Paimon walked over to Lumine's side, and together they tried to piece together what had just happened.
Ultimately, with so little information, many connections remained unclear and incomprehensible.
"If we can't figure it out, let's just stop thinking about it for now," Paimon said, noticing Lumine's lingering gloom. She tried to comfort her, "Our journey isn't over! Let's get moving! Let's leave this dreadful place and return to the sunlit surface."
"If your brother wants you to reach the end... fine! Then you'll reach the end and show him!"
"Come on, Traveler, let's go!"
Paimon extended her small hand to Lumine, who placed her own hand on top of it.
"Let's go, Paimon. But before we leave..."
Lumine turned back and completely shattered the partially destroyed Statue of the Anemo Archon.
-
Angie returned with La Signora, meeting Capitano along the way.
A ship carried the two Harbingers, Angie, and two Gnosis.
After the incident involving Xiao, Capitano personally offered substantial compensation to Liyue on Angie's behalf, leaving her deeply indebted. The compensation came entirely from his own resources.
As Capitano put it:
Angie is my subordinate. I bear full responsibility for her mistakes.
Afterward, Capitano lectured Angie for a while.
Upon returning to Snezhnaya, Angie immediately took the trinkets she'd had purchased in Mondstadt and Liyue and went home.
Angie was the fourth child in her family.
Her eldest brother, Ajax, needs no introduction. Above him were another brother and a sister, and below him were Anton, Tonia, and Teucer.
Before reaching her house, Angie instructed the two Fatui soldiers carrying the chests to set them down, saying she and Ailina would carry them the rest of the way.
"My lady, are these all gifts for your younger siblings?" Ailina asked, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the adorable toys in the chests.
At that moment, Angie wasn't wearing her mask, revealing a rare gentleness on her face.
"This Ruin Guard is for my youngest brother, Teucer. He'll love it. This musical instrument is for Tonia—she's always loved music. And this weapon is for Anton. It's not top-tier, but it looks cool, which kids his age will appreciate. Underneath are some thick winter clothes, some in Liyue style and others in Mondstadt style."
As Angie spoke, she noticed Ailina staring at her with a peculiar expression.
"What's wrong?"
"I just never expected you to say so much at once, my lady."
"This is where I grew up. I know every inch of this place like the back of my hand. Every brick, every tile, every blade of grass, every tree—they all feel so familiar. Only here, only with my family, can I truly relax."
Angie gazed at the snow-covered houses, a smile blooming on her face, one she had never shown before.
"Come on, let's go inside together. And remember, don't call me 'Madam' or 'Lady' in here. Just call me by my name."
"Yes, Angie."
"Relax. Make yourself at home."
Ailina nodded slightly. As an orphan raised in the House of the Hearth, having served two generations of Knaves, she had stumbled her way to this place.
The feeling of "home"...
She had never truly experienced it.
-
Pushing open the door, Angie saw Tonia and Anton huddled around the fireplace.
"Sister, you're back!"
"Sis!"
Tonia rushed over excitedly and clung to Angie's leg. Anton remained more reserved, but his joy was evident.
"Alright, alright, you're too old to be so clingy," Angie teased, patting Tonia's small head as she pried the girl's octopus-like grip loose.
"Look, I brought gifts for you both!"
Angie pulled a musical instrument from the chest and handed it to Tonia.
"Anton, this is for you."
Anton received a magnificent longsword with an ornate design.
Their eyes sparkled with delight, reassuring Angie that her choices had been perfect.
After carefully putting away their gifts, Tonia and Anton quickly brought over two chairs for Angie and Ailina to sit down.
"Sister, I'll go make you something to eat right away."
"No need to rush," Angie said, holding Tonia back. "Where are the others? Why are you and Anton the only ones here?"
"Mom and Dad went out. I'll go get them!"
Anton volunteered eagerly and hurried out.
Pouting, Tonia complained, "Sister, that Teucer left us a note saying he'd gone to Liyue to find Brother! By the time we found it, the ship he'd boarded had already sailed, and there weren't any other ships heading to Liyue. Mom and Dad have been so worried ever since!"
Teucer went to Liyue?
How dare that kid be so reckless?!
Angie wasn't too concerned; her brother was in Liyue, and this was likely part of the plot.
But speaking of her brother... she seemed to have forgotten something important...
What was it?
Oh, right! Her older brother was still locked up in a Liyue prison!
How could she have forgotten that?!
I need to get my Liyue persona to release him immediately, Angie thought. Otherwise, who will Teucer find when he gets there?
As Angie was lost in thought, the door swung open again.
"Angie, you're back!"
Angie's mother was a strikingly beautiful woman with a radiant complexion.
"Come, let Mama see if you've lost weight..."
Angie squirmed under her mother's scrutiny, her face flushing.
"Geez, Mom, someone's here!"
Only then did Angie's mother notice Ailina, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, not saying a word.
"Oh my, look at these eyes of mine! I didn't even see you, child. Come closer and warm yourself by the fire. It must be freezing way over there."
Ailina, overwhelmed by the sudden warmth, scooted closer, feeling both honored and slightly frightened.
This is Lady Angie's and Lord Childe's mother! How can I possibly deserve such attention?
Angie's mother's eyes lit up as she leaned close to Ailina's ear and whispered, "Child, what did you eat growing up? Tell Auntie your secret. I'll make some for Angie too, to help her get back on her feet."
Ailina's cheeks flushed crimson.
Angie, meanwhile, coughed repeatedly. Suddenly spotting her father standing behind them, smiling warmly, she seized him like a lifeline and loudly steered her mother away from the increasingly embarrassing topic.
"Dad, come try on the clothes I bought for you and Mom!"
True to form, Angie's mother's attention was immediately diverted, and she stopped pestering Ailina.
Ailina watched Angie's mother selecting clothes, Angie's father beaming, and Anton and Tonia staring wide-eyed at the garments. Hearing their laughter, she couldn't help but smile.
This... this seems pretty good...
-
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city,
Rosalyne, having presented the Tsaritsa with two Gnosis and received the Empress's commendation, strode out of the palace, a triumphant expression on her face.
"Well, well, look who it is—our grand hero has returned."
Rosalyne glanced at the figure before her, then looked away in disdain. "A good dog doesn't block the path!"
"Heh, I should be the one saying that."
Rosalyne turned back, scoffing. "I've already applied to the Tsaritsa for permission to travel to Inazuma. The Raiden Shogun's Gnosis is mine for the taking!"
"Oh?" Scaramouche raised his head, surprised.
"Heh, it seems your successes in the previous two nations have given you quite the confidence boost."
Rosalyne remained arrogant. "This matter is none of your concern."
She swept past Scaramouche, her steps elegant and measured.
From behind, Scaramouche's sarcastic voice echoed:
"As fellow colleagues, don't say I didn't warn you. When you reach Inazuma, shed that conceited pride of yours. It wouldn't be any fun if you died there, heh."
"Hmph, what a load of nonsense!"