Lumine and Paimon's Journey to Liyue

Barbara had been playing outside for so long that Victoria, the priest of Mondstadt Cathedral, became worried and sought out Jean, the Acting Grand Master.

"Acting Grand Master, have you seen Barbara?"

"Barbara? No, I haven't seen her. What's wrong?"

Upon hearing Victoria's words, Jean immediately stood up. After all, Barbara was her sister.

"Barbara had the day off today but has been gone for so long. It's already evening, and she hasn't returned. That's why I came to ask you, Acting Grand Master."

"Barbara hasn't come back yet?"

Jean frowned, feeling worried. She wondered if something had happened to her sister.

"Victoria, don't panic. Tell me, did Barbara tell you where she was going when she went out today?"

"Barbara didn't tell me anything, but recently, she has been asking about you, Acting Grand Master."

"Asking about me?"

Jean was puzzled. Why would her sister keep asking about her?

"Well... the thing is, the last time Barbara saw you, she found out that you often visit the New Century Comics store. So she asked us about it."

"So we told Barbara."

"I also tried to go to the New Century Comics store, but I couldn't get in." Victoria shook her head, feeling frustrated.

"You couldn't enter the New Century Comics store?"Jean was momentarily stunned.

Then, her eyes lit up. Based on the previous customers who entered the New Century Comics store, they were all people with the Vision of the Gods. Lumine didn't need to use a Vision, but she could use elemental powers. So, according to this logic, only those with elemental powers or the Vision of the Gods could enter the New Century Comics store? With that in mind, Jean looked at Victoria.

"Victoria, I understand. You stay at Mondstadt Cathedral and wait for news. I'll go and ask personally."

"Alright, I'll leave it to you, Acting Grand Master." Jean nodded slightly, and once Victoria left, she left the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

She headed towards the New Century Comics store. When she arrived at the store, she didn't see Barbara anywhere. Inside the New Century Comics store, only Takarou was there.

"Um, Mr. Owner, did Barbara come to the store today?"

"Barbara?"

"Acting Grand Master, hasn't Barbara returned yet?"

Takarou was puzzled upon hearing this.

"No, the nun from Mondstadt Cathedral just found me and told me that Barbara went out and hasn't come back yet. So I came to the store to inquire about the situation."

"Today, Barbara obtained something in my store, and I think she went out to test it."

"Went out?"

"Alright, Mr. Owner, I understand. I won't disturb you further."Jean nodded slightly and then left the New Century Comics store, feeling somewhat worried.

Mondstadt was so big, and Barbara had been out for so long. Jean hoped nothing had happened. Jean was usually calm, but now that it concerned her sister, she couldn't maintain her composure. Jean left Mondstadt City and searched along the way.

Finally, after searching for a while, she spotted Barbara's figure under a large tree in Whispering Woods. Barbara was sitting on the ground. Seeing this scene, Jean's concern was evident on her face. She hurriedly walked over to Barbara.

"Barbara?"

"Jean... Acting Grand Master..."

Barbara saw Jean approaching, intending to call her sister, but she held back. Hearing Barbara's address, Jean sighed inwardly. Their relationship was still distant.

"Are you okay?"

Instead of asking why Barbara hadn't returned to Mondstadt so late, Jean first asked if she was alright.

"Acting Grand Master, I'm fine. I'm just taking a rest here before heading back to Mondstadt."

"Mainly because testing this weapon today consumed a lot of elemental energy."

"This weapon is..."

"Jean, this is the reward I obtained from Mr. Owner's comic store. It's called the M4A1 Carbine Rifle. With just one bullet, I can kill a Hilichurl Berserker!"

As Barbara spoke about it, she became very excited. In the past, when monsters appeared near Mondstadt, Barbara wanted to help too. But Jean always stopped her.

She wanted Barbara to stay in Mondstadt and take care of the injured. But now, Barbara had obtained such a powerful weapon. Even if monsters appeared near Mondstadt again someday, she wouldn't have to stay behind. She could stay by her sister's side and help Jean defeat those monsters.

