Chapter 45: Separation
Arriving at the brightly lit and bustling Lumina Square, the lively atmosphere instantly infected everyone. Neon signs flashed overhead, casting vibrant reflections across the pavement, while the distant hum of holographic advertisements filled the night air.
Belle, fully embracing her role as the local host, immediately sprang into action. "Lumine, March 7th, Paimon! Follow me! I know a few amazing shops for clothes, accessories, and super cute merchandise!"
She grabbed Lumine by the wrist with one hand and waved enthusiastically to March 7th and Paimon with the other. Before anyone could protest, the three girls were swept away, disappearing into the dazzling array of storefronts.
Wise watched them go with an amused smile, then turned to the rest of the group. "Let's go. I will take you to the HIA Club! They have the absolute latest immersive VR games set up."
Stelle threw her hands in the air and let out a loud cheer, her gamer instincts fully ignited. Beside her, Dan Heng crossed his arms. Though he usually maintained strict reservations about anything labeled as excitement, a faint glimmer of curiosity betrayed his stoic expression. He gave a slight nod, preparing to follow Wise into the arcade to see what New Eridu technology had to offer.
Zhongli, however, remained in place. He looked around the plaza, his golden eyes scanning the bustling crowds before settling on an elegantly decorated shop situated on the edge of the square. A rich, earthy aroma of roasted beans drifted through the open doors. The sign above read Coff Cafe.
He nodded slowly, his tone measured and calm. "This place is excellent. I shall await you all here."
With that, the former Archon leisurely walked into the shop. He bypassed the busy counter, found a quiet, comfortable seat by the window, and ordered a signature pour-over coffee from the Tin Master. Resting his hands on the table, he looked out at the rushing crowds and the dazzling lights of the plaza, perfectly content to enjoy a moment of tranquility amidst the worldly hustle and bustle.
Time flew by quickly in a blur of laughter, flashing arcade screens, and rustling shopping bags.
When Belle finally returned, she was leading a highly satisfied Lumine and March 7th, both of whom were weighed down by several colorful shopping bags. Trailing right behind them was Paimon, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around a massive pile of local snacks.
At the exact same time, Wise guided his group back to the coffee shop entrance. Stelle was still animatedly rambling about the thrilling boss fights and high scores from the arcade, looking entirely reluctant to leave the machines behind. Dan Heng walked beside her, his expression as calm as ever, though the subtle brightness in his eyes suggested he had genuinely enjoyed the experience. Inside the cafe, Zhongli took the final sip from his cup just as they gathered at the door.
"Mr. Zhongli, you have waited a long time!" Belle called out, rubbing the back of her neck with a slightly embarrassed grin.
Zhongli stood up, adjusting his coat, and offered a gentle smile. "It is fine. Observing the prosperity of this city is also a form of cultivation. Have you all enjoyed yourselves?"
"We had an absolute blast!" Stelle replied instantly, giving a thumbs-up. "The game Wise recommended was top-tier!"
"It is time to eat!" Paimon announced loudly. She rubbed her little belly, looking up at Wise and Belle with wide, eager eyes.
Wise laughed and waved his hand toward the main street. "Let's go! Next stop, Zhumei Cuijin! I booked a table in advance. Eat as much as you want tonight, it is entirely on us!"
Inside the Zhumei Cuijin restaurant, the atmosphere was thick with savory steam and lively chatter. A massive, bubbling hotpot sat in the center of the table, divided into spicy red oil and rich bone broth. It was the absolute perfect choice for a gathering of friends.
Paimon sat on a high chair, her eyes turning into literal stars as she stared at the table overflowing with thinly sliced marbled beef, fresh vegetables, and seafood. Yet, to the absolute shock of everyone who knew her, she did not immediately launch into her usual wind-swept, table-clearing mode.
She picked up her chopsticks and ate with great relish, making sure to taste a little bit of everything, but her chewing was slow. Her speed was noticeably reduced, and her portions were strictly restrained. She would take one slice of meat, chew it carefully, and then wait several minutes before reaching for another.
