[Keqing: I think I know whose voice that was. She said she came at the request of a friend's apprentice, so Mona probably sent her!]
[Mona: That's right, that voice really does belong to the old hag's friend.]
[Jean: Then can you understand what she meant?]
[Mona: Not really. The old hag and her crowd always talk like that, hiding everything as if they're terrified someone might find out what they're saying!]
[Yelan: She likes giving people riddles, does she? Well, solving riddles happens to be my favorite thing.]
[Nilou: What was the failed case she mentioned? Lumine, do you know?]
[Lumine: This video shows things that happen in the future. I haven't even been to Sumeru yet!]
[Nilou: Oh, that's true!]
[Arataki Itto: Argh! This is so annoying to watch. Every time a clue turns up, it's always like this. Either a stone tablet is missing, or someone won't finish what they're saying.]
[Kujou Sara: So that's why you like doing things that don't require a brain!]
[Ningguang: We shouldn't overlook the failed case. Our most pressing task should be to figure out what the blind spot in a god's vision is.]
In the video.
The words Witch N had left behind gave Lumine mixed feelings. She lay in bed, tossing and turning, and only slowly drifted off after a long time!
The scene shifted again.
It was daylight now, and there seemed to be a faint rustling sound.
Paimon: "Hmm? Is someone talking?"
Paimon: "All right, all right, I'll go check..."
Lumine's voice was a little sleepy too. "Paimon's getting more diligent!"
Paimon: "What? I'm only going because I know you'll be lazy when you've just woken up!"
A dark blue figure entered the frame...
Mona: "I heard you two arguing the moment I came in!"
Paimon: "Mona!"
Lumine: "Mona, how have you been these past few days?"
Mona nodded, seemingly in a good mood. "Not bad. I went to that symposium at The Steambird. It was more interesting than I expected."
"Not everyone in Fontaine is pessimistic. A reporter at the meeting said we couldn't just sit around waiting to die, and that we had to prepare ways to save ourselves. I thought she made a lot of sense, so I had a little chat with her!"
Paimon: "Was it that pink-haired reporter?"
Mona spoke excitedly too. "It was Charlotte! You remember her, right? The reporter who dares to think, act, and write!"
"I strongly support her argument. The prophecy may be important, but how can anyone let a few words completely control their life?"
Paimon wholeheartedly agreed. "That's right! Hearing that makes me feel much more reassured!"
Mona: "Oh, right. I tried doing what you asked about last time. Sorry... I haven't been able to reach the old hag yet. I'll keep trying tonight, but you should prepare yourselves for failure..."
Lumine: "Actually... someone has already come by..."
She then told Mona everything about their earlier exchange with the mysterious visitor.
Mona found it unbelievable. "Oh my goodness, how could something like that happen?"
Lumine: "She was probably here to pass on a message!"
Paimon: "She said even a god's vision has blind spots. That's pretty bold. Don't most people think gods are all-powerful?"
Mona: "A member of the Hexenzirkel certainly wouldn't be ordinary. A witch named N... The old hag has mentioned her a few times. Apparently, he has an excellent sense of direction and really likes pointing lost people in the right direction..."
"But I've never met her. If he's still alive, he must be quite old. Probably several hundred years old by now!"
Paimon: "Uh-the members of the Hexenzirkel are all so scary... They must all be really healthy..."
[Mona: I actually have a part in this too?]
[Charlotte: Oh! I've finally appeared in the video. Looks like my views have won approval!]
[Wriothesley: That really was well said. We should take the prophecy seriously, but we absolutely shouldn't let it tie our hands!]
[Sigewinne: Yes, yes! Those words are so full of warmth and strength!]
[Ningguang: Who is Witch N? And what sort of organization is the Hexenzirkel?]
[Xiangling: They sound amazing. Every one of them can live for hundreds of years!]
[Hu Tao: Yes, a lifespan of several hundred years. Are you envious, Consultant Zhongli?]
[Zhongli: ...Not particularly!]
[Yae Miko: This screen has exposed quite a few secrets! To think I'd never even heard of such a powerful organization before.]
In the video.
Mona nodded. "His abilities alone are already frightening, and he even came specifically to see you, Traveler. It seems your problem is important enough to interest her!"
Paimon: "Yeah, she really is impressive, but I still couldn't understand what she said!"
Mona: "Her hint was very cryptic. I think she meant to tell you that there's still a chance for things to turn around, but he didn't mention what event would bring that chance, or when. Could it be..."
After lowering her head in thought for a while, Mona spoke again. "Could it be something you aren't supposed to know yet?"
After hearing this, Lumine rested her hand against her chin too and thought, That's right. That shouldn't have been a useless hint, but when will we be able to grasp its value and meaning?
Or is this the best hint she could give me?
Mona: "Traveler, Paimon, are you all right?"
Paimon: "I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little down... It really feels like the end of the world is coming."
Mona: "...Yes. I can feel that sense of urgency too, actually."
"You could say I see fate quite often. Within the scope of what I can see, fate never wavers!"
"But even so, I still hope for and believe in miracles. Astrology is constant and rational, but fate isn't necessarily so. Sometimes it's very... cruel, and sometimes it's beautiful!"
"Maybe that's what N wanted to tell you. You mustn't lose confidence. You have to believe that everything you see before you is not yet set in stone!"
[Jean: That was so well said. Mona usually keeps a low profile, but I never expected her to be so articulate when she spoke!]
[Kaeya: Exactly, exactly. Astrologers really are educated!]
[Klee: Mona, you're amazing!]
[Mona: Hehe, thank you for the compliments!]
[Keqing: That's right. Just because a god sees something doesn't mean we can't change it. I believe only that human determination can overcome heaven!]
[Ganyu: It feels like Keqing has become even less respectful toward the adepti after watching this video!]
[Zhongli: Looking at history, humanity's fate depends on humanity's choices!]
[Barbara: But miracles last only a moment, while fate always stretches on. Sigh!]
[Lisa: Barbara, don't be so pessimistic. I believe those two cuties will find a way!]
[Arataki Itto: That's right! Whatever difficulties lie ahead, how will we know whether we can solve them if we don't try?]
[Childe: It's like when I'm fighting sometimes. Even if I know the other side is powerful, I absolutely can't back down, or I won't even be able to seize that one-percent chance!]
[Arlecchino: A good comparison!]
"I've considered standing by and doing nothing all along, but I can't. I just can't do it. Even if it's futile, I still want to help everyone give it another shot. If we don't struggle until the very last moment, how can we face the ending?"
Paimon: "Yeah, you have a point too..."
Hearing that, Mona grew embarrassed instead. "...Ah, look at me, going on about the principles of astrology again. I'm so sorry. Whenever something related to my field comes up, I just... I should head back."
Lumine: "Not at all. Thank you, Mona!"
Mona: "Well, if I managed to comfort you even a little, at least I didn't say all that for nothing. I've always believed you're like me, that you'll reach out to help people who are struggling!"
"That's probably why we always happen to run into each other!"
[Sigewinne: That's right. I believe the Traveler and Paimon will definitely help us!]
[Wriothesley: Although I haven't met Paimon and the Traveler yet, judging by the video, I believe they must be good people.]
[Charlotte: Mona is really nice too. It feels like the prophecy isn't scary at all anymore!]
[Lyney: Yes!]
[Amber: Everyone in Fontaine is feeling better now. The mood doesn't feel so heavy anymore!]