The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

After the richly dressed, ruddy-faced old man smiled and left, she finally sighed, looking somewhat sad.

"You seem...to be quite famous?" The sudden question caught Gan Yu's attention.

Following the direction of the sound, it turned out that Mei was closing her eyes and suddenly talking to herself.

Sitting on the stool with her legs crossed and arms crossed, she looked so different from everyone else. Bronya, sitting opposite her, had the same expression and posture.

For some reason, it felt like... I was caught in the middle between two girls, feeling conflicted?

Uh, cough cough!

Gan Yu shook her head, clearing away these random fantasies. Then she gave a shy smile.

"Because I've been working in Liyue Harbor for a while now, I think most of the merchants who travel around buying and selling goods have heard of me."

"Oh?" Mei opened her eyes and turned her head curiously. "You're a merchant too?"

"No, I'm investigating tax evasion."

"Oh, this..."

Mei was somewhat surprised. She had initially thought the girl with horns was just an ordinary person with good interpersonal relationships. Who would have thought that she could actually investigate tax evasion? No wonder Kiana trusted her so much to help her find her way.

People who have access to the tax system are usually government officials with real power, and Gan Yu is clearly one of them.

It's strange, why would Kiana know someone like that? What...what did she do before?

Just as Mei was filled with doubt, a commotion broke out in the distance.

"Wow, what a beautiful lady. Is she from Mondstadt?"

"Look at those gorgeous clothes, she might be a rich young lady."

"I wonder if she has enough money. I'll take the jewelry I got from Liyue Harbor over there and ask. Maybe I can get a good price for it!"

Amidst gasps of astonishment, a noblewoman in a magnificent green dress slowly approached. She was blonde with blue eyes, her long hair tied in a single ponytail cascading over her left shoulder. She appeared to be about twenty years old, with fair skin and stunning beauty. Her elegant attire accentuated her impressive figure, and her striking silhouette swayed slightly, drawing the attention of everyone around her.

Beneath the long skirt that just covered her knees were a pair of legs clad in white sheer stockings. White high-heeled boots followed one after the other, making light, rhythmic footsteps.

It can be said that she was a very beautiful woman.

However, upon seeing the other person's face, Mei's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't believe she was seeing something like Archbishop Otto in this strange and inexplicable world!

No, that's absolutely impossible.

Your Excellency, shouldn't she already be...?

Recalling the reality of her memories, Mei felt a chill run down her spine, as if she had fallen into an abyss, her whole body trembling with fear. Her eyes were filled with terror.

"This person...is...is...is Otto?"

She murmured uncertainly to herself, unable to believe her eyes.

Despite my utter disbelief, this face was almost identical to the one I remembered; the signature blond hair and hairstyle were so familiar. It was impossible to distinguish him from the person I remembered...

"This...how is this possible?"

Mei looked somewhat lost, and her overreaction alerted Bronya, who was standing nearby.

"What—huh?!" Bronya opened her eyes in confusion, but was startled before she could even finish her question.

"Bronya, you saw it too, didn't you? We... aren't dreaming, are we?"

Mei forced a smile, then gripped the knife tightly, looking at the flamboyant Archbishop Otto with extreme wariness.

"I think someone needs to explain why this is."

Bronya, sitting opposite him, picked up her gun almost without hesitation, as if she would immediately engage in battle should Otto show the slightest abnormality.

This wasn't because she harbored any deep resentment towards him, but because a person who had already died suddenly appeared before her.

Everyone should be wary, right?

However, the key question should actually be... why is Kiana following behind her with such a preoccupied look?

Bronya stared at Kiana with a look of utter confusion.

"who is she?"

Upon hearing this, Kiana coughed and gestured for Otto to sit down at the next table. She then sat down at the table where Mei and the others were sitting. "It's a long story, actually..." But despite saying this, Kiana hesitated to explain, instead turning her gaze to Gan Yu.

"I'll go ask the kitchen to cook a few more good dishes. You guys chat first... Goodbye."

She was well-educated, reasonable, and intelligent, and left with a smile, making an excuse.

With the departure of the half-divine girl, Kiana finally had the opportunity to explain the situation.

To put it simply, I 'accidentally' encountered Void Treasury, who had also been teleported to this world, in the wild. After some careful communication, the other party successfully agreed to temporarily cease hostilities and act as an assistant to help me complete this Lantern Festival journey.

Of course, a talking cube is really too strange. And if you want to put her into someone's brain... frankly, probably no one present has the intelligence to accept that, so it's quite frustrating.

