The three of them chatted about Xian Yu like this, and in just a few exchanges, they became familiar.
Far away in Liyue, Mu Yang's hand drawing cards trembled, grabbing two unusable cards.
He thought to himself, is Paimon badmouthing me again?
The three talked more and more speculatively.
Charlotte then told them about her cross-nation trip to report this time.
Actually, she wasn't very willing to come at first; the editor-in-chief forced her to.
Saying something about how this report could change her luck.
The editor-in-chief didn't tell her the real reason:
The food processing plant she had taken down before wanted revenge on her.
The editor-in-chief wanted to dispatch Charlotte abroad, wait until the matter was resolved, then let her return.
Because she didn't know the full story.
When she received this business trip assignment, Charlotte was half-believing, half-doubting.
Now she believed it.
"My keen professional nose tells me that this Summoning King Grand Prix definitely has major news."
"Major news, is your nose reliable or not..."
Paimon looked Charlotte up and down, always feeling this young reporter was a bit unreliable.
Charlotte grinned, "Of course reliable! After all... I just personally witnessed the [Card Phantom Thief] appearing at the venue!"
"Then, I ran into you two..."
Lumine asked her, "You know us too?"
Charlotte took out a small notebook, "Of course."
"Honorary Knight who saved Mondstadt, great hero who fought alongside Liyue Adepti."
"Great contributor who lifted Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, cleaned up Sumeru Akademiya's..."
Lumine quickly interrupted, "Alright alright, got it... My face isn't as thick as Paimon's."
Paimon rolled her eyes, "I didn't say that either... So unknowingly, our titles have become this long."
[How come there are so many people]
[Sumeru: The Greatest Sage at first, pity, the world forgot me...]
[Woo woo, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata]
[Who is Rukkhadevata?]
[Traveler's name getting longer and longer, looking forward to Fontaine]
Charlotte meant that if two people like this were both pursuing the Card Phantom Thief's shadow.
Doesn't that mean her direction is correct, she really found big news?
Lumine and Paimon both felt a bit embarrassed.
After a few big hats were put on, yet the two didn't even know what the Card Phantom Thief was.
A bit ashamed.
Charlotte then told them about it.
This legend started circulating recently after the Mondstadt Summoning King Grand Prix began.
It's said this person takes advantage when players aren't paying attention to swipe their opponent's cards.
At first, everyone didn't care.
But this scene was personally witnessed by Charlotte.
However, the thief ran extremely fast; by the time Charlotte wanted to chase, the phantom thief was already gone.
[Lightning raid, seizing the initiative]
[Stealth specialist huh]
[Good thing this is in Mondstadt, if in Sumeru caught by Cyno, no way]
[That would require torture arrangements]
Lumine was a bit puzzled, "Why steal cards? To cheat, or to interfere with other players?"
Charlotte shook her head, saying she didn't know yet.
But this is the job of a news worker.
"We have to dig out every unbelievable part without leaving anything, turn it into our own exclusive news."
Paimon whispered in Lumine's ear, "Every time she talks about her profession, there's this inexplicable pride."
"Probably because she really loves this job."
Charlotte pretended not to hear, enthusiastically inviting the two to team up.
"How about it, you two, interested in joining me to uncover this shocking big news behind the tournament?"
Lumine agreed.
Charlotte just wanted to report news, didn't seem like a bad person.
And she knew way more clues than them.
The two wouldn't have to fly around like headless flies.
Catch the Card Phantom Thief early, go back to watch Mu Yang's match is the main thing.
Moreover, Charlotte even promised them.
In the contributors column for the exclusive news, she would put their names.
With Charlotte's connections in Fontaine.
It could provide a lot of convenience for their upcoming Fontaine trip.
[Charlotte: I'll introduce you to the Hydro Archon]
[Thoma: Guide, I'm familiar]
[It's just kneeling for months unable to beat the Raiden Shogun, look how wronged you are (not)]
[Fontaine wanted list reserved]
[Charlotte putting Traveler on headline, another good thing]
Things were settled like this.
Charlotte didn't forget to flatter Lumine.
"Worthy of Teyvat's most helpful Traveler, haha."
Lumine asked her about next actions.
Charlotte said she had one small thing to do.
In Mondstadt, there's an author who contributes to Steambird Newspaper.
Her works have always been quite popular with readers.
The newspaper decided to give a bonus; Charlotte brought it along conveniently.
Now to deliver it to her.
"Speaking of which, you two should know this teacher too, right? Feels like an acquaintance of yours?"
Paimon had already been flattered by Charlotte's rainbow farts earlier, confused about directions.
"Acquaintance? We have many acquaintances in Mondstadt."
"We even know Acting Grand Master Jean, not sure which one you're talking about?"
Charlotte led the two toward the author's villa.
"Having her own residence in Mondstadt city, should be a pretty wealthy friend."
"We have quite a few wealthy friends too." Paimon counted on fingers, "Master Diluc..."
["Wealthy"]
[Once this word is attached, Lumine probably can't guess at all]
[After all, every meeting is eating vegetable salad]
[Not starving to death is good enough, still wealthy]
Charlotte was surprised again, "Wow, this is the connections of great heroes?"
Lumine looked at this increasingly familiar street; isn't this Mona's house?
Previously, she even helped that old man Goethe collect debt.
The word wealthy, how does it connect to Mona at all...
Charlotte knocked on the door, and sure enough, it was Mona!
"You are Astrologer Mona Megistus, teacher, right? Long admired."
Lumine complained, "No, can everyone really pronounce it so smoothly?"
Paimon was also surprised that someone got Mona's full name right on the first try.
After Charlotte introduced, she stuffed the bonus into Mona's hands.
Mona holding the money in her hands, as if it weighed a thousand pounds...
Gratitude overflowing, beyond words.
Charlotte puzzled, "Teacher Mona, have you been living in hardship all along?"
Mona was embarrassed, "Actually... after learning I got the bonus."
"I used all my living expenses to buy a very expensive instrument..."
Lumine unhappily said from the side, "So now you're back to only eating vegetable salad?"
Mona didn't dare look at her, "Sorry..."