The Anemo Archon... what is He doing?
Filled with this question, Aether began to pay close attention to his surroundings, genuinely doubting if he was under some kind of illusion. After all, both the Anemo Archon's strange deal earlier and His current peculiar behavior defied common sense.
But the Anemo Archon... He shouldn't be capable of any illusions... And it doesn't look like I'm in an illusion either...
Lost in thought, Aether pondered deeply, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Right... the Anemo Archon just said not to call Him the Anemo Archon... Could it... be related to this?
"Brother!"
Just as Aether was still pondering about the Anemo Archon, Lumine's voice suddenly reached him. It was clear that Lumine was somewhat emotional and teary-eyed.
She had finally seen her brother. This is great... it really is my brother...
Lumine slowly walked towards Aether's location, feeling happy.
"Lumine, long time no see."
Aether, whose face had returned to its expressionless state, spoke calmly, showing none of Lumine's emotional reaction.
"Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you tell me?"
After a brief moment of joy, Lumine's mind was now filled with many questions; she hoped Aether would answer her.
"Don't come closer, Lumine."
Without answering Lumine's question, Aether instead told her to stop and not approach him further.
"Why?"
Lumine paused, startled, not knowing what had happened. And she wondered if it was just her imagination, but Aether now seemed incredibly unfamiliar.
"I still have things to do."
To Lumine's question, Aether simply replied.
"What things? Can't we just go home first?"
Lumine truly couldn't understand what Aether needed to do. Was there anything more important than them going home? She truly couldn't comprehend it.
"I'm sorry, Lumine, not yet." Slowly shaking his head, Aether continued, "Before the Abyss fully engulfs the Divine Throne, I have an unfinished war with the Heavenly Principles..."
"The Abyss? Heavenly Principles? I don't understand what you mean. What... what happened?"
The more she listened, the more confused Lumine became; she truly couldn't understand what Aether was saying. And were these matters really that important? Why wouldn't he come home with her?
"It's normal for you not to understand now, Lumine. When you experience the journey like I have, and reach its conclusion, then you will understand. I will wait for you at the journey's end. We... will eventually reunite."
After saying this, a massive, purple, starlit rift appeared behind Aether.
"Farewell, Lumine."
Turning and stepping into the rift, Aether's figure vanished within it.
"Brother!"
Although she wanted to follow, the rift quickly disappeared, giving Lumine no chance to enter.
The Abyss... Heavenly Principles... The journey's end...
Standing silently and gazing at the spot where Aether had just vanished, Lumine pondered many things in her heart.
It seemed that during his disappearance, Aether had experienced many things she couldn't yet comprehend. His expression just now... he must have gone through many terrible things...
In that case... just as Aether said... I'll undertake the journey... and reach its conclusion... Then... I must find out exactly what you've been through...
With this thought, Lumine's disheartened mood improved slightly.
"It looks like your brother has been through a lot."
At this moment, Kaito walked over.
"Yes, he must have experienced many things over the years, and many of them were bad."
Turning her head to look at Kaito, Lumine nodded.
"Then strive to find the truth of these matters on your journey."
"I will, but I'll first repay you the sixty thousand Mora, and then embark on my journey to find the truth."
Although Lumine was now eager to embark on her journey to find the truth, she first had to repay Kaito the sixty thousand Mora she owed him.
"That doesn't matter. I might leave any day, so repaying it or not is fine."
Because he had previously promised Zhongli something and also wanted to travel the Seven Nations to see their local customs and traditions, Kaito wouldn't stay in Mondstadt indefinitely.
"Huh? Kaito, where are you going?"
Lumine was somewhat surprised that Kaito would also leave Mondstadt. Because Wendy was Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, she had subconsciously assumed Kaito would stay with Wendy in Mondstadt forever.
"The next place will be Liyue, just next door. As for the place after that, we'll see."
After a moment's thought, Kaito said this.
"You're going to so many places? Then... what about Wendy?"
Then, Lumine also looked at Wendy beside her.
"Of course I'll be with Kaito," Wendy said as a matter of fact.
"Haha, you're right."
After thinking about it, Lumine realized that Archons didn't necessarily have to stay in the nations they protected forever. And besides, the Anemo Archon had already been gone for a thousand years before.
"In that case, can we travel with Kaito and Wendy?"
At this point, Paimon suddenly said, somewhat excitedly, "In that case, can we travel with Kaito and Wendy?"
Regardless, she really wanted to travel with Kaito. That way, not only would they have two powerful backers, but they might not even need to take commissions to earn Mora. Life would be too good.
"If our destinations are the same, I guess we could..."
"They're definitely the same! Liyue is so close to here, our next stop is definitely Liyue, right, Lumine?"
Before Kaito could finish, Paimon impatiently said this to Lumine.
This Paimon...
Lumine silently sighed, looking at the expectant Paimon. She knew what Paimon was thinking.
However, if the place called Liyue was indeed close by, then going there would certainly be a good option.
I almost forgot...
"Thank you both for my brother's situation, Wendy, and Kaito, thank you."
Although her brother ultimately left, without Kaito and Wendy, she would likely have found it very difficult to see Aether again. Both Wendy and Kaito had helped her tremendously.
If they truly traveled together later, she would also have to work hard; it wouldn't be good to let them keep helping her unilaterally. She'd have to do something to help them too.
"Let's not talk about that for now. I feel like I'm starving to death. Let's go back and eat."
Waving his hand, Kaito felt famished at this moment; all he wanted was to eat.
"Yeah, yeah! I'm starving! Let's hurry back and eat!"
It was rare to hear Kaito say he was hungry, so Paimon quickly chimed in agreement.
"Then let's go."
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