Of course Lumine could sense the chaotic stream of thoughts running through Nagami's mind.
She only shrugged nonchalantly, blinking with an innocent look on her face.
Her white dress, lined with golden embroidery, looked ethereal yet elegant.
Two long white ribbons fluttered behind her swan-like neck, and her tall white boots with golden trim gave off a dashing air.
Beneath the hem of her dress, her long, slender legs were pale as snow and strikingly beautiful.
Naturally, such a striking girl drew the eyes of passersby.
And after the recent Archon War that had shaken Liyue Harbor, the Traveler who helped seal Osial was already well-known throughout the city.
Seeing Lumine walking so close with the unfamiliar Nagami, the onlookers couldn't help but cast curious glances his way.
The subtle stares made Nagami uneasy, and he instinctively quickened his pace.
Noticing his discomfort, Lumine only closed her eyes in a proud smile, looking all too pleased with herself.
"Hey, Lumine, Nagami—look! Isn't that Zhongli?"
Hovering forward with her tiny body, Paimon shaded her eyes with a hand as though peering into the distance.
"Oh-ho~ it really is him! Guess that saves us the trip to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Following Paimon's gaze, Lumine spotted a familiar figure standing at the far end of the street—it was Zhongli, whom they hadn't seen for quite some time.
He stood before the statue of the Geo Archon, his tall figure like an unshakable mountain.
His expression was distant, as if lost in memories of a bygone age.
Nagami studied him curiously.
This was very likely the strongest among the Seven Archons.
Lumine removed the sunglasses she and Nagami had been wearing and slipped them into her dress pocket.
Then, puffing out her cheeks into a goofy expression, she grabbed Nagami's hand and pulled him along.
"Zhongli!"
The clear voice of a young girl snapped him out of his thoughts.
Turning his head, Zhongli's usually placid face softened into a small smile at the sight of the familiar golden-haired Traveler.
"Traveler, it has been a while... hmm?"
But when his eyes fell on Lumine and Nagami holding hands, his expression faltered.
Even someone as composed as him couldn't hide his surprise.
His gaze instantly locked onto Nagami.
"Hello, Zhongli!" Paimon chirped, waving excitedly. "What are you doing here? Reminiscing about your days as the Geo Archon?"
"Haha, of course not."
Zhongli chuckled and shook his head, and Nagami could sense a rare lightness in his tone.
He suddenly seemed less like a Archon, and more like an old retired gentleman spending his mornings birdwatching in the park.
"But before we get into mundane matters, won't you introduce me to your companion?"
Zhongli's amber eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Nagami.
The boy looked calm and gentle on the surface, but Zhongli could clearly sense the immense power slumbering within him.
And more than that...
"Greetings, Zhongli—or should I say, Lord Morax. I'm just an ordinary outsider."
Nagami met Zhongli's gaze without hesitation, his face calm, his voice polite.
Zhongli wasn't shocked by the mention of his true name.
Instead, his eyes shifted subtly to the golden-haired girl at Nagami's side.
Lumine's face remained soft and sweet, feigning complete obliviousness.
"My relationship with Lumine is exactly as you see," Nagami continued, lifting their interlocked fingers for emphasis. "So you needn't worry about me causing any trouble."
Though his words were reassuring, Nagami began to quietly increase the fluctuations of his Herrscher energy.
Behind Lumine, her golden hair and the white ribbons began to drift upwards, swaying as though caught in a breeze that didn't exist.
Of course, it wasn't for battle—Lumine was simply trying to catch Zhongli's attention, hoping he might stick around and accompany them.
Ideally, they could gather him and Venti and then drop in on Ei for a little reunion.
Surely Miss Ei would be delighted.
After all, three gods who hadn't seen each other in ages would surely have plenty to talk about.
And if nothing else, they could compare notes on… slacking off.
One slacked openly.
One slacked diligently.
And one slacked in secret.
Perhaps together, the three of them could perfect the art of divine procrastination.
