This was the Prince of the Abyss Order.
Facing his sister, his words and eyes were full of kindness. Even toward Kael, Aether did not show any hate.
Furina: "I feel like the Aether in the reincarnation story and the Aether in the live stream are two completely different people."
Navia: "The Aether in the live stream wants to tear Kael apart. But at least the Aether in the reincarnation story does not have that much malice."
Zhongli: "Perhaps he is trying to show what a good brother should look like in front of his sister."
Hu Tao: "Our Consultant knows so much. I do not really get it, but I support it. Anyway, Mr. Kael, do you need to book our services in advance?"
Kael: "Are we booking for two VIPs?"
Lumine: "Heh, what two VIPs? Do you not know what Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does?"
Kael: "I am new here. I really do not understand."
Lumine: "Idiot. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor guides departed souls. They give you a full package of music and rituals to send you off."
Kael: "I see."
Lumine: "???"
Lumine: "Ugh, you clearly knew that. You are just teasing me."
Hu Tao: "So, are you booking? In my heart, I have a feeling Aether will absolutely not let you go."
Aether: "The story has not even started. How do you know more than your own Consultant?"
Zhongli: "After all, she is the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Paimon: "Huh? What is wrong with Aether? Does he not hate Kael anymore?"
Arataki Itto: "He is probably just embarrassed from the praise. Now he knows he has to keep up a good big brother image in the live stream."
Kamisato Ayato: "Aether and Kael. Only one can survive."
Tartaglia: "Ahem. The person from the past life is not your sister. Why are you getting so worked up?"
Kamisato Ayato: "I am just practicing. What if the next reincarnation involves Ayaka? I need to figure out how to survive a clash with Mr. Kael."
Kamisato Ayaka: "Brother, that is too much. It will damage the Kamisato Clan's reputation."
After leaving a few words, Aether took Enjou and left through an anchor that looked like a teleport gate.
Before leaving, he gave Kael a meaningful look.
"Brother."
Lumine rushed forward, but grabbed nothing but air.
It seemed she did not have the ability to use that anchor to teleport.
"Kael, my brother, he..."
Wah!
Lumine let out a loud cry and threw herself into Kael's arms.
Kael gently stroked her back to comfort her.
Yet, his eyes held a trace of sorrow and confusion.
Over the past few days, Lumine's mental state had been very poor.
With no other choice, Kael decided they would stay in one place for a while.
Kael had nothing else to do. His daily task was simply to stay by Lumine's side and take care of her.
He would occasionally say a few words to comfort her.
Lumine: "Sigh. Why was I so weak in my past life? I remember in this life, when my brother left my side, I was not this depressed."
Paimon: "I remember too. We found the eye of the first Ruin Guard in Khaenri'ah together with that man named Dainsleif. We stopped the Abyss Order's plan to create a mechanical Osial."
Osial: "What! What mechanical Osial?"
Dainsleif: "They planned to use the power of an upside-down Statue of The Seven and the core of the first Ruin Guard. Combined with you, they would create a mechanical version of you."
Osial: "???"
Aether: "Dainsleif? You are here too?"
Dainsleif: "I saw you all chatting happily, so I joined in. After all, the wind feels quite pleasant today."
Lumine: "So, can you explain why the wind feels so pleasant today?"
Dainsleif: "As for why, I am not sure. So I dare not say."
Lumine: "Fine. Riddle-makers should just stop speaking altogether."
Dainsleif: "What surprises me is that you still met Aether without me or Paimon. Even though you cried, perhaps it is because you are loved."
Lumine: "Shut up! Damn you, Dainsleif."
Night fell.
Kael stayed by the side of the sleeping Lumine.
A gentle breeze caught Kael's attention.
He looked back deeply at Lumine.
Kael stepped outside.
"Yo! Mr. Kael, we meet again."
"The winds of a thousand years whisper your needs."
A pair of legs in white stockings dangled from a tree branch.
Venti smiled. "So, what did you need me for?"
"Is it for drinks?"
Paimon: "Eh! It is the Bard."
Venti: "Wait a minute. Hey, why am I on screen too?"
Lumine: "I do not know."
Jean: "It seems Mr. Kael sought you out on his own."
Venti: "He is at the border of Mondstadt and Liyue. Why did he not go find Rex Lapis, Morax?"
Azhdaha: "Hehehe. Because Morax is unreliable."
Paimon: "Is there really a god more unreliable than Barbatos?"
Barbara: "Paimon, do not talk about our Anemo Archon like that."
Furina: "This nun named Barbara is so devout. Wait, why did Kael look for Barbatos? He is sad, so he wants to drink?"
"You want to ask me about the Abyss Order?"
Venti scratched his head.
He looked awkward and unsure what to do.
"Your expression gave you away. You should know about the Abyss Order, right?"
Kael pressed on.
Venti's expression turned slightly troubled.
He gave an awkward laugh. "Why did you suddenly become interested in the Abyss Order?"
"Did you find some clues while looking for your brother?"
Kael did not answer Venti's question.
Ever since meeting Aether last time, Kael's mind had been full of doubts.
According to Lumine, the siblings were not supposed to belong to Teyvat in the first place.
Why did Aether suddenly take on the role of the Prince of the Abyss Order?
And why did he seem to hold such a deep grudge against the throne in the sky?
What bothered Kael the most was what Aether said to Lumine: I have already finished my journey in Teyvat. You must finish yours too. We will finally meet again at the end.
"Does the Abyss Order share an irreconcilable hatred with the Heavenly Principles?"
Kael asked with a smile.
Venti instantly looked even more drained.
"Ah!"
"So annoying."
"Fine, fine. Since you once saved Mondstadt, I will give you a rough explanation."
After that, Venti briefly explained the War of Khaenri'ah from five hundred years ago.
He did not go into the finer details.
"I think knowing this much is enough for you. There is no point in knowing more."
Venti shrugged.
But his eyes glanced toward a high cliff. A figure was looking down at them.
"He seems to be waiting for you?"
"Not just for today," Kael said with a bitter smile.
The person on the high cliff was none other than the Prince of the Abyss Order, Aether.
"Alright. It is about time I go find him."
"Lord Barbatos, I will leave the rest to you. Please take Lumine back to Mondstadt."
"Leaving her in these remote mountains would make me worry."
"That will not do," Venti quickly refused. "What if she wakes up, finds you gone, and starts crying again?"
Kael patted Venti's shoulder and smiled. "At least in Mondstadt, there will be people to talk to her. Besides, are you not the Anemo Archon? I am sure you will figure something out."
"Kael! You are using my status to pressure me," Venti said, speechless.
In the end, he had no choice but to give in.
"Alright, alright. I get it, I get it."
Kael gave Venti a grateful look.
He patted Venti's shoulder once more, then walked alone toward the high cliff where Aether waited.
Watching Kael's retreating figure,
Venti stood frozen for a long time.
Finally, he gave a bitter smile. "Have I already helped him with this kind of thing several times?"
"It is just a shame I cannot remember how it ends."