Having parted ways with Ei, Paimon and Lumine intended to go greet Arataki Itto, but when they reached the spot where the voice had just rung out, there was no sign of Arataki Itto.
While they had been chatting with Ei, Arataki Itto and his group had already left.
"Let's go, let's head back to the inn and rest."
Seeing that Arataki Itto was gone, Paimon stretched wearily and said, "Today feels like it's been so long. I just want to hurry up and lie down in bed for a while."
"Mm."
Lumine nodded.
They walked all the way toward the inn, strolling along the bluestone-paved street.
"I just keep feeling like I've forgotten something."
Paimon said, "I'm so tired, I'll think about it tomorrow. Oh, right, Traveler, I want to grab a cup of Dango Milk to take back to the inn."
"Pay for it yourself, Paimon," Lumine said.
"Traveler, you're the best. I want the wheat-fragrance flavor," Paimon said with a smile.
Left with no choice, Lumine had to follow Paimon all the way to the Dango Milk shop.
After buying the Dango Milk, Paimon took a sip and said, puzzled:
"Oh right, let's head back to Liyue tomorrow. It'll be Liyue's Lantern Rite in a few days, won't it? Huh—could it be that the thing I said I'd forgotten is exactly this?"
"It's possible," Lumine said, holding her own cup of Dango Milk.
"How strange, it just doesn't feel like it..."
Paimon's face was full of confusion, but she simply couldn't recall what it was she'd forgotten.
A gentle breeze, carrying the faint chill of a winter night, drifted past and lifted the hems of their clothes, then floated onward, passing by the entrance of the Naganohara Fireworks shop.
And at this moment, the Naganohara Fireworks shop.
Naganohara Yoimiya sat at the entrance. The pages of The Forest of Fireflies' Light resting on the bench fluttered gently in the breeze. Her eyes were rimmed with red as she looked up at the starless, moonless sky and softly murmured, "It's going to rain."
She didn't like rainy days.
Especially rainy days in winter.
Rainy days easily dampened the fireworks, and besides, after setting off fireworks, the ground was hard to clean up, and the children would get their clothes dirty while playing.
And on rainy winter days, the air was damp and cold; even if the fireworks weren't rained on, they still grew damp easily, and the ground dried very slowly.
The fireworks of a summer night were the most brilliant of all.
Just as Fang Qiu had written in her book.
Accompanied by the chirping of summer-night insects, the monsters imitated humans, sending brilliant fireworks up into the night sky.
Fireworks, festivals, the laughter of children—and at the festival, Hotaru Takegawa and Gin, joined together by a strip of white cloth, gazing up at the fireworks with faces full of happiness.
Fireworks fade swiftly, but human bonds endure.
Gin vanished.
Just like fireworks, a fleeting thing gone in the blink of an eye.
But as long as it was beautiful enough, it could bloom eternally in a person's heart.
The person who admired the fireworks alongside her, and the beauty of that moment, would be etched deep into her memory along with that emotion, becoming a precious memory for a lifetime.
The time spent together with Gin would, like the fireworks blooming at that summer-night festival, be forever engraved in Hotaru Takegawa's heart.
"I really would love to meet Miss Fang Qiu."
Naganohara Yoimiya sighed, feeling a touch melancholy.
The wind blew softly.
Naganohara Yoimiya looked at the two copies of The Forest of Fireflies' Light placed on the other side of the bench, then rose to glance up and down both sides of the street, and sat back down on the bench in some confusion, muttering to herself: "The Traveler asked me to help her buy the books—why hasn't she come to collect them, this late? She couldn't have forgotten, could she?"
Just as she was lost in thought, Kujou Sara passed by leading the men of the Tenryou Commission.
As she cast her gaze over, Kujou Sara cast her gaze back as well.
Their eyes met and crossed.
Then Kujou Sara turned her gaze toward the copy of The Forest of Fireflies' Light resting on the bench.
It was Fang Qiu's new book.
Since she was accompanied by soldiers, Kujou Sara merely gave Naganohara Yoimiya a nod, without holding up the march of her troops.
Instead, she continued leading the soldiers of the Tenryou Commission onward toward the Tenryou Commission.
Passing by the Naganohara Fireworks shop, she arrived at the Yae Publishing House.
Although the hour was already late, before the Yae Publishing House there was still a horrifyingly long line stretching out.
"Are Fang Qiu's books really this popular?"
Looking at the standee of The Forest of Fireflies' Light set up at the entrance of the Yae Publishing House, Kujou Sara couldn't help feeling a little puzzled.
There had clearly been a Fang Qiu book on the last release day too, but by this hour there hadn't been so many people lining up.
Why were there so many this time?
Just as she was puzzling over it, she heard the discussions of the many novel enthusiasts.
"Have you heard?"
"You mean that business about how Fang Qiu's tragedies are all dictated by Thoma?"