Truly, Lumine's plan was full of care for her friends.
"An… ordinary outsider?" Zhongli muttered under his breath, frowning slightly.
The energy within Nagami was too vast, too similar to that of Celestia's order—it was as if the laws of the world themselves had descended.
Even he, often called the God of War, felt genuine pressure from Nagami's presence.
By all reason, Zhongli was likely the strongest among the Seven Archons.
His power could certainly suppress a beast like Osial… but against a fully-realized Herrscher, he might still fall short.
Was it related to Celestia?
Or perhaps… something else entirely?
Yet in the brief moment of his contemplation, the immense aura around Nagami vanished like a bubble popping.
The hair and ribbons settled, the air stilled, and everything returned to normal in an instant.
Zhongli's gaze shifted back and forth between Nagami and Lumine, finally lingering on her innocent, almost goofy smile.
He lowered his head in thought for a few seconds, then let out an expression that was equal parts helpless and weary.
'How I long to simply wander the streets, watch the birds, and enjoy the opera… this little girl...'
"I see. Since you and the Traveler are partners, then naturally I can rest assured. Still, I must apologize—I had never heard Lumine mention you before. Forgive my lack of courtesy."
Though his words were plain, his voice carried a weight that ordinary speech never could.
"Ah, by the way—are the three of you free? To make up for my rudeness, it so happens that Xiangling is at Wanmin Hall today. Allow me to extend a bit of hospitality."
With one hand folded behind his back, Zhongli offered a gentle, almost fatherly smile.
"Hmph, there you go again. 'Three bowls and you're out the door' I can believe, but Wanmin Hall? Even if Xiangling gives you a discount, the bill for all of us won't be small. Can you really afford that?"
Hands on her hips, Paimon narrowed her eyes at Zhongli suspiciously.
"Well… when you put it that way, I am rather short on Mora."
His tone remained calm and unbothered, his expression unchanged—even when Paimon so mercilessly exposed his infamous poverty.
It was ironic, really.
The currency that circulated across the entire continent of Teyvat had been created by Morax himself, even bearing his name.
By all logic, Zhongli should never lack for Mora.
And yet, ever since he chose to live among mortals in the guise of a man, he had bound himself to the rules of a mortal life.
That was the explanation he once gave Lumine.
Of course, Lumine—having read all the lore from a higher perspective knew there was a deeper reason.
Which was exactly why, when spending money in Liyue, she'd become even more extravagant.
"It's fine, Paimon. We'll treat Zhongli to a meal ourselves!"
Paimon's eyes widened in shock, staring at the radiant smile on the blonde girl's face.
Ever since Lumine's circumstances had improved, her once penny-pinching habits—picking berries straight from treetops, never wasting a single Mora—had softened somewhat.
She had even splurged during a date with Barbara.
But that generosity had always been reserved for beautiful girls.
Male friends? They still got the stingy treatment.
And now here she was, volunteering to treat Zhongli?
"…Very well. In that case, I shall graciously accept."
After a brief pause to consider, Zhongli nodded without hesitation.
"Oh! Zhongli, I've got good news for you!"
As they made their way toward Wanmin Hall, Paimon flitted around in the air, spinning loops and even throwing in the occasional 360° flip.
Floating up beside Zhongli, she raised one little finger.
"The bard—uh, I mean Venti—he's in Liyue with us too!"
"Oh? So he's come as well."
Zhongli raised his brows in surprise.
Lumine had once mentioned Barbatos' current alias, but it had been quite some time since he'd seen the Anemo Archon.
Sharing a drink together again would certainly be welcome.
He glanced around, but saw no familiar figure among the streets.
"Where is he now? Don't tell me he's still worried about that time he forged my signature just to get free wine?"
After a moment's thought, Zhongli shook his head with a faint smile. "Lumine, tell him this for me: I have already forgotten the whole incident."
'Forgotten, huh?'
Nagami couldn't help shooting him a strange look, silently mocking the way Zhongli said it with such grave sincerity.
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