The sky was growing faintly light.
On this early morning near the onset of winter, the air carried a crisp chill.
A gust of wind blew.
It made many of the people who had risen early for work shiver slightly in spite of themselves—until they sat down at a breakfast stall and drank a bowl of hot soup, which warmed them up considerably.
But the novel lovers who were lined up outside the major bookstores at this hour could only endure the cold, standing in long, winding queues, waiting in silence.
And this phenomenon was appearing in all three nations—Liyue, Inazuma, and Mondstadt.
Because today was the simultaneous book-release day held across all three nations.
The most highly anticipated of all was, naturally, Fang Qiu's new book, The Forest of Fireflies' Light.
Liyue, outside the Wanwen Bookhouse.
"It's so cold! I regret coming out to line up this early—I should've at least worn an extra layer."
"Brother, your health comes first. Don't harm your body for the sake of a book. I'd advise you to go back home, put on more clothes, and then come back—your body is your real capital."
"You've got a point... wait a second, I remember now—you almost tricked me again, you little punk. Last time, you were also the one who tricked me into going to buy screening tickets first. I ran all the way over there, and not only did I fail to get the screening tickets, but I had to queue up again for a good half day after I came back."
"Ahem—brother, you've definitely mistaken me for someone else. I've got a generic face; lots of people look just like me. By the way, brother, what book did you come to buy?"
"The Forest of Fireflies' Light, of course! Looking at the categories in the new-book preview yesterday, this book was actually classified under ghost novels. I'm so excited—a while back, I got into Inazuma's ghost novels and fell in love at first read. I'm really looking forward to a ghost novel written by that old thief Fang Qiu."
"Speaking of ghost novels, a while back I also bought a really terrifying one, then recommended it to a sailor friend of mine—and it scared him so badly he wet his pants."
"Hiss... it actually scared a sailor into wetting himself? Was that book really that terrifying?"
"The book really was pretty scary, but apparently it was because, after he finished reading it, he found it so frightening that he just threw it into the sea. Then his roommate, seeing he'd tossed the book, ran off to the Wanwen Bookhouse and bought an identical copy, soaked it in seawater, and set it on his roommate's desk."
"Hiss... that's so rotten? Didn't the roommate get beaten half to death for it?"
"Well... that friend of mine often pulls pranks on his roommate too. For instance, one night the two of them couldn't fall asleep, so they agreed to each count Hilichurls one at a time to drift off. But just as his roommate was about to fall asleep, my friend slapped him awake and said, 'Your turn.'"
"Who'd have thought a single little ship could gather two such devilish geniuses..."
Apart from their off-the-rails conversation, when the others talked, they focused more on Fang Qiu's new book and on how grueling the queuing was.
Meanwhile, at the front of the line, a young girl pulling a handcart was smiling sweetly as she looked at the long queue behind her.
Last night there had happened to be a funeral rite, and by the time the burial was complete, it was already the small hours of the morning.
So, pulling along her little handcart, she had jogged all the way to the entrance of the Wanwen Bookhouse and successfully claimed a front-row spot.
Today, she could get an early look at Fang Qiu's book!
Amid her delight, she looked at the youth lined up behind her, smiled, and asked, "Little brother, won't you consider Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's discount package? Buy one get one free, buy two get three free—the more you buy, the more you get. Order now, and you'll even have a chance to receive a custom Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Mora coffin, guaranteed to let the user rest easy and sleep soundly."
At this moment, Mondstadt.
Outside the bookstore.
"Have you heard? That author called Fang Qiu is actually a beautiful young girl."
"Really? Why did I hear that he's a Hilichurl from over in Liyue who transformed into human shape?"
"Isn't that way too absurd?"
"Speaking of which, look at that bard—he's somehow been sleeping over there since yesterday again..."
"That's normal. You haven't been to the Angel's Share these past few days, have you?"
"No, I haven't. These past few days I've been going to the Cat's Tail—the drinks Diona mixes are just too delicious."
"Miss Diona's drinks really are top-tier, but lately I'd still recommend you go to the Angel's Share. That bard has been doing book commentary and analysis there recently, and his analysis is just so good. I dare say no one understands Fang Qiu's books better than he does. So, he loves Fang Qiu's books, and it's perfectly normal for him to come queue up in the dead of night. Besides, you can go drink Diona's cocktails anytime, but once you miss that bard's commentary, it's gone for good."
"He's that impressive? Then I'll go to the Angel's Share these next few days. But then again, in weather this cold, isn't that guy afraid of the chill?"
"Who knows. Ugh, so slow—why isn't it open for business yet?! Why aren't bookstores open around the clock?!"
