Chapter Text
The morning sun that was lazily peeking at Qingce village was greeted with a group of knocked out treasure hoarders. The last of the bunch unwillingly propelled in an arc.
Lumine supposed there is a beauty in starting off their day before the rise of dawn. As they are now done with their commissions just in time for breakfast.
The groggy fairy appearing reminded her why they don't usually finish their tasks before sunrise.
With the elf's hair sticking out wildly, the Traveler took it upon herself to wake the fairy up. Pinching the imp's cheek- her chosen method of doing so, much to Paimon's chagrin.
The outlander was met with a booming scream. The voice too deep and loud to be her companion's. The sound startled Paimon, effectively erasing any remaining drowsiness.
Lumine sprinted to locate the sound. Not even giving the fairy a second glance. She has full confidence that the floating companion will follow her.
The sight the duo saw is all too familiar to them. A certain reckless adventurer crouching down-fearing for his life while surrounded by slimes.
If Lumine allowed the adventurer to be threated by the blobby creatures for longer than the 'victim' would've liked, it wasn't on purpose. Of course.
It wouldn't be her way of getting back at him for pushing Sucrose. Of course not.
The man in front of them, however, is not Pallad. One look enough to inform Lumine that he was from Sumeru.
Not wasting another second, the Traveler stepped in to drive the geo slimes away. The terraced fields of Qingce is a place the slimes call home.
"You- You saved me." the man sighed in relief. Now standing straight to catch his breath.
"What are you even doing in this area?" Paimon questioned, making her presence known.
She can safely appear now that there are no more enemies. (Though slimes can hardly be considered as such.)
"I was searching for glaze lilies. But I couldn't find any in the common areas- so I decided to head further north."
Clutching her bag, Lumine couldn't help but look down. The consequence of her hoarding currently standing in front of her. Still refusing to maintain eye contact with the man as she is the reason why Qingce village is now devoid of said lilies.
Remembering how they haven't gathered the ones in the harbor. "The gardens of Yujing terrace has glaze lilies." Lumine supplied the information. Her back turned and ready to head out.
"Yujing terrace huh." The man parroted. The hesitation in his voice evident.
"What's wrong?" Paimon couldn't help but ask.
The man sheepishly scratched the back of his neck before replying.
"I've seen that part when I was in the harbor. The area just feels different. You know? With the social standings." He gave them both an inquiring look as if to relay the sentiment.
"Paimon doesn't get what you're saying." The floating elf flatly stated.
"Like you'd get charged with Mora by the number of steps you take there." He hastily added to nail his point before glancing at the blonde traveler.
Lumine shook her head. Noting how the waypoint towering over the terrace is one of her favorite places to free fall off- before gliding to collect the glaze lilies and silk flowers planted there.
She was even tempted to reveal how she regularly swims in the pond below said terrace-to collect the fishes residing in there.
Only sighing in resignation, the Sumerian man pulled a book out of his bag. The width signaling that it probably occupied all the space of his bag.
He stopped the duo to hand the thick book to Paimon.
"Aw shucks, you didn't have to." Paimon exclaimed, clutching the book with both hands. Lumine noted how the floating elf was struggling to fly- a testament to the book's weight.
"Twenty thousand Mora." The man stuttered before steeling his resolve.
Paimon was happily floating while holding the book. It wasn't food but she isn't one to say no to free things.
Hearing the pricey amount, it first didn't register to her what it was for.
A few more moments passed by before it dawned on the flying elf. The realization making her shriek. She then quickly shoved the book back to the man.
One would think she was physically burned by the said book by how she reacted.
"Now listen here, Mister." Paimon harrumphed before starting her scolding.
The Traveler can only be seen face palming in the sidelines. She muttered "scammer" before tuning the fairy into the background.
Lumine took a moment to observe the book currently being clutched by the man.
She noted the thick bound of said book. Surmising that it was a grimoire. The shell of the book is made out of hardwood. Her eye was caught by the intricate carvings on the front. Enveloped in the color of Mahogany, the red writings gave off a rustic feel.
She's had her fair share of catalysts. Considering she partied up with vision holders who use those.
The particular book however, is something she hasn't seen before.