So he had no choice but to let her change her appearance and follow him. However, because of Xiao Xilin's wicked sense of humor, she ended up looking like this.

Overall, everything is fine; at least there won't be any more battles of wits with the supercomputers of the previous civilization.

"Is that so? Phew, thank goodness. I thought he had come back to life."

Mei was relieved after hearing Kiana's explanation.

Unfortunately, before things had calmed down for long, she suddenly realized what was going on.

Wait a minute, why should I believe her without any reason?

"Kiana, do you... really believe her?"

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter Six, here comes the inspirational story!

"believe..."

Kiana was taken aback when she heard Mei ask that question.

At least in the very last moment, in the last moment after detaching itself from its own world, in the last moment after distancing itself from its own influence, this former civilization's supercomputer, which could have easily switched sides, did not choose to betray itself.

After reaching a consensus, she had never seen this guy dare to disobey her orders. So overall, he was considered trustworthy.

Even if there is danger in the future, I am absolutely confident that I can make her admit her guilt and submit to the law.

"Don't worry, I believe she will keep her promise."

After saying that, Kiana smiled, picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of braised fish, and stuffed it into Mei's mouth, pouting and teasing Mei.

“I said, don’t look at me like that.”

"Well..."

Upon hearing this, Mei blushed and then began to eat the food that Kiana fed her.

It was at this moment that she noticed Miss Otto beside her, who was also enjoying a meal.

It must be said, this is truly a supercomputer from a pre-civilization. Although it cannot understand human emotions, the way it eats is incredibly elegant.

It's a complete copy of the bishop's words and actions, isn't it?

"Strange, why do I feel like she's... kind of nice?"

Mei stroked her chin, quietly admiring the beautiful woman's meal, the occasional sway of her hair, and her snow-white neck. For a moment, it gave her a dreamlike illusion, making her feel that this was not some kind of pre-existing supercomputer.

Instead, they were angels who fell to earth...

For a moment, Mei felt her mind go blank, and she even wondered if she was overthinking things because she was too nervous.

"Ok?"

Seemingly noticing Mei's gaze, Miss Otto slowly turned around.

Upon seeing the shocked expression on the familiar girl's face, she asked:

"What's wrong? Are you doubting my purpose? Heh, how exactly can I gain your trust? Tell me."

"Ahem, it's nothing. I'm just a little surprised, after all, the you of the past... could hardly be called a partner."

Mei stroked her smooth chin and pondered for a long time before suddenly revealing her opinion.

Upon hearing Mei's answer, Miss Otto smiled. This was quite different from her mysterious demeanor when she wore the mask earlier.

It seems she really has changed a bit?

"I am now walking this world in the name of Otto Apocalypse, and it's a pleasure to meet you. If you'd like, you can call me Sister Otto."

Miss Otto reached out her hand and made a friendly gesture to Mei, but after hesitating for a moment, Mei did not extend her hand, but simply closed her eyes and sighed.

"Don't say such things in the name of His Excellency the Bishop. It completely overturns my impression of him."

Of course, despite her less-than-friendly tone, Mei did not react with further rejection.

The absence of rejection means the absence of resistance.

At least Kiana felt that Mei had accepted the inclusion of this advanced computer from the previous civilization.

that's enough.

"Thank you, Mei." Kiana couldn't help but take Mei's hand, then smiled at her beloved.

"Kiana..."

Mei, who rarely had the chance to spend time together like this, blushed unconsciously.

"Excuse me, is this the chicken soup you ordered for this table?" The sudden question interrupted their intimacy.

Looking in the direction from which the sound came, one could see a waiter holding a bowl of soup, smiling warmly at everyone.

"Hmm? Chicken soup... Oh, is it from Gan Yudian?"

Kiana looked at the bowl in the waiter's hand with some surprise. She didn't expect Gan Yu to be so thoughtful as to order some more dishes for her table.

"Yes, Miss Gan Yu ordered it. Chef Yan Xiao heard you were here and specially prepared this soup. Please eat it while it's hot..."

The waiter nodded.

"Hmm? Gan Yu ordered soup? We'd better try it. I wonder how Yan Xiao's cooking is. Mei, Bronya, and... Otto? Let's drink together?"

"Huh? She's coming over for a drink too?"

Upon hearing this, Mei's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at Otto, who was slowly rising to his feet.

Clearly, although they have vaguely accepted its existence, it is still a long way from true acceptance.