The three of them chatted while walking.
Along the path, they soon discovered several Ruin Guard footprints.
Following the tracks, they arrived at a stretch of ancient ruins.
Just then—
A strange mechanical beeping sound echoed.
The heads of the Ruin Guards on both sides of the ruins lit up, and the massive machines slowly stood up.
They began advancing toward Qiu Nian and the others.
Lumine showed no fear.
A flash of light appeared in her hand as she drew Zhanxi, the sword Qiu Nian had lent her.
Without hesitation, she dashed toward the two Ruin Guards.
The machines immediately fired several missiles.
While running, Lumine swung the sword repeatedly, shattering the incoming missiles midair.
As she closed the distance, she suddenly leapt upward.
Geo energy surged into her left hand.
With a powerful throw—
A Starfell Sword slammed into one of the Ruin Guards, knocking it flat onto the ground.
In midair, she spun swiftly.
Wind energy wrapped around Zhanxi as she slashed downward with force.
The blade struck directly into the other Ruin Guard's eye—the core—splitting it in half.
With its core destroyed, the Ruin Guard collapsed backward.
Lumine landed lightly on the ground and sheathed Zhanxi.
The entire sequence flowed smoothly—clean and stylish.
"Traveler, you're amazing!"
Paimon stomped excitedly as she watched Lumine's back.
"Indeed, very impressive."
Qiu Nian nodded approvingly.
After defeating the two Ruin Guards, the trio continued investigating the ruins.
As they searched deeper—
They suddenly spotted a young boy.
He wore clothing from Snezhnaya and a pair of ear-covering headgear.
The boy was crouched beside a Ruin Guard, curiously touching it.
"Big brother! Big sister! Come look!"
"It's so big and awesome!"
The boy noticed the three of them and excitedly waved.
"What a strangely dressed little kid…"
Paimon muttered.
"This is my first time seeing one this close!"
"Do you know what it is?"
The boy asked cheerfully.
"It's a Ruin Guard that has lost power."
Lumine replied.
"Nope, nope! That's wrong!"
"It's not called a Ruin Guard."
"Its name is Mr. Cyclops!"
The boy quickly corrected her.
"Mr. Cyclops?"
"That's… surprisingly cute."
"Qiu Nian, you know a lot of things."
"Have you ever heard that name before?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"Hmm…"
"I'm afraid my knowledge is limited."
"I've never heard Ruin Guards called that."
Qiu Nian said after pretending to think for a moment.
"My big brother told me!"
"My brother is the best toy salesman ever!"
"He sells toys like these!"
The boy explained happily while looking at the Ruin Guard beside him.
"He's working at a toy research institute in Liyue right now."
"That's where Mr. Cyclops was born!"
"Big brother, big sister—do you like toys too?"
"Is the one floating next to you a new model?"
"It can even talk!"
The boy stared at Paimon with great curiosity.
"Hmph, jealous?"
Lumine said with a mischievous grin.
"How did I become some weird new thing again?!"
Paimon puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
The livestream chat exploded.
[Lumine is so cheeky]
[She's way sassier than Aether]
[Wait… what is Mr. Cyclops?]
[Mr. Cyclops = Ruin Guard]
[So the toy salesman is really that amazing?]
[A toy research institute that makes Ruin Guards??]
[But didn't Daipai say they came from ruins?]
[So the ruins = the "toy research institute"?]
[Who is that kid's brother? That's incredibly irresponsible]
[Wait… this is Childe's story quest]
[His brother might actually be Childe]
[Yeah, the hair and eyes look identical]
[Except the kid's eyes still have light in them]
"Thank you for your help."
"Did you find anything?"
"Hm? Who's this foreign child?"
Daipai walked over and looked at the boy.
"We just met him here."
Qiu Nian explained.
"That's not good, little one."
"There are dangerous killing machines wandering around here."
Daipai warned kindly.
"Killing machines?"
"Do you mean something like this?"
The boy scratched his head and pointed at the Ruin Guard beside him.
"Yes, exactly."
"Even that one could suddenly start moving."
Daipai nodded seriously.
"That's not a killing machine!"
"Mr. Cyclops is a hero of justice!"
"You're not allowed to say that!"
The boy protested angrily.
"Mr… Mr. what?"
Daipai looked confused and turned to Qiu Nian.
Qiu Nian simply chuckled without answering.
"Big brother, this uncle said bad things about Mr. Cyclops."
"So he must be a bad guy!"
"We shouldn't talk to him."
The boy whispered urgently to Qiu Nian.
"Little one, I'm just trying to help…"
Daipai tried to explain.
"Leave this to us."
Qiu Nian shook his head slightly.
"Ah… I'm really not good with children."
Daipai sighed helplessly.
"You should go continue your patrol."
"We'll make sure he stays safe!"
Paimon assured him.
"…Alright."
"I'll keep patrolling nearby."
"Please escort the child somewhere safe. This place is still too dangerous."
After saying that, Daipai left.
"Yay!"
"Mr. Cyclops scared the bad guy away again!"
The boy jumped around happily.
"What's your name?"
"And where's your family?"
Qiu Nian asked gently.
"Ah! I'm Teucer!"
The boy introduced himself proudly.
"Teucer came all the way from faraway Snezhnaya to find his big brother in Liyue."
"But Teucer came alone…"
"And I don't know where my brother is…"
He scratched the back of his head with a troubled expression.
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