Shao Yun rode Boadicea at a blazing gallop, like wildfire tearing across the land.
Behind him, Lumine skillfully guided Buell, carrying both Paimon and Mona.
Led by Boadicea, both steeds unleashed their full speed. In just half a day, they reached the border between Mondstadt and Liyue—Stone Gate.
However, the high-speed ride had proven too much for Mona.
The jolting motion of the saddle made her head spin. The world around her seemed to twist and rotate.
She tried to steady herself, but her strength failed her. Eventually, she slumped limply against Lumine's back, eyes rolling back as she slipped into a deep, dizzy stupor.
Lumine felt Mona's sudden collapse and gasped. She quickly pulled on the reins to slow her horse.
Seeing Mona's condition, she grew more alarmed and shouted, "Shao Yun, wait! Mona's not doing well!"
Shao Yun immediately reined in Boadicea and turned around. "Mona—what happened to her?"
By then, Mona had already slid off the horse and fallen to the ground.
Lumine dismounted in haste, rushing to her side. She propped Mona up, holding her hand tightly and speaking softly.
"Mona, hang in there!"
Mona's face was pale. One hand clutched her head, the other pressed to her stomach. A wave of nausea surged from her gut, and she shoved Lumine aside, dropping to her knees and dry heaving.
"Ugh... ugh..."
Lumine knelt beside her, gently patting her back to ease the misery.
"Mona, are you okay? I'll rub your back a bit—maybe it'll help."
Between dry heaves, Mona raised her head with difficulty. Her eyes were unfocused, her voice faint and broken.
"Ugh... I think... I saw an old grandma... calling me..."
She's seeing her great-grandma? She's gotta be out of it...
Lumine kept rubbing Mona's back, trying to comfort her.
"Don't think about that stuff. Just breathe—we're right here with you."
Gradually, Mona began to settle.
Her head drooped lazily upward, eyes hazy.
"Riding horses is this awful...? I... I thought it'd be fun..."
Lumine patted her back gently, like soothing a child.
"First time's always rough. I was the same. You'll get used to it."
With Lumine's help, Mona rose unsteadily to her feet. Her face remained pale.
"I just need a rest... Just a bit... I'm really not gonna make it..."
Lumine, seeing how drained she was, turned to Shao Yun and suggested, "We should take a break. We're near Stone Gate—I remember Pops Zhou's tea stall is close by. Let's rest there."
Shao Yun nodded in agreement. "Of course. Let's go."
…
The four of them arrived at Uncle Zhou's tea stall. After tying up the horses, Shao Yun went with Paimon to buy some food.
When it comes to snacks, Paimon's the expert, after all.
Meanwhile, Lumine carefully helped Mona to a seat.
At the tea stall, Mona slumped weakly over the table, her complexion pale. She muttered under her breath:
"Now I understand why people prefer sedan chairs or cargo balloons... Riding is just torture."
Lumine gave her back a soft pat, trying to make her feel more comfortable.
"Paimon and I were the same the first time. Don't worry—just rest and you'll feel better soon."
She turned to pour Mona a bowl of warm water. Mona accepted it with a touched expression.
"My disciple is so thoughtful... Master is truly moved."
Lumine smiled helplessly.
"Hey now, I'm helping because I care—not because I'm roleplaying your disciple."
Mona took a few sips of warm water. Her color started to return. Lifting her head with a bright smile, she said:
"Just rehearsing! What if I mess up in front of that successor? Gotta warm up in advance!"
Lumine chuckled, poured herself some water, and replied:
"Seriously, I can't with you. But hey, guess that is what a good disciple should do."
…
Just as Lumine drank her water, four merchant-looking men approached the tea stall.
They wore expensive, multicolored outfits, walked with practiced poise, and carried the air of seasoned traders.
One of them, a tall and elegant young man named Taylor, was the first to approach the table where Lumine and Mona sat. He wore a warm smile.
"Excuse me, ladies. Are you in need of any assistance?"
Lumine looked up and cautiously examined the four men behind Taylor. Her guard was up, though her tone remained composed.
"Who are you?"
Taylor remained unfazed by her cold tone. His smile never wavered.
"We're just merchants. Seeing two lovely ladies sitting here alone—and one of you looking unwell—we thought we'd come say hello."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Mona. She lay slouched over the table, her witch's hat tilted low and eyes shut tightly.
Lumine assumed they were just being overly friendly and replied politely:
"We're just taking a break. No need to worry about us. You should go about your business."
Taylor, still brimming with charm, said with gentlemanly sincerity:
"Leaving two such beautiful ladies alone—no true gentleman would stand for it."
Lumine forced a stiff smile. Alright, this is getting too enthusiastic. When Shao Yun gets back, you might not even have skin left...
"Mr. Taylor, you've misunderstood. We're not alone. Our companion just stepped away to buy food—he'll be back shortly."
Taylor paused at the word companion, misinterpreting it as another lady in the group. He quickly adjusted, still smiling.
"Oh, I see. So, your friend is shopping as well. Traveling must be tiring. If walking's become a chore, we happen to have a cargo balloon. Or, if you prefer something more comfortable—behold! A legendary carriage!"
He gestured toward a nearby wagon.
The carriage was an absolute wreck—dull gray wood showing through peeling paint, its frame warped and splintered.
The wheels were rusted, and the pulling horse was a thin, gray, tired-looking thing with patchy fur and slack muscles.
"This is a rare vehicle. If you'd honor us, we'd be delighted to travel together. Just a friendly journey with new friends."
Taylor's tone was brimming with pride, expecting admiration.
Lumine was speechless. That horse looks weaker than a wild boar—what are you bragging about...?
Just then, Mona suddenly opened her eyes.
Still groggy, she frowned at Taylor's beaming face. Her voice was low and displeased.
"We don't need your help. Leave. Don't bother us."
Taylor didn't budge, still wearing his gentle smile.
"Don't worry—we just wanted to make some new friends. We're not charging anything."
Mona sighed and shook her head. She pitied how stupid he was.
With her usual bluntness, she said clearly, "Drop the act, bandits."
Taylor's smile froze. He tried to cover his awkwardness with another friendly laugh.
"Miss, you wound me. We're just simple traders."
Mona rubbed her aching head and said plainly:
"You target people who look vulnerable on the road. If they take the bait, you load them into that stolen carriage, drag them off into the wilds, rob them, and leave them for dead. Am I wrong?"
Taylor's expression twisted. She'd hit the mark too cleanly. His voice wavered.
"Miss, you must be joking... If you didn't want our help, you could've just said so... No need to accuse us like this."
Though he tried to stay calm, the panic and anger in his voice were unmistakable.
Seeing he was still trying to wriggle out of it, Mona didn't hold back.
"That jacket you're wearing? I remember it. You tore it off a Mondstadt merchant named Howard six months ago. That horse and carriage? Stolen eight years ago from a little vineyard in Mondstadt. Am I wrong?"
Every detail was exact. Taylor froze, staring at Mona as if she were a ghost.
"You—how did you know all that?!"
His voice trembled with fear.
Mona gave him a long, meaningful look.
"You don't need to know. This is the Stone Gate trade route—plenty of Millelith patrols around. If you don't want to end up tried and executed, I suggest you run."
Terrified, Taylor turned and waved to his men, muttering under his breath.
"What a damn unlucky day!"