"Lady Furina, welcome." Navia greeted Furina with natural ease.
"Ah... yes, pleased to meet you, Navia."
Navia's demeanor was so casual that Furina was momentarily taken aback.
Am I really in Liyue? If you hadn't said anything, I'd have thought we were at your Spina di Rosula headquarters.
"Heya, little Fufu, we meet again~" Hu Tao popped her head out from behind Navia.
"Want to buy Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services this time? Did you read the latest book? Our parlor even handled a god's funeral flawlessly, you know~"
Well, here's someone even more unfazed than Navia.
"This humble director has recently come up with an excellent package deal. If you purchase it, I'll have Zhongli and Lucian personally escort you on your final journey~"
"Tempted? No use hesitating—just take the plunge!"
"..." Furina was at a loss for words.
Too enthusiastic. She's way too enthusiastic. Maybe I should just buy one? Feels wrong to turn her down...
History often repeats itself in uncanny ways—Lucian once again flicked Hu Tao's forehead, cutting off her "enthusiasm."
"I'm not with Wangsheng Parlor anymore, so don't include me in your packages!"
"That's what you're concerned about?" Furina sighed.
I thought you'd be bothered by her constant funeral sales pitches, but you're just worried about unpaid labor?
"Exactly, Lucian is one of us at Spina di Rosula now," Navia affirmed.
"He is my junior brother," Shenhe stated flatly.
History continued its repetition—Shenhe, much like Navia before her, was utterly unaware of the context.
She was merely stating a fact: Lucian was indeed her junior brother. That was his identity.
"Though he's no longer with us, Lucian will always live on in our hearts. So he's still part of Wangsheng Parlor," Hu Tao said, rubbing her forehead.
"Worst case, this director can just pay you a consultant's salary too, y'know?"
At this, Lucian fell silent. While he wasn't short on money, he couldn't outright refuse his former boss's offer.
Besides, none of Hu Tao's bizarre package deals ever sell anyway. It'll all just default to traditional funerals in the end.
===✧✦✧===
The group made their way to the Rite of Descension venue, chatting and laughing along the way. Lucian took the opportunity to introduce Furina and Shenhe to each other.
They had left early, and the sky was only just beginning to brighten.
Yet by the time they arrived at Yujing Terrace, the place was already packed with people.
Normally, Liyue's citizens weren't particularly enthusiastic about attending the Rite of Descension.
But this time was different—the prophecy book had explicitly stated that Rex Lapis would die. How could anyone miss this?
As they moved through the crowd, Lucian could hear the murmurs of prayers around him.
People were begging the god to protect himself, pleading that no accident befall their beloved Archon.
This is just like the nuns in Mondstadt—since when do you pray to Rex Lapis to protect Rex Lapis?
Might as well pray to the little Fufu beside me. Neither will work anyway.
Everyone in their group except Furina was no ordinary person, so they easily pushed through the crowd.
Further ahead stood rings of Millelith guards, so there was no need to press forward.
The Qixing had considered banning civilians from observing this year's Rite of Descension.
But with such a major event, stopping them outright would inevitably lead to casualties.
In the end, they could only have the Millelith cordon off the front rows to keep the crowd at a safe distance.
===✧✦✧===
At that moment, Lucian noticed Lumine standing by a nearby building, flanked by Ningguang, Ganyu, Keqing, Beidou, and the other Qixing members.
Though Yelan was nowhere in sight, Lucian guessed she was hiding somewhere nearby.
Additionally, atop a rooftop, Lucian spotted Xiao.
Though not tall, his elevated position—alongside a deer and a bird—made him stand out.
Xiao appeared calm, simply crossing his arms as he silently observed the scene.
In truth, Zhongli had worried about Xiao and thus briefed him in advance.
Otherwise, given Xiao's devotion to Rex Lapis, the news of his "death" might have triggered his karmic debt.
While Xiao remained composed, the other Adepti nearby were far less at ease.
Mountain Shaper's gaze was fixed intently on the Qixing, while Moon Carver watched the surrounding crowd.
"Ah, that Streetward Rambler... She's right here, yet she refuses to join us," Mountain Shaper grumbled.
He had earlier sought out Streetward Rambler, who was already on-site, to stand guard together during the Rite.
But she coldly refused, claiming she was now just an ordinary old woman incapable of protecting the ceremony.
Absurd. You could easily revert to your younger form. Fool the mortals if you must, but don't fool yourself!
Wait—no. Fool yourself if you want, but don't fool your brothers!
Since Streetward Rambler wouldn't budge, Mountain Shaper had no choice but to proceed with only three guardians.
Should've just invited Cloud Retainer...
===✧✦✧===
Unbeknownst to them, Cloud Retainer was secretly watching from the shadows, having put aside her inventions just to witness the spectacle.
"Hmph. Serves you right for not inviting me," she thought, eyeing the three Adepti foolishly standing atop the roof.
She assumed none of them knew the truth—when in fact, Xiao had been the first to learn of it.
"Madame Ping, why didn't you clarify the truth to them?" Cloud Retainer asked Streetward Rambler beside her.
"Truth? What truth? This old woman only knows how to brew tea and tend to flowers." Granny Ping (Streetward Rambler) handed her teacup to Cloud Retainer.
The human-formed Cloud Retainer accepted the cup. "Is Liyue Harbor... truly so remarkable?"
"You and Rex Lapis, one after another, chose to remain here."
Granny Ping smiled. She knew Cloud Retainer well—when she asked such questions, it meant she was already growing curious.
"Whether it's remarkable or not, why not stay and see for yourself? You could always visit this old woman for tea."
Cloud Retainer took a sip but said nothing, setting the cup down.
Her gaze drifted to the distant harbor, then to the crowds packed into Yujing Terrace. To her, it was all just noise.
Ganyu and Madame Ping had long since settled in Liyue Harbor.
Now, Rex Lapis and Shenhe had also decided to remain in this city of humans.
What charm does this place hold, to keep them all here?
But if I stay just because they asked, wouldn't that make me seem too eager?
...Best to wait a little longer.
===✧✦✧===
Meanwhile, Lucian's group continued chatting and laughing, completely out of sync with the solemn atmosphere around them.
To describe it, it was like a funeral scene straight out of Gintama—
Among them: one who knew the truth, one emotionally detached, two foreigners, and one with her own philosophy on life and death.
Five individuals, each with their own extraordinary quirks.
"My, my~ Fancy running into you all here. What a coincidence~" A carefree voice chimed in.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Lucian: About Venti
"That guy? He's pretty easy to get along with. Well, as long as he isn't forcing me to drink."