Chapter 10 Returning to Mondstadt
Lumine's POV

The Next Day

After saying goodbye to his family, Childe and I walked outside of his house.

"Alright then", Childe started. "Shall we get this show on the road, comrade?"

Before I could reply to this, two Fatui agents suddenly rushed up to us.

"Thank goodness", one of them said. "I was worried that we missed you."

"Who are you two", Paimon asked.

"My name is Nadia", one of the agents replied. "And this is Vlad. We were sent to assist you with your mission."

"Wait a minute", Paimon started. "You two look familiar. Has Paimon seen you two before?"

"Up until recently, Nadia and I were posted at the Liyue branch of the Northland Bank", Vlad revealed. "Perhaps you've seen us there before?"

"Oh yeah", Paimon said in realisation. "Paimon recognises you two now! You're that Fatui couple we always see together during the Lantern Rite festival!"

When Paimon said this, Nadia and Vlad suddenly became very nervous.

"Actually", Vlad started. "We're not a…"

"Anyway", Paimon said, interrupting him. "We should get going! Mondstadt, here we come!"

After traveling for a few of days, we had arrived at the outskirts of Mondstadt.

"It's good to be back in Mondstadt", Paimon stated. "Coming back here after being to all the other nations feels very nostalgic, doesn't it?"

"It does", I agreed.

"Comrade", Childe started. "You should go on ahead. That way, it'll look as if we've arrived here separately."

"Good idea, Childe", Paimon stated. "See you later, then!"

We had now arrived at the gates of the city.

"We're here", Paimon exclaimed happily. "And look! Everything's decorated!"

"Mondstadt must be celebrating one of its festivals", I pointed out.

"Uh…", Paimon started as she began to think. "Which one should be going on right now? Mondstadt has so many festivals that Paimon forgets when they're all supposed to happen."

Before I could answer Paimon's question, a familiar outrider suddenly landed in front of us.

"Traveler, Paimon", she greeted excitedly.

Then, she rushed up to me and gave me a hug.

"Amber", Paimon greeted happily. "Long time, no see!"

"It's so good to see you two again", Amber said as she pulled away from us. "Are you here for the Windblume festival?"

"Oh, so that's the festival that's going on", Paimon said, before realising something. "I mean…yes! That's exactly why we're here!"

"That's great", Amber stated, before suddenly grabbing onto my hand. "Come on! Everyone will want to see you."

"Well well well, girlie", I heard a familiar suddenly voice say. "It looks like we've run into each other yet again. It's as if our destinies are intertwined."

When I heard this I turned around, and saw Childe.

With Amber's attention now on him, I turned to look at Paimon, and we both gave each other a nod.

"Childe", she exclaimed suddenly. "What are you doing in Mondstadt?!"

"Wait a minute", Amber started in confusion. "You two know him? But…he looks like a Fatui Harbinger?!"

"Oh, we know him alright", Paimon revealed. "He's always showing up in other regions, and causing trouble when he does!"

"How hurtful, Paimon", Childe said. "And after everything we've been through together."

"You mean everything you've put us through", Paimon stated. "And you didn't answer my earlier question! What the heck are you doing in Mondstadt?!"

"I was sent here to investigate something that happened here about a year ago", Childe revealed.

"Something that happened here about a year ago", Amber repeated. "Wait a minute? Do you mean…the Black Fire incident?"

"That's the one", Childe replied.

"Black Fire Incident", Paimon repeated. "What's that?"

"I'll tell you all about it later", Childe replied, before looking at Amber. "Ms, judging by your outfit, I'd say that you're a Knight of Favonius?"

"Yes", Amber replied. "I'm outrider Amber of the Knight of Favonius."

"Well then, Outrider Amber", Childe started. "Would you be so kind as to escort me to the Knights of Favonius' headquarters?"

After being asked this, Amber had a worried look on her face.

Then, she sighed in defeat before looking at me.

"Sorry, Traveler and Paimon", she apologised. "Looks like the knights will have to attend to this matter first."

"That's okay, Amber", Paimon reassured. "We'll come swing by the knight's headquarters later!"