Takumi looked at Stelle and Lumine, grinning with delight.
Wow, did they just become sisters at first sight?
"Ah~! You two look so much alike."
"I'm March 7th, nice to meet you!"
After observing for a moment, March 7th cheerfully greeted Lumine.
Lumine nodded back. "Hello!"
"I'm Paimon! Nice to meet you, Miss March 7th~!"
Not to be outdone, Paimon immediately scooted up to introduce herself.
"Yo, more new friends?"
"I'm Hu Tao, 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Buy a tombstone from me—half price!"
Hu Tao joined in, introducing herself to Lumine. Having just arrived in Liyue, Lumine didn't recognize Hu Tao.
"Hello!"
Lumine's mouth twitched a little at the word "tombstone." Was it really what she thought?
"What's a tombstone? A wooden cup?"
Paimon was curious. Something at half price—was it something she could buy?
"Paimon, don't say another word!"
Lumine shot her a look, already sensing this wasn't good.
"Ahem! Of course it's not a cup—it's a gravestone, the kind you bury people under after they die! Little Paimon, do you need one? I'll give you half off, and buy one get one free."
Hu Tao looked at Paimon with anticipation. But when Paimon realized what Hu Tao was selling, she was completely stunned.
"No, no, no! I don't want one! Who'd want something like that?! No way!!"
Paimon waved her hands frantically. She definitely didn't want anything like that! She never expected Hu Tao to be selling these kinds of things.
Takumi and Zhongli stood to the side, watching the whole scene unfold, smiling. Clearly, they were both enjoying it. The others in the group chat were too. Seeing this, everyone was entertained. But thanks to Hu Tao's interruption, everyone got properly introduced. The group continued on their way.
Soon, they found a teahouse and sat down, starting to chat and share stories. Lumine learned that March 7th and Stelle had also come from other worlds, which shocked her. Was traveling between worlds really that easy now?
"You guys didn't meet a god blocking your path when you came here?"
Lumine looked at Takumi, March 7th, and the others, truly puzzled. How had they all arrived in this world without being stopped?
"Nope! We were put inside a bracelet and delivered to Takumi. And we're not even from the same world as Takumi."
March 7th explained their situation simply. In truth, there wasn't much to it—they were just put into a spatial bracelet and then transported over. They hardly felt a thing, just that they were put in and then let out.
"Hm?"
Lumine raised her eyebrows. So none of them were from the same world? And this was how people were being transported? Then how did they stay in contact?
Lumine was full of questions—who was going to explain all this to her?
Seeing her confusion, Takumi spoke up:
"There's a lot involved, so I won't get into all the details. The main thing is, none of us were stopped by a god on the way here. But the god you mentioned—I do know who that is."
Takumi grinned as he said this. Suddenly, he had a great idea.
Lumine's eyes widened. "You know?"
She was excited! Paimon was also surprised, looking at Takumi.
Zhongli glanced at Takumi but didn't say anything. He had no idea what Takumi was up to, but it didn't matter—let him play it how he wanted.
"Of course! Lumine, you have issues with your memory, right?"
Takumi looked at Lumine with interest.
Hearing this, Lumine was stunned, then nodded.
"Yeah... I feel like I've forgotten a lot. It's all sealed away!"
She frowned. That mysterious god hadn't just sealed her memories, but her powers too.
"I'm pretty good with memories. Do you want my help? I can help you recall the things you've forgotten."
If Lumine restored her strength and memory, and learned her brother was happily hanging out in the Abyss while she camped out robbing Hilichurls every day... Takumi was truly curious how she'd react. Would Aether get stabbed?
Takumi was ready to try.
"Can you really do that?"
Lumine was thrilled. If it was really possible, of course she'd want her memories back!
"Absolutely. If you trust me, give me your hand. It'll only take a moment—maybe you'll remember even more."
Takumi extended his hand.
Paimon watched in surprise. Lumine didn't hesitate and reached out her hand.
"I'll leave it to you!"
If she could get her memories back, why hesitate? She didn't believe Takumi would do anything bad.
Takumi smiled, then activated the Herrscher of Knowledge's power and took Lumine's hand.
In the next instant, the seal the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had placed in Lumine's mind was broken. Her sealed memories started returning.
Lumine frowned, feeling a bit unaccustomed to the rush of memories. At the same time, Takumi also removed the seals on her strength—an overwhelming aura radiated from Lumine, but Takumi quickly suppressed it. Golden wings appeared on Lumine's back.
Seeing the spectacular wings, Paimon's eyes went wide.
"Eh, eh, eh?!"
She had no idea Lumine had this up her sleeve!
"A fine power," Zhongli remarked, quietly surprised. No wonder those siblings could battle the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles back then. That power was truly impressive—divine, even.
Lumine's memories fell into place as her powers returned.
"Thank you! I understand now!"
The truth of Khaenri'ah, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles—everything made sense to Lumine now.
"You're welcome! Just a small favor. Now that you remember, what will you do?"
Takumi was curious. Now that Lumine had regained her memories, would she still travel across the seven nations as Aether wanted?
"No big plans! First, I need to find my brother."
Lumine shook her head. Her strength was back, but she wasn't about to give up looking for her brother. Whatever she wanted to do would have to wait until she found him.