Durandal looked at Venti. Could it be that he gathered these people? To increase the success rate of persuasion, he called everyone who had a relationship with her.
Facing Durandal's gaze, Venti playfully stuck out his tongue and began to play his lyre, doing his job as a tool.
"We are here to bid farewell to the two heroes who saved Mondstadt. Farewell is for a better reunion next time. When you occasionally miss us, you are welcome to come back and visit. The gates of Mondstadt are always open for you, and its residents will always welcome you."
The Damselette who saved Mondstadt and the Dragon, the Damselette who saved countless people suffering from illness—their achievements were enough to call them heroes.
It was a pity that they both disliked lively farewell ceremonies, so in the end, only a few of them could see them off. This was probably a number Durandal could accept. If there were any more people, she would probably run back to Cape Oath before they could even speak.
"Farewell? I don't intend to leave. The one leaving this time is her, not me."
Durandal shook her head, wanting to indicate that she had no intention of leaving. She was also here to say goodbye this time, so why did it seem like she was also leaving?
Durandal wanted to pull away from Lumine, but she was still holding her hand tightly, not giving her a chance to leave.
"You... you let go quickly."
Durandal struggled to get Lumine to let go, but she had no intention of releasing her. After spending so much time together, she somewhat understood Durandal's personality.
She wouldn't hurt herself, and even if she struggled, she wouldn't use enough force to harm herself. But to break free from her hand, she would have to use strength that would hurt herself, so in the end, she couldn't break free.
Durandal was a little anxious. She really didn't want to hurt Lumine, but Lumine wouldn't let go. Was she supposed to just pack Lumine up and take her with her?
That didn't seem impossible either.
"You should go with Big Sister honorary knight, Big Sister Durandal."
"Klee? You..."
Durandal was somewhat disbelieving that Klee would say such a thing. She had thought Klee would be the one who least wanted her to leave, but she didn't expect her to persuade her to go with Lumine.
"Klee knows that Big Sister Durandal is worried about Klee, afraid that Klee will feel lonely, sad, and upset after she leaves."
It was true, but when Venti came to talk to her about this, Klee's first thought was that she didn't want Durandal to leave.
But under Venti's persuasion, Klee gradually accepted Durandal's departure.
Durandal was different from her. She had Acting Grand Master Jean, Big Sister Amber, Big Brother Albedo, and many close people accompanying her.
But Durandal was different. There were too few people she could confide in, and... she had guarded Mondstadt for too long. It was time for her to rest and see the scenery of other nations.
Klee hoped Durandal would be happy, hoped she would have more smiles on her face. So even if she felt lonely, she hoped Durandal could go out and see the world, and travel well.
Besides, Durandal wasn't not coming back. In the future, they would have many more opportunities to meet. At that time, she could pester Durandal and listen to her tell many interesting stories she encountered in other nations.
Durandal gently stroked Klee's small head, and this little sun that had opened her heart slightly loosened her resolve.
Hoping she could be happier... right? Actually, her current life was quite happy. Compared to the unchanging days of the past, this was already very good, wasn't it?
Staying in Mondstadt wasn't bad either. Her current life was quite good. She came to the city for a few hours every day, and no one would drive her away, no one would reject her.
But... Lumine needed her, her best human friend needed her help. She couldn't refuse this request either.
"You should embark on the journey with the honorary knight, Miss Durandal."
Jean took a step forward and said, "You don't have to worry about the patients. You cured those patients that the Church of Favonius was helpless against. The remaining patients are within the treatable range, and even if you leave, we will take good care of them."
"Yes, Jean... Acting Grand Master Jean is right. The Church of Favonius will take good care of those patients, please don't worry, Miss Durandal."
Barbara echoed. Durandal had already done so much. If she couldn't even treat the remaining patients, she, as a Preacher, would be too unqualified.
"You can't always stay in one place. You should occasionally go out and see the world. You're also very curious about the scenery outside, aren't you? Since you're so worried about her, just go with her."
Diluc crossed his arms and said calmly, "You can come back to visit occasionally. Next time, I'll brew a new wine, and then you can help me try it."
Everyone had a certain fondness for Durandal. She had done so much for Mondstadt. It was time for her to consider herself.
