Cael returned to his room.
Another letter from Hu Tao awaited him.
She wrote that the Rite of Descension was approaching and asked when he planned to return.
Cael froze for a moment.
That soon already?
At this point, Lumine would likely finish Xiangling's story quest and the Dainsleif encounter before heading to Liyue.
Timing-wise—he could make it.
So he replied, assuring Hu Tao that he would definitely attend the Rite of Descension, then sent the letter off.
...
...
Liyue Harbor
Xier had finally finished her day's work and commissions.
With a pouch of Mora and various rewards in hand, she happily made her way back toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Half a year ago, Cael had explained her situation to Hu Tao—
that Xier was an orphan with nowhere to go.
Hu Tao had accepted her without hesitation.
After all, Xier was adorable, and Hu Tao liked her quite a lot.
"Today went really well!" Xier murmured cheerfully.
"When Lord Agarest comes back, I'll definitely earn lots of praise!"
She looked at the Mora in her bag, satisfied.
"Hehe… I'm almost done saving enough to return to Bumpai Village. When I get back, the first thing I'll do is find Bronya and tell her that Lord Agarest is still alive!"
Lost in her thoughts, she skipped along the street—
And suddenly—
BANG!
"Ow!"
A cry rang out.
Xier was still standing, blinking in confusion as she looked at the person who had crashed into her.
It was a boy.
He stared at her oddly.
Strange… she looks fragile, but why does she feel so solid? he thought.
He quickly stood up and complained,
"What's wrong with you?! Why are you so hard?!"
"…Hard?" Xier tilted her head.
"Isn't it because you're too weak? You look pretty flimsy yourself."
"…?!"
The boy glanced at his arms—thicker than most kids his age.
Am I… weak?
He shook his head and grinned.
"You seem really strong! Want to join me on an adventure?"
"Adventure?" Xier tilted her head again.
He's taller than me… but why does he act even more childish?
"Yeah! Adventure!"
"I found a treasure map left behind by a super powerful Treasure Hoarder!"
He dramatically pulled out a map.
"Oh."
Xier showed zero interest.
The boy leaned in excitedly.
"It's a treasure worth one million Mora! Relics of Rex Lapis and Agarest!"
"Rex Lapis's relics! Aren't you excited?!"
"…Relics?"
"…Lord Agarest's relics?!"
Xier's eyes lit up instantly.
Got her.
"That's not even the important part—wait, so you're in?!"
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!!"
"Oh—o-okay!"
...
...
The Wilderness Outside Liyue
"Where's the treasure? The relics?"
Xier frowned, looking around at the overlapping hills and scattered rocks.
"This place looks normal."
The boy stood with his back to her, wearing a strange smile.
"Don't rush~ Real relics aren't that easy to find."
Xier nodded thoughtfully.
"That… makes sense."
Yet her instincts—sharpened by years within the Fatui—were screaming danger.
First:
Why would a boy her age dare venture this far from Liyue Harbor alone?
Second:
He had clearly rammed into her on purpose earlier—yet now acted like they'd never met.
Stay cautious, she warned herself.
If there really were relics of Lord Agarest… then it would all be worth it.
...
"Hey," Xier asked,
"Where are your parents? Why didn't they come with you?"
The boy shook his head.
"They're gone. My grandpa raised me."
"If I can get rich, things at home will finally get better!"
His eyes shone with determination.
Xier looked at him quietly, then said,
"You're strong. I have siblings too… but I haven't seen them in years."
The boy nodded.
"Guess we're alike."
Then he suddenly stopped.
"We're here."
Xier halted as well.
Ahead was a hidden cave, well concealed.
She checked the map.
…It matched.
The boy swallowed nervously, staring into the darkness.
"You go first! I—I'll guard the rear! Protect our escape!"
"…So you brought me because you're afraid of the dark?"
Xier gave him a flat look.
Seeing how badly he was shaking, she stepped closer to reassure him—
The moment her hand touched his shoulder—
Her pupils contracted violently.
In an instant, she leapt back and spun—
A spiraling side kick.
SPLASH.
The boy's head separated from his body.
Blood sprayed everywhere, his face frozen in confusion.
Thunk.
Xier stared at the severed head, dread flooding her chest.
"…Just as I thought."
Blood wasn't the only thing spilling out—
Gears. Mechanical parts. Wooden joints.
A puppet.
A creation of the Fatui Harbinger Sandrone.
Why was her construct here?!
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause echoed from within the cave.
Footsteps followed—slow, deliberate.
Xier turned—
And her face drained of color.
From the darkness emerged a tall man.
The last person she ever wanted to see.
The origin of her nightmare.
"Il Dottore!!"
She snarled his name through clenched teeth.
Dottore looked at her with amused admiration.
"As expected of you, Experiment No. 034."
"Sandrone's puppets can usually fool anyone—yet you detected it with a single touch."
Xier cautiously reached for the Delusion at her waist.
Dottore laughed.
"Still so naïve."
"Do you really think a Delusion—our creation—could threaten me?"
He raised one hand.
Snap.
The Delusion shattered instantly.
"…Damn it."
Xier stumbled back.
"What do you want?!"
She shouted, her small body trembling, her voice filled with desperation.
Dottore replied calmly,
"Nothing special."
"I'm simply here to reclaim an experiment."
Fear seized her heart.
"You'd better not," she warned shakily.
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