Chapter 65 – Lumine's Wish

But before Lumine could say anything more.

A loud thud sounded from behind, and the surroundings instantly fell silent.

Feng Yan, standing above, saw that the crowd below had mostly gathered, then struck the floor with his spear.

“By the decree of the Liyue Qixing!”

“Let it be known to all! Though dragons soar and scales fly, their lifespans rival mountains, they too shall return to dust.”

“The Adeptus Lord faced his Tribulation, ordained by the sun and moon! Yet as weather shifts, so did thunder strike.”

“Rumors spread through streets and harbor, whispers abound, claiming the Lord was assassinated—this is not the truth!”

“The Adeptus Lord encountered a thunderous Tribulation, his spirit returned to the heavens. Thus, Liyue is hereby informed, and the people are urged to mourn with restraint, lest their hearts be wounded!”

“Furthermore, cease lending ear to baseless rumors and wild conjecture!”

After Feng Yan finished reciting, he struck the floor once more, looked down at the citizens below, and took a deep breath.

“The Adeptus Lord descended in divine form before the harbor, subduing the Demon God!”

“And prior to this, he was in deep slumber! Thus expending great Divine Power!”

“He conveyed the Divine Oracle to the Qixing, then fell into prolonged sleep! Hence, the Adeptus Lord slumbers long!”

“Do not heed the rumors—the Adeptus Lord has not fully recovered!”

“Liyue is hereby informed, and the people are urged not to panic. Heed the Qixing, heed the Divine Oracle of the Adeptus Lord!”

The Millelith, looking down at the citizens of Liyue, loudly proclaimed this before marching toward the streets of Liyue Harbor.

“Hmph, failing the Tribulation—what an excuse they’ve come up with.”

Zhongli remarked somewhat awkwardly.

“In that case, let us head to Yujing Terrace first.”

Qiu Xue said to Zhongli beside her.

“Mm, let’s go.”

Zhongli nodded, and the two made their way toward Yujing Terrace.

Not far away, Lumine and Paimon also stood there, having listened to the Qixing’s proclamation.

“Ugh… Traveler, can you help translate for me?”

“What did the Qixing proclamation say?”

Paimon held her head, unable to understand, then looked at Lumine beside her and asked.

“They said Rex Lapis did not die from an assassination.”

“He perished due to a heavenly Tribulation.”

Lumine looked at Paimon beside her and explained slowly.

“The Adeptus Lord has not fully recovered.”

“Rather, after conveying the Divine Oracle to the Qixing, he fell back into slumber.”

Lumine placed a hand over her chest, explaining to the bewildered Paimon.

“Sigh… the Qixing’s explanation has turned into this…”

“Something’s off. Why would they give up investigating the culprit so quickly? And this reason feels like it was made up on the spot.”

Paimon said in surprise, then thoughtfully stroked her chin, puzzled.

“Could it be that the Qixing already know Rex Lapis isn’t dead? They know about the Adeptus Lord, but Zhongli clearly said neither the Qixing nor the Adepti know.”

“Hmm… did Zhongli secretly tell them after completing the Gnosis transaction?”

Paimon held her chin, calmly analyzing.

“Hmm… that makes sense.”

“This time, I think Paimon’s guess is quite accurate.”

Lumine looked at the serious Paimon and smiled.

“What do you mean ‘this time’!”

“Paimon’s guesses are always accurate!”

Paimon stomped her foot in annoyance.

“But the Rite of Parting seems to have started a while ago.”

“Let’s hurry over and take a look, or it’ll be over soon.”

Paimon looked at the Traveler and reminded them.

Lumine nodded, then took Paimon and hurried toward Yujing Terrace, the site of the Rite of Parting.

Upon arriving at Yujing Terrace, a crowd had gathered around, with Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu standing at the center.

Among the surrounding crowd were some familiar faces to Lumine and Paimon: Madame Ping, Lumine’er, Stone, as well as Qiu Xue and Zhongli.

Paimon waved toward Qiu Xue and Zhongli’s direction, and then Lumine and Paimon walked over to them.

“Qiu Xue, Zhongli!”

“Are we late?”

Lumine asked, looking at the two.

“Hmm… not early, but not late either.”

Qiu Xue pressed a finger to her red lips as she spoke to Lumine and Paimon.

Then, the four of them turned their gaze toward Ningguang and the other two in the center of Yujing Terrace.

“Ah, it’s Ningguang and Keqing. What are they saying? Is it almost over?”

Paimon and Lumine curiously looked toward Ningguang and the others standing at the center of Yujing Terrace.

“As mentioned earlier, Rex Lapis has returned his soul to the heavens, while the Adeptus Lord, having subdued the Demon God and expended a great deal of Adeptal Energy, has fallen into a long slumber.”

“This marks the end of a Contract and the conclusion of an era.”

Ningguang, standing in the center, placed a hand over her chest as she slowly addressed the surrounding citizens.

“Three thousand seven hundred years of incense, burning away until only ashes remain.”

Stone waved his hand somewhat wistfully, his tone tinged with sorrow.

Lumine’er’s gaze turned toward the Traveler and Qiu Xue.

“The people of Liyue were once fortunate.”

“In their fortunate days, they forgot the harshness of time.”

Ningguang stood at the center, speaking slowly to those around her, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

“The long dream of a land with gods, endless and timeless…”

Lumine’er placed a hand over her chest, her words filled with sorrow as she looked toward Ningguang in the center.

Madame Ping, standing beside Lumine’er, sighed upon hearing this.

“After awakening from the dream, people learn to bid farewell.”

“After the Contract is reestablished, will you… go on to bless the next era?”

Ningguang’s gaze swept over the grieving crowd as she spoke firmly, her words carrying the promise that Liyue would grow even more prosperous in the future.

“Then, the Tianquan’s address concludes here.”

“Does the Yuheng have anything she wishes to add?”

Ganyu looked toward Keqing beside her and spoke slowly.

Keqing’s gaze seemed to be searching for something before settling on the direction of Qiu Xue and the others.

“She seems to be looking our way.”

Paimon patted Lumine as she spoke.

Keqing stepped forward and approached.

“Traveler.”

Keqing looked at the group, addressing Lumine slowly.

“Wow, she really is looking our way!”

Paimon exclaimed in surprise, covering her mouth.

“Is that the traveler rumored to have helped Liyue repel the Ancient God?”

“So young…”

The surrounding citizens looked toward Lumine standing before Keqing, murmuring among themselves.

“The Liyue Qixing always repay their debts, and you must have heard that our reach is vast and our capabilities limitless.”

“State the reward you desire, for it is what you rightfully deserve.”

Keqing looked at Lumine, one hand over her chest, speaking sincerely.

“Wow…”

Paimon, standing beside Lumine, stomped her feet excitedly upon hearing the word “reward.”

Lumine glanced around, and Lumine’er and Qiu Xue smiled and nodded at her.

“Then, help me put up a few missing person posters.”

Lumine turned back, looking at Keqing as she spoke slowly.

“Alright, I’ll have the Millelith post them all around Liyue Harbor and its surrounding areas.”

“When the time comes, tell me the characteristics and appearance of the person you’re looking for, and I’ll give the orders.”

Keqing nodded, somewhat surprised that Lumine’s wish was so simple.