Thanks for Msos for returning as a Supporter!
===BREAK===
After a long voyage, listening to the tour guide Aeval on the Aquabus as she animatedly described the sights while they enjoyed the breathtaking scenery along the way, the group eventually arrived at their destination—the Court of Fontaine.
From the perspective of the Aquabus, the Court of Fontaine—Fontaine's largest city—looked like a metropolis standing proudly above the sea.
Mondstadt and Inazuma were idyllic, picturesque cities.
Liyue Harbor, overflowing with an atmosphere of wealth, lived up to its name as the City of Prosperity.
Sumeru City, meanwhile, resembled an enormous sanctuary of knowledge steeped in academic ambiance.
Compared to all of those, the Court of Fontaine presented itself as a highly advanced technological capital.
As the Aquabus glided along the winding waterways and entered the bustling urban district, Lumine and Paimon were stunned speechless by the sheer grandeur before them.
Their jaws nearly hit the floor.
At last, the Aquabus docked smoothly at the Court's Main Station—a place that served as both the origin and terminus of the routes.
Yanfei was the first to hop off, rushing down the gangplank. One look at the clock on the wall and her expression tightened with urgency. She quickly apologized and bid everyone farewell.
"Um, I've delayed my return for so many days—my friends must be anxious out of their minds by now. I have to hurry back. I'll take my leave! Thank you all for bringing me to Fontaine!"
Lumine nodded understandingly and waved with a gentle smile.
"Mm-hmm. See you, Yanfei! Hope you find your friends soon!"
Charlotte also offered a bright smile as she excused herself. "I'm really sorry, everyone—I need to get back to the Steambird as well. I still have interviews to finish!"
She waved at the group as she spoke.
Paimon grinned back. "Mhm! Alright, Miss Charlotte! We'll chat more when you're free!"
Charlotte giggled. "Heheh—okay then, bye-bye! If you ever have time, come visit the Steambird, okay?"
Before anyone could reply, she shot off like the wind and instantly vanished from sight.
Watching Charlotte disappear down the stairs, Paimon couldn't help but sigh.
"Being a reporter seems super tough… running around every single day. But I guess that's how they bring everyone the freshest, most interesting news."
Then she turned toward the others, asking curiously, "So, now that Charlotte's gone, where are we heading next?"
Just then, Lyney spoke up. "Well… if none of you would mind, perhaps you could come visit my home first? It'd be a good chance for me to introduce you to my family."
Paimon's eyes lit up.
"Mind? Of course not! Visiting Lyney's family sounds great! Besides, this place is huge—we have no idea where to start exploring anyway. Let's go with you!"
At that moment, Shao Yun glanced at Lyney, then turned to Lumine and Paimon to calmly offer his own thought.
"If you ask me, shouldn't we go to the Adventurers' Guild first? Handle the registration stuff and find somewhere to stay?"
Lumine blinked, suddenly realizing something. "Oh—right! I almost forgot if you hadn't reminded me!"
"Then, Shao Yun, we'll leave it to you. Once everything's done, let's meet at Katheryne's at the Guild, okay?"
She even waved encouragingly after she finished speaking.
But Shao Yun only looked puzzled. "…Huh? What do you mean?"
Lumine stared right back, equally confused. After a moment, she asked, "What's with that look? Aren't you going to check in with me and then go deal with those things?"
Hearing this, Shao Yun felt the corner of his mouth twitch as he muttered under his breath, "…I mean… I was just… forget it. Anyway, you two be careful on the way."
He really didn't want Lumine involved in anything unrelated to their vacation—no danger, no trouble.
But he didn't have an excuse to interfere with her social plans…
If he tried to drag Lumine and Paimon along forcefully, Lumine would no doubt be upset.
Lumine thought he was worried about the serial missing-girls case Charlotte mentioned.
She patted his shoulder lightly, comforting him. "Hey, don't tell me you seriously think that so-called culprit would be interested in kidnapping me or Paimon? Relax!"
She raised a fist confidently. "I can handle myself!"
Shao Yun gave a helpless smile and shook his head.
"I'm afraid before you even lift a finger, I'd already have peeled his skin off, hung him from a streetlamp with his own intestines, and let everyone admire his fate."
Lumine quickly tugged on his arm. "Alright, alright—don't get so worked up. Let's not talk about unlucky things. We'll meet at the Adventurers' Guild later, okay?"
Shao Yun nodded and turned to leave.
But just before he stepped away, he suddenly paused and looked directly at Lyney.
A faint smile—one that sent a chill down the spine—curved across his lips as he "politely" reminded:
"Kid, you'd better look after Lumine and Paimon. Otherwise…"
Before he could finish, Paimon sensed the undertone in his voice and hurried to intervene.
"Shao Yun! Don't scare Lyney! We're all friends now! Friends don't threaten each other—you have to get along, okay?"
Shao Yun figured Lyney was too timid to do anything improper anyway. And he didn't want trouble spoiling his vacation.
"Fine. Good luck, all of you."
He turned to leave—but Lumine suddenly remembered something.
"Oh—wait, Shao Yun!"
He stopped and turned back, confused.
Lumine had somehow produced a clothing box out of nowhere and quickly walked over to hand it to him.
"I remember—you had this outfit custom-made at Chioriya Boutique here in Fontaine. Take it back there and get it repaired while you're at it."
Shao Yun accepted the box without hesitation.
"Chioriya Boutique? Alright."
…
Then the group split up.
Shao Yun departed from the Main Station and officially entered the Court of Fontaine.
The streets were packed—people bustling past one another, the lively noise forming a vivid tapestry of city life.
If he had to compare it to anything, he'd say it looked like a cleaner, more orderly Saint Denis… or perhaps Paris?
To Shao Yun, though, big cities and swamps were basically the same—full of parasites, crawlers, and slime.
If he had the choice, he would've preferred to vacation with Lumine and Paimon in Mondstadt. But…
…
The Court's streets held not only rushing citizens but also Fontaine's security meka patrolling with mechanical precision.
The prevalence of machinery in Fontaine was astonishing. From transportation to industrial tools, mechanical constructs were everywhere.
But strangely enough, there wasn't a single horse in sight—no traditional vehicles either.
Then again, that made sense. In a city dominated by waterways, horses would be more trouble than they were worth.
And with Fontaine's advanced technology, they likely already invented some tool to replace them for short-distance cargo transport.
Of course… even if they had, it might've blown up along with the Fontaine Research Institute.
And if not, then those cargo balloons were already plenty convenient.
Along the way, Shao Yun noticed various facilities designed to recharge the policing meka scattered throughout the streets—feeding them power to maintain order.
Before long, he arrived at Chioriya Boutique in the Court of Fontaine.
Standing before the entrance, he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
There wasn't a single staff member at the door.
Were they inside?
Holding the clothing box in one arm, he knocked politely.
"Hello? Is anyone in there?"
But the instant his hand touched the door, it swung open.
It hadn't even been locked.
Shao Yun stepped inside. A crisp chime rang from the bell, as if welcoming a customer.
But as he lifted his gaze, he realized—
The entire atelier was empty.
"That's strange… Are they closed today? But the lights are on. And the door wasn't locked…"
He scanned the room carefully.
First the counter near the entrance, then the neatly arranged fabrics, the beautifully crafted garments—
yet still no sign of a single person.
"Did they go out for lunch? But then why leave the door unlocked? Looks like I'll have to wait…"
Since it was Lumine's request, Shao Yun didn't simply walk away.
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa