Liyue.
Chu Xi had already found a ship bound for Inazuma. Now that Inazuma had ended its isolation policy, the Alcor wasn't the only vessel permitted to travel there; other larger ships could also make the journey.
As she arrived at the harbor to board, a Millelith soldier spotted her.
Keqing had informed the Millelith about Lumine's search for Chu Xi, and everyone was keeping an eye out.
At first, the soldier hesitated, unsure if this person was indeed Chu Xi, as she was cloaked in a white robe with a large hood obscuring her face.
But the moment she sensed his gaze and looked his way, the soldier immediately recognized her.
Chu Xi possessed striking beauty, particularly her delicate and frail demeanor.
Although her time in Sumeru had diminished this fragile air somewhat, it remained largely unchanged.
"Miss, good day. Are you Chu Xi?"
"Mmm..."
"Excellent! Lady Keqing has been searching for you. Do you have time to speak now? If not, could you share your itinerary?"
"The Traveler... and Paimon..." Chu Xi murmured. It had been a long time since she'd seen them after that incident.
She told the Millelith soldier, "I'm heading to Inazuma next..."
After briefly outlining her plans, Chu Xi boarded the ship. The soldier didn't stop her. After all, she wasn't a criminal, nor had she broken any laws.
As soon as Chu Xi departed, the Millelith soldier hurried to report to his Captain...
-
On the ship, Chu Xi rebuffed the advances of several young men and stood motionless at the bow, staring at the tranquil waters.
"Silaya... was she truly erased? But why do I still remember her...?"
Tears welled in Chu Xi's eyes.
After that incident, she discovered that everyone had forgotten Silaya—they no longer knew who she was or remembered her contributions. Even all traces of Silaya had vanished from her home.
Chu Xi recalled Silaya's secrets about Irminsul, the World Tree, which she had shared with her before her disappearance.
Because Silaya had erased herself, no one remembered her, as if she had never existed. Even the omniscient Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Lesser Lord Kusanali had forgotten her.
This isn't fair!
Silaya had done so much, saving the entire world. People might not thank her, but they should never forget her! They shouldn't not remember her!
Chu Xi thought long and hard about how to make people remember Silaya.
But whenever she tried to speak Silaya's name or recount her deeds, she found herself unable to utter a sound.
Despairing, Chu Xi realized she couldn't change what had happened and resolved to take a different path.
That's when the Doctor found her.
Silaya had warned Chu Xi that the Doctor was dangerous and urged her to run if they ever met.
But Chu Xi didn't.
She noticed that the Doctor seemed aware of a gap in her memory, though he didn't know what was missing.
The Doctor offered Chu Xi a reward she couldn't refuse: he asked her to complete an experiment for him.
Chu Xi agreed.
-
Chu Xi returned to her cabin.
Did Silaya forbid me from investigating the Vision to stop something?
Silaya must know something. She always loved playing the riddle-master, thinking it made her seem sophisticated.
Perhaps I should have listened to her...
But Silaya, you're gone. I feel so lonely...
-
Inazuma.
Chinju Forest.
After devouring three pots of braised meat, Lumine, Paimon, and Sayu finally located the main item for the second round of the Test of Courage: a fan.
Just then, the boisterous Itto emerged from behind them, dragging out the three little rascals he'd been searching for earlier.
"You guys were way too careless! These three have been following you the whole time! This Great Lord Itto saw everything clearly—they were the ones scaring you!"
"Wah! It was you all along!" Paimon exclaimed, still smacking her lips from the braised meat sauce.
After some questioning, the group learned the trio's names.
They were actually three small yokai of Inazuma: a Hitotsume-kozō (one-eyed monk), a Kitsune (fox spirit), and a Kappa (river imp).
The trio's scare tactics were all part of a quest commissioned by Yae Miko to add an extra layer of mystery and playfulness to the Test of Courage.
The people they'd encountered earlier had fled in sheer terror.
Lumine asked about the games on the beach. The three little guys explained that they had created Akitsu Yuugei, inspired by the Akitsu Haneasobi from the Mikawa Flower Festival, and even shared a tale of a Samurai and a great yokai from that festival.
Seeing the three little yokai's longing for the Mikawa Flower Festival, Itto declared he could help them, instantly winning their friendship. Before long, they were calling him "Boss Arataki."
Kitsune: "What were you eating just now? It smells amazing! Where can I get some?"
Kappa: "Yeah, yeah! I was drooling the whole time!"
Itto puffed out his chest, striking a proud pose. "All this food was made by our Arataki Gang's divine chef, Yuna! We eat this stuff every day at our headquarters!"
He was actually lying. Even the Arataki Gang only got to enjoy Yuna's culinary masterpieces every few days. After all, Yuna was quite the slacker and couldn't be bothered to cook every meal.
Still, even that was a remarkable feat.
The three little guys and Paimon stared with envy.
"Speaking of Yuna, you cowherd, aren't you always with her?"
Itto scratched his head. "Little Yuna's probably at the Test of Courage right now."
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Yuna and Yoimiya searched three more locations, finding only opened treasure chests.
Yoimiya was completely dumbfounded. Who could be this fast?
Yuna had a hunch: it must be Lumine and her group.
Seeing Yoimiya's disappointment, she quietly lagged behind, beckoned the Little Tanuki with a flick of her finger, whispered a few words in its ear, and then retrieved some braised meat from her Vision Space.
"Looks like we missed our chance. Ah, what a shame. I really wanted to taste Yuna's braised meat."
Yuna: "Yoimiya-nee, I'll make some for you after the Test of Courage!"
"Hehe, thanks! But it's more satisfying to find it myself, and it'll taste even better that way."
Yoimiya smiled. With the Divine Chef Yuna right beside her and being such good friends, she was sure she'd get to try that braised meat eventually.
But just as she said, finding it herself would make it all the more special.
Yuna nodded in agreement. "Then let's head to the next spot, Yoimiya-nee."
"Mm-hmm!"
-
A dozen minutes later...
"Yuna, hurry over! I found a treasure chest! Ha ha! I can't believe there's a treasure chest here! I bet the people who came before us didn't even think to look, so I got lucky and found it first!"
A delightful aroma wafted from the treasure chest, undoubtedly containing delicious food.
Yoimiya's face beamed with joy, and Yuna's heart warmed at the sight.
She discreetly made a hand gesture to the Little Tanuki trailing behind them, promising to bring them tasty treats next time.