Lumine: "I'm exhausted… why is everyone a riddler?!"
After being threatened, the dignified Anemo Archon could only give an awkward laugh, quickly clarifying that he was "just joking."
There was nothing else he could do—he was the guest here.
Once the brief commotion settled, Luo Li took a seat. His gaze naturally fell upon the golden-haired girl who had been staring at him with a strange, almost searching expression.
He did not ask who she was, nor why she appeared in his home.
Instead, he looked at the white flower on her head—his expression shifting slightly, tinged with distant memories.
It had been a long, long time since he last saw that flower.
To someone who had truly lived for centuries and witnessed the rise and fall of countless eras, the arrival of "the official story" evoked a peculiar emotion.
As though all the dusty remnants of ancient history were about to resurface into the world again, blooming with new meaning.
Lumine blinked, stunned. Then her voice tightened with urgency.
"You… know this flower?"
Luo Li thought silently: Not only do I know the flower… I even know where you come from.
He did not act like the other "riddle-spouters" scattered across Teyvat.
Instead, he answered her question cleanly:
"It's called Intivat—the national flower of the lost kingdom of Khaenri'ah.
It symbolizes 'the wanderer's return.'
Once taken away from its homeland, the flower becomes hard and brittle.
Only when brought back to its birthplace will it regain its softness."
Lumine fell silent for a long time.
She had worn this flower for as long as she could remember, yet she never knew its origin.
Now, she understood a fragment of the truth.
Paimon whispered beside her:
"He really does know! Lumine, hurry ask him about your brother!"
But before Lumine could speak, Luo Li cut her off calmly.
"If you wish to meet your lost sibling, follow the trail of the Stormterror incident.
As for the rest… you must discover those answers yourself along the way."
"You're saying… my brother might be connected to Stormterror?"
Lumine instantly caught the key point, her golden eyes locking onto him.
This man clearly knew many thingsn but refused to tell her everything.
Luo Li did not confirm nor deny the assumption.
But his attitude alone was enough to make the truth apparent.
"Then what should I do next?" Lumine pressed, determined not to let this lead slip away.
Instead of answering her, Luo Li tilted his head toward the corner of the room
specifically at the bard who was shamelessly rummaging through his wine supply.
"Him. Ask the drunkard.
He'll tell you what to do."
No matter what, Stormterror was his old companion.
Wendy could not possibly ignore it.
Lumine looked doubtful.
"…Is he really reliable?"
Caught red-handed, Wen ahem, Wendy immediately puffed up in protest.
"Hey! Don't underestimate me! I'm at least"
He suddenly cut himself off, nearly revealing his godhood.
Paimon frowned. "At least what? What were you about to say?!"
Wendy cleared his throat and hurriedly changed the subject:
"Anyway! Just follow me tomorrow! I'll tell you everything about Stormterror!"
Whether he was reliable or not… Lumine had no choice.
Searching for her brother across the vast continent of Teyvat was nearly impossible without leads.
Meeting someone who truly knew something was already a miracle.
She still wanted to ask about the Anemo Archon
whether he was the one who separated the twins.
But Luo Li no longer offered answers.
If he spoiled the journey, what fun would there be?
Let her discover the truth herself while traveling across the Seven Nations.
Lumine understood.
Today's gains were enough she finally had a direction and hope.
As long as she kept going, one day she would reunite with her brother.
At that moment, Fischl who had been sitting obediently like a well-behaved child finally raised her hand.
"Then what about me?"
Wendy answered matter-of-factly:
"Of course you're coming with us. The Sky Harp is still in your possession.
If we want to purify Stormterror's corruption, that instrument is essential."
Fischl instantly straightened her back, pride swelling.
"Hmph! As expected of me, the most crucial member!"
But when she glanced at Luo Li, her triumphant expression faltered.
She remembered
her training punishment was still waiting tomorrow.
Three times the usual amount…
Like a puppet having its strings cut, the chūnibyō princess wilted instantly.
"I… I can't go. I have training tomorrow…"
She spoke in a pitiful whisper, sneaking glances at her teacher.
Luo Li almost laughed her thoughts were so transparent.
"Enough. I'll write it down. If you cause trouble again next time, I'll double the punishment along with this one."
Fischl's eyes brightened instantly.
She practically threw herself into his arms.
"Thank you, teacher! I'll never cause trouble again!"
Holding the clingy girl, Luo Li couldn't help feeling like he was raising a daughter.
Compared to her, Asase Kanade from Inazuma had been so quiet and well-behaved…
After all these years, that gentle shrine maiden was probably already gone.
Even if she became strong, humans could not resist the erosion of time.
Perhaps only his non-human friends were still alive.
"Fox Lady… Chiyo… I wonder how the two of them are faring now."
He murmured, momentarily dazed at thoughts of Inazuma's cherry blossoms.
Meanwhile, Lumine who felt a bit out of place in this overly intimate household scene slowly stood up.
"Then… we'll take our leave for now."
Wendy called after her:
"Remember! Tomorrow morning meet me at the Statue of the Seven!"
"Alright."
Watching Lumine leave, Wendy remained.
He had no intention of going.
Next, he planned to thoroughly lecture the two liars who had made him mourn for centuries.
When Raiden Makoto finished bringing the dishes to the table, Luo Li sat with Fischl in his lap and casually chatted with Wendy.
"To think the great Raiden Makoto would personally cook… I'm so jealous."
Wendy was visibly sour.
They had all been friends for hundreds of years.
But he had never even seen Makoto cook, much less tasted her dishes.
Now look at her
the former Electro Archon had become a gentle housewife, effortlessly switching roles as if it were natural.
If there were one thing Luo Li had no self-control about it was showing off this particular achievement.
As Wendy drank in the scene with envy, he suddenly asked:
"Right… since I've just woken up, what identities do you two hold now?"
Luo Li answered very calmly, with a faint sense of superiority:
"Obviously… high-ranking members of the Knights of Favonius."
Wendy nearly spat out the wine he stole.
"What?!
You even infiltrated the Knights?!
Unbelievable…"
He shook his head, then decided he might as well return to his roots as a wandering bard.
Every time he woke up, he lived like a vagrant anyway already used to it.
Luo Li, however, had no intention of living like that anymore.
He was now a man with a household to support.
The night passed, and by midnight, Wendy was mercilessly kicked out to sleep on the street.
Luo Li's excuse?
"I have work at the Knights tomorrow.
Unemployed drifters aren't allowed to disturb my sleep."