Episode 3: Meandering Paths


Within a vast, silent darkness, a nostalgic voice resounded.

"There was once an old saying in my beloved nation of Liyue: "A person has to wander down many paths before finding the right one". That might sound somewhat banal to some, but it truly has profound meaning. Finding that correct path can be a lifelong journey, filled with crushing disappointments. The path you'd grown so attached to could reach an end without any warning at all, leaving you with nothing. Perhaps some unfortunate souls may never find the "right" path at all. Others, guided by the invisible hand of destiny, found this path without even trying. And a choice few reject them all, instead choosing to struggle against their coming fate with all their might. Perhaps this was the reason, from the very beginning, back then…"


Opening Theme: FELT - START


At the Wanmin Restaurant in Liyue Harbor, a strange meeting was taking place. Two men - both with rather unusual clothing that stood out quite a bit - sat side by side, partaking of the restaurant's famous food.

"So you're from Mondstadt, how intriguing. A very close friend of mine is from there as well. We go back… quite a few years."

"I see. Perhaps I know them?"

"I don't mean to be rude, but I highly doubt you do."

"Ah. That's a shame."

"Nothing to lose face over, my friend! Now, let us continue our meal. This restaurant demands our tongue's utmost attention."

Diluc smirked at the incredibly earnest man beside him. He had no idea who he was, but he was clearly a local. Diluc thought he was some sort of swindler at first, but after conversing for a while, he realized that this man was much too straightforward for that. It was almost impossible to dislike his honest speech, which cut directly to the heart of the matter without any sort of trickery or facade.

Perhaps it was for that reason that Diluc decided on a whim to ask this man an important question.

"Forgive me if I'm being audacious here, but would you happen to know anything about the Fatui in this nation?"

"Hm? Why yes, I certainly would. What do you wish to know?"

Diluc decided in the moment to trust this man. His instincts were telling him it'd be okay, though he didn't understand why.

"You see, I'm actually here seeking a group of them that murdered many innocent people in Mondstadt. I have information that says they're here in Liyue, but my trail has gone cold. I'm sorry to ask such a sudden question to a stranger."

"Is that so? I'm very sorry to hear about that. So the rumors were true…"

Diluc lowered his head as he remembered the awful events of a few weeks before. The man once again spoke up.

"The Fatui have long used this city as a "safe house" of sorts. They have diplomatic immunity as long as they don't step on anyone's toes, so to speak. You should be careful where you mention things like this around here, stranger."

"I see… Thanks for the warning."

"Of course, I wouldn't want to see a good man like yourself end up in trouble. Now, as far as information about the whereabouts of this group of murderers, I couldn't say. I don't know any of the specifics of their movement in this country. My apologies."

"No, I'm sorry again for asking such a weird question."

"Haha, you certainly know your manners, young man!" the stranger laughed heartily.

Diluc gave a half smile in reply, then returned to stuffing his face with the delicious food. After a short silence, the man spoke up again.

"Since you've been so open with me, stranger, I'll tell you something. It's up to you whether you take me at my word, though."

"No, you don't have to go that far for someone like me," Diluc said, trying to be polite.

"Too late, I've already decided I will. Listen closely…"

The man leaned close to Diluc, lowering his voice so that only he could hear him.

"I've seen a strange man around these parts lately. Someone I recognize from… a few years ago. I don't know if he's related to this incident, but something out-of-place doesn't happen too often around this peaceful place."

"So you think he might know something?"

"It is very possible indeed. The man has medium-length blond hair, a strange black outfit, and half of his face appeared to be wrapped in some sort of mask. Find him, and you may find what you seek."

"Hm… well, this is much better than nothing. Thanks for the information."

"You are most welcome, stranger. Though I must warn you, that man seems very suspicious. He might, in fact, be incredibly dangerous."

Diluc smirked at the man's concern.

"I'm prepared for anything."

The man gave another hearty laugh, throwing his head back in glee.

"I most appreciate your gusto! Now, if you'd excuse me, I must be on my way."

