While Lucian and Furina's 'date' was still ongoing, a huge commotion had already erupted outside.
In Mondstadt, people had begun reading the "Ballad of the Bard" chapter.
The opening still featured the familiar duo of Lumine and Paimon.
Though the story's protagonists kept changing, these two remained constant.
By now, people had realized that in Shikikan's books, there were ever-changing main characters but the permanent Traveler and Paimon.
At the story's beginning, the two discussed the topic of imaginary friends.
This topic resonated with some readers—for instance, Dunyarzad.
The book was brought by Dehya, who had heard that the "Lepus Chapter" within it had given courage to many.
So she brought it to Dunyarzad, hoping she too could draw courage from it.
After purchasing the book, Dehya immediately handed it to Dunyarzad.
Little did she know, she had bought the latest edition featuring the "Ballad of the Bard" chapter, which didn't include the "Lepus Chapter."
"Deyha, do you have an imaginary friend?"
Dunyarzad looked at Dehya, who was sitting by the windowsill.
Dehya hadn't been reading, so Dunyarzad's sudden question caught her off guard.
Still, she answered earnestly: "I did."
Dehya gazed out the window, as if reminiscing.
"When I was little, my old man would always tell me childish stories."
"All about slaying evil dragons, rescuing princesses—really silly stuff."
"He'd even make me act them out with him. I usually played the hero."
"Childish as it was, back then I really did imagine friends and enemies."
Though Dehya kept calling it childish, she never looked down on those memories.
It was precisely these childhood recollections that warmed her heart and shaped who she was today.
They say people forget fairy tales when they grow up.
Dehya didn't. She simply buried them deep in her heart.
"Is that so? What an amusing father," Dunyarzad chuckled behind her hand.
Then she continued: "I have one too."
"I'm not sure if she's just my imagination or if she's real."
"But I believe she exists—she must be the Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
Dunyarzad was speaking of Nahida.
She had only seen Nahida in dreams and couldn't be certain of her reality.
Yet Dunyarzad preferred to believe it was true.
The Dendro Archon must be so gentle that she would care even for an ordinary person like herself.
"The Dendro Archon?" Dehya had never seen the Dendro Archon.
Not just her, a child of the desert—even among the people of Sumeru City, few had laid eyes on their god.
Would such a deity truly appear before Dunyarzad?
If so, why wouldn't the Archon save her?
Could even gods have their own difficulties?
"Yes, it must be the Lesser Lord Kusanali!" Dunyarzad insisted firmly.
"Really? If that's true, I'd like to meet her too."
"The God of Wisdom should know how to cure your illness, right?" Dehya said with a smile.
Dunyarzad looked tenderly at Dehya.
This rare friend of hers was always thinking of her well-being.
"Don't sit over there—come read with me."
"Sure." Dehya didn't stand on ceremony and sat right beside Dunyarzad.
The two began reading the next part of the story together.
[Venti: "Traveler! What a coincidence running into you here!"]
[Paimon: "Tone-Deaf Bard! Why is it always you?"]
Venti paid no mind to Paimon's nickname and explained his apparent reason for being there.
[Venti: "Lisa recently made something interesting."]
[It was that "monocle" that allowed people to see others' imaginary friends.]
"A 'monocle' that shows imaginary friends? What an intriguing subject."
Lisa grew interested.
Whether or not she had actually created such an item,
she now felt inspired to make one herself.
Meanwhile, far away in Liyue, another—or rather, another large bird—also grew intrigued.
"Letting mortals see imaginary friends? I wonder if machinery combined with adeptal arts could achieve this?"
Cloud Retainer excitedly flapped her wings.
The book had been recommended by Rex Lapis during his last visit, so Cloud Retainer (aka Mountain Shaper) asked Ganyu to buy her a copy.
Who knew this mortal's writings would be so fascinating? Now she had fresh inspiration.
Leaving these two researchers aside—
Back at the tavern, Lumine eyed Venti suspiciously. What were the odds?
"Ehe." Venti said nothing.
Though silent, he too was sweating internally.
Who could've guessed? I'd only just noticed this "Stanley" fellow at the tavern, and now there's already a book about it!
Venti instantly recognized the issue this story sought to address.
It was exactly his usual problem-solving style.
Good thing I outmaneuvered him during the Dvalin incident—he didn't predict everything!
Could other gods pull that off?
Diluc likewise studied Venti with skepticism. This Anemo Archon was truly inscrutable.
Since Venti refused to explain, they could only wait for the book's answers.
In the story, the Traveler, Paimon, and Venti tested the whimsical little device around the city.
Then they used it to look at adults like Diluc.
Boring grown-ups had no "imaginary friends."
[Diluc: "Look at my 'imaginary friend'? I wouldn't have had one even fifteen years ago."]
When the Traveler approached Diluc in the book, this was his reply.
"Not even fifteen years ago? Really?" Kaeya smirked at Diluc.
"Hmph." Diluc couldn't be bothered to argue.
But if time really could rewind fifteen years, the Diluc back then hadn't yet abandoned his youthful spirit.
Returning to the story—the trio wanted to determine when "imaginary friends" disappeared.
So they found a girl caught between childhood and adulthood: Ellin.
Ellin still had an "imaginary friend," but hers left everyone stunned.
Her "imaginary friend" was none other than the famous Acting Grand Master Jean!
This was the first time anyone had encountered such a case.
An "imaginary friend" that was an actual, real person.
Before this, everyone assumed "imaginary friends" emphasized the "imaginary" aspect.
Now it seemed the true emphasis was on the "friend" part.
Even if just a fantasy, even if just an illusion—it was still a "friend" one longed for day and night.
"I-It's really me?" Jean hadn't expected this.
But receiving such admiration and affection from a junior made her very happy.
"Jean really is popular," Lisa laughed.
She always made a point of reading with Jean.
Since their offices were close, it was more fun to read together.