Sumeru.
Days passed as peacefully as ever.
It seemed as though everything had become serene with the return of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Lesser Lord Kusanali.
Qin Yu, the acting Grand Sage, had ventured deep into the desert a few days prior.
But few would ever know what truly transpired there.
Mercenaries who had been active nearby reported strict blockades in the depths of the desert, forbidding any approach.
[Could it be treasures related to the Scarlet King?]
Those who were initially puzzled soon learned the truth.
The sky and earth cracked, as if the end of days had arrived.
Boundless sandstorms engulfed the land.
A battle of world-shattering proportions erupted in the desert's depths, raging with relentless ferocity.
The immense tremors were even felt in Sumeru City.
[Heavens, is this a war between gods?]
Someone exclaimed, drawing a crowd outside the Akademiya.
It was only when Greater Lord Rukkhadevata herself appeared that the unease caused by this commotion was finally quelled.
According to the gentle deity, the Grand Sage had merely captured a strangely patterned lizard named the Dragon of Verdure.
[So that's what happened, haha.]
Wait a minute, Dragon of Verdure...
Something felt off, as if a significant detail had been glossed over.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata avoided further discussion, and no one dared to press the matter.
Since then, time flowed by slowly.
...
In the desert.
The Garden of Endless Virtues.
The endless yellow sand was whipped into a frenzy by the wind, filling the vision with monotonous hues.
Desolate, ruined, and desolate.
Meanwhile, the scene in the distant sky had taken a bizarre turn.
A black, inverted void poured down from a rift in the heavens.
The abyssal power, defiled and ominous, invaded the world of Teyvat with every passing moment.
Beneath the rift, the Ley Line Outcrop, pulsating with immense energy, battled the abyssal forces and attempted to mend the tear.
Emerald green and pitch black, two energies clashed, like an hourglass.
Harmonious yet eerie.
No one knew when this balance would shatter.
…
In this world, rarely touched by any soul, lay a rather sizable oasis.
Beside a turquoise pool, under the shade of a tree.
Qin Yu, wearing sunglasses, reclined on a lounge chair, humming a tune.
He looked as if he were on vacation.
In fact, he was indeed on vacation.
And incidentally, he had invited someone here to strengthen their bond.
"Qin Yu—we're here!"
A cheerful, lively voice suddenly rang out.
The next moment, Paimon floated over.
"You're here, Paimon."
Qin Yu smiled slightly and sat up.
He instinctively turned his head, searching for the main person.
Since Paimon had appeared, it meant...
"Hmph, ignoring me again."
Paimon puffed out her cute cheeks, already contemplating what unpleasant nicknames to bestow upon Qin Yu.
"Lumine, Yelan, over here—"
Qin Yu chuckled, pinching Paimon's cheeks as he waved towards the distant figures.
"..."
The golden-haired girl, carrying a backpack, raised her head and responded from afar.
Her form-fitting white dress accentuated her full chest and slender waist.
Her long, shapely legs were encased in tall boots, creating an absolute territory with the hem of her skirt, her thigh skin dewy and fair.
She was a beauty who could add color to the desolate desert.
And beside her...
Was an elegant and mysterious older sister with a seductive figure.
Were they not Qin Yu's cat-eared maid and personal secretary?
"I didn't expect you two to arrive so soon."
Qin Yu removed his sunglasses and smiled, gazing at the two women before him.
As he spoke, he opened his portable mini-fridge and took out chilled beverages.
Care for a drink?
"You didn't add any strange accessories, did you?"
Reaching the shade of the tree, Lumine muttered suspiciously, her face averted.
She hummed a little tune.
An excellent adventurer must always remain vigilant in the wild.
She wouldn't accept favors from strangers.
"Hey, is this our first meeting?"
Qin Yu's lips twitched, his tone laced with helplessness.
After all, he had helped her fight the Abyss Order and find clues about her brother.
Where was the promised trust!
Alas, his own cat-eared maid had started acting rebellious in just a few days.
He'd have to find an opportunity to give her a good spanking and discipline her sooner or later.
"Hmph, last time you held the Hot Spring Festival..."
Before Lumine could expose Qin Yu's true nature.
"Thank you."
Yelan walked over, a beautiful and enchanting smile gracing her lips.
She leaned slightly and took the drink from Qin Yu's hand.
As Qin Yu was still seated on the lounge chair, the two were not at the same level.
Thus...
"Ahem, you're welcome."
Qin Yu, shaded by the overhang, couldn't help but let his gaze linger on the surging scenery before him.
His secretary's assets were simply too impressive!
How could the boss focus on work like this!
However, letting the secretary handle tasks when needed was a basic operation for a slacking boss.
"Is it convenient for me to rest here, my boss?"
