life, she decided to make another wish?
He was far too busy now. How could he possibly spare time to roam mountains and rivers with her?
No. He couldn't admit his identity.
Those five wishes had to be swallowed whole!
"Lord Lin Mo~ Do you really not recognize me?"
Noelle asked softly, unwilling to give up.
--------
T/N:
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