The Tianquan Star Ningguang is very powerful. Every merchant who wants to do business with her is willing to spend a fortune just to meet her.
Durandal knew this, but what did it have to do with her? If others wanted to meet Ningguang, that was their business. What did it have to do with Durandal?
And she wanted to invite herself to meet her? Hmph, Durandal also had her pride. Although she was preparing to shed her past identity, that didn't mean she would respond so easily to others' invitations.
If it was something she was interested in, it would be different. Yesterday's invitation from the Chen family was an example; she could at least go see a patient. But what was the Tianquan Star Ningguang's purpose in asking her to come?
It was nothing more than valuing her healing abilities. If her eyesight was a little better, she might even notice something unusual in her medical skills.
Regardless, Durandal had no interest in meeting the other party. It would be more appropriate for the other party to come see her personally. Asking her to go to her? Hmph, no time.
Ganyu, who came to invite her, evidently hadn't expected Durandal to refuse so decisively. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, and could only watch as Durandal disappeared from sight.
She sighed wearily, originally thinking it would be a simple task, but Durandal's reaction was different from what they had expected.
However, her mission was only to invite Durandal. Even if Durandal refused her invitation, it was none of her business. She had completed her part, and the rest would be Ningguang's problem.
This small interlude didn't affect much. When Durandal arrived at the market, she saw a great many things.
Among them were not only products native to Liyue, but also goods from other nations. She even saw some strange and exotic items from Sumeru and Fontaine.
This is... a Kamera?
Yes, it can store images inside. If you have scenery you want to preserve, you can save it using this device.
Durandal held a slightly futuristic-looking item in her hand. It was produced in Fontaine and could store an image inside, which could later be taken out to review and reminisce.
It was a very interesting gadget. Durandal was attracted by its function. Since it could store images, it could record all the scenery from her travels in other places.
Thinking of this, Durandal remembered Klee, who was far away in Mondstadt. As her most cherished little one, when they met in the future, Klee would definitely cling to her, asking her to tell stories about what happened in other places.
In that case, she would buy this item, and when she returned to Mondstadt in the future, she could leave it to Klee as a souvenir, or give Klee the images inside as a gift.
Durandal bought two Kameras, keeping one for herself and giving the other to Lumine.
She believed that if she gave this to her, Lumine would probably be able to create all sorts of strange and wonderful images.
As she was about to head back with her purchases, Durandal ran into Lumine, who was completing a commission. She was... playing with children?
Could this even be considered a commission? Durandal walked over curiously. To find out what Lumine was doing, she even turned into mist and hid to observe them closely.
Um... hello, this is a robbery.
Hmm? Robbery? Was Lumine's 'robbery' the same kind as the Treasure Hoarders? Was this also a commission?
Durandal remained hidden in the shadows, witnessing what this so-called "pirate robbery" was all about.
Although it was called a robbery, she ended up giving all the lotus heads she had collected to these children. When she finally received her Reward from the Children, she even got a comment like, "Big sister is so amazing, she actually managed to snatch things from three Children!"
It shouldn't be Durandal's imagination; upon receiving the Reward, Lumine and Paimon's expressions were clearly very complex, completely lacking their previous joyful look.
Click!
Just then, Lumine and Paimon heard a strange sound. They looked up and saw Durandal had appeared nearby at some point, holding a peculiar object pointed at them.
Durandal?
It's me. I didn't interrupt you from completing your commission, did I?
Durandal asked while examining the photo from the Kamera. "You two are quite busy, not even letting go of commissions here in Liyue Harbor."
Lumine didn't answer Durandal's words. Her eyes were fixed on the photo in Durandal's hand. She vaguely felt that the item in the other party's hand was very similar to something in her memory.
What is this?
Finally, Lumine couldn't help but ask Durandal what the item in her hand was.
Durandal briefly introduced the Kamera's functions. Lumine could now confirm that it was a type of camera, and the sound just now was the click of the shutter.
What did you take pictures of?!
Lumine hurried over to check the photo. Sure enough, it showed her and Paimon's expressions after receiving the Reward from the Children, with the three little rascals eating lotus heads in the background.
It was a very well-taken photo, completely flawless, perfectly capturing the reason for Lumine's distress.
I saw something very interesting, Lumine. Pirate big sister, how does it feel to rob children? Durandal couldn't help but tease.
Lumine, who was on the verge of exploding, was completely broken by this remark. She immediately pounced on Durandal, wanting to tear up the photo in her hand.