Listening to the clamor in his ears, Venti forced his eyes open, and the first thing he saw was the standee outside the bookstore.
On it was promotional material for Fang Qiu's new book, The Forest of Fireflies' Light.
"Phew, at least I didn't end up in the wrong spot."
Seeing that the bookstore hadn't opened yet, Venti breathed a sigh of relief.
Last night, after finishing his book commentary at the Angel's Share, he had drunk himself into a stupor. Then, remembering that the next day was release day with Fang Qiu's new book, he had stumbled off in a daze toward the nearest bookstore.
His memory after that was extremely hazy.
But from the looks of it now, he had at least managed to sleep right in front of the bookstore.
He wanted to get Fang Qiu's book the very first moment he could; after reading it, tonight he'd do his book commentary at the Angel's Share to earn money and drink.
Seeing that it was about time, and that the shop clerks had already begun preparations, he patted his pockets—only to discover that he'd drunk too much yesterday and had forgotten to settle his commentary fee at the Angel's Share. Now he had only ten Mora left in his pocket.
And a single book cost twenty Mora.
So he turned to look at a youth standing in line behind him and said, "Sir, I am the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. In truth, I've always watched over the lives of the people of Mondstadt here in Mondstadt. I see that you and I are fated to meet. As long as you give me ten Mora and let me see your faith in me, not only will I return these ten Mora to you later, but as long as you keep up your devout faith in me from now on, I shall bless you to earn great wealth in the future. How about it?"
The youth glanced at Venti and, without another word, simply took out his wallet and produced a handful of Mora.
"No need for that much—ten Mora will do."
Venti smiled nonchalantly and waved his hand.
He hadn't expected to succeed so easily.
What a devout believer indeed.
He really ought to properly reward this fellow afterward—
Not like those nuns, who had nearly thrown him out even after he revealed his identity.
"You've misunderstood. This money is the fee a client gave me to queue up on their behalf—only what's left over is mine."
The youth shook his head and said, "A while back, I saw an astrologer buy books for people, so I wanted to follow her example."
"I see."
Venti's expression stiffened, and he asked, "Then how much of your own money do you have?"
"Two Mor—"
The youth fished out the last two Mora in his wallet and said with a reluctant look, "This is my lunch money..."
Lunch was steamed buns brought over from Liyue.
Cheap and filling.
"Then... never mind."
Venti pressed a hand to his forehead. Seeing that the bookstore was about to open, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
It was Albert, a fellow member of the Barbara fan club!
He was standing outside the line, staring helplessly at the dragon-long queue, at his wits' end.
So Venti hurriedly waved Albert over.
"What's the matter?"
Venti asked, "Why do you look so distressed?"
"The girls in the fan club went to the cathedral to ask around, and the nuns said that Miss Barbara loves Fang Qiu's books. So we planned to buy Fang Qiu's new book to read—but I carelessly overslept and got here late..."
Albert said distressedly.
"I see."
A smile curled at the corner of Venti's mouth as he said, "Then how about this—you give me the Mora for the books, and I'll buy them for you. You just need to also cover the cost of one book for me, and while you're at it, give this gentleman twenty Mora so he can have a proper, filling meal."
"Really? That's wonderful."
Albert's eyes lit up. He immediately took out a large bag of Mora and handed it to Venti, then pulled a hundred Mora from his wallet and passed it over, saying, "Keep the change."
Having accepted the money and looking at the delighted Albert, Venti suddenly thought of another way to make money.
If the book bore Barbara's autograph, wouldn't it be worth even more?
Just as Venti was thinking this, Mona, who had come running all the way over, looked at the long queue stretched out before her and sank into despair.
Yesterday, she'd stayed up far too late writing her manuscript and had simply passed out. By the time she woke, it was already this late...
Her manuscript was finished, true, but now her lunch today was up in the air.
She could only queue on behalf of the people behind her to earn a little meager profit...
Time slowly passed.
Inazuma.
The newborn sun pierced through the morning mist.
The wintry cold sun's light, carrying scarcely any warmth, poured down upon the long queue in front of the Yae Publishing House.
Under the eager anticipation of all the novel lovers, the Yae Publishing House finally opened its doors.
"Hahahaha, my Arataki Gang is invincible under the heavens! Even at queuing, we're number one!"
Arataki Itto, standing at the very front of the line, roared with laughter.
"Uh, sir, could you please tell us the title of the book you need? There are still people queuing behind you."
The bookstore clerk awkwardly cut off his laughter, saying so.
"Yeah, yeah, are you buying or not?!"