Lumine stared at her floating companion, her eyes widening in disbelief. She leaned in close, lowering her voice. "Paimon? Is your appetite not good today? Are you feeling sick?"
Paimon quickly leaned close to Lumine's ear, covering her mouth with one tiny hand to whisper. "No! Wise and Belle are treating us today. Paimon knows it is not easy for them to earn money running a video store! They helped us so much today, and now they are paying for all the games and the food. If Paimon ate freely..."
She paused, looking at the towering stacks of empty plates she usually generated. "Hmm, I am afraid they would go bankrupt by tomorrow morning! So... I am just going to eat a little less!"
After delivering her explanation, Paimon nodded vigorously, looking incredibly proud of her own mature consideration.
Lumine felt a sudden, deep understanding wash over her. She herself suffered daily from the financial black hole that was Paimon's stomach. Keeping the little guide fed was a massive, never-ending expense. And that was only manageable because Lumine knew how to cook in the wild. If she had to take Paimon to restaurants in the city every single day, she would probably have to clear out every single commission at the Adventurers Guild just to barely make ends meet.
Belle, sitting across the table, possessed excellent hearing. Catching the tail end of Paimon's whisper, her heart immediately warmed. She quickly reached across the table with her chopsticks, dropping a large, perfectly cooked piece of beef directly into Paimon's bowl.
"It is completely okay, Paimon!" Belle said, her smile wide and genuine. "Today is all about making sure everyone eats well and has fun! Eat as much as you want! Do not worry about the money at all, my brother will handle the bill!"
Wise nearly choked on his tea, but he quickly recovered, offering a warm smile of his own. "That is right, Little Paimon. Do not be shy! We can afford this much. This is a rare opportunity to have everyone together, so please, enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
Paimon hesitated. She looked down at the delicious, steaming beef in her bowl, then glanced at the towering plates of raw ingredients. Finally, she looked at the sincere, encouraging smiles on Wise and Belle's faces. The temptation of the bubbling hotpot was simply too much to resist.
She threw her hands up and cheered. "Then... then Paimon will not be polite anymore! Wise and Belle are the absolute best!"
Despite her declaration, she still maintained a tiny fraction of restraint, consciously choosing not to perform her legendary feat of clearing the entire restaurant's inventory by herself.
Watching Paimon's adorable struggle to balance her massive appetite with her newfound consideration, Wise and Belle exchanged a quiet, knowing look. Listening to the lively, overlapping conversations and the genuine laughter echoing around the table, both siblings felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The money spent tonight was entirely worth it. The joy of gathering with friends across different universes was simply priceless.
Dinner concluded in a warm, joyful atmosphere, and the clock quietly slipped toward nine in the evening.
The group left the brightly lit restaurant and, following the specific coordinates provided by the chat group interface, handled their way to a relatively quiet, dimly lit alleyway just a few blocks away from Lumina Square. The noise of the city faded into a distant hum here.
"The time is almost up," Zhongli noted, his deep voice breaking the quiet night air.
Everyone came to a halt, turning to face one another to exchange their final farewells.
"Come play again next time!" Belle called out, waving both hands vigorously.
"Definitely!" Lumine replied, her eyes curving into a bright smile. "Next time, I will take you on a proper, guided tour of Teyvat!"
Stelle stepped forward, confidently patting her chest. "Remember to come to Penacony! I am a major shareholder there now. Let me treat you to the finest SoulGlad in the cosmos!"
"Goodbye! Thank you so much for your hospitality!" Paimon spun in the air, floating higher as she waved, clearly reluctant to leave her new friends behind.
Zhongli offered a polite, measured nod to the siblings. "Thank you for your gracious hospitality today. Take care, both of you."
At exactly nine o'clock, the air in the alleyway hummed with sudden energy. Several soft, glowing blue light pillars materialized out of thin air, descending from the night sky to completely envelop the visitors from other worlds.
With a brilliant, silent flash of light, the pillars vanished.
The alley was suddenly empty. Only Wise and Belle remained standing on the concrete, along with the two sleek, uniquely designed motorcycles parked quietly near the brick wall.
