Shortly after Lumine and Paimon left Galehaven Comics, two familiar figures appeared in the quiet alley. Their silhouettes were framed against the morning light filtering through Mondstadt's narrow streets. If Lumine had lingered, she would have recognized them instantly—Amber and Eula, the persistent duo who had chased her through the city the night before.
Now, the pair scanned the alley cautiously. Its narrow, silent space was unremarkable compared to Mondstadt's bustling center. Harlan Flint had left for dinner the previous evening, and in his absence, Jean had sent workers to repair the Haki-damaged ground. It was now smooth and unblemished once more.
"Is this really where that shop's supposed to be?" Eula asked, her voice tinged with doubt as she looked at the unassuming surroundings. Who would open a business in such a forgotten corner—unless, as her Liyue pen-pal Yanfei once said, the truly exceptional preferred solitude over noise? She had rescued Yanfei from an Abyss ambush years ago, which started their 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, her confidence unshaken.
"Let's go in then—if I'd been stronger last night, those thieves wouldn't have escaped," Eula said, a flicker of self-reproach tightening her features. Amber nodded, her own frustration mirroring Eula's—they had pursued the Sky Lyre thieves relentlessly, only to lose them in the city's maze. The sting of failure bothered them both; their targets escaped despite their best efforts under the cathedral's watchful spires. As Knights of Favonius, letting thieves escape under their noses was a blow to their pride, fueling a hunger for strength that drove them here at dawn. After Jean confirmed the shop's wonders and shared its location, they had 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 calm 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 calm as he met their stunned gazes. Their arrival didn't surprise him—after their eager chatter at dinner, he had half-expected them to show up once Jean's endorsement spread.
Amber's cheeks flushed, embarrassment creeping in—she had gushed about the shop's owner to the man himself without knowing it. She looked away, suddenly shy, while Eula's surprise settled into quiet understanding, her curiosity sharpening. No wonder he had shown no disdain for her Lawrence blood last night, nor hesitated 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 was clear—they had 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 bother them—Jean had prepared them, and the promise of comic-born rewards made it a bargain in their eyes.
"Here," Eula said, sliding a pouch across the counter. Her family's diminished wealth was still enough for this venture. Amber followed suit; her savings from years of scouting missions were 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 choice?" After a long internal debate, she picked up Cardcaptor Sakura's Magic, drawn by Lisa's stories of its powerful cards. "Sister Lisa got that Thunder Card—maybe I'll get 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 had sworn off romance forever, a silent vow she would never break.
Comic in hand, she took the seat opposite Amber. The shop fell into a hush broken only by the rustle of turning pages.
Meanwhile, beyond the alley, Lumine and Paimon navigated Mondstadt's morning hustle, their spirits sinking as wanted posters caught their eye. "Blonde thief—stole the Sky Lyre," the notices blared, vague enough to offer slight comfort amid their growing dread.
"Ying, if we keep our heads down, we might avoid 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 had been dragged into this chaos for Stormterror's sake, but the consequences 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 promote Boss Harlan's shop," Lumine replied, ruffling Paimon's hair with a faint smile.
"Oh, right!" Paimon perked up, remembering—Wendy's broke self couldn't risk losing free comic privileges. Yesterday's idea flashed back—Wendy telling stories while a Digimon danced, a spectacle to attract crowds and Mora alike.
"Let's head there—might catch something worth watching," Paimon urged, her excitement overcoming their troubles as they turned toward the square.