"A trip to Enkanomiya would surely make him get his act together. Right, Traveler?" Paimon looked at her expectantly. Awaiting her back up.
"I'll switch it to the eternal night too." She agreed. Thought derailed by the pixie.
The floating elf only nodded, satisfied with her answer. They both knew that Paimon was only scaring the man.
Seeing that the fairy's tactics is working, proof evident on the man's face. Lumine concluded that the vishaps would scare the Sumerian's soul out of his body, in reference to how he reacted to the slimes.
"Why are you even carrying that book in the first place?" The Traveler inquired, sight not leaving the book in question.
The man seemingly unaware that it was a grimoire.
Her collector's instincts kicking in, Lumine couldn't help but appraise the rarity of the book.
"Five star might be a stretch." she mused while waiting for the man's answer.
"I-I took all of our valuable possessions and sold them along my journey to Liyue." He stated, eyes looking sorrowful at his admission.
"So you're not only a scammer but a thief as well." Paimon accused. Zooming closer to the distraught looking man.
"I- I had to. I needed some glaze flowers." The poor man deflected. Now using the book to shield himself from the floating fairy.
"This is the only thing left off our family's heirlooms." The statement seemingly paining him.
"But this is for my elder mother. She's sick and needs the glaze lilies to help her get better."
The revelation striking the traveler with a pang of guilt. She silently promised to lessen her hoarding habits after this.
"I thought I could at least bring this one back home. But after failing to find the lilies, I was left with the last option" Lumine felt like she was hit by a thunder strike. Mentally admitting to her own guilt.
"You don't mean-" Paimon gasped in horror. Seemingly knowing exactly what the man was talking about.
"Those sixty thousand per piece lilies sold at the village." He confirmed, eyeing the waterwheel in the distant Qingce Residence.
Paimon placed both hands on her hips and shouted "Liar! those cost fifty thousand, not sixty."
The elf might forget a lot of details- but pricey items isn't included in those. Seemingly soaking up those kind of intel like a sponge.
"Apparently, if you wake up the store owner before the crack of dawn, the price increases." He tentatively laughed.
Deciding to cut their conversation, the Traveler took out ten glaze lilies and unceremoniously presented it to the Sumerian.
Paimon and the man collectively gasped.
"You're giving away something worth half a million Mora?" The elf asked in disbelief.
The man bowing repeatedly and thanking them.
"Six hundred grand." Lumine corrected while gesturing for the man to stop.
"I'd also increase the price for the trouble." The outlander jokingly retorted back.
"But what if he's just scamming us." Paimon suspiciously eyed the man. Seemingly learned her lesson about being too gullible.
"He'd have to sell those as fast as he can then." Lumine shrugged before facing her companion.
"You know how easily those wilt. So if he wants to sell them, he'd have to be out of this village within the next five minutes." She proclaimed, knowing it was impossible without a vision.
"But, if he'd actually want it for its medicinal purposes, he can just use that book to make flower presses."
She added loudly. Giving the Sumerian instructions on how to transport the lilies back to his mother.
To finally calm Paimon down, she thoughtfully finished. "Ten shriveled up lilies won't even cover the cost of our breakfast."
Reminding the fairy of food successfully directed her attention away from the man.
Now excited to leave, the fairy took it upon herself to cut the conversation short.
"Well then, good luck with that. See you." She rambled in a single breath. Now busily pushing the Traveler to move along.
"At least take this book with you. I insist." The man stopped them. Showing the Traveler a tiny book, which she presumed is a diary.
The Traveler can receive the grimoire with clear conscience that the lilies would still be preserved.
"I don't need it." Lumine raised both hands to reject the offer. She just learned her lesson about hoarding.
"They- They say this book will answer your any question if it recognizes your power." He bargained, determined to give them the book as thanks.
"And you'll sell something as important as that book." Lumine contested, ignoring the fairy actively pushing her to go.
The man bowed while offering the grimoire to her. "I'd do anything for my family."
The corner of her lips tugged into a smile. The traveler took the book off his hands before jokingly replying.
"Even if it meant going to Yujing Terrace?"
The Sumerian man looked up and blinked when he realized that he is alone in the field.
Convinced that he just met the famed illuminated beasts of Liyue.
He pressed the lilies and started heading back to Sumeru.