The device Venti gave was similar to Lucian's phone, capable of keeping in touch over long distances. The downside was poor signal, and it wouldn't last long before breaking.
This time, the group's method of reaching the islands wasn't "Drip-Drip Dragon Ride." Venti told the Traveler to turn right after leaving, and they'd arrive at the "Evernight Sanctum," faster than riding a dragon.
By the way, Venti wasn't coming along—he had work to do.
Don't laugh yet; the slacker was genuinely working. His job was to help Diona by performing to attract customers.
However, Venti was allergic to cats, so he had to stand on the rooftop while performing.
Admittedly, if Diona could hire Venti to perform in real life, the effect would be phenomenal.
Everyone knows Venti is the Anemo Archon. Who wouldn't give face to the Anemo Archon performing? Plus, Diona's drinks are genuinely delicious.
Sadly, Diona would never invite Venti, as she despises people who drink—unbelievably, even the Anemo Archon drinks.
Mondstadt must be like this because the Anemo Archon led it astray! It has to be!
So, if I could get the Anemo Archon to quit drinking… surely everyone else would stop too!
Let's not talk about Diona's unattainable dream and return to the story.
The next day, as seen in Lucian's illustrations, Mona and Fischl stood at the city gate waiting for the others, while Venti stood on the tavern's rooftop.
[Fischl: "Today is the day I, gazing upon the truth of the night sky, shall challenge fate itself! The shame of the past, the grudges of years gone by… here, we settle the score!"]
That last line, "here, something something," wasn't Fischl's catchphrase—she borrowed it from someone else.
Mona, with a glance at her Hydro scrying, knew it was Diluc's catchphrase.
Fischl must have heard the city's Darknight Hero say things like "Here, I pass judgment" and thought it was cool, so she adopted it.
Caught in her act of plagiarism, the little Amy blushed and fidgeted, utterly adorable.
In reality, Fischl's face turned slightly red, but she held her ground, not covering her face like Mona would. A chuunibyou's thick skin prevails.
In the story, Xinyan and Kaedehara Kazuha arrived with the Traveler. Upon arriving, they immediately praised Fischl and Mona.
[Xinyan to Fischl: "This young lady must be the Prinzessin that Paimon mentioned, right? You look extraordinary. I heard you're from a foreign land; you must be quite the remarkable figure."]
The illustration showed Fischl nodding repeatedly, her head slightly raised, clearly basking in the praise.
[Xinyan to Mona: "And this lady with the hat—I heard from my family that the wisest scholars often wear pointed hats. Is that the case with you too?"]
High emotional intelligence! The highest EQ in the team!
With just two sentences, Xinyan had both Mona and Fischl beaming with joy. She was practically a master of human nature, the rockstar of social finesse.
Mona was thrilled—wise scholars wear pointed hats, so she even planned to wear a sharp-pointed hat to deal with Lucian.
After Xinyan spoke, Kazuha chimed in, equally high in emotional intelligence.
[Kaedehara Kazuha: "The Prinzessin, the astrologer, and the eloquent raven retainer… compared to you all, I'm utterly ordinary, hardly worth mentioning."]
Utterly ordinary—he called himself utterly ordinary!
Readers burst into relieved laughter: ( ´∀｀)つ☞
Look at him, saying he's utterly ordinary, haha.
You're not serious, Kazuha, are you? Tell me you're not!
With your looks, status, and strength, if you're ordinary, what are we?
Leaving the quietly devastated readers aside, Paimon knew how impressive Kazuha was and began praising his greatness.
Admittedly, while Paimon sometimes speaks without a filter, she's genuinely kind and loves sharing her friends' strengths.
She doesn't care if people talk about her, but she absolutely can't stand anyone badmouthing her friends.
And Paimon wasn't exaggerating about Kazuha—his "utterly ordinary" referred to withstanding a strike from the Raiden Shogun.
Whether or not that was the Musou no Hitotachi, it was still the Raiden Shogun's blade. How could an ordinary person withstand it?
That single strike made Kazuha renowned across the land. What kind of level must the one who delivered it be?
Probably the level of someone relentlessly disciplined by their older sister—Ei hasn't had tricolor dango in ages.
In the story, Mona, curious, used her Hydro scrying to peek at Kazuha's fate.
Mona: What the—? The Raiden Shogun? What the—! A cheat!
Bad news: there's a cheat in this round. Good news: the big shot's on our side.
What's wrong with the big shot carrying the team's luggage when he's tired?
F11 is recognition of the big shot; F12 is reluctance to part with him!
With this, the journey's safety was assured.
Speaking of which, this team was full of talent, practically forming Fischl's Royal Squad.
The team included the Prinzessin (little Amy), the court musician (Xinyan), the court guard (Kazuha), and the walking encyclopedia (Mona).
Plus, the Voice of the Gods and emergency food Paimon, and the high-EQ, all-purpose Traveler.
Perfect. Let's go!
Brothers, the five of us are heading to the Evernight Sanctum.
Five people, we'll make it! The Evernight Sanctum will be a success!
This time, the travel method was a stone-made, inexplicably bizarre "Furious Doodad."
Compared to this thing that looked like a bread kiln, readers still fondly recalled the dragon-riding experience from last time.
This thing looked so bizarre that no one dared approach it at first.
Fischl sent Oz to "test the waters."
[Oz: "The one to take the lead is none other than myself. My lady need not move."]
That's how it was—Fischl just needed to strike poses in place, while Oz had to consider a lot.
Oz didn't mind, though. Elemental beings don't die easily, and the young lady could just summon him again.
Oz, braving the physical test, entered the "Furious Doodad" and vanished.
Seeing no explosion, the others followed, and in the cramped space, they were instantly teleported to the Golden Apple Archipelago.
Readers were a bit jealous that Kazuha got to squeeze in with so many beautiful girls.
Kazuha himself didn't think much of it—he didn't even notice, completely unbothered.
In the story, as soon as they arrived, Fischl began her performance.
[Fischl struck a dashing pose: "I, who reigns over the darkness, shall lead you all to the gates of fantasy!"]
[Everyone: "..."]
Seeing no one responding, Fischl grew anxious, her tone tinged with panic as she repeated:
["...to the gates of fantasy!"]
The illustration showed Fischl looking like she was about to cry.
Her adorable expression made readers shout, "Play along with her!"
Adventurers who'd partnered with Fischl found it odd—why hadn't they noticed how cute she was during their adventures?
On second thought, adventures are fraught with danger. Who has time to notice her cuteness?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Mona: About Fischl's Speech
"What kind of name did Lucian come up with?! But… it's kind of fitting… Argh, why am I convinced by him again?!"