Time marched onward, though for Lumine, it seemed to slow. After reuniting with her brother—now the enigmatic "Prince of the Abyss"—she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Though his circumstances remained unclear, knowing he was safe eased her urgency.
Her journey had never been about rushing from nation to nation. Finding her brother was her priority, not speedrunning through regions like a tourist. She'd hurried to Liyue for the Rite of Descension, but afterward, she lingered, splitting her time between Mondstadt and Liyue. She took Adventurers' Guild commissions, explored every corner, and earned a reputation as the "golden-haired busybody" (or, more charitably, the "helpful Traveler").
Now, with her brother confirmed safe, Lumine allowed herself to breathe. She wandered freely, collecting stories and curiosities: receiving the Serenitea Pot from Granny Ping, witnessing Azhdaha's tragic tale with Zhongli, and meeting the delightfully petty Eula in Mondstadt.
"You really do attract trouble everywhere, big sis," Rea remarked over dinner.
"Trouble has a way of finding me," Lumine shrugged, spearing a piece of grilled tiger fish.
"But something puzzles me… Azhdaha is older than Zhongli, right? Why did erosion affect him so severely? Split personalities, distorted memories… It's strange."
Rea paused, chopsticks hovering. "Because Geo dragons draw power and knowledge from the ley lines. Azhdaha lacked restraint. His will crumbled under the torrent of foreign memories."
"Geo… dragon?" Lumine blinked. "Is that another title for Azhdaha?"
"Not just a title." Rea set her utensils down. "True elemental dragons are unique—one per element. You've met Dvalin, the Anemo Dragon born from the heavens. Azhdaha is the Geo Dragon, born of the ley lines. The titles 'Dragon King' or 'Lord of the Vortex' are regional honorifics. In Fontaine, the Hydro Dragon is called the 'Water Sovereign.' But they're all singular beings. A new dragon won't rise until the current one perishes."
"So… Azhdaha isn't 'superior' to Dvalin?"
"Exactly. Don't let the 'Dragon King' title fool you. Each is peerless in their element."
This clarification mattered. Many players mistakenly assumed "Dragon Kings" outranked ordinary elemental dragons. But in truth, titles like "Anemo Dragon" and "Geo Dragon King" were cultural flourishes—not power tiers.
The scene shifted—no longer a casual meal, but an in-game cutscene. Ye, piloting Rea's character model, had orchestrated this dialogue. With Version 1.7 (the Golden Apple Archipelago update) launching, it was time to reintroduce Rea. Despite her limited screen time since Version 1.1, her popularity remained unmatched.
Humans adored genuine virtue. While cynics mocked "Mary Sues," a true paragon—selfless, kind, and unwaveringly compassionate—earned universal respect. Rea embodied this ideal. Her meekness wasn't a flaw but a charm, softened further by Themis's presence. As the first companion to journey with players through two nations, she held a privileged place in their hearts.
New characters like Longhua (marketed by Fu Xuan's efforts) were rising stars, but Rea's legacy endured. To sustain her relevance, Ye needed to weave her into upcoming storylines—especially before the Inazuma arc sidelined her.
Thus, the dinner scene segued into an invitation:
Lumine: "Rea, want to join us in Mondstadt?"
Rea: "M-Mondstadt?"
Paimon: "We met this super cute kid named Klee! You'll love her!"
Rea (panicking): "B-But Mr. Zhongli is supervising me… I can't leave Liyue!"
Paimon: "Pfft, he's not your jailer! And that Supreme Bishop guy never said you're stuck here!"
Rea: "Well… no, but…"
Paimon (whispering): "Also… Hu Tao might make you work if you stay."
Rea trembled. "L-Let's go! Right now! Right now!"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances.
Just what has Director Hu been doing to her…?
The threat of Hu Tao's "motivational leadership" proved more effective than any divine decree.