Amber drifted up from a faint and found the sky outside already dark.
The last thing she remembered was Captain Jean taking the… questionable outfit from Su Xuan and stepping into the bedroom—
and then a spotted cow walked out.
Amber's innocent world shattered on the spot and she blacked out.
Who knows how long she slept? Muffled noises thumped through the wall.
"Amber, you're awake? You scared us half to death," Lisa said, peeking in with a soft smile.
"H-How long was I out?"
"Long enough to miss dinner. Hungry?"
Amber shook her head, still pink with secondhand embarrassment. "What's… all that next door?"
"Folding games." Lisa's lips curved. "Want to watch?"
"Folding… with two people?"
"Mhm. That's the rule. Shall we?"
Curiosity overcame confusion. Amber tiptoed to the doorway with Lisa, peeked in—
and froze.
"Is… that a cow?" she blurted—then realized it was Eula, not a cow, and promptly wished the floor would swallow her. Whatever Eula and Su Xuan were… doing, it was clear Eula had never looked so carefree or—well—thrilled.
Amber stared, utterly entranced, until Lisa's whisper brushed her ear.
"Since you're up, let's make it a pair."
"T-Two people… together?"
"Exactly."
Amber hesitated only a heartbeat, then nodded. "Okay."
If Jean, Eula, and Lisa were playing the same game, it had to be… fine?
Dawn in Mondstadt
Su Xuan stepped out of Lisa's house and squinted at the sunlight.
He'd held the line against two, and then—mid-bout—Lisa dragged a flustered Amber onto the field.
One versus four.
He fought a glorious, heroic night and emerged the last man standing.
At some point he'd apparently used the Acting Grand Master as a pillow. Oops.
Time to move on. Mondstadt's crises were wrapped.
His telekinetic sense told him Lumine and Paimon were already heading back to the city—perfect timing to regroup and set course for Liyue.
He flicked open the diary to log his farewell—and to ping Lumine to meet at the Good Hunter.
[Diary]
Mondstadt's chapter closes—temporarily.
I've tasted the wind, the wine, and met a knight, a witch, a scout, a spindrift blade.
I didn't have time to meet the starry-eyed nun, the adventurer, or the astrologer—but the road is long.
At the Cathedral, Barbara jolted. The nun… is that me?
Across the lake, under a wide hat, Mona shivered. The astrologer? I have a bad feeling…
[Diary]
The elegant rose-witch Lisa.
The cold-outside, warm-inside Spindrift Knight Eula.
The blazing Scout Knight Amber.
The steadfast Dandelion & Lionfang Knight, Jean Gunnhildr.
They taught me that travel isn't just power, knowledge, and scenery.
It's honesty, intimacy, and the conversations that change you.
Under the witch's "guidance," I learned to be… very honest.
I thought I understood Teyvat's past and future.
Turns out I'd missed its most beautiful side.
Thanks to Mondstadt's Four Beauties—
I've found the meaning of the journey.
Across Teyvat, veteran big sisters burst into laughter. Younger girls stared, confused, then slowly turned scarlet.
Lisa dabbed her eyes theatrically. "He finally appreciates my hard work."
Jean: "?"
[Diary]
They wanted to escort me out. I refused. Loud farewells leave hollow hearts.
I'll sit once more at Good Hunter, have carrot steak, then set off.
With my speed, even if I miss them… we'll meet again soon enough.
Outside the city walls, Paimon yelped, "Lumine! Su Xuan's leaving!"
"I know," Lumine said, quickening her pace. "Good Hunter."
Inside Mondstadt, they checked in at the Adventurers' Guild, then spotted Su Xuan waving.
A whole table of steaming plates waited.
"Whoa—are you eating all of this?" Paimon drooled audibly.
"I'm done. These are for you two," Su Xuan said. "You've been on the road nonstop."
Paimon beamed and set to work.
Lumine sighed, then pulled out a small pouch and offered it over.
"This is the Mora you lent me. I've saved enough. I'm returning it."
Su Xuan pushed her hand back—just as the diary lit up.
[Diary]
Lumine wants to repay a few tens of thousands of Mora. I refused.
While she was grinding commissions, I became a multimillionaire.
The night with Signora? The number was… 23,500,000 Mora.
Lumine choked. Paimon, too busy eating, missed it.
Far away, in a carriage snowbound for Snezhnaya, La Signora rolled her eyes. So I exist only as a footnote to your "meaning of the journey," hm?
Lumine swallowed, voice small but firm. "Your money is your money. I can't not repay you just because you're rich."
[Diary]
It's not that she shouldn't repay debt—it's that we aren't bound by coin.
We're both from beyond this world. We'll walk a long road together.
Mora means nothing to me. If I ever needed it, I'd… confiscate it—from the worst people.
Especially now that I can freeze a city and walk the vaults like a breeze.
Around the world, women pinched the bridge of their noses.
Using time-freeze to… rob the corrupt—what a waste—what a mood.
[Diary]
Watching Lumine and Paimon drag themselves back dusty and tired, I realized our arrangement was wrong.
If we're traveling together, why should she take random commissions?
I have supplies. I barely spend Mora. My money will rot if I don't use it.
So—I'll hire Lumine. We can talk more, work better.
For confiscations: I freeze time; Lumine collects. Mixed doubles. Boosts morale.
"—khuh!" Lumine nearly inhaled her stew.
Su Xuan tilted his head. "Is it a bad idea?"
Lumine shot upright, eyes shining. "Bad? It's perfect. If you don't cast me off—then from today, you're my patron."
"Deal." Su Xuan slid a slim bank token across the table. "This account holds the 23.5 million. Withdraw anywhere."
Lumine accepted with both hands, counted the stamped digits—twice—then a third time.
"It's… really twenty-three million five hundred thousand," she whispered.
"What's twenty-three million five hundred—" Paimon looked up, saw the token, and exploded with stars in her eyes.
"So much money—! Lumine, where— ah. Boss Su."
Su Xuan nodded. "From now on, it's Lumine's operating fund. Do good work."
Paimon vaulted into a triple spin midair. "Boss Su! Leave every… ahem… professional job to us!"
Hands to her hips, Lumine grinned like sunshine.
"From today on, you're our Big Boss. Whatever you need—say the word."
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