Liyue Harbor was finally within reach.
Just a few more mountain ridges, and he'd be home.
"Caelg, I'm heading this way. I guess this is goodbye for now."
Mona pointed in a different direction, smiling.
After several days together, Mona had long realized that this so-called Dark Archon was nothing like the terrifying being of legend. He was relaxed, humorous—almost annoyingly easygoing.
Traveling with him had been… unexpectedly pleasant.
"Alright," Caelg nodded, waving. "Take care."
"Mm! Bye!"
Mona turned and left, her cloak fluttering as she disappeared down the road.
Soon, only Caelg remained.
He hadn't gone far when he spotted a familiar small figure.
A tiny girl stood on tiptoe, stretching her legs as far as they would go, trying—and failing—to reach a Glaze Lily growing on a higher ledge.
Caelg smiled, stepped forward, and plucked it down with ease.
"Xiaocheng… brother!"
Qiqi looked up at him.
Her expression barely changed—but her eyes clearly lit up.
"How have you been lately, Qiqi?"
He gently patted her head.
"…Good," Qiqi replied slowly.
"Go with Baizhu… see patients… gather herbs."
He handed her the Glaze Lily.
"That's great. I just got back from Mondstadt.
By the way—still have enough coconut milk?"
Qiqi nodded.
"…Enough."
She hesitated, then tugged lightly on his sleeve.
"Xiaocheng… brother… can you… walk back with Qiqi?"
She looked up at him, her gaze quiet but pleading.
Being stared at like that, by Qiqi of all people—
Refusing was simply impossible.
Caelg straightened instantly, righteous as ever.
"Of course! I'd be honored!"
Qiqi stared at him for a long moment.
It made him uneasy.
"…What's wrong, Qiqi?"
"Qiqi… wants to smile," she said softly.
"Xiaocheng… brother once said… he likes seeing me smile… but Qiqi can't…"
"I don't remember saying—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
That was probably me. The old me.
Which meant—
He had known Qiqi before her death.
And yet… she had still become a zombie.
Why hadn't he saved her?
"Qiqi… wants to smile. Wants to…"
Her voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
He crouched and spoke gently.
"It's okay if you can't smile. You don't have to force it.
Qiqi like this… is already wonderful."
She nodded obediently.
"…Okay. Not smiling."
Her eyes, however, seemed dimmer.
He reached out and patted her head again.
"Come on. Let's head back."
Suddenly, Qiqi clasped his hand with both of hers.
Caelg froze.
She looked down at their hands, puzzled.
"…Warm. Brother's hand… is warm."
She paused.
"But Qiqi's… feels cold.
Is it… because I'm dead?"
The words struck like a knife.
"…Qiqi," Caelg said quietly, tightening his grip.
"Let's go home."
"…Mm. Home."
They walked together.
"Xiaocheng brother…" Qiqi spoke again after a while.
"When Qiqi first woke up… I forgot everything… even you…"
She looked up at him.
"But when I saw you again… I remembered."
She hesitated.
"You won't… leave Qiqi… right?
Qiqi doesn't want to forget… again."
He smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Haha, of course not. I'm not someone like that.
I won't leave you."
Qiqi nodded, trusting him completely.
Inside, Caelg was already planning—
I need to ask Zhongli. There has to be more to this.
By the time they reached Liyue Harbor, Qiqi's steps slowed.
When Caelg mentioned heading to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, her body stiffened.
She muttered that Baizhu needed her—and quickly scurried away.
Caelg watched her retreating figure and smiled faintly.
"—And thus, in those turbulent days, Liyue stood on the brink, as the Geo Archon and the Dark Archon—"
The moment he stepped into Third-Round Knockout, a storyteller's voice rang out.
He coughed awkwardly.
Why is my own legend so embarrassing to hear…
Spotting a familiar figure, he sat down.
"Welcome back, old friend."
Zhongli took a calm sip of tea.
Caelg nodded.
"Didn't gain much this trip—but my strength has recovered quite a bit."
"How is Barbatos?" Zhongli asked.
"Drinking. Slacking. Being himself," Caelg replied honestly.
Zhongli nodded serenely.
"By general reasoning… that sounds accurate."
Caelg leaned forward.
"There's something I need to ask. About Qiqi."
Zhongli met his gaze.
"Please."
"…Why did she die?"
Zhongli was silent for a moment.
"Qiqi… the herb gatherer from Bubu Pharmacy. Yes, I remember her."
He began slowly.
"During your travels among mortals, you met her.
She had no family. You cared for her greatly."
"One night, all the gods fell into sudden turmoil.
You and I were forced to return to the battlefield."
"That night, she couldn't find you.
She went out alone… and witnessed the war."
"The aftermath buried her beneath falling stone."
"You and I were too deeply engaged to notice."
Zhongli's voice grew heavier.
"In that moment, she awakened a Vision.
With power far beyond a mortal's limits, she repelled the raging gods."
"But her body could not endure it."
Caelg clenched his hand.
"You tried to revive her… but divine power overwhelmed her mortal form.
It went out of control."
"So you sealed her within amber—to preserve her."
"That regret became part of your erosion."
The story ended.
Caelg said nothing.
At that moment, the storyteller finished his tale.
Zhongli rose.
"Come. Let us return to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Director Hu has been missing you greatly."
He paused, then added calmly:
"The bill—send it to the Northland Bank."
"…Right," Caelg muttered.
So he's already met Childe.
Good.
At least Zhongli's tabs were no longer my problem.