As Paimon floated closer, she called out, "Hey, hello! We're..."
Lumine swiftly grabbed Paimon's tiny foot and pulled her back.
Paimon looked at Lumine, confused by her actions.
Lumine shook her head slightly, signaling Paimon to remain silent. Paimon nodded and retreated behind Lumine.
The figure was cloaked entirely in black, as if deliberately concealing secrets. Her sudden appearance here, drenched and seemingly fresh from the water, only deepened the unease.
Everything about her felt wrong. Caution was warranted.
Lumine approached, stopping a few steps away from Rola. "Hello. We're travelers. What are you doing here?"
Rola's wide black robe concealed the upper half of her face, making it impossible for Lumine to see her features clearly from that angle.
Rola remained silent. Her voice was hoarse, and speaking would immediately reveal her identity to Lumine.
To avoid being recognized, she sat up, turning her back to Lumine.
"Hey, hello. Is there anything I can help you with?" Lumine asked, though her hand was already slowly gathering energy.
Realizing she couldn't avoid confrontation, Rola decided to accelerate her plan. She grabbed a handful of sand and flung it violently at Lumine's face.
A seasoned warrior with countless battles under her belt, Lumine immediately closed her eyes and turned her head. Seizing the opportunity, Rola sprinted away.
Regaining her senses, Lumine immediately gave chase. She now believed the fleeing figure was the one who had stolen Rola's corpse. I can't let them get away!
"Stop! Don't run!" Lumine shouted.
Paimon followed closely behind.
As she ran, Rola muttered to herself, "Why do they always yell 'Don't run' when chasing someone? If I stopped, they'd catch me!"
Her legs moved with incredible speed, quickly putting distance between herself and Lumine.
Seeing this, Lumine accelerated again, clinging to Rola's heels.
After finally tracking down this utterly depraved creature, how could I let her escape?!
If she gets away, I'll slap myself twice!
"You bastard! Stop! Return Rola's remains!"
While Lumine chased Rola through the Stormbearer Mountains, Venti remained beneath the Celestial Nail on Dragonspine.
Suddenly sensing the commotion in the Stormbearer Mountains, Venti immediately flew toward the disturbance.
Diluc, meanwhile, was scouring Mondstadt's western outskirts for suspicious clues. Venti conveniently picked him up en route to the Stormbearer Mountains.
As Diluc frantically searched for Rola's remains, a sudden gust of wind lifted him into the air. He immediately struggled against the force.
"Stop resisting! I've found the corpse thief. Come with me!" Venti's voice echoed in Diluc's ear, and the latter instantly calmed down, ceasing his resistance.
Eula, Amber, and Rosaria had also arrived at the scene, having followed their own trail.
Though a large investigation team had been dispatched, they had split up to cover more ground. These three were the fastest and had broken away from the main group.
Amber perched atop a towering tree, scanning the distant plains.
Suddenly, she spotted two figures chasing each other across the plains.
Amber, an Outrider with exceptional vision, quickly recognized Lumine by her distinctive hair and clothing.
"Eula, Rosaria! The Traveler is chasing someone in a black robe across the plains ahead! They're both moving incredibly fast!"
Eula: "A black-robed figure?!"
Rosaria, her mind racing, immediately gave chase. "Hurry! We need to intercept that person!"
Amber: "Head right and forward!"
Amber spread her Wind Glider and swooped down from the tree, keeping pace with Eula and Rosaria.
On the distant plains, Rola saw the familiar figures blocking her path and was filled with deep confusion.
She had carefully chosen her escape route, and encountering the Traveler and Paimon had already been bad enough. Now she was running into Eula and the others?!
Could this be any more coincidental?!
Rola abruptly changed direction, pushing her speed even further.
Lumine, trailing behind and panting heavily, spotted Amber's group and her heart leaped with relief. She immediately shouted to them:
"Intercept that person! She's likely the one who stole Rola's body!"
Hearing this, Amber and the others glared at the black-robed figure, their eyes burning with fury.
They had all unleashed their full potential, steadily closing the distance to Rola.
Suddenly, Rola felt an overwhelming sense of impending doom. This time, it wasn't a vague premonition but a clear and unmistakable certainty.
Venti had arrived. Though she couldn't pinpoint his exact location, his presence had locked onto her.
Rola didn't bother running anymore; there was no point. She simply stood her ground, waiting for Lumine and the others to surround her.
As Rola stopped, Lumine, Amber, Eula, and Rosaria swiftly closed in, forming a tight circle around her.
Paimon flew to Lumine's side, glaring angrily at Rola.
"Hand over Rola's remains!" Amber drew her bowstring taut, aiming at Rola. Her expression was icy, as if she would mercilessly pierce her with an arrow at the slightest provocation.
[Finally caught up! This must be the black-robed figure from the poster. I knew she was trouble!]
[Amber's so badass! This is exactly how you deal with such a disgusting person!]
[Come on, let Lumine cut her down!]
[Wearing a black robe and acting all mysterious—she definitely doesn't look like a good person!]
Rola remained silent, silently drawing a long spear.
She was Rola now. When creating the puppet, she had deliberately carved the scar on its chest to maintain some semblance of authenticity. Even the clothes she wore beneath the robe were identical to those Rola had worn when she fell in battle.
Seeing Rola brandish her weapon, Amber immediately fired an arrow at her.
Rola deflected the arrow with her spear, then clashed with Lumine, Eula, and Rosaria, who had charged forward.
Eula's Claymore swung down toward Rola's head. Rola raised her spear to block the blow, staggering back several steps.
Lumine thrust Unrelenting Will at Rola from behind. Rola narrowly dodged, the sword slicing through her black robe and tearing a gash.
Seizing the opportunity, Amber fired another arrow. Rola, caught off guard, was struck in the right forearm.
Though it didn't hurt, Rola still groaned and cried out in pain.
Venti and Diluc arrived at that moment. Seeing the scene before him and recalling Venti's earlier words, Diluc immediately drew Wolf's Gravestone and joined the battle without hesitation.
Observing Rola's continued suppression, Venti decided not to intervene.
Let them handle what they can handle.
At such close range, with the black robe torn, Venti sensed the Abyss aura emanating from Rola—the same aura he had felt at Rola's Grave.
The black-robed figure before them had indeed stolen Rola's remains.
Venti couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized this figure. Was it just his imagination?