Inside the Primordial Sea…
"Paimon: Uh… who are you?"
Paimon looked at the Damselette in front of her and asked.
Skirk said in a cold and flat tone: "My name is Skirk, and I am a… 【Stowaway】."
"Lumine: Stowaway?"
"Skirk: Yes, because I secretly came to Teyvat, I have been training in the Abyss."
"Lumine: The Abyss…"
"Paimon: Then why are you stopping us?"
Skirk looked at the whale in Qixuan's hand.
"Qixuan: Hmm? Do you want it back?"
Skirk was silent for a moment, then said: "This Narwhal is the pet of my master, the Extremely Evil Knight 【Surtalogi】, one of Khaenri'ah's Five Sinners. He is very strong, so…"
"Qixuan: So you're trying to threaten us with your master's name?"
"Skirk: No, he and I only have the title of master and disciple. I can only stop him if I become stronger. He said that when I become strong enough, he will return and destroy me, along with this continent."
"Paimon: What a big talk."
"Lumine: Paimon, don't underestimate Khaenri'ah's Five Sinners. Have you forgotten Albedo's mother?"
"Paimon: Ah, you mean Gold 【Rhinedottir】? Well, she's certainly not to be trifled with."
Qixuan chuckled, then put the Narwhal away.
"Qixuan: Since he wants to destroy the entire Teyvat, then let him come back when he's ready."
Skirk knew she couldn't beat the Damselette in front of her. No, it was more like a complete crush. Compared to her master…
"Skirk: I understand."
Then Skirk wanted to leave.
"Lumine: Wait a moment."
"Skirk: Is there anything else?"
"Lumine: Do you know Childe? Tartaglia?"
"Skirk: Are you talking about Ajax? He is my disciple."
"Lumine: (As expected), he has been looking for you recently. If possible, he wants to meet you."
"Skirk: I understand. When he is strong enough, I will go see him."
Then Skirk opened an Abyss rift and left.
"Paimon: What's with her, completely expressionless, so cold and distant. Hmph, I'm going to give her an ugly nickname. Hmm… let's call her 【Frozen Violet Melon of Snow Mountain】!"
"Qixuan: Be careful, she might come and freeze you into a Frozen Violet Melon of Snow Mountain."
"Paimon: Hehe…"
"Qixuan: Alright, alright, things here are settled. We should go back."
"Lumine: Okay."
Qixuan opened a spatial rift and took Lumine and Paimon back to Fontaine. As soon as they stepped out, they found themselves surrounded by the people of Fontaine.
Some were giving gifts, some were thanking them, and some were so excited they fainted.
"Paimon: Wh-wh-what's going on?"
"Lumine: I don't know either."
"Qixuan: Is this some kind of welcoming ceremony?"
"Silence!"
A serious voice came from afar.
"Paimon: Eh? It's Neuvillette!"
"Lumine: And Furina and…"
"Qixuan: Our God of Hydro."
Focalors walked over, holding Furina's hand.
"Focalors: Thank you for your contributions to Fontaine. It seems the people are very enthusiastic."
"Furina: *cough cough*, I'll reluctantly forgive your previous impoliteness."
"Paimon: It's just that Furina herself is more embarrassed, isn't it?"
"Furina: Paimon! Ah!!! You stop right there!"
"Paimon: Ah!!! Lumine, Qixuan-jie, help!"
Furina chased Paimon, eventually ending when Furina got tired.
"Lumine: You two…"
"Focalors: Haha, this is Furina."
"Neuvillette: Everyone can take a rest first. Lady Furina has specially ordered a banquet, which you can attend later."
"Paimon: Yay! A big meal!"
"Furina: Hmph hmph, heroes who saved Fontaine, let me, the great star of Fontaine, treat you well."
"Don't thank me, though."
Meanwhile, Paimon was pulling Lumine aside, discussing what to eat.
"Furina: Hey! Are you listening to me?!"
"Focalors: Haha, alright, alright, Furina, we…"
Just then, The Knave walked over with a group of Fatui.
Furina said to Focalors: "It's her. I can't stand that woman's gaze anymore, it's terrifying (whispering)."
Then Furina took Lumine and the others and left.
"Neuvillette: Then I will go handle official business first, God of Hydro."
"Focalors: Mm."
Neuvillette also left, leaving only Focalors and The Knave on the scene. As for the people from before? They had long since disappeared.
"Focalors: How about? We talk somewhere else?"
"Arlecchino: That's what I was thinking."
………
Inside Hotel Debord…
Paimon was already drooling at the table full of delicacies.
"Lumine: Paimon… your drool is about to drip onto the food!"
Paimon quickly pulled herself together.
"Qixuan: Hmm, as expected of Fontaine's largest and best restaurant."
Furina's smile deepened when she heard Qixuan's praise.
"Furina: *cough cough*, um, waiter."
The nearby waiter immediately trotted over.
"Xiaolin: Lady Furina, how may I help you?"
"Furina: Tell Escofier to bring out a 【Debord Grand Cake】."
"Xiaolin: Yes, Lady Furina."
A short while later, the waiter pushed a trolley and brought the 【Debord Grand Cake】 to the table.
"Paimon: Wow, what a big cake."
"Furina: This is Hotel Debord's signature cake. Don't just stand there, try it quickly."
Lumine took a small bite, indicating that the flavor was rich, not too sweet or greasy. Paimon just kept saying it was delicious, then buried her head in the cake again.
"Qixuan: Hmm… it's really delicious. The person who made this cake must be a very skilled chef."
"Furina: Indeed, Escofier is Hotel Debord's genius chef. No one has ever said her food wasn't delicious."
"Qixuan: Then I'll have to eat more."
"Furina: Don't worry, there's plenty to go around."
"As for the bill, just get Neuvillette to reimburse it. Oh, by the way, do you want to stay in Fontaine for a few more days?"
"Lumine: Hmm…"
"Qixuan: Okay, then thank you very much."
"Lumine: That's fine too."
On the other side…
"Focalors: Is that all?"
"Arlecchino: This is all the Fatui, and Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, can give to Fontaine."
To be honest, when The Knave learned of the God of Hydro's plan, she was quite shocked. To gamble with her own life, betting that the Heavenly Principles wouldn't awaken, that Neuvillette would absolve all the sins of the people of Fontaine, and that Furina could endure for so long. But in the end, it all concluded with the arrival of that Traveler and that powerful white-haired Damselette.
"Focalors: Oh, I was just joking. I've seen everything the Fatui under your leadership have done in Fontaine, helping the wandering children of Fontaine, establishing friendly relations. So, I agree. I hope your Tsaritsa's plan succeeds."
"Arlecchino: Thank you very much. I also hope that Fontaine and Snezhnaya can remain on good terms."
…………