After the Gnosis was taken by "La Signora," the contract between Zhongli and Lora had already come into effect.
He would assist her in saving Fontaine, and in supporting her plan, he was, in essence, helping her save Fontaine.
So when Zhongli said those words, he meant them sincerely. If things did not go smoothly for Lora in Inazuma, he truly would not hesitate to go there himself to lend his aid.
"Mm. Thank you." Lora naturally understood what he meant. After thanking him, she lowered her voice. "There's something else I want to tell you."
"What is it?" Seeing her so serious, Zhongli assumed it was an important matter, and his expression grew solemn as well.
Lora leaned closer and whispered, "I'm just saying… if it comes to it, maybe apologize to Xiao and Shenhe? I think they both have PTSD now. Look at Shenhe—she doesn't even dare sit next to you anymore."
"PTSD?" Zhongli repeated, puzzled by the unfamiliar term.
Lora blinked, then laughed softly. "Ah… it just means psychological trauma."
"Psychological trauma…" Zhongli fell into thought for a moment, then nodded. "You make a fair point. However, the ones responsible were you, myself, and that drunken poet. Should I go to Mondstadt and drag him here?"
"Do you think you can actually find Venti in Mondstadt?" Lora shot back dryly. "I doubt it. You'd probably have better luck searching in Liyue."
"Given his usual conduct, that would indeed be in character." Zhongli inclined his head. "Thank you for the reminder."
He then changed the subject. "By the way, I have several bills sent from Fontaine. Most are for Fontaine's specialty desserts…"
"Huh?" Lora froze.
Zhongli calmly produced the bills and handed them to her. "I have already paid them with my salary. There is no need for concern."
"Ah… well…" Lora coughed awkwardly, then smiled. "Those were for treating Furina to sweets. I told the shopkeepers they could send the bills to the Jade Chamber or the Northland Bank, but they seemed reluctant to mail anything to those two places. So they ended up sending them to you instead."
"It's of no consequence. Consider it my treat to the two of you," Zhongli replied, entirely unbothered.
Onstage, Yunjin finished a piece. Taking the opportunity, Lora stood. "Alright, I'll go prepare what I need for the journey. We'll talk more next time I return to Liyue."
"Travel safely," Zhongli said.
Lora hummed in acknowledgment and walked a few steps before suddenly stopping. Hélie, following behind, nearly bumped into her.
Lora turned back toward Zhongli. "Oh, right. One more thing. Zhongyue and Xianyun seem to be blasting craters all over Liyue. You might want to keep an eye on them. It's… not a great look."
"Ah… them." Zhongli sighed faintly. "It has become something of a regular occurrence. I will remind them to exercise caution."
So it was already routine? No wonder the residents of Liyue Harbor hadn't seemed particularly alarmed earlier—they were used to it.
How tragic.
After parting with Zhongli, Lora and Hélie bought a few more travel necessities in the streets of Liyue. However, when they returned to the harbor to find a ship, they ran into trouble. The moment any captain heard their destination was Inazuma, they refused outright.
"Seriously… We can't just fly there. That would be far too conspicuous…" Lora circled the harbor with Hélie, but not a single shipowner was willing to accept the commission.
The outer seas of Inazuma were wreathed in perpetual thunderstorm. Traveling by ship under normal circumstances would not be an issue. But if she simply flew over, it would be a bit too dismissive of the Electro Archon. No matter what, she was a reigning Archon—basic respect was due.
As Lora and Hélie walked back from the harbor, they ran straight into Ningguang.
"So it is you," Ningguang said with a smile. "I heard from the Millelith and Miss Xianyun that you had returned from Fontaine, so I came to find you."
"You were looking for me?" Lora blinked and instinctively folded her arms, stepping back. "That crater was their doing. It has nothing to do with me. Surely you're not planning to make me pay for it, Lady Ningguang?"
"Ahem… Of course not." Ningguang looked mildly exasperated. "You've just come from the harbor, have you not? If my guess is correct, you were searching for a ship to Inazuma. Given the current instability there, ordinary vessels would not dare make the voyage."
"And?" Lora eyed her. "You stopped me in the street just to point that out?"
Ningguang continued smoothly, "The Liyue Qixing are willing to prepare a vessel to escort you to Inazuma. Furthermore, we can provide official backing in Liyue's name, ensuring your activities there encounter minimal obstruction."
"That generous?" Lora looked at her in surprise. "What's the catch?"
"As expected—you see through it immediately." Ningguang smiled. "Naturally, I have my considerations. One day, you will return to Fontaine. With your status, you will be able to influence its future direction. Offering you convenience now is an investment. It will elevate the relationship between Liyue and Fontaine to a new level."
"As expected of Tianquan Ningguang. Your business sense really is something," Lora said with a grin. "Fine. I have no objections. Go ahead and prepare the ship."
"Please wait a moment," Ningguang replied with a nod.
Before long, a vessel was arranged to escort Lora out of port.
Though her identity was not publicly disclosed, anyone personally arranged for by Tianquan Ningguang was clearly no ordinary figure.
The crew were perceptive enough to treat Lora and Hélie with utmost courtesy.
After sailing for some time, the terrifying thunderstorms encircling the outer seas of Inazuma came into view.
"Your Excellency," a crew member reported respectfully, "the outer seas of Inazuma are ahead. We are about to pass through the storm. It will be extremely dangerous outside the cabin. Please remain inside, along with your attendant."
"Take care of yourselves," Lora replied calmly. "You don't need to worry about my safety."
The storm's power was indeed fearsome.
But to her, it was of no consequence.