"No, it's about how this afternoon, Shogun Almighty personally graced the Yae Publishing House to buy Fang Qiu's book! This isn't like that last book, Reborn as the Raiden Shogun, Then Invincible Under the Heavens—this time Shogun Almighty came specially to buy The Forest of Fireflies' Light, and what's more, unlike last time when she just skimmed a few glances, this time Shogun Almighty actually finished the whole book at a teahouse together with that renowned Traveler."
"As expected of Old Thief Fang Qiu... to actually win Shogun Almighty's appreciation. Say no more—I'm going to buy a few extra copies to keep as collector's items too!"
Hearing the discussions of the people in line, Kujou Sara couldn't help but be a little shocked.
After Shogun Almighty had personally quelled the matter of the Rifthounds running amok, she had actually gone with the Traveler to the Yae Publishing House to buy and read Fang Qiu's new book.
Shogun Almighty had actually gone in person to the Yae Publishing House to buy a book by this author called Fang Qiu, and even finished reading it at a teahouse?
She was very curious—just what were the contents of a book that even Shogun Almighty was fond of?
Or perhaps there was some deeper meaning to Shogun Almighty acting this way...
Still, all would become clear once she had read the book herself.
So, she came to a halt, ordered her adjutant to lead the troops back, while she herself remained at the Yae Publishing House.
She decided to buy a copy and take a look too.
She walked to the end of the line and waited quietly.
Seeing her join the line, quite a few people present changed color slightly.
"Isn't that Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission? Why is she at the back of the line?"
"Don't tell me she's also here to buy Old Thief Fang Qiu's book?"
"Who'd have thought—even a cold, icy woman like Kujou Sara likes Fang Qiu's books..."
"Shh, keep your voice down. Careful that Lady Kujou Sara hears you, or you'll be in for more than you can handle."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Kujou Sara.
And all these discussions fell upon Kujou Sara's ears.
Still, she paid little heed to these people's chatter, withdrawing her gaze from the standee on the other side of the Yae Publishing House's entrance, where Lady Shina was heavily promoting Fang Qiu's new work, The Forest of Fireflies' Light.
She began to ponder how to improve the Inazuman populace's impression of the Tenryou Commission.
Apart from that, she was also curious about one thing.
Why had she earlier heard people say that Fang Qiu's writing of tragedies was all dictated by Thoma?
Just as she was pondering, a voice rang out.
"Sara, what are you doing here?"
"It's you two."
Kujou Sara turned around to see the Traveler and Paimon standing not far off, looking at her.
"Are you here to buy Fang Qiu's book too?" Paimon asked.
"More or less."
Kujou Sara nodded, not intending to hide it.
After all, she had bought the book in order to understand what deeper meaning Shogun Almighty had.
"I see. But the line's so long—how about we give you a copy?" Paimon said.
"No need. I'll line up myself. I also plan to buy all of Fang Qiu's previous works while I'm at it," Kujou Sara said, shaking her head.
"It's fine, I've got the complete set of Fang Qiu's books right here—I'll give them all to you," Lumine said.
"This..."
Kujou Sara furrowed her brow slightly.
"Just accept them with an easy mind," Paimon said.
Unable to argue with the Traveler and Paimon, Kujou Sara had no choice but to accept the books. However, at Kujou Sara's insistence, she paid the Traveler double the Mora.
Watching Kujou Sara leave with a great big stack of books in her arms, Paimon stroked her chin and said, "For some reason, I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what Sara looks like after she finishes Fang Qiu's books."
"Me too," Lumine nodded.
"I'm especially curious—what kind of expression would a serious person like Sara have after finishing them?" Paimon said.
"I'm curious too."
Watching Kujou Sara's figure gradually recede into the distance, Lumine said.
Little did Kujou Sara know of the Traveler and Paimon's conversation; she made her way toward the Tenryou Commission, the books held in her arms.
All along the way, what she heard most—apart from Shogun Almighty personally visiting the Yae Publishing House to buy Fang Qiu's book—was only the matter of Thoma getting Fang Qiu to write tragedies.
Still, she didn't much care whether the stories were tragedies or not.
After finishing up her official duties at the Tenryou Commission, she made her way back to the Kujou Clan, books in her arms.
The moment she stepped through the door, she saw the second young master of the Kujou Clan, the clan head's deputy, Kujou Renji.
"Master," Kujou Sara greeted.
After Kujou Takayuki was brought to justice, with the eldest young master away abroad, it naturally fell to the second young master, Kujou Renji, to become the deputy.
As an adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan, Kujou Sara naturally would not be remiss toward him.
Kujou Renji also responded courteously.
Kujou Renji handed a parcel to a servant, instructing him to deliver it to Tong Qianli of the Kanjou Commission.
Through their conversation, Kujou Sara came to learn that the parcel contained the complete set of Fang Qiu's books.
After Kujou Renji heard that Shogun Almighty had bought Fang Qiu's book, he had inquired about the reputation and genre of Fang Qiu's books, and so he had specially sent someone to buy two complete sets of Fang Qiu's books, and had written a letter, sending one of the sets together with the letter to Tong Qianli.
