After some time, once Lory confirmed that Eula no longer felt any pain—only lingering weakness—he finally relaxed.
"A few days of rest should be enough. It won't delay our trip to Liyue."
"Mm."
Still holding her, he carried Eula back to her room in the manor.
The girl tried her hardest to savor his warmth a little longer, but fatigue eventually won—she fell asleep in his arms.
When Lory returned to the main hall, the others had already finished dinner and dispersed.
Only Raiden Makoto remained.
"Where is everyone?"
"Mona went to the lab, Fischl went home, and Noelle is cleaning up."
Lory clicked his tongue. "They sure left fast."
He sank comfortably into the sofa, organizing his thoughts.
Less than seven days remained before the Rite of Descension in Liyue.
The Geo Archon appeared only once a year, descended to deliver decrees, and set the direction of Liyue for the coming year.
Naturally, the festival drew enormous attention.
People from all seven nations came just for a chance to witness the Archon's presence—and brag about it afterward.
Moreover, this year the ceremony would be overseen by the Tianquan of the Qixing—the figure regarded as the brightest star of Liyue's merchants, a revered business genius who rose from a mere street vendor to the peak of human authority.
If one could win favor or guidance from her during this time…
It would be a meteoric rise.
As Lory pondered, Raiden Makoto leaned softly against him.
"Are things in Mondstadt all settled?"
"Yeah. It doesn't really matter whether I'm here or not. This isn't like Inazuma back then."
Makoto blinked, then understood.
Indeed—they were no longer rulers whose departure would disrupt a nation.
Their era of leadership was long over.
Now, they were merely "ordinary" people living quietly.
…Well, perhaps not entirely ordinary.
"You're right," she smiled. "I was overthinking."
Lory stood and gently pulled her up.
"It's getting late. Let's go rest."
Several Days Later — At Sea, Bound for Liyue
A large seafaring vessel cut steadily across the deep-blue waters.
Noelle pressed her face excitedly to the railing.
"What is Liyue like? I've never been outside Mondstadt!"
Born and raised here, the diligent maid had never traveled abroad.
Her heart was pounding with anticipation.
Eula, fully recovered, sat at Lory's left—legs elegantly crossed, posture naturally drawing eyes.
"People who first see Liyue are usually stunned. The buildings are ancient and graceful.
The clothes are beautiful too—similar to Lory's style."
Noelle quickly leaned closer, eager to learn anything useful.
She didn't want to embarrass Lory in a foreign land—that would be a maid's greatest failure.
Eula thought for a moment, then coughed lightly.
"I only know what Yanfei told me. For accurate information, you should ask Lory."
She didn't want to mislead Noelle and end up being blamed later.
While the two whispered, Lory and Makoto stood by the railing, quietly gazing at the tranquil seascape.
Clear sky.
Seabirds gliding past.
Oars stirring gentle waves.
Everything was peaceful—until the ship crossed out of Mondstadt's territorial waters.
Passengers chatted, rested, or bragged to travel companions as usual…
Until the captain's urgent shout echoed across the deck around noon.
"PIRATES! Brace yourselves! We're pushing through!"
Chaos erupted instantly.
They were close—very close—to Liyue's protected sea zone.
Once within that range, most pirates wouldn't dare attack.
But these raiders had chosen the perfect moment
The exact stretch before Liyue's patrols began.
"Liyue's border… almost in sight," Makoto murmured.
Eula rushed to the nearest window.
A chain of scattered islands appeared outside
And behind them, seven or eight pirate ships surged into view, emerging from blind angles to form a complete blockade.
They had planned this well.
There was no escape route.
"Damn pirates!" Eula hissed.
Her mind raced—how to escape?
Protecting the ship and all these civilians would be difficult.
The pirates weren't stupid either.
Some would close in for boarding, others would stay at range and use cannons.
If anything looked suspicious, they'd blow the ship apart.
Even if Eula could cut down all close-range attackers…
She couldn't block cannon fire indefinitely.
Noelle, on the other hand, immediately prepared to rush out and protect the passengers—
But Lory stopped her with a calm glance.
"Relax. No one here is in danger."
Between him and Makoto…
The only things in danger today were the pirates.
Some might even call them lucky.
Most would call them doomed.