At Ei's remark, Lora gave a helpless smile. She raised a discreet sound barrier before stepping behind the small dragon and resting her hands lightly on her shoulders.
"Allow me to introduce her properly. This is Zhongyue—better known as Azhdaha, the Dragon Sovereign."
"Azhdaha, the Dragon Sovereign?" Makoto's eyes brightened at once.
Ei tilted her head, studying the way Lora stood behind the girl. "The way you're presenting her… it feels like you're introducing your daughter."
Lora's smile stiffened.
The girl's expression darkened. She glanced up. "May I fight her?"
"No," came the immediate reply.
Neither of them was merely at an Archon's level. If they truly clashed, Liyue Harbor would not survive the aftermath.
A quiet click of the tongue followed.
Makoto stepped forward instead and gently patted her on the head.
"So this is Azhdaha," she said thoughtfully. "You certainly didn't look like this thousands of years ago. How did you come to take this form?"
Golden eyes narrowed slightly. "You're… Baal? The Electro Archon of Inazuma?"
"Yes," Makoto answered easily.
"I heard from Zhongli that you died."
She inclined her head. "That's correct."
A small nod followed. "I see. She brought you back, didn't she? That couldn't have been simple."
As she spoke, she plucked a tanghulu from the rack balanced on her shoulder and held it out.
"Here. Try some Liyue tanghulu. Food tastes far better now than it did a thousand years ago. No need to be modest."
Makoto accepted it and took a bite. Her eyes lit up. "Mm. It's wonderful. Did you make these yourself?"
"Of course not. I don't possess that sort of talent."
"You didn't take them without paying, did you?" Lora asked dryly.
A firm shake of the head. "The woman in the Jade Chamber informed me that theft would result in arrest by the Millelith."
Lora arched a brow. "And a thousand years ago, stealing wouldn't have earned you a visit from the Millelith?"
Complete seriousness. "Naturally not. A thousand years ago, who would have dared arrest me? Morax?"
For a fleeting moment, Lora pictured ancient Liyue citizens strolling peacefully through the streets—only for a colossal dragon's head to erupt from the earth and demand tribute.
"…I see."
The image was far too vivid.
The dragon studied her face. "What are you imagining? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ahem. Nothing. Then where did all this tanghulu come from? Don't tell me you bought an entire rack just because you were craving it."
"Of course not! Do I look that greedy?"
"Yes."
Silence.
"…Xianyun made them."
"Xianyun?" Lora plucked one and took a bite. "Not bad. She made them herself?"
A dry look. "Do you truly think that likely?"
Fair enough.
"Then why make so many for you?"
"To sell," came the matter-of-fact reply. "If I am to live in Liyue in this form, I require Mora. Zhongli must request his own salary from others—he certainly has none to spare for me. And the woman from the Jade Chamber will not permit me to take what I desire by force. Therefore, I must pay. I have no money. Xianyun suggested I sell tanghulu."
"That's actually a sound idea. How's business?"
"Acceptable. This is my third rack today." A faint sigh followed. "But it remains only tanghulu. Sales are inconsistent."
Lora suddenly remembered how she had been lingering outside Wanmin Restaurant earlier.
"Ah—I see. You were standing outside because you wanted something better to eat, but didn't have the Mora. Right?"
A faint flush crept across her cheeks. "Ridiculous. I am Azhdaha, the Dragon Sovereign. Why would I crave food?"
"Is tanghulu good?"
"…Yes."
"And almond tofu?"
"…Yes."
"And Wanmin Restaurant's boiled fish?"
This time the answer came without hesitation. "Yes."
Makoto watched from the side, tanghulu in hand, smiling with quiet amusement.
Ei observed thoughtfully. "Mm. Just like the Shogun—unable to admit what she prefers."
The dragon turned away at once, arms crossed.
"What is it?" Lora asked.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"My dignity as the Dragon Sovereign," came the flat reply. "It has suffered."
Lora burst out laughing and clapped her lightly on the shoulder. "It's fine. Dignity won't fill your stomach. I'm paying today. Eat whatever you like. Deal?"
She spun back immediately. "Truly?"
"Of course. I have Mora."
Suspicious eyes narrowed. "Since when? Zhongli told me all your expenses in Liyue are on credit."
A faint smile. "I have my methods."
With that, the sound barrier dissolved, and she led them into Wanmin Restaurant.
Inside, Xiangling was bustling about. Spotting them, she waved brightly.
"You were chatting out there for quite a while! Miss Lora, what can I get for you today?"
"Ask them—they're the guests," Lora said, stepping aside to present the sisters.
"Oh! Judging by your outfits, you're from Inazuma, right? Here—these are our signature dishes. Please take a look."
As she handed over the menu, her gaze drifted toward Hélie, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"And this little one—what kind of flavors do you like?"