Genshin Impact: Spoiling the Future

After Keqing left, Lucian glanced at his Emotional Value, which he still converted into Elemental Mastery and Elemental Energy.

The Emotional Value Lucian had accumulated to enhance his strength had now reached 100,000 points. In terms of raw numbers, he should have no problem fighting Childe.

The Emotional Value gained from exposing the news of the Geo Archon’s death was substantial, though lower than expected.

The reason was that the information was too explosive—people who read the book immediately began spreading the news, and within minutes, it had circulated throughout Liyue.

Since Lucian was no longer directly involved, the Emotional Value he received through indirect connections was even lower, with minimal subsequent increases.

After checking his Emotional Value, Lucian noticed something: Keqing had left, but Ganyu had not.

”Mr. Lucian, do you happen to have time tomorrow? My master wishes to meet you,” Ganyu said softly.

Her master—that woman, Cloud Retainer.

The reason the giant bird wanted to meet Lucian was that, at the time, she still didn’t know Rex Lapis was actually alive. She had mentioned to Ganyu that if the prophet returned to Liyue, she wanted to invite him for a meeting.

She intended to ask Lucian about Rex Lapis.

To this, Lucian could only say: I can’t tell her. I already promised Zhongli I’d only fully reveal his identity after the plan concludes.

”I have time,” Lucian nodded.

There were still over ten days until the Rite of Descension. He absolutely had to witness the spectacle of the ”birthday boy hanging himself” in person, so he planned to stay in Liyue for the next few days.

”Good. Then I’ll come find you tomorrow,” Ganyu said politely, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

”Hu Tao, look at her,” Lucian pointed at Ganyu.

”I see. She’s definitely bigger than me,” Hu Tao nodded in agreement.

Then she glanced at Navia. At this point, who could even tell who was the ”bigger” boss anymore?

”I meant, look at how polite she is,” Lucian facepalmed.

”Hehehe, I’ve got manners too, so of course I’m looking at what I don’t have,” Hu Tao said matter-of-factly.

”What are you talking about?” Navia didn’t catch the implication.

”Nothing,” Lucian quickly ended the topic. He didn’t want his second boss picking up Hu Tao’s habit of saying outrageous things.

The two girls were already neck-and-neck in terms of liveliness, though Hu Tao was slightly more mischievous than Navia.

Navia still had some remnants of a young lady’s restraint, even if not much.

Hu Tao, on the other hand? If she didn’t say anything, no one would even know she was a young lady too.

Now that he thought about it, their backgrounds were quite similar—both were young ladies who took over their family businesses at a tender age.

Their personalities were also alike: lively, passionate, and even accompanied by an ”elegant old man” (Melus).

Yet for some reason, Navia had been somewhat influenced by Melus, while Hu Tao remained completely unaffected.

Two similar people with analogous yet distinct personalities—finding common ground while respecting differences was far better than being mirror images, which was why the two got along so well.

===✧✦✧===

Rewinding time a bit—while Keqing and the others were heading to Lucian’s residence, the Traveler also learned from the Adventurers’ Guild that Lucian was home.

”Traveler, we’re about to meet the prophet! Have you thought about what to ask him?” Paimon asked as she walked alongside Lumine.

”Before that, I hope he’s someone easy to talk to,” Lumine said.

”True. If he’s unwilling to communicate, we won’t be able to ask anything,” Paimon nodded.

By the time Lumine and Paimon arrived at Lucian’s home, Ganyu had just left.

Lucian and the other two saw Ganyu off at the door, exchanged a few words, and were about to close the door and head back inside.

”Wait! Don’t close the door yet!”

Lumine was still figuring out how to greet them, but Paimon had already flown over.

”Paimon?” Lucian recognized the white floating creature at a glance.

If Paimon was here, did that mean the Traveler was too?

Lucian looked further ahead—sure enough, Lumine was standing there.

Honestly, Lumine was really cute. The more he looked, the cuter she seemed.

”Wow, you do know us!” Paimon was delighted.

”Lumine, come over! The prophet knows us, no need to be shy!” Paimon waved.

She thought Lumine was hesitating out of shyness.

”Paimon, mind your manners,” Lumine walked over, exasperated.

Being friendly wasn’t a bad thing, but it was best to gauge the other person’s personality first. What if they disliked such a lack of boundaries?

”It’s fine. I’m very familiar with you two—no need to stand on ceremony,” Lucian waved his hand.

If he had to say, these two were the ones he knew best. After all, even if he didn’t use them to explore the open world in the game, they were still the protagonists of the story.

But seeing the character he once controlled now standing before him in real life gave Lucian a strange sense of surrealism.

”Come on in, let’s talk inside.”

Lucian invited the Traveler and Paimon into the house and introduced them to Hu Tao and Navia.

Inside, the Traveler sat with elegant, well-mannered posture, while Paimon nestled in her lap.

”Mr. Lucian, I have some questions for you,” Lumine began.

”Just call me Lucian,” he said, handing her a cup of black tea prepared by Navia.

Lumine nodded. ”Lucian, I want to ask about my brother.”

Lucian had expected this. For Lumine, this was probably her most pressing concern.

”You want to know where your brother is?” Lucian asked.

Lumine nodded, then shook her head.

”That’s something I’d like to know too, but first… is he safe?”

More than where her brother was, she wanted to confirm his safety first.

Lumine was deeply worried about her brother. From what she’d seen so far, the Abyss didn’t seem like a good place.

He better not be in trouble—otherwise, how am I supposed to punch him?

”He’s safe,” Lucian confirmed.

Lumine let out a sigh of relief. As long as Aether was okay, the search could take its time.

”Then… when will we meet?” Now that she knew her brother was fine, she turned to the question of their reunion.

”Hmm… it should be soon,” Lucian mused.

After the Rite of Descension concluded and the Liyue arc wrapped up, Lumine would encounter Dainsleif and Aether.

But this meeting would only be brief—not a true reunion.

”That’s great, Lumine! You’ll find your brother soon!” Paimon cheered.

Then she suddenly looked downcast. ”But… once you find him, will you leave?”

Lumine patted Paimon’s head but didn’t answer.

As travelers who had journeyed through countless worlds, leaving this one was inevitable sooner or later.

”Unfortunately, this will only be a meeting, not a reunion. Lumine won’t be leaving you just yet,” Lucian said.

”Huh?” Paimon blinked. What did that mean? What was the difference between a meeting and a reunion?

Lumine, however, understood. It seemed her brother really was involved in something problematic—why else would he see her and not leave with her?

Was he really brainwashed by the Abyss? How do I undo that? I never learned how!

”There’s one more question I’d like to ask, unrelated to my brother,” Lumine said.

”Go ahead,” Lucian gestured for her to continue.

”You’re like me—you come from another world, right? What was your world like? Is there a way back?”

This surprised Navia and Hu Tao. So Lucian was also an outlander?

===✧✦✧===

Character Voice: Traveler – About Lucian

Paimon: ”Lucian’s really easy to get along with!”

Lumine: ”Yeah, just like me.”

Paimon: ”Is that how all outlanders are?”