The cool night air still seemed to carry the lingering warmth and laughter of their departed friends.
The siblings turned to look at each other and exchanged a quiet smile. Though they felt a distinct pang of reluctance at the sudden quiet, their spirits were incredibly high.
They walked over to the heavy machines, throwing their legs over the seats and gripping the handlebars, fully prepared to ride back to Random Play.
However, their joy was exceptionally short-lived.
Just as the engines roared to life and they drove out of the narrow alley onto the main road, a blinding flash of red and blue lights pierced the darkness. At the intersection directly ahead, a barricade had been erected.
Two officers from New Eridu Public Security were standing in the middle of the street, directing traffic into a temporary inspection checkpoint.
Wise tightened his grip on the brakes, his stomach instantly dropping. "Oh no."
His instincts were entirely correct. The moment they pulled up to the checkpoint, the real problems began.
"Good evening. Please show your driver's license and vehicle registration," the young N.E.P.S. officer stated, her tone strictly businesslike as she held out a scanner.
Wise and Belle froze. They nervously patted down their jackets and pockets, putting on a show of searching, but they both knew it was entirely futile. These two high-tech motorcycles were temporary rewards provided directly by the chat group system for the day's event. They did not have license plates, let alone registration papers or insurance.
The officer lowered her scanner, her eyes narrowing as she took in their empty hands. "Driving without a license? Unidentified vehicle source?" Her expression hardened into professional severity. "Sirs, I am going to have to ask you to step off the vehicles and come with us to the station for questioning."
The siblings felt their hearts sink straight to rock bottom. This was not just a minor inconvenience; this was massive trouble. Explaining multiversal chat group rewards to the local authorities was a guaranteed trip to an interrogation room.
Just as they hung their heads in dejection, preparing to abandon the bikes and be escorted to the back of the flashing police cruiser, a slightly tired but incredibly familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Wait."
Footsteps approached from the sidewalk. It was Zhu Yuan and Qingyi. The two elite officers had just finished a grueling overtime shift, changed out of their heavy tactical uniforms into casual street clothes, and were simply walking home when they happened to pass by the intersection.
Zhu Yuan's sharp eyes immediately recognized Wise and Belle. Her gaze then shifted downward, locking onto the two heavily modified, futuristic motorcycles idling between their legs. Even at a glance, she could tell these were not ordinary civilian vehicles.
Belle looked up, her eyes widening as if she had just spotted descending angels. "Zhu Yuan? Qingyi?"
Zhu Yuan stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the on-duty officer. She pulled out her official N.E.P.S. badge, flashing it under the streetlights, and exchanged a few quiet, authoritative words with her colleague.
While Zhu Yuan handled the checkpoint officer, Qingyi casually strolled over to Wise and Belle. The android girl tilted her head, her glowing eyes scanning the sleek metal chassis of the bikes.
She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a quiet murmur. "What exactly is going on here? Where did these vehicles come from?"
Wise swallowed hard, his mind racing for a plausible excuse. "They were... they were lent to us by a friend. Just to experience the handling. We had way too much fun today and completely lost track of time. We also entirely forgot to check if the vehicle's paperwork was complete before taking them out..."
He deliberately kept his voice steady, desperately trying to frame the situation as a simple, careless paperwork oversight rather than the possession of highly illegal, unregistered phantom vehicles.
Qingyi stood in silence. She looked at the siblings, noting the beads of nervous sweat on Wise's forehead and Belle's rigid posture. She then turned her attention back to the motorcycles. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the engine hum was impossibly smooth, and there were zero manufacturing serial numbers stamped on the visible frames. These were clearly not shoddily made black-market knockoffs.
Her mechanical mind processed the variables in a fraction of a second. She understood that there was far more to this story than a borrowed ride, but she also knew the character of the two proxies sitting in front of her.
Qingyi let out a soft, synthetic sigh. She turned her head toward Zhu Yuan and gave a single, barely perceptible nod.
Catching the signal, Zhu Yuan finished her conversation with the on-duty officer. She offered a reassuring pat on her colleague's shoulder, seemingly having successfully vouched for the two stranded siblings.
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