Facing everyone's persuasion, Durandal didn't make up her mind immediately. She looked towards the distant hillside, where Rosaria was standing.
She probably wasn't used to being with others, so she wanted to say goodbye to Durandal in this way. Noticing Durandal's gaze, Rosaria waved, bidding Durandal farewell.
Durandal looked at Lumine. She and Paimon were looking at her expectantly, waiting for her answer, hoping she would become their companion.
Goodness... was this another time she was driven away?
When she was brought to the Demon Realm, she was driven to the desolate borders of North Boronkus due to the Apostles' rejection.
Now she was once again "driven out" of Mondstadt, but this time she had no dissatisfaction, on the contrary, she was just helpless.
Why... why would they want to see the outside world? What's so great about the outside world?
As this thought emerged, Durandal couldn't help but recall Xiangling, the Damselette from Liyue, and the jueyun chili that only Liyue possessed.
Different customs and unique crops—these were indeed what attracted her. Liyue already had so many novelties, so other places must be similar.
Under everyone's gaze, Durandal closed her eyes, seemingly pondering whether to accept Lumine's invitation.
Finally, under Lumine's nervous watch, Durandal opened her eyes and revealed a faint smile.
"Honestly... you're impossible. I'll just accompany you for a bit, let me witness the end of your journey."
"Mhm!"
Lumine beamed, and the other onlookers also smiled happily.
Everyone gathered around, making up for the goodbyes they hadn't said earlier. While they chatted, Durandal and Venti moved aside.
Durandal looked at Venti's chest and frowned: "It's already been taken?"
Venti nodded: "It's already been taken. They acted quite swiftly. But they didn't expect the Traveler to be nearby, so she saw the whole process."
Venti touched his chest, where the Gnosis had been. It was now empty, the Gnosis having been taken by The Lady.
The thought that The Lady's plan had succeeded made Durandal's expression turn grim. She looked towards Mondstadt, wanting to go to the Goethe Grand Hotel to confront her.
"Let's not, she was worried about your retaliation, so after getting what she wanted, she fled without any intention of staying."
Presumably, Durandal had given her a psychological complex. Even though Tsaritsa healed her injuries, The Lady was still afraid of a conflict with Durandal.
She feared that after last time, Durandal would act faster and more mercilessly this time, and then even Tsaritsa wouldn't be able to save her.
"...Next time I see her, I won't let her off."
Durandal's face was expressionless, like magma accumulating power: "What I promised you was limited to Mondstadt, and that matter has already been resolved, so the previous agreement no longer counts, right?"
"Uh... that's not wrong to say."
Oh, the feeling of being cared for is really nice, to be honest. But considering what The Lady might endure, Venti couldn't help but mourn for her for a second.
Never mind, she had already done what she was supposed to do. What direction things would take afterward was no longer her concern.
Pushing further would likely displease Durandal. Compared to The Lady's life, Venti cared more about Durandal's feelings.
To get Durandal to cooperate before, Venti understood that Durandal had reached her limit. If he stopped her again this time, he would likely be the one to suffer.
He had just had a heart-to-heart conversation with her; he couldn't go through that again.
"Do as you wish, Durandal. However, you still need to be careful. There are more things to watch out for in Liyue than in Mondstadt. As the Traveler's companion, you wouldn't want your actions to cause her trouble, would you?"
"...I understand. If I can't do it openly, I can do it secretly, right?"
Too obvious actions are easy to leave a handle, as long as you act secretly and leave no evidence, there will be no problem.
"No... that's not what I meant."
Venti wanted to explain, but after some thought, he ultimately gave up the idea. It was better to let Durandal figure things out little by little.
If nothing unexpected happened, when she arrived in Liyue, the old man should seek her out.
Venti smiled, reached out and hugged Durandal, patting her back gently, saying: "Take care, Durandal. Come back and see me when you have time. While you're gone, I'll help you look after your flower garden."
"Mhm, I'll leave it to you, Barbatos."
Durandal mimicked Venti's action, gently patting his back. After they separated, the two exchanged smiles.
Finally, under everyone's gaze, Durandal and Lumine embarked on their journey to Liyue.
Durandal, who had never left Mondstadt for thousands of years, took her first step out of this land, heading to the unknown nation—Liyue.
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