As time passed, the moment for the mingxiao lantern to be lit finally arrived. The gathered citizens nearby were already eager to see this masterpiece, prepared for several days.
The device holding the mingxiao lantern moved, like the switch of a gear, and the mingxiao lantern, which was originally just a model, began to transform.
Under everyone's gaze, the mingxiao lantern began to glow, as if transforming from an inanimate object into a living one. That mingxiao lantern, modeled after Exquisite Heavenly Luminary, actually... actually moved.
It moved its body vividly, and even the movement of its tail was so natural, as if Exquisite Heavenly Luminary had come back to life.
It left its original position and walked freely in the sky.
If it was just flying upwards, that would be nothing, but it actually moved effortlessly throughout Liyue Harbor. As it flew over Liyue Harbor, one lanterns after another lit up below.
One lanterns after another completely illuminated the originally dark Liyue Harbor. The lanternss slowly flew into the sky, and the brilliant points of light made Durandal widen her eyes involuntarily.
"So beautiful..." Durandal couldn't help but exclaim.
She had originally thought that no matter how spectacular the final program was, she wouldn't have much of a reaction. It seemed she had miscalculated.
Although she didn't participate in the creation of the mingxiao lantern, how did ordinary humans accomplish such a work?
Not only Durandal, but everyone else had the same reaction, even Xiao, who usually described the act of releasing lanternss as throwing large amounts of harmful substances into the sea, reacted similarly.
Usually unsmiling, he couldn't help but show a slight smile on his face as he saw the lanternss filling the sky.
Countless lanternss drifted into the distance with the wind, carrying many messages. There were simple blessings, longing for relatives or loved ones far away in foreign lands, and of course... words that people usually dared not speak were also written on them.
They carried people's thoughts and drifted into the distance. Everyone stared blankly at this scene, unsure if their thoughts could be conveyed.
At this moment, the mingxiao lantern, which had been flying in the sky, arrived above the harbor. Under everyone's gaze, it continuously ascended until it reached its highest point, and then the mingxiao lantern "Bloomed."
Fireworks? The mingxiao lanterns were like fireworks that [exploded], and the huge and beautiful fireworks completely enveloped Liyue Harbor.
At this moment, the residents of Liyue Harbor, who had been watching, shouted in unison.
"Happy Lantern Rite Festival!"
Durandal and the others, who had been staying on the viewing platform watching everything, smiled at each other upon hearing the voices of the Liyue Harbor residents.
Venti said first: "Happy Lantern Rite Festival, everyone. Next year's Lantern Rite Festival, let us gather here again, how about it?"
Lumine: "Happy Lantern Rite Festival, I believe next year's Lantern Rite Festival will also be wonderful. No matter which country I am in at that time, I will come back."
Shenhe nodded: "Happy Lantern Rite Festival."
Paimon: "Happy Lantern Rite Festival."
Xiao: "...Happy Lantern Rite Festival."
Everyone expressed their blessings, only Durandal stared blankly at the sky, where the mingxiao lanterns were in Bloom.
Under the gaze of everyone, Durandal finally spoke: "Exquisite Heavenly Luminary... exploded."
Huh? The crowd, who were originally smiling, were full of question marks. That was a mingxiao lantern, just a product based on Exquisite Heavenly Luminary. Exquisite Heavenly Luminary Main Body had already sacrificed itself during the Archon War. What nonsense was she talking about at this time.
Lumine couldn't help but laugh after realizing what Durandal meant.
That's right, although the fireworks just now were beautiful, in a sense, Exquisite Heavenly Luminary did explode, and it exploded beautifully.
"I didn't expect Durandal to joke sometimes. This kind of Durandal is also very cute."
Lumine couldn't help but pounce on Durandal, excitedly rubbing her face against Durandal's cheeks.
During this period, Durandal had been occupied by Venti and Shenhe. She usually had many things to do, so she didn't have time to get close to Durandal.
Now, she would just collect a little interest. Speaking of which, Durandal's face is really tender. She really wanted to peck it.
Durandal pulled Lumine off her body with a slightly disgusted expression, pinched her little face, looked at her smiling face, shook her head, and touched her head.
"Silly, Happy Lantern Rite Festival."
-----
The next day, although the lively Lantern Rite Festival was over, it did not affect the lives of the residents of Liyue Harbor.
Inside the villa, in Durandal's room, Venti was standing with Durandal on the balcony, enjoying the sea breeze.
"Although Mondstadt can also feel the sea breeze, I always feel that the wind in Liyue Harbor is different from that in Mondstadt."
Venti stretched greatly. At this time, she had changed into her usual clothes and was preparing to leave Liyue and return to Mondstadt.
Before that, she had to say goodbye to Durandal. After this separation, it would probably take a few days or weeks before they met again.