"Ah, certainly. Safe travels."

The man gave a nod of respect, then blended into the crowded streets.

Diluc finished his meal and stood, suddenly realizing he had forgotten something very important.

"I didn't even get his name."


As Diluc made his way back to the inn once again, he felt a new surge of excitement. He had a possible lead now, which meant he could start working on it as early as tomorrow. This enigmatic blond man should be easy to find, since from his description, he would stick out like a sore thumb in a place like this. This time, Diluc swore to himself that he wouldn't make any mistakes.

For most of his short journey back to the inn, his head had been down, staring at the pavement beneath his boots. As he started to cross the Chihu Rock bridge, though, he looked up, and immediately locked eyes with someone unexpected.

"Keqing…"

"Geh…"

Geh?! This woman… Diluc thought, his eyebrow twitching.

Her face looked like a kid who'd been caught stealing candy. She looked away, and started to cross the bridge past Diluc without another word. However, something told him that he shouldn't let her get away that easily.

"Hold up."

"W-What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?" she replied, still not looking at him.

"I can see that very clearly, but this is important."

"…Fine, make it quick."

"I think I owe you an apology."

"You think? So you're not sure, huh?"

Diluc could feel a vein on his forehead starting to pop out already. However, he didn't lose his composure this time, remaining the perfect gentleman that he had practiced to perfection over the years.

"No, I am sure. I definitely shouldn't have blown up at you earlier. I apologize. It was unsightly of me, please forget about it. I'm under a lot of stress right now, and I simply want to find those scumbags as quickly as I possibly can."

In response to his heartfelt apology, the first thing he heard was a stifled laugh. He looked at her face, which was now finally facing his.

"Hey now, I'm trying to be serious here."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't think someone as belligerent as you would have any manners whatsoever. It seems I'll have to reconsider my impression of you," Keqing said jovially, and somewhat sarcastically.

"Do as you please. My conscience is clear now, so I'll be on my way. Good night, Keqing."

Her eyes wavered for only a split second when he said this, looking down, then back up at him.

"Alright. Good… night, Diluc."

"So you do know how to address someone by their name?"

Diluc couldn't resist taking a parting shot at the impudent young woman.

"S-Shut it! I'm leaving, farewell!"

Keqing blustered, then took off across the bridge at top speed, leaving a trail of smoke behind her. Diluc smirked as he watched her back grow smaller.

Now with a much lighter conscience, Diluc returned to the inn. He soaked in the bath, then retired for the night. And for the first time since the Springvale massacre, he slept like a baby.


The next morning, the red-haired young man got an early start to the day. Feeling more refreshed than he had in weeks, he ate a hearty breakfast at the inn, then prepared to head out.

His hope was to find the blond man quickly, and make him talk. However, he knew it might not be that simple. He would have to turn the city upside down, most likely… Unless luck was on his side.

I'll just hope that's true.

Diluc left the inn, choosing to start his search near the northwest edge of the city. He asked around everywhere he could, looking for any hint of the blond man. Some hours later, he returned to the inn to take a break. His search thus far was fruitless, as expected. He decided to rest and collect his thoughts.

Around late afternoon, he set off again, hoping for more favorable luck this time. And mercifully, he quickly stumbled upon a lead.

"So you really saw a tall blond man dressed in black earlier?" Diluc questioned a young woman near the Bubu Pharmacy.

"Yes, he was here just a bit ago. I was people watching from the overlook, and I spotted a strange-looking man just like you said. He climbed the stairs over there and headed up the mountain."

Diluc was elated. At last, he had found something. A voice in the back of his head said "this might be too easy", but he couldn't afford to pay that any attention right now.

"Thank you very much!" he yelled out, already running towards the nearby staircase.

He rushed up the mountain path, past a babbling creek that helped form the pond near Bubu Pharmacy. His boots echoed on the wooden bridge as he neared the top of the ridge. The sun was starting to sink low on the horizon as he climbed ever higher, and the breeze grew colder. The night was about to begin.

