Lucian took out the puppet, then formed a hand seal and infused it with the remnants of the demon god.
After finishing, Lucian turned and walked away without looking back.
Later, the puppet's body would gradually transform into Havria's form—quite detailed, but it wasn't appropriate to watch.
"Don't go filling her head with wrong ideas!" Lucian warned.
Hu Tao watched Lucian leave, somewhat puzzled. "What wrong ideas could I possibly have?"
"Ah, whatever. Let this director take a closer look at this miraculous 'resurrection.'"
"Hmm... If only Qiqi could be like this too..."
Then, under Hu Tao's gaze, the puppet slowly transformed into a mature, elegant woman—fair-skinned, curvaceous, and meticulously detailed.
"Tsk, still bigger than me..." Hu Tao touched her own chest. Surely there's still room to grow, right?
The woman before her slowly opened her eyes. Her eyebrows were white like salt, and her hair was similarly pale, though streaked with hints of metallic gold.
Hu Tao handed her the clothes and briefly explained the situation.
She had expected the woman to remain unconscious for a while, but she woke up surprisingly fast.
At least it saved Hu Tao the trouble of preparing her "final appearance."
"Is that so... About the descendants of my people—may I go see them?" Havria's voice was gentle.
Even though she had just been "resurrected," hearing that her people's descendants were alive and well brought her relief.
"That's not something this director can decide. You'll have to ask Little Lucian," Hu Tao replied.
As the director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she had no authority over the descendants of the Salt Goddess, most of whom were affiliated with the "Silver Vault."
But Lucian's influence was vast these days. Not just the Silver Vault—he could even visit the Jade Chamber whenever he pleased.
"Ah, I should also thank my savior." Havria tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... Little Lucian?"
And so, another person in this world began calling Lucian "Little Lucian."
One last thing worth mentioning: Paimon wasn't captured. She and the Traveler went to find Mona instead.
The Traveler explained their purpose, and Mona listened, grinding her teeth in frustration—she felt an overwhelming urge to bite someone.
If Lucian were in front of her right now, she'd absolutely sink her teeth into him.
What kind of relationship do we even have? You trick me, then come asking for my help? How shameless can you be, you rotten Lucian!
"Lucian said that as compensation, he'll write more stories about you in the future," the Traveler added.
"...Ugh, don't think that'll win me over!" Mona clenched her teeth.
She was so close—so close—to agreeing right away! Thankfully, her willpower held firm.
"Lucian also said that if you refuse, it's fine." With that, the Traveler turned to leave.
This, however, flustered Mona. It wasn't just about the stories he'd write for her—even the mere possibility of Lucian using this Portable Waypoint made her reluctant to refuse.
She was eagerly waiting for him to use it so she could seize the chance for sweet, sweet revenge.
Mona was just reluctant to give in immediately after being tricked by Lucian so many times.
"Wait!" Mona grabbed the Traveler's arm.
"What is it?" The Traveler turned back.
"Ahem, I thought about it, and this Portable Waypoint seems interesting. I'd like to study it a bit," Mona explained, her eyes darting around.
"Huh? But you're an astrologist, right? This thing has nothing to do with astrology," Paimon remarked, completely missing the point.
"Just leave it to me!" Mona snatched the Portable Waypoint.
A sly smile crept onto the Traveler's face. Lucian really did understand Mona well.
Wait—no. The Traveler's smile vanished as she realized something: Lucian didn't just understand Mona. He understood her, too!
Ugh! How did I end up being his free errand girl, and why am I so happy about it?!
===✧✦✧===
Meanwhile, when Lucian returned home, Furina and Navia had already finished listening to "Divine Damsel of Devastation" and come back.
"'Divine Damsel of Devastation' was so beautiful. I wonder if there'll ever be a song written for me," Furina mused.
She had performed in many operas, and some had even tried composing pieces about her as the Hydro Archon.
But those were all about the role she played—never her true story.
"There will be," Lucian said with a smile. The emotional impact of "La vaguelette" was no less than that of "Divine Damsel of Devastation."
Furina's eyes sparkled with anticipation. From Lucian's tone, she could tell he must have seen a song about her in the future.
"Lucian, can't you give me a little hint? Just a tiny one~! The smallest bit!" Furina clung to him.
But Lucian refused to say a word. Given his musical skills, any explanation would only dampen the anticipation.
"Alright, alright, let's keep some mystery for the future. It'll make the wait more exciting."
"Let's not dwell on that. Havria and Guizhong will probably be talking for a while. How about we play something to pass the time?" Lucian changed the subject.
"What should we play? This director is the best at hide-and-seek!" Hu Tao perked up at the mention of games.
"Four people—let's play mahjong." Dora-Lucian pulled out a mahjong set from the system.
Entertainment items like this, with no practical use, cost very little emotional value. He could exchange for as many as he wanted—even use them as projectiles if he felt like it.
Lucian explained the rules, and the four of them began playing.
===✧✦✧===
Meanwhile, Guizhong and Havria listened as Madame Ping and Zhongli recounted the events of the past several millennia.
The group sat casually on the open ground outside the courtyard, maintaining a slight distance.
Adepti and gods, sitting cross-legged on the earth without chairs—it was a sight few mortals would ever witness.
Meanwhile, inside the house, four "ordinary people" sat on chairs, playing mahjong.
"So after my death, my people actually blamed you..." Havria knelt elegantly, sighing softly.
So much had happened after her passing, though the final victor in Liyue was no surprise—it was the God of War, Morax.
Even in her time, Morax had already emerged as the most likely ruler of Liyue.
She had hoped her people would survive, so she used her own life as a "pledge of allegiance" for them.
Yet she never imagined that under Morax's rule, her people would still hold resentment toward him.
Fortunately, Morax had long since regarded them as part of Liyue—his own people—and never treated them harshly.
"I'm truly sorry, Morax..." Havria's voice was full of remorse.
Morax had taken in her people, only to be repaid with ingratitude—a classic case of the farmer and the viper.
"It matters not. After a thousand years, they have long been my people in my heart," Zhongli replied calmly.
Some of the Salt Goddess's descendants still worshipped her, but many more had shifted their faith to the Geo Archon.
Throughout history, the Millelith had included descendants of the Salt Goddess's people—they had long since become one family.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Furina: About "La vaguelette" · Unknown
"Lucian says this is a story about me... I really want to know what it is..."