The peaceful Inazuma City was awakened by a roar.
The residents chattered, wondering what had happened.
Had the Almighty Shogun, in a good mood, casually struck down a bolt of lightning?
Whispers and speculations filled the air.
But who could have imagined that the cause of that tremendous sound...
Was a round and adorable Aranara?
Aether, to her surprise, couldn't have imagined it either.
And thus, naturally, she suffered a great loss.
...
"Aether!"
Paimon screamed, covering her mouth, and rushed into the smoke.
She had already prepared herself to dig Aether out of the rubble.
But fortunately, this time, she didn't have to worry for too long.
"Cough, I'm fine."
From within the dust, Aether, cloaked, shook her head and slowly stood up.
Smoke without injury, an immutable law.
Ranbiraj had already stopped his attack.
"Let's go first."
He shielded Paimon with his body and gestured for her to move away from the danger.
His golden eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.
Such extensive damage to the street...
The nearby samurai guards would soon arrive.
With ample experience in such matters, Aether realized something.
She was likely to be wanted again.
Wait, why again?
In any case, she had to leave!
"Strange Nara, that is the way of things."
Ranbiraj waved his small crutch, looking at Aether, who was slowly retreating.
As a subordinate of the Dendro Archon, he naturally understood Nahida's kindness, which was why he held back at the last moment.
Even though the road around them was already shattered beyond recognition.
To prevent the little Dendro Archon from being disturbed, he couldn't afford to be careless!
"Such immense power... we shall meet again!"
Aether tightened her cloak, turned, and prepared to flee under the cover of the swirling dust.
If you can't win, run; she had mastered this principle.
This time, Aether would absolutely not be wanted!
Swish—!
Beneath her cloak, a verdant light flickered, and the power of Anemo propelled her forward at great speed towards the wooden bridge in the distance.
If she could just rush down along the stream, she would soon escape pursuit.
This was her escape route!
However...
Clang!
A sharp whistling sound tore through the air, closing in instantly.
Aether's pupils contracted; she felt a sense of danger more intense than when Childe was in his Delusion state.
No, she couldn't escape!
Subconsciously, she drew her Dull Blade and swung it behind her.
Clang!
Sparks flew, and Aether felt a tremendous force push her back.
Bang!
Aether crashed into the railing by the bridge, groaning.
Damn it, who is it?
You're ambushing me, you have no martial ethics!
The moment this thought flashed through Aether's mind.
Swish!
A figure turned into a deep green streak of light and appeared before Aether.
In the sunlight, a young man stood with a smile.
It was Qin Yu.
He slowly raised his blade, his calm voice tinged with coldness.
"Heh heh... let me see, who dares to cause trouble in Inazuma City?"
"!"
Aether, concealed within her cloak, bent over.
She intended to slip through the wooden bridge railing and escape the suddenly appearing Qin Yu.
Aether knew very well.
This man, who wore a smiling facade, was truly powerful.
"Hmph, trying to escape?"
The moment Aether moved, Qin Yu sneered.
A Fatui agent, Arlecchino's subordinate, I'll let you escape...
With this thought, he directly lifted his leg and kicked the cloaked figure's backside hard.
Thud!
A muffled sound, and the kick landed successfully.
Accompanied by a cute, suppressed cry of shame from the girl.
Splash—
Aether, having lost her balance, plunged directly into the water with a splash.
"?"
Qin Yu on the bridge paused slightly, instinctively flexing his foot.
What was that elastic sensation just now?
She flew so far not because he, Qin, had used much force.
His gaze subconsciously shifted to the disheveled figure in the water.
Swish—
Simultaneously, a azure construct de-cloaked its optical camouflage and materialized beside Aether.
Several laser beams shot out, binding her tightly.
"Let, let go of me!"
As the girl's embarrassed and struggling voice echoed, Qin Yu finally understood everything.
Blonde hair, white dress, a beautiful girl.
Right, and that iconic Dull Blade.
Hiss...
Could she be the legendary Traveler?!
"Aether?"
Keqing, carrying Nahida, approached Qin Yu and recognized the girl bound tightly in the water.
"A Qing? Is that you, A Qing!"
"Help—! There's a pervert!"
Aether tried to turn her head, but she couldn't move at all, so she could only protest loudly.
This tight binding that constricted more the more she struggled... it was unbearable.
Most importantly.
The spot Qin Yu had kicked was both aching and itchy.
Bastard, pervert...!
Aether bit her lip tightly, forcing herself not to make a sound.
Because it was too humiliating!
Qin Yu: ...
It was just a kick to the rear, when did he become a pervert.
Just then.
"Lord Qin Yu! I didn't expect to receive your assistance!"
A squad of Tenryou Commission samurai appeared, bowing respectfully.
They had rushed here immediately upon hearing the roar and were surprised it was already over.
As expected of Lord Qin Yu!
He must have used extremely ruthless tactics to subdue the enemy in one move!
"Hmm, let's take her back to the Tenryou Commission for detention."
Under the admiring gazes of the samurai, Qin Yu felt a bit awkward and waved his hand.
"I will interrogate her personally."
"Yes!"
He looked at Keqing beside him, signaling her to relax.
It's just a formality, she'll be released soon.
But clearly, the bound girl wouldn't think so.
"What?!"
Aether's eyes widened in disbelief.
This time, instead of being wanted, she was fast-tracked to imprisonment.
And to be interrogated by the man who kicked her in the backside...!
In an instant, her mind conjured many scenarios.
In the sunlight, her beautiful face grew even more flushed with shame.
"Let me go!"
She was like a fish washed ashore by the waves, still struggling.
Pitiful, weak, and helpless.
But unfortunately, facing Qin Yu, her resistance was futile.
"Take her away!"
...
The interrogation basement of the Tenryou Commission.
The detained girl waited anxiously for her unknown fate.
She hadn't even gotten close to a beautiful girl yet...
"Mmph mmph mmph!"
Aether tried to speak, but found her mouth sealed.
The world rejected her.
Clang!
The iron door creaked open, accompanied by a cold shout.
"Lord Qin Yu!"
"..."
In the basement, the blonde girl in the white dress shivered.
She heard the name of that perverted man.
"Hmm, you may withdraw."
Qin Yu pushed the door open and entered the cold, dimly lit area, frowning slightly.
This place was a bit too grim.
"..."
His gaze met Aether's.
She shook her head desperately, her eyes filled with caution.
No matter what he intended to do, she would not yield!
Qin Yu approached her and reached towards her face.
Aether struggled violently, like a small rabbit whose ears were being held.
Suddenly, Qin Yu's hand paused.
His gaze inadvertently shifted from Aether's face.
On her delicate collarbone, there were still sparkling water droplets, playfully sliding into more mysterious places.
The girl had fallen into the water earlier and her body hadn't dried yet.
Even her pristine white dress was semi-revealing, outlining her seductive curves.
Qin Yu openly admired her for a moment before looking away.
"Heh, still causing trouble?"
Qin Yu smiled.
"Mmph!"
Aether glared fiercely at Qin Yu, vowing to resist to the death.
"Behave yourself."
Qin Yu said, and then tore off the tape from Aether's mouth.
At least she could speak normally now.
"Cough cough...!"
But Aether's hands were still cuffed behind her back, unable to move.
"Anything you want to say?"
Qin Yu pretended to pick up various props on the side, smiling.
These interrogation props were just to scare you.
Faced with the numerous props, the girl's expression changed slightly.
Her good friend Paimon had also been locked up, with no support.
She could scream until her throat was raw, and no one would come to save her.
Aether turned her face away and closed her eyes.
"Gulp, kill me!"