Shortly after Lumine and Paimon slipped away from Galehaven Comics, two familiar figures emerged into the quiet alley, their silhouettes framed against the morning light filtering through Mondstadt's narrow streets.
If Lumine lingered, she'd have recognized them instantly—Amber and Eula, the relentless duo who'd chased her through the city the night before.
Now, the pair scanned the alley with cautious eyes, its narrow, hushed expanse unremarkable compared to Mondstadt's bustling core.
Harlan Flint had left for dinner the previous evening, and in his absence, Jean had dispatched workers to mend the Haki-scarred ground—now smooth and unblemished once more.
"Is this really where that shop's supposed to be?" Eula asked, her voice laced with doubt as she surveyed the unassuming surroundings.
Who'd plant a business in such a forgotten corner—unless, as her Liyue pen-pal Yanfei once mused, the truly exceptional preferred solitude over clamor?
She'd rescued Yanfei from an Abyss ambush years ago, sparking a correspondence where the lawyer shared tales of Liyue's reclusive immortals.
"It's the spot Jean gave me—I triple-checked," Amber replied, her tone firm as she clutched the scribbled address, confidence unshaken.
"Let's head in then—if I'd been stronger last night, those thieves wouldn't have slipped through my grasp," Eula said, a flicker of self-reproach tightening her features.
Amber nodded, her own frustration mirroring Eula's—they'd pursued the Sky Lyre bandits relentlessly, only to lose them in the city's maze.
The sting of failure gnawed at them both, their quarry darting away despite their best efforts under the cathedral's watchful spires.
As Knights of Favonius, letting thieves escape under their noses was a blow to pride, fueling a hunger for strength that drove them here at dawn.
After Jean confirmed the shop's wonders and shared its location, they'd wasted no time, their resolve hardened by the night's defeat.
With a shared glance, Amber and Eula stepped into Galehaven Comics, their anticipation humming beneath their composed exteriors.
Amber's eyes widened as she spotted Harlan behind the counter. "Wait—you're the guy from the Deer Hunter last night!"
Realization dawned, her voice tinged with disbelief. "No way—you're the owner of this comic shop?"
"Nice to see you again, Miss Amber, Miss Eula," Harlan greeted, his smile warm and unruffled as he met their stunned gazes.
Their arrival didn't faze him—after their eager chatter at dinner, he'd half-expected them to show up once Jean's endorsement spread.
Amber's cheeks flushed, embarrassment creeping in—she'd gushed about the shop's owner to the man himself without a clue.
She averted her eyes, suddenly shy, while Eula's surprise settled into quiet understanding, her curiosity sharpening.
No wonder he'd shown no disdain for her Lawrence blood last night, nor faltered at talk of glowing dishes—he wasn't just some passerby.
"Here to read comics?" Harlan asked, his tone casual as he gestured toward the shelves lining the wall.
Both nodded, their purpose clear—they'd come to claim the power Amber had raved about, spurred by duty and defeat.
"We've got five titles up there now—100,000 Mora each, one book per person per day," Harlan explained, laying out the rules with practiced ease.
The price didn't faze them—Jean had prepped them, and the promise of comic-born rewards made it a steal in their eyes.
"Here," Eula said, sliding a pouch across the counter, her family's faded wealth still sufficient for this venture.
Amber followed suit, her savings from years of scouting missions more than enough to cover her share.
Harlan accepted the payment, then waved them off. "Take your pick—I'll be here if you need me."
He leaned back, brewing a cup of black tea as the two approached the bookshelf, its five spines gleaming with promise.
The lineup stared back: One Piece: East Sea Saga, Cardcaptor Sakura's Magic, Digimon: First Frontier, Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!, and Yu-Gi-Oh.
Amber hesitated, her fingers hovering. "Which one's the right call?"
After a long internal debate, she snagged Cardcaptor Sakura's Magic, drawn by Lisa's tales of its power-laden cards.
"Sister Lisa got that Thunder Card—maybe I'll score something just as cool," she thought, settling onto a sofa with a hopeful grin.
Eula's gaze landed on Yu-Gi-Oh, its unfamiliar title piquing her interest. "This one's new—haven't heard it mentioned before."
She bypassed Chuunibyou without a glance—love stories held no appeal for a knight who'd sworn off romance forever, a silent vow she'd never break.
Comic in hand, she claimed the seat opposite Amber, the shop falling into a hush broken only by the rustle of turning pages.
Meanwhile, beyond the alley, Lumine and Paimon navigated Mondstadt's morning buzz, their spirits sinking as wanted posters caught their eye.
"Blonde thief—stole the Sky Lyre," the notices blared, vague enough to offer slim comfort amid their growing dread.
"Ying, if we keep our heads down, we might dodge the worst of it," Paimon said, her voice a shaky attempt at reassurance.
She longed for their carefree days of comics and feasts, not this fugitive scramble through a city on alert.
Lumine nodded, her jaw tight. "Still, we need Wendy—the lyre's with him, and we've got to sort this mess out."
She'd been roped into this chaos for Stormterror's sake, but the fallout left her reeling—what kind of luck was this?
"Where's that bard hiding now?" Paimon wondered aloud, her tiny brow furrowing as she floated beside Lumine.
"Probably the plaza—he's supposed to hype up Boss Harlan's shop," Lumine replied, ruffling Paimon's hair with a faint smile.
"Oh, right!" Paimon perked up, memory clicking—Wendy's broke self couldn't risk losing free comic privileges.
Yesterday's brainstorm flashed back—Wendy spinning tales while a Digimon danced, a spectacle to draw crowds and Mora alike.
"Let's head there—might catch something worth watching," Paimon urged, her excitement bubbling past their woes as they turned toward the square.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze