Lumine and Paimon rested for a day in Liyue Harbor, and on the following morning, Shao Yun checked out of the inn, paid the bill in full, and prepared to return to Mondstadt.
At dawn, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon stood at the edge of the harbor, gazing toward the rising sun on the horizon, each filled with their own expectations.
Paimon chirped happily, "Wow! We're finally going back to Mondstadt! I've been missing the juice and drinks there so much! This time I'm gonna eat and drink everything I want!"
Shao Yun glanced at the excited Paimon beside him, then turned to Lumine and said, "This time, we shouldn't trouble Amber again. I remember Goth has a few properties in Mondstadt—he should be able to set us up with a decent place."
That old man made a fortune on his own—it's about time I got a little return on that investment.
Suddenly, a lazy, enigmatic voice broke the morning calm.
"So, you've finally arrived? I was about to fall asleep waiting."
The three turned toward the voice. Sitting on the steps not far away was a figure wearing a wide witch's hat, mismatched black stockings, and two different shoes. The sunlight made her stand out starkly.
Mona?
…
With a light leap, Mona jumped into what appeared to be a portal before her.
A flash of light, and she appeared right in front of Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon.
Looking at the trio, she smiled smugly. "Heh. My astrology never fails. Right on schedule, just as I predicted."
She gave a small beckoning wave, her smirk widening.
"Come on. Follow me."
Shao Yun frowned. She hadn't introduced herself at all, which irked him.
Paimon eyed her warily. "You're not some door-to-door fortune-teller, are you? Sorry, but we don't need those cheap gimmicks."
Mona stopped mid-step. She turned slightly and tossed her waterfall-like hair with a flick of her head, a playful smirk forming on her lips.
"You're not from this world... are you?"
Paimon froze, eyes wide. "Y-You—how do you know that?!"
Mona looked pleased with Paimon's reaction.
"Because I wield true astrology. Your little secret? I see it all."
Shao Yun raised a hand to draw Mona's gaze.
"So, you know everything, huh?"
"Of course. I am the great astrologer—"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun had already drawn his Schofield revolver from his hip. His eyes were icy, a sharp glint flashing in them.
"Then you know too much."
Bang! The shot rang out, and Mona's witch hat was blown clean off, soaring in an arc before falling to the ground.
Pale with fright, Mona dropped to the floor, clutching her head and trembling as she pleaded.
"Ahh! Help me!"
Lumine rushed forward, grabbing Shao Yun's right arm and pleading, "Shao Yun, wait—don't be rash! Let's at least hear what she wants first. No need to shoot right off the bat!"
Mona's voice trembled as she stammered, "S-Sorry! I was just trying to be dramatic! I didn't mean any harm!"
Shao Yun didn't lower the weapon. The barrel remained fixed on Mona, his voice frigid.
"You show up outta nowhere, no name, no intro, and tell us to follow you? What are you, a fake fortune-teller running a trafficking scheme?"
Since when did people stop introducing themselves when meeting others?
Not introducing yourself just reminds me of that rude demon—makes my blood boil!
Panicked by Shao Yun's words, Mona stumbled over her reply, desperately trying to correct herself.
"M-My full name is—it's…"
Her fumbling only deepened Shao Yun's irritation. He raised the gun and fired another deafening shot into the air.
"Hurry up! I don't have all day!" he barked.
Mona flinched violently at the shot, then stammered, "Th-those who respect me… call me Astrologist Mona Megistus…"
Another boom echoed as Shao Yun fired once more toward the sky, his voice now colder than ever.
"I don't plan to respect some shady stranger! Make it short—or your life will be shorter than your name!"
Pale and shaking, Mona took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"Mona. Just… just call me Mona. I really am an astrologer."
Shao Yun finally lowered his weapon and holstered it slowly.
Then, like a Sichuan opera mask change, he put on a friendly smile.
"A proper introduction isn't hard, Miss Mona. Next time, try being straightforward. I hate mysterious types—unless you're Lumine or Paimon."
Seeing the shift in Shao Yun's tone, Mona exhaled in relief.
"I'm sorry. I do have a favor to ask of you. I just wanted to make a grand entrance. I didn't mean to scare you… please don't kill me."
Hearing that, Shao Yun returned his revolver fully to its holster.
Lumine picked up the fallen witch hat and gently placed it on Mona's head.
"Miss Mona, here's your hat. So, what's the commission?"
"Thank you…" Mona took another breath and explained, "I came to retrieve a box from Mondstadt on behalf of my master. Fifty years ago, she made a pact with an old friend to safeguard it. But my master is elderly now and can't travel far, so she asked me to go in her place."
Paimon hovered nearby, her face filled with curiosity.
"But Mona, if that's the case, why come to us?"
Mona bit her lip, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face.
"I used astrology to predict you were heading to Mondstadt, so I thought I'd tag along. But then I saw... my master's friend has already passed. The box is now in the care of her successor."
"I've always admired my master and wanted to become an astrologer as great as she is. She and her friend competed in arcane arts all their lives without settling who was stronger. Since the old generation never settled it, I want to compete with the successor myself. See who's better."
She paused, then added, "I'm guessing that successor is as talented as I am—maybe even more so. A purely academic challenge wouldn't show my true strength. So I thought… why not strengthen my position through heritage?"
Paimon scratched her head in confusion. "But… we don't know astrology. Even if we tried to learn... it's not like—"
"I'm not asking you to really become my disciples," Mona interrupted. "Just pretend. You're heroes who saved Mondstadt and Liyue—if you act like my pupils and accompany me, even if that successor outshines me a little, I won't be completely humiliated."
She gave a sheepish smile.
"That's the real reason I came. I hope you'll forgive my vanity. And don't worry—I won't let you help me for free!"
…
Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon stepped aside for a private discussion.
Shao Yun asked softly, "Lumine, what do you think? Should we bring her along?"
Lumine watched Mona from afar, weighing the pros and cons.
"She doesn't seem like a Treasure Hoarder. And we are headed to Mondstadt. If she says she'll compensate us, I don't see a downside. We could even become friends."
Paimon nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Mona doesn't seem like a bad person."
After a short discussion, they reached a consensus. Shao Yun took a deep breath and walked over to Mona.
"Mona, we've decided to bring you with us to Mondstadt. But first, we need to know—what exactly are you offering us in return?"
Mona smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to Lumine.
"I don't have much Mora… but my most valuable assets are my knowledge and astrology. Once I find that successor, I can use astrology to help you. For instance, I know you're searching for your blood relative. I can offer you clues."
Shao Yun blinked. Wait—if I remember right, that "successor" is Klee… can this actually work?
Hearing that, Lumine's eyes sparkled with hope. She asked eagerly, "You can help me find my brother?"
Mona shook her head slightly, a bit embarrassed.
"Not on my own, no. But if I can reach that successor, I might be able to precisely locate your brother's whereabouts."
Lumine's expression lit up with excitement. She bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Master Mona! We'll play the role of your disciples perfectly!"
Mona scratched her head shyly, murmuring, "Ahh… 'Master' feels a bit much…"