"They say Liyue Harbor is the biggest trade port in all Teyvat—supposedly far livelier than Mondstadt." As they walked, Aether and Lumine listened to Paimon brief them about Liyue.
They were taking the route through Stone Gate toward Liyue Harbor: a safer path with few monsters and not entirely deserted.
Stone Gate also marked the border between Liyue and Mondstadt; once past it, they would officially enter Liyue territory.
Even without a map, the Statue of the Seven would have told them as much.
After touching the statue belonging to Rex Lapis, Lumine gained a new power, though Aether still couldn't wield any element.
Not that it mattered; the Pathstrider strength she possessed was no weaker than this world's elemental energy.
More than that, Aether found her attention completely captured by the surrounding scenery.
The vegetation, peaks and lakes were all distinctly different from what grew within Mondstadt.
Their previous visit—handling the meteor incident—had been rushed; they'd had no time to admire the views.
This time, she and Lumine were traveling for pleasure rather than haste, free to enjoy the sights along the way.
"It looks gorgeous here," Paimon said, floating a little higher.
"Mm, it really is," Aether agreed; after Mondstadt's landscapes, this was a refreshing change.
"Wow, look ahead, you two!"
Paimon could always see farther from the air, but even without her warning they would have noticed it.
The terrain opened up, and the object ahead was simply too eye-catching to miss.
Even from this distance its golden crown of leaves was clearly visible.
"That's Wangshu Inn," Aether said, eyeing the distant tree. They had stopped there once before, when the Millelith used the place as a shelter for meteor victims.
Back then they'd paid little heed; now, gazing at Wangshu from afar, the colossal tree looked magnificent.
"Why don't we stay there tonight?" Aether asked Lumine.
"Sounds good." Lumine nodded. Since leaving Stone Gate they had walked a long way, and with dusk approaching, resting at Wangshu before continuing tomorrow made sense.
Unfortunately there were no waypoints between Stone Gate and Wangshu Inn—only a Statue of the Seven—so they had to cover the distance on foot.
"Then let's hurry! I hear the food at Wangshu ranks among Liyue's finest," Paimon said, spinning around eagerly.
Food always energized her.
"No rush—we'll arrive right on time for dinner if we stroll," Lumine replied, not keen to dash along the path as they had during the meteor crisis.
"Big rush—my stomach's already caving in!"
"But you just finished lunch." Aether eyed Paimon in puzzlement.
It was about two in the afternoon; they had eaten a late lunch not long ago.
"Well... hehe, I digest quickly," Paimon said, rubbing her head sheepishly.
..." Aether had nothing to say. Lumine had claimed Paimon's monthly meals cost over two hundred thousand Mora, and Aether had doubted it.
Now she suspected two hundred thousand might have been an underestimate.
———
In the end Lumine refused to speed up for Paimon's sake; by the time they reached Wangshu Inn it was nearly five in the afternoon.
On their previous visit they had never entered the inn itself; the Millelith had pitched tents around the base for patients.
This was their first time stepping inside.
"Are you two here to dine or to stay?" an attendant greeted them hurriedly.
"Hey, it's three of us! Three guests!" Paimon stamped in outrage at being forgotten.
"A-ah, sorry! Three guests, then..."
"Both dining and lodging," Lumine answered with a smile.
"Very well—please follow me." The attendant beamed and led them on.
"We still have several vacant rooms upstairs. Would you two—ah, three—prefer a double or singles?" He almost misspoke again.
"A double is fine," Lumine said at once.
It would make things easier at night; as long as they kept quiet they shouldn't wake Paimon.
The attendant showed them to a spacious room whose windows overlooked Dihua Marsh; both Aether and Lumine were pleased.
"Please have the food sent up."
"Coming right up—enjoy your stay." He noted their order and left, considerately closing the door behind him.
"Mmm, I can't wait! I've been dying to try Liyue cuisine, hehe…"
"Didn't Xiangling cook Liyue dishes for you before?" Lumine sat on the bed and said to Paimon, exasperated.
"That was only a few dishes—I want to taste more!"
"Xiangling?" Stelle suddenly heard an unfamiliar name from Lumine's lips and grew curious.
For some reason, hearing that name made Stelle's heart lurch violently.
Like a predator catching the scent of its prey.
"Oh right, you haven't met her, Stelle. She's a girl we knew from Liyue—apparently the head chef at Wanmin Restaurant," Paimon explained hurriedly, noticing Stelle's puzzled expression.
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