Paimon said curiously,
"I'm really starting to wonder—just who is this big shot everyone's rushing to the harbor to welcome?"
"To have this kind of reputation, enough to make so many people personally run over to greet them… that's incredible."
After hearing this, Lumine nodded as well, a trace of doubt surfacing in her heart.
In Teyvat, where nations were relatively isolated and information didn't circulate all that freely, it was actually quite difficult for someone to gain overwhelming fame outside their own country.
Unless—
That person was a god.
After all, even if you had never been to Inazuma, you would still know that Inazuma had the Raiden Shogun.
But very quickly, Lumine thought of someone else.
Someone who wasn't a god…
yet stood far above gods.
If that person possessed this level of fame, then it would make perfect sense.
Soon after, Lumine and Paimon arrived at the familiar Liyue Harbor.
The docks were already crowded with curious onlookers. Among the crowd, Lumine even spotted two familiar figures—
Ningguang
and
Keqing.
Paimon gasped softly.
"Wow… whoever this is, they actually made two of the Liyue Qixing come personally to the harbor to receive them!"
Lumine smiled faintly.
"Maybe this 'big shot' is someone we already know."
"Look—there. The ship's arrived."
Out on the sea, a large vessel slowly came into view.
And standing on its deck was a young figure Lumine immediately recognized.
"So it really is him. Not surprising at all."
Seeing Idris standing at the bow, Lumine nodded calmly.
Paimon's eyes widened as well.
"So it is him! Wow, he came to Liyue pretty early, didn't he?"
The two watched as the ship gradually docked at the harbor.
Idris stepped down from the gangplank, his gaze sweeping across Liyue Harbor's architecture—both unfamiliar and deeply familiar at the same time.
Familiar, because he had seen it countless times in another life, in another world.
Unfamiliar, because this was the first time he had ever truly stood here.
Seeing the faint emotion on his face, Nahida, who stood behind him, tilted her head and smiled.
"What's wrong, Grand Sage? Are you thinking that becoming one of Liyue's Qixing might be better than being the Akademiya's Grand Sage?"
Idris shook his head.
"At this point, there's no comparison left to make."
"Bringing it up now is nothing more than nostalgia."
A year ago, if one had to choose between becoming the Akademiya's Grand Sage or one of the Liyue Qixing, over ninety percent of people would have chosen the latter without hesitation.
But now?
The situation was completely reversed.
The position of Grand Sage had become an undeniable seat of supreme authority—Idris held the nation's power firmly in his grasp, and Sumeru itself was thriving in peace and prosperity.
In some aspects, its current state even surpassed Liyue.
Of course, during the festival, Idris would still remain in Liyue Harbor.
As Idris stepped fully onto the docks, Ningguang approached with a graceful smile, extending her jade-white hand.
"Welcome to Liyue, Grand Sage Idris. We've been looking forward to your visit for quite some time."
"We've heard for a long while that you have a fondness for Liyue. Until now, we never had the opportunity to properly welcome you."
Idris nodded and shook her hand.
"It has been several months since we last met. Lady Ningguang seems even more radiant than before."
Ningguang chuckled softly.
"That's thanks to the youth-preserving pills you sent us."
"Our skin really has improved."
"But, Grand Sage… you did deceive us a little."
Idris raised an eyebrow with a smile.
"Oh? Then do tell—how exactly did I deceive you?"
Ningguang replied lightly,
"The Youth-Preserving Pills."
"You once said that, under normal circumstances, the students of the Alchemy Faction would be able to mass-produce them within a few months."
"And yet, according to my information, very few students can currently refine them successfully—let alone produce enough to sell."
Idris nodded, unable to refute that.
Indeed, the Alchemy Faction had been fully occupied producing Bloodline Pills, leaving little time to focus on cosmetics like the Youth-Preserving Pills.
Realistically, mass production would have to wait until next year.
Of course, Ningguang was only teasing—proof of the excellent relationship between the two nations.
Throughout their conversation, she maintained the handshake, clearly unhurried, allowing Idris to feel the softness of her palm.
There was no tension here—unlike the cautious wariness that had accompanied Inazuma's earlier diplomatic visit.
Liyue trusted Idris.
After all, the goodwill he had shown Liyue over time was undeniable.
Idris then turned to greet Keqing as well, exchanging a few casual words.
Only then did he notice that the usual secretary standing beside her was absent.
Keqing explained,
"Ganyu is extremely busy today."
"After finishing her work, she's heading to Jueyun Karst to visit her family."
Idris nodded, and Nahida did the same.
As Idris's own secretary, Nahida naturally admired Ganyu—the gold standard for secretarial excellence across Teyvat.
Ningguang suddenly smiled teasingly.
"Grand Sage, you shouldn't focus only on other girls."
"Lady Keqing has been preparing tirelessly ever since she heard you would attend this year's Lantern Rite."
"She's barely eaten or slept, all to make sure everything goes perfectly."
Keqing's face instantly flushed crimson.
"N-Ningguang! What nonsense are you saying?!"
"I'm just doing what's expected of me!"
"When we visited Sumeru months ago, Grand Sage Idris treated us with impeccable hospitality."
"It's only right that we return the courtesy!"
Ningguang couldn't refute that.
Indeed, Idris's previous diplomatic receptions had become a benchmark studied by other nations.
Liyue could hardly afford to fall short.
Idris smiled and shook Keqing's hand.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lady Keqing."
Keqing's hand grew warm, her face even redder, but she nodded firmly.
"I'm just fulfilling my duty."
"Someone has to work, after all—Ningguang's been busy rebuilding the Jade Chamber."
Ningguang could only sigh helplessly.
Because… that part was completely true.
As Idris mentioned the Jade Chamber, he smiled.
"So it seems the Jade Chamber will soon be rebuilt."
That meant this Lantern Rite was the second one after Rex Lapis's 'passing'—the beginning of a new era.
And, in Idris's eyes…
The most spectacular Lantern Rite of all.
From the crowd behind them, Lumine and Paimon peeked out quietly.
Paimon whispered,
"Traveler, should we go say hello too? Everyone seems to be chatting so happily."
Lumine considered it carefully—then shook her head.
"No need."
"If the Grand Sage wants to greet us, he will."
"We don't need to force our way into the spotlight."
She looked at Idris's figure among the crowd and smiled faintly.
"The protagonist who should be here…"
"…isn't me."
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