"If you're not buying, hurry up and give up your spot—don't hold everyone else up from getting their books!"
"It's you again! Last time, with Fang Qiu's new book, you were the one wasting everyone's time too!"
From the back of the line, several novel lovers spoke up one after another in condemnation.
"Ahem—give me a copy of The Forest of Fireflies' Light, and a copy of Idle Affairs Monthly too."
Arataki Itto, a little embarrassed himself, took out twenty Mora as he spoke.
Soon, the clerk took out a brand-new copy of The Forest of Fireflies' Light and handed it to Arataki Itto.
With the transaction settled, Arataki Itto, book in hand, stepped out of the long queue and glanced at the standee set up at the entrance of the Yae Publishing House.
On the standee, Lady Shina—clad in a kimono, with a smoking-hot figure yet features as gentle as water—was enthusiastically promoting Fang Qiu's new book, The Forest of Fireflies' Light.
"Lady Shina."
Arataki Itto's face was full of excitement, and then, under the disgruntled gazes of the crowd, he turned and left.
At that moment, Kujou Sara, who was leading her troops past, happened to witness this scene.
"That idiot again."
Kujou Sara couldn't help giving a cold snort, and she looked at Fang Qiu's new book on the standee.
"The Forest of Fireflies' Light?"
Kujou Sara's brow furrowed.
Once she'd dealt with the matter of the Sacred Sakura being attacked by Rifthounds, she'd come buy a copy too.
The Rifthound calamity was now gradually growing, and they had to properly protect the surrounding populace.
After pausing for a moment, Kujou Sara led her troops out of the city in a grand, sweeping procession.
Not long after she had gone.
Two figures walked out of the inn.
"Ah! It's over—there are already so many people in line."
Paimon looked utterly devastated, as though she'd lost a parent.
"It's all because you, Paimon, insisted on sleeping in a bit longer."
Lumine said.
"It's all that Miko's fault, isn't it?! She actually refused to give us a copy of Fang Qiu's new book, saying we had to go queue up and use our influence to help promote Fang Qiu for her!"
Paimon stamped her foot angrily and said, "Even though she has a point—helping promote Fang Qiu is a fine thing—no matter how I think about it, it just doesn't sit right. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I'm going to come up with a... uh, never mind—it'd be trouble if she found out. Anyway, tonight let's go mooch a meal at the Grand Narukami Shrine!"
"Mm."
Lumine nodded.
"Forget it. There are still so many people in line—let's go eat breakfast first."
Paimon said.
"Okay."
Lumine nodded.
Chatting and laughing all the way, they headed toward the Shimura's restaurant.
But just as they reached the street where Shimura's was located, they were stopped by Katheryne of the Adventurers' Guild.
"Toward the stars and the abyss, Traveler."
"Katheryne, is something the matter?"
Paimon asked, puzzled.
"Recently, the Adventurers' Guild received a special commission. After careful consideration, we..."
At this point, Katheryne's words were cut off by Paimon.
"This Traveler is the most suitable choice, right?"
She said, floating in midair and pointing at the Traveler.
"Heh heh, indeed—it's always like this."
Katheryne smiled and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with the two of you. May I ask, are you both free?"
"Well, we're already here..."
Paimon said, "We won't get through the queue anytime soon anyway, so let's hear Katheryne out first."
"Mm."
Lumine nodded.
So Katheryne told Lumine and Paimon about the matter of the Rifthounds harassing the Sacred Sakura.
Hearing that it concerned the Sacred Sakura, they accepted the commission without hesitation.
When they had first arrived in Inazuma, Hanachirusato had paid such a great price to protect the Sacred Sakura. Now that the Rifthounds sought to destroy the Sacred Sakura, they naturally could not stand by with folded arms.
So they hurriedly ate breakfast and ran off toward the outskirts of the city.
But just as they passed by the Yae Publishing House, they discovered that Naganohara Yoimiya was also in line.
After chatting for a bit and asking Naganohara Yoimiya to buy them a copy later, they set off running toward the location marked on the map by the Adventurers' Guild.
Along the way, they also saw Arataki Itto sitting on a stone bench beneath a sakura tree, with a few of his underlings gathered around him.
"The weather's getting colder and colder. Summer's still the best—there's popsicles to eat, you can bathe in the river, and you can stroll around the festivals."
"Boss, the weather's getting a bit cold. How about we move somewhere else to read?"
one of the underlings said.
"This counts as cold? As members of the Arataki Gang, how can we fear a little chill like this?"
Arataki Itto said, "Come on, sit down, let's read together."
"Got it, Boss!"
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