Arataki Itto's "demonic" dance finally came to an end.
Across Teyvat, an eerie silence settled—one mixed equally with sympathy and secondhand embarrassment.
Mondstadt, Angel's Share.
Inside the tavern.
Kaeya lightly tapped his glass with a finger.
The smile on his face was meaningful.
He turned toward another corner of the tavern.
Stanley.
The so-called "great adventurer" was there too.
[Chatroom – Kaeya]: "@Stanley. Mr. Stanley, what exactly is your imaginary friend…? Do you… know the answer yourself?"
The question made Stanley, still in the temple, jolt violently.
"H-How would I know?!" he protested loudly. "I don't have any imaginary friend!"
[Chatroom – Jack]: "Yeah! Mr. Stanley doesn't need something like that! He's a hero who's been to the Mare Jivari!"
[Chatroom – Kaeya]: "Oh? Is that so…"
Kaeya wasn't the only one doubtful.
Liyue, aboard The Crux.
Beidou was polishing her greatsword.
[Chatroom – Beidou]: "The Mare Jivari…?"
[Chatroom – Beidou]: "That place isn't a joke. Even the Crux Fleet doesn't approach it lightly."
[Chatroom – Beidou]: "That Stanley guy? He struggles with A-rank commissions. If he's really been to Mare Jivari, I'll write my name backwards."
[Chatroom – Fontaine Citizen A]: "Exactly! I've heard the legends too! The air there is scorching! He doesn't even have a scratch!"
Doubt.
It spread across Teyvat.
—
Inside the temple.
Paimon floated close to Lumine's ear.
"Hey! Traveler! I think he's a fraud! He definitely doesn't have an imaginary friend!"
[Chatroom – Paimon]: "I guess B! B! He doesn't have one!"
[Chatroom – Jack]: "I think B too! Mr. Stanley doesn't need one!"
Suddenly—
A proud, icy voice echoed in the chat.
[Chatroom – La Signora]: "Pointless theatrics."
[Chatroom – La Signora]: "B. Obviously."
System: "'La Signora' Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter has buzzed in."
System: "Selected B. (None), he has no imaginary friend."
System: "Answer… incorrect."
Snezhnaya. Zapolyarny Palace.
Signora's expression froze.
"…What?"
System: "Punishment protocol activated."
System: "Punishment: Deprivation."
System: "Target: La Signora."
System: "Content: Deprivation of… your 'most unforgettable memory.'"
This punishment—
It was far more chilling than Itto's dance.
[Chatroom – Tartaglia]: "…Whoa. Now this is serious."
A gray light pierced through all barriers and sank into Signora's forehead.
She trembled.
For a fleeting moment—
A vast white snowfield flashed in her mind… a blurred silhouette holding a sword—
Then—
Emptiness.
Who was she?
…No.
She remembered being Rosalyne.
What was she doing?
…Right. Executing the "plan."
[Chatroom – La Signora]: "…The Delusion factory in Inazuma… progress… must be accelerated…"
She sent it.
To the public channel.
The chatroom fell silent.
[Chatroom – Arataki Itto]: "…A Delusion factory?! In Inazuma?!"
[Chatroom – Raiden Shogun]: "…(killing intent rising)"
[Chatroom – Yae Miko]: "Oh my… what… fascinating intelligence."
[Chatroom – Tartaglia]: "…(facepalms)… Rosalyne… you idiot…"
System: "Q&A… continues."
Inside the temple.
Venti had been silent all along.
He looked at Stanley, and in his emerald eyes was a trace of pity.
[Chatroom – Venti]: "…I choose C."
[Chatroom – Venti]: "C. A scarred warrior."
System: "Venti selected C."
System: "Answer… correct."
System: "Reward granted: 'Blessing of the Cat.'"
System: "Effect: You will no longer be allergic to cats."
Venti blinked.
"Eh?"
[Chatroom – Diona]: "…(tail droops)… Nooooo!!"
[Chatroom – Diona]: "My 'Ultimate Anti-Alcohol Cocktail' failed again?!!"
[Chatroom – Venti]: "Ehe. @Diona, may I order a Cat's Tail special next time?"
System: "Now playing answer analysis."
The screen lit up again.
The scene returned to the temple.
It was the exact moment Lumine had put on the goggles.
[Video – Lumine]: "Strange… he doesn't have one either?"
She frowned, about to remove them.
[Video – Venti]: "…Don't rush."
[Video – Venti]: "Keep watching."
Lumine turned back.
She stared at Stanley.
One second.
Two seconds.
Suddenly—
Behind Stanley—
In that empty space—
A translucent figure slowly emerged.
A man.
A true warrior.
He wore battered armor stained with blood.
A vicious scar ran from the corner of his eye to his jaw.
He was—
Looking at Stanley.
With sorrow.
And faint relief.
[Chatroom – Paimon]: "Waaah! There really is one!!"
[Chatroom – Jack]: "W-Who is that?"
Inside the temple.
Lumine and Venti exchanged a look.
Venti's smile faded.
"It seems… this great adventurer's story is far more remarkable than the one he tells."
The video ended.
Jack suddenly gasped.
"I-I remember!"
He jumped up excitedly.
"Mr. Stanley! Didn't you say the 'Sword of Glorious Courage' and the 'Shield of Radiant Will' are hidden in Dadaupa Gorge?!"
"Those are legendary artifacts only true adventurers can find, right?!"
Stanley's face shifted between green and pale.
"…Ah… y-yes! That's right!"
Jack turned to Lumine and Venti.
"Traveler! Bard! Please help us find them! If we succeed—I'll treat you at Angel's Share!"
Paimon (whispering): "…Can he even afford that?"
Venti: "Ehe. If there's wine, I won't refuse."
—
Dadaupa Gorge.
Under Jack and Stanley's… "expert" guidance…
Lumine cleared three hilichurl camps.
Finally—
In a battered chest—
They found—
A rusty iron sword.
And a chipped wooden shield.
"…This is… the legendary artifact?" Paimon's mouth twitched.
"Waaahhh!!"
Jack, however, was ecstatic.
He raised the sword and shield high.
"The Sword of Glorious Courage! The Shield of Radiant Will! I got them!!"
He ran off wildly.
"Thank you, Traveler! Mr. Stanley! I'm heading back first!!"
Paimon: "Hey! What about the drinks you promised?!"
Jack was already gone.
Silence returned to the gorge.
Venti glanced toward a large tree nearby.
"…How long do you plan on hiding?"
"Eh?" Paimon blinked.
Lumine's hand moved to her sword.
From behind the tree—
Someone stepped out slowly.
Stanley.
Gone was the exaggerated arrogance.
Only awkwardness remained.
And fear.
"…Fraud!" Paimon put her hands on her hips. "You were following us! You hid those things yourself, didn't you?!"
Stanley didn't deny it.
He only stared at Venti.
"…You…" His voice trembled. "Who… are you?"
Venti clasped his hands behind his back and walked closer.
The wind whispered through the gorge.
"Me?"
Venti smiled.
"I'm just a bard… who enjoys hearing 'true' stories."