Under the starry sky, Wangshu Inn stood quietly, built against a massive stone pillar. As the central landmark of Dihua Marsh, it was a place of extraordinary grandeur and beauty.
Standing atop the inn, one could easily take in the entirety of Guili Plains up close, while in the distance, one could see the Guyun Stone Forest, where Rex Lapis had once sealed away demons with his spear, and the horizon where the sea met the sky.
"Traveler, we've finally arrived!" Paimon exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she looked at the inn now in sight. "Do you know how hard this journey has been for me?"
"I can see that. Let's not chat here. Let's hurry inside and get a room to rest," Lumine said, also looking somewhat drained. This was the "short distance" Albedo had mentioned? It felt anything but short!
The two took the inn's "fully automatic elevator" to the upper floors. After stepping out, Lumine quickly walked to the front desk, where the innkeeper was sound asleep. She knocked firmly on the counter.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Ghost! Ghost!!"
The sudden noise startled the innkeeper awake, causing him to jump out of his chair and dive under the counter, trembling with his hands over his head.
"Hello, we'd like to check in. Please get us a room. And, we're not ghosts," Lumine said expressionlessly. While the innkeeper's reaction was due to her actions, for some reason, she didn't feel like apologizing.
Ugh, is this jealousy at work? I've been traveling day and night, while he's been sleeping soundly. It has nothing to do with me, but I can't help feeling annoyed.
The trembling innkeeper peeked out from under the counter after hearing Lumine's voice. When he saw a blonde girl and an unknown flying creature, he sighed in relief and stood up, looking somewhat aggrieved.
"Dear guests, could you not scare people in the middle of the night? You could give someone a heart attack."
"Right, I'll be more careful next time. Please get us a room first," Lumine continued.
"Alright, come this way to check in. And, I'm not the owner of Wangshu Inn, just a humble manager. My name is Huai'an," the middle-aged man explained to the two travelers.
"Huh? The manager and the owner are different?" Paimon, temporarily shaking off her drowsiness, became curious again.
"Have you ever seen an owner staying up late to greet guests instead of resting?"
"Uh... right, hehe," Paimon scratched her head sheepishly. She hadn't thought of that. "So, who's the owner here?"
"Our owner is Verr Goldet. You'll meet her if fate allows. Here, this is the key to Room D-2. Take good care of it," Huai'an said, handing Lumine a bronze key after registering their information.
After getting the key, Paimon didn't ask any more questions. All she wanted now was to lie down on a soft bed and sleep.
Once the two returned to their room, Huai'an looked at the night outside, estimated the time, and then slumped back onto the counter.
However... perhaps due to the adrenaline from the scare, he found himself unable to fall back asleep.
"I can't sleep at all!"
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon were different. After a quick wash, they both collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the land and dispelling the night's silence. Sparrows chirped happily, calling their friends to play.
"Mmm..." Lumine's eyebrows twitched as she slowly opened her beautiful phoenix eyes.
She sat up, stretched, and glanced at Paimon, who was still drooling and dreaming beside her. Shaking her head with a smile, Lumine got up, quietly closed the door, and headed to the inn's rooftop.
Leaning on the rooftop railing, Lumine gazed into the distance, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Liyue. She felt entranced, completely immersed in the beauty before her.
"Mortals often see only what they wish to see."
Just as Lumine was lost in her thoughts, a cold voice pulled her back to reality.
"Who's there?" Lumine turned around to see a young boy standing less than five steps away.
The boy had teal hair, a handsome face, a lean yet muscular build, and a cold yet gentle demeanor...
He was a strikingly handsome young man, though his height was... somewhat petite?
"Who are you?" Lumine asked, her initial wariness mostly gone. After all, humans are visual creatures.
The boy didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "What is your relationship with that person?"