Yelan's lips curved slightly, her emerald eyes twinkling as she asked in a low voice, as if requesting.
Boss, you wouldn't bear to make your secretary work overtime, would you?
Her subtle vulnerability, coupled with her mysterious and alluring gaze, held a unique charm.
"Of course." Qin Yu replied.
He had invited the two women here precisely to share his discoveries in his pursuit of the Abyss.
And, of course, to set up camp with his maid and secretary and enjoy some camping time.
There was no harm in being casual.
"Heh... Thank you, boss."
Yelan smiled faintly, then, to Qin Yu's slight surprise, sat down directly.
She crossed her long legs, elegantly encased in black stockings, her graceful figure languid and alluring.
She raised her chilled beverage.
She was already a little tired from traversing the desert.
As expected of Qin Yu's personal secretary, her demeanor was natural.
"..."
Sister Lumine watched the two seem to be on the verge of cuddling, her expression shifting slightly.
On such a hot day, wouldn't they get hot and sticky if they were so close!
The maid, who had been acting proud just moments ago, suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.
Between a maid and a secretary, surely the former had a closer relationship, right?
No, no, what was she thinking.
"Yay, it's a delicious drink!"
Paimon flew over and caught it.
The cool sensation felt so good, she wanted some too.
"Heh... Not so fast."
Qin Yu smiled knowingly as he watched Paimon gulp it down.
This little guy was easier to coax than a little fox who loved fried tofu.
He then looked at Lumine.
"What are you looking at me for."
Lumine glanced at Qin Yu and fanned herself with her hand.
A slight sheen of sweat beaded on her cute, flushed face.
She subconsciously tugged at her shoulder strap, allowing for better air circulation.
It was evident that she had expended a considerable amount of energy on the journey.
"It's just a shame... there are no more drinks."
Qin Yu shrugged and feigned a sigh, then observed Lumine's reaction with a sly grin.
He always enjoyed teasing the disobedient little maid.
"..."
Lumine's expression froze, and then she let out a soft scoff:
"No more drinks? Then when I go to get water later, I'll also get you..."
"Of course, I'm not interested in your drink."
Just as she turned her face away, making a dismissive remark.
Suddenly, something cool pressed against her cheek.
"!"
A stimulating and tingling sensation, like an electric shock, spread throughout her body with an involuntary shiver, making her fur stand on end.
Lumine couldn't help but let out a cute yelp.
"Pfft."
Qin Yu, who had playfully pressed the chilled drink against Lumine's cheek, burst into laughter.
Her reaction was too amusing.
"What are you doing!"
Lumine, having recovered, blushed instantly.
To have let out such a shameful sound...!
In her anger, the maid lost her composure.
"What are you laughing at, stop right there—!"
Lumine, filled with shame and indignation, raised her little pink fist, looking as if she would drag Qin Yu down with her.
"Ha... I just thought of something happy."
The air in the lush green oasis was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
…
After a bout of playful scuffling.
"Ahem, let's be serious."
Qin Yu straightened his slightly dishevelled collar and said sternly.
Playtime was over.
He had important matters to discuss with the two women he had invited here.
It wasn't just about camping with his maid and secretary.
"You're being so mysterious, what is it?"
Lumine and Yelan sat side-by-side on chairs, waiting for Qin Yu to explain.
"You've both noticed it, haven't you? The strange phenomenon in the distance."
Qin Yu turned his head to look at the colossal tree behind him and spoke softly.
Above the Ley Line Outcrop in the Garden of Endless Virtues, the sky seemed on the verge of collapse, with black and emerald energies intertwined, creating an uncanny sight.
"The Abyss?"
Lumine and Yelan exchanged glances and said in unison.
They were already quite familiar with such a phenomenon.
During the appearance of the Abyss's army in Enkanomiya, similar rifts had occurred.
Could the Abyss be directly invading Teyvat from here?
"The rift here appears quite stable for now."
Qin Yu smiled faintly, "More than that, what I really want to talk about is information regarding the Abyss."
"Information about the Abyss..."
Lumine was momentarily taken aback, then a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes as she quickly inquired:
"Does it have anything to do with the whereabouts of my brother?"
"Yes... it does have something to do with your brother."
Qin Yu gestured for Lumine to calm down, and continued:
"Lumine, do you remember the peculiar inverted Statue of the Seven we encountered during our confrontation with the Abyss Order?"
"Yes."
Lumine nodded, her expression grave.
At that time, she had collaborated with Yelan, Eula, and the others, forcing the Abyss Order's executives to retreat.
But then, her brother had appeared.
Thinking of this, Lumine bit her lip, and a flush of unnaturalness crossed her face.
