Chapter Text
In the city of Nasha, in Nod-Krai, at one of the highest places of the city, stood a Traveler.
This was the very spot where the Goddess of the Moon, once the 3rd Fatui Harbinger, Columbina Hyposelenia used to stand.
The Traveler, usually so calm, wore a dark and heavy expression.His mind was filled with the image of Columbina’s disappearance…
Disappearing in the same place as Rerir
All of it because of the fucking DOTTORE.
He had already caused so much suffering in Sumeru and now in Nod-Krai .
A small blonde fairy floated over and looked at the Traveler with worry before finally speaking.
“Traveler, it’s time for us to meet the others and share the information we gathered about Dottore. Let’s go to the Curatorium of Secrets!”
The Traveler snapped out of his thoughts, turned around, and looked at Paimon, his best friend, who almost always had a smile on her face.
Her presence made her smile despite the situation.
“Thank you, Paimon. Let’s go meet the others.”
She stood up and walked with Paimon toward the Curatorium.
-------- Inside the Curatorium of Secrets --------
Only one word could describe the Curatorium right now: crowded
There were Lauma, Nefer, Albedo, Durin, Jahoda, Varka, Flins, an unknown Light Guardian, Ineffa, Aino, and the Wanderer.
Lauma, who had been sitting next to Nefer, immediately stood up when she saw the Traveler and Paimon arrive.
“Hello, Traveler. How are you? You didn’t suffer any residue from Dottore’s attack, right?”
Her tone was full of worry.
“Very well, thanks to you. Thank you, Lauma.”
The Traveler stretched a little to show she was fine and smiled at her.
Lauma was about to respond, but her words were cut short by Varka.
“Good news! Traveler, let me introduce you to a Light Guardian who agreed to help us—Illuga.”
He pointed at a young blond man leaning against the wall next to Flins, who gave a shy little wave. Hello
“So, what did everyone find out?”
Lauma sat down again and spoke first.
“I tried to track Columbina using the Kuuvahki… but I couldn’t locate her. The Kuuvahki is too distarck to even try.”
Her expression darkened; she hadn’t been able to help Kuutar no , Columbina return home.
Seeing this, Nefer gently took her hand and guided her back to the couch beside her.
Once seated, she smiled softly, their hands remaining intertwined.
It seemed like Nefer would speak next—but before she could even form her first sentence, a calm voice rose from a dark corner of the room.
“It’s my turn.”
It was the Wandere*.
“I have information. In northern Nod-Krai, I recognized Fatui movements belonging to Dottore’s troops. I think he created a new laboratory there in a hurry to find a way to harness the power of the moons.”
“He’s going to bring her back?!” Paimon squeaked in shock.
Nefer quickly lifted her head.
“No. Otherwise he would need a huge amount of materials. And we have no evidence of that right now.”
Paimon tilted her head.
“So… what does he want to do, then? If he doesn’t want to bring Columbina back?”
The knight near her answered with a sigh:
“To become the new God of the Moon…
The ambitions of that man know no limits or any price.”
“We should organize ourselves to attack him. We should split into three teams,” the Traveler said with a strange, calm determination.
“Exactly, Traveler,” the knight agreed.
“One team to retrieve Lady Columbina, one team to protect the city of Nasha, one team to attack Dottore If we fail… the world could change for the worse.”
“I can protect the city with Aino if Dottore attacks with his machines,” Ineffa added, her eyes shining as she already began planning defensive strategies.
“If Ineffa doesn’t mind, we’d like to help,” Flins said, pointing to himself and Illuga, who raised his hand timidly.
Ineffa nodded to give her approval.
Varka lifted his sword dramatically over his shoulder, striking a heroic pose with almost comical pride.
“The Knights of Favonius—and myself—will gladly protect this magnificent land!”
“It seems Arlecchino, Durin, Albedo, and the Wanderer will fight,” Lauma added.
“And the Traveler and I will go save Columbina.”
Paimon muttered under her breath:
“They forgot Paimon again…”
Nefer looked at Lauma in disbelief.
“Did you forget about me, Madam Lauma?”
“NO! It’s just… I don’t want you to fight…”
Lauma looked down as she said it.
“Why?”
Lauma looked up with determination.
“Because I refuse to let you become blind , the last time you have seen Rerir you have almost lost your eyes.”
A long staring contest began between them, lasting several intense seconds.
Eventually, Nefer broke eye contact.
“…You win.”
The knight, seeing that their lesbian drama had finally ended, spoke again:
“Alright, so let’s get for the fate of Teyvat.”
Jahoda, who had been hiding under the couch, sighed with relief.
It wasn’t a big deal… right?
Boss wasn’t doing anything, so it was fine… right?
But doubt gnawed at her.
Should she help… or not?
Just as she decided to crawl out, she realized everyone had already left.
“Huh? Anyone still here?”
Jahoda looked around.
Totally empty.
----- Outside the Curatorium of Secrets -----
In front of the Curatorium stood two figures talking—
or rather, a tiny floating fairy and a blonde traveler.
Paimon spoke hesitantly, wringing her hands, staring at the ground.
“Traveler… should we really go see the Fatui? They’re super strong… but they obey Dottore… and Dottore is really strong too…”
She didn’t see it coming—
but suddenly she felt someone pull her close and gently stroke her hair.
A soft voice spoke:
“Don’t worry, Paimon. Everything will be fine. You’re my best friend from the very begining, and I’ll protect you.”
The Traveler looked her in the eyes.
“I’m not going to report anything to the Fatui, because I know that despite her personality, Sandrone will help us . She likes us… and she cares a lot about Columbina. So there’s no need to worry.”
“Thank you… Traveler…”