"Back to speaking in riddles again."
After hearing Qiu Nian's cryptic explanation, Xuehua's expression turned slightly annoyed.
[Feels like 'they' refers to Khaenri'ah]
[Let's just wait for a lore YouTuber to explain it (snicker)]
"About what Dainsleif said… the legend that you split the Abyss with a single strike."
Lumine looked at Qiu Nian and asked her second question.
"Stories passed down by word of mouth are called legends."
"They may contain fragments of truth, even historical value…"
"But they cannot be taken as absolute fact."
"As for whether such a thing truly happened…"
"You may find your answer in your future journey."
Qiu Nian smiled lightly.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance.
Their expressions turned equally unimpressed.
Another vague, non-answer.
[Guixu, you really said something while saying nothing (facepalm)]
[He answered… but also didn't]
"I knew you were going to say that."
Paimon crossed her arms, looking smug.
"Qiu Nian, the Abyss Order is currently investigating you."
"They've even listed you as their highest priority."
Lumine asked her third question.
"The Abyss Order…"
Qiu Nian placed a hand on his chin, looking slightly puzzled.
He thought for a moment.
Then looked at Lumine and Paimon and simply said—
"Who?"
"Hahahaha, I can't take it!"
Xuehua burst out laughing.
That confused expression—
Combined with that single word—
Was just too perfect.
[I imagined a lot of answers, but not this (facepalm)]
["Who?"]
[I'm dying (laughing)]
[Qiu Nian: Abyss Order? Never heard of it]
[Aether just lost all dignity (lol)]
[One word and the Abyss Order's intimidation is gone]
[He actually thought about it seriously first (crying laughing)]
Lumine and Paimon both froze for a moment.
"Qiu Nian…"
"You… you don't even know what the Abyss Order is?!"
Paimon asked, stunned.
"…Hmm."
"Should I?"
Qiu Nian replied calmly.
["Should I?"]
[I'm done, this is too funny]
"…I guess there's no real reason you would know."
"But Qiu Nian, you're still injured."
"If they're investigating you, they might try something dangerous."
Lumine explained.
"Haha…"
"Don't worry. My power has recovered somewhat."
"I shouldn't run into any real danger."
Qiu Nian said with a light chuckle.
[Recovered a bit… not much… just enough to instantly deal with a fragment of Azhdaha]
[So how strong is he now? Still one-finger Tartaglia?]
[Tartaglia: Can we move on already?]
[Lumine should be worrying about Aether instead (facepalm)]
"…Alright."
"If you say so."
Lumine nodded reluctantly.
"Besides, Qiu Nian has lived for over six thousand years."
"The Abyss Order was only founded a few hundred years ago."
"And he only recently returned to Liyue…"
"So it's actually normal that he doesn't know about them."
Paimon said, spreading her hands.
And really—
Did someone like him even need their concern?
[Wait, if Qiu Nian doesn't know the Abyss Order, how does he know about the catastrophe 500 years ago?]
[Easy—Zhongli told him]
[But Zhongli said he's bound by contract not to talk about it]
[Not telling Lumine doesn't mean not telling Guixu]
"You seem to understand this world more and more."
Zhongli said to Lumine.
"There are many past events… many secrets across this land."
"They have endured too long—forgotten, or abandoned."
"If it is you…"
"You may be able to find them… and bring them to light."
"The witness exists to bear witness."
"The recorder exists to remember."
Zhongli continued.
"On your journey toward that person…"
"You will face many difficulties."
"But as long as you believe your path is correct…"
"Then it holds meaning."
After speaking, Lumine looked up at the moon hanging in the night sky.
Her mind drifted back to her brother's words—
"We will meet again."
"But not here…"
"Meet me at the end of your journey."
"Go… and witness the truth of this world."
At that moment, Xuehua's screen displayed:
Story Quest Complete — Historia Antiqua Chapter II: No Mere Stone
Now controlling Lumine again, she spoke to Zhongli.
"This tablet was erected by Mountain Shaper."
"It refers to Azhdaha as an evil dragon… to warn future generations away from this seal."
"Unfortunately…"
"Good and evil are separated by only a thin line."
"If such things could be easily defined…"
"Then perhaps it would be simpler."
Zhongli said slowly.
Lumine quietly watched him beneath the tree.
The wind rustled softly.
Time seemed to flow like an invisible river beside them—
A fleeting moment…
Yet a thousand years in the mortal world.
Even stone has a heart—
So too do the earth… and the gods.
Afterward, Xuehua guided Lumine toward Qiu Nian, who stood by a small stream.
"Morax and I have been away from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for several days now."
"Though the Millelith and Lao Dai have informed the Director…"
"It is still a dereliction of duty."
"Once Morax finishes reminiscing…"
"We will return together."
Qiu Nian said, turning toward them.
[Hu Tao: Where are my consultants?!]
"Qiu Nian, your power has recovered somewhat."
"When we find a way to reach Inazuma…"
"Should we write to you?"
Lumine asked.
"My strength has recovered… but not enough to cross such a vast sea."
Qiu Nian replied seriously.
"…Alright, got it."
Paimon nodded with a smile.
[Why do I feel like he's seriously talking nonsense?]
[Well, Inazuma isn't open yet—it might actually be that far]
[Yeah… that makes sense]
With that, the conversation ended.
Xuehua sighed softly, still immersed in the lingering emotions of the story quest.
Controlling Lumine, she ran back and forth—
Between Zhongli…
And Qiu Nian.
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