[Liu's POV]
Scaramouche was holding back. If he wasn't, I would be bedbound in the best case scenario, or dead, in the worst.
In any case, he mentioned the Electro Gnosis. The Gnosis is something I wasn't even sure was real, but apparently it is. I heard that the Fatui were making moves in both Mondstadt and Liyue. Is it possible that they've been stealing the Gnoses from those nations' Archons as well? What is the Tsaritsa planning?
Whatever it is, I'm certain it does not justify effectively revoking an Archon status. Her majesty has lost her way, I presume.
Signora has still refused to confirm or deny my suspicions. She says I need to officially rejoin the Fatui, but I refuse to make a decision until I know exactly what is going on.
"Eh...I'll mull over that some more later..." I whisper to myself.
Signora managed to stress herself back to sleep so I'm here alone, staring at the ocean glistening in the setting sun. Where do I go from here? I guess I'll have to stick with Signora and the Fatui as they will most likely have a covert way out of Inazuma...Yeah, that's the best course of action, for now.
If that's the case, I feel it's appropriate to wear something I haven't done so since I left Snezhnaya. I know exactly where to reach into my storge for this item.
I slip it out, unfold it and swiftly put it on.
A black coat with sides and a tail that reaches my ankles, a high collar, thick cuffs and a white ribbon in the chest pocket. It's something I bought right before I joined the Fatui.
"Still has the same appeal..." I mutter, seeing myself in the faint reflection of the makeshift window.
This one piece of apparel should be enough to conceal my identity in the Inazuman public, if I put my hood up. Especially as it covers my Vision.
Right I'm going to head out. I can't bring myself to stay in this hideout for days on end. I take one last look at the sleeping Signora.
"Forgive me, Rosalyne..." I whisper before exiting her quarters.
[Nighttime, Inazuma City]
I take a seat at one of the food stalls in the capital and order some Egg Rolls and some water, before simply staring at the wood of the counter contemplating on what to do next. The only Nation left on my list is Fontaine, but I can't leave Signora so soon after being reunited. I'll just put my exploration on hold for now.
My order is placed in front of me.
"Thank you..." I say quietly.
I go to take a bite of the Egg Roll, when suddenly...
"So, your next destination is Sumeru?"
I know that voice. I look over my shoulder and, sure enough, it's Paimon talking with Aether.
"I think that would be the most logical, yes." Aether replies.
Sumeru, huh. I wonder if that's where the Fatui are planning to go to next...
I turn to the server and ask him to box up my food so I can take it with me. He nods and does so, swiftly. Meanwhile, I drink the water and observe the Traveller to make sure they don't get far. Luckily, he seems to just be taking a leisurely stroll.
Thanking the server again, I stand, take my box of food and begin to walk briskly in order to catch up with Aether and Paimon.
"Traveller!" I call and get their attention.
"Is that you, Liu?" Paimon retorts. "What's with the fancy overcoat?"
I get to about a metre and a half away before stopping.
"Just a souvenir from Snezhnaya." I say. "I overheard that you're planning to go to Sumeru next, right?"
"Yes, we are." Aether responds.
"I see. Well, since I have been there already, would you like to hear some of my advice?" I inquire.
Aether and Paimon look at each other for a few seconds, seemingly communicating silently, before turning back to me.
"All right." Paimon says. "We'll hear you out."
"Great!" I take a quick survey of the area. "But, uh, we should go somewhere a bit more suited to conversation."
Aether nods and so I begin to lead the Travellers away.
[Later...]
"The first thing you should know about Sumeru, is that it lacks a general military force." I explain to Aether and Paimon who had just got done cooking a pizza. "It is a place enforced by militia and mercenaries."
"But, wouldn't a country like that fall into anarchy?" Paimon speaks up.
"Well, Sumeru is a generally peaceful nation. Most people there value knowledge more than material possessions." I reply. "So, the paramilitary forces are enough to maintain order. Even then, the majority of 'soldiers' are not there to serve the public. The most honorable will patrol cities or large expanses of privately owned land but their priority will be their employer, while the least make camps in the wilderness then ambush and rob people traveling down the tracks."
"That doesn't sound very peaceful..." Aether mutters.
"Hey, I said generally peaceful." I defend myself. "Not perfectly tranquil. Anyway, it has a fantastic landscape, so make sure to take it in every once in a while. In between, try and make connections with everyone you meet, it will get you far."