ε = ( ' ο｀ * ) ) ) Alas~ Just thinking about not being able to see Durandal for so many days, Venti felt so reluctant and wanted to stay by her side.
Thinking of this, Venti couldn't help but hug Durandal, burying her head in Durandal's shoulder, acting like a Children.
"What's wrong?" Durandal touched her head and asked, "Suddenly acting like a Children and acting spoiled, what happened?"
"Sob sob sob~ I don't want to leave, I want to stay here with you, Durandal."
Clearly, she was already thousands of years old, but her skill in acting spoiled was so proficient. Why couldn't she learn from Zhongli? Look how reliable he usually is, but why did she change when it came to you?
"Because she is a girl, naturally she can't be compared to the old gentleman."
Venti stuck out her tongue. In fact, she could also turn into a boy like Zhongli. Her Main Body was an asexual wind spirit.
Her current appearance was transformed according to her friend. She was already used to her current identity, and if she turned into a boy, Durandal might dislike herself.
Even if she turned back into a girl later, she might still think of her boyish appearance when getting along, which would lead to alienation.
So, it was best for her to maintain her current appearance. Wasn't it good to be close to Durandal like this now?
"Remember to come back and see me from time to time, okay? Don't forget me because you have that Shenhe, you know?"
"? Didn't I already give you the necklace for communication? As long as you want, you can contact me through the necklace at any time."
"Aiya~ That's different. If we can meet, I still want to meet you more."
Although she could contact Durandal through the necklace, she preferred to meet Durandal. This way, she could touch her, be close to her, and kiss her.
The voice could only temporarily reassure herself and could not satisfy her. This situation could not be maintained for a long time.
"So many requests."
"There's no way~ She's just a girl with a lot of requests. What? Are you starting to hate her?"
"I started hating you a long time ago. Now get out of my room."
"Ah! Even if it's a joke, it's a bit too much."
Venti couldn't help but start fighting with Durandal. Although Durandal suppressed Venti most of the time, she didn't stop resisting and always wanted to turn over and be the master.
"ε = ( ' ο｀ * ) ) ) Alas~ Forget it, it seems that it is completely impossible to subdue you with strength."
Durandal gave up. She should honestly return to being her lazy Wind God. It was too difficult to suppress Durandal.
"Subdue? You originally had the idea of subduing me?"
"Of course, I've always been hit by you with Slime before, and occasionally I'm tied up by you. I was also hung on a tree before, so of course I wanted to fight back. It's just a pity that this idea seems unlikely to be realized."
She just wanted to gain a slight advantage when getting along with Durandal. It seemed that even such a simple wish was difficult to realize.
Durandal tilted her head and looked at Venti. She wasn't angry either. She could naturally see that this was just a joke from Venti. Even if she really succeeded in suppressing herself, she wouldn't do anything excessive.
No, she should still do something excessive. With her current appearance, she definitely wouldn't be able to resist, right?
"Want to try?" Durandal asked.
"Can I?"
Venti looked at Durandal excitedly. If she could, of course she wanted to try.
Under Venti's expectant gaze, Durandal responded with a heavy chop to her neck.
"Ouch!"
Venti let out a cute cry of pain. Why did this person suddenly hit someone, and it hurt so much.
Venti looked at Durandal pitifully. Facing her gaze, Durandal reached out and gently rubbed her a few times.
"Don't even think about it. No matter what happens, don't even think about making me submit to you, you idiot Venti."
"That's not true, I don't want to be suppressed by you. Moreover, it's not like I don't have a way to win against you. During this time, I have won a few times, haven't I?"
Venti grabbed Durandal's hand, just like that night when she couldn't break free no matter what.
Although she couldn't win against Durandal in some aspects, Durandal was no match for her in this regard.
Durandal was about to break free when Venti suddenly closed the distance, came in front of her, and looked at her with a smile.
Looking at such a familiar smile, Durandal immediately understood what she was thinking and twisted her body unnaturally.
"Let go of me."
"If you want to, you can break free from my hand with a little force."
Durandal snorted softly and was about to use force when Venti suddenly let go of her hand.
Before Durandal could figure out what she wanted to do, Venti wrapped her arms around her waist, and their distance was further shortened, almost touching each other.
"I'm leaving. Before I leave, aren't you going to do something with me?"
"Just leave if you want to. What else would I do with you?"
Durandal actually knew what Venti wanted to do, but she didn't want Venti to be too smug, so she didn't say it out loud.
Looking at Durandal like this, Venti smiled slightly: "What I want to do is this."
As she spoke, she closed her eyes and slowly approached Durandal.
Looking at Venti getting closer and closer, Durandal also slowly closed her eyes, waiting for what was about to happen next.
"I'm here! Durandal! Why haven't you come out of the room yet... Eh?"
Lumine, who hadn't waited for Durandal, rushed to Durandal's room, and when she saw the scene in front of her, her pupils gradually lost their luster.
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