"Haha… uh… I was wrong!!!"
Hanging from a tree, tied up in vines, Lumine's face was full of embarrassment and regret.
"Why do I have to suffer just because she messed up?!"
Paimon, bound right beside her, pouted in protest.
The one who tried something dumb was the Traveler— so why was she, the innocent bystander, also punished?
Unfair!
This was so unfair!
"Why did you even think it was a good idea to attack me?"
Even Su Ran hadn't expected it.
That this girl— the so-called honorable Traveler— could actually be so shameless!
The moment she heard "Raiden Shogun wants to capture me," her first thought was: bind him up and turn him in!
That took guts, he had to admit.
He says it, and she actually tries it?
What are you, some kind of Trailblazer from the Astral Express?!
"I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
Now she was pure regret. Nothing but regret.
But the world didn't sell regret medicine.
Bound hand and foot, she couldn't even summon elemental power to cut the vines.
She was utterly helpless.
"But since you dared to stab me in the back— how do I know there won't be a next time?
Maybe I should just deal with you here and now… remove the risk altogether?"
Su Ran crossed his arms, eyes sweeping over Lumine's body, as if considering the best spot to strike.
Since the Traveler wasn't just a fool, but also a rat, he could bully her with zero guilt.
"Wait! Hold on!
Aren't you supposed to forgive me after I apologized?
Look at me, I'm cute!"
Even Su Ran was dumbfounded.
Did she really just say that?
As if being cute was a free pass for all sins?
Why was it that everyone else he'd met so far acted normal— but the moment it was the Traveler, the entire tone of reality shifted?
"You're right.
Since you're so 'cute,' you won't mind if I kill you first, right?"
"…"
Reality was cruel.
Lumine's expression collapsed into despair.
The gulf between a Harbinger and herself— was it really this vast?
"Relax, I won't kill you.
I still need you to come to Inazuma and rescue me.
And besides, you don't want to lose track of your brother's trail, do you?"
He waved it off casually.
She was shameless— but he was a transmigrator.
If he wanted to, he could out-shameless her tenfold.
The Traveler was nothing in comparison.
"So… going to Inazuma is non-negotiable?"
Lumine was not thrilled.
In fact, she'd been thinking about heading to Sumeru or Fontaine first, delaying Inazuma as long as possible.
After all— if even this ridiculously strong Harbinger was captured by the Raiden Shogun, what chance did she have?
She couldn't even beat the Lady!
What was she supposed to do, fight the Raiden Shogun head-on?
Truth was, Lumine didn't yet grasp how terrifying an Archon truly was.
Besides the invincible Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, her only godly encounter had been… Barbatos.
A drunk bard.
Not exactly an awe-inspiring example.
Maybe after facing an actual demon god like Osial, she would understand the difference.
"If you don't go to Inazuma, how will you find your brother?"
Su Ran shot her a look.
Liyue didn't even have its Archon around anymore.
What was she still doing here?
"My brother's in Inazuma?"
"Not exactly. But that's where the leads are."
In truth, any "news" of Aether was centuries old.
But Su Ran had a bigger concern— if she skipped Inazuma, all his plans would go to waste.
He'd prepared such an elaborate dreamscape.
It wasn't just for Ei's sake.
Lumine was his designated protagonist!
The whole Inazuma arc was for her.
He wasn't about to let her dodge it.
"You shouldn't treat your savior like this, though…"
Lumine glanced down at her dangling feet, the chilly wind whistling beneath her.
"Isn't this treatment enough?"
Su Ran chuckled, releasing the vines and dusting off her clothes with mock gentleness.
"What about me? Why aren't you untying me?"
Paimon kicked her tiny legs furiously.
She hadn't done anything!
And yet here she was, still trussed up.
Was there no justice? No heavenly principle left?!
Lumine sighed, summoned a gust of Anemo, and sliced through Paimon's vines in a few swipes.
The little mascot zipped behind Lumine instantly, peeking out with only her head showing,
and yelled furiously at Su Ran:
"You're a big meanie!"
"Thanks for the compliment.
I am a Harbinger, after all."
For her to only call him a "meanie"
was actually pretty tame.
Realizing this, Paimon quickly ducked fully behind Lumine again.
"…By the way, you're so strong.
How did you end up angering the Raiden Shogun?
Why does she want you dragged back?"
That piqued Lumine's curiosity.
Ei crossed her arms coolly.
She knew the truth.
It was just for her own sense of "security."
"One day, I intruded into Inazuma, wanting to see Eternity for myself.
The Raiden Shogun discovered me and blocked my way.
She gazed upon my handsome face, my perfect form,
and wished to keep me by her side.
But I refused her advances!
She flew into a rage and vowed to lock me away for all eternity!"
The more Su Ran spoke, the more indignant he became.
The more Ei listened, the angrier she grew.
And Lumine?
She was just munching on this gossip like it was the juiciest melon.
"That's enough!"
Ei finally snapped.
This slander was unbearable.
"You see? Even my companion here is outraged on my behalf.
Clearly, the Raiden Shogun's wicked deeds stir righteous fury in all hearts."
Su Ran pointed right at Ei, using her own fury as proof of his words.
Lumine tilted her head.
…It kind of made sense?
Being "kept" by the Raiden Shogun— wasn't that basically a life of luxury and power, one step below godhood itself?
But seeing Ei's thunderous expression, she had to wonder if her own lack of sympathy meant
she was just heartless.
"…Is what you said true?"
She wasn't sure if she believed him.
But given Barbatos' behavior, her faith in the Archons wasn't exactly rock solid anymore.
Even if Morax turned out to be some lazy old man, she wouldn't be shocked.
"The Fatui may not be saints, but we're not without our credibility.
Otherwise, why would so many people still do business with us?"
That point… she couldn't refute.
Lumine had seen plenty of people eager to make deals with the Fatui.
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