Lumine’s Wish

Before Lumine could say anything, a loud bang rang out behind her, and the entire area fell silent.

From atop the platform, Fengyan scanned the gathered crowd. With a firm grip on his spear, he struck the ground, his voice carrying across the hushed assembly.

"By decree of the Liyue Qixing, an official proclamation!"

"Let it be known! Though dragons soar and qilins ascend, even they, long-lived as mountains, will one day return to dust."

"The Geo Archon's tribulation was decreed by the heavens, his fate bound to the sun and moon. Yet even they know times of clear skies and storms alike, and so too did he meet his fate in a thunderous tribulation."

"Rumors abound in the streets, claiming the Geo Archon was assassinated—but such claims are false!"

"The truth is this: struck down by divine thunder, his soul has returned to the heavens. Thus, we proclaim to all of Liyue—mourn in moderation, and do not let grief consume you!"

"Furthermore, do not be misled by idle gossip. Do not indulge in baseless speculation!"

As Fengyan finished reading the proclamation, he struck the ground once more. Looking over the gathered citizens, he took a deep breath before continuing.

"The Immortal Lord has descended to the mortal realm and subdued the Archon!"

"Previously, he had been in deep slumber and thus expended immense divine power."

"He has now conveyed the will of the Liyue Qixing and returned to his slumber once more!"

"Do not be swayed by rumors—his strength has not fully recovered!"

"Liyue is hereby informed—remain calm, heed the guidance of the Liyue Qixing, and listen to the oracle of the Adeptus!"

With the announcement complete, the Millelith turned away and began marching back toward the streets of Liyue Harbor.

"Hah, so failing the tribulation is now an excuse," Zhongli murmured, a hint of awkwardness in his tone.

"In that case, shall we head to Yujing Terrace first?" Qiu Xue suggested.

Zhongli nodded. "Yes, let's go."

...

Not far away, Lumine and Paimon had also listened to the proclamation.

"Ugh... Traveler, can you translate that for me?" Paimon groaned, rubbing her temples. "What exactly did they say?"

Lumine glanced at her companion and calmly explained, "They're saying the Geo Archon didn't die from an assassination."

"He died because of a heavenly tribulation."

Paimon frowned, trying to process the information.

"They also said the Immortal Lord hasn't fully recovered," Lumine continued. "After delivering the will of the Liyue Qixing, he fell back into slumber."

She placed a hand on her chest as she spoke, her expression solemn.

"Ugh... so this is what the Liyue Qixing are saying now?" Paimon huffed. "Something's not right. Why would they give up on investigating the assassin so quickly? And this explanation... it sounds completely made up!"

She crossed her arms, deep in thought.

"Wait... does this mean the Qixing already know that the Geo Archon isn't actually dead?" Paimon muttered. "The Adepti might know, but Zhongli said that neither the Qixing nor the Adepti were aware of the truth..."

She narrowed her eyes. "Could it be that after Zhongli completed the deal for the Gnosis, he secretly told them?"

Lumine considered it for a moment. "That... actually makes sense."

"This time, I think your guess is spot on," she added with a smile.

"What do you mean this time?!" Paimon huffed, stomping her foot. "Paimon's guesses are always spot on!"

Lumine chuckled but then glanced toward Yujing Terrace. "The Rite of Parting has been going on for a while now... We should hurry over before it ends."

"Right!" Paimon nodded. "Let's go!"

...

When they arrived at Yujing Terrace, a large crowd had already gathered. In the center stood Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu.

Among the onlookers, Lumine and Paimon recognized several familiar faces—Madame Ping, Ying'er, and Stone, along with Qiu Xue and Zhongli.

Paimon eagerly waved at Qiu Xue and Zhongli before the two of them made their way over.

"Qiu Xue, Zhongli!" Lumine called out. "We're not too late, are we?"

Qiu Xue pressed a finger to her lips, smiling. "Not too early, not too late."

The four of them turned their attention to the figures at the center of Yujing Terrace.

"Ah, it's Ningguang and Keqing. What are they saying? Is it almost over?" Paimon wondered aloud.

Standing at the center of the terrace, Ningguang addressed the crowd, her voice clear and composed.

"As I have just stated, the Geo Archon's soul has returned to the heavens. Meanwhile, the Immortal Lord, having exhausted a great deal of his divine energy in subduing the Archon, has fallen into a deep slumber once more."

"The severing of this contract marks the end of an era."

She placed a hand over her chest, her gaze sweeping over the gathered citizens.

Stone sighed, shaking his head. "Three thousand seven hundred years of incense... and now, all that remains is ash."

His voice carried a tinge of sorrow.

Meanwhile, Ying'er's eyes shifted toward Lumine and Qiu Xue, her expression unreadable.

"The people of Liyue were once happy."

"In their days of happiness, they forgot how cruel time could be."

Ningguang stood at the center, her voice slow and laced with sorrow as she addressed the gathered crowd.

"The long dream of the Land of the Gods... stretches on without end."

Ying'er clutched her chest, her voice tinged with grief as she gazed at Ningguang.

Beside her, Madame Ping let out a quiet sigh upon hearing those words.

"When the dream ends, people learn the meaning of farewell."

"When the contract is reforged, will you... offer your blessings to the next era?"

Ningguang's gaze swept over the somber crowd, her words carrying the weight of Liyue's future prosperity.

"Now then, this concludes Lady Tianquan's address."

"Lady Yuheng, is there anything you'd like to add?"

Ganyu turned to Keqing, speaking softly.

Keqing's eyes seemed to be searching for something before she finally turned toward Qiu Xue and the others.

"She looks like she's looking this way," Paimon muttered, giving Lumine a small nudge.

Keqing took a step forward, approaching them.

"Traveler."

She spoke calmly, her gaze fixed on Lumine.

"Whoa! She really was looking at us!" Paimon gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.

"So that's the traveler who helped Liyue drive back the ancient god?"

"So young..."

Whispers spread among the onlookers as they glanced at Lumine, standing before Keqing.

"The Liyue Qixing always repays its debts, and as you may have heard, we are far-reaching and capable of many things."

"Name your reward. It is something you are owed."

Keqing placed a hand over her chest, her voice sincere as she addressed Lumine.

"Whoa..."

Hearing the word reward, Paimon stomped her foot excitedly.

Lumine glanced around. Ying'er and Qiu Xue exchanged smiles before giving her a small nod.

"Then... help me post some missing person notices."

Lumine turned back to Keqing, speaking with quiet determination.

Keqing nodded. "Understood. I'll have the Qianyan Army put them up all over Liyue Harbor and the surrounding areas."

"When the time comes, just give me a description of the person you're looking for, and I'll see that it's done."

She hadn't expected Lumine's request to be so simple.