"Is that what you did?" Paimon asks.
"It's something I learnt to do after the first two weeks of my stay there." I look down at the ground for a short while. "Oh and, when you're there, if you encounter a woman called Dehya, say hello to her for me."
"Dehya?" Paimon and Aether say in unison.
"Yes, Dehya." I nod. "I worked alongside her for a bit. We were partners, before she went into bodyguarding."
"I see..." Aether says.
"So, that's it." I stretch a little. "Any questions?"
"Um, Paimon has one, but it's not really about Sumeru..." Paimon replies.
"Ask away."
"Well, about you Liu, you never told us any specific details about your reasons for traversing Teyvat, and it's been bugging me..." She elucidates.
"That's it?" I lean forward. "To be honest, it's pretty simple. I travel this world to study different nation's sword styles."
"Paimon...doesn't understand..."
"My goal in all this is to create the ultimate culmination of the strengths of each region's stances." I close my eyes. "I was originally trained by Lord Xingqiu in the Guhua style. he was reluctant to at first, but was eventually coaxed by my mother's influence. Then, in Mondstadt, I found the Favonius stance to be quite balanced, but it's not without flaw. And the Fatui's brutish, all offence, style is effective at swiftly dispatching enemies, but it leaves you so open to counterattack from any skilled adversary."
Aether and Paimon are listening intently.
"All these sword styles have their strengths and weaknesses. I believe that by combining them, alongside the others from here, Sumeru, Natlan and Fontaine, which I have yet to visit, I can create the perfect combat stance for single-handed swords. With a bit of my own flair threw into the mix as well."
"Um, not to be rude, but what good would that do?" Paimon questions.
"That is a good question." I frown. "My mother wants me to be the next Tianquan, but with that, I'll always be in her shadow, since I lack her specific set of skills. Maybe with this stance, I can set my own legacy unrelated to my family or heritage."
Paimon and Aether remain silent.
I stand up. "I got to head off again."
"Where to?" Aether asks.
"The..." I hesitate, unsure of whether to tell the truth or not. Eh, they deserve to know. "The Fatui's Inazuma Hideout."
"They let you in?!" Paimon almost yells.
"A perk of being close with a Harbinger..." I collect my belongings.
"Liu, where is that hideout?" Aether stands as well.
"You should know that I'm not going to tell you that." I reply.
"But, they're Fatui..." Paimon mutters.
"Tch, such naivety coming from the 'Heroes' of Mondstadt and Liyue..." I murmur.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Paimon asks defiantly.
"Do you simply view the Fatui as heartless executors of evil?" I ask. "Have you ever stopped to consider that they have feelings and loved ones as well? Or is that beyond your perception of evil?"
Aether and Paimon looked stumped.
"I do not know what you may have witnessed them perform." I continue. "But, justice and righteousness are just matters of perspective. The soldiers of the Fatui are driven by a deep adoration and loyalty to their Archon. Just like the Sisters of Mondstadt Cathedral or the Shrine Maidens here in Inazuma."
I turn to leave.
"Don't try to understand a conflict until you have been on both sides, like myself."
[Later...]
"Leo, where were you?" I hear Signora ask worriedly and I start preparing for the inbound hug and/or slap.
"Just getting some food..." I half-lie.
She pulls me in for a bone-crushing hug.
"I thought you had left me again..." She says with a palpable sadness.
"Sig-Rosalyne, you shouldn't let nonsensical thoughts like that take you over." I reply, the best I can.
"Easier said than done, Leo." Signora pulls away. "In any case, I'm glad you're back, and, I haven't seen you wear that coat since you came back. I thought you hadn't kept it."
"I actually forgot I had it until earlier today." I look myself over. "If I recall correctly, you like it, don't you?"
"Yes, it's a statement in clothing form." She smiles. "As all outfits should be."
"What is this statement?" I ask, curious.
"It exerts power and a will to fight against the decided current." She proclaims. "In short it's a good look."
"Why, thank you, Rosalyne." I respond.
Signora's smile grows wider.
"Do you plan on staying with me tonight?" She asks while pulling me by the wrist into her room.
"Of course, I have nothing left to get in the way anymore." I answer.
"Good." She lets me go. "Because I wouldn't let you leave anyway."