[Paimon: "This Kun Jun fellow is probably still investigating. Let's go call him!"
["Kun Jun, what are you still looking for here? We've pretty much got all the clues—time to head out!"]
Hearing Paimon casually call him "Little Kun" repeatedly, the real Kun Jun felt a bit conflicted.
Mainly because Paimon looked so much like a child—being called "Little Kun" by a kid felt oddly unsettling.
In contrast, Zhongli seemed quite amused—whether it was because he rarely got to see his old friend or because his old friend was being called "Little Kun" by Paimon, no one could say.
In the story, the reason Kun Jun hadn't left was because he was still searching for a mineral called the "Dragonfall."
If it was just suspicion before, hearing the name "Dragonfall" now all but confirmed Zhongli's guess about the other's identity.
[Kun Jun: "To be honest, I've been feeling really anxious—like there's something I forgot to do but can't remember. It's so frustrating…"]
Kun Jun told the group that when he heard the name "Dragonfall," it felt strangely familiar. Perhaps holding it in his hands would jog his memory—that's why he was searching for it.
[Paimon: "Ah, I know that feeling! When you know you've forgotten something but just can't recall what it is."]
Paimon said she'd also experienced the frustration of forgetting something—something readers hadn't expected.
The usually cheerful and carefree Paimon actually had such memories? What exactly had she forgotten?
Come to think of it, despite her amnesia-like symptoms and the anxiety of forgetting, she still traveled with the Traveler, acting as their little bundle of joy. She really was… sniff… too precious.
Reading this part, Paimon suddenly thought of something—if she didn't know what she'd forgotten, why not ask the miraculous Lucian?
"Lucian, do you know what I've forgotten?" Paimon asked.
Lately, everyone had been busy preparing for the fashion week. Lumine was already being personally trained by Furina on how to pose, so Paimon had been sticking close to Lucian every day.
Lucian, who was reading the book, naturally knew what Paimon was referring to—since she was perched on his shoulder reading along, their progress was synchronized.
To this, Lucian responded with, "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you."
After some thought, Lucian tactfully said, "Your memories should be sought in your own future. If I told you outright, you'd lose the joy and fate meant for you."
Paimon nodded, only half-understanding. After so many conversations with Lucian the "riddle-speaker," she was somewhat used to it.
Translated, it basically meant, "I'm not telling you now."
"Mean-spirited!" Paimon huffed, turning her head away—but since she still wanted to keep reading, she quickly turned back.
In the story, the Traveler's group headed north, following Kun Jun's directions in search of clues about the miners.
Upon reaching the Lingju Pass area, Paimon discovered a new lead—footprints.
Following the footprints led them to a village, where they decided to ask the locals for information.
As it turned out, one of the villagers had indeed seen the four miners—they were following a little girl.
Strangely, the little girl didn't seem like a child at all. Her expression was extremely serious, devoid of any cheerfulness.
Meanwhile, the four adults walked unsteadily, swaying as if they were asleep.
Readers began brainstorming—it seemed these four miners were in some kind of unconscious state, as if hypnotized or brainwashed.
But why would a little girl hypnotize four grown men? What was she trying to do?
To uncover the truth, readers continued. In the story, the Traveler and the others followed the villager's directions and pressed onward.
Along the way, they rescued a scholar, and Kun Jun found another mineral—one capable of reading memories.
Following the visions within the mineral, the group chased the trail all the way to the Nantianmen.
There, they actually found one of the missing miners—collapsed on the ground, yet still muttering, "I can still… keep digging…"
Now readers were even more convinced—these miners were definitely hypnotized.
But hypnotizing miners to dig themselves to death? What kind of operation was this?
If it were Old Dai doing this, readers might've accepted it—but why a little girl?
After ensuring the miner's safety, Kun Jun suddenly remembered something and said:
["Ah, right! Seeing these fragments reminded me—I have something to give you all."]
He pulled a few crystals from his pocket and handed them to the Traveler and Paimon.
Given his appraisal skills, these crystals were undoubtedly of exceptional quality.
["These are crystals I picked up at the market. Don't let their appearance fool you—their quality is incredibly rare! One for each of you, as a keepsake."]
He then took out another and offered it to Zhongli.
["And this one for you, Mr. Zhongli."]
[Zhongli didn't immediately accept it. Instead, he froze for a moment: "..."]
[Kun Jun quickly asked: "Wh-what's wrong? Do you not like it?"]
[Zhongli shook his head. "No, not at all. I just… didn't expect to receive a gift at such a moment."]
Indeed, he hadn't expected to receive a gift from his old friend at a time like this.
After some thought, Zhongli approached the Traveler with a solemn expression and asked:
["Traveler, do you have any impressions of the 'Dragonfall'?"]
Zhongli adopting such a serious demeanor was a rare sight—at least, it seldom happened after he'd "become" Zhongli.
The reason he brought up the "Dragonfall" to the Traveler at this moment was to drop a hint.
The "Dragonfall" was a mineral born from a great war centuries ago.
But it was exceedingly rare, little-known, and had long since been mined to extinction.
How would a modern-day Liyuean be searching for a mineral that no longer existed?
Now, it wasn't just the Traveler being hinted at—readers were too.
Those who hadn't known about the "Dragonfall" now had some understanding and began speculating about Kun Jun's identity and motives.
Some thought he was a villain—that the "Dragonfall" was just an excuse, and he had ulterior motives.
Others believed he was an Adeptus who had fallen into slumber and only recently awakened, hence his search for a long-lost mineral.
Kun Jun himself was also puzzled—"Who am I, really? Am I even human?"
To find the answer, readers needed only to keep reading—and so, with curiosity driving them onward, they continued.
In the story, Kun Jun examined the memories of nearby stones again, but unfortunately, they held little useful information.
A stone's memory, much like a person's, only retained intensely strong emotions or thoughts.
Eventually, the group came upon a great tree, beneath which stood a stone tablet. Kun Jun reached out and touched it.
The tablet read:
"The universe values life, and the divine sovereign is merciful. Here lies the imprisoned evil dragon—let none disturb its slumber."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Traveler: Regarding the [Historia Antiqua Chapter - Act II]
Traveler: "Old friend… amnesia… Could it be that one day, Paimon will forget me, just as the Dragon King Azhdaha forgot Zhongli?"
Paimon: "No way!! You're my friend! My family! I'd never, ever forget you!"
Paimon: "I think about you every day… wondering what you'll feed me next, hehehe."
Paimon: "So, Lumine… what's for dinner tonight?"