The evening in Mondstadt was surprisingly beautiful.
Su Mo stared up at the towering Anemo Archon statue and couldn't help feeling a rare trace of sentiment.
After following Lisa's guidance and moving into the Knights' guest accommodations, he cleaned up a bit, then wandered alone to the plaza before the statue.
The square was lively as always—
Devout citizens praying, a nun passionately recounting Barbatos' old legends, a certain green bard performing for spare mora, and a golden-haired traveler with her… pet… watching from the crowd.
What a bizarre scene…
The nun praised the Archon's miracles with reverence, while the Archon himself was literally right beside her, busking for tips.
Su Mo almost laughed out loud.
"Ah! It's Miss Rita!"
Paimon spotted him almost immediately.
Well… guess I should go say hello.
Su Mo waved lightly and approached.
"I remember your name is… Lumine, right? And that little… pet…"
"Not a pet! Paimon is Paimon! The traveler's partner!"
Paimon puffed up angrily.
"Don't listen to her, Miss Rita. She's just emergency food."
Lumine said it with a straight face, and Su Mo nearly broke character.
For some reason, Lumine seemed oddly stiff around Rita—
To her, Rita was the very picture of mature grace and elegance, while she herself was… a feral gremlin who lived by looting treasure chests.
It was a painful comparison.
"No need for honorifics. Just call me Rita."
Su Mo smiled, then glanced at Venti in the distance.
"So you're all here to listen to his songs? I'm surprised. I had no idea Lord Venti was such an excellent poet."
"Mm-hm. We had nothing to do while waiting, so we came to listen."
Just as the atmosphere became pleasantly relaxed—
Guuuuuu~
Guuuuuu~
Paimon froze, cheeks reddening.
"I… I think I'm hungry…"
Normally, she would've dragged Lumine to dinner already, but with elegant, pristine Rita standing right there, she looked mortified.
"We literally just ate not long ago. How are you hungry again?"
Lumine looked helpless.
Paimon's appetite was a mystery even archons couldn't solve. The amount of mora she devoured daily was criminal.
"Being hungry and eating is perfectly normal. Actually, I haven't eaten yet either.
How about I treat you both to dinner?"
Su Mo decided.
Paimon's eyes sparkled instantly.
"R-Really, Miss Rita?!"
"Don't spoil her, Rita. She may look tiny, but she eats like a ruin guard."
Lumine warned seriously.
"Don't mind it. Eating plenty is good for health. And again—just call me Rita."
"Yay!! Miss Rita is so beautiful and kind!!"
Paimon cheered.
Lumine: "…"
"As thanks, you two could—"
Paimon's instincts activated.
"Ah, here it comes… the task before the reward. Knew it—must be a pre-meal exercise…"
But—
"Recommend some good restaurants here. That's all."
Rita said gently.
Paimon blanked out.
"…Eh?"
"Well? Anything delicious will do."
"…No mission? No monster hunting? No secret ingredient collection?"
"None."
"…Is there a spending limit?"
"No."
"…Miss Rita, I love you."
Paimon declared sincerely.
Lumine sighed.
This floating emergency food was hopeless.
"Then follow me, Miss Rita! I'll show you the best places!"
"Very well."
Rita nodded elegantly.
Again, Lumine could only sigh… and follow.
—
Hunting for Dinner – The Deer Hunter
"Here are your Honey-Glazed Charred Ribs. Please enjoy!"
"Thank you."
Rita accepted her plate. Paimon immediately began devouring hers.
"Delicious!!"
Paimon stuffed her cheeks like a hamster, making Lumine want to hide under the table.
"If it's good, you can order another."
Rita said with gentle seriousness.
Lumine, watching Rita eat in refined, delicate bites, felt a small pang of envy.
Elegant. Graceful. A real lady.
She could not compete.
Just then—
"You must be a famous traveler and honorary knight, correct? I have a commission. Reward guaranteed—and I can pay an advance of 100,000 mora."
A plain-looking man stepped toward their table.
Deleted.
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