Time flew by. After recuperating, Diluc had finally mostly recovered. To celebrate obtaining Wolf's Gravestone, he hosted another banquet at Angel's Share last night, though this time only those who had gone to Wolvendom were invited.
It's worth mentioning that Hopkins, for inciting others to attack a Knight of Favonius, had to pay a hefty fine and spend several years in jail. The hunters also received their deserved punishment.
"Time really flies. It's already been half a month."
"Happy times are always short. I suppose it's about time to head back."
Yae Miko stood by the window, gazing toward Inazuma. She had stayed in Mondstadt long enough. Time to return and see how her old friend's cooking was coming along. When she got back, she definitely needed to taste it.
"Wow, Sister Miko made so much delicious food! Did you know Lumine and I were leaving Mondstadt today and specially made all this for us?"
Paimon's mouth watered at the table full of Inazuman specialties. Lumine was also surprised. She had planned to wake up early and make breakfast for everyone, then announce during the meal that she was heading to Liyue. She never expected Yae Miko to be up even earlier, with breakfast already prepared.
Lumine thought it over. She hadn't told Yae Miko about leaving Mondstadt today. So why had Yae Miko woken up early to make such a lavish breakfast?
"Little ones, you can't hide your little schemes from me. I saw long ago that you two wanted to leave Mondstadt."
"Sister Miko, don't try to fool them. It's you who's leaving Mondstadt to return to Inazuma, isn't it?"
Su Bai's voice came from upstairs. Yae Miko pursed her lips. Little Bai was getting braver, openly undermining her like this. Next time he visited Inazuma, she'd have to remind him of his place as her little brother.
"Huh? Yae Miko, you were trying to trick me again? Wait, Su Bai, you're up this early too? The sun really must be rising in the west!"
Paimon's eyes widened in disbelief. Based on her understanding of Su Bai, he never woke up before the sun was high in the sky. It was barely six in the morning, and Su Bai was already awake?
Lumine rubbed her eyes, thinking she was seeing things. Su Bai felt quite displeased by their reactions. What was wrong with sleeping in occasionally? No need to act so shocked.
"Sister Miko, are you really going back to Inazuma? Won't you come to Liyue with me?"
Su Bai looked at Yae Miko. She shook her head. She had been away playing long enough. Time to return, otherwise the Kanjou Commission and the Kujou clan would start causing trouble again.
"Ah, if Inazuma had a cutie like Lumine, I wouldn't have to worry so much about its safety."
"Hey, talking about Lumine is fine, but why do you have to pinch my face? I feel like you and Su Bai have swollen it a whole size!"
Yae Miko pinched Paimon's chubby cheek. Paimon covered her face and flew behind Lumine, complaining about Yae Miko's crimes. Lumine just rolled her eyes. She knew the truth. These past few days, Yae Miko had been cooking delicious food for Su Bai daily, and Su Bai always saved some for Paimon. Paimon's face had clearly gotten rounder from Su Bai's care.
"Alright, enough of that. Sister Miko, how did your discussion with Acting Grand Master Jean about Klee go?"
Su Bai changed the subject, asking about the arrangements for Klee to visit Liyue. Knowing his own persuasiveness couldn't match Yae Miko's, he had entrusted this matter to her.
"Hehe, have you ever known me to fail?"
"Wonderful! Klee can go to Liyue with Brother Su Bai too!"
At the staircase, Eula carried Klee down from the second floor. Klee happily jumped from Eula's arms onto Su Bai's back. These past few days, while researching an amazing bomb together, Su Bai had told Klee many stories about Liyue's customs. Klee had become quite fascinated with Liyue. Hearing she could actually go, she was naturally overjoyed.
"Little Klee, don't get too excited just yet."
"If you cause any big trouble in Liyue, Acting Grand Master Jean will have to come personally to bring you back."
Yae Miko turned and pinched Klee's chubby cheek too. She quite enjoyed this wonderful sensation. In Inazuma, only that little one named Sayu had cheeks this soft. Maybe she should find an excuse to transfer little Sayu to work under her.
"Klee will definitely listen to Brother Su Bai and won't play with bombs recklessly."
Klee's obedient demeanor satisfied Yae Miko. In her mind, letting Klee stay in Mondstadt with few playmates wasn't as good as letting her spend some time in Liyue. From Su Bai's descriptions, there seemed to be a little girl in Liyue who never grew up, perfect for being friends with a long-lived little one like Klee.
"I didn't expect you all to leave so soon, and you even made breakfast. I wanted you to try my cooking. I'll remember this grudge."
Eula looked regretfully at the table. She had heard Lumine and Diluc saying their goodbyes at last night's banquet. She had planned to wake up early and cook a nice meal for Lumine, but now it turned out all her friends were leaving.
"Eula, I'll leave the house key with you for now. You can stay here as long as you want."
"Me? Well, I suppose I'll reluctantly accept."
Eula took the key Su Bai handed her, touched that he thought of her and trusted her so much. Paimon's eyes widened as if she had spotted something, then her face fell with regret.
"Wait, so all of you got up early to cook a farewell meal?"
"If I'd known everyone was making delicious food to send us off, I would have asked you to stagger your departures. Then we could have eaten multiple farewell feasts!"
An awkward silence followed. Su Bai silently gave Paimon a thumbs up. Good grief, only you could think of that, Paimon. Lumine held her forehead and sighed. Why did she have to choose Paimon as her travel companion?
"Paimon, don't forget I'm coming to Liyue with you. When we reach Liyue Harbor, I'll treat you to a nice meal to make up for the one you missed."
"Really? Su Bai, you're such a good person!"
Paimon immediately awarded Su Bai a good person card. Su Bai's mouth twitched. Only Paimon could have her unhappiness vanish the instant food was mentioned.
"Alright, since we're all leaving, let me give everyone a gift. Klee and I spent several days making these."
Su Bai pulled several pitch-black iron lumps from his Vision's subspace. Everyone stared in confusion. Even the well-traveled Yae Miko picked up one of these fist-sized objects and examined it closely but couldn't find anything special about it.
"Haha, Klee and I invented these bombs together. After our tireless efforts, these bombs won't explode unless triggered by a matching adeptal talisman. They're perfectly safe."
"Not only that, we're already developing another amazing device. Once it's ready, I'll give one to each of you."