"Sirin, when are you going to let me have some real fun with it?"
After Ronova left, Kiana came back online. The authority she could use was only a portion—while Sirin wasn't going to pop out and use her body to wreck things anymore, Kiana still couldn't access the full power of the Herrscher of the Void.
"You stupid paramecium. You can't handle that kind of power."
It was Sirin's power. She wasn't about to casually hand it over to this idiot to "play with."
After being stuck in the same body for so long, Sirin knew exactly how shameless Kiana could be. If she really lent it to her, who knew—Kiana might go and steal Mei's panties.
It sounded ridiculous, but Kiana really might do it.
And if that happened, the authority of the Herrscher of the Void would be… filthy.
Kiana looked a little unhappy. It wasn't like she was going to do anything bad—Sirin was being stingy for no reason.
In her opinion, using the Herrscher of the Void's authority to snatch Mei's panties didn't even count as doing something bad.
"This looks a lot like Taixuan Mountain."
When she saw Liyue's terrain, Kiana froze for a moment, then chose to land on Mt. Aocang.
The scenery here was beautiful—no noise, no bustle, just quiet nature. Standing here, any nagging worries seemed to vanish on the spot, and her mind became unusually calm.
"What business brings you to this one's abode?"
Cloud Retainer walked out from her abode. If she didn't enter Liyue proper, she was used to maintaining her true form.
"A talking bird?"
Kiana blurted it out without thinking. She'd seen Honkai beasts before, but she'd never seen a bird like this.
"How insolent—disrespectful to an adeptus. Wait… your voice sounds familiar."
Cloud Retainer shifted into human form, frowning as she studied Kiana.
It sounded very much like the voice of the Geo Lord's "daughter"… but the face didn't match.
"She turned into a person?!"
Kiana exclaimed in shock, instantly wondering whether Honkai beasts could turn into humans too.
The world really was full of surprises. Today was eye-opening—she'd just seen three heavenly birds turn into humans.
"This one taking human form—is that not perfectly normal?"
Xianyun looked at Kiana. Compared to the little princess, this one didn't seem very bright—more like… kind of silly.
"An adeptus?"
"I know a Red Kite Adeptus too. She lived for fifty thousand years."
Kiana was talking about her class monitor, Fu Hua.
"Fifty thousand…?"
Xianyun's mouth twitched. She could tell the girl wasn't lying. Even the Geo Lord hadn't lived that long.
That wasn't just an adeptus—that was a walking antique, a living fossil.
Senti gives a thumbs-up. Definitely an antique.
"You should be like Koji—someone from beyond this world, yes?"
Xianyun had never heard of any adeptus in Teyvat who could live that long.
"Mm-hm. I came here with Koji to have some fun."
"As expected… That direction is Liyue Harbor. This one's place is deep in the mountains—humans don't gather here."
Xianyun pointed out the way.
Since Kiana was someone Koji had brought, there was nothing to worry about. She wouldn't endanger Liyue.
"Got it. Sorry to bother you."
Kiana nodded, then stepped into empty air and warped through space to leave.
The portion of the Herrscher of the Void's authority she could use was basically limited to traveling. Anything offensive—along with things like remote retrieval—was firmly locked down by Sirin.
At the very least, the way the two of them got along now was far more peaceful than back then. Sirin wouldn't casually seize control of the body anymore. Having a "neighbor" like that also meant she wouldn't be bored.
"Idiot…"
Sirin's complaint never reached Kiana.
Honestly, Sirin was a little envious of her. Both of them were "Sirin" in a way—maybe Kiana was what Sirin had been like at the very beginning.
"Power over space, is it…?"
Xianyun shook her head and returned to her abode to tinker with inventions. Her fully automated cooking device still wasn't finished—but this time, it would work. It had to.
When Kiana entered Liyue Harbor, she naturally drew people's attention.
Whether it was her moon-goddess-like beauty or the rare style of clothing she wore, she stood out everywhere she went.
Kiana didn't care. After stepping into Liyue Harbor, it felt like she'd walked straight into ancient times—no hint of modern architecture anywhere.
"Idiot, do you have money?"
Sirin's voice made Kiana freeze on the spot.
Money… right.
As an outsider, she really didn't have this world's currency on her. She'd forgotten to ask Koji for some.
She'd been thinking about buying a few things, and now she was standing here empty-handed.
"Do you need help?"
A voice that felt both familiar and strangely unfamiliar suddenly spoke up.
Hu Tao just happened to spot Kiana's awkward situation and walked over out of kindness.
"Hi. I'm Kiana. I don't have… um…"
Kiana said it with embarrassment.
Hu Tao understood instantly. No money—fair enough, fair enough.
"Your voice sounds like mine. You look like a foreigner too. I'll take you around Liyue."
Hu Tao smiled, open and friendly.
"Yeah… sorry to trouble you."
Kiana also noticed it—Hu Tao's voice really did sound a lot like hers.
It was incredible. Not long ago she'd run into the Raiden sisters and heard a familiar voice… and now she was hearing a voice that resembled her own.
"No trouble. When you're away from home, if you can help, you help."
Hu Tao spoke casually.
"Right, I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm Hu Tao, the current Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. You can call me Taozi too—nice and friendly."
Hu Tao was naturally familiar with people. Even though she was usually quirky enough to give Zhongli headaches, she was the same type as Kiana—warm and enthusiastic.
The moment she saw Kiana, she felt a sense of affinity, so she came over to talk.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Kiana hadn't heard of it. But hearing that Hu Tao was already a director at such a young age made her admire her.
"Hehe. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor handles funerals—absolute authority. Kiana, want to book your own in advance?"
Hu Tao never missed a chance to market her business.
It was habit by now.
"Ah… no thanks."
Kiana immediately understood and shook her head with an awkward smile. So it was funeral services… and she was very much alive.
Sirin had told her that as a Herrscher, her lifespan was long—she was a genuine long-lived being, huh.
"Hu Tao, you're seriously amazing."
Kiana meant it from the heart.
A girl working in the funeral business—how could that not inspire respect? A lot of people avoided death, and naturally wanted nothing to do with someone like Hu Tao.
"Ah, Wangsheng got where it is because the previous directors worked tirelessly for generations. I'm just inheriting their effort and results."
Hu Tao answered humbly.
Kiana wasn't repulsed by it at all. That surprised Hu Tao a little—this was someone worth befriending.
"Come on. Today, I'm treating."
Hu Tao led the way, and Kiana followed behind her guide. Whatever was spent today, she'd pay Hu Tao back later.
(End of Chapter)
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