Though the stories in the light novel were moving, Diluc saw them as nothing more than fabrications from the editor of Yae Publishing House. All lies. Yet even so, someone as strong as Diluc found his eyes growing moist at the touching moments.
He even thought of his own past, of his deceased father.
"Damn it—why am I crying?"
The steadfast Diluc—the one who had resolutely abandoned his knightly identity—had been moved to tears by a light novel. Even he found it somewhat unbelievable. It seemed the tragedy from years ago still weighed heavily on his heart.
He glanced at the brightening sky and the rising sun, sighed, and went back to sleep.
...
Meanwhile, across the distant sea, morning had arrived.
Paimon woke early and roused the Traveler Lumine.
"Wake up—have you forgotten we're supposed to visit the Raiden Shogun today?"
They had already delayed that important visit yesterday because of the light novel. They couldn't afford another delay today. Nothing should stand in the way of Lumine's search for her brother.
Lumine, who had stayed up late reading the novel, was still drowsy. "Don't rush me—let me sleep a little longer."
Paimon pouted in disapproval. "If you miss the Shogun because you overslept, don't blame me this time."
Though reluctant, Lumine got up. "Fine—I'm up."
After a quick breakfast downstairs, they headed straight to the Shogun's residence to inquire about her brother. Half an hour later, fully awake, Lumine and her emergency food supply Paimon arrived at the gates of Tenshukaku—the Shogun's estate.
Lumine cautiously approached the guards. "Please inform the Raiden Shogun that the Traveler Lumine, accompanied by Paimon, has come to pay a visit."
The guard replied flatly, "Her Excellency has left Inazuma and is not currently at Tenshukaku."
Lumine: "???"
Too late? Where could the Shogun have gone so early in the morning?
Though puzzled, there was nothing she could do if the Shogun wasn't there. She would have to try again another time.
Lumine sighed. "Paimon, let's come back at noon. For now, let's visit Yae Publishing House—maybe we can meet the editor who wrote that light novel. According to the book, the editor's name is Yae Miko, right?"
Paimon: "Let's go."
They made their way through the city toward Yae Publishing House. Unlike Tenshukaku, security there was lax, and they entered easily.
"Please inform Editor Yae Miko that the Traveler Lumine has come to visit."
The staff member replied, "I'm sorry, but our chief editor is not at Yae Publishing House at the moment. She is currently in Liyue, at Wangshu Inn, listening to storytelling. If you have urgent business, you may find her there."
Lumine was stunned. Editor Yae Miko was at Wangshu Inn in Liyue? Listening to storytelling? What was going on? Was there actually a storyteller at Wangshu Inn? And were the stories in the light novel true after all?
She pressed further. "Excuse me, do you know about the Raiden Shogun? Is she also at Wangshu Inn in Liyue?"
She could hardly believe it. She had just left Liyue for Inazuma, and the Shogun had gone to Liyue to listen to stories? What a coincidence.
The staff looked at her and Paimon as if they were fools. "Haven't you read the light novel? It's all written there. Not only our Raiden Shogun, but also the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt and even the supposedly deceased Rex Lapis of Liyue are all at Wangshu Inn listening to stories. If you want to find them, you should take a ship back to Liyue."
Lumine: "…"
She was dumbfounded. It was all true. She had sailed all the way to Inazuma, stayed less than three days, and now she had to sail all the way back to Liyue. How frustrating.
She sighed heavily. "Paimon, let's go back to Liyue."
Paimon cheered. "Great—we get to see Miss Keqing again."
Lumine: "…"
Though she too wanted to see Keqing again, going back and forth like this—not even meeting the Shogun and wasting so much time—made her feel foolish.
"Damn it. I shouldn't have listened to Zhongli. If I hadn't left Liyue, I'd probably have met the Raiden Shogun by now."
Paimon nodded earnestly. "Yes—damn Zhongli."
...
Meanwhile, in Liyue, after breakfast, the people flooded into Wangshu Inn. Within minutes, before Li Mo had even appeared, the inn was packed.
As usual, Zhongli, the three Electro sisters, Barbatos, and Xiao were all seated in their corner.
"Ah—ah—achoo!"
"Someone's talking about me."
Zhongli looked around, puzzled, as he played with his bird.
Barbatos chuckled. "Eh, who in Liyue would dare speak ill of you, old man? Are they tired of living?"
Ei said seriously, "Enough joking. The storyteller is here. Let's listen."
Barbatos nodded. "Alright—but why hasn't Tartaglia arrived yet? If he doesn't show soon, I'll go find him myself."
For the Anemo Archon, tracking someone by following the wind was no difficult task.
Meanwhile, on stage, under the eager eyes of the audience, Li Mo walked out slowly, ready to begin the day's storytelling.
Without preamble, he launched into the tale of the twelfth life.
"After Rostam's death in the eleventh life, his soul did not enter the underworld. It entered the cycle of reincarnation once more."
"In the twelfth life, he was reincarnated in Mondstadt."
"He became a descendant of the Ragnvindr Clan, the master of Dawn Winery."
"His name was Crepus Ragnvindr."
"Throughout his long life, Crepus had two regrets: first, he never became a knight of the Knights of Favonius; second, he never obtained a Vision."
"So he placed all his dreams upon his son, Diluc."