"Jean, this weapon is really powerful. Do you want to try it?"

"Me?"

"Then let me give it a try."

Jean was also curious about the M4A1 Carbine Rifle in Barbara's hands. She took it from Barbara and felt it for a moment. Then, Barbara began to guide Jean. However... even after Barbara's guidance, Jean couldn't shoot when she infused elemental energy.

"Huh, what's happening?"

Barbara looked puzzled. She had no problem using it herself. Why did it become useless when it was in her sister's hands?

"Don't worry, Barbara. This weapon is called the M4A1 Carbine Rifle, and it seems that only you can use it."

"Only me?"

"Yes, it's your exclusive reward. It's like my Spatial Jump Pen."

"Only when you hold it can you use it. It won't work for anyone else. It's a reward exclusively for us."

"So, don't worry. Even if someone accidentally takes the weapon, they won't be able to use it."

"With such a powerful weapon, I won't lose it."

Barbara took the M4A1 Carbine Rifle from Jean's hands and held it tightly to her chest. Seeing her sister like this, Jean smiled.

"From now on, don't stay out so late. We all worry about you."

"I know, Acting Grand Master. Let's go back then."

On the way, Jean asked a question. When she heard that Barbara had used the M4A1 Carbine Rifle to clear out all the monsters in Whispering Woods, Jean felt a mixture of helplessness and happiness.

After all, her sister had obtained a weapon that could protect herself. As an older sister, Jean naturally felt joy from the bottom of her heart. When they returned to Mondstadt, Jean and Barbara separated. Watching Barbara's cautious departure, a smile appeared on Jean's face.After so many years, this was the first time she had spoken so much to her sister.If they could continue like this forever, how wonderful would that be?

__________

The next day, Keqing prepared to leave Mondstadt and return to Liyue. However, during her time in Mondstadt, she gained quite a lot.Overall, she was not satisfied with Mondstadt's management system because it was too lax. If she were in Liyue and saw such a lackadaisical Thousand Winds Temple, she would reprimand them directly. But now, she was in Mondstadt, a nation managed by the Knights of Favonius, and she was just an outsider. In addition, she learned from Acting Grand Master Jean that the Traveler Lumine had helped Mondstadt resolve the situation with the Stormterror.

She also learned that this Traveler from another world could use elemental powers without needing a Vision, which surprised Keqing. However, today, she was leaving Mondstadt. Before leaving, she wanted to meet the owner of the New Century Comics Store.

"Mr. Owner, hello." In the comic store, accompanied by Jean, Keqing arrived.

"Miss Keqing, is there something I can help you with?" Takarou looked at Keqing and nodded slightly.

Although Keqing appeared serious on the surface, Master Keqing was still very cute. If she wore her cat ear headpiece, which was her iconic accessory, and a different outfit, she would look even cuter.

Takarou remembered that during the college entrance examination, a candidate came out for an interview and directly said that they should strengthen Keqing's character in the game. But in the end, Keqing's character remained the same, which disappointed him. However, even if Keqing wasn't stronger than other 5-star Electro characters, she still had many dedicated fans.

"Mr. Owner, I plan to return to Liyue today. Once I go back, I will help you with the Land Deed matter. I will write you a letter using the Thousand Cranes.'"

"Mr. Owner, whenever you visit Liyue, all the Seven Stars of Liyue will welcome you."

Takarou was not only mysterious but also provided rewards for reading comics in his store. Just for this reason, it was worth getting closer to him. Although Keqing didn't know how powerful Takarou himself was, it wasn't worth offending such a mysterious shopkeeper.

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Miss Keqing."

"When I open a branch in Liyue, I hope Miss Keqing will visit often." He already had the branch card now.

But for the Land Deed and other matters, he still needed Keqing to handle them. Once everything was settled, he could open a branch in Liyue. By then, the Vision holders in Liyue could also come to the store to read comics. That way, more customers would be attracted.

"Mr. Owner, please rest assured. As long as you open a store in Liyue, all the Seven Stars of Liyue will visit frequently."

"Alright." After chatting with Takarou, Keqing looked at the Traveler Lumine.

