"What kind of ritual is this?" Chiori stared for a long while before speaking in a calm tone, "Did I come at a bad time again?"
"No, you came at just the right time," Lucian replied.
He scratched his head, feeling like this scene had happened before... It must be an illusion. Definitely an illusion.
Chiori had come to take measurements for outfits. She didn't yet have the body measurements for Fischl, Mona, Faruzan, and the others.
Ayaka had just tagged along to watch and wouldn't be participating as a model.
Lucian had prepared cosplay design sketches for Mona and the others.
Fischl would wear a JK outfit like Rikka's, Mona would wear a mage robe like Megumin's, and Xianyun would dress as Bayonetta from Bayonetta.
The outfits Lucian had prepared had little chance of "winning" at the fashion week—it was mostly just for fun, something for everyone to enjoy together.
However, one thing worth mentioning was Furina. As Fontaine's renowned superstar, Little Furina's participation alone would draw massive attention.
Moreover, it had been announced that she would perform after the fashion exhibition, which was why the number of participants this year was exceptionally high.
So, Lucian didn't mess around with her outfit design—well, he did give her an outfit modeled after Focalors. Hahaha.
And the song Lucian had written was essentially prepared for Furina.
Since others didn't want to sing on such an occasion, they'd just let Furina handle it—that was the "performance" she mentioned.
The accompaniment had already been recorded, and the quality was impeccable, thanks to Ping's efforts.
As for the recording tools, they were provided by Guizhong—her latest little invention, which worked flawlessly.
By the way, Hu Tao and Ping were also there just to enjoy the spectacle, so Chiori didn't take their measurements.
While Lucian and the others were having fun, Yae Miko was still working.
The cunning fox was uncharacteristically diligent, mainly because Lucian had promised her the third act of the story once this book was released.
The book Lucian mentioned was Love and Teyvat—the second chapter of Zhongli's Story Quest.
"The resentment of an old friend..." Yae Miko sighed softly after finishing the book.
Was facing the hatred of an old friend also part of the fate that gods had to endure?
Now, onto Lucian's second book, which was released just a few days after Unreconciled Stars.
Historia Antiqua Chapter - Act II: No Mere Stone
Unreconciled Stars was primarily a Mondstadt story, while Historia Antiqua Chapter belonged to Liyue.
This way, Lucian was being fair, preventing the three already-featured nations from quarreling.
There were indeed no complaints—the people of Mondstadt were satisfied with the story in Unreconciled Stars.
The people of Inazuma were still looking forward to the third act of their future story.
As for the people of Liyue—come on, this was the story of the Geo Archon! Which Liyue native wouldn't want to read it? Right, Pantalone?
Pantalone was indeed reading this book. Though he "disliked" the Geo Archon, he still had to read stories about him.
Zhongli was also very interested in his own story. Knowing what the future held was always a good thing.
The story began with the familiar Adventurers' Guild and the familiar Katheryne assigning a commission.
Like Unreconciled Stars, it started with Katheryne having a commission for the Traveler.
This time, the client was a miner who entrusted the Traveler with finding missing miners at the quarry.
After accepting the commission, the first thing the Traveler had to do was meet with the client—Old Dai—to understand the situation.
Old Dai had commissioned Lumine, an experienced adventurer, and even found her an assistant.
It wasn't that he doubted Lumine's abilities, but the mining area was full of dangers, so someone knowledgeable had to lead the way.
When it came to the person who understood stones the most, who else could it be? First, exclude the boss named "Stone" (Mr. Stone).
So, who was left? That's right—Zhongli! No one understood stones better than him!
However, Old Dai hadn't actually sought out Zhongli, which left Paimon a little dissatisfied. The person who understood stones the most had to be Zhongli!
Regarding Paimon's thoughts, the people of Liyue wholeheartedly agreed. Come on, that was the Geo Archon!
If the Geo Archon claimed to be second in understanding stones, who would dare call themselves first?
Aside from the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, who might playfully tease, no one would dare claim the top spot!
In the story, Paimon became competitive. She wanted to find Zhongli and prove to Old Dai that the person who understood stones the most in the world was someone only she could find.
This inexplicable competitive spirit came from who-knows-where.
And it wasn't even her own strength she was boasting about—it was someone else's, as if their strength was hers.
Paimon found Zhongli at Third-Round Knockout, drinking tea and listening to storytelling.
[Iron Tongue Tian: "Last time, we spoke of the Geo Archon..."]
In reality, Iron Tongue Tian was currently performing a new story and hadn't expected to make a cameo like this.
Glancing at the Geo Archon listening to his storytelling, he felt as if the story had merged with reality.
Here he was, standing before the Geo Archon, telling a story about himself standing before the Geo Archon, telling a story about the Geo Archon... It was enough to make anyone's head spin.
[Paimon: "Found you, Zhongli! Do you have time now?"]
[Zhongli: "I do have time."]
Oh, he had plenty of time. Ever since retiring, he hadn't done much work, living like a retired old man.
Strolling, drinking tea, listening to stories, watching plays, buying antiques... and occasionally mooching a meal off an old friend.
If he were to carry a birdcage in one hand and fiddle with a walnut in the other, it wouldn't seem out of place at all.
In the story, Paimon explained their purpose to Zhongli—they wanted to prove to Old Dai that Zhongli was the person who understood stones the most in the world.
[Paimon: "In all of Teyvat, could there possibly be anyone who understands these things better than you?"]
[Paimon: "That client claims to have found the world's foremost expert on stones. I want to prove to him that you are the one who knows the most about these things in all of Teyvat!"]
[Zhongli: "This inexplicable competitive spirit—where did it come from?"]
These words didn't just apply to Paimon—many in Liyue felt the same way.
They, too, harbored similar hopes, wishing for the Geo Archon to prove his expertise and show those outsiders.
Fortunately, Zhongli was easygoing and wouldn't refuse Paimon's small request, agreeing to accompany them.
[Zhongli: "Let me say this first—though I have some knowledge, I may not necessarily be the foremost expert in the world."]
[Zhongli: "The sea of learning is boundless, and broadening one's horizons is always good. Firstly, with me around, you can rest assured. Secondly, if there truly is an expert, it would be good for me to learn from them."]
Regarding Zhongli's words, not just the people of Liyue but even foreigners had to admit—
Now, this is what you call professionalism.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice - Zhongli: About Historia Antiqua Chapter - Act II
"...Fate cannot be defied. But you are an exception, Traveler."