Kaeya's Legend Quest had concluded, and most people were satisfied with the ending.
The Knights of Favonius resolved the Treasure Hoarder issue, the Traveler received their reward and a fine sword—everyone had a bright future ahead.
A world where no one was hurt was achieved, except for the Treasure Hoarders who all ended up in prison.
"That Kaeya guy is really cunning! For a knight, he sure knows how to scheme against others," one of the Treasure Hoarders grumbled.
"Don't worry. Now that we know his plan, of course, we won't fall for it again," the Treasure Hoarder boss said.
"So, boss, what do we do next?"
"Since we already know the Knights are setting a trap for us, we'll pull off one last big job before their plan fully takes shape, then move to another location."
Meanwhile, at Angel's Share...
"Your scheme got leaked. What are you going to do now?" Diluc asked after reading the report.
"Like the book says, I won't use the same trick twice," Kaeya replied with a carefree smile. The Treasure Hoarder problem didn't just appear after the Traveler arrived—he already had another plan in place. He just thought using the Traveler would be more amusing.
"If I'm guessing right, the Treasure Hoarders are probably itching to pull off one last big job before fleeing. So, all I have to do is turn their plan against them."
"How exactly?" Even Venti grew curious and asked.
Kaeya lowered his voice mysteriously.
"Actually, the rumors about several ruins circulating in the market recently were all spread by me."
"Among the ruins I fabricated, some are big, some are small. I bet the Treasure Hoarders will go for the largest one—that's when we can catch them all in one sweep."
"Why are you so sure?" Diluc questioned.
Kaeya shrugged. "If you're rich, you might not feel it, but maintaining an organization with so many people is expensive. If they don't pull off a big job before leaving, how will they afford to relocate all their members?"
"The Treasure Hoarders might have some petty cash individually, and combined, it might be enough. But do you really think they'd unite and pool their money to get through tough times? And would their boss willingly let the faction he worked so hard to build just disband?"
"In the end, they'll have no choice but to go all out—to try and make a big score before the trap in the book's 'future' is fully set."
"Too bad for them—my trap was already laid long ago."
"Maybe it's because a villain understands villains best," Kaeya explained with a laugh.
"..." Diluc didn't respond. He was deep in thought.
At first, he hadn't understood why, but that was because he was too wealthy. He often subconsciously overlooked the role and influence of money.
But Diluc was sharp. Though he missed it at first, he quickly realized the truth.
Venti nodded solemnly—not because he agreed Kaeya was a villain, but because he, too, had considered the issue of 'money.'
After all, if he wasn't constantly supplied with fine wine during his travels, he wouldn't go anywhere.
By that logic, just relocating himself alone would cost a fair amount of money.
The group stopped dwelling on the Treasure Hoarder issue and continued reading the book in their hands.
This time was different from usual—the author had written three chapters in one go. Kaeya's story was only one-third of it.
Now, they began reading the second story: "Lepus Chapter: Wind, Courage, and Wings!"
===✧✦✧===
["Traveler, you don't have a gliding license yet, do you?" Amber said.]
The story opened with Amber's appearance.
Based on the pattern from the previous story, everyone realized that this time, the protagonist was Amber.
"Eh!? I'm the main character? Really!?" Amber was stunned.
She never expected to have her own turn as the protagonist.
After all, she was just a humble Outrider—Kaeya was at least a captain.
"Mmm~ I hope I don't embarrass myself!"
Unlike Amber's nervousness, Eula, who was also reading this part, was absolutely delighted.
"Hmph, to think you didn't include me—this grudge, I'll remember it!"
Another person who was very happy was Collei.
"Amber, hehe, it's so nice to see you in the book." Collei smiled brightly.
Sumeru didn't have an official distribution channel for the book yet.
But since the story took place in Mondstadt and featured Amber, how could Collei not pay attention?
Especially since her mentor, Tighnari, was also very interested in the book's story.
Where there was demand, there was the Lord of Sangemah Bay.
With more and more people in Sumeru becoming interested in the book, and the Akademiya showing no intention of importing it, Dori was making a killing!
She sold it at higher prices than in other nations, yet it was still flying off the shelves!
So far, only the people of Inazuma hadn't caught up with the story.
There, they had only just learned about the Stormterror incident through Beidou, with only a few hundred copies of "Teyvat's Strange Tales" Chapter 1 available.
They were several steps behind.
Even the well-informed Yashiro Commission couldn't do much about it.
Transporting books took time—they simply couldn't get the latest chapters right away.
But there was good news: Yae Publishing House had decided to introduce Shikikan's works.
As the Raiden Shogun's only remaining close friend, Ei turned a blind eye to Yae Miko's actions.
Logically, importing foreign literature wasn't allowed.
But since it was you doing it, well… it's just a book. Surely it wouldn't disrupt Eternity.
By the next chapter, both "Teyvat's Strange Tales" and "Love and Teyvat" would likely be released simultaneously in Inazuma.
"Little author, don't disappoint me. You'd better write Inazuma's story well—enough to change Ei's perspective."
Yae Miko smiled as she read the book in her hands—a copy of "Teyvat's Strange Tales" Chapter 1, recently delivered by Beidou's crew.
"And this little one… if they come to Inazuma, they might just become a force capable of influencing Eternity."
Yae Miko's gaze lingered on the Traveler.
===✧✦✧===
Setting aside the delayed Inazumans, everyone else was now reading the newly released "Love and Teyvat."
Returning to "Lepus Chapter"...
In the story, Amber mentions that although she gave the Traveler a glider, they still need a gliding license to fly legally in Mondstadt.
She was there to supervise the Traveler's gliding license exam.
"Amber supervising a gliding license exam? Seriously?"
Countless Mondstadters voiced the same doubt at that moment.
Having Amber—someone who frequently violated gliding regulations and had her license revoked multiple times—oversee the exam?
Wasn't that a bit… absurd?
Then again, Amber had taken the test so many times that she might as well have become an expert through sheer repetition.
Who knows? Maybe having her supervise the exam wasn't such a bad idea after all.
===✧✦✧===
["After all, I was the one who gave you the glider—I have to take responsibility. That's something Acting Grand Master Jean would say, right?"]
Jean froze.
Well, I might say something like that… but I'd probably assign someone else to handle it.
It wasn't that Jean didn't trust Amber—she just worried Amber would turn the Traveler into a second Amber.
She didn't need another knight getting reported by the citizens. The complaint box was already overflowing!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Yae Miko — About "Teyvat's Strange Tales"
"A book that can foresee the future… no matter what, it will affect Ei's Eternity. Whether the future it shows is good or bad, as long as it brings change—that's enough."