"It seems just like any other day..."
Walking beside Kaito, Lumine looked around and commented with a hint of confusion.
Although she hadn't been in Liyue for long, the atmosphere didn't feel at all like it was time for the Rite of Descension. Instead, everyone was going about their business as usual.
Logically, it should be much livelier, especially since the god they only see once a year would be appearing today. But clearly, she wasn't seeing any such scene.
"Yeah! He's a god, after all. You'd think the food stalls would at least come out to celebrate. Honestly." Paimon chimed in right after Lumine, her thoughts, as always, not straying far from food.
"Food, food, food, that's all you ever think about."
At that moment, Lumine seriously considered selling Paimon to one of the food vendors so she could eat to her heart's content every day.
Wait!
Paimon would definitely eat them into bankruptcy!
Then they'd just throw her out!
The sudden thought made Lumine chuckle.
"Lumine, you're so weird. Why are you suddenly laughing?"
Paimon had been about to argue with Lumine, but seeing her laugh left her completely bewildered, unable to figure out what was going on.
"None of your business!"
Caught laughing by Paimon, Lumine quickly composed herself.
No matter what, she wasn't going to reveal the reason for her laughter.
"The reason it's not so lively is probably because everyone's used to it. Liyue isn't like Mondstadt, where nobody even knows where their own god has gone. Their god is still around."
Kaito suddenly said this, answering the question Lumine and Paimon had been discussing.
As for their conversation about food, he decided not to comment. Paimon was just like that, and he was used to it.
He actually wanted to say more, but on second thought, he decided against it. After all, it was best not to mention Zhongli's impending retirement just yet.
Their god has been right by your side this whole time...
Listening to Kaito's words, Lumine thought to herself.
If anyone else had said it, she would have let it slide, but Kaito was different. He was the Anemo Archon's boyfriend.
Of course, he didn't know that yet.
"Lumine, the Anemo Archon might..."
"Might what?"
Hearing Paimon start that sentence, Lumine quickly cut her off.
Although they had already agreed not to mention Wendy's identity in front of Kaito, Lumine was still worried Paimon would let it slip.
"Might... might be hiding somewhere in Mondstadt, secretly watching over the people, right? Hehe~"
After saying that, Paimon laughed awkwardly and scratched her head.
In reality, she hadn't meant to reveal Wendy's identity. She just felt like she was about to burst from holding it in, so she'd let that slip out.
You big dummy!
No!
You greedy little ghost is more like it!
Lumine was, once again, speechless at Paimon's antics.
"If you want to learn more about the Rite of Descension, you could talk to some of the citizens."
Seemingly unconcerned by Lumine and Paimon's exchange, Kaito pointed to a few Liyue locals up ahead who appeared to be discussing the Rite of Descension.
"Okay." Relieved that Kaito didn't seem to react, Lumine nodded.
With Kaito around, and considering they were all friends, Wendy probably wouldn't do anything to them, but she still felt it was wrong to reveal someone else's secret so casually.
"Are you here to ask about the Rite of Descension?"
As Kaito and the others approached, one of the Liyue citizens who had just been talking asked them this.
Apparently, the citizens had overheard their conversation.
"Yeah, yeah! It feels like the Rite of Descension is just an ordinary thing. Everyone is still going about their own business."
Facing the locals, Paimon voiced her confusion.
"Maybe it's because everyone's used to it. If they hadn't told me, I wouldn't have even known today was the Rite of Descension."
The lead citizen said, pointing a thumb at the friends behind him.
"Wow, even the locals are like that?"
Paimon was admittedly shocked by what the Liyue local had said.
"I suppose so. Every year, Rex Lapis appears to deliver a divine oracle, guiding Liyue's business direction for the year. For ordinary citizens like us, seeing it once is pretty much enough."
"A divine oracle? Does it include instructions for food vendors on how to make more delicious food?" Paimon asked, looking extremely eager.
"There's no way it would guide something like that."
Although Lumine wanted to scold Paimon, she didn't dare say it with absolute certainty, since she didn't know for sure.
"Well, about that, I'm not too sure. I'm not a business owner, so I don't really pay attention to that sort of thing."
The citizen didn't seem to find Paimon's question strange, but since they didn't know the answer, they couldn't reply.
"Then I guess we'll have to ask someone else."
Not getting an answer, Paimon was a little disappointed.
But it was okay, there were other people. Surely some adult would know the answer.
___
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