Not only was he spending Tartaglia's Mora, but he had also exposed Tartaglia's identity, stirred up resentment against him, and even encouraged Diluc to mooch off him too. Wasn't that going too far? Wasn't that completely outrageous?
Even Tartaglia, who usually kept a positive attitude, was on the verge of a breakdown. In this clash, he had once again witnessed the Anemo Archon's shamelessness and terrifying cunning. He had lost completely.
Still, looking at Diluc's disgusted expression, Tartaglia felt slightly relieved. He knew Diluc was a nobleman and the owner of Dawn Winery. He certainly wasn't short on Mora. He wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of this situation. Thinking that, Tartaglia breathed a little easier.
But then, Diluc, whose expression had remained sour, finally spoke. "Innkeeper, bring your most expensive wine, your most expensive tea, and your most expensive dishes. And put it all on Tartaglia's tab."
Tartaglia was dumbfounded. He had been careless again. He never expected the owner of Dawn Winery to join in on taking advantage of him. How could he be so shameless? How infuriating! How excessive!
Though furious, Tartaglia was a Fatui Harbinger and in the wrong. He couldn't refuse Diluc's request. He could only force a bitter smile and silently endure being squeezed by everyone. In his heart, he prayed fervently: "Great Tsaritsa, please come to Wangshu Inn as soon as possible and save your follower. I can't take much more of this."
…
When the innkeeper brought out the most expensive wine and dishes, Tartaglia's face turned green with anger as he looked at the table full of food and drink.
Just then, a voice came from behind them. "Venti, we meet again."
It was the Traveler, with Paimon and Arataki Itto in tow, coming to visit the gods and ask the Raiden Shogun about her brother.
The gods turned to look at Lumine. Barbatos grinned. "Eh heh, Miss Lumine, I heard you went to Inazuma. How is it you're back in Liyue?"
Barbatos already knew Lumine's goal was to travel across Teyvat in search of her brother. Hearing his question, Lumine looked exasperated. Who would have guessed that right after she left Liyue for Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun would come to Liyue? She had made the trip for nothing.
She sighed. "Zhongli said the Raiden Shogun might know something about my brother, so I went to Inazuma. I never expected the Shogun to come to Wangshu Inn."
With that, she turned her gaze to the three nearly identical Electro sisters, her eyes full of confusion. Wasn't there only one Raiden Shogun? Why were there three? But then she remembered the stories from the light novel—the other two must be Ei and Makoto.
Seeing this, Zhongli, who rarely spoke, finally said, "Though the journey was roundabout, the outcome is good. If you have questions, feel free to ask the Raiden Shogun."
With Zhongli's endorsement, Lumine gathered her courage and asked Ei, "Do you know anything about my brother?"
All three sisters looked puzzled. "Your brother?"
Lumine nodded. "Yes."
She then explained how she and her brother had entered this world and been attacked. After hearing her out, the sisters looked thoughtful. People from outside this world? Were there truly other worlds beyond Teyvat?
The Raiden Shogun said flatly, "I don't know."
Makoto added, "Perhaps you could try Sumeru. The Lesser Lord Kusanali might have clues."
Hearing their answers, Lumine's face fell with disappointment. Still no trace of her brother. Where could he be? Based on what she knew, Sumeru seemed to be the next step.
Just as she was about to leave for Sumeru, Ei spoke up. "Wait. Searching aimlessly like this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even if you go to Sumeru, the young Lesser Lord won't know much. Instead of running around, why not stay and listen to the stories here? You might find more clues. Besides, before long, the Tsaritsa might come here too. Waiting here is better than chasing after Kusanali."
In Ei's eyes, the Lesser Lord Kusanali was still a child. How much could she know? Rather than traveling endlessly, Lumine might as well wait at the inn. As the storyteller continued, more and more powerful figures would be drawn here. Wangshu Inn would become the center of Teyvat's information hub.
Lumine paused, torn. Ei was right. Staying at the inn would expose her to more stories and more people, giving her access to richer information. Perhaps waiting here was the best choice.
After a moment's thought, she made her decision. "Thank you for the advice, Raiden Shogun. You're right—staying here might give me more leads."
Paimon suddenly said, "But didn't you say nothing would stop you from finding your brother? How can you stop traveling now?"
Lumine said seriously, "Staying here is still searching for my brother."
More importantly, she wanted to meet the mysterious Tsaritsa, but she couldn't go to Snezhnaya herself. Waiting here was the best option.
Just as Lumine made her decision, Arataki Itto, who had been waiting impatiently, leaped out from behind her. His tall frame immediately blocked Lumine and Paimon from view. He scanned the group with confident eyes, finally fixing his gaze on Yae Miko.
"Haha, so my defeated opponent is here too!"
He was referring to the fox ramen competition—though it had been a narrow victory, it was still a win, enough to brag about for a lifetime.
Yae Miko: "???"
She didn't appreciate being called a "defeated opponent." She looked at the tall Itto with curiosity. How had this street thug ended up at Wangshu Inn? The Traveler must have brought him.
Instead of getting angry, she smiled her signature sly smile, glancing at Itto, then at Xiao in the corner. "So, as the self-proclaimed king of Inazuma's kids, have you come to Liyue all alone? No followers yet?"
She cast a sidelong glance at Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons. Itto followed her gaze and looked at the short figure sitting nearby. This kid. He liked what he saw.