Reaching a small canyon between two mountains, Diluc noticed a variety of ruins built into the mountainside. The sun was dying the distant horizon a madder color, and as he surveyed the view, he noticed a lone figure silhouetted against the sky, standing on the remains of an ancient bridge just ahead.

Diluc made haste, quickly climbing the nearby dilapidated staircase that led to the ruins of the bridge above. He reached a small room, and quickly turned left, where he instantly saw the blond man, standing only a few feet away.

The black-clad man spoke first.

"Ah, so it's you again, eh? I see, I see."

Diluc didn't respond immediately. Despite the man's lethargic voice, Diluc felt an intense presence from him, and was immediately put on guard. The blond man spoke again.

"Do you know where these ruins came from?"

"I'm… Not sure."

"I see. Makes sense. They've been here since long before anyone can remember, after all. It'd be much more surprising if you did know."

Diluc didn't understand the man's point, but he was in a hurry to move things along, so he spoke up.

"What's your name?"

"My name? Nobody has asked me that in quite a while. Not since him."

"Sorry, I don't follow."

"Don't concern yourself with it. My name is… Dainsleif."

"Dainsleif, huh. Never heard a name quite like that one."

"It is a name that originated from a place long forgotten by this world. Now, what question have you, my unknown acquaintance?"

"I'll get straight to the point then. My name is Diluc Ragnvindr. I'm looking for information about a group of Fatui. They're responsible for a terrible massacre in my home country of Mondstadt. Someone told me that you might know something about this, so I was hoping to find you."

"Fatui? Ah, yes. Those. I might know something about that, yes."

"Then where are they? I will certainly return the favor somehow if you'll tell me."

Dainsleif gave a strange, dry laugh, as if he was forcing out a sound that was totally foreign to him.

"That won't be necessary. In fact, I'd love to tell you all about those parasites."

This man was a total enigma to Diluc. He seemed overly friendly in a way, but also distant, as if he was in a world all his own. And his willingness to tell a stranger important information for free was suspicious to say the least. On top of everything, he seemed oddly familiar. Despite this, Diluc forged ahead. He couldn't afford to turn back now.

"Then please do."

Diluc couldn't shake the feeling that this man was sizing him up on the fly. It was an unsettling feeling.

"Right… Right. They're actually quite close by, you can almost see them from here, in fact."

Dainsleif pointed in a southwesterly direction.

"See that small outcrop there? Just behind it is an ancient ruin area known as Qingxu Pool. That is where the men you seek have retreated to. My sources say that they'll all be present soon at a meeting, which will be held twelve days from tonight."

"I… see…" Diluc said quietly.

He couldn't quite convince himself that it was that simple. As he stood under the darkening night sky, he felt a chill from more than just the breeze.

"Why have you told me this?" the words in Diluc's mind came out.

"Eh? It's simple. I heard about the incident in Mondstadt, and a few weeks ago, I spotted a suspicious group of Fatui heading toward those ruins. I'm something of a wanderer, you see. Knowing my surroundings is paramount for someone like me, and on top of that, I don't want those dregs to get away with their crimes any more than the next person."

Diluc still wasn't convinced, but this was his only lead. Warning bells were sounding inside his head, but the prospect of Diona being that close made him decide quickly. He would take a chance.

"Alright then. I appreciate your information. If there's anything I can do to return your kindness, please let me know."

"No, you've already given me plenty to think about. That's enough for now."

Dainsleif turned away from Diluc, as if to tell him the conversation was over.

"Understood. Then I'll be taking my leave. Good evening."

"Mm," Dainsleif muttered in agreement, then turned away from Diluc.

The mysterious blond man looked towards the sky with a faraway look in his eyes, and sighed deeply.

"It certainly is a beautiful night. If only this were the first time…"

The last of his words were lost to the sound of insects and the chilly night breeze, as Diluc made his way back towards the warmth of his room in the city below.


Ending Theme: FELT - you


Next:

Episode 4: A Million Dancing Lights, All Reflected in Your Eyes