Yujing Terrace
Listening to the noise and looking at the crowded masses, Paimon couldn't help but exclaim loudly.
"Wow! There are so many people in Liyue! Everywhere looks so lively!"
Hearing this, Bonanus smiled and explained.
"That's normal. Today is the day Rex Lapis himself descends to the mortal realm."
Though this "Rex Lapis" was just a fake. Bonanus thought to herself.
"This could be tricky..." Lumine rubbed her chin, frowning slightly.
"What's wrong, Traveler?" Paimon asked, confused. What was so tricky?
"I heard that getting to see Liyue's god is very difficult, and we only have this one chance. But I'm an outsider..."
Lumine scratched her head, thinking about how to approach the Geo Archon and speak with him.
What if this god was hard to deal with? That would be a headache.
"That does sound troublesome."
Paimon mimicked her thinking pose, though no one really knew what was going on in that tiny head.
Seeing their expressions, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh. Rex Lapis? He was everywhere.
"Don't worry! With me around, you'll have no trouble meeting Rex Lapis!" Bonanus patted her modest chest with confidence. All they had to do was visit Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or take a walk through the streets.
"Wait, are you someone important in Liyue? You must be really rich!" Paimon's eyes sparkled.
To be so confident about meeting the Geo Archon, this lady must be a high-ranking official!
"Money... I spend other people's money." Bonanus rubbed her head. She used Childe's funds. If anything, she was as poor as a beggar.
But status-wise, as a guardian Yaksha under Rex Lapis, she was indeed quite high-ranking.
"Oh! I get it! Miss Fashui must be a rich heiress!" Paimon struck a proud pose, hands on her hips.
"..." Bonanus fell silent. Paimon seemed... not very bright.
A rich heiress easily meeting the Geo Archon? Even a child could see that was unlikely.
Though, technically, it wasn't impossible. That old man Zhongli was always wandering around. Anyone could run into him.
Bonanus covered her face with her big paw, feeling awkward.
Seeing her embarrassment, Lumine patted Paimon's head to shut her up. But curious Paimon wasn't so easily silenced. She turned her attention to Bonanus's big hands.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask: are those gloves you're wearing?"
"Secret. But not really. You'll find out eventually." Bonanus put a finger to her lips and smiled mysteriously.
"Okay~"
Paimon shook her head, slightly disappointed. Those big hands probably functioned like a weapon—they certainly looked sharp.
"Alright, Paimon. You've asked too many questions. It's rude." Lumine grabbed the floating Paimon and pulled her down, holding her tightly to stop her from flying around.
"No, it's fine. Like I said, ask whatever you want. You're travelers from afar." Bonanus shook her head.
"Paimon started prying into your personal life, so I had to stop her."
Feeling Paimon struggling in her arms, Lumine tightened her grip and covered Paimon's mouth.
Against the stronger Lumine, little Paimon could only squirm helplessly, making muffled noises.
"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"
"You two are really close." Bonanus said, a little envious. She had always wanted a mascot like Paimon.
Too bad there was only one in the whole world.
"Of course! We're best partners!" Paimon finally managed to pry Lumine's hand away and said proudly.
"Right, Traveler?" Paimon turned and smiled.
In response, Lumine shook her head with a mischievous grin. "No. You're just emergency food."
Hearing that, Paimon was furious. She kicked her feet and shouted loudly.
"Paimon is not food!"
Growl...
As if on cue, a stomach grumble echoed. Bonanus and Lumine both turned to look at Paimon.
"Hehe, sorry. Talking about food made me hungry." Paimon said innocently.
Her comment left the other two speechless. Only Paimon could say something like that.
"I'll get you something to eat after the Rite ends." Lumine sighed, feeling a little pained. A poor girl like her had to take care of a bottomless pit. Her Mora was almost gone.
"It should start in about ten minutes. Some of Liyue's higher-ups haven't arrived yet." Bonanus said casually.
"Got it. Let's change the subject." Lumine released Paimon and crossed her arms, smiling.
"What do you want to know?" Bonanus tilted her head.
"Hmm..." Lumine rubbed her chin, searching for a topic. Then she said, "In Mondstadt, I heard that four adepti returned to Liyue. I'm curious about what they're like."
Hearing that, Paimon immediately raised her hand.
"Paimon is curious too! Four whole adepti! That's amazing!"
They must be really rich!
"That's true. They're all very easygoing. If you meet them, I'm sure you'd become friends." Bonanus nodded.
News traveled fast in this world. By now, every nation in Teyvat probably knew about it.
"Do you know them, Miss Fashui?" Paimon asked, looking even more curious. She was now certain that this lady was someone important.
Knowing adepti was no small feat.
"Of course. If you want to befriend them, I don't mind introducing you." Bonanus said casually.
"That would be—" Paimon started excitedly, but Lumine stopped her.
"Thanks, but no thanks. We don't want to trouble you." Lumine shook her head. She would love to meet those adepti, but that was a personal connection.
She wasn't the type to rely on others so heavily, especially someone she barely knew.
Owing favors was never a good thing.
Bonanus shrugged, unconcerned. Lumine was the protagonist. With her plot armor, she would meet the adepti soon enough.
"Alright then. Oh, look. The Rite is about to start."
Bonanus nodded and pointed toward the center of the ceremony grounds.
Lumine and Paimon followed her gaze and saw an elegant woman walking slowly through the crowd. Her demeanor was refined, like someone of great power.
Her arrival signaled the official start of the Rite of Descension.