He had appeared, sword in hand, saving that Abyss Order executive and then spouting a string of riddles.
Things like, "We will eventually reunite," "Wherever you are is home," "You'll find the answer when you complete your journey," and so on...
It was the same as their previous encounter in Mondstadt.
The only difference was the addition of a strangely targeted remark: "Stay away from that man named Qin Yu."
Recalling the scene, Lumine felt a surge of anger.
What was the point of speaking in riddles?
All she wanted was her brother, who would stay by her side.
Why, why wouldn't he reveal the truth to her!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and in a moment of recklessness.
Whether it was defiance or giving up entirely.
In short, Lumine blurted out words that, even now, she found incredibly shameful to recall:
[If you don't come back soon, old brother, I'll have a bunch of kids with Qin Yu to show you!]
[...]
Both parties were stunned at the time.
When had things escalated to having children?
[Qin Yu...! How dare you lay hands on my sister...!]
In any case, the distorted, darkened expression on Aether's face from that moment still lingered in Lumine's mind.
While it was embarrassing, it also brought a strange sense of satisfaction.
Riddler? Serves him right!
If I were to have children...
No, no, why was she thinking about this again.
Who would want to have children with that pervert Qin Yu!
"Heh."
Yelan listened silently, a playful curve gracing her lips.
According to her secretary's schedule, Miss Lumine the maid didn't seem to have any plans for overtime with the boss late at night...
"Ahem, let's get back to the inverted statue."
Qin Yu said calmly, changing the subject.
"I've been observing the abyssal rift here and the Irminsul recently, and I've discovered something interesting."
"The 'inverted' state... seems to have an inextricable connection to the Abyss Order, or rather, to Khaenri'ah, with which they share a deep link."
At this point, his expression turned completely serious.
"Do you remember the 'inverted statue' that called itself a 'sinner'?"
The inverted statue that spoke... that was quite interesting.
"Who is he?"
Lumine furrowed her brow slightly and asked instinctively.
Could it be Albedo's teacher, Rhinedottir?
"Actually, he is the King of Khaenri'ah—Il Min."
Qin Yu's words caused Lumine and Yelan to fall silent simultaneously.
Everyone knew very little about this mysterious one-eyed king.
"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata told me an ancient legend."
[A sage, inverted on the tree, gained the wisdom to write runes and manipulate words.]
[A kingdom built along the tree's roots eventually glimpsed the secrets of the celestial realm.]
Inverted, sage, kingdom.
All the clues seemed to point to one speculation.
The King of Khaenri'ah had once been inverted upon the Irminsul.
Gaining power, he ultimately touched the Abyss, bringing ruin upon Khaenri'ah.
This was why he called himself a sinner.
"What secrets is it referring to?"
Lumine suddenly felt a chill down her spine and asked softly.
Teyvat's starry sky was "false."
Unseen forces seemed to be manipulating the fate of this continent.
"I'm sorry, this is one thing I cannot tell you."
Qin Yu let out a long sigh and smiled.
In truth, it was that the world was constantly "reincarnating," but he couldn't say it.
He didn't want to be struck by a Heavenly Nail.
"Then my brother..."
Lumine pursed her lips and slowly clenched her hands.
Why did he choose to join the Abyss?
"Heh, I'll tell you once I obtain the final elemental power."
Qin Yu took out five exquisitely colored chess pieces and smiled slightly.
Except for the God of Fire and the God of Water, he already possessed five of the Seven Gnosis.
And the substitute for Pyro elemental power was the artificial sun of Enkanomiya, the eternal flame.
Once he obtained Furina's Hydro Gnosis, it would be the day to march upon the Celestial Island.
Of course, Abyss, you'd better wait for me too.
...
As dusk settled.
The group lit a fire and set up tents.
The evening vacation had begun.
"Why do I have to go on patrol?"
Lumine scoffed, looking at Qin Yu and Yelan lounging lazily in their chairs.
"It was the result of rolling dice."
Qin Yu said cheerfully.
Fair and just, absolutely no cheating involved.
After seeing Lumine and Paimon off.
"Mr. Qin Yu, is there something you need me for, keeping me here alone?"
Yelan gazed at the flickering campfire, her lips curving slightly.
Her long, toned legs were crossed, the delicate black stockings rubbing softly against each other.
A private moment between boss and secretary?
"Perhaps you just want a companion to relax with."
Qin Yu glanced at the black stockings that gleamed in the dim light and said nonchalantly.
"Oh? Is the boss perhaps a little tired?"
"...Perhaps a little."
Qin Yu, looking at Yelan's elegant and seductive figure and alluring gaze in the dim light, instinctively changed his tune.
Perhaps...
Miss Secretary, could you come over and give me a massage?