Lumine's return to Inazuma marked the beginning of another quest series after the Lantern Rite.
For Chen Xiyao, who had just celebrated the New Year, the festive atmosphere had somewhat dissipated the grief over Qingge's death.
Viewers in the live stream were discussing recent incidents targeting Mihoyo:
[I heard some guy actually went to Mihoyo's office in real life, but the employees weren't there.]
[Wasn't that the guy who threatened to bring a Molotov cocktail last time?]
[Ha! I heard he got arrested for arson. We were just joking, but this guy actually had the guts to do it!]
[If you're going to bomb anyone, target the scriptwriters, not the innocent employees!]
[Why is this quest taking us back to Inazuma again?]
[Sigh, with both of her friends gone, she probably wants to go to Inazuma to eat some good food and cheer herself up.]
[It's my little darling Yuna!]
[Let's hope Yuna isn't one of those Pure Soul people!]
Chen Xiyao played the game while reading the live stream comments.
When she saw Yuna's Raiden Shogun-themed mini-cakes, Chen Xiyao's eyes lit up, just like Kujou Sara's.
"So cute... I want it..."
She then controlled the Traveler to help Yuna deliver the cakes before rushing off to the feast at the tenshukaku.
-
[No way, is Yuna really a Pure Soul?]
[We're doomed! They've set their sights on my adorable Yuna!]
[Ei's presence should keep her safe, right?]
[But the Old Man is in Liyue too, and the Abyss still got to Qingge!]
"What?!"
Paimon tossed aside the snacks she was holding. "Yuna, your birthday is on November 11th too?!"
Yuna rubbed her head. "Maybe it's just a coincidence. I can't be that unlucky..."
"Don't get your hopes up!" Paimon warned. "You absolutely can't get into any more trouble! If anything happens to you, Paimon... Paimon won't have any good friends left, wahhh..."
Of the three best friends Paimon had made since meeting Lumine—her top three on the "good person" list—two were already gone. If anything happened to Yuna, Paimon would completely lose it.
Lumine stared at Yuna with worry, comparing all the similarities between Yuna, Rola, and Qingge. The horrifying realization struck her: Yuna was very likely a Pure Soul, the Abyss's next target!
"Yuna, how old are you now?!"
"Just turned eighteen."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged panicked glances, both seeing the same shock and dread in each other's eyes.
"Ei, Yae Miko," Lumine said urgently. "I'm eighty percent certain Yuna is the Abyss's next target!"
Personality: check. Age: check. Even the birthdate matched. And she's a Hydro Vision holder? What are the odds of such a coincidence?
Damn the Abyss! Every single Abyss Monster should burn in hell!
The thought of the Abyss targeting Yuna nearly shattered Lumine's composure.
Yae Miko's expression turned uncharacteristically serious. "Yuna, from today onward, you must not leave Narukami Island."
Ei: "Just stay by my side. I'll protect you."
Yae Miko rolled her eyes at Ei. You just want little Yuna to cook you more delicious meals, don't you?
Yae Miko: "Sticking with Ei would indeed ensure your safety."
Yuna lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.
Yae Miko's proposal was the safest option, but utterly impractical. Yuna had her own life and couldn't possibly follow Ei around all the time.
Besides, it wasn't even confirmed that she possessed the Pure Soul. While Lumine was eighty percent certain, there remained a twenty percent chance she was wrong.
Seeing Yuna's conflicted expression, Yae Miko understood. She turned to Ei.
"Ei, you must have some kind of life-saving Treasure, right? Something that activates automatically and alerts you when triggered."
Ei: "...I don't have one."
In battle, Ei primarily focused on offense over defense, so she didn't possess such items.
Yae Miko sighed softly and retrieved an amulet from behind her back. "Here, little one," she said, handing it to Yuna. "This can save your life in a pinch."
Yuna accepted the amulet without hesitation, carefully tucking it away.
Ei: "Give me some time, and I'll make one for you."
Yuna: "Thank you, Ei-nee."
Lumine placed a hand on Yuna's shoulder, and Yuna forced a weak smile. "Lumine, could you do me a favor? Please don't tell Boss and Second Sister about this. It won't do them any good to know—it would just add another person to worry."
Lumine hesitated. She believed that if Itto and Kuki Shinobu knew about the Abyss, they would have a much harder time succeeding.
But seeing Yuna's pleading eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"Alright, I promise. But you absolutely must protect yourself. Don't leave Narukami Island, and keep the Mystic Treasures from Yae Miko and Ei with you at all times."
Throughout the rest of the meal, Yuna remained preoccupied.
Though she claimed to be unconcerned about being targeted by the Abyss, she couldn't completely shake off the unease.
"Don't worry, Yuna! Paimon will protect you!"
Paimon floated up to Yuna, brandishing her tiny fist.
Yuna opened her right hand, enclosing Paimon's small fist, then pulled the little one close for a hug.
What could such an adorable little Paimon possibly protect?
Unless... Paimon, are you really the Sustainer of the Heavenly Principles, as some fans speculate? Or perhaps the Goddess of the void? Or... the true Heavenly Principles themselves?
"It's okay, Paimon," Yuna reassured her. "I'll just stay on Narukami Island. With Lady Ei and Lady Guuji here, even if the Abyss attacks, I'll be safe. Don't worry!"
Paimon tried to pat Yuna on the back, but her tiny arms only reached her neck. Instead, she patted Yuna's nape.
[Yuna, don't be scared! This time we know the Abyss's plan in advance. We'll definitely protect you!]
[The previous two attacks were ambushes. Now that we know their target, it shouldn't be so difficult.]
[Hugs for my Yuna-chan!]
[Don't worry! Mihoyo has already been 'reformed' in the real world. They wouldn't dare hurt you again!]
After Yuna and Lumine left, Yae Miko retracted the Grand Narukami Shrine's kitchen once more.
"Ei, what are your plans regarding the Abyss the Traveler mentioned?"
Ei: "Only one blade can defend Inazuma."
Yae Miko sighed, resting her forehead against her palm. Ei can be so stubborn sometimes, she thought, but if she weren't, she wouldn't be Ei.
"Neither the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt nor the Geo Archon of Liyue kept a close eye on their little ones," Yae Miko said. "We must watch over Yuna closely."
Electro sparks flashed in Ei's eyes, and thunderclouds seemed to gather above the tenshukaku.
Though her expression remained calm, her heart churned with unease.
Over centuries, she had come to understand the formidable power of human desires. After finally compromising and finding something she cherished, she would allow no one to take it away!
She would never allow the tragedy of centuries past to repeat itself.