48 Prinzessin

To tell the truth, Zhongli already suspected that Igarashi knew of his real identity on their first encounter. The main reason is that, for one, Zhongli's observational skills are quite high, which makes him perfectly see Igarashi's awkward movement.

During their first interaction, Zhongli was observing Igarashi and saw that he was restraining himself and putting on a facade of a calm person in front of him. Because of this, Zhongli had already made a preliminary guess.

Having that guess in his mind, Zhongli continued observing Igarashi and found out that, even if he knew his real identity, Igarashi was still treating him as a normal customer.

A lot more happened and he decided to go to Jueyun Karst when he sensed some abnormality.

When he arrived, all he saw was Igarashi... Dragging Sasori to Qingyun Peak. His movement at that time looked as if he was unconscious and just moved based on instincts. But his battle-crazed eyes were wide opened with no fucus with his gritted teeth were proving this otherwise. It was as if he was a different person that knows nothing but battle.

And from where he appeared from, a cave was filled with corpses of mutilated adult Geovishaps, along with a Primo Geovishap. Not a single one was alive.

On Zhongli's close inspection, his wounds were even healing on their own with some kind of strange energy. Zhongli felt a familiarity with the strange energy and he could've sworn that he had seen it before. In addition, this unknown energy seems to have special properties; such as attracting the attention of nearby Adepti.

This attraction may also explain why Ganyu felt like there was something interesting "Inside" Igarashi.

In the end, Zhongli just contacted Cloud Retainer, the only Adeptus that knows his current identity to calm the nearby Adepti.

Zhongli continued watching Igarashi at that time and saw him mercilessly slaughter Hilichurl and Lawachurl Camps with his polearm and Pyro Vision until he finally climbed Qingyun Peak.

After reaching Qingyun's peak, Igarashi's battle-frenzied state disappeared and he soon woke up as if he was back to his old self. In addition, the Pyro Vision that was floating beside him the whole time deactivated and turned gray before disappearing as if it followed its master.

And from then on, the following events followed. Igarashi disappeared in a blinding light and after a day of disappearance, he mysteriously appeared back in Liyue Harbor.

It was at that time that Zhongli finally decided to judge Igarashi. He tested him on what he will do if someone provokes him, aka Childe, to see how he will react. And to Zhongli's relief, Igarashi resorted to a more... silly and fun approach.

And finally, on the last test, he asked Igarashi a question regarding his Gnosis. To confirm if he really does know of his real identity.

Igarashi replied with what he knew of. At that time, during Zhongli's questioning, he knew that he was talking about the war the Tsaritsa was about to wage against Celestia. So, since Igarashi thought that he had no power of stopping the course of events that will eventually happen, he decided to give a clear answer.

Zhongli liked his answer and finally confirmed his guess. The man named 'Yunru' really does know of his identity. From his movement and clear bodily gesture, Zhongli confirmed it with his eyes. Of course, he also determined this with his hundreds of years of interacting with various humans throughout his 6,000 years of lifetime.

Seeing that Igarashi is not planning to expose him, Zhongli just left it at that. If the former wants to keep the latter's secret, then he will keep it that way and be a regular customer as he promised during their first interaction.

* * *

In Mondstadt, Igarashi was drooping down on his desk on the counter he made at the side of the shop as Sasori watched him from the sides, playing with a stray cat he picked up.

'How did it come to this...' He thought.

As for the reason he was grieving? Well, it has something to do with the person in front of him.

"The stars of the firmament are naught but rifts, thrust open by Oz's beak into the boundless tapestry of darkness."

"She means Good Afternoon."

Yup. It was Fischl and Oz. As for why they are here, Igarashi just guessed that the traveler recommended this place to her. That, or perhaps her being an immense Chuunibyō attracted her here. Or maybe both. It was definitely both.

Fischl has blonde hair, light green eyes, and a petite build with fair skin. Two sections of her hair are tied into twin tails with a black ribbon, the left of which is decorated with a bat wing pattern. She also wears a black eyepatch that is worn to not obstruct her view when possessing Oz.

Igarashi stopped what he was doing and greeted her. "Er, yes, welcome to Manga Jump. A branch store from Liyue Harbor. Would like an introduction to our products?"

"Fret not! For this Prinzessin der Verurteilung has already been informed of thou business from another otherworldly traveler! I, Fischl, orders thou to purchase me such otherworldly literature that dared to surpass that of thy book!"

"She means: I already heard from the traveler about you. Can I buy a book to compare it to my other books?" Oz translated

Igarashi heard and felt he would not have understood a single word if not for the electro night raven, Oz. Speaking of Oz, Igarashi found him extremely helpful and has some questions for him. Like, where did he come from? It was only said in the game that he was the manifestation of Fischl's electro vision when she first received it. But seeing no other manifestations in other regions, this information was still being confirmed if it were true or not.

Igarashi kept his cool and kept a calm expression outside. He then showed a kind smile. "Is that so? Well then, you actually came at perfect timing."

"Oh? How so? Enlighten this Prinzessin!" Fischl said.

"Pretty self-explanatory." Oz said.

'Yeah, I know.' Igarashi kept his smile. He then picked something out from under the counter. It was a book with a muscular man wearing bizarre clothing pointing at the reader. And on top of the cover, the title: "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusader" was present.

Fischl saw it and was confused at such a book. But, for some reason, she felt attracted to it.

Feeling like she has a connection to this book, Fischl asked: "T-This Prinzessin der verurteilung i-is interested in such a bizarre type of literacy! I-I seem to sense a familiarity from another world from it! I wish to purchase this item as it may lead me to stop other items from other words from appearing here!"

"She means: I kinda like it. Can I buy it?" Oz translated.

'Thanks for translating, Oz.' Igarashi thought, still keeping his smile. He then handed her the book. "Well then, that would be 7,000 Mora for the first chapter."

(A/N:I am bad at writing Chuuni lines for Fischl...)