There's a saying: "With no woman in your heart, the blade comes forth naturally divine."
Unfortunately, the Spear Witch never understood this principle. Once she formed emotional attachments, she nearly fell to her own disciple—Eberhart.
If Luo Li hadn't intervened back then, it would have ended in tragedy.
As repayment, before she set off to wander the world with Parsifal, she entrusted her life's techniques—and her weapons—to Luo Li.
And today, Rosaria was the one who inherited that legacy.
Of course, the real reason Luo Li bestowed such a valuable inheritance…
was simply because this sinful, sultry nun happened to be very much his type.
Just like why he had "accidentally" remained in Inazuma for several centuries—
Luo Li always had motives.
Rosaria took another sip of dandelion wine, her voice languid.
"Teacher, how come you had time to visit the tavern today?"
"You saw clearly enough just now."
"Oh? Then what's the story with that strange bard?"
"No need to worry about him. If we're talking about people who mean Mondstadt no harm, he's probably the only one I can be absolutely certain about."
Rosaria studied his eyes, then gave a casual shrug.
"Well, if Teacher says so, I'll let him off. Just this once."
After sharing a few drinks with the shadow-loving nun, Luo Li was about to leave—
but then he froze.
His gaze settled on the far corner of the tavern.
Freed from the shadow that had been blocking his line of sight, Luo Li finally saw who Lumine and Paimon were speaking to.
A man dressed in a star-speckled black cloak, short blond hair, and an eyepatch covering his right eye.
"…Interesting. I almost forgot this familiar face existed."
Smiling faintly, Luo Li turned toward their direction, with Noelle following behind.
Tavern Corner
"Hey! We answered your three questions, and we paid you! Don't try to run off!"
Paimon hovered angrily, hands on hips.
Anyone who tried to scam her Mora was automatically labeled a villain.
The blond man snorted.
"In three days, same time, meet me outside the city."
Lumine silently memorized the place and time. She couldn't shake the odd familiarity about him… like she had seen him somewhere long ago.
Just as the man moved to stand—
A voice spoke behind him.
"Lumine, Paimon. I didn't expect to find you two here."
The man's face instantly changed.
This voice—
He had heard it only once in his life, five hundred years ago.
He whipped around, eyes widening with disbelief.
Luo Li stood there, smiling.
"Long time no see, Dainsleif."
The transformation in Dain's expression was drastic.
Paimon blinked in realization.
"Oh! So you two do know each other! I thought he was some scammer!"
Luo Li seated himself next to Lumine.
"He's no scammer—just a pitiful soul burdened with the task of resisting the Abyss."
Dainsleif's eyes narrowed.
Never had he expected to meet one of the two ruling princes of ancient Inazuma—a figure involved in the events of the Cataclysm—here of all places.
But with a slow, steady breath, he forced his emotions down.
Five hundred years had changed him.
Luo Li, meanwhile, was quietly curious.
What exactly had Dainsleif acquired that allowed him to resist the curse of Celestia?
Why had he not fallen like the hilichurls or the Black Serpent Knights, but instead only suffered partial erosion?
"Didn't think I'd meet Prince Luo Li again."
Paimon leaned in toward Lumine and whispered:
"Luo Li… Prince Luo Li? His identity gets more suspicious every day!"
Anyone who could chat casually with Archons was clearly not some simple 'consultant.'
Luo Li waved off the title.
"Don't make a fuss. I just came over to greet an old acquaintance. My identity now is nothing like it was back then."
Realizing Luo Li wasn't here to hunt down the remnants of Khaenri'ah, Dain exhaled subtly.
Although Luo Li had not harmed civilians during the Cataclysm, he had stood among the gods that brought the nation to ruin.
If he intended hostility now, Dain knew he wouldn't stand a chance.
"Then… may Your Highness clarify your intentions?"
Even now, unease lingered. Dain respectfully lowered his posture.
"Everything from back then has nothing to do with me anymore," Luo Li said plainly. "Whatever you Khaenri'ah survivors plan—so long as it doesn't involve me—I won't interfere."
To reassure him further, Luo Li continued:
"Whether you intend for Lumine to walk the same opposing path as her brother… that, too, has nothing to do with me. Understand?"
Dainsleif lowered his head.
"…I understand."
Relief washed through him.
He could continue investigating the missing inverse-statue without fear of Luo Li's intervention.
Better yet, with Lumine beside him, he might uncover clues impossible to find alone.
Meanwhile, Lumine looked utterly lost.
The cryptic exchange between the two men left her more confused than enlightened.
After giving Luo Li a final respectful bow, Dainsleif quickly disappeared into the night.
Only once he was gone did Lumine finally ask:
"…Just who are you?"
He joked with the Archons like old friends.
He wielded ancient knowledge casually.
Compared to Barbatos, he felt more like a true god.
Luo Li chuckled.
"You'll understand when you reach Inazuma."
"…"
Lumine and Paimon simultaneously rolled their eyes.
The riddlers must perish!
Sighing, Lumine forced herself back on topic.
"Anyway! About gathering evidence against the Lawrence family—we should start soon. I've been tailing Schubert for days. His routine is completely mapped out."
Luo Li considered this, then nodded.
"Start contacting him tomorrow. Any later and it'll get suspicious. As for Eula… I'll figure something out in the morning."
"Mm."
Lumine didn't know who this Eula was, nor did she care to ask.
No doubt just another woman close to him.
Hmph. What a womanizer.