In Paimon's eyes, the smiling Aerin was undeniably a good person.
After all, how could someone who shared delicious food possibly be bad?
The three of them chatted amicably for a while.
From their conversation, Aerin learned that Lumine and Paimon were heading to Mondstadt for the very first time.
That single piece of information was enough to help him confirm the current point in Teyvat's timeline.
Afterward, they talked casually, and a pleasant lunch came to an end.
"Are you coming to Mondstadt with us?"
Just before parting ways, Lumine suddenly asked.
Aerin understood—it was nothing more than a polite gesture.
A gentle breeze lifted the hem of Lumine's long dress. She subconsciously raised a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.
Tsk.
Seeing Lumine in person, whether in terms of appearance or figure, she was undeniably impressive.
But there was no rush.
After all, she wasn't going anywhere—this was Teyvat.
"Not for now," Aerin replied calmly. "There are other places I need to visit."
He put on a thoughtful expression and glanced in the direction of Dornman Port.
"I'm heading to Dornman Port."
"That's a really long way," Paimon said, patting her round belly. "We came from that direction."
"What a shame! If you don't come with us, you won't get to eat delicious roast boar anymore."
"Paimon…" Lumine rolled her eyes, hands on her hips. "All you think about is eating. That's really rude."
After a round of laughter and banter, Aerin bid farewell to Lumine and Paimon.
Because of Paimon's gluttony, they ended up lingering longer than planned.
As a result, Lumine and Paimon perfectly missed the moment when they should have encountered Dvalin and Barbatos.
Which led to one outcome—
Barbatos successfully purified Dvalin.
Not long after approaching the outskirts of Mondstadt, Lumine and Paimon ran into the ever-enthusiastic Outrider, Amber.
After listening to their explanation, Amber immediately patted her chest confidently.
"I think I understand the situation."
"Once I finish my current task, I'll help you post notices in Mondstadt to look for your brother."
"Thank you so much," Lumine replied politely with a smile.
Paimon, however, looked puzzled.
"What kind of task are you working on?"
Amber straightened proudly and said seriously, "As an Outrider, I've discovered several Hilichurl camps appearing around Mondstadt."
"That's very strange. This is the first time Hilichurls have set up camps this close to the city."
"They've never stationed themselves so near Mondstadt before."
This judgment came from Amber's long-standing experience as a scout—and according to the Knights' records, nothing like this had ever happened before.
Something was clearly wrong.
"Then let me help you," Lumine said.
"Really?" Amber looked surprised, but quickly grew worried. "It's dangerous, you know."
"It's fine," Lumine shook her head. "I can handle Hilichurls. And didn't you say you'd help me post missing-person notices? If we finish the task sooner, we can enter Mondstadt sooner."
Just as they were gearing up to head toward the Hilichurl camp—
A strange sound suddenly echoed inside their minds.
Immediately after, a dazzling blue light-screen appeared before their eyes.
[In the Year of Hidden Flames, the world collapsed, and the land fell into ruin.]
[The Primordial One reversed the destroyed world; Celestia lost contact with the mortal realm.]
[The Archon War scorched the land, life was reduced to ash, and a new order was born.]
[The twins from beyond the stars descended—five sinners, a broken throne, and darkness staining the sky.]
[Because it cannot be changed, cannot be defied, and can only be accepted—fate is called fate.]
[The destiny of Teyvat is difficult to shake. Even gods possess only the faintest possibility—let alone mortals.]
[At this moment…]
[The twins awaken, and the gears of fate begin to turn once more.]
[The game between the Heavenly Principles and the Abyss is reopened upon the land of Teyvat.]
[Believe your eyes. Everything you are about to witness will come to pass.]
[Next, you shall witness the future.]
[The future of each and every one of you.]
[Will the future save the present?]
[Will power from beyond the world be used to deny the world itself?]
[Or will you…]
[Bear the title of savior,]
[And use power from beyond the world to save this one.]
[...]
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