Chapter 163. Unexpected Guests
"Eh? Mona, what's wrong?"
Paimon blinked, hovering closer. Mona was trembling. Her hands were clenched in her lap, eyes darting between Zhongli and the water mirror.
Hadn't she just predicted Zhongli's arrival? What was the problem?
"I… this…"
Mona's voice died in her throat.
She looked at Zhongli—calm, composed, sipping tea like this was any ordinary dinner—and swallowed hard.
There are only a few beings in Teyvat who can evade my divination.Futsu Mitama is one. Next Electro Archon. Divining him would get me lightning-struck.And this Zhongli—
Her master's warning echoed: When passing through Liyue, act discreetly. That Geo Archon likes to "wander the mortal world." Do not provoke him.
"As expected of an Astrologist."
Zhongli set down his teacup, breaking the silence. He gave Mona a look—calm, knowing.
"To accurately predict my arrival—you are indeed very powerful."
Mona's smile was brittle.
"Y-you're too kind."
He knows. He knows I didn't divine him. And he's letting me save face.
She sat down quickly, quietly, and didn't speak.
Paimon frowned but said nothing, instead turning to Zhongli with a proud grin.
"See? The friends Lumine and I know are amazing, right? She divined all three of you!"
Lumine rubbed her forehead.
Paimon, your loyalty has a half-life of about thirty seconds.
Zhongli nodded seriously.
"Hmm. To possess such accomplishment in Astrology shows great talent. In time, her name will spread across Teyvat."
Shenhe, Shinobu, and Kokomi nodded. They'd learned long ago in the Chat Group that brute force wasn't everything. Even Azhdaha admitted that puppet arts, alchemy, and mental domains gave him headaches.
Specialized skills mattered.
Kuki Shinobu was the exception—she could do everything, which was terrifying in its own right.
Paimon… well, Paimon was mascot and emergency food. Expectations managed.
"Hmph hmph~~~"
Paimon puffed out her chest.
"Stop, stop."
Mona hissed, tugging her sleeve.
This is embarrassing. They think I'm amazing. When the Old Hag hears about this, I'll be ridiculed for years.
Paimon blinked.
"What's wrong? You were proud a second ago!"
Futsu Mitama pressed his lips together, fighting a smile.
Aila and Black Aila remained expressionless.
Lumine looked at her noodles very intently.
—
"Eh? You all arrived so quickly?"
"Are we late?"
Keqing and Ganyu entered, surprised to find the room already full.
Greetings were exchanged. Mona introduced herself—the only outsider.
Paimon joked about seeing Keqing and Ganyu outside The Chasm.
Ganyu chuckled; she'd been managing The Chasm's final stages alongside Keqing for months.
Ganyu sat beside Shenhe.
Keqing sat beside Kokomi.
"Senior Sister." Shenhe said seriously. "In the past three months, has Master had any news?"
"Ah?! Cloud Retainer?"
Ganyu froze.
She'd seen other Adeptus recently; even Guizhong but Cloud Retainer—
"I'm sorry, Shenhe. I don't know what Cloud Retainer is doing."
Shenhe nodded. She wasn't surprised. Her Senior Sister had been avoiding Master for centuries. One mention of "Ganyu's childhood stories" and she'd vanish like smoke.
If my childhood matters were known… I'd have to silence everyone.
The atmosphere between them grew delicate.
Meanwhile, Keqing and Kokomi were deep in political discussion. Both had spent three months cleaning up messes—Kokomi in Sumeru, Keqing in Liyue. They spoke the same language.
Kuki Shinobu chatted with Lumine about Inazuma. Lumine was almost ready to travel there now that her brother's whereabouts were known.
She was… conflicted.
Relieved he was safe. Annoyed he was plotting something. Excited to see old acquaintances.
Futsu Mitama and Zhongli exchanged pleasantries.
"Did you eat today?"
"Did you play today?"
"What are your plans?"
Ordinary conversation between two people who were anything but ordinary.
And Mona sat there, mind racing.
First: Keqing, Yuheng Star of the Liyue Qixing. Divined correctly.
Second: Ganyu, Secretary of the Qixing, half-Adeptus blood. Divined correctly.
Third: ???
Who is the third? I divined someone with a noble, non-human identity. But everyone is here. Paimon's attitude, the seating—no more guests. Unless…
Her eyes narrowed.
The third person means ill will.
Knock. Knock.
The room went silent.
Chef Mao wouldn't knock. He'd barge in with food.
So who—?
"Who is it?"
Paimon called out, uncharacteristically alert.
A strange female voice answered.
"Hello. May I come in? I have something to discuss with you."
Black Aila's eyes narrowed. Hostility flickered across her face.
Keqing and Ganyu exchanged glances—surprise, then wariness.
Zhongli sipped tea. Not the host. Not his place to speak.
"It's her."
Black Aila leaned close to Futsu Mitama's ear, voice barely a whisper.
"Arlecchino."
Futsu's mind flashed:
A white-black-haired Eula.
That's what everyone had called Arlecchino at Signora's funeral. Too many similarities.
Rumor said she'd enter the character banner like Tartaglia—someone to help Lumine.
But there was too little information. Friend? Foe?
Futsu couldn't tell.
"Come in."
He said.
The door opened.
Arlecchino entered, flanked by two Electro Cicin Mages.
"Futsu Mitama?!"
The Cicin Mages nearly short-circuited. They hadn't expected to see him here. They stepped in front of Arlecchino instantly, protective, terrified.
This is the man who killed Dottore's segments. Killed Lady Signora. Imprisoned Lord Scaramouche. Became Acting Dendro Archon. Why is he in Liyue?! Why didn't intelligence report this?!
"Oh?"
Futsu studied the Cicin Mages' panic, then glanced at Zhongli.
Arlecchino isn't here for me. She's here for Zhongli.Taking over Signora's duties?
"Stand down."
Arlecchino said calmly.
She wasn't intimidated. Liyue Harbor didn't tolerate unauthorized perception checks—Rex Lapis's protection ensured that. She hadn't known who was behind this door. Only that Zhongli was dining here.
But seeing Futsu Mitama and his entire crew? She didn't flinch.
Instead, she looked past Futsu Mitama directly at Black Aila, and smirked.
"Long time no see. You've grown a bit taller."
Black Aila said nothing. Her eyes were ice.
Aila fixed Arlecchino with a glare that could curdle milk.
Mona's breath caught.
This woman… she's the third person I divined. Powerful. Terrifying. And she means no good.
Keqing spoke first, blunt as ever.
"The Knave. What are you doing here?"
Ganyu's expression was equally displeased. Everyone was about to eat. What did this Fatui Harbinger want?
She knew what Dottore and Signora had done in Liyue. Even Tartaglia had gone rogue. The Fatui were not welcome.
Arlecchino's smile didn't waver. She looked at Futsu Mitama—the clear focal point of the room.
"What am I doing here? Actually, nothing much. Just here to meet you all and discuss some matters."
She paused, then:
"I presume you will listen to a few words from me."