The next morning, Noelle came again to spar with Yaoyao.
She arrived early, and after training, followed Yaoyao into the Serenitea Pot to bathe.
Later on, Fischl and Klee also arrived.
After breakfast, Noelle took her leave, while the others set out together to search for the location marked on the map.
Once outside the city gates, Xia Ci summoned the hovercar.
Everyone piled in, and they drove straight toward their destination.
"The map shows it should be around here…"
"Let me see… Oh, just up ahead."
"…But there aren't any lamps here."
"Come to think of it, the prophecy never actually described what the [Lamp of Bliss] looks like… Could we be rushing this?"
"There are more words on the note."
"What does it say?"
"[Look up, and ask the heavens for an answer.]"
"Look up?"
They all tilted their heads back to gaze at the sky.
"…There's nothing there! Could something be off?"
"There's more text on the note."
"What does it say now?"
"It's time to recite the incantation… [Place the squirrel upon the sharp-eared cat's back, and the devout little dog will open the door for you]?"
"…I read it, but nothing happ—wait, wait, wait, is that wind?!"
"What a strong current!"
"Let's follow it in the car!"
Before long, the vehicle carried them onto a floating island.
"There's really an island in the sky… Could it be manmade?"
"How incredible!"
From the car, they could see a lavish long table atop the island, with eight chairs set around it.
"This looks like a place where someone once held a tea party."
"There's a beautiful lamp on the table! Each chair has a side corresponding to it too!"
Xia Zhi already knew the truth from Venti, so he spoke: "That lamp is the so-called [Lamp of Bliss] from the prophecy."
"Eh!!! It doesn't look that special though, boss. What does it do?"
"For most people, nothing. But for Klee, it's a priceless treasure."
Klee tilted her head curiously. "Why's that?"
"Because it belonged to your mother. Through it, you can speak with her."
Klee's eyes sparkled. "Really?!"
Xia Zhi brushed his fingers across the lamp and softly recited the activation chant: "[Please forgive me for disturbing your peace.]"
The lamp flared to life.
A woman's voice drifted from within: "…Eh? Why is this thing suddenly lit? Strange…"
Klee couldn't hold back anymore and shouted: "Mama!"
"Hm? So many young voices… Was that you just now, Klee?"
"It's me!"
"How did you end up here?"
"I came with my big brothers and sisters!"
Everyone tactfully stayed quiet, letting mother and daughter speak.
After a while, once Klee finished chatting, Xia Zhi finally spoke: "Lady Alice, greetings."
"Oh, cough, cough! Long time no see, Mr. Xia. Truly unbelievable…"
Xia Zhi froze, expression turning amused. "What do you mean, long time no see? This should be the first time we've spoken, isn't it?"
"The first time?"
The voice in the lamp chuckled softly.
"In a sense, yes—it is the first."
Hearing that, Xia Zhi was reminded of Barbatos. When they'd first met, he too had acted like they were old acquaintances.
Mona interjected: "Wait, wait—why are you talking like that old witch?!"
"Old witch? That tone… Mona, is that you?"
"You know me too?"
"Of course! What brings you to Mondstadt?"
"The old witch sent me to retrieve a box from you…"
"Oh, you mean that diary? I left it with Klee. Did you get it back?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then please send my regards to your master."
"I will."
"This lamp hasn't lit in so many years. When I saw it suddenly shine, I thought it was a call from an old friend of my youth… I remember we entrusted it to the Anemo Archon for safekeeping. Looks like you've managed to find the Archon's hidden token—not bad at all."
"…What Archon?"
"Eh? You don't know? Then where did you find this lamp?"
"It was just sitting on this table."
"…You're not by my beloved tea table, are you?"
"…It does look like a tea table."
"Unbelievable… So Barbatos even allowed you to ascend here."
"Eh? The Archon had nothing to do with it."
"Then how did you reach the island?"
"In the car."
"…What car?"
"The hovercar."
"..."
Silence, as if she were digesting the information.
Mona asked, "Earlier, you mentioned a gathering—what did you mean by that?"
"Ah, that's an old story. You've heard of the Hexenzirkel, haven't you? Sounds like some secret society…"
Alice slowly began recounting the old days of the Hexenzirkel, introducing its members one by one.
Hexenzirkel · Codename A [Alice]
Hexenzirkel · Codename J [I. Ivanovna N.]
Hexenzirkel · Codename R [Rhinedottir]
Hexenzirkel · Codename M [Andersdotter]
Hexenzirkel · Codename B [Barbeloth]
Hexenzirkel · Codename N [Nicole]
…
Ying'er asked, "So this was where the legendary witches held their meetings?"
Alice's voice came from the lamp: "Exactly. We often gathered here to chat and drink tea."
Zhu Zi asked, "Then what about that note saying whoever found the lamp would find happiness—what was that about?"
"Oh, that… Hahaha, I didn't expect anyone outside J to ever see that prophecy. How embarrassing. In truth, that was just a letter we sisters wrote to her on the eve of her wedding."
"A joint letter?"
"[A flower that is not of this world], [Guide who will never get lost], [One who would never lie], [A legend that never ends]. Each phrase belonged to a different witch. Whenever one of us left the group to spend her life with a beloved, the rest would write such a prophecy for her as a blessing…"
Fischl couldn't help interrupting: "But aren't those the titles of four different books?"
"Books? They have nothing to do with books…"
"How could they not? Both the note and the map were found inside books at the library."
"…Wait. Something doesn't add up. How exactly did you find your way here?"
Mona quickly explained the whole story.
Alice went quiet for a moment—then laughed. "So that's how it was. Interesting indeed…"
Mona pressed further: "Then, those four phrases belonged to which witches?"
"A flower that is not of this world—literally, a flower that does not exist. That was the signature of codename R, [Gold] Rhinedottir. If anyone could create a species that shouldn't exist, it would be her."
At that name, Xia Lin's expression shifted slightly.
"Guide who will never get lost was from codename N, Nicole. You probably haven't met her yet. She's a peculiar woman obsessed with direction. Perhaps some of you have been fortunate enough to hear her voice. She only speaks when the world undergoes great shifts, whispering truths like a prophet. Sometimes she'll speak directly into your mind. If one day you find yourselves in grave danger, perhaps she'll guide you then."
Xia Zhen fell into thought.
"The one who never lies—that was my phrase. Don't take offense. Codename A, Alice, has always loved honesty."
Klee giggled.
"And as for the legend that never ends… you may not know Lady M, but you might have read her work. Ever read The Boar Princess?"
Mona immediately exclaimed, "That's exactly the book where we found the note!"
Xia Ci glanced at the long table and its chairs, curiosity piqued. "What about the remaining witches? Who are they?"
Alice didn't answer directly. "That's a story for another time. There are still members left to introduce, but I'll save that for later. I have matters to attend to, so let's end here. Oh, one more thing—Mr. Xia."
Alice called Xia Zhi by name again.
Xia Zhi lowered his gaze. "Does Lady Alice have something for me?"
"Just a message."
"Oh? From whom?"
"From one of our Hexenzirkel's unofficial members."
"Unofficial?"
"Yes. A strange one who never attended the tea parties. She always claimed she was different—not a witch, but a magical girl."
At the words "magical girl," both Qiqi and Fischl froze.
Xia Zhi's expression also shifted slightly. "And her name?"
"Her name? I don't know. Only that her codename was [X]. She joined the Hexenzirkel for one reason only—so we could help her find someone."
"Find someone?"
"That someone… was you, Mr. Xia."
Xia Ci's eyes narrowed slightly.
Codename [X]—the perfect abbreviation of the surname Xia.