Everyone looks at Ei, who has an inexplicable smile hanging from the corner of her mouth, and their hearts tremble. Let you make dumplings?
Eh, I have an idea—how about this: you and Hu Tao do it together; you two make the dumplings!
That way, you can also handle our funerals while you're at it. I want roses.
This wave, this is a reunion—in the other world, a reunion is still a reunion.
Venti nods, fully approving of Lucian's prophecy. Indeed, even if I can't prophesy, I can see that future.
Mona's eyes widen. What the situation? No prophetic motions at all, and you prophesied? Wait, on what basis?
Mona's heart at this moment feels like a little cat is scratching it—itchy.
What exactly will happen? I really want to know! Should I try?
Among the people present, there are gods, outlanders, and herself; the cause and effect are too great, so Mona can't divine it clearly. That's why she's very curious about what future Lucian is talking about.
Just how bad is Raiden Ei at cooking? Besides a few gods and two foxes, the others aren't particularly aware.
Last time, Lucian specifically told everyone: be careful not to let Raiden Ei into the kitchen, but he didn't say what the consequences would be if Raiden Ei actually cooked.
So everyone doesn't know yet that they just escaped death once.
"I see." Ei feels a bit regretful. "Then next time."
Lucian breathes a sigh of relief. Next time, we'll send it to Scaramouche—full of maternal love.
After Ei's interruption, the debate quiets down. It seems everyone wants to quickly decide and get the food made, lest Raiden Ei come up with another idea.
The few people good at cooking, including the Traveler, go into the kitchen together—this is the cooking team.
Raiden Ei doesn't follow along; she's not someone who loves cooking anyway. She just wanted to show off a little in front of Lucian and her sister, to give everyone a surprise.
Besides the cooking team, the others aren't idle either: some clean, some decorate, and those doing nothing will wash dishes later.
To "slack off" and avoid washing dishes, Xianyun even invents an "automatic dishwashing divine machine." Her little head is held high like a proud "immortal crane."
No, she is originally an immortal crane—it's just exposing her true form.
Once everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, they finally head out to stroll Liyue Harbor under the Lantern Rite.
There are too many people, so naturally they divide into several groups to visit places they're interested in.
Like Mona goes with Fischl and Bennett to find novels to read.
Xianyun and Guizhong naturally wander the streets looking for some rare and strange toys.
Hu Tao, Navia, Kamisato Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Furina—these young ladies also go shopping together. Clothes and food are their targets.
Jean, Ganyu, and Makoto are very reliable; they're taking the kids to play. Yae Miko was there just now, but when she heard it involved watching kids, she ran off.
As for the several gods, they go to Yujing Terrace. The view there is vast, very suitable for taking in the scenery for a while, and there's the stone table left by Songchen—perfect to sit at.
Lucian's side is with Shenhe and Clorinde. The two of them don't have any particular places they want to go, so they just follow Lucian around everywhere.
No matter what everyone is strolling, they can all see the Mingxiao lanterns gradually rising into the sky.
Because there are too many Xiao lanterns, and more and more, they gradually light up the starry sky.
The young ladies on Hu Tao's team also release their own Mingxiao lanterns, making beautiful wishes. The girls' laughing faces are illuminated by the Xiao lanterns, adding a bit of radiance.
Raiden Ei looks at the Mingxiao lanterns in the sky. Each one carries people's "wishes"; people release their "dreams" into the sky, confiding in the heavens.
In the past, seeing such a scene probably wouldn't touch her much, but now, seeing it again, she watches without blinking.
Human wishes are truly dazzling. When gathered together, they can even overshadow the light of lightning, more brilliant and eye-catching than thunder's glow.
Beside the several gods, Xiao sits obediently, also staring at all this without blinking.
He promised to tour the Lantern Rite with Zhongli, so naturally he won't break his word. But traveling with several gods, the pressure is really quite something... maybe not just quite.
So, he focuses his attention on the current "scenery."
Fireworks exploding in the sky—beautiful, splendid, and noisy.
Xiao lanterns floating in the sky—simple, natural, and quiet.
This pairing of stillness and motion speaks two words: "peace."
Vendors hawk their wares, children run chasing Xiao lanterns on the streets, groups of two or three passersby gather, chatting and laughing.
Isn't this harmonious and peaceful scene always like this?
Because Liyue has always been this way!
This sight is exactly what the Yaksha pursue. Yet, as the only remaining Yaksha, he can't blend in...
Because everyone can't return. But if everyone can't return, then for whom should I exist?
Perhaps I am a relic left by them, already gone with them.
In the past, they would always tell Xiao about the wonders of human society, asking him: when peace is stable, do you want to go enjoy its "brilliance"?
Xiao doesn't want to, because he only knows slaughter. If humans no longer need his slaughter, where should he go? He doesn't know, and hasn't thought about this question.
Because Xiao never thought he could survive the slaughter. A Yaksha made for killing will ultimately die in killing.
His brothers and sisters didn't think this way. They wanted to witness humanity's brilliance, integrate into human life, and enjoy this hard-won peace.
Unfortunately, fate plays tricks. The Yaksha who longed for peace never saw the world after peace, while the Yaksha who only knew slaughter lives to this day.
So, life is truly as bitter as a song.
This peaceful sight wasn't born this way either; it was fought for after everyone paid an unimaginable price.
So, besides making wishes, the Xiao lanterns also carry meaning of remembrance—for those who died for it.
For example, the giant Mingxiao lantern about to appear—the Shifting Sky Grand Monarch.
It is a majestic deer, its appearance exceedingly beautiful.
Its antlers emit light, and the blue tassel-like glow on its tail is even more gorgeous.
Its antlers are so majestic—they are its favorite, the thing it loved to show off most in life.
However, to protect Liyue, it called for people to chop off its pair of antlers, solely to prop up a piece of sky for the tottering Liyue.
But its antlers were too hard; to cut them, one had to start from the root—that kind of pain, how heart-piercing?
Even so, it never stopped. Even after its antlers were severed, it continued to fight until it shed its last drop of blood.
Its antlers propped up Mt. Tianheng, its blood formed Bishui River—it has already become a part of Liyue.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over · Xiao: About Mingxiao Lanterns
"I really hope they could see this scene too... Among the sky full of Xiao lanterns, there are remembrances for them, right?
Once the Xiao lanterns fly to the heavens, it should reach them."