Durandal had already anticipated Lumine's move. Her agility was far superior to Lumine's, and she easily dodged Lumine's action.
She wasn't in a hurry to put the photo away. She just held it in her hand, constantly teasing Lumine's nerves, making her keep pouncing at her, but each time she was dodged.
Don't you dare dodge! Durandal! Hand over the photo!
Why should I hand it over? Isn't it taken very well? When you reminisce about this past event in the future, you can take it out and recall what you did.
I don't need that kind of memory! Hurry up and be good, hand over the item to me.
I'll consider giving you the photo when you catch me.
Durandal, with a smiling face, played a game of tag with Lumine. At this moment, Durandal was like a girl, playfully wrestling with Lumine on the street, causing onlookers to smile kindly.
After playing around for a while, Lumine gave up when she realized she couldn't get the photo back no matter what.
She sat back down, arms crossed, cheeks puffed out, huffing in anger.
This state didn't last long. When Durandal handed her the other Kamera, her attention was immediately drawn to it.
Is this the thing you were holding just now?
Paimon looked at the Kamera from left to right. It didn't seem like much, so how could it take photos?
I'm not sure about the exact principle, but it can take pictures. In the future, we will go to other nations, and we can use this machine to capture the scenery there.
Lumine nodded, examined the machine, then suddenly raised it and pressed the shutter, pointing it at Durandal.
Durandal looked at Lumine in confusion. Why would this person take a picture of her? They would be traveling together in the future; was there a need to do such a thing?
Hehe~ Besides scenery, we can also take pictures of the people we've met.
What does that have to do with you taking a picture of me?
She didn't mind being photographed. What she didn't understand was whether Lumine needed to photograph her.
Of course! Since this is something to preserve precious memories, Durandal naturally cannot be left out. Because Durandal is not only my important travel companion but also a very important person!
Important... person?
Mhm! Very important. I've decided to take pictures of Durandal every now and then to observe the changes that happen to you during that time.
...Whatever you want.
Durandal turned her head away. For some reason, she felt a warmth in her chest, a particularly strange feeling.
Why would you inexplicably consider someone else an important person? Isn't your important person your brother? Why aren't you paying attention to the person you're looking for, but instead focusing on her?
Lumine contentedly put away the Kamera. She wouldn't need it for now, so she let it stay safely in her storage space.
What did you do today, Durandal? Tell us, did you go to treat people again, like you did in Mondstadt?
Yes, I was mostly consulting. Something happened.
Durandal told Lumine about Qinglian and Zhu Yu and asked her question.
Why would she deceive her husband, saying her illness hadn't gotten better, when she clearly wasn't sick?
Perhaps... she wanted her husband to stay by her side forever.
Lumine quickly understood Qinglian's reason for doing so, but Durandal still couldn't comprehend it.
Why do that? I heard from others that because of her illness, her husband quit his sailor job. This made their family's income far less than before, and they lived very frugally. Is this what she wanted?
You shouldn't think that way, Durandal. While a high income can certainly lead to a good life, I think what Qinglian wanted more was not money, but rather for her husband to have more time to spend with her.
She wants companionship more than money?
Exactly. Everyone's pursuits are different. Zhu Yu chose the arduous job of a sailor to provide his wife with a better life. But this greatly reduced the time he spent with his wife. Later, when his wife genuinely fell ill, he realized he had neglected her companionship in the past, and so he resolutely quit his sailor job to take care of her.
Experiencing her husband's care, even though her condition improved, she didn't want to tell her husband, hoping that this situation could continue. That's why she lied.
Some people don't care about money; they care more about companionship. Even if you have endless wealth and live in the most luxurious house, if you're the only one there, do you truly like that feeling?
Alone, like when she was in the Demon Realm, staying alone in the border regions, feeling as if she had nothing?
Now she had Lumine as a companion by her side, and this feeling was indeed better than before. If she had to choose, she truly wouldn't want to return to her old life.
Did that woman named Qinglian feel the same way? She seemed to understand her a little now.
Durandal looked up and found Lumine's gaze unusually gentle, just like Qinglian's gaze towards Zhu Yu at that time, which made her a little uncomfortable, so she turned her head away.
Paimon, who had been listening somewhat confusedly, shook her head and decided not to continue the topic, saying,
Besides this, was there anything else?
Yes, a person named Ganyu came to invite me to meet the Tianquan Star Ningguang, but I refused.
Eh?