"Um, Su Bai, those money-making methods you mentioned sound fine at first, but when I think about them carefully, something feels off. How strange."
Paimon scratched her head. Her limited brain capacity simply couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. Beside her, Eula shot Su Bai an exasperated glare.
"Su Bai, you really are something. If I had a hundred million Mora or spare rooms, would I not know how to make money? I'm remembering this grudge."
"That's right! Su Bai, you big liar! You tried to trick me again!"
With Eula's reminder, Paimon finally caught on. If she had a hundred million Mora, why would she need to listen to Su Bai's advice? He was obviously messing with her.
Seeing Paimon figure it out, Su Bai chuckled regretfully. He'd hoped to string her along a bit longer. Too bad Eula had ruined it.
"Su Bai, and here I trusted you so much! How could you trick me like this?"
"Haha, alright, alright. I do know of a slightly dangerous but high-paying job. It's just in Inazuma."
"Then tell me quickly! I'll... I mean, Lumine will try it out!"
Lumine put her hands on her hips with a dead fish stare. Guess that stew seasoning under the bed wasn't getting thrown out yet. Su Bai decided not to tease them further and explained directly.
"There's an organization in Inazuma called Shuumatsuban that operates in the shadows. Their pay seems pretty good."
"There's this one little girl who slacks off and sleeps on the job all the time, yet she still makes two hundred thousand Mora a month. Someone as diligent with commissions as Lumine could probably earn way more."
"If you're interested in joining, I have some connections with the Kamisato clan. They're the ones running Shuumatsuban. I could put in a good word."
Lumine's strength might be lacking, but her work ethic was unmatched. Out by six in the morning doing commissions, not home until ten at night. She was a model employee, an example Sayu should follow.
"Huh? Assassinations? No thanks, that sounds terrifying."
"Don't worry. With my connections to the Kamisato clan, you'd only need to do surveillance work. And you're already good at that."
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other, utterly confused. Since when were they good at surveillance? They'd never taken that kind of commission.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Su Bai's face took on a devilish grin. He reached out and pinched Paimon's chubby cheek.
"Paimon's the key here, Lumine. Don't forget, Paimon can fly. With such natural talent, it would be a waste not to use her for surveillance."
"And while Paimon's handling surveillance, you could rest nearby. Let little Paimon earn her keep for once."
Lumine blinked, her gaze toward Paimon shifting slightly. She started thinking. Maybe her next destination should be Inazuma. Saving up enough Mora there before continuing her search for her brother seemed like a solid plan.
"Lumine, you're not actually thinking about Inazuma, are you? You wouldn't really make me work for Shuumatsuban, right?"
"Haha, don't worry, little Paimon. Even if Lumine wanted to go, she couldn't right now. Inazuma's surrounded by a thunderstorm. Aside from Captain Beidou's fleet, no one can get through."
Su Bai chuckled and explained Inazuma's current situation. No one noticed Lumine's expression dimming as he spoke. She quickly reassured Paimon.
"Of course not, Paimon. You're my best travel companion. Why would I make you do such dangerous work?"
"Phew, that scared me."
Paimon patted her chest, glaring at Su Bai. That evil man had tried to trick Lumine into making her do dangerous things. What a villain.
"Alright, enough chitchat. My trial is starting."
As he spoke, Boreas's claws swung toward Eula. She wasn't one to back down, blocking the attack with her Sacrificial Greatsword.
Meanwhile, before Diluc's eyes, a tattered knight appeared, standing straight with Wolf's Gravestone in hand. Every time Diluc touched the sword, some force flung him back.
A voice echoed in his mind, a question or perhaps an answer.
"Are you worthy to wield this blade?"
Diluc didn't know how to answer, or if an answer even existed. But he knew one thing. He had to obtain Wolf's Gravestone. He needed its power to protect Mondstadt, to protect those close to him.
He'd lost count of how many times he'd picked himself up. Staggering toward the sword, even Eula and Boreas paused to watch. Everyone present except Paimon could see Diluc had reached his limit.
Such tenacious will moved even Boreas. In his thousand years, he'd seen many, but only the woman named Vennessa could match the will burning in Diluc. He couldn't understand why this man would risk his life for a sword.
Thrown back again, Diluc had lost track of how many times he'd risen. His aching body and weak limbs screamed that he'd reached his limit. But with will of steel, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
"Tell me, are you worthy to wield this blade?"
The low voice echoed again. Diluc stood clutching Wolf's Gravestone, head bowed. The tattered knight watched silently. The world seemed to stand still.
"I don't know."
Diluc forced the words from his throat. Disappointment flickered in the knight's eyes. Even someone with such determination was lost. Had he misjudged?
"But I know this. I must obtain this blade."
"I've witnessed the Fatui's fanaticism, felt the Abyss's terror, seen the monsters' strength. To protect Mondstadt, even if I cannot answer your question, I, Diluc Ragnvindr, will claim this sword."
Diluc raised his head, crimson eyes burning with the flame of conviction. At his waist, his previously calm Vision erupted with dazzling light.
That steel-like conviction pushed his Vision beyond its limits, unleashing a torrent of Pyro far exceeding his normal capacity. Unaware of this anomaly, Diluc used his last ounce of strength to grasp Wolf's Gravestone's hilt. This time, he wasn't thrown back.
As flames rose, the tattered knight facing Diluc nodded in satisfaction. Slowly, as if released from a burden, he loosened his grip on the hilt. His form faded from Diluc's sight.
"Child, you've given the perfect answer. Take this blade."
"Now its story is yours to continue. Don't meet me in the next world too soon."
Before Diluc could respond, the knight vanished completely. Sensing something, sadness flickered in Boreas's eyes. After three seconds of silence, he threw back his head and howled. Across Wolvendom, wolves answered in chorus, a final farewell to the departed knight.
"Everything is fated? I already know how to refute my pen pal's point next time I write. Astra... no, that name's way too long. Astrologist Mona Megistus."
"Seriously, such a mouthful. I suggested she change it, but she refused."
Listening to the wolves' howls, Su Bai mentally drafted his rebuttal. But people's joys and sorrows don't intersect. The bound Hopkins found it terrifying, convinced the wolves were coming to eat him. He felt warmth spread in his crotch. Something foul had escaped.