Astrologers seek to glimpse a shred of truth within the "false heavens," so Mona was genuinely curious about how Lucian managed it.
His foresight wasn't just precise—it covered events not even recorded in the "false heavens." This had to be a prophecy technique unique to otherworldly beings!
Mona wanted to learn, but Lucian always dodged her questions, leaving her clueless about his methods even now.
She wanted to understand, yet feared being strung along again. Fooled time and time again—don't I have any pride? I'm a genius!
Mona, fuming, continued reading. After the memory ended, Xiao had more to say.
[Xiao: "Have you ever, even for a moment, sensed fate? The possibility of life, the arrival of death… whichever it may be."]
["To this day, I've come to understand that fate is the calamity Yakshas are most attuned to. It's destined to be tragic… but we do not fear it."]
Yakshas are most attuned to calamity because they're always in its company.
They are blades, always found at the most perilous parts of the battlefield, facing danger time and again, each encounter a brush with "fate."
["Before leaving the space, I took a stone. If I could bring it out, I intended to place it in Pervases' temple in Bosacius' stead."]
["Sadly, it couldn't be kept."]
This journey pulled a thorn from Xiao's heart, but it left no tangible "proof."
Fortunately, Xiao wasn't the only one who saw Bosacius' memory—the Traveler did too.
It's wonderful that another person in this world knows of his deeds.
Not just the Traveler—now, because Lucian wrote this story, all of Teyvat knows Bosacius' tale.
It should be so. Such stories deserve to be known by all, not hidden as mere "memories."
By writing these stories, bringing obscure tales to the masses, Lucian fulfilled one of his purposes as a writer.
[Xiao: "Too many Yakshas have fallen, like birds scattered across the skies. As Bonanus said… Yakshas struggle to find a place for their souls to return."]
In truth, they all return to the Ley Lines, but the "place of return" Xiao spoke of here was more about the concept of a "home."
Yakshas fought for Liyue, and nearly every inch of its land has seen war and Yakshas fall.
Loyal bones lie buried beneath every green hill, countless "nameless Yakshas" among them.
Without names or recognition, naturally, no descendants would carry their "souls" back "home," nor would their stories be passed down.
Aside from these five Guardian Yakshas, too few Yaksha stories still circulate in Liyue.
But even if they're "nameless and unsung," without tales to praise them, they are still heroes.
[Traveler said: "Don't say that. They're all heroes."]
[Xiao: "Heroes… that's a good word."]
["Calamities may be endless, but the mortal world holds affection. Even Asuras have ties they can't let go."]
Indeed, even Yakshas, who know only slaughter, have "ties" they can't abandon.
These ties might not be a specific person but could be all of Liyue.
Like Pervases, who returned via a "holographic projection" to take one last look at Liyue.
He didn't care that his temple was in ruins because he was glad that Liyue was no longer plagued by war.
Today's Liyue can finally "rest in leisure, fanning itself in peace."
[Xiao, with a hint of a smile: "Let's go with what you said."]
["From now on, the heroes of the world will never be strangers."]
Indeed, they won't be, because Lucian will write about the world's heroes for all to know.
Liyue's Lantern Rite, in a way, ensures that when heroes "return," they can still see this "path."
No matter how much time has passed, the light of the Xiao Lanterns will illuminate the way home.
[Traveler, observing Xiao's expression: "(That look is like someone who's trudged through a blizzard for too long, seen too much, and finally found a roof to shelter from the snow today.)"]
"Dangerous Trails · End"
The story concluded, and readers slowly came back to themselves. This tale was truly one they both loved and hated.
They loved how great the story was. Whether it was Arataki Itto and Paimon's humor and warmth, Yelan and Xiao's reliability, or Kuki Shinobu and Yanfei's high emotional intelligence, everyone adored it.
Of course, the highlights were Arataki Itto's punch and the stories of Bosacius, Boyang, and the Thousand Rocks soldiers, which brought tears to countless eyes.
What they hated, naturally, was Lucian. That darn Shikikan tricked our tears again! How many times now?
Jean closed the book, letting out a long breath and wiping her tears. For Jean, stories with heroic themes were especially moving.
This was why, after reading Rosalyne's story, she wanted to restore Rosalyne's reputation.
Of course, Rosalyne's reputation in Mondstadt has been restored, but "Signora's" hasn't. People's feelings toward "Signora" remain complicated.
The people of Mondstadt could forgive most of what "Signora" did, but they couldn't forgive her for attacking Venti.
And Venti, at this moment, was in Liyue, "whooshing" up a breeze.
In Inazuma, this story's impact was unprecedentedly powerful, as it reminded the people of the samurai from the Raiden Shogun's second story.
["Everyone, hold the two-hundred-mile frontline outside the Chasm!"]
["The eternal way is grand, the Narukami everlasting!"]
They all fought to their last breath with immense conviction.
Under this "overlap" of memories, the people of Inazuma couldn't hold up.
As for the most emotionally affected, that would be the people of Natlan.
For those who've battled the Abyss, Kinich could fully imagine the mindset of the Thousand Rocks soldiers.
Facing the Abyss, people hesitate and fear, but seeing comrades fall one by one only tightens their grip on their weapons!
"Hold the line"—a heavy phrase. He's lived it, watching comrades fall one after another, the last one standing.
No retreat, because only victory could bring the fallen back, only victory could let them awaken under the Song of Resurrection.
The people of Natlan found this story deeply relatable.
Not just them—even steady figures like Yelan and Xiao struggled to hold back tears, let alone others.
Furina, Navia, and Ayaka cried heavily, while Lucian grinned widely. He'd invited the big shots just for this moment.
The only pity was that Hu Tao held back, but no worries—he had a backup plan…
At Lucian's house, everyone was either crying or somber, except for Lucian and Yae Miko, who were beaming brightly.
Exchanging a glance, they saw the "satisfied" look in each other's eyes.
Yae Miko's only complaint was that Lucian had seen her cry, but she hadn't seen him cry. How could she make Lucian cry just once?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Xiao: About Lucian
"I'm very grateful to him, but… his personality is something I really can't handle…"