To calm La Signora and convince her that her knight had not truly died but had entered the cycle of reincarnation, Li Mo immediately began telling the story of the eleventh life.
In that life, he was once again reincarnated in Mondstadt, becoming the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—Rostam, the Young Wolf. But during his short life as Rostam, he had no memories of his previous reincarnations. He did not know that he would pay the price for the mistakes of his fourth life (Durin). He chose to protect Mondstadt with his own life.
Only after his death did he fully understand everything—and realize that the system had done it to him again. Damn system. Wretched system. Not only did it arrange one heartbreaking mission after another, but it also made the Li Mo of the fourth life cut down the Li Mo of the eleventh life. What kind of person would do such a thing? Utterly despicable. After completing the eleventh life's mission, Li Mo cursed the system for an entire day and night before agreeing to enter the next reincarnation.
Now, below the stage, when the audience heard the name Rostam the Young Wolf, they were unfamiliar with it. After all, they were all citizens of Liyue. They knew Liyue's history well but only had a passing knowledge of other nations' histories—just the famous gods and the powerful figures active today. As for Rostam, though he had been a powerful Vision wielder, a Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, and the creator of the Favonius Bladework, having a profound impact on Mondstadt, five hundred years was far too long ago. Even the people of Mondstadt had gradually forgotten the name Rostam, let alone those of Liyue.
Below, the audience began to murmur.
"Rostam, La Signora's knight—who is he? Does anyone know?"
"I think he was the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius five hundred years ago. A very impressive figure, but he died young—that's all I know."
"Rostam was La Signora's fiancé? Does that mean this Harbinger is over five hundred years old?"
"Storyteller, we still have so many famous adepti in Liyue, and Rex Lapis's great deeds. Why are you telling the story of a knight from five hundred years ago?"
"Ten thousand signatures, begging you to tell the story of Rex Lapis and the God of Dust, Guizhong."
(T/N: Take my signature as well!)
"Shh—are you crazy? Mentioning the God of Dust in front of Rex Lapis?"
Hearing this, the murmuring audience suddenly woke up. Rex Lapis wasn't dead! He was still in the corner of the inn, listening to the stories. They quickly glanced at the corner. When they saw that Rex Lapis showed no anger—not even a change in expression—they finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he hadn't heard. It would have been troublesome if they'd upset him.
But while Rex Lapis was unmoved, La Signora, who had been planning to listen, was not so forgiving. These Liyue listeners dared to dismiss Rostam? Dared to belittle him?
Her expression turned icy. "Shut up—you mice. You are not worthy to speak Rostam's name."
She would not tolerate any disrespect toward Rostam. Anyone who spoke ill of him would become her enemy.
Hearing this, the Liyue audience grew angry. This was Liyue Harbor! There was a living Rex Lapis here, Yuheng Keqing, the mighty Conqueror of Demons—when had a Fatui Harbinger ever been allowed to act so arrogantly here?
Just as they were about to retort, Pyro energy gathered around La Signora and erupted instantly, blazing around her. The frightened Liyue audience backed away, not daring to say another word about Rostam.
They looked toward the corner of the inn—toward Zhongli, Xiao, Keqing, and Shenhe—hoping these powerful figures would put La Signora in her place. But to their disappointment, they all pretended not to see her arrogance. None of them wanted to get involved.
Realizing this, the indignant listeners had no choice but to fall silent. If they angered this madwoman, she might burn them alive. It wasn't worth it.
...
When the audience had quieted down, La Signora, not wanting to press further, withdrew the flames around her.
Now, in one corner of the inn, Shenhe looked at Li Mo on stage, then at La Signora standing in the aisle. As the only person who knew Li Mo's true identity, her feelings were complicated—pity, helplessness, jealousy, envy.
This Li Mo! In all his reincarnations, he had entangled himself with so many women. How could he bear it? It was infuriating. She wanted to go up on stage and punish him.
But reason prevailed. She did not act impulsively. Instead, she let out a helpless sigh. She knew that La Signora, like herself, was a pitiful soul toyed with by fate. Why make things harder for each other?
Watching La Signora standing alone in the aisle, Shenhe felt a pang of sadness. The next moment, she suddenly rose from her chair and walked straight toward the solitary figure.
Seeing this, her companions assumed Shenhe had finally had enough and was going to confront the arrogant Harbinger. They tried to stop her.
Keqing reached out. "Shenhe, the situation is complicated. There's no need to fight her."
Xiangling was startled. "Ah, Sister Shenhe, you can't take her alone—Guoba, let's go help."
Guoba: "Lulu lu—"
Qiqi said slowly, "Qiqi—wants—to help too."
Hu Tao clapped her hands happily. "Great! I'll go sell her our services right now. Hehe, another customer!"
Clearly, they were all fed up with La Signora's arrogance.
But Shenhe replied without turning back, "You misunderstand. I'm going to invite her to sit with us."
The others stared at her back in confusion. Misunderstand? Invite her to sit? Were you serious?
Keqing wondered, "Is Shenhe just trying to keep her calm so she doesn't disturb the storytelling?"
Xiangling breathed a sigh of relief. "No fighting? That's wonderful."
Hu Tao looked disappointed. "What a pity. No customer after all."