That is to say, the person Kujou Renji had taken a fancy to.
As for himself, he kept one set, intending to keep it to read himself, and then discuss Fang Qiu's books with Tong Qianli.
Kujou Sara had no interest in such matters. After exchanging a few words, she carried the books all the way back to her own room.
Looking at the statue of the Almighty Narukami Ogosho standing quietly within the shrine of the display cabinet, Kujou Sara let out a long breath, and with the books in her arms, sat down at her desk, moving aside the sheet of xuan paper on the table inscribed with "The Eternal Way is vast; Narukami is everlasting."
She picked up Fang Qiu's latest book, The Forest of Fireflies' Light, and beneath the bright lamplight, opened its pages and began to read quietly.
Outside the window, the night was hazy, and a gentle wind drifted off into the distance.
At this moment, Mondstadt.
Unlike Liyue's torrential winter rain, nor like Inazuma's impending winter rain, Mondstadt's night sky was exceedingly clear.
The Milky Way streamed across the heavens, the galaxy stretching from end to end, the moonlight like flowing water.
Within Mondstadt City.
The great windmill turned round and round at its leisure, and within Mondstadt City, all the major taverns were packed full.
Among them, the Angel's Share and the Cat's Tail did the best business.
The Angel's Share.
Diluc stood behind the counter, holding a glass of grape juice, and took a quiet sip.
He was unlike that drunkard bard up on the stage, who was holding The Forest of Fireflies' Light and, on the pretext of getting himself in the mood here, had swindled a bottle of fine apple cider out of him.
Although he was the owner of the Dawn Winery, he did not actually like to drink.
He disliked the taste of alcohol.
By comparison, grape juice was far more pleasant to drink.
"You've all been coming pretty often lately. Are the Knights really so idle?" Diluc said expressionlessly, looking at the several women seated before the counter.
"Don't worry, all the work's been handed off to Kaeya—he'll get it done efficiently." Lisa took a sip of strong liquor and said with a smile, "Besides, don't you think it's more beneficial for the Knights not to stretch Jean so taut that she's about to snap?"
"On that point, I'd agree." Diluc said, looking over at Jean, who had drunk until her pretty face was faintly flushed.
Coming to the tavern to relax every few days meant that, at the very least, there'd be no more situations like before where she collapsed from exhaustion at her desk.
After saying this, he added, "No wonder I haven't seen that fellow for so long—turns out she'd been dragged off and forced into overtime."
"How can you call it forced? It's clearly voluntary overtime," Lisa said with a light little laugh.
"Bartender, another refill."
Seated to one side, Eula fiercely downed a mouthful of liquor and slammed the empty oaken cup onto the counter, her beautiful eyes brimming with resentment. Gritting her teeth, she said, "That Fang Qiu fellow—of all things, she wrote another tragedy. I've noted down this grudge. One day, I will repay it twofold."
Beside her, Amber, who was drinking a soft beverage, smiled and chimed in, advising Eula to drink a little less and a little slower.
And at this moment.
Up on the stage, the storyteller Venti, surrounded by the crowd, had finished working his emotions up under everyone's gaze.
He wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, then spoke with eloquent ease, holding forth about Fang Qiu's The Forest of Fireflies' Light.
His analysis was logical and clear, and the crowd of listeners, as they listened, wore looks of sudden understanding.
As expected, in all of Mondstadt there was no bard who understood Fang Qiu's books better than he.
Quite a few people, as they listened on, had their sorrowful memories stirred up, and for a moment grief welled from their hearts; they fiercely downed a gulp of wine, only to be choked by it until tears streamed down.
A mouthful of bitter wine sliding down the throat, the pain in the heart hard to put into words.
"Not bad telling."
As she listened, Eula drunkenly offered a couple of words of praise, then raised her cup and downed the refilled liquor in one go.
The crimson flush that the alcohol stirred up on her pretty face was utterly alluring, exactly like a great big cat.
Seated to one side, Jean listened very intently.
So he really did have a deeper purpose—using Fang Qiu's books to keep the Mondstadt populace from drowning in past sorrows.
To understand the meaning of parting.
Like Hotaru Takegawa in The Forest of Fireflies' Light, to face separation with a smile.
To keep moving forward, carrying Gin's hopes.
Meanwhile, up on the stage, as Venti spoke, he looked at the tavern patrons below who were drinking and listening to his analysis, and felt very satisfied in his heart.
His wine money for the next several days was in the bag once again.
He was also mulling over one thing—whether he should bring up with Diluc the idea of setting up a tipping system.
As long as the patrons listened to their hearts' content, they could spend Mora to tip him.
Worst case, they'd split it seventy-thirty.
Seventy percent for him, thirty percent for the Angel's Share.
Mm... very reasonable.
Or maybe, should it be eighty-twenty after all?
Thirty percent was still too much for the Angel's Share.
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