In fact, the people of Fontaine still don't fully understand what the prophecy about Fontaine truly means, just like the readers at this moment.
But that's okay—prophecies are exactly the kind of thing that seem incomprehensible and profoundly mysterious now, but once you've finished the story and look back, you'll realize:
Wow, it really is "illusion" and "lies."
So, to avoid getting slapped in the face later, don't criticize the technique—just praise it and be done!
This is all thanks to the experience passed down by a certain renowned Teyvat scholar. Salute to the legendary "Know-It-All"—do you understand Rex Lapis, or do I understand Rex Lapis? Shortened to Know-It-All.
At this moment, Mona isn't particularly interested in these profound and mysterious statements—she often says things like this herself and can relate.
In truth, prognosticators aren't always deliberately speaking in riddles; it's just that they themselves can't see things clearly! They can only extract a few keywords.
But that's enough—those willing to believe will convince themselves and work hard to find connections.
Prophetic riddles are unavoidable; not everyone can write out the future in detail like Lucian does.
That's why Mona keeps clinging to Lucian, refusing to leave even after being fooled so many times.
[Kimiya continues: "Hmm, but the book says that as long as you trust your intuition and overcome the fear in your heart, the sun will surely rise."]
Overcome the fear in your heart, and the sun will rise—this line applies to Nahida as well, since she too is the "Moon."
Mona just wants to say: How much is this book? It's surprisingly practical.
How much the book costs will have to wait until Mona goes to Sumeru to ask. For now, the trio in the story starts choosing candy.
At this stall, three little kids are also reaching out for candy, their movements so perfectly synchronized they could pilot a mech.
And for the children, Dunyarzad's appeal is even stronger than Yalda candies—once Dunyarzad arrives, they don't even want the candy anymore and all crowd around her.
[Vihar: "Hahaha… Miss Dunyarzad, your appeal to children is even stronger than Yalda candies."]
Dunyarzad feels a bit embarrassed and chooses to play cosplay to change the subject:
["Ahem… Ah, sacred Knight of Flowers, to think you know my name—what an honor!"]
After Dunyarzad says this, it's Vihar's turn to feel embarrassed. He also starts role-playing as the "Knight of Flowers" to hide his shyness.
["Ah… ah, ahem, yo ho, of course! In the name of Faris, Knight of Flowers, I commend your contributions to the great Flower God's Birthday."]
Once both of them finish speaking, it's the readers' turn to feel embarrassed—what is this awkward little skit?
For adults, it's a bit cringey; the secondhand embarrassment kicks in. But realizing it's just to entertain kids makes it easier to accept.
A little cringey for adults, but for Fischl, it's just right! The Flower God's Birthday Festival is wonderful! Everyone is "role-playing" their characters.
Fischl: I simply must attend this Flower God's Birthday Festival! On that day, I'm willing to become a follower of the Dendro Archon for a day!
Venti has the same thought, because Dunyarzad revealed one piece of information: at the Flower God's Birthday Festival, alcohol flows freely!
How could I, the Anemo Archon, not also be a follower of the Dendro Archon?
Though there was no prior agreement, several Mondstadt folks simultaneously get the idea to visit Sumeru—for different reasons.
But the Flower God's Birthday Festival is still some time away—both in reality and in the story, it's "still some time away."
In the story, after Dunyarzad uses "role-playing" to shoo the children away, it's the big kids—Paimon and the Traveler—who get to choose candy.
There are many candy flavors: normal ones like lavender melon, spice fruit, and sunset fruit, but also abnormal ones like lizard tail and onikabuto.
It's practically a punishment game to see who gets the wasabi.
If Itto were here, he might want to try the onikabuto flavor—he fights onikabuto, not eats them, but since it's candy, he'd really like to taste it.
But Paimon plays it safe; she wants the "sunset fruit flavor" candy.
She's boldly tried slime dishes before, so it's a bit of a shame she doesn't want to try lizard tail or onikabuto flavor.
But it's not entirely a shame, because the Traveler ends up picking "Number 1: Lizard Tail Flavor" candy.
There's no special reason Lumine chooses number one—it's just that the other candy boxes are white or green, and number one is the only blue one. It stands out too much.
Wrong flavor doesn't matter; Vihar spoils kids and is willing to give both kinds to Paimon.
The story is very heartwarming, but also a little too plain. The readers feel something's off—Shikikan's stories can be heartwarming, but never plain!
Even the usual heartwarming stories hide mysteries; is this one really just this plain?
Based on past experience, Teyvat's Strange Tales covers a nation's main event—it shouldn't be this plain.
Something's wrong! Extremely—make that twelve-out-of-ten—wrong!
The plainer the story, the more worried the readers become; they always feel something big is coming.
In the story, Dunyarzad says she forgot something and hopes the Traveler can accompany her back to get it.
Dum dum dum—the readers seem to spot the "variable."
Sure enough, on the way back they encounter a group of kidnappers trying to abduct Dunyarzad.
Worry rises in the readers' hearts, but the Traveler in the story calmly says:
["Don't worry—the professional has already arrived."]
As soon as the words leave their mouth, Dehya steps out—she's been protecting Dunyarzad from the shadows all along.
Dunyarzad wanted to stroll the market freely, so Dehya granted her wish and never showed herself; others even thought she hadn't come.
[Dehya: "Traveler, take Miss Dunyarzad and go ahead."]
Normally, seeing this line might prompt some refusal—like "Let's face it together" or "I won't abandon you."
But the Traveler is different. The Traveler straightforwardly says: Got it, let's go!
When the wind tightens, pull the call—Lumine grabs Dunyarzad and bolts.
Being dragged by a physical monster like Lumine, Dunyarzad's frail body can't take it; after running a bit she's gasping and needs to rest.
Soon after, Dehya catches up—only with a minor scrape on her arm.
Normally she wouldn't get injured against small fry like this; it's just that her newly bought greatsword isn't quite comfortable yet.
Dunyarzad keenly catches the keyword "newly bought greatsword."
[Dunyarzad: "You said new greatsword? What happened to the one you've always used?"]
[Dehya, looking left and right: "Ah… well… um… I was a bit short on cash recently, so I had to sell it. Things like that happen sometimes."]
Whether it's an illusion or not, the readers feel this scene is a bit like secretly spending money and getting questioned by the wife.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Lines · Mona: About Being Fooled
"Being fooled? I haven't been. As long as I do some work, I get divination knowledge—I've come out ahead, haven't I?"