"Traveler, Paimon, will you be traveling with us?"

"Miss Keqing, then we'll be relying on you."

"It's no problem. I'm quite curious about you as well."

"There's no time to waste. Let's prepare to depart. It's better to leave early to avoid missing this year's Rite of Descension."

"Okay."

"Mr. Owner, we will take our leave. Thank you for taking care of us these past few days."Lumine looked at Takarou.

They had basically come to the comic store to visit during these days and Takarou had prepared a lot of food for them to eat.

"Mr. Owner, even when we're not in Mondstadt and on our way to Liyue, we'll still think of you." Paimon also looked at Takarou reluctantly.

After all, once they left Mondstadt, they didn't know when they would see Takarou again. Moreover, it would be difficult for them to eat those delicious foods. After all, eating here at Takarou's place didn't cost a single penny, and there were many delicious dishes available. They could eat whatever they wanted.

"You miss me? Or is it the Gourmet Tablecloth you're thinking about?"

Takarou couldn't understand Paimon's thoughts.

"Lumine, Paimon, when you reach Liyue, I hope you can remain calm no matter what happens."

"The people in Liyue are pretty good. I hope you can find clues there as well."

"Thank you, Mr. Owner. Then we will depart."

"Hmm, go ahead. Maybe in a few days, you might see me in Liyue."T akarou smiled mysteriously.

Afterwards, Acting Grand Master Jean bid farewell to Keqing, the soldiers of the Crux, Lumine, and Paimon, and they all left Mondstadt together.

"Traveler, Paimon, whenever you come to Mondstadt, the gates of Mondstadt are open for you. Whenever you want to visit, you are welcome." Lumine had been of great help to Mondstadt and was also an honorary knight of Mondstadt.

"Jean, when we have the chance, we will come back to visit. We bid you farewell for now."

"Hmm, travel safely."

"Miss Keqing, the same goes for you. Whenever you want to come to Mondstadt, the Knights of Favonius and all the people of Mondstadt will welcome your arrival."

"Alright, Jean. The same goes for you. You can visit Liyue whenever you have the opportunity."

"Okay."

"Then, take care."

"Take care on your journey."

Acting Grand Master Jean watched Keqing, the soldiers of the Crux, Lumine, and Paimon leave the bridge of Mondstadt. Once their figures disappeared from sight, Jean turned and walked back towards Mondstadt. I wonder what challenges Lumine will encounter in Liyue this time? Upon entering Mondstadt, Acting Grand Master Jean went to the New Century Comics Store.

"Mr. Owner."

"Jean, here to read comics?"

"Mr. Owner, I'm not here to read comics. I have something to discuss with you."

"Then have a seat."

Takarou left the front desk and came to Jean's side, personally serving her a cup of tea.

"Mr. Owner, it's like this Last time, you provided us with a rocket launcher.And now, we have negotiated with Liyue. Once Keqing returns this time, we should be able to finalize this matter with Ningguang. But this rocket launcher was provided by you. Without Mr. Owner's help, we wouldn't have been able to research it so quickly.So, when the rocket launcher starts being sold in Liyue, we will give you 40% of the profits based on revenue. Mr. Owner, please don't refuse. After all, this is our way of thanking you in the Knights of Favonius for your recent assistance."

Seeing Jean's serious expression, Takarou smiled faintly. Mora? He didn't really need it. What he lacked was customers. As long as he completed the tasks given by the system, he would receive rewards. But... It was still free Mora. It would be a waste not to take it. With that in mind, Takarou nodded and said, "Since it's your decision, Jean, I agree."

"I can give you a hint."

"The train doesn't have to rely on electricity. It can be powered by steam or coal."

"Speaking of steam, Jean, you should have boiled water before. When the water heats up, it turns into gas and pushes the lid of the kettle."

"Tell Albedo or Lisa what I said, and they should understand." Jean wasn't as knowledgeable in this area as Lisa and Albedo.

But by having Jean pass on the message, based on the knowledge that Albedo and Lisa possessed, the train should become faster.