The Old woman's eyesight wasn't good, but she could vaguely sense a figure blocking the light.
She trembled in fright, fearfully clutching her broken bowl to her chest, her whole body shaking uncontrollably, burying her head even lower.
King watched her silently for a few seconds.
Then, he turned his head to look at Zhongli beside him.
"Did you bring money?"
King was very direct.
Zhongli: "..."
This former Geo Archon, who had seen countless storms and lived for over six thousand years, now had a rare, ineffable expression of "awkwardness" on his face.
His golden eyes blinked, and he pretended to reach into the inner pocket of his brown robe.
He fumbled around.
He fumbled around again.
His fingers paused.
Zhongli slowly withdrew his hand, his palm empty.
He cleared his throat, maintaining his composure, but the awkwardness in his tone couldn't be hidden:
"Ahem... well... I left in a hurry this time, and in my haste, I didn't bring any Mora."
He paused, as if feeling the excuse wasn't sufficient, then added, his tone as serious as if discussing an important contract:
"However, I can write an IOU. It will be recorded in the WangSheng Funeral Parlor's accounts, and I will surely repay it later."
King: "..."
"Get out of my way!"
A figure suddenly stepped forward, "bumping" Zhongli aside.
It was Clorinde!
The fontaines strongest Champion Duelist, the cold and beautiful older sister swordswoman, now had flushed cheeks from excitement, her eyes Burning with intensity.
Without hesitation, she pulled out a neatly folded banknote, bearing the Northland Bank watermark, from the inner pocket of her form-fitting outfit.
Clorinde unfolded it with both hands, reverently presenting it to King.
A long string of "0"s was written on it.
Enough to buy an entire street in the most prosperous area of Fontaine.
Or charter all the fleets in "Port of Lumidouce" to sail the oceans for a whole year.
"Lord King! Please use this!"
Clorinde's voice was firm, carrying an undeniable loyalty:
"This is all my property! To think that it could be used by you at this moment, this is truly... truly the honor of my lifetime!!!"
King glanced at the astronomical figure, then at Clorinde's fervent eyes, which screamed, "Please use my money!"
He was silent for two seconds.
Then, he extended two fingers, pinched a corner of the check, and gently pushed it back.
"No need."
His voice was flat, but carried a hint of "don't be silly."
Clorinde seemed to hear the sound of a breaking heart (her own).
She held the check, her eyes dimming, like a kitten that had brought its owner a mouse only to be rejected, not daring to speak, but feeling wronged.
Just then, Lynette, who had been as quiet as a shadow, moved.
She had stepped forward at some point, a heavy money bag now in her hand.
Its style was ordinary, without any family crest, but the stitching was fine, and the material was sturdy.
She didn't say another word, simply bowed slightly and gently placed the money bag in King's hand.
Then, she immediately retreated half a step, returning to her demure, inconspicuous maid posture.
The entire process was smooth and natural.
As if Lynette had long anticipated this scene and prepared for it in advance.
[The leader didn't bring money, subordinate A (Zhongli) habitually dropped the ball, subordinate B (Clorinde) was overly enthusiastic and her solution was inappropriate. At this time, what is needed is a subordinate C (the super beautiful Lynette) who understands how to read situations, is well-prepared, beautiful as a celestial being, and handles things cleanly and efficiently to silently solve the problem.] — From the workplace philosophy of a certain cat-eared maid.
King weighed Lynette's money bag; it was heavy.
He said nothing, only crouched down and gently placed the money bag in the Old woman's trembling hands.
The Old woman suddenly trembled, raising her head in confusion, her cloudy eyes struggling to see the person in front of her.
"Elderly one,"
King began, raising his voice slightly so the hard-of-hearing elder could hear him clearly.
"How do I get to Tenshukaku?"
The Old woman shook her head frantically, her cloudy eyes filled with terror, her chapped lips trembling.
"My lord... my lord, spare my life..."
"I... I dare not speak..."
King was silent for a moment, a little helpless.
He couldn't exactly grab the old lady by the collar and make her point the way.
He straightened up and looked in the direction of the justice.
A Mocafé Doctor on board was peering over, looking worriedly in their direction.
King waved to her.
The Mocafé Doctor with light blue curly hair and large eyes immediately ran over, clutching a medical kit, her small face full of seriousness: "Lord King, what are your instructions!"
"Take her onto the ship to eat something, and check if she's injured."
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
The Mocafé Doctor nodded vigorously, immediately crouched beside the Old woman, and soothed her in a gentle, cheerful voice: "Grandma, don't be scared, we are good people. Come, let me help you up first, it's warm on the ship and there's good food..."
Perhaps it was the Mocafé's naturally harmless demeanor that worked.
Although the Old woman was still scared, under the Mocafé Doctor's patient support and gentle words, she finally stopped trembling so much. She was shakily helped to her feet, looking back every few steps, confusedly following the Mocafé towards the giant ship.
King watched as the Mocafé Doctor carefully helped the Old woman onto the ship, then turned around.
The sea breeze ruffled the hem of his trench coat, and his gaze swept over the panicked Inazuma citizens, finally landing on Lumine and Paimon.
He knew that the Traveler had once journeyed through Inazuma and had some interaction and acquaintance with Raiden Ei.
Paimon, that living map and chatterbox, surely knew the way to Tenshukaku.
Asking them was the simplest method.
However, he did not speak.
Such a difficult request, it was better to forget it.
King's gaze calmly shifted away.
Making friends choose between the position of "old acquaintances" and "new friends," even for a small matter like asking for directions, was not his style.
Some things were better handled by himself.
"Why not ask the Traveler?"
Zhongli's voice sounded from the side; the WangSheng Funeral Parlor consultant seemed to have seen through his thoughts, a faint approval in his golden eyes:
"She should know where Tenshukaku is."
"No need."
King's reply was brief.
He didn't need to explain; those who understood would understand.
Paimon was currently perched on Lumine's shoulder, rubbing her round belly, muttering softly:
"That sudden scare almost made Paimon throw up all her delicious breakfast!"
She was completely unaware of the "positional crisis" she had just avoided.
Lumine gently patted Paimon, her amber eyes looking at King's broad back, a hint of Warmth rising in her heart.
Lumine knew the way to Tenshukaku and was prepared to answer.
But King's thoughtfulness spared her from having to make a choice.
Just as King was about to find someone else to ask for directions—
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