"Miss Ellin, there's still something I don't understand."
"We've only just met, so how do you know our names? And you seem to know a lot about us, too?"
On the road from Starfell Lake to Mondstadt City, Paimon and Lumine looked at the white-haired girl and the bard ahead of them, their faces full of confusion.
Two months earlier, Lumine had fished Paimon out of the water.
Afterward, the two had become companions and traveled together all the way here.
Acting as her guide, Paimon had brought Lumine to Mondstadt, the land of freedom. But neither had expected to encounter this white-haired girl and boy in a green hat as soon as they arrived in the Starfell Lake area of Mondstadt City.
The white-haired girl seemed to have known them for ages. She had called them by name right away and warmly invited them to Mondstadt City.
Though they had ended up following Ellin because they couldn't resist her enthusiasm, Paimon and Lumine were still full of questions.
"I told you just now, didn't I? I'm a prophet. I knew long ago that you'd come here." Ellin turned back, putting on the air of a fortune-teller as she smiled at Paimon and Lumine.
"Wow... why does this keep sounding more suspicious...?"
Paimon and Lumine exchanged a glance.
Lumine nodded as well. "Going by the usual plot in novels, once the protagonist meets someone who talks in riddles like this, they're about to get dragged into some huge mess."
"What? You don't believe me?"
Ellin turned to look at Paimon and Lumine. As she glanced back, the hair draped over her shoulders slipped down, and her blue eyes glimmered faintly.
That tiny detail alone made Paimon's and Lumine's hearts give a sudden flutter.
"Wow, she's so cute!" Paimon exclaimed.
Lumine's pupils contracted sharply as well. "A girl like this actually exists in real life? She's so cute she doesn't even seem to belong to this world."
Ellin didn't mind their exaggerated reactions. She gave them a sweet smile and spoke.
"All right, since you don't believe me, let me prove myself!"
"You're Paimon, and you're Lumine. You and your brother, Aether, are travelers who journey through different worlds. Five hundred years ago, you and your brother tried to leave this world."
"But an unknown god stood in your way. After that, you were separated from your brother, your powers were sealed, and you fell into a deep sleep."
"The purpose of your journey is to seek out the gods of the Seven Nations and find your brother. Am I right?"
"How do you know that?!" Lumine's expression changed dramatically as she stared at Ellin in shock.
"Heh heh heh~" Ellin lifted her chin smugly. "Didn't I tell you? I'm a great prophet!"
"Not only do I know why you're traveling, I also know that none of the gods of the Seven Nations is the god you're looking for. And I know where your brother is!"
"Is that true?"
At those words, Lumine could no longer stay calm. She no longer wanted to doubt the white-haired girl before her, because she couldn't afford to let any news of her brother slip away.
Her brother meant far too much to her. After wandering alone for so long, she had finally found a trace of him. In her urgency, she threw all other concerns aside and stepped straight up to Ellin.
"Miss Ellin, please, I beg you. Tell me what you know about my brother!"
Lumine clasped Ellin's hand, her face anxious and pleading.
"Uh, well..."
Ellin trembled slightly. At roughly 175 centimeters tall, she stood more than half a head above Lumine. The height difference between them was perfect.
Ellin looked down at Lumine, who was holding her hand and gazing up at her imploringly, like a golden kitten begging her owner for food. Her heart couldn't help pounding wildly.
Wow, she's so close!
Now that she's this close, I've suddenly realized how beautiful her golden eyes are!
What do I do? She's so cute. I really want to pat her head!
Feeling Lumine's warmth and catching her scent, Ellin's heart raced. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she guiltily turned her face aside.
"It's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that, for certain reasons, your brother won't come out and meet you right now."
"But don't worry. I know how much you miss him, so I have a way to force him to come out and see you."
"What is it? I'll do whatever you need!" Lumine tightened her grip on Ellin's hand.
"Well..." Ellin chuckled, and there was no telling what she was plotting.
"It's not time yet. There are still plenty of things to take care of in Mondstadt City, so come with me first. I promise that once we're done, I'll help you force your brother to come out."
"But... let's agree on this first. When the time comes, you have to cooperate with me completely!" Ellin raised her eyebrows.
Though Ellin's strange smile gave her the creeps, Lumine still nodded. "All right! As long as I can see my brother, I'll do anything you ask!"
"Then it's a deal!"
Ellin gave Lumine a sweet smile. "So, that makes us good friends now, right? Come on, let's head back to Mondstadt City together. I'll treat you to a feast!"
"Yay!"
"You're pretty suspicious, but you're actually treating us to a feast. Paimon's sure you must be a good person!"
"Huh? That's how Paimon decides whether someone's a good person?"
"Hehe, anyway, we're good friends now! Come on, let's go! Paimon can't wait to try Mondstadt's delicious food!"
"Then let's go!"
Ellin took Lumine's hand. Her hair slipped from her shoulders, gleaming gold in the light of the setting sun.
Lumine wasn't used to having someone hold her hand, but looking at the white-haired girl before her and her beautiful smile, her heart softened despite herself. She let the girl lead her along.
"My, my~ pretty girls can make people lower their guard so easily, no matter the situation. I'm jealous..."
Watching the two girls walk hand in hand, a certain bard let out that wistful remark.
Three hours later.
"Ah! I'm so full!"
"Thanks so much for treating us, Ellin. When I get my next paycheck, dinner's on me!"
Outside the Good Hunter restaurant, a girl wearing red bunny ears smiled as she thanked Ellin.
She was none other than the Outrider, Amber!
According to the game's story, Lumine and Paimon would meet Amber on their way from Starfell Lake to Mondstadt City, and she would guide them into the city.
That was indeed what had happened. While taking Lumine and Paimon back to Mondstadt City, Ellin had run into Amber out on a mission and invited her to join them for dinner.
"Lumine, and little Paimon, come with me to the highest point in Mondstadt City. I've got a present for you!"
"Okay! We'll go with Amber for now, then!"
Paimon and Lumine waved to Ellin and Venti, then left with Amber.
After Paimon and Lumine had gone out of sight...
"Dvalin should be coming soon, right?" Venti looked up at the sky, his expression grave.
Ellin nodded. "According to the story, after the Traveler arrives in Mondstadt City, Amber gives her a Wind Glider and teaches her how to fly with it."
"Then Dvalin attacks Mondstadt City. You use your power to send the Traveler, who's only just learned to use her Wind Glider, soaring high into the sky, and she drives Dvalin back."
"If the story still follows that course, Dvalin should be here any moment!"
Before you continue